Arrest warrant out for KAPA leaders on non-bailable charge before CDO court
THE LEADERS of Kapa-Community Ministry International (KAPA) are facing a new arrest warrant, this time from the regional trial court (RTC) of Cagayan de Oro City on charges that are non-bailable. In a statement Monday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has recently been informed that KAPA Founder and President Joel A. Apolinario has been charged a non-bailable offense of syndicated estafa. Eight others involved in KAPA who have been charged are: Junnie G. Apolinario, Maria Pella B. Sevilla, Cristobal R. Barabad, Nonita S. Urbano, Nelia V. Nino, Jouelyn A. Del Castillo, Joji A. Jusay and Albert P. Buhangbuhang. KAPA had been flagged by the SEC as “what could be the largest investment scam in the Philippines in recent years.” The arrest warrant of the Cagayan de Oro City RTC was given to its officers on Feb. 18. KAPA is being charged for ‘willfully, unlawfully and criminally’ engaging in the selling of securities without being registered with the SEC, which is in violation of Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code. Some KAPA officers have been issued arrest warrants by the RTC of Bislig City earlier this year. These are Mr. Apolinario, KAPA Corporate Secretary Reyna L. Apolinario, Trustee Margie A. Danao, and promoters Reniones D. Catubigan, Marisol S. Diaz, Adelfa Fernandico and Moises Mopia. Mr. and Mrs. Apolinario posted bail on Feb. 19 while Mr. Catubigan on Feb. 27. KAPA, supposedly a religious group, has collected an estimated P50 billion from five million members when the SEC ordered its closure last year. It solicits money in the form of “donations” with promised monthly returns of 30% as “blessings.”— Denise A. Valdez
SSS, GSIS to continue processing claims
THE SOCIAL Security System (SSS) for private sector workers and the Government Social Insurance System (GSIS) will continue processing claims and provide benefits ahead of scheduled dates despite the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. In a radio interview on Monday, SSS Media Affairs Department Manager Fernan Nicolas and GSIS Executive Vice President Nora M. Malubay assured that their online services are available and a skeleton workforce is in place to attend to their members’ needs. Mr. Nicolas said that applications for salary loans and the calamity assistance program will still be received by the SSS through the agency’s website. “Nandiyan pa rin yung (The) salary loan online (is available). Ngayon po ay pinaplanstya na yung para doon sa (We are currently sorting out the) calamity assistance program,” Mr. Nicolas said. SSS members who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are also entitled to the unemployment insurance benefits. Mr. Nicolas also noted that SSS has already requested banks to release the monthly pension of members during the first week of April. For GSIS, Ms. Malubay said the agency has implemented work from home arrangements to enable its employees to process claims and benefits of members. GSIS is preparing to release an emergency loan of P20,000 per member nationwide. Ms. Malubay also noted that the monthly pension benefits, which are usually released every 8th of every month, will be given to members earlier than the usual deadline. — Genshen L. Espedido
DoTr to decide on motorcycle taxi operations after Luzon quarantine period
THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation’s technical working group will discuss the fate of the motorcycle taxi pilot run, which expired on March 23, after the month-long quarantine period imposed in the entire Luzon island. “We will discuss that after the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran told reporters via chat on Monday. President Rodrigo R. Duterte placed the entire island of Luzon under enhanced community quarantine until April 12 as a measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In line with this, the government has suspended public transportation, including the operations of motorcycle taxis such as Angkas (DBDOYC, Inc.), JoyRide (We Move Things Philippines, Inc.) and Move It (We-Load Transcargo Corp.) in Metro Manila. Delivery services, which the three companies provide, continue to operate. The use of motorcycle as a new mode of public transportation is being pilot-tested in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City. The Land Transportation and Traffic Code does not allow single motorcycles to operate for public transport. — Arjay L. Balinbin
Electronics exporters donate factory protective gear to medical workers
ELECTRONICS EXPORTERS are donating factory protective gear as well as cash assistance to medical institutions and communities as the country deals with the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat. Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Incorporated (SEIPI) President Danilo C. Lachica said in a mobile message on Monday that exporters have given around P500,000 in personal protective equipment (PPE) and monetary donations so far. “The companies have donated directly to their respective community hospitals for PPE and food for communities,” he said. Donated equipment include powder gloves, face masks, isolation gowns, and bunny suits or cleanroom suits from factory stock. Mr. Lachica also said SEIPI has been working with government in setting up its minimal workforce arrangements for member companies during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. Export-oriented and outsourcing companies are permitted to operate during the lockdown on the condition that the companies apply social distancing measures and provide temporary accommodation for workers. Companies that have donated so far include Active Microtechnology Solutions Inc., Nidec Corp., Test Solution Services Inc., ROHM Electronics Philippines Inc. Excelitas Technologies Philippines Inc., Testech Group, Amkor Technology Philippines INC., Maxim Philippine Operating Corp., Nexperia Philippines Inc., Western Digital Company, and ON Semiconductor Philippines ,Inc. — Jenina P. Ibañez
