Congress passes proposed law increasing penalties for perjury

August 24, 2021 | 7:51 pm

A MEASURE that will impose higher penalties for perjury, both within or outside a legal court and with harsher sanctions for public officials, has been approved by Congress.

The Senate ratified on Monday the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions within the Senate and House versions of the bill, which will amend the country’s Revised Penal Code.

“The penalties we proposed are already sufficient to ensure that the intention of our bill is achieved. With the higher penalties, the crime would no longer be covered by the Probation Law,” Senator Richard J. Gordon, Sr. said in a statement.

“We also made sure that we do not give a harsher penalty outside of the court so that we won’t end up imposing harsher penalties outside of judicial proceedings,” said Mr. Gordon, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Under Article 183 of the existing Penal Code, the penalty for perjury is imprisonment of four months and a day to six months, or six months and a day to two years and four months.

Under the proposed revision, perjury will become punishable with imprisonment from six years and a day to eight years, and up to eight years and a day to 10 years.

For public workers and officials found guilty of perjury, the penalty would be payment of a fine not more than P1 million and absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in government.

“The higher penalties would be sufficient to deter the commission of perjury and create a culture of truth telling. Thieves and liars are siblings, and if you are in the government, the punishment is larger,” said Mr. Gordon in mixed English and Filipino.

The proposals are contained in Senate Bill 1354 and House Bill 8268. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Senator calls out government agencies’ practice of passing unused funds to PITC, PS-DBM

August 24, 2021 | 7:51 pm

Ralph-Recto_2019-PHILSTARFILE — PHILSTAR

SENATE PRESIDENT Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto called out the practice of government agencies of transferring unused funds to two entities, which reflect inefficiency in the use of the annual budget.

Mr. Recto said the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) have become “mega parking lots of funds.”

“It’s not because of procurement expertise that they keep passing the funds around. The true reason is, so they are not caught up by the deadline and waste the funds of the agency,” said Mr. Recto in Filipino.

“It circumvents the provision in the national budget that appropriations must be spent within the fiscal year,” he added.

He cited that at least P63.1 billion have been dumped into these two agencies, with PITC, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, accounting for P31.54 billion and the PS-DBM with P31.56 billion.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told BusinessWorld in a Viber Message that he has asked PITC to “release a report to update the Senators.”

In a briefing last November, Mr. Lopez said that no money remains with the PITC and everything is accounted for.

He explained that some processes are moved to the following year due to delays in evaluating technical specification evaluations, which he said happens at other agencies as well.

Money that is not returned to the Treasury translates to PITC income, said Mr. Lopez. “Half of the income is returned to the government as dividends, and the rest sustain PITC operations. PITC receives no budget allocations as it is self-sustaining,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

Mr. Recto said that in 2020, PITC booked an income of P199.8 million, of which P137 million came from outsourced procurement, while PS-DBM’s revenue reached P1.02 billion, with sales accounting for P877 million and service fees as procuring agent contributing P21.6 million. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan and Jenina P. Ibañez

Bill filed on higher benefits DFA retirees

August 24, 2021 | 7:50 pm

SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson filed a bill that seeks to increase the monthly pension and disability benefits of retirees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), putting the rates at par with the current pay scale of those in active service.

Mr. Lacson, who chairs the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Commission on Appointments, on Monday filed Senate Bill No. 2347 “to compensate Philippine foreign service personnel whose invaluable services to the country have helped advance the Philippine interests, improve relations with other countries, and protect Filipinos globally”.

“Personnel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, sometimes risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries of assignment. While in active service, diplomats have demonstrated their resilience as the Philippines’ first line of representation in dealing with a plethora of concerns,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He noted that some DFA retirees receive “measly pension despite rendering long years of service at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations.”

Senate Bill 2347 would apply to retired officers or employees of the DFA who served for at least 15 years and are eligible to receive monthly pensions from the Government Service Insurance System.

Under the bill, the monthly pension benefits of all DFA retirees, as provided under Republic Act 7157 or the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991, shall be automatically adjusted to the same rate as any future or subsequent increase in the salary grade of the same rank he or she retired from. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

DoE provides endorsements for foreign assistance in power operations, projects

August 24, 2021 | 7:49 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) said it is giving endorsements for the entry of foreign workers who will provide assistance in crucial power sector operations and projects in a bid to ensure reliable supply as school reopens under a mainly online setup.

“We are providing endorsements for the entry of foreign experts and consultants (who have) critical roles in power sector operations, and project development and implementation,” Mark Christian P. Marollano, supervising science research specialist of the DoE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, said in a press conference on Tuesday.

The Energy department is one of the 10 member agencies of the Oplan Balik Eskwela task force, which will focus on ensuring the delivery of basic education amid the continuing coronavirus threat.

Mr. Marollano said the DoE and its partner stakeholders are aiming for uninterrupted electricity supply for the distance learning classes.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has yet to approve the Department of Education’s proposal to resume face-to-face classes in areas at low risk of the virus.

Mr. Marollano’s statements come around a week after DoE Spokesperson Felix William B. Fuentebella said in a media briefing that “they are closely assisting” industry players who have experienced delays in the issuance of permits for foreign consultants and new equipment. — Angelica Y. Yang

Palace defends anti-communist body’s P28-B proposed 2022 budget

August 24, 2021 | 7:49 pm

THE PALACE on Tuesday defended the national government’s plan to continue subsidizing the development projects of villages that have cleared their territories of Maoist rebels, despite the start of implementation of a court ruling that increased the share of local governments from national taxes.

The Barangay Development Program of the government’s anti-communist task force is still needed for municipalities that don’t have enough funds for development projects even if they will get a higher internal revenue allotment (IRA) next year, Palace Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing.

“The reality is we still have 5^th and 6^th class municipalities that will continue to have minimal funds despite a higher IRA,” he said in Filipino, noting that underdeveloped areas serve as breeding grounds for communist rebels.

The Supreme Court ruling named after Batangas Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas clarified that the share from the IRA of local governments does not exclude other national taxes.

The World Bank in June said the IRA are programmed to increase by 55% in the 2022 budget.

Under the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for next year, the anti-communist task force will get P28.1 billion, higher than the P19 billion it received this year, of which P16.5 billion has been allotted for the barangay development program.

Institute for Leadership, Empowerment, and Democracy (I-Lead) Executive Director Zy-za Nadine Suzara earlier questioned the government’s decision to allocate more funds for the task force “despite serious capacity problems among LGUs (local government units).”

The task force may face a budget cut after lawmakers raised concerns that allocations for counter-insurgency programs could be used for electioneering, she told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Roque denied that the anti-communist body’s funds were prone to abuse. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Police chief says steps underway to ensure dismissed cops do not reenter the force

August 24, 2021 | 7:48 pm

police-OFFICIALGAZETTE.GOV.PH — OFFICIALGAZETTE.GOV.PH

NATIONAL POLICE chief Guillermo T. Eleazar on Tuesday said several measures are being undertaken to ensure that dismissed cops are not reinstated or rehired into the force.

One step, he said, is expediting the resolution of appeals for reconsideration filed by dismissed police personnel.

“We will work with the National Police Commission to facilitate the resolution of appealed administrative cases and permanently remove from service those found to be corrupt and abusive,” Mr. Eleazar said in Filipino.

He has also tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) director for personnel and records management to create a database of all police personnel for easier tracking of those who have been dismissed from the service.

“I have already instructed the (director for personnel and records management) to create a database of all dismissed policemen and immediately resolve their Motions for Reconsideration so that we can promptly block any attempt by them to return to service,” he said.

Mr. Eleazar said he has also instructed the PNP’s legal service to review existing rules and regulations, and to suggest amendments and additional rules to avoid errors of rehiring dismissed policemen, “especially those involved in illegal drugs.” — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Apo Agua moves Davao bulk water supply opening to 2022 despite increased workforce

August 24, 2021 | 7:48 pm

Apo-Agua-bulk-porject-APOAGUA.COM — APOAGUA.COM

ABOITIZ-LED Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. has moved the target operation of its P12-billion bulk water supply project in Davao City to early 2022 even as it fast-tracks construction to make up for delays due to the coronavirus-related restrictions.

Shake A. Tuason, Apo Agua operations head, said partner-contractor J.V. Angeles Construction Corp. (JVACC) is implementing extended work hours for simultaneous construction activities at the raw water site, treatment plant, and rolling out pipelines.

“However, in light of the ever-evolving situation caused by the severe challenges of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, Apo Agua and JVACC are continuously assessing its full impact to the project, and are working tirelessly to ensure that we are implementing mitigation measures to meet our aggressive timeline,” Mr. Tuason said in a statement.

He said Apo Agua, a joint venture of Aboitiz Equity Ventures and JVACC, is now aiming to “commence commercial operations by 2022.”

The company was earlier targeting to begin delivery of the contracted supply of 300 million liters per day to the Davao City Water District before the end of 2021.

Mr. Tuason said they currently have more than 5,000 workers deployed, double the pre-pandemic labor pool. — Maya M. Padillo

PBA inching closer to tournament resumption

August 24, 2021 | 7:40 pm

PBA action could resume soon in the province of Pampanga. — PBA IMAGES

FORCED early this month to halt action because of rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is inching closer to returning after securing the go signal to resume its tournament in Pampanga.

The league announced this week that it was given the approval by Pampanga Governor Dennis G. Pineda to start team practices in their area which could pave the way for the eventual resumption of the Philippine Cup in the first week of September.

The 12 PBA teams were to start practicing in three different venues around Pampanga — namely San Fernando, Angeles and Mexico — beginning on Tuesday, with the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) in Bacolor eyed as the venue of the official games.

League Commissioner Willie O. Marcial said they are just waiting for the confirmation from officials of DHVSU to use their facilities and after that, coupled with the smooth flow of the team practices, they could proceed with the resumption of play.

PBA officials said their health protocols were already approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the provincial government of Pampanga and that they are now looking forward to getting the ball rolling anew.

Part of the protocols approved is the antigen testing of all the teams in the morning of each play date, which would mean five antigen tests per week since the PBA is shifting to five play dates — Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — once it returns to action.

Mondays are for RT-PCR tests, with the results expected to come out the next day.

Player and team movements will be under a closed-circuit setup, limited to hotel-game venue-hotel.

The PBA Philippine Cup opened on July 16 with games held at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City also under a closed-circuit setup.

Proceedings were halted after matches on Aug. 1 just as Metro Manila was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine because of rising COVID-19 cases, particularly the Delta variant.

The league spent the next weeks looking for areas which could hold its games, eventually finding a willing host in Pampanga, which is under a less strict setup of Modified General Community Quarantine.

At the time of the stoppage, the Magnolia Hotshot Pambansang Manok on top of the standings with a 4-0 record, followed by the TNT Tropang Giga (3-0), Meralco Bolts (4-1), San Miguel Beermen (3-1), Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-2), NLEX Road Warriors (2-2), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (2-2), Alaska Aces (2-3), Northport Batang Pier (1-3), Phoenix Fuel Masters (1-4), Terrafirma Dyip (0-4) and Blackwater Elite (0-4). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Duterte enjoins sports agencies to sustain gains made in the Olympics

August 24, 2021 | 7:39 pm

Medallists — TOKYO Olympic medalists (from left) Carlo Paalam, Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial. — PSC FB PAGE

FOLLOWING the breakthrough showing of Team Philippines in the recent Olympic Games in Tokyo, President Rodrigo R. Duterte underscored the need to sustain the gains made moving forward.

Speaking at the ceremonies honoring the country’s Olympians and awarding of their incentives in Malacañang on Monday night, Mr. Duterte said that what the Filipino athletes achieved in Tokyo, including winning the country’s first-ever gold medal, is something to celebrate and should not be put to waste.

The President asked sports officials and agencies to continue rallying behind the athletes to help ensure their success be sustained while at the same time fine-tuning their programs for thorough development.

“I enjoin the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and other sports bodies to continue providing much-needed assistance to keep our athletes on top of their game and become all-time greats,” said Mr. Duterte, who was joined by key government officials in the half-hour-long ceremonies.

Also during the event, Mr. Duterte handed out incentives to the Olympians and medalists as well as citations for their achievements.

The incentives and monetary awards were based on the provisions of Republic Act 10699, or the expanded incentives act.

Leading the awardees were weightlifter and gold medalist Hidilyn F. Diaz, boxers and silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy A. Petecio, and boxer and bronze medalist Eumir Felix D. Marcial.

Ms. Diaz received P10 million as mandated by the law, P5 million from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for setting a new Olympic record (lifting 127 kg in the clean and jerk), a certificate of turnover of a housing unit from the National Housing Authority (NHA), P3 million from the Office of the President (OP), and a presidential medal of merit.

Ms. Petecio and Mr. Paalam each received P5 million from the PSC, a certificate of turnover of a housing unit from NHA, and P2 million from the OP while Mr. Marcial received P2 million as mandated by law and an additional P1 million from the OP.

The three boxers were also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi.

Also given incentives by the OP and presidential citations were the 15 other athletes who saw action in the Tokyo Olympics. They each received P200,000. Present to receive their incentives were shooter Jayson Valdez and weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando.

Silver medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Games Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco also received P500,000 from the OP and was given the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi.

“I congratulate you once again for bringing pride and honor to the country and for uplifting the spirit of the Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Your hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship even amid the challenges in your training and competition prior to the Olympics are truly inspiring,” Mr. Duterte said.

The one gold, two silvers and one bronze medal haul of the Philippines in Tokyo was the best showing to date by the country in nearly a century of participation in the Olympic Games. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Mangliwan and Aceveda undaunted by tough opposition in Paralympics

August 24, 2021 | 7:39 pm

UP against tough opposition in the just-started World Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Filipino wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus-thrower Jeanette Aceveda remain upbeat of their chances and looking forward to showcasing what they can do.

Part of the six-athlete Philippine contingent in the sporting event for the differently abled, the two para-athletes expressed their readiness to plunge into action and fight through the competition.

“Quitters don’t win. So we will not quit,” said Mr. Mangliwan in Filipino just as the Paralympic Games officially kicked off on Tuesday.

“We have seen the records of my opponents and me and my coach feel I have a chance against them,” said the para-athlete, who served as the flag-bearer of the Philippines at the opening ceremony.

“My goal is to make it to the finals and take it from there,” added the Paralympics veteran Mr. Mangliwan, who was struck by polio at the age of two.

It is the same resolve that 50-year-old blind discus-thrower Ms. Aceveda has.

“Our opponents are strong but so do we. At this stage, everyone has proven themselves and all are champions. But we will never give up,” said the mother of three also in Filipino.

Apart from the competition, making it more challenging for Ms. Aceveda, a three-time gold medalist in the 2013 ASEAN Para Games in Myanmar, is that under the International Paralympic Committee and World Para rules, she will be performing blindfolded to block out whatever light that some athletes might still perceive as means of equalizing the playing field.

She, however, expressed her readiness to adjust and compete.

Mr. Mangliwan is set to start his campaign on Friday, Aug. 27, in the T52 men’s 400-meter race while Ms. Aceveda gets hers going on Aug. 31 in the women’s discus throw F11 finals. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Jimmy Alapag named assistant coach of NBA G League team

August 24, 2021 | 7:39 pm

THE coaching journey of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend and former Gilas Pilipinas player Jimmy Alapag took another significant turn after he was named an assistant of NBA G League team Stockton Kings on Tuesday.

Mr. Alapag, 43, will be serving as assistant to former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Bobby Jackson in the Stockton team, the G League affiliate of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

“Words can’t express how thankful I am for the opportunity to join the Stockton Kings for the upcoming NBA G League season!” Mr. Alapag posted on Instagram after the announcement was made.

He went on to thank Mr. Jackson and other team officials for “believing in me and giving me this chance.”

Mr. Alapag was part of the coaching staff of the Sacramento Kings in their championship conquest in the recent NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The Cal State-San Bernardino alumnus Mr. Alapag played 14 seasons in the PBA, earning six championships, one league most valuable player award (2011), two PBA Finals MVP awards and 11 stints in the All-Star Game.

After his playing career, he became part of the coaching staff of the Meralco Bolts then became the head coach of the San Miguel Alab team which won the ASEAN Basketball League title in 2018. Later on, he became an assistant with the San Miguel Beermen.

He also had stints in the coaching staff of Gilas Pilipinas and in 2020 went back to the United States with his family to seek a coaching job in the NBA, finally hooking up with the Sacramento Kings in the Summer League. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Filipina Jack Animam to play pro basketball in Serbia

August 24, 2021 | 7:38 pm

UAAP-82-NU-vs-UST---ANIMAM — TOP Filipino female player Jack Animam will play professional basketball in Serbia. — UAAP

TOP Filipino female player Jack S. Animam will play professional basketball in Serbia.

This was announced by the many-time national team member and her agents at East West Private (EWP) in a virtual press conference on Monday night.

Ms. Animam, 22, will play for the Radnički Kragujevac squad in the Women’s Serbian League, where she hopes to continue her growth as a player.

“I’m just so happy, proud and honored to have come this far [in my basketball career],” a teary-eyed Ms. Animam said. “I just can’t thank my support group enough, the EWP, the people behind this.”

Ms. Animam had an illustrious collegiate career in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) with National University, helping the Lady Bulldogs to five straight UAAP titles (2015-2019) where they went undefeated throughout.

She also garnered top individual UAAP honors, winning the rookie of the year award in 2015, most valuable player in 2017 and Finals MVP in 2018. Ms. Animam was a four-time UAAP mythical team member (2016-2019) as well.

Along the way, she also was a member of the national team, which won gold in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) in 2016 and SEA Games in 2019 both in 3-on-3 and 5-on-5.

Last year, she played in Chinese Taipei for Shin Hsin University in the University Basketball Association where they went undefeated as well for the season.

She moved to the United States early this year to train with EWP after which she played briefly in the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League (AEBL) before landing the deal to play in Serbia.

“This is a new challenge for me. I’m excited, but at the same time pressured. But I’m willing to learn and adapt with my new team,” said Ms. Animam, currently in the US but is set to leave for Serbia this week and will stay there for the rest of the local league’s season until March next year.

At Radnički Kragujevac, Ms. Animam will join a young team which finished eighth last season in the 12-team field with a 7-15 record.

“I can’t wait to go out there and play with them. I hope to bring my leadership and defensive mind-set there. I’m confident that I can have a great relationship with my team and for us to do great things together,” she said.

Also by playing in Serbia, Ms. Animam shared that she hopes she gets to show what Filipino women players can do and maybe open the doors for other Filipinas as well to play pro basketball in different parts of the world. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo