Nationwide round-up

TUCP supports higher Pag-IBIG contributions

THE TRADE Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has expressed support on the proposed phased increase in monthly contributions by members of the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund.

“In order to accommodate more cash and home loans applications without compromising the fund, the TUCP is open to the Pag-IBIG plan to adjust the maximum salary cap from the present P5,000 to P15,000 which will translate to a monthly savings rate of P300 for the employee and P300 for the employer,” said TUCP President Raymond C. Mendoza in a statement on Wednesday.

TUCP is proposing that the increase be made in three tranches over three to five years “to cushion the workers and employers from effects of additional deductions of other social security agencies.”

Meanwhile, TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said the clamor for short-term cash loan facilities indicates that the value of workers’ salaries are low given the rising inflation.

“Workers who are helping the economy grow are feeling the pinch of a growing economy. These are in a way smoke signals telling government that policies on current wages are not enough and existing benefits are no longer sufficient,” Mr. Tanjusay said.

“This is also an indication that government public services in terms of health, education, mass transport, medicines are not working. Government needs to do more,” he added.

In June this year, Pag-IBIG announced they have released an all-time high of P25.57 billion multi-purpose loans for 1.2 million members in the first half of 2019. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

PNP given until Oct. 21 for new evidence on ‘ninja cops’ reinvestigation

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) started on Wednesday the reinvestigation of the complaint against 13 rouge policeman, tagged as ‘ninja cops,’ allegedly involved in the recycling of illegal drugs in 2013.

The panel of prosecutors has given the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) until Oct. 21 to submit their additional evidence and amended or supplemental complaint.

Among the 13 accused, only Police Major Rodney J. Baloyo IV was not present in yesterday’s session. He is currently detained at the New Bilibid Prison after being cited for contempt by Senator Richard J. Gordon for inconsistent testimony during the Senate hearing last Oct. 3.

Prosecutors also gave Police Master Sergeant Alcindor M. Tinio and Eligio D. Valeroso and Police Corporal Anthony L. Lacsamana until Oct. 21 to submit their additional evidence.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Oct. 6 ordered to reopen the case following the Senate investigation.

Former CIDG chief Benjamin B. Magalong, now Baguio City mayor, told the Senate that the 13 cops assigned in Pampanga at that time were involved in a buy-bust operation on Nov. 29, 2013, wherein they reported to have seized 38 kilograms of illegal drugs and arrested the drug trafficker.

However, further investigation showed that they seized about 200 kilos of illegal drugs worth P648 million and about P10 million in cash.

The trafficker also paid them P50 million to present a different person in his place, according to Mr. Magalongd.

Police Lieutenant Joseph Q. Orsos, CIDG chief legal officer, said the additional evidence may include testimonies of those involved.

“Napaka-crucial n’on kasi (That is very crucial because it will complete the picture kung ano talaga nangyari (on what really happened),” Mr. Orsos told reporters.

He added that the transcript of the Senate probe will also be needed as it contained the revelations. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Bersamin says comments on recount part of ‘due process’

CHIEF JUSTICE Lucas P. Bersamin said the ruling by the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), asking parties in the vice-presidential electoral protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in 2016 is part of “due process.”

“Well that’s part of due process,” Mr. Bersamin told reporters after the launching of his coffee table book ahead of his retirement on Oct. 18.

“(A)fter some deliberations, we were able to conclude that it is time indeed for the parties to be asked to comment on the report generated by (Associate) Justice (Alfredo Benjamin S.) Caguioa who was the justice-in-charge,” he said.

“And it was clear that the majority…of the court wanted the action to be taken on the report. And before we could take any action, we had to solicit the comments of the parties, that’s only fair, part of due process ‘yan. So we came up with that resolution to require the parties to comment,” he explained.

The PET ordered on Tuesday the release of the result of the revision and recount of votes in the pilot provinces of Iloilo, Camarines Sur, and Negros Oriental to Mr. Marcos and Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo.

They were also asked to comment on the report and submit memoranda on matters relating to the third cause of action of Mr. Marcos, which is the annulment of results for vice president in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Maguindanao.

SC Public Information Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka said on Tuesday that Mr. Caguioa and Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio dissented. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas