THE MAYOR of the major financial hub in the Philippines said on Wednesday she was investigating after a pornographic video appeared briefly on a prominent billboard, startling motorists on one of the bustling city’s major roadways.

The video appeared for about half a minute on an electronic billboard at a busy intersection on the main road through Makati City, the central business district of the sprawling capital, Manila, on Tuesday afternoon.

Makati City Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay-Campos immediately ordered the billboard shut down after the clip of a couple having sex was shown, but pictures and videos of it captured by motorists on their mobile phones were shared widely on social media.

The billboard will remain closed pending the results of an investigation, Ms. Binay-Campos said. That investigation will include whether the billboard’s owner, Philippine company Globaltronics, or its employees were responsible, a statement from her office said.

Pornography is illegal in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, which also strictly regulates television and movie content. But Adult website Pornhub said last year the Philippines ranked 13^th in the world for daily visitors. — Reuters

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Ambassador Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee as Philippine Permanent Representative of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Mr. Teehankee would return to the WTO position after being appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to serve in the period covering 2004-2011. He had also served as undersecretary for the Department of Justice and Department of Foreign Affairs.

The CA, however, deferred anew its voting on the appointment of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Rualo Castriciones. His appointment was deemed bypassed as Congress goes on a break on Friday, Mar. 23.

During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Castriciones was once again questioned on his qualifications and his knowledge on the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)’s mandate to implement the land reform program.

Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito also quizzed Mr. Castriciones over his alleged involvement in the ouster of former interior secretary Ismael D. Sueno.

“The President has an independent mind. Whatever decision he makes, he’s responsible for it. We were not the ones who actually decided or worked for the ouster of the Secretary,” Mr. Castriciones said.

Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel also disputed Mr. Castriciones’ claim that he has handled numerous agrarian reform cases, noting that the DAR Secretary had handled only one case and represented a former landowner at that.

“Being a lawyer is not enough to head the agrarian reform department. Farmers do not need primarily a lawyer. They need primarily someone who will truly implement the government’s agrarian reform program,” she said.

In an interview with reporters, Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said majority of CA members were supportive of Mr. Castriciones, but disclosed that some members remained unsatisfied with the DAR chief’s answers and sought additional documents from him.

He said the CA would resume Mr. Castriciones’s confirmation hearing on the third week of May, when Congress resumes sessions.

For his part, Mr. Castriciones told reporters, “Of course I’m (hopeful of getting the CA nod). I’m praying to the Lord if it’s really my destiny to help and contribute in the resolution of the problems with regards to agrarian issues,” he told reporters.

By Arjay L. Balinbin

RUSSIA has added its voice to Philippines President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s criticism of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In his interview with ANC, Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev said: “In our assessment, the ICC is not a judicial board. All its activities are highly politicized, and it is used as an instrument to put political pressure on selective governments, on selective countries.”

“We cannot accept [that] certain approach, [and] that’s why my country decided to withdraw from their Rome Statute. I fully understand why your country took the same decision. But as I have just explained, it is up to the Philippine society to make comments, to make assessments, to make steps in this decision. For us, we deeply respect it,” the Russian ambassador added.

On Monday, March 19, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)) Secretary General Sam Zarifi said in his open letter to Mr. Duterte that the organization “consider(s) that the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute would not only be a setback to the protection of human rights in the country, but also send a message that the Philippines is turning its back on the rule of law and international justice.”

The ICJ reiterated that the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute “will not remove the ICC’s jurisdiction to conduct a preliminary examination because any conduct being examined will have occurred prior to the date on which the withdrawal would become effective.”

As for Mr. Duterte’s assertion that the Philippines’ ratification of the Rome Statute never took effect because it was never published in the Official Gazette, the ICJ said: “There is in fact ample evidence in the public domain that shows that the Government of the Philippines has understood very well what it would entail to be a State Party to the Rome Statute. In fact, prior to its ratification of the Rome Statute, the Philippines enacted the Republic Act 9851 (or, the Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes Against Humanity).”

“The law was enacted on 11 December 2009 prior to the Philippines becoming a State Party to the Rome Statute. The law set out the obligations of the Government of the Philippines to penalize crimes similarly covered by the Rome Statute.”

The ICJ also explained that “there is no violation of the principle of complementarity” as claimed otherwise by Mr. Duterte and his spokesman, Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr.

“The Government is correct that the Rome Statute operates in accordance with the principle of complementarity…The conduct of a preliminary examination is entirely consistent with that principle. In fact, it is in part through the preliminary examination process that the Court will determine if it is permissible and appropriate to take jurisdiction and to move towards a full investigation, including on an assessment of the complementarity principle. This will require an assessment of the Government’s efforts to address impunity for alleged extra-judicial killings in the national justice system.”

For his part, Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said: “Contrary…to the opinion of the ICJ, the decision of the President to withdraw the country from the Rome Statute is based on clear violations of the Constitution and our domestic laws, as well as generally accepted principles of international law. It is only unfortunate that Filipinos who work in the ICJ would rather be on the side of organizations which threaten the sovereignty of our nation than protect the country’s President in promoting the safety and welfare of our citizens.”

The ICJ, Mr. Zarifi said, is an international non-governmental organization, established in 1952 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It consists of some 60 eminent jurists representing different justice systems throughout the world and has national sections and affiliated organizations in all regions of the world.”

By Arjay L. Balinbin

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte declared on Wednesday that Philippine troops will no longer participate in any joint expeditionary warfare led by the United States (US).

“I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any wars that you will fight in any other countries, count us out,” Mr. Duterte said in his speech at the Philippine National Police Academy’s (PNPA) 39th Commencement Exercises in Silang, Cavite.

The President said the country has gained nothing from its participation in US-led wars “except brutality and agony.”

“We will stand on our own maski wala tayong pera (even if we do not have money),and we will never beg for any help. Sometimes it would mean really the dignity of the people,” he added.

The President pointed out that the last time the country had engaged in a US-led warfare, the Philippines suffered at least “702” casualties.

“We have been enslaved by two countries in succession: Spaniards for 400 years and the Americans for 50 years. Tama na po ‘yon (That’s enough). You have had your fill. Do not ask for more,” the President narrated.

Mr. Duterte added that the US has been exploiting the natural resources of the Philippines and of the Arab countries.

“You stole our natural resources. You stole the oils (sic) of the Arab countries, divided it arbitrarily into a nation at ngayon kumukuha pa rin kayo, hinihigop pa rin ‘yung (and until now you still get their) oil and there is trouble everywhere,” he said.

“So kung ganun lang naman (if that is the case,) unless we are threatened directly, there will be no more joint expeditions. At least sa panahon ko (not in my term). Maghintay kayong lahat kung mawala ako (You wait until I’m gone).”

The Philippine government has an existing mutual defense treaty with the US which was signed on August 30, 1951.

Article VIII of the treaty says: “This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been given to the other party.”

The purpose of the said treaty is to maintain and strengthen “the fabric of peace in the Pacific area.”

Each Party, the treaty also says, “recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

The Philippines has been involved in American-led conflicts such as the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the 2003 Iraq War.

DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) did not take part in the case of Joanna D. Demafelis, the Filipina domestic worker who was found dead in a freezer in Kuwait.

In a chance interview on the sidelines of a House inquiry into the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) last March 21, Mr. Bello said that the CHR seems too focused on the war on drugs. Mr. Bello also noted that the CHR did not make any correspondence with them while DoLE was drafting bilateral agreements on OFW rights.

“I suppose they are doing their part of the bargain. Ginagawa nila siguro, hindi lang sinasabi sa amin (They may be doing something, but they are just not telling us),” Mr. Bello said. In February, CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel Gana, in a statement, called for “stricter monitoring of overseas Filipino domestic workers” and expressed support to the government’s efforts “to promote stronger protection and enhanced welfare mechanisms” for OFWs. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

THE ALIBHON Public Market in Jordan, the capital of Guimaras, has been set as pilot site for the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas’ (DoT-6) new “market tourism” project. “We will promote the market as among the stops in the itinerary of tour groups and even individual travelers to the island. Every time they go to Guimaras, they should not miss the market,” DoT-6 Regional Director Helen J. Catalba announced. The market tourism program will be launched on May 21, in time for the Manggahan Festival. Guimaras, an island province, is known for its mangoes. Ms. Catalbas said the municipal government of Jordan will provide a P22-million fund for the rehabilitation and improvement of the market’s facilities. Jordan town will also expand its traditional weekly market day to two days, Wednesdays and Sundays. “It used to have only one market day, which is every Sunday. It is the custom of Filipino and even foreign tourists, researchers, and writers to visit public markets if they want to know the culture of a place,” Ms. Catalbas said. DoT-6 has identified 20 markets around the region for the market tourism program. The areas were identified based on accessibility, abundance of agricultural produce, and peace and order situation. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday ordered the Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC) to draft their own sustainable action plan for environmental protection.

In a statement, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu told PITEC officials to commit to more long-term sustainable practices to avoid facing closure due to environmental violations, similar to what happened in Boracay, the country’s top island destination.

“The plans you are making are good for now. But I want to see a development plan for Panglao for the next 30 years,” Mr. Cimatu said.

The PITEC, composed of local government unit and stakeholders from the private sector, is also in charge of facilitating the development in Panglao Island amid the ongoing construction of the New Bohol International Airport.

During a meeting earlier this week, PITEC presented its plans, which includes a wastewater treatment plant for the Alona Beach in anticipation of the heavy tourist arrivals which can lead to overcapacity for the island’s waste management system.

“Unlike Boracay, there are more reasons for people of all ages to come here. The tourism industry will really flourish and the infrastructure like sewage will have to change,” Mr. Cimatu said.

“You should have a plan, what will happen 10, 20, years from now to guide future leaders because [short-term] plans change when leadership changes.” — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

NINETEEN PEOPLE were killed and 21 others injured when a bus veered off the road and plunged down a ravine in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday.

The bus was heading to the capital Metro Manila when it crashed through the railing of a bridge on Mindoro island late Tuesday, said regional police spokeswoman Imelda V. Tolentino.

“The survivors said the driver lost control of the vehicle and that is why it fell,” she told AFP.

“Police are investigating why the driver lost control — whether there was mechanical trouble or the driver fell asleep,” she said.

The bus driver was among the deceased, she added.

Police photos showed rescue workers clambering down the cliff to reach the bus, which lay on its side amongst trees and grass about 15 meters below the road.

The accident occurred near Sablayan town, about 195 kilometers south of Manila.

Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where inadequately maintained buses and poorly trained drivers form the backbone of land transport options.

In 2010, 41 people died, including five foreigners, when a packed bus plunged into a deep ravine in the northern Philippines.

Another 31 people perished in bus crash in the country’s north in April last year while 20 were killed when two buses collided in the north in December.

Public transport regulators on Wednesday suspended the bus company involved in the Mindoro crash and said they would be inspecting its facilities.

Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, chair of the committee on public services, took aim at the nation’s regulation system, saying “vehicles that are not roadworthy or even those we label as rolling coffins are still allowed to ply the roads with near impunity.” — AFP

TOURIST ARRIVALS in the first two months of the year reached more than 1.4 million, up 16% from 1.21 million in the same period last year, boosted by Chinese travelers, according to data released Wednesday by the Department of Tourism (DoT).

“For the first two months, we have already breached the 1.4 million tourist mark, another first in the history, and it is a good sign for the tourism industry,” DoT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said in a statement. Koreans remained the top visitors at 354,700 in January and February, followed by the Chinese at 256,880, which is 56% higher than in the first two months of 2017.   “The warming relations between the Philippines and China plus the Chinese New Year seven-day holiday strengthen the platform for us to jump-start our campaign of achieving 1.5 million Chinese arrivals for this year,” Ms. Teo said. Last year, the Philippines ranked 9^th among the top destinations for Chinese outbound tourists, according to Chinese travel agency TravelChinaGuide.

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has issued an order denying members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) from availing of the local medical assistance program. In a press statement issued Tuesday, the city government announced that the mayor signed the executive order on March 14 amending the coverage of the Lingap para sa Mahirap Program “to further strengthen the program’s processes and to ensure the efficient delivery of its services to qualified residents of Davao City.” In justifying the exclusion of the NPA from the program, Ms. Carpio cited Proclamation No. 947 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in December last year declaring the armed group as terrorists. The local order states that the city government will not fund the hospitalization of those who have suffered “injuries arising from clashes with government troops.”

DRUNK DRIVERS
The order also excludes from the assistance program drivers and passengers injured in vehicular incidents due to violation of laws, among them the failure of wearing helmets, drunk driving, or under the influence of dangerous drugs. “(I)ndividuals who suffer injuries while committing a crime or an offense punishable under existing Philippine laws, rules, and regulations” do not qualify, the order states. Pregnant women, except in medical emergency conditions or suffering complications involving newborns, have also been removed from the list. The national government has various programs for expectant mothers. The Davao City government’s 17-year old Lingap para sa Mahirap Program provides medical assistance, hospital services, food supplements, and burial assistance to residents, particularly indigent families and members of indigenous groups. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

THE HOUSE COMMITTEE on tourism expressed support to the proposed temporary closure of Boracay following its own inquiry into the environmental problems of the popular island destination. In a press briefing Wednesday, March 21, Leyte Representative Lucy T. Gomez, chair of the tourism committee, said her committee’s report “prioritizes a temporary closure of Boracay Island in order to address the high risk issue of discharging untreated waste water into the beach.” Ms. Gomez noted that while the closure would result to a loss of P5 billion in income from tourism, “the Committee put more weight on the long-term viability and sustainability of tourism in Boracay, versus the short-term economic collateral damage that comes with closing its doors to incoming tourists.” — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

REPRESENTATIVE Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr., chair of the House committee on Mindanao affairs, said in a press briefing on Wednesday, March 21, that his committee will ask various government departments to expand by 20% Mindanao’s share in the national budget in 2019, and continue with increases until President Rodrigo R. Duterte steps down in 2022. Mr. Rodriguez, who represents Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) in Mindanao, said they will make the pitch through a series of technical working group meetings in April while the House of Representatives is on break. “It is our appeal to all our departments that Mindanao should receive its fair and equitable share of the national budget,” Mr. Rodriguez said. Citing a study by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Mr. Rodriguez noted that Mindanao only has a 16.2% or P608-billion allocation in the 2018 budget while its average share was only 12.8% in the last four years despite its poverty incidence rate of 40% and population of 26 million, comprising a quarter of the country’s total populace. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz