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Duque has Duterte’s trust, confidence

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte continues to trust Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III amid a palace investigation of alleged conflict of interest involving a company owned by his family, according to the president’s spokesman.

“The president still trusts Health Secretary Duque,” Mr. Panelo told reporters at the presidential palace on Tuesday, adding that he had responded to questions on issues of propriety.

Until evidence is presented proving that he has violated he law, Mr. Duque will have the president’s trust and confidence, he said.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson has said that Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company allegedly owned by Mr. Duque’s family, had won contracts from the government.

Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go, who heads the health committee, has said he would consider probing Mr. Duque.

Mr. Panelo said the Health chief had responded to the allegations and “as far as he is concerned, there is no conflict of interest.” One of the contracts was won before he became a Cabinet member and he had divested his interests, he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Philippines deadliest for nature activists

THE PHILIPPINES has replaced Brazil as the most murderous country in the world for people defending their environment, according to a report by London-based environmental watchdog Global Witness.

“The Philippines has consistently ranked as one of the deadliest countries in the world for people protecting their land or the environment,” the international group said.

Last year, the Philippines was the worst affected country in sheer numbers, with 30 deaths, including the massacre on Negros island.,” the watchdog said in a report titled ‘Enemies of the State? How Governments and Business Silence Land and Environmental Defenders.’

Last year’s death count was lower than 48 in the previous year, when the country ranked second after Brazil.

“The ecological agriculture that landless farm workers have painstakingly carved out of the vast monoculture plantations of Negros sugar barons have been irrigated with blood and bullets,” Leon A. Dulce, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment , said in a separate statement.

“Since 2017 to date, at least 87 land and environment defenders have been murdered by military, paramilitary troops, and other state forces for carrying out land occupation and cultivation campaigns across the island,” he said.

The report said companies and governments were now leaning toward criminalizing environmental activism and land rights defense.

“The country’s legal system is used to criminalise and intimidate land and environmental defenders, while officials who are complicit in these crimes go unpunished,” it said.

Mindanao has become the hot spot for murders of defenders, accounting for a third of the killings in 2018. It is also the region where a chunk of 1.6 million hectares of land were to be allocated for industrial operations planned by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, it added.

The group noted that globally, 164 people or three defenders a week were killed in 2018, lower than 201 in 2017. Mining was considered the deadliest sector, with 43 people killed. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Officials assure emergency response could be faster than in remote Itbayat

A SOCIAL WORKER from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office 2 (DSWD-FO 2) conducts psychosocial intervention for children affected by the earthquake in Itbayat, Batanes on July 30. Two schools on the island were among the damaged structures. — @DSWDFO2

DEFENSE SECRETARY Delfin N. Lorenzana said the government’s disaster response to the July 27 twin earthquakes in Itbayat, Batanes could have been faster if not for the island’s location and the limited transportation access. Although local officials and disaster management teams immediately assisted affected residents, Mr. Lorenzana said resources from the regional and national levels could not be immediately delivered. “Mabagal ‘yung reaction namin (Our reaction was slow) because it’s too far away. The nearest base that we can get choppers is in Tuguegarao, Cagayan… so ‘yun ang (that was the) challenge: how to get there immediately,” said Mr. Lorenzana in a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday. Center for Disaster Preparedness Executive Director Lorein dela Cruz, for her part, said while government has not been “letting up in raising awareness for the ‘Big One,’” which could affect the capital Metro Manila, minimizing casualties in the event of a major earthquake depends in large part on people. “I think we cannot 100% guarantee that we are prepared… The best thing really is the people, wherever they are, they should know what to do when something happens,” she said. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Ricardo B. Jalad, meanwhile, assured that there is a contingency plan for high-magnitude earthquakes. “At the national level meron tayong (we have a) contingency plan to respond and bawat ahensya may kanya kanyang (and each agency has a designated) task,” said Mr. Jalad. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Cabanatuan-Sta. Rosa bypass road widening 1/3 done

THE WIDENING of a third of the 12.35-kilometer (km) bypass road connecting Sta. Rosa town and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija into six lanes will soon be completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Tuesday. “We are close to completing the second phase covering a total of 2.02-km of the bypass road. This is in addition to the 2.14-km segment that was widened under Phase 1 in 2018,” District Engineer Ricardo M. Puno said in a DPWH-released statement. Mr. Puno said the expansion of the road, named Cesar Angeles–Emilio Vergara Bypass Road, is necessary in preparation for the Cabanatuan Interchange Exit of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX). “The expansion… is among our priority projects in the province as it serves as an alternative road to Cabanatuan, eastern side of Nueva Ecija and Aurora Province. It has also opened a whole new area of residential and commercial development in the province,” he added. DPWH said it has already submitted the budget request for the widening of the remaining road sections. The first two phases had an allocation of P100 million. The entire project is planned for completion by 2021.

Sytin brother, 1 other ordered arrested for murder

AN OLONGAPO City court has ordered the arrest of Alan Dennis L. Sytin and another individual for the murder of businessman Dominic L. Sytin in November last year. In the warrant of arrest dated July 29, Judge Richard A Paradeza ordered the arrest of Mr. Sytin, brother of the slain businessman, and Ryan D. Rementilla. No bail was recommended. The Department of Justice indicted the two for the murder that took place outside the Lighthouse Hotel at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Nov. 28, 2018. They are also charged of frustrated murder for wounding Mr. Sytin’s body guard. Fellow accused Edgardo P. Luib, the alleged hit man, was arrested by the Philippine National Police last March. Mr. Luib tagged Mr. Sytin as the alleged mastermind in the killing of his brother, who was the chief executive officer of United Auctioneers, Inc., chairman of Foton Philippines, and director and chairman of the board of listed LMG Chemicals Corp. In a statement, Mr. Sytin said he will file a petition for review before the Justice secretary to seek the reversal of the prosecutor’s resolution. “I am determined to immediately set aside the false and baseless charges against me as it is my right and the right of the ‘clearly innocent’ to be free from the trouble, expense and anxiety of a protracted trial.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Cebu City plans to tap P2B from SRP lot sale

AFTER WITHDRAWING the case questioning the sale of lots at the South Road Properties (SRP), the Cebu City government now plans to tap the P2-billion consigned payment from developers that was blocked under the former administration. “The mayor (Edgardo C. Labella) acknowledges the validity of the sale. The city council already authorized the legal office to withdraw the petition for declaratory relief, so the city can also withdraw the amount,” Lawyer Jose C. Daluz III, special assistant to the mayor, told The Freeman. He explained that with the withdrawal of the petition, there is no legal impediment for the city to tap the money from the firms that bought a 26.3-hectare lot at the SRP. In 2017, Ayala Land, Inc., Cebu Holdings Inc. and SM Prime Holdings consigned to the court about P2 billion in payments after the previous administration refused to accept the second installment on the purchased lot. Former mayor Tomas R. Osmeña considered the sales “invalid” and “illegal” because of alleged defects in the transactions. Mr. Daluz said the administration of Mr. Labella is considering using the fund for the city’s second supplemental budget this year, which includes financial assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, among others. — The Freeman

To its resting place

A carabao pulls a 200-kilogram, 138-centimeter pawikan (leatherback turtle) that was found dead by fisherman Tirso B. Renegado along the shores of Barangay Caraosan in Bula, Camarines Sur on July 28. In a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 5 (DENR-Bicol), local environment officials suspect that there was an attempt to catch the turtle, but the perpetrators might have backed off due to the sea creature’s weight. The pawikan, classified as a “vulnerable” specie, was found entangled in rope and the cause of death could have been drowning as it failed to resurface for oxygen. The pawikan was buried 200 meters off the shoreline of the barangay.

BARMM starts 2020 budget preparation

PLANNING AND budget officers, accountants, and ministers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gathered Monday in Cotabato City for the new region’s first budget forum in preparation for its 2020 funding proposal. The meeting covered guidelines, priorities, policies, and budget preparation forms based on the national government’s cash-based budgeting system. “Under this system, all government programs and projects budgeted for the fiscal year should be implemented and delivered within the same fiscal year,” according to the Department of Budget and Management. “We need concrete plans of our budget proposal for the year 2020,” BARMM Minister of Finance and Budget and Management Eduard U. Guerra said in a statement. The budget proposals, due on Aug. 30, will be deliberated on by the BARMM Parliament and the regional government will no longer present and defend it before Congress, Mr. Guerra explained. The budget proposal will be anchored on the BARMM’s 12-point priority agenda, which covers the following:

• Enactment of priority bills;

• Integration of development plans;

• Establishment of appropriate bureaucracy;

• Continuity of existing government services;

• Special programs for transitioning combatants;

• Support for the ongoing Marawi rehabilitation;

• Development of enabling policy environment;

• Activation of job-generating industries;

• Enhancement of security;

• Maximizing synergistic partnerships;

• Ensure environmental compliance; and,

• Exploration of the Bangsamoro economic potentials.

SC clears ex-PCSO chair Valencia from malversation charges

THE SUPREME Court (SC) has cleared former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairperson Sergio O. Valencia from the malversation charges over the alleged P13.1 million in cash advances.

In an eight-page decision, the High Court’s first division reversed the 2015 decision and resolution of the Sandiganbayan denying Mr. Valencia’s demurrer to evidence over his case in connection with his alleged P13.1 million cash advances from the Confidential and Intelligences Fund (CIF) of PCSO from 2007 to 2010.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss the prosecution’s evidence and eventually dismiss the case.

The SC said the anti-graft court committed grave abuse of discretion in denying Mr. Valencia’s motion to dismiss the case as the information filed against him lacked specific allegations on the crime of malversation.

“It is therefore apparent that in denying petitioner’s Demurrer to Evidence and ruling that there was sufficient evidence to hold him liable for malversation despite the lack of specific allegations of the factual details pertaining to the crime of malversation in the information, respondent Sandiganbayan is said to have gravely abused its discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction,” the court ruled.

A complaint of plunder was filed against Mr. Valencia and several PCSO officials along with former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the alleged irregularities in the utilization and additional grant of CIF to PCSO.

Sandiganbayan, in its April 6, 2015 resolution, ruled that Mr. Valencia could not be held liable for plunder since his alleged amassed amount of P13.3 million was below the P50 million threshold for plunder, but said there was still sufficient evidence to convict him of malversation.

The former PCSO official filed a motion for reconsideration, claiming the crime for plunder cannot be downgraded to malversation as it was not included in the information, but the Sandiganbayan denied it.

The Sandiganbayan’s resolution granted the demurrers of former PCSO directors Manuel L. Morato, Raymundo T. Roquero and Jose R. Taruc, and former Commission on Audit chairman Reynaldo A. Villar.

In granting the petition, the SC also cited its 2016 decision acquitting Ms. Arroyo and PCSO Budget and Accounts Officer Brian Aguas from their P366-million plunder case for lack of evidence as both cases stemmed from the same information.

“Hence, there is no reason not to apply the afore-quoted ruling in the present petition since it has reached its finality, per Entry of Judgment, on May 30, 2017. We are therefore not free to disregard it in any related case which involves closely similar factual evidence,” the court ruled.

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo and concurred in by Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, and Associate Justices Francis H. Jardeleza and Andres B. Reyes, Jr. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nation at a Glance — (07/31/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (07/31/19)

Cebu Leylam F.C. Niños clinch Philam Vitality KAMPEON 7s Cup

THE CEBU Leylam F.C. Niños claimed the inaugural Philam Vitality KAMPEON 7s Cup crown in style, beating Maharlika F.C. Manila in an intense final showdown, 5-3 during the culminating day of the event Sunday at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig. Marius Kore set the tone for the Cebuanos, scoring a hat-trick in the first half before the Niños held on for the victory to be hailed the best 7s football team in the country. Cebu bested all-star teams from Manila, Bacolod, and Davao. Cebu had a dominant start to the KAMPEON 7s Cup, beating Manila, 4-2 and Pangulo F.C. of Davao, 6-2 on opening day. They lost to the Bacolod F.C. Monte Dons, 3-2 to begin Day 2, but advanced to the final on better goal difference in the table.

A restart

Last Sunday the Philippine Olympic Committee held special elections for top officials aimed at setting the house in order after the organization was rocked by leadership issues recently.

Elected as president was Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who beat out Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella Juico with a vote of 24-20.

Tolentino was former POC chairman during the short stay of Ricky Vargas as president.

Vargas’s resignation last month forced the POC to set special elections after what was hoped to be a seamless succession of leadership proved to be tumultuous one with various accusations flung left and right.

The situation was turning murkier by the day so much so that the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia found it necessary to step in and facilitate in the immediate resolution of the POC leadership quagmire.

Elected as well was Steve Hontiveros of handball as chairman, winning over taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado, 26-18. Hontiveros ran with Juico while Aventajado was with the group of Tolentino.

Winning a spot in the POC executive board are Clint Arañas of archery and Cynthia Carrion of gymnastics after garnering 24 and 23 votes, higher than those received by Monico Puentevella of weightlifting (21) and swimming’s Lani Velasco (19).

Arañas was with the group of Juico along with Velasco while Carrion and Puentevella were with Tolentino.

Tolentino would serve the remaining term of Mr. Vargas which runs until after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Short his term may be, Tolentino expressed hope that the POC could restart and get its act together collectively after accepting the position of POC president.

For this space, the POC in no other way should treat the recently held elections as a restart and set affairs of the organization straight.

In the last five weeks, following the step-down of Vargas, the country has seen further how relations in the POC are difficult, leaving many to take its officials to task for such a state.

Well, this electoral proceedings afford them an opportunity to address that.

Admittedly it make take some time to reach “kumbaya state” among officials as seemingly the divide has some deep roots, and judging from the body language of the officials after the elections there are still some awkwardness to it all.

But that should not stop them from doing what is right and good for the POC office, and, more importantly, the athletes who look up to them for guidance and direction.

It should help that the results of the elections crossed party-lines, making working together not only “easier,” but also necessary since whether they like it or not their paths will continue to cross.

I have said this before and I will say it again, naive as I may sound, I believe the country’s sports officials have the welfare of the sporting community in mind but just have their own ways of going about it.

A meeting of the minds is called upon. The time to heed the call is now.

 

Michael Angelo S. Murillo has been a columnist since 2003. He is a BusinessWorld reporter covering the Sports beat.

msmurillo@bworldonline.com

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