Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 1986

OSG urged to probe land titles linked to Chinese

Police raided a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in a building in Parañaque City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

A HOUSE of Representatives quad committee on Monday submitted to the Solicitor General documents detailing how a Chinese national fraudulently acquired Filipino citizenship so he could own land and set up businesses in the Philippines.

“These activities are in clear violation of our laws and require immediate executive action,” the House committees on dangerous drugs, public order, human rights and public accounts said in a joint letter to Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra.

They urged the top government lawyer to fast-track the review of the documents and start legal action including forfeiture proceedings “given the severe national security implications and the clear violations of legal processes.”

“Several Chinese personalities” bought “thousands of hectares of land,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers, who heads the dangerous drugs committee, separately told a news briefing.

Some of the documents sent to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) included fake birth certificates, tax declarations, corporate records and land sale deeds tied to a Chinese national.

Government lawyers would review the documents submitted by the House bodies, Assistant Solicitor General Hermes L. Ocampo told the same briefing.

He said they could start legal actions such as forfeiture cases through the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the recovery of illegally acquired real estate. The 1987 Philippine Constitution bars foreigners from owning land.

Properties transferred to Filipino dummies could still be litigated, he said, noting that they could file administrative and criminal cases against the Filipinos.

“We do not have the final figure, but if we base it on the number of titles acquired, whether transferred to the name of the Chinese national or to his registered corporation, it is about 300 to 400 titles,” he said in Filipino.

“We have to expedite all issues pertaining to the properties owned by Chinese individuals pretending to be Filipinos,” Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan S. Fernandez told the same briefing in mixed English and Filipino.

Mr. Barbers said his committee might craft a bill making the process of acquiring a birth certificate more rigorous. “The requirements for issuing a certificate of live birth need to be strict, especially for those applying under the late registration policy.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said more than 5,000 people employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and internet gaming licensees (IGL) have yet to downgrade their visas to comply with President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ order of a total ban.

“There are many people who have not voluntarily downgraded their visas,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told reporters. “This presents a dilemma for us because it shows that many of them really don’t want to leave the country.”

The visa downgrade allows foreigners to revert their status from a work visa to a temporary visitor visa. In comparison, more than 12,000 foreign workers of discontinued POGOs have applied for the downgrade, the Bureau of Immigration said earlier.

They now hold temporary tourist visas for 59 days, allowing them to stay in the country while winding down their affairs, it added. The deadline for the voluntary visa downgrade was on Oct. 15.

Mr. Remulla said they are automatically downgrading the visas of the more than 5,000 delinquent workers.

The Immigration bureau noted that if a Chinese national employed by an internet gaming licensee fails to apply for a visa downgrade, he will have an “Order to Leave” stamped on his passport, which means he must leave the country immediately.

The foreigner will have a hard time returning to the Philippines.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Assistant Vice-President Catalino B. Alano, Jr. told BusinessWorld via Viber that 38 of the 41 internet gaming licensees were still winding down their operations.

Mr. Marcos in his state of the nation address to Congress in July ordered the closure of POGOs and IGLs, which he said were linked to crimes including scams and human trafficking. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Chloe Mari A. Hufana

17 Abu Sayyaf terrorists convicted  for Sipadan resort abductions in 2000

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A PHILIPPINE trial court has convicted 17 members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group for kidnapping 21 tourists from a Malaysian dive resort in April 2000.

In a 157-page decision dated Oct. 16, Taguig regional trial court Presiding Judge Mariam G. Bien found the accused guilty of 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, sentencing each of them to a 40-year jail term for each count.

They were also ordered to pay each of the 21 victims P100,000 in civil indemnity, P100,000 in moral damages and P100,000 in exemplary damages, with a 6% annual interest.

The charges against 13 other Abu Sayyaf members who have since died were dismissed, including Galib Andang alias Commaner Robot.

“The kidnappers… acted in concert in kidnapping and detaining the hostages,” according to a copy of the court decision sent by the Department of Justice to reporters on Monday. The abduction was “a carefully laid out plan to execute the crimes charged,” it added.

Of the 21 victims at the Sipadan Diving Resort in Malaysia, 10 were foreign tourists  — three Germans, two Finnish, two South Africans, one Lebanese and two French. The rest — nine Malaysians and two Filipinos — were resort workers.

After kidnapping the victims, the rebels took them hostage in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

Two victims were killed during the ordeal — one was beheaded and one died during a military encounter. The rest were released one by one after their families paid ransom money.

The last hostage, a Filipino, escaped in June 2003.

DoJ said two of the 17 Abu Sayyaf members were under the United Nations Security Council’s sanction list.

“The UN Security Council tagged them both in 2008 for their association with Al-Qaida, Usama bin Laden or the Taliban and for ‘participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of and recruiting for the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemaah Islamiyah and the Rajah Solaiman Movement,” it said in a statement.

Many of the rebels were arrested and prosecuted after the incident, but they died during an attempted jailbreak in Taguig City in 2005.

Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi mediated the crisis, leading to the release of six hostages in mid-2000. The hostages were flown on a Libyan aircraft, first to the United Arab Emirates and then to Tripoli, the Libyan capital. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Marcos’ trust and satisfaction ratings up in October poll

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during his third state of the nation address on July 22, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR /KJ ROSALES

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s the trust and satisfaction ratings rose in an October poll by Acquisition Apps, Inc. (Tangere) amid a widening rift in the camp of his predecessor.

His trust rating rose to 59.3% in the Oct. 16-19 poll from 58.8% in September. His satisfaction score also rose to 46.9% from 46.4%.

Support for Mr. Marcos was strongest in Northern and Central Luzon. He got the highest levels of satisfaction and trust among Filipinos aged 18 to 35 years.

The President received the highest dissatisfaction and distrust scores in Mindanao and among Filipinos aged 51 years and above.

On the other hand, the trust rating of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio fell to 56% from 56.8% in September, while her satisfaction rating dropped to 48% from 48.7%.

Ms. Duterte-Carpio, daughter of Mr. Marcos’ predecessor Rodrigo R. Duterte, resigned as Education secretary in June, amid the widening rift between the two dynastic families.

Mr. Marcos has veered away from key policies of Mr. Duterte, standing up to China and pursuing closer security ties with western nations including the US.

An investigation led by a quad committee at the House of Representatives found that Mr. Duterte allegedly offered police cash incentives for drug-related killings during his six-year term.

The dissatisfaction rating of Ms. Duterte rose to 35.9% from 32%, while her distrust rating rose to 25% from 22%.

Senate President Jose Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero kept his position as the highest-rated government official with 52% of Filipinos expressing satisfaction with his performance.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez’s satisfaction rating rose to 46.8% from 46.3%, while his trust rating increased to 57% from 56.4%.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo’s satisfaction and trust ratings remained the lowest among top government officials at 39.1% and 43%, respectively.

Tangere interviewed 2,000 Filipino adults using a mobile app for the poll, which had a margin of error of ± 2.2 points. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

House bill eyes ‘enhanced’ penalties vs espionage

STOCK IMAGE | Image by Dee from Pixabay

A BILL amending the 83-year-old anti-espionage law in the Philippines has been filed at the House of Representatives to enhance penalties and update definition of acts of espionage.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez in October filed House Bill (HB) No. 10988 to expand the coverage of espionage under the Commonwealth Act No. 616, the Anti-Espionage Law, and provide higher penalties.

He also filed HB 10983 to amend Article 117 of the Revised Penal Code by clarifying that the penalty of prision correccional will be inflicted whether the act of espionage is committed during a time of peace or war.

“There is a need to review these laws and amend the same to make them adapt to the situation in light of evolving global security threats, technological advancements and the changing nature of espionage activities,” Mr. Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday.

HB No. 10988, An Act Expanding the Coverage of Espionage, will include the act of unlawful obtaining and sharing of “classified matter or classified information affecting national defense or national security” of the Philippines. Those found committing this provision, whether during times of peace or war, will be subjected to life imprisonment or a fine of not less than P1 million, or both.

Unlawful disclosure of classified matter or information affecting national security or national defense in the time of war or during the declaration of martial law will be punished with life imprisonment and a fine of not less than P2 million.

Acts of disloyalty by “any member of the government” deemed important for national security would also be punishable under the measure.   

Mr. Rodriguez urged Congress to expedite the bills’ approval to immediately “bolster the Philippines’ ability to preserve and protect its national security interests” as the country “faces numerous threats from foreign intelligence services, terrorist organizations and cybercriminals.”

Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo C. Teodoro, Jr. in September urged Congress to amend Philippine anti-espionage laws even if the country is not at war after an Al Jazeera documentary alleged that dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice L. Guo is a Chinese spy.

Ms. Guo denied the allegation, calling the accusation “unfair” during a House committee hearing on illegal online casinos in September. 

“What’s important now is that we punish espionage during peacetime, because the espionage laws in the Philippines are only effective during times of war,” Mr. Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of a forum on Sept. 30 in Filipino. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Wage board approves P33 pay hike in Ilocos Region

PNA FILE PHOTO

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Region I (Ilocos Region) approved a P33 minimum daily wage increase.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said the new daily minimum wage in the Ilocos Region is now P468 for the non-agriculture sector employing 10 or more employees, and P435 for the non-agriculture sector employing less than ten employees and the agriculture sector.

The board also granted a P500 increase for domestic workers, with the monthly wage rate now starting at P6,000.

The wage orders were approved on Oct. 16, and will take effect on Nov. 7, a day after the anniversary of the last wage order in the region.

“The Regional Board, comprised of representatives from the government, management, and labor sectors, likewise conducted consultations and a public hearing in their region as part of the minimum wage determination process,” DoLE added in the statement.

The new rates are an 8% increase from current daily wage rates and result in a 12% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

The move is expected to directly benefit 170,143 minimum wage earners and 349,112 full-time wage and salary workers earning above minimum as a result of the adjustment of wage distortion.

Over 99,000 domestic workers are expected to benefit from the new rates, about 9,000 of them are in live-in arrangements.

Under the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, retail and service establishments with no more than ten regular employees, as well as enterprises impacted by natural calamities or human-induced disasters, may seek exemption from the wage increase by applying to the RTWPB.

The DoLE reminded that registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are not covered by the minimum wage law under the Republic Act No. 9178 [2002].

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) welcomed the recent wage adjustments even as it found it the wage increase is “not enough.”

FFW President Jose Sonny G. Matula said in a Viber message that they are still pursuing a legislated wage hike of P150.

“If not legislated by this Congress, we make wage legislation a part of our campaign agenda in the 2025 senatorial elections,” he said.

The FFW also commended Wage Order No. RB 1-DW-05, which set the new monthly wage for domestic workers at P6,000.

“This increase for kasambahay is a much-needed recognition of their hard work and contributions to our households,” said FFW Women Network Vice-President Arta Maines.

“We are pleased to see progress for domestic workers, but we also urge for continued efforts to ensure fair wages across all sectors.”

Kristine to make landfall on Friday

Commuters use their umbrellas during a downpour along Taft Avenue, Manila, July 13, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE state weather bureau on Monday said that a low-pressure area over the Philippine Sea had intensified into a tropical depression as it moves to make landfall over Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression “Kristine” is expected to make landfall over the northeast portion of Cagayan province by Friday, Oct. 25.

“Kristine is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours. It may reach severe tropical storm category by Wednesday and typhoon category by Thursday evening or Friday morning,” the agency added.

In a 5 p.m. bulletin, Tropical Depression “Kristine” was last seen 760 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar

It was seen packing maximum sustained winds at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It was moving westward at 15 kph.

“Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions,” the weather agency added.

PAGASA had raised Tropical Wind signal no. 1 over the southeastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, the northern and eastern portions of Quezon including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island.

Signal no. 1 was also hoisted over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte.

Additionally, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao — Bucas Grande Group is also under signal no. 1.

Areas placed under storm signals no. 1 are expecting wind speeds of 36 kph to 61 kph along with intermittent rains in the next 36 hours. — Adrian H. Halili

Pimentel ready to lead drug probe

SENATE PRIB

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III on Monday said he is ready to lead a Senate probe into the Duterte administration’s deadly drug war as the chairperson of a Blue Ribbon subcommittee.

The Senator, however, said that the inquiry must be fast-tracked before the proposed national budget is taken up in plenary.

“I am also preparing for the budget hearing. As the minority leader, I have questions to ask. We will stay focused,” he said at a news briefing. “We will deal only with issues relating to the drug war.”

“We do not really have all the time in the world because it is already budget season.”

Senators are set to start plenary debates on the budgets of each government agency by early next month. The Senate aims to approve the government’s spending plan by mid-December at the latest before Congress adjourns, Senate President Francis G. Escudero said earlier this month.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin earlier said that the Palace backs the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reopen investigations of high-profile killings under the previous administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The International Criminal Court has reopened its probe into the drug war, saying it was not satisfied with Philippine efforts to investigate alleged crimes against humanity and extra legal killings. 

Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa and former national police chief had said former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his ex-Cabinet members would be invited to the Senate to answer questions about the campaign.

He said Mr. Duterte is likely to attend and feel more comfortable participating in a Senate inquiry over the lower House’s probe.

The government estimates that at least 6,117 people were killed in Mr. Duterte’s drug war between July 1, 2016 and May 31, 2022, but human rights groups say the death toll could be as high as 30,000.

“I am ready. If two or more senators are interested in the subject matter then I can say it is urgent and we can begin the hearing,” Mr. Pimentel said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Moro rebels to get gov’t benefits

ABOUT 400 Moro rebels in the southern province of Basilan underwent security paper validation that would qualify them for several government services, the Marcos government said.

The services for former members of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) include a cash-for-work program, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) membership and study grants for their children, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said, citing the progress of its MNLF Transformation Program.

OPAPRU said it had verified, validated and profiled 1,963 MNLF members since September 2022.

After profiling and assessment, each combatant will receive cash assistance worth P45,000 and a food package from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

92% online hearing success rate seen

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

Video conferencing hearings conducted by Philippine courts are at a 92% success rate with over 1.5 million sessions since September 2020, the Supreme Court (SC) said on Monday.

“We have already recorded more than 1,500,000 video conferencing hearings with a success rate of 92%,” Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez said during the second anniversary of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SJPI) at the Manila Hotel.

As part of the SJPI, Mr. Marquez said a new committee on electronic testimony was created “in line with the court’s efforts towards technology-driven judiciary and provided all court proceedings, regardless of the nature, type, and state.”

“The court also likewise sought the need to further enhance the rules and guidelines of virtual hearings to address the current issues and concerns of the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

“So, the committee has now finalized the proposed amendments and will be submitting the same report next week. We are just circulating the draft for the signatures of all the members,” he added.

Mr. Marquez added that child witnesses will be further protected from being traumatized when they testify in court through video conferencing hearings.

The top court switched to online hearings during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BoC seizes P1.57-M marijuana

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Customs bureau said it has seized P1.57 million worth of marijuana at the Port of Clark recently.

In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) confiscated 1.48 grams worth of high-grade “Kush” marijuana in four vacuum-sealed pouches hidden in garments.

According to investigation, the shipment was declared as a “Men’s Track Suit, Polyester Men’s Cotton Shorts,” but unusual images were tracked by Customs’ x-ray inspection project.

Samples of the substance were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for laboratory analysts, which confirmed that the substances were indeed marijuana, Customs said. It is part of the list of dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

A warrant of seizure and detention was issued for the shipment for violating Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, BoC said.

Earlier this month, the bureau seized a total of P50 million worth of illegal drugs in separate busts.

In the first six months, the BoC confiscated a total of P2.28 billion worth of illegal drugs. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Cordillera rebel leader captured in Ilocos Norte raid 

STOCK PHOTO | Image by rawpixel.com from Freepik

BAGUIO CITY — Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesman Simon Fiaryao Naogsan, Sr. alias “Ka Filiw” was captured after intelligence operatives from the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division and policemen caught him early Monday morning during a raid at a house, he was temporarily taking refuge in Bacarra town in Ilocos Norte.

His capture, Major General Gulliver L. Señires, 5th ID commander said, “is a significant blow to the remaining communist armed movement in Northern Luzon.”

Mr. Naogsan Sr. held various key positions including Executive Committee Member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), head of Regional Propaganda, and former Secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) for Mountain Province.

The rebel leader, a former government engineer at the Commission on Audit, faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder filed before the Regional Trial Courts of Ifugao and Mountain Province. He carries a P2.7million reward for his capture.

His arrest, Mr. Señires added, came after the capture of three senior cadres of the ICRC of the CPP-NPA in Conner, Apayao Province, more than a week ago. This shows “the continuous dismantling of the leadership structure of the New People’s Army in the region.”

He added, “the success of this operation is a testament to our troops’ dedication and the community’s unwavering support.”  He further hinted that the information provided by residents was crucial in tracking the rebel leader and ensuring his arrest.   

According to the nongovernment human rights group Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA),  Mr. Naogsan Sr., already in his late 70s, “was in Ilocos Norte to seek medical attention.”

A team reportedly sent by IHRA to check on Mr. Naogsan Sr. confirmed “he was initially detained at the Bacarra Municipal Police Station but has since been moved to an undisclosed location.”

IHRA is raising concern about Mr. Naogsan Sr.’s “safety and well-being” and is calling “for the immediate disclosure of his location and the protection of his rights, particularly due to his medical condition.” — Artemio A. Dumlao

Ex-Maguindanao governor convicted

RACOOL_STUDIO-FREEPIK

AN ex-Maguindanao province governor was found guilty of graft and malversation of public funds amounting to P393 million by the Philippines’ anti-graft court.

In a 66-page decision promulgated on Oct. 18, the Sandiganbayan Third Division convicted the former Maguindanao governor of graft for disbursing P393 million worth of cash advances to bogus contractors meant for the construction of 22 farm-to-market roads throughout the province in 2009.

“[The accused] committed the offense charged when he approved the numerous disbursement vouchers, entered into MOAs (Memorandum of Agreements), signed other pertinent documents, and made payments to fictitious suppliers and contractors, making it appear the Province of Maguindanao actually implemented the subject… projects, when in fact it did not,” the ruling, penned by Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez, read in part.

“The pieces of evidence clearly show [the former official] deliberately orchestrated fictitious payments to various contractors and suppliers for the infrastructure projects which were not implemented,” the ruling added.

The anti-graft court sentenced the former governor to imprisonment of up to 40 years and was ordered to pay back the P393 million to the Bureau of the Treasury. He was also perpetually disqualified from holding any public office.

State lawyers initially sought to recover P400 million from the former official, but the court ruled that only P393 million was eligible as the remaining P7 million was transferred to the Agrarian Reform department, excluding it from the audit.

The Sandiganbayan, in the same decision, acquitted a government auditor alleged to be in cahoots with the former provincial government, citing lack of evidence against him. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

1...1,9851,9861,987...13,715Page 1,986 of 13,715
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube