By Arjay L. Balinbin

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte had banned Rappler.com’s senior reporter Pia I. Ranada from covering her assigned beat Malacañang due to “loss of trust,” according to Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr.

In a text message to BusinessWorld on Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, Mr. Roque confirmed his earlier statement that Mr. Duterte had “lost trust in Ms. Ranada.”

“Yes, and the decision of SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] that Rappler is already dissolved,” the spokesman added when asked about the President’s basis for his decision.

In an official statement, Mr. Roque said: “[U]nder the Rules of Court, judgments and final orders of quasi-judicial agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are not stayed while on appeal with the Court of Appeals (CA), unless the CA directs otherwise. In Rappler’s case, no such directive from the CA has been issued.”

Mr. Roque noted that Malacañang “did not implement the SEC decision at once.”

“We could have earlier disallowed Rappler’s Palace beat reporter, Pia Ranada, from entering Malacañang when the SEC decision was handed down if our intent is to infringe press freedom. However, we allowed Ms. Ranada to continue performing her work assignments unimpeded, notwithstanding that trust with the news source had already been adversely affected, in the hope that this would be restored,” the spokesman added.

For his part, Human Rights Watch (HRW) representative Carlos H. Conde said: “It could portend a broader assault on journalists and news organizations, whose critical watchdog role has magnified the government’s poor human rights record, from extrajudicial killings of thousands of alleged drug dealers and users to conflict-related abuses in the south.”

Sought for comment, Professor Luis V. Teodoro of the University of the Philippines-College of Mass Communication said in a phone interview that “there are government officials who have certain attitudes towards reporters….I think even those they don’t like, they should tolerate because that’s part of their responsibility in making sure that the public get the information that they need.”

“The public needs information from various perspectives. There’s what we call ‘market of ideas.’ Thus, it’s important to allow reporters to cover even if you don’t like them,” Mr. Teodoro added.

Asked how the President’s treatment of Ms. Ranada may impact on other journalists, Mr. Teodoro said:” Some journalists may now be hesitant to ask tough questions….”

Mr. Teodoro argued as well that the SEC ruling on Rappler.com is still “pending” at the Court of Appeals (CA). “No final decision yet, so I don’t know if [the President] can use that as a reason.”

MASS MEDIA
In its 68-page petition for review, Rappler argued that the company “is not engaged in the business of ‘Mass Media’ as contemplated by Section 11 (1) of Article XVI of the Constitution, which states: ‘The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly-owned and managed by such citizens.’”

“As such, neither Rappler nor RHC [Rappler Holdings Corporation] is obligated to comply with this provision or be held liable under it,” the petition noted.

Rappler identified itself in its petition as the “Philippines’ first all-digital news organization.”

According to Mr. Teodoro, a digital media organization is “still a mass media organization because when we speak of mass media, we are referring to the kind of people that the media reach. If you are online, you reach a mass audience.”

“The definition of mass media is very clear. It says any medium that reaches a large number of people. The audience of online news sites is even bigger than the audience of print media. The old definition of mass media applies,” he explained further.

‘CONDUCT UNBECOMING’
Meanwhile, Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander Brigadier-General Louie Dagoy criticized Ms. Ranada for her encounter with PSG Corporal Marc Anthony Cempron when he barred Ms. Ranada from entering the Palace last Tuesday.

“I didn’t like what Pia and ABS-CBN did. Why did they have to force my soldier to speak when he already told them that he had nothing to say?” Mr. Dagoy said in an interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ J. Uson which she shared on her Facebook page.

“Pasalamat kayo at hindi kayo sinaktan sa pambabastos na ginawa niyo (Be thankful you were not hurt for your rudeness). It’s very rude on their part, you should have done it (by) calling the proper person,” Mr. Dagoy added.

In an official statement, Rappler said: “We denounce the threat made by the commander of the Presidential Security Group against Rappler and its Malacañang reporter Pia Ranada. Dagoy’s statement is conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman….We ask General Dagoy to apologize for his outburst…”

For its part, the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) in a statement on Wednesday afternoon said: “Rappler will remain a member of the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) unless the Court of Appeals upholds the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoking its registration.”

“MPC, an independent organization of journalists regularly covering the President and Malacañang activities, asserts its prerogative to accept, suspend or revoke membership to the body,” the group also said, adding:

“While we respect the discretion of Malacañang to set accreditation rules for presidential events, we deplore any arbitrary attempt to bar access and harass reporters performing their duty as an independent monitor of power and guardian of public interest.”

“We also urge Malacañang to communicate properly the grounds for such restrictions.”

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry Davao Region office (DTI-11) is funding the construction of an P11-million Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) by the third quarter this year.

The FabLab, with several modern equipment including 3D laser printers, will help manufacturers in the region create prototypes of their products at a lower cost.

“We already have the funds and are just finalizing what equipment to procure,” DTI-11 Assistant Regional Director Edwin O. Banquerigo said in an interview during the Civil Society Organizations and Stakeholders Consultation held in the city Tuesday.

Nonfood industries such as wood, gift items, and metalworks are among those that would benefit from the laboratory.

DTI previously turned over a mini FabLab to the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation with P1.7 million worth of equipment, including a 3D printer, milling/cutting machine and a set of information technology equipment for teleconferencing.

The FabLab concept was started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to help grassroots communities by allowing small and medium-scale enterprises make prototypes and scale models of their products with the help of technology.

The P11M FabLab is part of the P34 million shared service facility (SSF) projects of the DTI regional office for 2018.

As of 2016, Davao Region had 164 SSFs. — Carmencita A. Carillo

SENATORS ON Wednesday grilled officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) over why the government did not issue a deployment ban on Kuwait earlier despite the red flags on the Arab country’s labor policies.

At the hearing on overseas Filipino worker (OFW) deaths and the deployment ban to Kuwait, Senator Emmanual Joel J. Villanueva noted that Kuwait is not a signatory to several international agreements regarding the protection of migrant workers.

Mr. Villanueva, chair of the committee on labor, employment and human resources development, added that Kuwait’s laws are silent on penalties imposed to cases of OFW physical and sexual abuses.

“This is really baffling. Why the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) did not impose the ban sooner? Considering the increasing number of deaths, 2016: 82 deaths, 2017: 103 deaths. Not to mention the thousands of reported cases of abuse,” he said.

DoLE Secretary Sivestre H. Bello III, who chairs the POEA governing board, said they have lowered the number of OFW deployment to Kuwait prior to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s orders on the deployment ban in response to the increasing incidents of deaths and abuse.

Mr. Bello also attributed the dire situation of OFWs abroad to illegal recruiters.

“That is why we imposed stricter rules (on illegal recruitment),” he said.

POEA Administrator Bernard P. Olalia said there must be a certification issued by the DFA indicating that a country is labor-compliant before POEA allows the deployment of workers.

DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Ernesto C. Abella, for his part, said Kuwait is “partially compliant” since the country has acted on cases the Philippine government has raised. This despite the increasing number of reported deaths as well as cases of physical and sexual abuse.

Mr. Olalia said the “partially compliant” tag on the country allows the POEA to deploy workers.

The legislative inquiry was prompted by the death of OFW domestic helper Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in Kuwait.

Mr. Bello reiterated that the President would lift the total deployment ban to Kuwait once a memorandum of agreement on migrant workers’ protection has been signed between the two countries.

KUWAIT VISIT
Meanwhile, Philippine officials are headed to Kuwait on Thursday to seek greater protection for migrant workers after a diplomatic row over the alleged mistreatment of Filipinos in the Gulf state.

Mr. Bello III told reporters Wednesday one of his deputies would lead the delegation, which is also due to stop in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to urge reforms.

Topping the list are demands that Filipino workers be allowed to keep their cellphones and passports, which can be confiscated by employers.

The trip comes after Mr. Duterte last week announced a departure ban for Filipinos planning to work in Kuwait. The ban sparked a diplomatic flap between the Philippines and the Gulf state as he alleged that Arab employers routinely raped their Filipina workers, forced them to work 21 hours a day and fed them scraps.

Kuwait has invited Mr. Duterte for a visit but he has yet to respond.

“We are going to Kuwait tomorrow, Saudi Arabia and then on to Qatar to ensure that our overseas Filipino workers have sufficient protection,” said Labor Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, who will helm the delegation.

Mr. Lagunzad also said Mr. Duterte had ordered the team to ensure that passports of Filipino workers are deposited with the Philippine embassy.

Another team of labor officials said on Wednesday they would conduct negotiations with Kuwait next week on a deal to protect Filipino workers.

“Hopefully we can finalize the memorandum of agreement and by first or second week of March, we will have the signing by the Kuwaiti and Philippine governments,” said Claro Arellano, another labor undersecretary. — Camille A. Aguinaldo and AFP

By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

SUSPENDED lawyer Eligio P. Mallari of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) submitted to the Office of the Solicitor-General (OSG) a letter requesting to initiate a “quo warranto proceeding in the name of the Republic of the Philippines” to challenge the validity of the appointment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno.

“Any lawyer worth his salt would tell you that Sereno’s title to the office could be tried in a quo warranto proceeding,” Mr. Mallari said in his letter addressed to Solicitor-General Jose C. Calida on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

“Right now, Sereno’s competence and integrity are under intense public scrutiny. Having scored very low or flunked the psychological test and in view of non-submission of all her SALNs (statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth) prior to appointment, Sereno’s claim to the position is tenuous, and must be challenged in a quo warranto proceeding by the Solicitor General,” Mr. Mallari added.

The Supreme Court early this month suspended Mr. Mallari as lawyer for two years following his failure to pay P34,000 worth of loans from the Government Service and Insurance System.

At the recent impeachment proceedings by the House committee on justice, Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta and Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro questioned Ms. Sereno’s appointment in 2012.

For her part, Judicial and Bar Council Executive Director Annaliza S. Ty-Capacite testified before the House panel, chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali, that Ms. Sereno submitted only three SALNs, which fall short of the 10 required when she applied for the top position in the high court.

Likewise, committee senior vice-chair Rep. Vicente S. Veloso said Ms. Sereno’s appointment was “void from the beginning.”

Lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon in his impeachment complaint accused Ms. Sereno of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

The Umali committee is nearing the conclusion of its proceedings as it plans to draft the articles of impeachment by March.

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) on Wednesday, Feb. 21, filed a petition to formally declare the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as terrorists. The petition was filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter L. Ong in behalf of the DoJ following President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order in December to tag the rebel groups as terrorists. In January, Mr. Ong said his office is focusing on incidents that transpired “after (Mr. Duterte) assumed (the) presidency on July 1, 2016,” noting that the President at that point showed “good faith and sincerity for a just and lasting peace”, but the NPA carried on with “tactical offensives.” Prior to the terrorist declaration, the President also terminated the peace talks with the Reds through Proclamation No. 360 signed Nov. 23, 2017, which cited that the National Democratic Front and CPP-NPA “engaged in acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people” amid the efforts of the administration to reach a peace deal. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

THE CITIES of Makati and Pasig in the National Capital Region, and San Carlos in Negros Occidental have been selected as national finalists of the 2017-2018 One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The OPCC is a biennial global challenge that recognizes cities for developing infrastructure, housing, transport, and mobility solutions to power the global transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. Launched in 2011 as the Earth Hour City Challenge, the OPCC highlights the crucial role that cities play in the transition toward a more environment-friendly future. WWF, in a statement, said this edition of the OPCC is anchored on sustainable transport and mobility, which is a major environmental challenge for cities around the globe. “Cities must cultivate their potential to directly improve the quality of life of their citizens while simultaneously reducing environmental impact. Offering smarter alternatives for energy, transportation, and building standards that affect a significant number of people is key in ensuring that we all thrive without pushing the limits of our shared home,” WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma said. The national and global winners will be announced in June or July.

THE NORTHBOUND lanes of EDSA, particularly the stretch along the People Power monument, will be partly closed on Friday, Feb. 23 beginning 8 a.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced yesterday. The closure is intended to give way to rehearsals by the military honor guards, in preparation for the 32^nd People Power anniversary on Sunday.

FACING ARREST over a graft case filed against him by Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Davao del Norte 2^nd District Representative Antonio R. Floirendo, Jr. on Wednesday said he would clear his name in court. He also appealed to his accuser, his erstwhile buddy, not to exert “undue influence” over the court and claimed that Mr. Alvarez, who represents the 1^st district of Davao del Norte, was after him because of the Speaker’s alleged personal interest in the banana business. “The hasty filing of graft charges against me before the Sandiganbayan and the subsequent issuance of the warrant of arrest in connection with the Bucor-Tadeco deal is a clear sign of the existence of abuse of power and arrogance on the part of the Speaker,” Mr. Floirendo said in a statement. — interaksyon.com

See full story on https://goo.gl/sQsV88

THE 300-BED drug rehabilitation facility located in Barangay Malagos, Davao City is targeted to be operational by May this year, according to Health Undersecretary Roger P. Tong-An. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mr. Tong-An said the facility will cater to those from the entire Davao Region who will be screened as “severe.” The Department of Health, which will run the center, is now preparing for the needed manpower. Mr. Tong-An said the Malagos rehab center is part of a grant covering 10 facilities around the country, including two others in Mindanao — in General Santos City, and Bukidnon. Drug users who voluntarily surrender and are screened as “mild” or “moderate” will be treated and managed through the smaller community-based centers. Mr. Tong-An said in between the community-based and the “severe” rehab center, they will also be piloting recovery clinics or halfway houses wherein drug dependents will be given livelihood training programs. Dangerous Drugs Board Chair Catalino S. Cuy said, “Re-integraton and rehabilitation should go together. In rehabilitation they are being prepared for their re-integration into society.” — Maya M. Padillo

RESORTS IN popular island destinations in the Central Visayas Region, such as Mactan and Bantayan in Cebu, and Panglao in Bohol, will be inspected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following the ongoing crackdown in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said during an event in Cebu City on Tuesday that he was invited to check these islands in particular for possible violations. Mr. Cimatu has directed 12 teams composed of about 100 personnel from different DENR regional offices to inspect the sewer facilities of all business establishments in Boracay following reports that many are discharging untreated wastewater directly into the sea. Mr. Cimatu said personnel from the DENR Central Visayas regional office can plan and manage their visits to these islands, and they may also seek assistance from neighboring offices if necessary. The DENR chief said the resort-to-resort inspection in Boracay should serve as wake-up call to all local government units (LGUs) to act on existing problems in their respective jurisdictions. “On their own, they (local officials) will also be doing their job properly because I understand the secretary of DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) is really contemplating on filing necessary charges on (inept) LGUs,” he said. — The Freeman