Tuesday, July 19, 2022

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

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SC: Anti-VAWC law protects even women in illicit relationships

Posted: 09 Jul 2022 04:37 AM PDT

THE illicitness of a relationship a woman engages in does not diminish her dignity in any way. She will be protected just the same by the law that values her and her children's dignity and guarantees full respect for their human rights.In a decision penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the court's Second Division upheld a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) issued under Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, over contentions that sought to straitjacket the text and spirit of the law.The petitioner was a man against whom the PPO had been issued to prevent further acts of violence against the respondents -- his longtime live-in partner, a woman, and their children. He was 47 and admittedly married when he met the respondent woman, then 20, in 1979.Before the court, the petitioner primarily argues that Republic Act 9262 cannot provide relief for the respondent woman, as she was only his paramour. For him, although the law's protection extends to a woman with whom one has or had a sexual or dating relationship, this should be interpreted to mean as a relationship without any legal impediment to marry each other. Otherwise, he says, the law would effectively tolerate adulterous relationships. Applying the rule on statutory construction that when the law does not make any distinction, neither should the courts, the court corrected the petitioner's mistaken notion.It said that the law "protects women and their children from various forms of violence and abuse committed within a setting of an intimate relationship" -- including the respondent woman and their children.The court applied the same rule in rejecting the petitioner's other contention: that since their children have attained the age of majority by the time the PPO was issued, this precludes the application of Republic Act 9262, which defines "children" as those below 18 years old, or older but incapable of taking care of themselves.Citing Estacio vs Estacio, a similar case of violence against women and their children, the court explained that neither Republic Act 9262 nor the rule on Violence Against Women and Their Children distinguishes the age at which children are included in protection orders.On both issues, the court upheld the State policy of protecting women and children from violence and threats to their security and safety, declaring that it "will not interpret a provision of Republic Act 9262 as to make it powerless and futile." (PR)

SC adopts JIB recommendation, suspends judge for uttering homophobic slurs in court

Posted: 09 Jul 2022 04:34 AM PDT

A TRIAL court judge who made inappropriate remarks involving the sexual orientation of litigants in his court has been suspended by the Supreme Court (SC) for work-related sexual harassment.In an 18-page decision penned by Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the high court adopted the findings and recommendation of the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) and likewise found respondent presiding judge of the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 26, administratively liable for conduct unbecoming of a judge for his homophobic remarks, and for simple misconduct, after he imposed his religious beliefs in the conduct of his judicial functions.In 2019, a complaint was filed by litigants Marcelino Espejon and Erickson Cabonita against the respondent judge, alleging that at a preliminary conference, the latter showed bias and partiality against the litigants and their sexual orientation by persistently asking them if they are homosexuals and telling them that homosexuality is a "sin": "xxx pagka-bad[i]ng, tomboy, lesbian, ayaw ng Diyos yun xxx." "So pag meron kang lesbian relationship, paparusahan yung anak mo. Dengvaxia, di ba? [Kayo din] kasi may kasalanan kayo sa Diyos eh."The court ruled that such remarks constitute homophobic slurs, "which have no place in our courts of law."Thus, for issuing the inappropriate statements, the respondent judge violated the New Code of Judicial Conduct, which imposes on judges the duty to ensure equal treatment of all before the courts and to understand diversity arising from race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, and social and economic status, among others.In addition, respondent's inappropriate remarks were found to be in violation of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution 01-0940, or the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases, which applies to all officials and employees in government.Under CSC Resolution 01-0940, work-related sexual harassment may be committed where the acts might reasonably be expected to cause discrimination, insecurity, discomfort, offense or humiliation.The same rules classify degrading remarks or innuendoes toward one's sexual orientation as a less grave offense.The court also found that respondent judge, who admitted to having settled 101 cases using the Bible, allowed his religious beliefs to interfere with his judicial functions with the judge's attempts to make a connection between the litigants' supposed sexual orientation and the ejectment case they were involved in and his inclination to use Biblical passages and teachings to the case.As this gave the litigants the impression that the respondent was acting with partiality, the court held that respondent judge failed to fulfill his duty to not only act with impartiality but to appear impartial at all times.As "frontliners who serve as the visible representations of the judicial branch at the grassroots level," judges must avoid not only impropriety but the appearance of impropriety, stressed the court.It also reminded judges that their actions should always be seen by the public as guided by the law and not by their personal or religious beliefs to avoid perception of "displays of religiosity as encroachment or interference with our system of justice."The respondent, who had previously been fined and warned for improper remarks made at a preliminary conference, was suspended for 30 days for committing the less grave offense of sexual harassment. He was also fined in the amount of P50,000 for simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a judge. (PR)

New floor wage for NCR kasambahays takes effect July 13 

Posted: 09 Jul 2022 12:57 AM PDT

KASAMBAHAYS in Metro Manila are set to get higher monthly wages beginning Wednesday, July 13, 2022, as the wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-National Capital Region (NCR) is set to take effect.In a social media post, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reminded employers of when the new wage order for NCR domestic helpers will be in effect."The wage order would take effect on July 13, 2022," said the NWPC.To recall, the RTWPB-NCR issued Wage Order No. NCR-DW-03 on June 27, granting a monthly increase of P1,000 for domestic workers/kasambahays in the whole region.This brought the new monthly rate for domestic workers in NCR to P6,000.The wage order is expected to benefit an estimated 200,000 domestic workers in Metro Manila. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

355,000 apply to become registered voters 

Posted: 09 Jul 2022 12:50 AM PDT

FOUR days after the start of the voter registration period for the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls, more than 355,000 individuals have already filed their applications to become registered voters.Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Election and Barangay Affairs Department (Ebad) showed that there have been 355,321 new registrants nationwide, as of July 7.Broken down into types of voters, those aged 15 to 17 (SK voters) had 215,822 applicants; 18 to 30 (both SK and regular voters) had 118,130 applicants; and 31 years old and above (regular voters) had 21,369 applicants.Aside from new registrants, the Comelec also received 68,146 Applications for Transfer from Other Cities/Municipalities; 16,218 Applications for Transfer from within the same City/Municipality; 3,119 Applications for Transfer with Reactivation; 997 Applications for Transfer with Reactivation and Correction of Entries; 3,688 Applications for Transfer with Correction of Entries; and 22,140 Applications for Reactivation.The poll body also received 4,999 Applications for Reactivation with Correction of Entries; 15,089 Applications for Change of Names/Correction of Entries; 56 Applications for Inclusion of Record in the Book of Voters; 9 Applications for Reinstatement of Name in the List of Voters; and 1,340 Applications for Transfer from Overseas Voting to Local.Overall, the running total of all types of applications, as of July 7, stood at 491,122 individuals.The voter registration period for the December 5 poll exercise was opened on July 4.The voter registration period is set to run until July 23. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

Bishops recall Lagdameo as colleague, friend

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:26 PM PDT

MEMBERS of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday, July 9, 2022, cherished their memories of the late Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, who passed away at the age of 81 on Friday.In a report by CBCP News, CBCP President Bishop Pablo David said he will always remember the former Jaro archbishop as a "very jolly man" that led the Filipino prelates from December 2005 to December 2009."He can easily dissipate tensions. He was very good at conflict management, and very pastoral also in his approach," David said.The recollection of David was shared by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, who was Lagdameo's secretary in Jaro for six years."The gift of Archbishop Lagdameo is the gift of the sense of humor, which for me is a sign of holiness," said Billones.For his part, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza fondly recalled how memorable it was as Lagdameo's auxiliary bishop from 2008 to 2013."He treated me as his equal and a brother. I had no difficulty accompanying him in really bringing forward the church in Jaro together," Alminaza said.On Friday morning, Lagdameo died at a hospital in Iloilo City. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

DOH officials negative for coronavirus

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:20 PM PDT

OFFICIALS of the Department of Health (DOH) were found negative for the Covid-19 virus despite meeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the senior officials of the DOH, who met with Marcos, tested negative for the virus."Since we have a meeting later in OP (Office of the President), we had our RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) tests. The results are all negative," Vergeire said.Even if they did not undergo swab testing before the meeting, Vergeire said they were not required to do so despite having exposure to Marcos."Based on current protocols, we dont need to, unless we are symptomatic," she said.Marcos had a meeting with senior officials of the DOH to discuss the country's Covid-19 response.Aside from Vergeire, present during the meeting were fellow DOH Undersecretaries Lilibeth David, Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño and Abdullah Dumama Jr., as well as Assistant Secretary Maylene Beltran.On Friday, Marcos Jr. tested positive for coronavirus through an antigen test. He had slight fever. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

235,000 people apply to become registered voters

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 03:43 AM PDT

THREE days after the start of the voter registration for the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls, more than 235,000 individuals have already filed their applications to become registered voters.Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Election and Barangay Affairs Department (Ebad) show that there have been 235,153 new registrants nationwide, as of July 6.Broken down into types of voters, those aged 15-17 years old (SK voters) had 138,645 applicants; 18-30 years old (both SK and regular voters) with 81,332 applicants; and 31 years old and above (regular voters) with 15,176 applicants.Aside from new registrants, the Comelec also received 48,997 applications for Transfer from Other Cities/Municipalities; 11,670 applications for Transfer from within the same City/Municipality; 2,295 applications for Transfer with Reactivation; 752 applications for Transfer with Reactivation and Correction of Entries; 2,645 applications for Transfer with Correction of Entries; and 16,497 applications for Reactivation.The poll body also received 3,679 applications for Reactivation with Correction of Entries; 11,346aApplications for Change of Names/Correction of Entries; 28 applications for Inclusion of Record in the Book of Voters; 5 applications for Reinstatement of Name in the List of Voters; and 980 applications for Transfer from Overseas Voting to Local.Overall, the running total number of all types of applications, as of July 6, stands at 334,027 individuals.It was back in July 4 when the voter registration period for the December 5 poll exercise was opened.The voter registration period is set to run until July 23, 2022. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

Marcos to visit China

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 03:35 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has accepted the invitation for him to visit China, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed on Friday, July 8, 2022.Angeles said Marcos' visit to China has no date yet.On Tuesday, July 5, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a courtesy call to Marcos at the Malacañang.Angeles said Wang stressed during the meeting that the cooperation between China and the Philippines "transcends any maritime dispute.""He reiterates that the friendship between the two sides lasted for many years," she said."This was mutually agreed upon. The president said he seeks to bring bilateral ties with China at a higher level," she added.Before the meeting, Marcos said in a press conference that he would find ways to resolve the conflicts at hand, not only matters concerning the disputed waters off West Philippine Sea (WPS) but also possible cultural and educational exchanges.In May, before he formally took office, Marcos said he will assert the country's right over the WPS has been repeatedly a subject of incursion of China. (SunStar Philippines)

40M Filipinos still to get booster shots

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 03:14 AM PDT

ABOUT 40 million fully vaccinated Filipinos have been encouraged by the Department of Health (DOH) to come out and get their booster shots against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).In a televised public briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said an estimated 40 million individuals are already eligible to get their booster shots but they have yet to take them."Our eligible population for the first booster shot would be around 55 million individuals. Currently, 15.2 million Filipinos have already gotten their booster shots," said Vergeire."So, we are looking at around 40 million eligible Filipinos who are still yet to receive their booster shots," she added.Last Wednesday, July 6, the DOH reported that merely 15,176,466 booster shots, or 19.43 percent of the total eligible individuals in the country, have been administered.The DOH also noted how all regions reported less than 50 percent booster shot coverage.Vergeire said this is the reason why Marcos wants the DOH to enhance its efforts to jab more Filipinos eligible for booster shots."We want to focus our efforts on boosting, especially in those regions that are lagging behind so that they can increase their coverage rate," said the health official.She said among their strategies will be to bring the inoculation drive closer to the communities, including the conduct of house-to-house vaccination activities, especially for senior citizens."We will bring the vaccines closer to the communities. We will look for those that have no access to the vaccines, those living in remote areas," said Vergeire.She also said they are looking to tap the help of the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of the Interior and Local Government, among others."We would want to have a whole of government approach for this endeavor," said Vergeire. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

100% face-to-face classes get full DOH backing

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 02:31 AM PDT

DESPITE the recent surge in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday, July 8, that it fully supports the 100 percent return of face-to-face classes.In a televised public briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are in agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) in looking to hold full in-person schooling by November."The DOH fully supports the opening of classes, its full implementation (of face-to-face classes), we fully support that," said Vergeire."Even our experts have given recommendation that we really to open up education for the youth already," she added.But given the threat of Covid-19, the health official stressed that there is a need to strictly enforce the minimum public health standards (MPHS) in schools.In particular, Vergeire said the schools need to make sure that face masks shall be worn at all times, even as physical distancing would be difficult to maintain."We will be implementing MPHS in all classrooms. We just need to make sure that there is a safe environment for our children," said Vergeire.She said making Covid-19 vaccine a requirement is not a policy they will be adopting for students.But she said they will be putting up vaccination sites in schools and other educational institutions."We strongly encourage the parents to have their children vaccinated against Covid-19 so that they will be more protected," said Vergeire.Earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the DepEd is looking to start face-to-face classes in some schools by September this year.Subsequently, Marcos said all schools are projected to implement full face-to-face by November. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

Marcos forms Private Sector Advisory Council

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 02:23 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has formed a Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) composed of businessmen in order to address their problems amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said on Friday, July 8, 2022.Concepcion said he will be in charge of the jobs, including the micro, small and medium enterprises of the council, which is headed by Aboitiz Equity Ventures president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz."Malaking bagay yan that the President really wants to be attuned to yung mga problema ng mga negosyante ngayon at practical issues at hand, especially 'yung areas of agriculture, where he is the acting secretary as well," he said in a Laging handa public briefing."We want to make sure that the economy will continue to move, accelerate. Our growth rates cannot stall and for us to be able to do this, there cannot be lockdowns anymore. So we have to ensure as private sectors that we do our part," he added.In a Twitter post on Thursday, July 7, Marcos expressed gratitude to the members of the council following a meeting where he said they exchanged ideas about scaling up the agricultural sector.Marcos is the concurrent secretary of the agriculture department in a bid to strengthen the country's food security amid the looming food crisis."It is refreshing to hear ideas from them and I'm excited to establish programs with the cooperation of the private sector to help our farmers," he said.Concepcion said initially, the council, which also includes medical experts, recommended the shift to a color-coded quarantine classification and ditch the Alert Level System to make it easier for the public to understand.He said their recommendations were science-based and were keenly studied by experts.Concepcion likened the scheme to traffic lights where green means go, orange means careful or "be vigilant," while red means stop.The traffic light approach is based on the average daily attack rate of the areas and health utilization rate.Earlier, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Marcos instructed the DOH to further review and study the prevailing alert level system, which identifies the quarantine restriction in an area. (SunStar Philippines)

Marcos forms Private Sector Advisory Council

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 02:20 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has formed a Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) composed of businessmen in order to address their problems amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said on Friday, July 8, 2022.Concepcion said he will be in charge of the jobs including the micro, small, and medium enterprises of the council which is headed by Aboitiz Equity Ventures president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz."Malaking bagay yan that the President really wants to be attuned to yung mga problema ng mga negosyante ngayon at practical issues at hand, especially "yung areas of agriculture, where he is the acting secretary as well," he said in a Laging Handa public briefing."We want to make sure that the economy will continue to move, accelerate. Our growth rates cannot stall and for us to be able to do this, there cannot be lockdowns anymore. So we have to ensure as private sectors that we do our part," he added.In a Twitter post on Thursday, July 7, 2022, Marcos expressed gratitude to the members of the council following a meeting where he said they exchanged ideas about scaling up the agricultural sector.Marcos is the concurrent secretary of the Agriculture department in the bid to strengthen the country's food security amid the looming food crisis."It is refreshing to hear ideas from them and I'm excited to establish programs with the cooperation of the private sector to help our farmers," he said.Concepcion said initially, the council, which also includes medical experts, recommended the shift to a color-coded quarantine classification and ditch the Alert Level System to make it easier for the public to understand.He said their recommendations were science-based and were keenly studied by experts.Concepcion likened the scheme to traffic lights where green means go, orange means careful or "be vigilant" while red means stop.The traffic light approach is based on the average daily attack rate of the areas as well as the health utilization rate.Earlier, health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Marcos instructed the Department of Health to further review and study the prevailing alert level system which identifies the quarantine restriction in an area. (SunStar Philippines)

‘Suspect’ in female engineer’s death arrested

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 12:21 AM PDT

POLICE arrested an alleged suspect in the killing of a 24-year-old industrial engineer in Guiguinto, Bulacan.Bulacan Police Provincial Office Director Colonel Charlie Cabradilla said Darwin de Jesus, 31, was arrested in a residential area in Barangay Tabang, near where the body of the victim, Princess Dianne Dayor, was found.He said De Jesus was positively identified by an eyewitness.In a press conference, De Jesus denied involvement in the killing, saying he was with his wife at the time of the incident.Dayor was last seen by her relatives in the morning of Saturday, July 2, while she was on her way to work.She was missing since then until her body was found lifeless in a creek at the boundary of Tabang in Guiguinto and Tikay, Malolos on Tuesday, July 5.Her cellphone and wallet are missing. Medicolegal examination also showed that the victim was not raped.Charges of robbery with homicide are being prepared against De Jesus who is currently detained at the Malolos City Police Office. (SunStar Philippines)

Marcos Jr. tests positive in Covid-19 antigen test

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 12:17 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has tested positive for coronavirus disease in an antigen test, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Friday, July 8, 2022.Angeles said Marcos is experiencing "slight fever, but otherwise okay."His son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, however, tested negative of the virus.The rest of the first family including Marcos' wife and two other sons have no direct contact with the President as they are out of town.Angeles, who also tested negative in a Covid-19 antigen test, said other contacts were advised to monitor their symptoms.Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Marcos should undergo isolation for seven days."After that if his symptoms have resolved already he may be able to go back to work and have his face to face activities," she said."Based on our protocol, if the person is symptomatic, the antigen test will be accurate already. So we will just monitor the President but of course, the President will have that prerogative if he's doctor would advise him to take his RT-PCR but nonetheless the antigen is already enough to state that he is positive for the disease and he has mild symptoms," Vergeire added. (SunStar Philippines)

DSWD prepositions relief amid inclement weather

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 12:16 AM PDT

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned relief goods in local government units in preparation for the possible weather disturbances.In a television interview, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said he directed the agency's regional offices, as early as Monday, July 4, to deliver relief items, including food packs and hygiene and sleeping kits, to cities and towns for easier access in case of calamities.He said there were also pre-packed clean clothes ready for distribution to the affected families.He said he also instructed regional directors that no relief goods, especially food, will be wasted.On Thursday, July 7, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said two tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the coming days.Pagasa said one of which is heading north, while the other will come from the West Philippine Sea toward China.At least 15 more weather systems could enter PAR within the year.Currently, inclement weather, which resulted in flooding and land and mud slide incidents, is being experienced in Ifugao, Negros and Cebu provinces.In Mati in Davao Oriental, at least 50 families have been displaced due to flooding brought about by heavy rain showers. (SunStar Philippines)

Marcos orders review of Covid-19 Alert Level System

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 12:10 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Health (DOH) to review and further study the Alert Level System being implemented in the country amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.Marcos held a meeting with DOH officials on Wednesday, July 6, where he gave some guidance and comment on the agency's pandemic response programs, said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire."As to the Alert Level System, napag-usapan po ito, naipresenta po with the President kung ano po 'yung ating current level system, ano po 'yung ating mga metrics and he had some form of guidance, mayroon po siyang mga komento, in-analyze niya po kung ano 'yung mga metrics natin ngayon and binigyan niya po kami ng instruction to further study this alert level para mas maging appropriate po in our situation," she said in a Laging Handa public briefing Friday, July 8."Ang kanya pong gustong maitaas ay ang pagbabakuna sa ating bansa, suportado po niya ang mga response na ginagawa natin but he said that we need to further strategize regarding our expansion of our Covid-19 vaccine coverage plus siyempre gusto niyang mabantayan nating maigi itong ating Covid-19 situation sa ngayon," she added.As of July 5, more than 70.8 million individuals in the country have been fully vaccinated.Fully vaccinated is defined as receiving a two-dose series of single shot Covid-19 vaccines.Over 9.3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 and 3.6 million children aged five to 11 were also fully vaccinated.Out of the fully vaccinated adults, 15.2 million individuals received first booster shots, while 895,000 eligible persons received second booster doses.Vergeire said the DOH targets to administer booster doses to 50 percent of the eligible individuals by October.She urged the public to get their booster doses to robust their protection against the severe or critical illness, which may be caused by Covid-19 infection.Experts noted earlier that protection from Covid-19 vaccines wanes over time.On Thursday, July 7, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippine Inc. president Doctor Jose de Grano said he supports making booster doses mandatory before a person could be tagged as fully vaccinated.Traffic light approachJoey Concepcion, founder of Go Negosyo, said an advisory council of experts, which includes doctors and businessmen, was recommending the shifting to a traffic light approach from the Alert Level System.He said the traffic light approach only includes three classifications -- green, which means go; red, which means stop; and yellow, which means be careful or vigilant.This, he said, is easier for the public to understand.Concepcion said areas with less than six average daily attack rate (Adar) and less than 50 percent healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) should be under 50 percent, yellow for areas with Adar between six to 18 and HCUR less than 50 percent, and red for areas with more than 18 Adar and HCUR of more than 50 percent.He said this is to prevent lockdown, which could again hamper the economic recovery.Concepcion said they are also recommending to the government the removal of the mandatory wearing of face masks in areas that have already administered booster doses to 50 percent of the 70 percent target population. (SunStar Philippines)

Dengue cases in Philippines ‘alarming’

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 11:59 PM PDT

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the increase in dengue cases in the country is already "alarming."Vergeire said from January to June 2022, a total of 51,622 dengue cases have been recorded in the country.In the same period in 2021, dengue cases were at 32,610."So kailangan talaga na mag-ingat and i-monitor nang husto dahil nakikita natin ang patuloy na pagtaas. Kaya po siya nakakaalarma na sinasabi natin dahil naapektuhan niya po 'yung ating mga kabataan at nagkakaroon tayo ng admisyon sa mga ospital," Vergeire said.She said majority of the cases were in Central Luzon (Region 3), Central Visayas (Region 7) and Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9).Vergeire reminded the public to observe the 4S strategy, which is to search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas. (SunStar Philippines)

Former CBCP head Lagdameo passes away at 81

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 09:31 PM PDT

FORMER Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Emeritus Angel Lagdameo passed away on Friday at the age of 81.In a social media post, the Archdiocese of Jaro announced the passing of its former archbishop in Iloilo City."Archbishop Angel Lagdameo returned to our Creator just this 8:30 a.m. at the age of 81," said the Jaro Archdiocese."Let us include him in our prayers and masses," it added.To recall, Lagdameo served as CBCP president from December 2005 to December 2009.Prior to his stint as head of the CBCP, he served as CBCP vice president also for two terms or four years.Lagdameo was born on August 2, 1940 in Lucban, Quezon.The prelate was ordained priest on December 19, 1964.He was then appointed auxiliary bishop of Cebu in June 1980.In January 1986, he was designated as co-adjutor bishop of Dumaguete, before becoming its bishop in May 1989.Later on, he was assigned as Archbishop of Jaro on March 11, 2000.Pope Francis accepted Lagdameo's resignation at the age of 77 back in 2018. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

Marcos admin to prioritize infra projects beneficial for food security

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:59 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize infrastructure that would be beneficial for the food security program of his administration amid the looming crisis on basic necessities due to the soaring prices of petroleum products, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.Bonoan said Marcos also directed them to look into the interconnectivity of regions and convergence programs with other agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, which is currently headed by Marcos himself."The current administration will continue to pursue big-ticket projects under the Build, Build, Build Program as instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr," he said in a statement.He said the DPWH will continue its partnership with the private sector for the country's road network improvement.While doing this, Bonoan, the former president and chief executive officer of the San Miguel Corporation Tollways, said he will "lead by example" and will instill professionalism among his colleagues."We encourage the public to reach out and help in nation-building. Any issue or complaint may be coursed through our social media pages, email, and hotline numbers," he said.In April, the DPWH said that 12 out of the 119 infrastructure flagship programs of the Duterte administration were completed. Twelve more projects are set to finish by December 2022.It costs P70.65 billion, which is only 1.4 percent of the total of P5.08 trillion worth of allocations.Among the said projects were the rehabilitation of the MRT-3 in Metro Manila, the development of the New Clark City Phase 1 and the Clark International Airport Expansion.This also includes the completion of farm-to-market roads in Cabanatuan City and Gabaldon and General Tinio in Nueva Ecija.Earlier, Marcos said he will work in improving the country's value chain in preparation for the possible food crisis.The newly elected president said the government should boost the agriculture sector for food production in order for the Filipinos to have sufficient food supply. (SunStar Philippines)

2 dead as elevator falls from 38th floor

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:23 PM PDT

TWO persons were killed after an under repair elevator in a building in Makati City collapsed on Friday morning, July 8, 2022.In an initial report, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the elevator car fell from the 38th floor down to the basement around 2:55 a.m.The fatalities, identified as Manuel Linayao and Rey Miguel Gilera, were then fixing the elevator on the sixth floor. Their bodies have already been retrieved.Two other elevator installers were also injured in the incident.Labor group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to immediately probe the incident.In a statement, FFW president Sonny Matula said it is imperative for Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to order a probe into the death of the two workers and injury of two others."We call on the DOLE to investigate with dispatch the killing of two workers and injuring two others... The secretary of Labor or his responsible regional director should act with dispatch," he said.In particular, the labor leader said the probe must focus on possible violations of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law.He said the law provides DOLE the visitorial and enforcement powers on labor standards, including workplace safety compliance."Two killed and two injured are too many. We can't continue allowing workers to be killed and injured in work sites," he said."These killings and injuries are preventable by observing health and safety measures," added Matula. (With HDT/SunStar Philippines)

Lorenzana appointed as BCDA chairman

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:57 PM PDT

FEW days after stepping down as secretary of the national defense, Delfin Lorenzana was asked for another years of service to the government after he was appointed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).Lorenzana took his oath before Marcos at the Malacañang on Thursday, July 7, 2022.The BCDA is a government-owned and -controlled development corporation created by law to develop former US military bases and properties for the benefit of the Philippine government, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).Over the years, the AFP said the BCDA has contributed to the funding of their Modernization Programs.Along with Lorenzana, the following appointed officials also took oath before Marcos:* Cesar Chavez as undersecretary of the Department of Transportation* Emerald Ridao as undersecretary of the Office of the Press Secretary* Franz Imperial as undersecretary of the Office of the President* Honey Rose Mercado as undersecretary of the Presidential Management Staff* Bianca Cristina Cardenas Zobel as Social Secretary* Gerald Baria, Undersecretary - Office of the PresidentFormer solicitor general Jose Calida, who was appointed by Marcos as chairman of the Commission on Audit, also took his oath.Marcos appointed former Quezon City councilor Diorella Maria "Lala" Sotto-Antonio, daughter of former Senate President Vicente Sotto III as the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).She also takes her oath along with the other presidential appointees. (SunStar Philippines)

Lawmaker wants NAIA reverted to MIA

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 03:02 AM PDT

DUTERTE Youth Party-list Representative Drixie Mae Cardema has refiled a measure seeking to revert the name of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Manila International Airport (MIA).Cardema filed House Bill 1253, noting that naming NAIA after the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was politically motivated."The name of the international gateway of the country should have not been politicized in the first place," she said."Our nation's capital is named Manila, therefore our country's international gateway to the world must be known as the Manila International Airport as a sense of pride for our country's capital and for foreigners to easily locate our main gateway, when travelling to our country and across the world. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is sought," she added.Aquino, a staunch critic of then dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was assassinated at the tarmac of then Manila International Airport in 1983.This resulted in a chain of events that ended in the ouster of Marcos from his 20-year ruling of the Philippines -- more than half of which were under Martial Law.In 1987, under the Presidency of Corazon Aquino, the wife of the killed senator, Republic Act 6639 was enacted and the MIA was renamed NAIA.Earlier, Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. filed a bill seeking to rename the NAIA to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport, citing that the latter should be credited for his contribution to the idea and execution of the project to build the airport.In a statement, lone opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said there is no need to change NAIA's name, saying that it is a reminder of the People Power Revolution."Ang kamatayan ni Ninoy sa airport na yan ang isa sa nagsilbing mitsa sa pagpapabagsak ng diktatura at sa tuluyang pagkakaisa ng bansa tungo sa demokrasya," she said.Incoming Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he prefers to revert NAIA's name to MIA. (SunStar Philippines)

167 new cases of Omicron subvariants detected

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 02:51 AM PDT

A TOTAL of 140 new cases of BA.5 Omicron subvariant were detected by the Department of Health (DOH) in the recent genome sequencing of samples collected from June 29 to July 4, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Thursday, July 7, 2022.Of the new cases, Vergeire said 99 were from Region 6 (Western Visayas), 21 from the National Capital Region (NCR), seven from Calabarzon (Region 4A), five in Ilocos region, one each in Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 5 (Bicol), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 4B (Mimaropa) and Cordillera, and one returning overseas Filipino.She said the vaccination status of the 121 is still being verified, while 16 were determined to be fully vaccinated and three were unvaccinated.Of the 190 cases, 129 were tagged as recovered, four were still undergoing isolation, while the outcome of the seven others are still being verified.The DOH has so far detected 233 cases of the BA.5 subvariant, which is said to be more transmissible than its mother variant, the Omicron, the most transmissible among all coronavirus disease (Covid-19) variants.The DOH also detected 20 additional cases of the BA.2.12.1, another subvariant of Omicron.Of the 20 new cases, five were from the NCR, four each from Region 6 and 4A, two from the Cordillera Region, one from Region 1 and four returning overseas Filipinos.One of the cases was unvaccinated, nine were fully vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the others is still being verified.Vergeire said 17 of them were already tagged as recovered, while the condition of the three others is still being verified.She said the new cases brought the country's BA.2.12.1 caseload to 70.Health officials also detected seven additional cases of the BA.4 sunvariant of Omicron in which six were from the Bicol region while one was in the NCR.Five of them received full inoculation against Covid-19 while the two others did not.All of them though have been tagged as recovered.Vergeire said the exposure of the 167 new cases of Omicron subvariants, as well as their travel histories are still being verified.Vergeire said they are yet to determine the levels of transmission of the Omicron subvariant, whether there is already a local or community transmission."When we declare the levels of transmission in an area, kailangan natin ng sapat na ebidensya...Marami pa kaming detalye na kulang so kailangan ho mabuo natin, maanalisa," she said."Whatever the level of transmission...we just continue implementing and complying with our safety protocols atsaka magpabakuna tayo," she added.As of July 5, more than 70.8 million individuals in the country have been fully vaccinated, which means they have completed a two-dose series of single shot Covid-19 vaccines.Over 9.3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 and 3.6 million children aged five to 11 were also fully vaccinated.Out of the fully vaccinated adults, 15.2 million individuals received first booster shots, while 895,000 eligible persons received second booster doses.Vergeire said they target to administer booster doses to 50 percent of the eligible individuals by October. (SunStar Philippines)

Poe seeks suspension of excise tax on fuel

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 11:39 PM PDT

SENATOR Grace Poe has refiled her bill seeking the automatic suspension of excise tax on fuel products upon reaching certain conditions.Poe said in the measure, excise tax on gasoline and diesel will automatically be suspended when the Dubai crude oil price exceeds $80 per barrel over a three-month period.She said the suspension of excise tax will result in a P10 and P6 decrease of gasoline and diesel prices, respectively."Taking off P6 from the price of diesel per liter during critical times can help our drivers ply their routes again. At the same time, it will lower the cost of transporting goods," Poe said."The wheels of the economy can go faster if public transport is able to move people to work or buy goods and essentials that they can afford," she added.Poe said 20 percent of the 900,000 jeepney drivers have left the trade due to losses from high pump prices over the past months.The country's inflation rate stood at 6.1 percent in June, the highest in almost four years.Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the recent acceleration of inflation in the country is heavily driven by the increase in oil prices in the world market.Poe said transport accounted for 31.7 percent of the rise in inflation, with inflation for diesel already at 92.5 percent and for gasoline at 53.9 percent.Poe filed the bill in November 2021 but it was not tackled and discussed during the 18th Congress.On Wednesday, July 6, Diokno said the government will continue distributing fuel subsidies to those affected by the soaring pump prices, particularly fishermen, drivers and farmers. (SunStar Philippines)

Police identify person of interest in engineer’s killing

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:47 PM PDT

POLICE have identified a person of interest in the killing of a 24-year-old industrial engineer in Bulacan, said Bulacan Police Provincial Office Chief Colonel Charlie Cabradilla on Thursday, July 7, 2022.Cabradilla said the person of interest, whom he refused to name yet, is familiar to the victim, Princess Diane Dayor, and that he lives near the area where the latter's body was found."Ayon doon sa ating pag iimbestiga, this is most likely a case of robbery and homicide," he said in a television interview."Na-found na natin na meron tayong suspect and our investigators and intelligence operatives conducted follow-up last night, 'yung nga sinasabi natin but as of this time, hindi pa ho natin nahuhuli 'yung suspect but I could say at this point in time na meron na suspect and we already identified him," he added.According to Dayor's family, she left their house in Tabang, Guiguinto for work on Saturday, July 2.They said they received a phone call from her workmates asking if she was sick because she did not appear at their office.Police found Dayor's body in a grassy area near the Guiguinto-Malolos border in Bulacan on July 5.Cabradilla said there was a mark on Dayor's neck, an indication that she could have been strangled to death.He said all of Dayor's belongings were intact except for her cellphone.Cabradilla said they are still waiting for the medico-legal examination to identify whether she was raped. (SunStar Philippines)

P102M shabu seized from 2 Chinese nationals

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:58 PM PDT

TWO Chinese nationals were arrested in a drug bust in Malate, Manila on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 which resulted in the recovery of P102-million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).Police said Bin Ju, 42, and Jiankang Liang, 40, were arrested in a buy-bust at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bay Terminal parking lot.The suspects yielded more or less 15 kilograms of shabu with an estimated street value of P102 million.The operation was conducted by personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-National Capital Region, Northern Police District Office and Manila Police District.Charges for the violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects. (SunStar Philippines)

Marcos reorganizes, renames PCOO; abolishes Office of the Presidential Spokesperson

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:36 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered the reorganization and renaming of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) into the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) headed by lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles.In his Executive Order (EO) 2, Marcos also ordered the abolition of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson."There is a need to rationalize and consolidate the communications arm of the administration for a more efficient delivery of public policy to the general public," read the EO."It is the policy of the administration to provide true, accurate, and relevant information through the effective utilization of communications assets and resources," it added.The OPS will have an assistant secretary with support staff of not more than 20 personnel.It will also consist of undersecretaries for operations, plans and policies; administration, finance and procurement; legal affairs; media accreditation and relations; digital media services; print and broadcast media services and related government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) and attached agencies; and special concerns.Among the functions of the OPS is to pronounce matters pertaining to the actions, policies, programs, official activities and accomplishments of the President; develop and implement measures for the delivery and dissemination of information on programs and activities not only of the President but also of the executive branch; and to coordinate for the crafting, formulation, development, and enhancement of the messaging system under the Office of the President (OP) and the Executive Branch.The OPS will also supervise and coordinate with GOCCs attached to the OP to strengthen the system of information delivery to the public, and establish and maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders.The order states that all redundant positions, division and units determined by the OP shall be abolished.Meanwhile, all the permanent personnel, equipment and functions of the office of the presidential spokesperson will be transferred to the OPS.Among the agencies and bureaus whose direct supervision and control will be transferred to the OPS are the APO Production Unit, Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, National Printing Office, News Information Bureau, and People's Television Network Inc.The Radio Television Malacañang, on the other hand, will be transferred to the Presidential Management Staff headed by Marcos' appointee, Maria Zenaida Angping.The OP will have direct supervision of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), which will absorb the Bureau of Communications Services, Freedom of Information-Program Management Office, and Good Governance Office, which were currently under the PCOO."Except as may be required or warranted under this Executive Order, all agencies shall continue to discharge their respective functions and responsibilities as defined under existing laws or issuances," the EO stated. (SunStar Philippines)

Marcos abolishes PACC, Office of Cabinet Secretary

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 07:10 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary amid the bid to streamline official processes and procedures in the Office of the President.The order is contained in Marcos' first Executive Order (EO), which he signed on June 30, 2022 but was released only on Thursday, July 7.Marcos said the administration aims to achieve a comprehensive and meaningful recovery from current health and fiscal crises through a just allocation of resources and a simplified internal management."In order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in the bureaucracy without effecting disruptions in internal management and general governance, the Administration shall streamline official processes and procedures by reorganizing the Office of the President proper and the various attached agencies and offices, and by abolishing duplicated and overlapping official functions," read the EO.The powers and functions of the PACC will be transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for legal affairs, which shall promulgate rules of procedures in administrative cases under its jurisdiction.The existing rules and procedures of the PACC in administrative cases, however, will remain in force, unless it was repealed or amended."The winding up of the operations and disposition of the functions, positions, personnel, assets and labilities of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission shall be administered by the Executive Secretary," the EO stated.In October 4, 2017, then President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 43, creating the PACC whose main task is to investigate graft and corruption complaints against presidential appointees in the executive branch.Meanwhile, the control and supervision of the Cabinet secretariat will be transferred to the Presidential Management Staff.The Cabinet secretariat, in coordination with the Executive Secretary, will assist the President in establishing agenda and topics for Cabinet deliberations or facilitate the discussion of Cabinet meetings."All personnel affected by the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary may be allowed to avail of the benefits provided under existing laws, if applicable," the EO stated."The Department of Budget and Management is hereby ordered to release the corresponding fund as may be warranted, subject to existing Civil service, budgeting, accounting and auditing laws and rules," it added. (SunStar Philippines)

Marcos plays balancing act in meeting with China's FM

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 05:12 AM PDT

NEW Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with China's top diplomat Wednesday, July 6, 2022, to take up long-simmering disputes in the South China Sea, as he waded into foreign policy dilemmas that include the US-China rivalry in the region.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, wearing a native Filipino formal shirt, met his counterpart for talks at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila and later met Marcos Jr. at the presidential palace.No detailed statement about the talks was immediately released by Philippine officials. Chinese officials have frowned on what they perceive as undue media focus on the territorial conflicts that put Beijing in a bad light.In Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement quoted Wang as telling National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos in Manila that Marcos Jr.'s election "has turned a new page in China-Philippines relations, and the two peoples are full of expectations for the development of bilateral relations." The statement did not say if the territorial disputes were taken up."Our only choice is to be friendly, friendly, and friendly again," Wang said.Wang arrived in Manila Tuesday night as part of a Southeast Asian swing that brought him earlier to Myanmar and Thailand. He will also visit Malaysia and Indonesia, where he will attend a meeting of G-20 foreign ministers in Bali.Wang's visit ushers Marcos Jr. early to touchy foreign diplomacy issues that often had prompted his predecessors to carry out delicate balancing acts. Marcos Jr. was sworn into office last week after a landslide electoral victory in May.He said in a televised news conference Tuesday that he would discuss with Wang possible ways to resolve Manila's disputes with Beijing in the contested South China Sea but would also propose to broaden ties further."China and the Philippines should not only be discussing the West Philippine Sea," Marcos said, using the Philippine name for the disputed waters. "Let's do other things too. In that way, it will normalize our relationship.""We have many proposals to them in the sense that, as I said, we would like for us to increase the scope," he said, and mentioned possible expansion of cultural, educational and military exchanges.He did not outline how he would handle the territorial issues but has indicated he would generally follow the approach of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who focused on intensifying engagements with China.After taking office in 2016, Duterte put the disputes on the backburner and tried to nurture cozier relations with China. He disregarded calls to aggressively demand that Beijing comply with a landmark 2016 ruling by a UN-backed arbitration tribunal that invalidated China's extensive claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds. The tribunal also ruled that China's massive land reclamations and actions against Filipino fishermen at a disputed shoal violated the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.China refused to take part in the arbitration, which was initiated by Duterte's predecessor, the late Benigno Aquino III. Beijing continues to defy the ruling, which was welcomed by the US and other Western governments that have challenged China's flexing of muscles.Duterte's stance was criticized by nationalists and activists as a "sellout," which they said squandered the Philippines' arbitration victory."If you're talking about President Duterte's policy of engagement with China, that's really our only option," Marcos Jr. told DZRH radio network in January.War is not an option, he said then, and added that China rejected arbitration "so that option is not available to us." Bringing in the US to mediate will right away make China "your enemy," he said.Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez said Marcos Jr. was aware of the pitfalls of the US-China rivalry and would foster relations with the two global powers in a way that would help the Philippine economy recover from two years of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns and cushion it from the global impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine."He always cites the saying that these are two elephants and when they fight, they step on the grass. We are the grass," Romualdez said.An initial dilemma would be which of the two capitals Marcos Jr. should visit first.President Joe Biden has sent a letter formally inviting him to Washington. Wang was expected to relay Xi's invitation for the new president to Beijing, Romualdez said.Marcos Jr. is planning to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in September, where he could have an initial meeting with Biden on the sidelines. A separate US state visit could be arranged in the near future, Romualdez said. (AP)

Medardo de Lemos named as NBI officer-in-charge

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 03:52 AM PDT

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has designated lawyer Medardo de Lemos as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).Lemos was the deputy director or the second in command in the bureau, before his designation as OIC.Remulla said his designation will last until July 31, 2022.Lemos has been in service to the NBI for 37 years.He graduated from the University of the Philippines, College of Law in 1983 and subsequently finished a course at the NBI Academy in 1985.In 1994, he completed the Officers Senior Executive Course conducted by the Philippine Public Safety College.He also underwent a training course jointly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (192nd Session) and the University of Virginia in 1998.He obtained a Career Executive Service Officer (Ceso) rank in 2003.Remulla said he was instrumental in crafting the NBI's Rules of Engagement, which streamlined the policy on the use of deadly force in the conduct of enforcement operations. (SunStar Philippines)

DOLE chief backs more work-from-home setup

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 03:25 AM PDT

LABOR Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma expressed support to the continued adoption of work-from-home arrangement by business establishments and companies amid the continuing threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).In a virtual press forum Wednesday, July 6, Laguesma said he is in favor of the continuation of the work-from-home setup in a bid to prevent infections in the workplace."One case of Covid-19 infection, the workplace will automatically be locked down. We cannot overemphasize that it is better to be safe than sorry," said Laguesma."In my opinion, we should really look into the work-from-home arrangements," he added.He said what is important is for such a work arrangement to be clearly defined and have adequate guidelines put in place."We should make the deliverables of employees working under the work-from-home arrangements clearer," said Laguesma.The labor chief, however, admitted that unlike before, when there were stricter community restrictions, there are sectors that will need to have employees reporting to the workplace."We don't oppose such arrangements because there are sectors that really require worker presence in the workplaces, whether we like it or not," he said.And if reporting in the workplace is inevitable, he said employers must make sure that they are adherent to the health and safety protocols."In such situations, please don't forget the observance of health protocols, not just for the sake of employees but also their families," said Laguesma.Earlier, Senator Francis Tolentino filed a measure seeking to expand the coverage of the Telecommuting Act.This, according to Tolentino, is because the Covid-19 pandemic has forced Filipinos to resort to working at home. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)
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