Marcos yet to decide on Mary Jane Veloso’s pardon — Palace

December 17, 2024 | 8:58 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has yet to decide on granting pardon to Mary Jane F. Veloso, a Filipina convicted of drug charges in Indonesia, the Presidential Palace said on Tuesday, noting her repatriation comes first.

“Nothing to say yet on what may happen,” Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin told reporters in a Viber message when asked about Ms. Veloso’s potential pardon.

“The priority of PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) is to have Veloso repatriated without delay.”

Ms. Veloso is expected to return to the Philippines in the morning of Dec. 18, after spending over a decade in an Indonesian prison.

Jakarta agreed last month to repatriate Ms. Veloso, a former domestic helper and mother of two, who was arrested in Yogyakarta 14 years ago after being found with 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in a suitcase.

She received a last-minute reprieve from execution in 2015 after the late former President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III appealed to the Indonesian government, arguing she could be a vital witness in prosecuting drug syndicates.

Ms. Veloso will serve the remainder of her sentence in the Philippines.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Tuesday said Ms. Veloso will undergo a mandatory five-day quarantine at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. said in a statement that Ms. Veloso will be held in the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) for a maximum of 60 days, as per standard protocols for newly committed prisoners.

This process also includes a five-day quarantine followed by a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation and initial security classification.

Once completed, she will be transferred to her designated corrections facility on the recommendations from the RDC Initial Classification Board.

During the quarantine, Ms. Veloso will be held in a regular quarantine cell for medical observation and undergo medical and physical examinations to assess her condition.

CIW personnel will also interview her to gather information for her registration and list authorized visitors.

The five-day quarantine is expected to end on December 24, allowing Ms. Veloso’s immediate family to visit her for Christmas, Mr. Catapang noted.

FAMILY’S APPEAL
Meanwhile, Ms. Veloso’s lawyer, Edre U. Olalia, chair of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), appealed to the Department of Justice (DoJ) to allow her family to greet her at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before she is taken to CIW.

“We will continue to appeal to their good hearts — consistent with Filipino culture, tradition & sensitivity and in the spirit of the season — to allow the family to meet her at the airport even privately for a short immediate reunion & quick hug at least,” he told reporters in a Viber chat.

“The Indonesians have treated her very well (and) compassionately. We can do no less,” he added.

Migrante International also issued an appeal to the Philippine government, urging Philippine authorities to allow Mary Jane Veloso’s family and legal counsel to welcome her upon her arrival.

“After her grueling years in jail, it is but humane that she sees her mother, father, and children when she arrives on Philippine soil. It has been a long ordeal for her, and the least we can do is allow her to embrace her family in her homeland,” Migrante International Chairperson Joanna Concepcion said in a statement.

Ms. Veloso’s parents, through Mr. Olalia, and Migrante International, had earlier appealed to Mr. Marcos to grant their daughter clemency, in a letter coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Congress told to act on impeachment complaints, ‘mangled’ national budget

December 17, 2024 | 8:57 pm

A POLITICAL group on Tuesday urged the Philippine Congress to act on impeachment complaints filed against Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, while also reconvening its joint panel on the budget bill to return slashed funding to the education and social services sector before it goes on break.

The Senate and the House of Representatives will adjourn for 22 days, starting Dec. 21 until Jan. 13 for its Christmas break.

“There are two things Congress should do before adjourning for the Christmas break: Undo its mangling of the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA); [and] impeach Ms. Duterte,” Teodoro A. Casiño, chairman of political group Bayan Muna, said in a statement.

The Congress-approved proposed national budget slashed a total of P352.9 billion from the Education, Health, and Social Welfare departments, together with the National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHilHealth), and special purpose funds and personnel benefit fund, according to Mr. Casiño.

Meanwhile, two impeachment complaints have been lodged against Ms. Duterte in early December, with critics saying her failure to account for her public fund spending paved the way for her removal from office. The complaints alleged graft and corruption, bribery, and betrayal of public trust, among other crimes.

In a separate statement, Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun said that allocations provided to the education sector are higher than funds allotted for the Public Works department, amid concerns on the budget bill’s constitutionality.

“Based on our data and figures in the 2025 national budget, it is clear that education still has the highest funding compared to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It is not true that the DPWH budget is larger than that of education,” he said in a statement.

He claimed that funding for the education sector totaled P1.05 trillion, P22 billion higher than DPWH’s P1.03-trillion allocations. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

State to seize POGO-owned assets

December 17, 2024 | 8:56 pm

Pogo singage-guard — A sign protesting the presence of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) is seen at a posh residential village in Muntinlupa City, July 13, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

ASSETS proven to be owned by Philippine gaming offshore operators (POGOs) will be automatically seized by the state, the Palace said on Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin made the remark amid lawmakers’ proposals for the passage of a law that would reverse the ownership of POGO assets to the government.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. “does not need to issue a directive” on the seizure of POGO assets, Mr. Bersamin told reporters.

“It’s already a given that they will be forfeited if they were involved in a crime,” he added.

Under existing laws, the government shall confiscate instruments or tools used for the commission of a crime. However, the owner of such assets needs to be convicted first of the crime.

Crimes linked to POGOs include human trafficking, homicide, and serious physical injuries, which take years to be decided on by courts.

A report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the weekend said Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian would file a bill to address legal challenges in seizing POGO assets.

The proposed Anti-Pogo Act would have a provision that “all” POGO assets would be “forfeited in favor of the government,” the report said, citing the senator.

The expected bill would have a provision authorizing the government to seize all “buildings or other structures or facilities, materials, gaming equipment and gaming paraphernalia used directly or indirectly in violation of this Act, and the proceeds of such illegal act or activity,” it added.

“I read in the newspapers that it is the Senate that will look into it. But we are already doing everything to hasten the process,” Mr. Bersamin said.

“We have to give due process to whoever claims to be the owner of these assets. We can’t just grab them,” he said in mixed English in Filipino. “But we have already in place, existing rules and regulations about forfeiture.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

BARMM poll deferment hurdles House

December 17, 2024 | 8:56 pm

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to postpone the first general elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by a year to 2026.

In a 198-4-0 vote, lawmakers approved House Bill (HB) No. 11144, which proposes that the general elections of BARMM be held on the second Monday of May 2026, and to be subsequently held every three years after.

Congressmen moved to defer BARMM’s elections after the Philippine Supreme Court excluded Sulu province from the autonomous region after it ruled that its constituents rejected a 2019 plebiscite under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The proposal authorizes President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to appoint 80 interim members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, while no successors have been elected, according to the proposed law.

Meanwhile, lawmakers also approved on second reading a bill seeking to reorganize the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to be the country’s primary socioeconomic planning agency.

HB No. 11199 proposes that NEDA be organized into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, being tasked to “formulate the long-term vision and development framework” of the Philippines.

During the House plenary’s period of amendments into the bill, Bukidnon Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba recommended the Agriculture secretary be included as a member of the proposed economic development council.

Its counterpart bill, Senate Bill No. 2878, has already secured third reading approval. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Sandiganbayan junks coco levy cases vs Marcoses

December 17, 2024 | 8:55 pm

THE PHILIPPINES’ anti-graft court has dismissed six civil forfeiture cases filed by the Philippine government against the late ex-President Ferdinand Emmanuel E. Marcos, Sr. and former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos stemming from the coco levy fund controversy, citing inordinate delay in the court’s proceedings.

In a 42-page resolution promulgated on Dec. 12, the Sandiganbayan Second Division dropped the confiscation charges filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance in 1987, as the cases violated the Marcoses’ constitutional right to the speedy disposition of cases.

“As of the release of this resolution, this delay has been extended to thirty-six (36) years from the time of filing of the original complaint, and twenty-eight (28) years from the subdivision thereof,” part of the ruling by Geraldine Faith A. Econg stated.

“Therefore, it is the plaintiff Republic that bears the burden of proving that the delay of almost three decades in proceeding to trial in each of these subdivided cases,” it added.

The anti-graft court said the arguments presented by government lawyers were insufficient in ruling against the motions of the Marcoses seeking the dismissal of the cases.

“There have been many opportunities for plaintiff Republic to begin its initial presentation of evidence and witnesses throughout these decades,” it read. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

OFW Aksyon Center launched

December 17, 2024 | 8:55 pm

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday launched a one-stop center for Filipino migrant workers.

The OFW Aksyon Center’s “full cycle” support for overseas Filipino workers includes services beginning from their departure from the country, throughout their overseas employment, all the way to their return and reintegration with their families back home, the DMW said in a statement.

Its key services include the Balik-Manggagawa processing, reintegration support services, legal assistance, and other necessary support through the DMW AKSYON Fund.

The Center also offers services from other government agencies such as the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Technical Education, Skills Development Authority, and departments of Agriculture, Health, Labor, Trade, Tourism, Science and Technology and Social Welfare.

The Center also has a café offering free coffee and snacks to visiting OFWs and their families.

It is located inside a former Landbank building in Makati City. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

BCDA inks deal with John Hay operator

December 17, 2024 | 8:54 pm

BAGUIO CITY — State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) renewed their partnership with Stern Real Estate and Development Corporation on Tuesday.

“We want to assure all our partners here inside the Camp John Hay that they have nothing to fear, their condition will improve even more when they partner with BCDA and that is what we are assuring with our first partner now — Le Monet Hotel,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang explained.

Mr. Bingcang noted that the Le Monet Hotel and Filling Station are not only a vital component of Camp John Hay’s economic landscape, but also a symbol of the kind of innovative development that BCDA hopes to see in the years ahead.

“More than anything else, this signing is part of BCDA’s promise of business continuity in John Hay. We will make every effort for a smooth transition and a harmonious business environment moving forward,” BCDA Chairperson Atty. Hilario B. Paredes said.

Under their partnership, the property, which covers over 2,000 square meters, will continue to serve as prime destinations for both leisure and dining in Baguio City.

Stern has committed to upgrade and enhance its leased properties within Camp John Hay to meet the standards outlined in the John Hay Special Economic Zone Comprehensive Master Plan. The development will strictly adhere to the design standards and guidelines to ensure consistency with the eco-tourism and commercial vision for the area.

The signing event was led by Mr. Bingcang and Stern Executive Vice-President Eric Owen Singson, Jr., marking the beginning of a promising partnership for Camp John Hay’s future growth. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Benguet farmer caught in drug raid

December 17, 2024 | 8:54 pm

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay

BAGUIO CITY — A Benguet farmer is facing drug charges after he was caught keeping crystal meth (shabu) after policemen raided his home in Mankayan, Benguet Monday afternoon.

The suspect, whose name was withheld by police, is included in the list of “High Value Individual Drug Personality” (HVI). He was taken when policemen found ten sachets of shabu from his raided home in Sitio Gueday, Barangay Palasaan, Mankayan town.

According to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo, Jr., the seized drugs was worth P894,132.

Mr. Peredo said drug paraphernalia including lighter, tooter, transparent box, weighing scale were also caught from the suspect’s home. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Nearly P1-M drugs seized in Maguindanao del Norte

December 17, 2024 | 8:53 pm

shabu-illegal-drugs-meth — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY — Non-uniformed policemen seized P985,728 worth of crystal meth (shabu) from a dealer entrapped in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday.

The now detained Amir Kasim Upam was first shot and wounded in the abdomen by a policeman after he pulled out a gun when he sensed he had sold 144 grams of shabu to a police team during a tradeoff.

Brig. Gen. Romeo J. Macapaz, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters on Tuesday that the sting that resulted in the arrest of Mr. Upam was planned by operatives of the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Office, led by Lt. Col. Esmael A. Madin.

The plot was to entrap him in Barangay Salimbao in Sultan Kudarat, but the operation was laid in the town proper of Datu Odin Sinsuat instead, as suggested by Mr. Upam and a companion, a certain Ricky.

His companion escaped as he was about to be frisked and cuffed by combined police personnel under Mr. Madin and agents led by his counterpart in the Datu Odin Sinsuat police force, Lt. Col. Samuel Roy M. Subsuban.

Mr. Macapaz said Mr. Madin and Mr. Subsuban will cooperate in prosecuting Mr. Upam, now in a hospital guarded by policemen, for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — John Felix M. Unson

DLSU braces for redemption in Season 88 with 4 prized recruits

December 17, 2024 | 7:03 pm

1 of 2

THERE will be no rest for the weary as De La Salle University (DLSU) barges back into training camp after the holidays to brace for redemption in the UAAP Season 88.

Days removed from their throne, the Archers assured there’s no crying over spilled milk by focusing on the long preparations for the season ahead following a heartbreaking Game 3 defeat to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 finals.

“We will learn from this. In the next two weeks, it’s gonna be preparation for Season 88 for us and we’re excited about it,” vowed head coach Topex Robinson.

“It’s part of basketball. You don’t always win but you’ll learn from it. It’s gonna keep our fire alive and it’s just gonna keep on burning.”

La Salle, led by back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao, won the UAAP last year to snap an eight-year title drought only to fall short in completing a second straight feat at the expense of the vengeful UP.

The Green Archers, after a 73-65 loss in Game 1, escaped with a 76-75 comeback win in Game 2 to force a winner-take-all Game 3, where they clawed back from a 14-point deficit but to no avail.

From a truckload of turnovers (23) to a dismal free throw shooting (12/28) and the supposedly immediate return of Mr. Quiambao in the final five minutes after a short breather if not for an extended live ball, a lot of factors could have flipped the script in favor of La Salle.

But any of those does not matter now with Mr. Robinson shifting his focus to molding the Green Archers into a ready unit for revenge next season — even if that means marching into a duel without Korea-bound Mr. Quiambao already.

“Its not a surprise that this might be his final season but we prepared well for this. He will always be remembered as one of the great La Sallian. I guess one of the best that ever wore that jersey,” said Mr. Robinson.

Good thing for the Taft-based dribblers, four prized recruits in Gilas Pilipinas big man Mason Amos (from Ateneo), NCAA juniors MVP Luis Pablo (from UP), Kean Baclaan (from NU) and Jacob Cortez (San Beda) are set for debut in Season 88 after spending a year of eligibility.

And reclaiming that UAAP crown right away is the ultimate goal.

“There are those guys that are coming in and it’s nice to see the future of the program is still gonna be exciting. That’s something to look forward to and be excited about. That’s gonna also ignite us come Season 88,” he beamed. — John Bryan Ulanday

Concio tops juniors chessfest to earn ticket to world tilt

December 17, 2024 | 7:02 pm

Concio-Cruz — MICHAEL CONCIO, Jr. (left) and International Arbiter Reden Cruz (right)

DANIEL QUIZON and Michael Concio, Jr. grew up together dreaming of the Grandmaster (GM) dream.

While Mr. Quizon has realized his dream and clinched the GM title, Mr. Concio has inched closer to achieving it after he booked a ticket to next year’s World Juniors Championships in Petrovac, Montenegro after recently ruling the national juniors tilt at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence.

There, the 19-year-old Dasmariñas bet could claim the GM title outright should the stars align and he ends up topping that tournament.

At present, Mr. Concio has one of the three GM results needed and would need to leapfrog from his current rating of 2373 to 2500 to achieve the feat and join Mr. Quizon, his childhood friend, in the elite GM club.

But the fastest route to a GM status remains in Petrovac where the planet’s best woodpushers aged 19 years and below will converge.

“Try,” said Mr. Concio’s coach FIDE Master (FM) Roel Abelgas.

In the national juniors, Mr. Concio took first with 6.5 points and needed that eighth and final round win over Gabriel Ryan Paradero — a marathon 55-move win of a King’s Indian Attack — to claim the crown.

For his feat, Mr. Concio also pocketed P20,000.

Mr. Paradero dropped to a three-man tie for No. 2 with Cedric Kahlel Abris and FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo with six points each but wound up fourth because he had the lowest tiebreak score.

Mr. Abris, who shocked former national juniors titlist FM Alekhine Nouri, took second while Mr. Bacojo, who turned back Phil Martin Casiguran, claimed third. — Joey Villar

NU ready to rebuild another dynasty with Pagdulagan

December 17, 2024 | 7:00 pm

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (NU) is out to rebuild another dynasty after regaining the stronghold of the UAAP women’s basketball realm with a rising star at the helm.

And it’s no other than rookie Cielo Pagdulagan, who rose to the occasion in the biggest of stages and under the brightest of lights to cop the Finals Most Valuable Player plum as NU reclaimed the UAAP throne in Season 87.

A product of NU-Nazareth School, Ms. Pagdulagan registered 15.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.67 assists, and 1.67 steals in three games against the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses to anchor NU’s revenge tour with solid coverage from veterans Camille Clarin, Angel Surada and Karl Ann Pingol.

Ms. Pagdulagan, following a season-long brilliance, saved her best for last by collaring a near double-double of 21 points and nine rebounds on top of three assists and three steals in their 78-73 Game 3 win.

Overall, NU had a 15-1 campaign with its lone defeat coming in Game 2 of the finals, 78-68. A perfect run hardly mattered now as the Lady Bulldogs owned their eighth title in nine seasons.

And for head coach Aris Dimaunahan, it’s just the start of a bright future for her prized rookie who did not shy away from the herculean task of leading NU’s vengeance on Santo Tomas after ending the school’s seven-year reign last season.

The same goes for Mr. Dimaunahan and the Lady Bulldogs, who have set their sights on capturing a second straight title next season to ignite another dynasty.

“Winning gold alone is a pressure itself. I’m just satisfied and glad that we get the championship this season.” — John Bryan Ulanday