KMU to House: Make good on wage hike proposal
By Gerard Naval
THE Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) yesterday challenged the House of Representatives to make good on its pronouncements that it wants to give workers a higher legislated wage hike amount than the one approved by the Senate.
In a brief statement, KMU Chairman Elmer Labog said they are challenging lawmakers to prove they are not just using the issue of wage adjustment to earn brownie points from the labor sector.
“We challenge the Lower House to make of good their ‘propaganda figure’ of P350 additional legislated wage increase for workers,” said Labog.
“While this is still far away from the P1,100 family living wage, it will bring the nominal wage value a bit closer to it,” it added.
He said they are issuing the challenge as they are concerned that lawmakers are just looking to earn the favor of workers amid the controversy on Charter Change.
“We hope that both Houses are serious in passing a wage act and are not just a ‘bargaining cheap (chip)’ for the Cha-Cha,” said Labog.
Last month, the Senate approved on the third and final reading a bill increasing the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector by P100.
In response, the House of Representatives committed to approve a higher legislated daily minimum wage hike with bills proposing amounts ranging from P150 to P750.
The move to pass a legislated wage hike comes amid the recent push for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.
BuCor gets nearly 1K new officers
BY ASHZEL HACHERO
THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is getting a further boost in its workforce with the entry of 966 new corrections officers.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the group, known as Class 01-2023 “Payonirus,” is composed of 665 males and 301 females who have completed the Corrections Officer Custodial Basic Course.
Of the total number, 504 will go to the a New Bilibid Prison-NHQ in Muntinlupa City, 188 the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 80 to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, 77 to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 60 to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, and 57 to the Leyte Regional Prison.
NBP Acting Superintendent C/Insp. Roger Boncales said the new corrections officers’ primary responsibility will be to ensure security within BuCor-managed prison facilities, an institution that has frequently been in the spotlight due to various controversies, including the existence of illegal activities such as drug smuggling.
“I challenge the Class 01-2023 “Payonirus” to improve and enhance your knowledge to ensure that you fulfill your duties and responsibilities with excellence and not become like those who violated the rules in the line of duty,” Boncales, who presided over the recognition and acceptance rites, said.
Last year, the BuCor said it needs to hire 800 new correction officers annually until 2028, or a total of 4,000 officers to address an increase in inmates in its prison and penal colonies.
Prior to the recruitment of new personnel since Catapang assumed the post in 2022, the BuCor had only 4,239 corrections officers and 389 corrections technical officers to guard the NBP and six other prison and penal farms nationwide, namely the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong city, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga city, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan, Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte and the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte.
From only 32,314 inmates to guard and secure in 2007, the number has rocketed to over 50,000 now.
The NBP and the six other operating prison and penal farms of BuCor hold over 50,000 inmates, although their total capacity is only around 12, 000, or an average congestion rate of 310 percent.
Improve fund sources, Zambo medical center urged
BY PETER J. G. TABINGO
THE Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC) needs to address its budget shortfall as its reimbursement of case rates from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth) has proven insufficient for its operating cost posting fund deficiencies of P140 million in 2021 and P73.38 million in 2022.
A 96-page Citizen Participatory Audit Report released last week showed the state hospital’s operating cost for those two years totaled P484.38 million while collections from PhilHealth amounted to only P270.86 million, or a difference of P213.52 million.
The provincial government injected P139.45 million funding through supplemental budgets but the hospital still incurred shortfalls.
The audit was conducted by state auditors with the assistance of professionals from civil society organizations including the Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Pagadian.
Audit fieldwork started on Aug. 1, 2023 and ended with an exit conference with ZDSMC management on Dec. 22, 2023.
A printed copy of the audit report was submitted to the office of provincial governor Victor Yu on Jan. 3, 2024.
Auditors said ZDSMC has some potential fund sources but these were not realized to help augment revenues. First, it noted that for the years covered by the audit, the hospital waived P18.52 million in medical bills under “No Balance Billing” even if these were incurred by patients who do not fall in the category of “non-indigent patients” hence presumed to have capacity to pay. Out of the um, ZDSMC could have earned at least P5.73 million, the audit team said.
“The hospital implemented the NBB policy even to non-indigent but financially incapacitated patients and financial/medical assistance from other social welfare fund were also granted. Of the total waived amount, P5,728,818.08 could have been an income by the hospital as these patients are considered not qualified from NBB,” auditors said.
ZDSMC explained that, though considered non-indigents, patients whose medical bills were waived belong to low-income families who realistically do not have the means to pay.
It was likewise assured by the provincial government that it is ready to augment funds for the hospital’s continued operations.
The audit team also recommended that the Medical Assistance for Indigent Persons (MAIP), which the hospital reimburses from the Department of Health, be made available for the hospital to use rather than being mingled with the general fund and treated as income of the province.
“While we agree with the recording as income, the amount cannot be readily used to finance Hospital operations, unless backed-up by appropriation ordinance or Supplemental appropriation,” it pointed out.
The management said it was given assurance that the MAIP refund from DOH will be transferred to the hospital to be readily available for its use.
COA lauds Balanga WD for remaining
profitable even without raising rates
BY Peter Tabingo
THE Commission on Audit has praised the Balanga Water District for posting a net income of P7.26 million in 2023 — its fifth straight year of profit – even as it continued spending on the expansion of the water supply system and rehabilitation of distribution lines without increasing its rates for the past 10 years.
Based on the 2023 audit report released last February 28, the Balanga WD posted P10.33 million in earnings after expenses in 2019, P13.1 million in 2020, P11.94 million in 2021, P600,990 in 2022, and P7.26 million in 2023.
The drastic dip in its 2022 income was attributed to the increase in compensation of its personnel due to the implementation of the third tranche of the Salary Standardization Law as well as the surge in electricity rates.
It responded by expanding its services to cover 92 percent or 23 out of 25 barangays of the City of Balanga. As of yearend 2023, the audit team said 20,278 of all households in the city are serviced by the water district.
“The (Balanga WD) has successfully implemented various rehabilitation and expansion projects for the water supply system. They have also increased the number of water service connections each year in conformity with the Updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, thus, residents within their coverage area have access to water services,” auditors noted.
From 15,490 service connections in 2019, the agency has increased coverage to 20,278 as of 2023, including residential customers and business establishments.
For 2023 alone, it completed 10 projects under the expansion of the water supply system with a total cost of P7.32 million.
The COA pointed out that even with the higher maintenance and operating costs, the water district has not raised its water rates since 2013. However, its net income in the last two years has shrunk compared to earnings from 2019 to 2021.
To improve its revenue and operational funding, the Balanga WD passed Board Resolution No. 5 on March 10, 2023 requesting authority from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to increase its minimum charge from P150 to P180 for zero to 10 cubic meters of water consumption.
The agency is still waiting for LWUA’s decision on the proposed water rate adjustment.
“We commended the Management for their efforts in maintaining the financial stability of the District which led to improved services and satisfied customers. We also recommended and Management agreed to undertake revenue-enhancing strategies and cost-cutting measures to improve the District’s operations and financial performance,” the COA added.
FDA warns public against first aid kit
THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday warned the public against using the medical device “First Aid Complete Kit” which it said has not been issued a “product notification certificate.”
Medical device products are required to have a product notification certificate from the FDA. Without the certificate, they are classified by the FDA as “unnotified.”
On the other hand, food and drug products are required to get a “certificate of product registration (CPR)” from the DFA. Without the CPR, they are classified as “unregistered.”
In an advisory on the “First Aid Complete Kit,” the FDA warned “all healthcare professionals and the general public not to purchase and use the unnotified medical device products.”
Included in first aid kit are eye pad, trauma pad, gauze roll, sterile gauze sponge, bandage adhesive strips, vinyl gloves, cold compress, and tape.
“Since these unnotified medical device products have not gone through evaluation process of the FDA, the agency cannot assure its quality and safety,” said the FDA.
MMDA reinstates 30-minute ‘heat stroke’ break
for traffic enforcers
BY Ashzel Hachero
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday announced it is reinstating the 30-minute “heat stroke” break policy for its traffic enforcers and other field personnel to protect them from heat-related illness.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the “heat stroke break” policy, which will take effect from March 15 until May 31, will be implemented daily through a rotation schedule.
“We must understand the plight of these traffic enforcers and street sweepers who work under the scorching heat of the sun every day to fulfill their duties and responsibilities,” Artes said in his memorandum reinstating the policy.
Artes added the heat stroke break shall be done alternately by those who are assigned in a particular area to maintain the visibility of traffic enforcers and street sweepers and to ensure field operations are not hampered.
Earlier yesterday, MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nuñez and members of the MMDA Road Emergency Group led the conduct of blood pressure monitoring and distribution of cold water to traffic enforcers deployed at EDSA-Timog to avoid dehydration.
Under the heat stroke break policy, on-duty traffic enforcers and street sweepers are allowed to leave their posts in shifts so that they can rehydrate, seek shelter from the sun, and take a 30-minute break to avoid heat stroke.
For traffic enforcers who work from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., the prescribed “heat stroke break,” according to Artes is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; for those working from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., the break time shall be observed from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; for those working from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon; and for 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., the break time shall be observed from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Street sweepers who work from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon; for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., they shall observe 12 noon to 1 p.m. regular break time; and for those working from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the break time shall be observed from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Field personnel can also take an additional 15-minute break time in case the heat index or the “human discomfort index” in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above.
PBBM says mom `feeling much better’
BY Jocelyn Montemayor
FORMER First Lady Imelda Marcos is feeling much better and on the path to recovery, her son President Marcos Jr. (PBBM) said yesterday.
Mrs. Marcos, 94, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for slight pneumonia and fever.
The President said he visited his mother, shortly after arriving from Melbourne late Wednesday night, and she is “feeling much better.”
“She was awake, alert, and even up at midnight,” he said, adding he was informed that the Marcos matriarch’s fever was gradually subsiding, and “she is on the path to recovery.”
“We’ve decided to keep her in the hospital until she finishes her prescribed course of antibiotic treatment. This measure will also afford her the necessary rest and continuous medical supervision,” he also said as he thanked everyone for their well-wishes.
Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos said on March 5 they brought Mrs. Marcos to a hospital for “suspected pneumonia as she has been having fever and cough on and off” and to have her closely monitored.
CA orders Manila court to revive drug cases vs Espinosa
BY ASHZEL HACHERO
THE Court of Appeals has ordered the Manila Regional Trial Court to revive drug cases against self-confessed drug lord Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa.
In a 12-page decision promulgated on February 12 but made public only yesterday, the appellate court’s Twelfth Division vacated and set aside the Aug. 14, 2020 and March 14, 2022 rulings issued by Branch 26 of the Manila RTC which acquitted Espinosa of violating of Section 5 (illegal sale and distribution of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 on the ground that the prosecution’s failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The 2022 resolution junked the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration of the 2020 ruling.
The RTC, in denying the prosecution’s motion, held that a judgment on acquittal cannot be reversed as it would the right of Espinosa against double jeopardy.
But the CA explained that the prosecution was denied due process to fully present its evidence against Espinosa before the RTC issued the ruling dismissing the cases.
The Office of the Solicitor General, who argued for the government, said the RTC abused its discretion when it issued the ruling without fully hearing the prosecution’s evidence.
The OSG added that the rule on double jeopardy does not apply in the case since the RTC abused its discretion.
“The Court finds some merit in this petition because there is adequate showing that the prosecution was denied due process to fully present its evidence,” the CA ruling penned by Associate Justice Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura and concurred with by Associate Justices Victoria Isabel Paredes and Florencio Mamauag Jr.
The CA pointed out that the RTC decision did not mention any consolidation of the three criminal cases against Espinosa.
“However, as pointed out by petitioner, the handling public prosecutor, albeit available for video conference hearing on the date of the promulgation of the assailed decision, was not able to receive an invitation link. The RTC seriously erred in proceeding with the promulgation of judgment without the public prosecutor despite his presence as early as 10:00 a.m.,” the CA added.
In September last year, Manila RTC Branch 16 Presiding Judge Janice Yulo-Antero
acquitted Espinosa of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives filed by the police in connection with the August 2016 raid in his residence in Albuera, Leyte.
Yulo-Antero said she has no recourse but to dismiss the cases as the prosecution failed to substantiate its allegation against Espinosa.
In June last year, Baybay City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 Judge Carlos Arguelles also granted bail to Espinosa and his co-accused Alfred Batistis, Bryan Anthony Zaldivar, Jose Antipuesto and Marcelo Adorco saying the “prosecution failed to prove that the evidence against them is strong.”
In the same month, Makati RTC Branch 65 also cleared Espinosa and Adorco of drug trafficking charges after the prosecution also failed to provide enough evidence against them.
Their co-accused Peter Lim and Ruel Malindanga remain at large.
Espinosa remained in detention at the National Bureau of Investigation.
In 2021, Branch 64 of the Makati City RTC granted Espinosa’s demurrer to evidence after the court said the prosecution failed to prove its case for conspiracy for drug trading.
A demurrer is essentially a motion to junk the case due to lack of evidence against the accused.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte said Espinosa and his father, Rolando, were involved in drug trafficking, particularly in the Visayas region.
The elder Espinosa was killed in a drug raid conducted by the police inside his jail cell on Nov. 5, 2016 after he allegedly resisted and fired at the raiding team.
The younger Espinosa has retracted his allegations linking former senator Leila de Lima to the drugs trade, including that he gave the latter money in Baguio City and delivered P8 million through de Lima’s then bodyguard Ronnie Dayan, saying he invented stories of their dealings as he was threatened and coerced by police officers.
BI working with NBI to uncover persons
behind mail-order bride scheme
BY Ashzel Hachero
THE Bureau of Immigration yesterday said it working with the National Bureau of Investigation to uncover those behind the issuance of documents being used in the mail-order bride scheme.
The mail-order bride is a scheme where Filipino women agree to marry foreigners, usually for a fee, or for the prospects of migrating abroad.
BI deputy spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said the Department of Justice has already assigned prosecutors and lawyers to assist them in uncovering those behind the scheme.
The DOJ is the mother agency of the BI.
“The DOJ has designated lawyers to assist us in the conduct of further investigation on those behind the fake documents,” Mabulac told the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public forum.
He said the DOJ, as the head agency of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, has directed the NBI to conduct a probe on the matter.
This follows the recent interception of a 20-year-old Filipina and an older Chinese man at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport bound for Shenzhen, China.
During questioning by immigration agents, the Filipina presented a marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Office, indicating they were married in Pasig City.
But she struggled to provide basic details about the marriage, prompting authorities to prevent them from leaving.
Mabulac said the two were turned over to the IACAT for further investigation, adding the document might have been falsified.
Mabulac said China is now becoming the main destination of Filipinas engaged in such a scheme, a previous departure, he added, when South Korea, was the favorite place.
He said four couples have been intercepted since January.
He said Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco has directed immigration officers in all international airports to conduct a thorough pre-departure inspection to deter those behind the scheme.
He said it was the strict enforcement of the pre-departure inspection that led to the interception.
Last month, immigration officers also intercepted and rescued a Filipina traveling with a Chinese husband to Xiamen, China,
The Chinese, according to Tansingco, presented an apostilled original certificate of marriage when confronted by immigration officers who noted numerous inconsistencies in their statements and referred them for secondary inspection.
Last January 18, a female victim was rescued at the Mactan Cebu International Airport after being almost trafficked to Xiamen by a Chinese man who pretended to be the husband of a relative.
The victim later admitted that she was bound for China for an arranged marriage.
BI records showed the man, a permanent resident in the country, escorted another Filipina to China in 2019. The woman has not returned since.
In November last year, the agency also reported the repatriation of a Filipina from Xiamen, who arrived in China a month before her repatriation, together with a Chinese man who introduced himself as the husband.
The man also presented an original marriage certificate proving their relationship.
However, the victim admitted that she had no idea the man was her husband and that she was deceived into agreeing to the arrangement.
“This is very concerning since they are able to present authentic documents despite their sham marriages,” said Tansingco.