Ex-jail chief who took back drug claims vs De Lima allowed to take witness stand

October 19, 2022 | 8:04 pm

leila-de-lima-michael-varcas_2019-02-22_23-23-25 — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A MUNTINLUPA court has allowed a former jail chief to take the witness stand after recanting his allegations against a former senator on trial for drug trafficking.

In a four-page order dated Oct. 18, Judge Abraham Joseph B. Alcantara said former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Z. Ragos’ testimony would let the court appreciate the evidence in the case against ex-Senator Leila M. de Lima.

“The interests of justice would best be served if the supposed recantation of Mr. Ragos is tested in a public trial with sufficient opportunity given to the prosecution to cross-examine the recanting witness,” he said.

“The court should determine which testimony should be given credence through a comparison of the original testimony and the new testimony, applying the general rules of evidence,” he added.

Mr. Ragos on April 30 signed an affidavit saying he had been coerced by a former Justice chief into testifying against one of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s most outspoken critics, who has been in jail since February 2017.

He earlier claimed to have delivered P10 million in drug money to Ms. De Lima’s bodyguard that she allegedly used to finance her senatorial run in 2016. Prosecutors have accused her of abetting the illegal drug trade in the national jail when she was still Justice secretary.

Mr. Ragos’ original testimony had helped in keeping the drug case against the former senator alive. The court had also denied her motion to dismiss the case, citing the ex-jail official’s testimony.

Mr. Ragos in September failed to testify after prosecutors opposed his taking the witness stand.

The judge said a retraction does not require the court to disregard a witness’s original testimony. “The supposed recantation, like any other testimony, is subject to the test of credibility based on the relevant circumstances, including the demeanor of the recanting witness on the stand.”

At least three other witnesses have also taken back their allegations about her involvement in the illegal drug trade. One of the three drug charges against Ms. De Lima has been dismissed. Two are pending in court. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Norman P. Aquino

Filipinos told to get booster shots amid new variants

October 19, 2022 | 8:00 pm

Commuters-face-masks — COMMUTERS wait for available public transport along Taft Avenue in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR / MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

FILIPINOS should get booster shots after the Philippines confirmed its first cases of the Omicron subvariant XBB and XBC variant of the coronavirus, according to health experts.

Infections would probably increase in the coming weeks, Rontgene M. Solante, a member of the Health department’s technical advisory group, told ABS-CBN Teleradyo on Wednesday.

Areas where the XBB subvariant and XBC variant were detected had low vaccination rates and booster uptake, he added.

“That’s already a sign that if you have a low booster uptake, there is a higher risk that cases may increase, and mutated strains may appear.”

The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday said it had detected 81 cases of the new Omicron XBB subvariant and 193 cases of the XBC variant, which is said to be a recombinant of the Delta and BA.2 variants.

While the Omicron XBB subvariant has been the primary cause of fresh spikes in infections in Singapore, there was not enough evidence that the sublineage causes a more severe illness, it said.

Filipinos should not be complacent because the country’s booster uptake is quite low, Mr. Solante said. “We can expect cases to increase in the coming weeks. We need to keep vaccinating, keep giving booster doses and of course wear face masks.”

Filipino should get vaccinated instead waiting for so-called bivalent vaccines, which are designed to target both the original coronavirus strain and Omicron subvariants, Nina G. Gloriani, head of the Philippine vaccine expert panel told the radio station.

“It’s important to raise our level of immunity. Boosters help with that,” she said. Evidence shows that boosters raise antibodies and T-cells, which are effective against severe forms of the coronavirus, she added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

3^rd typhoon in a row on a path to northern PHL; previous damage reaches at least P477M

October 19, 2022 | 7:52 pm

A TROPICAL depression that is seen to intensify into a tropical storm category by Friday night or Saturday morning is heading towards northern parts of the Philippines, on a path similar to those of the two most recent typhoons, according to the state weather agency.

The latest tropical depression named Obet, the 15^th to hit the country this year, was spotted 920 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon, based on PAGASA’s 5 p.m. weather bulletin on Wednesday.

Moderate to heavy rains could be expected over Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan by Friday.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also likely over Batanes, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of mainland Cagayan.

“Based on the latest forecast scenario, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal may be hoisted for some areas in Northern Luzon tonight or tomorrow morning at the earliest,” PAGASA said.

Apart from the tropical depression, PAGASA said the prevailing northeasterly surface windflow will already bring strong to gale-force winds over these areas in the next 24 hours.

DAMAGE
Meanwhile, the running assessment of damage to agriculture and public infrastructure due to the preceding typhoon, with international name Nesat and locally named Neneng, has reached more than P477.61 million as of Oct. 19.

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) show damage and losses in crops and fisheries stood at P366.06 million.

Over 14,500 farmers and fisherfolk have been affected.

The Cagayan Valley Region suffered the biggest damage at almost P354.45 million. Other affected regions were the Cordillera ang Ilocos, according to NDRRMC.

No deaths were reported but at least two people were injured as Neneng brought heavy rains and strong winds.

There were 51 totally destroyed houses across the three regions and another 115 that were partially damaged.

NDRRMC has yet to update its impact report on the earlier tropical depression named Maymay, the 13^th that entered the Philippines this year.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday issued a combined assessment on Maymay and Neneng, with damage pegged at P355.63 million.

Based on latest figures from the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, the onslaught of Maymay and Neneng affected 11,928 farmers and 15,850 hectares of agricultural land.

Lost production volume reached 25,297 metric tons (MT).

The affected commodities include rice, corn, and high-value crops. The figures are subject to validation, the DA said.

“The values of damage and losses for Maymay and Neneng have been combined as the two tropical cyclones occurred in a span of one week and affected the same agricultural areas in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley,” the DA said in its bulletin issued noon of Oct. 18.

Broken down, damage to rice reached P344.53 million. A total of 24,723 MT of produce were lost while 15,705 hectares of farmland were affected.

High-value crop losses amounted to P6.94 million. Some 191 MT of produce were lost while 18 hectares of agricultural land were affected.

Corn losses totaled P4.16 million. A total of 127 hectares of farm land were affected while 382 MT of produce were lost.

The department said while assessment is continuing, it is also rolling out agricultural commodities in the affected communities to help stabilize food prices. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave and Marifi S. Jara

Economic benefits from POGO declining but PHL still stands to lose P64.6B annually

October 19, 2022 | 7:52 pm

ECONOMIC benefits from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have been declining, a Finance official said on Wednesday, but totally closing the sector could still cost the country P64.61 billion annually based on estimates.

Department of Finance Undersecretary Maria Cielo D. Magno, speaking at a House Committee on Labor and Employment meeting, said taxes — including corporate, personal income, and other taxes — collected from registered POGOs decreased P3.91 billion in 2021 from P7.18 billion the previous year.

This year could see some recovery with P3.9 billion already collected from Jan. to July.

Revenue collected by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which issues licenses to offshore gaming operators, has also been on a downtrend.

From P8.02 billion in 2019, PAGCOR’s collections went down to P5.28 billion in 2020, then 3.47 billion last year. From Jan.-July this year, collections stood at P1.7 billion.

Ms. Magno said these tax and revenue drops are “likely due to the formalization of the sector and new tax policies.”

On the other hand, she said discontinuing POGOs would mean losses of P64.61 billion in direct economic contributions or about 0.3% of the gross domestic product, based on estimates by the Finance department.

The biggest toll would be on income from housing space rentals at P25.17 billion, followed by office space rentals at P16.63 billion.

Negative impact would also be felt in tax collections, PAGCOR revenues, personal consumption of POGO workers, transportation, and insurance.

Crimes spawned by both legal and illegal offshore gaming operations have recently sparked debates in Congress on whether the economic benefits of the sector outweigh social costs.

DEPORTATION
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was set on Wednesday to deport six Chinese nationals who had been working in an illegal offshore gaming company.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla dated Oct. 17, BI Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said the six foreigners would be deported to Wuhan, China by 2:40 p.m.

“The Border Control and Intelligence Unit shall assist the BI-Warden Facility officials once the deportees arrive at the airport terminal to ensure smooth processing and escorting,” he said.

The six foreigners were turned over to the immigration bureau by the police following a raid on an illegal POGO firm in Pampanga, a province north of the capital.

Mr. Remulla told an online briefing on Tuesday that the six Chinese workers would be leaving the Philippines voluntarily.

The Justice department earlier said the government has revoked the visas of more than 1,400 Chinese nationals working in these illegal offshore gaming companies whose licenses had been canceled.

The government started cracking down on mostly Chinese gambling companies that offer online gambling services to markets outside the country after a spate of kidnappings mainly victimizing Chinese nationals.

Last month, Mr. Remulla met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to discuss the deportation of those behind the illegal gambling outfits.

China earlier said it would help Philippine law enforcers tackle crimes linked to offshore gambling. — Kyanna Angela Bulan and John Victor D. Ordoñez

Murder complaint filed vs gunman in broadcaster’s murder

October 19, 2022 | 7:51 pm

Rally-journoPercy-REUTERS — JOURNALISTS and activists light candles for killed Filipino radio journalist Percival Mabasa during an indignation rally, in Quezon City, Philippines, October 4, 2022. — REUTERS

A MURDER complaint has been filed by the police against the self-confessed gunman, along with his three alleged cohorts who remain at large, involved in the killing of radio-journalist Percival Mabasa.

The complaint, a copy of which was sent to reporters on Oct. 18, was filed by the Southern Police District, according to Rudolph C. Delmendo, officer-in-charge of the Police Station Investigation and Detective Management Section in Las Piñas City, where the victim was murdered.

“During the custodial investigation, the suspect was apprised of his constitutional rights as mandated by law, and with the assistance of his legal counsel he voluntarily executed extra-judicial confession,” the police official noted in the complaint.

The Interior department announced on Tuesday that the gunman voluntarily surrendered because he feared for his safety after authorities released photos of his face to the public.

The gunman told the same briefing that he, along with three others, were hired by someone inside the national penitentiary. He said they were paid P550,000, which they divided among themselves.

Police earlier reported that the 63-year-old radio journalist was killed by two assailants while he was on board his vehicle at the gate of a residential compound in Las Piñas City on the evening of Oct. 3.

Roy Mabasa, the late broadcaster’s brother, told the ABS-CBN News Channel on Wednesday that he met with the suspect on Tuesday night to revisit the crime scene.

He found the gunman’s narration to be consistent but he was not completely convinced by the story.

“We, the family of the victim, are only holding on to the truth. This situation is very difficult,” the brother said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Senator Estrada says pitch to ban foreign shows and films just out of ‘frustration’

October 19, 2022 | 7:51 pm

Estrada-Jinggoy-PHILSTAR-FILE-MIGUEL-DE-GUZMAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

SENATOR Jose “Jinggoy” E. Estrada on Wednesday defended his earlier suggestion to ban foreign shows and films, including Korean dramas, in the Philippines after drawing flak from the public while local entertainment industry workers said the government should instead increase support to the sector.

“Related to my statement yesterday on foreign-made shows, my statement stems from the frustration that while we are only too eager and willing to celebrate South Korea’s entertainment industry… We have sadly allowed our own to deteriorate because of the lack of support from the movie going public,” he said in a statement in a mix of English and Filipino.

Mr. Estrada, in a separate interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Wednesday, also clarified that he had no plans on filing a bill that disallows foreign-made shows and films in the country. His words, he explained, were only expressed “out of frustration.”

The senator, who was a film actor himself, said he had “nothing against” South Korea’s success in the entertainment field, saying that the Philippines had a lot to learn from them.

During Tuesday’s budget hearing on the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the senator warned that if Korean telenovelas are allowed to continue, local artists will lose their jobs.

The South Korean government has supported its creative industries since the 1990s through subsidies and funding, with a goal of becoming a leading global exporter of popular culture.

Its pop acts and television dramas have successfully broken through the global scene in recent years, with boy band BTS, Netflix series Squid Game, and the 2020 Oscar-winning film Parasite among the most well-known.

FDCP Chairperson Tirso S. Cruz III, in response to the senator’s suggestion, said one of the primary programs of the agency is to focus on the creation and promotion of local films.

“It’s just that we can’t help ourselves because this is a worldwide business. We can’t stop streaming (foreign films) because it’s accepted by the world already,” Mr. Cruz said during the hearing on Tuesday.

“Our focus now really is to help Filipino producers and promote our local films.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

UN high official to promote women’s empowerment, support livelihoods in Mindanao during PH visit

October 19, 2022 | 7:51 pm

UNITED Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja is visiting the Philippines next week to promote women’s empowerment and support livelihood programs in Mindanao, according to a statement released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday.

Her week-long mission, which is scheduled from Oct. 22 to 28, will include bilateral meetings with senior government officials, the private sector, civil societies, and youth representatives.

Ms. Wignaraja, who is also UNDP regional director, will lead the launch of Pintig: Women, Data, and the Pandemic, a documentary highlighting the work and commitment of women leaders in the Philippines.

She will also have field visits in Mindanao to hand over equipment to support sustainable livelihoods in local communities.

Discussions on resilience will also be held with leading thinkers, industry practitioners, and civil society organizations to explore how economic, social, and environmental policies and financing instruments can be used to support green recovery.

Ms. Wignaraja has worked with the UN for over 25 years, specializing in sustainable development and the Asia-Pacific region.

The UNDP has worked with the Philippine government since 1965, seeking to strengthen inclusive, green, and resilient growth, as well as accelerate the global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

It works to “strengthen the country’s capacities at the national and local levels to promote democratic governance, sustainable management of natural resources, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management, and resilience and peacebuilding.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

House panel OK’s bill on construction of schools in remote areas

October 19, 2022 | 7:50 pm

A BILL that seeks to establish public schools in remote areas has been approved by the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture on Wednesday.

The proposed measure, which consolidates House Bills 650 and 1947, aims to make education accessible to all by constructing schools in geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas, including access roads leading to the facilities.

Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) will be the lead agency in the implementation of the bill.

DepEd will be in charge of formulating the guidelines on school requirements and construction timetable in consultation with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Investment in infrastructures which ensures access to education, most especially for those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged and vulnerable is the key intent of this proposed legislation,” Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda said in the explanatory note of HB 650. — Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

House probe sought on procedures for drug-related arrests

October 19, 2022 | 7:50 pm

A RESOLUTION that seeks to investigate the standard procedures of various law enforcement agencies in arresting suspects on drug-related cases has been filed in the House of Representatives, following the recent arrest of the Justice chief’s son, Juanito Jose D. Remulla, for illegal possession.

House Resolution 488, filed by the Makabayan bloc on Tuesday, called on the House Committee on Justice to investigate the operational standards and practices of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement agencies.

Last week, Mr. Remulla was nabbed by PDEA in connection with the illegal shipment of P1.3 million worth of high-grade marijuana, which was addressed to him.

ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France L. Castro said “special treatment” appears to have been accorded to the suspect despite Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla vowed not to intervene in his son’s case.

“Respect for human rights of suspects should be the norm and there should be no special treatment for entitled ones,” she said in a statement.

“If the kind of treatment accorded to Mr. Juanito Jose D. Remulla is also applied to other suspects, then there would be no problem,” she said. “But that is not the case, more often than not they are already paraded to the media before being hauled to jail or worse, killed.”

Under the resolution, the House of Representatives will formulate legislated standards that will protect the rights of suspects, arrestees and detainees without distinction, while ensuring the proper administration of justice. — Kyanna Angela Bulan

SC orders anti-Red official to comment on lawyers’ contempt plea

October 19, 2022 | 7:49 pm

THE SUPREME Court (SC) has ordered a former anti-communist spokesperson of the government to comment on an indirect contempt petition filed against her by several lawyers for allegedly threatening a trial court judge online.

In a statement dated Oct. 18 and sent to reporters on Wednesday, the tribunal gave ex-spokesperson Lorrain Marie T. Badoy 15 days to file her comment on the case.

The court said it gave the order “without giving due course to the petition.”

A person found guilty of indirect contempt faces up to six months of jail time and a fine of as much as P30,000.

Several lawyers on Oct. 4 asked the High Court to cite Ms. Badoy in contempt given the gravity of her “tirades and threats” against Manila trial court Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar, who had ruled that the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, were not terrorist organizations, the court said in a statement.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla earlier said his department would bring the case against the communist organizations before the Court of Appeals.

“So, if I kill this judge and I do so out of my political belief that all allies of the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) must be killed because there is no difference in my mind between a member of the CPP-NPA-NDF and their friends, then please be lenient with me,” Ms. Badoy said in her Facebook post on Sept. 23 that has since been deleted.

In a separate Facebook post on Sept. 28, Ms. Badoy said she did not wish harm on Ms. Malagar but was speaking hypothetically.

The High Court on Oct. 4 ordered her to explain why she should not be cited in contempt after more than a hundred lawyers last month condemned her statements.

It earlier warned those who threaten judges on social media saying they could be held in contempt.

Last week, Mr. Remulla told the United Nations Rights Committee that the communist groups should not be immune to criticism.

“If a person is able to dish out criticism, they should be able to take criticism as well especially if they are supporting those that are promoting the death of our people,” he said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Former procurement official under watch list blocked during attempt to leave the country

October 19, 2022 | 7:49 pm

A FORMER government procurement official has attempted to leave the country despite being under an immigration lookout bulletin over his alleged involvement in anomalies in pandemic supply contracts, a senator said on Wednesday.

Lloyd Christopher A. Lao, former head of the Procurement Service under the Budget department, had sought clearance from the immigration watch list but was denied in a 10-5 vote by senators.

“He asked for clearance. The majority of the Blue Ribbon Committee members has agreed that this will not be given to him,” Senator Francis N. Tolentino, committee chairman, said in a mix of English and Filipino during an interview at Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday.

“But I was informed that there was an attempt last month to (fly to) Singapore, but he was stopped at the immigration (procedure),” he added.

The watch list request was issued by the same committee under the previous Congress after he was probed for his role in the award of a multibillion-peso contract to a local contractor of allegedly overpriced face masks and shields.

BusinessWorld reached out to Mr. Lao for comment but did not receive a response before the print deadline.

The upper chamber is set to continue its investigative hearing, in aid of legislation, on laptop purchases and scholarship fund disbursement by education agencies that were flagged by state auditors, on Thursday.

The laptop contracts were made through the Procurement Service.

“He is being required to attend the current Blue Ribbon hearings,” Mr. Tolentino said. “His attendance is being required relative to this laptop deal.”

“In fairness to him, he is being cooperative. He attends the hearings. He responds,” he added.

In a letter to Mr. Tolentino presented at an Aug. 25 committee hearing on the laptop controversy, Mr. Lao said the lookout for an order against him should be lifted since there were no pending cases or arrest warrants against him. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Bulldogs regain pole position in win over DLSU Archers, 80-76

October 19, 2022 | 6:55 pm

NUvsUP4 — NU Bulldogs caught another big fish in La Salle. — PHILPPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

Ateneo Blue Eagles rout the Adamson Falcons, 76-55

Games On Saturday
(Ynares Sports Antipolo)
1 p.m. — UP vs UST
4:30 p.m. — AdU vs DLSU

RAMPAGING National University’s (NU) meteoric rise reached another height as it caught another big fish in La Salle, 80-76, on its way to regaining the pole position in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Four players uncorked twin digits led by Steve Nash Enriquez and John Lloyd Clemente with 16 points apiece as the Bulldogs charged their way to fourth straight win for a 5-1 card.

Mr. Enriquez added three rebounds and three assists while team captain Mr. Clemente collared 10 boards for NU, which in return ended a seven-year losing skid against La Salle.

The Bulldogs, who also got ample support from Omar John (15-12) and John Figueroa (12), last won against the Green Archers back in Season 78 in 2015, 81-73, to further prove its emergence as one of the UAAP’s major forces this season.

Prior to slaying La Salle, NU also claimed the scalp of reigning champion UP to snatch the top spot for a running capital in its Final Four drive nearing the second elimination round.

“La Salle is also one of the big boys so it’s sigh of release for us. We’re down midway through the third but we found ways to flip the momentum to our favor. We turned the game around,” said coach Jeff Napa as his wards continue to prove their UAAP contender status after sweeping the Filoil preseason.

The Bulldogs showed that grit and heart by unleashing a 15-5 rally to flip a 42-51 deficit to a 57-56 cushion late in the third that it went on to preserve in spite of a spirited La Salle comeback attempt in the end game.

Mr. Clemente took NU home with a game-icing freethrow in the waning seconds after Kevin Quimbao’s clutch trey to push the Green Archers to within 76-79.

Mr. Quimbao (15), Mike Phillips (15) and Evan Nelle paced (14) paced La Salle (3-3) as Schonny Winston bled for a season-low of 12 points after fouling out.

Meanwhile, Kai Ballungay unloaded a career-high of 21 points as the vengeful Ateneo (4-2) vented its ire on Adamson (2-4) to solidify place inside the Final Four after bowing to rival UP last weekend. — John Bryan Ulanday

The Scores:

First Game

NU 80 — Clemente 16, Enriquez 16, John 15, Figueroa 12, Malonzo 6, Baclaan 5, Yu 4, Galinato 2, Manansala 2, Mahinay 2, Minerva 0, Tibayan 0, Palacielo 0, Tulabut 0, Padrones 0.

La Salle 76 — Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 15, Nelle 14, Winston 12, Abadam 7, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 3, Estacio 3, Cortez 2, B. Phillips 1, Escandor 0.

Quarterscores: 23-17, 40-41, 61-63, 80-76.

Second Game

ATENEO 76 — Ballungay 21, Ildefonso 15, Gomez 8, Chiu 7, Padrigao 5, Lazaro 5, Kouame 4, Andrade 4, Garcia 3, Koon 2, Ong 2, Daves 0, Quitevis 0, Fetalvero 0, Fornilos 0, Lao 0.

ADAMSON 55 — Lastimosa 18, Douanga 8, Torres 6, Manzano 5, Flowers 4, Jaymalin 3, Fuentebella 3, Yerro 2, Barasi 2, Barcelona 2, W. Magbuhos 2, V. Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0.

Quarterscores: 22-16, 41-32, 61-47, 76-55.