Drilon to drivers: Don't drive when drunk

MANILA-Following the full implementation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act this month, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon cautioned motorists against breaking the law to avoid being hit with a P20,000 to P500,000 fine and worse, imprisonment from three months to 20 years.

He said that "drivers should by now familiarize themselves with the rules against driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances."

The Senate chief stressed that the full implementation of the law is important in the light of a growing number of accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal substances.

“This Anti-Drunk and Driving Act which the Congress passed in 2013 aims to protect the motoring public and ensure the safety of pedestrians. So the public needs to know exactly the new regulations that will be enforced soon," said Drilon

But Drilon also warned against unscrupulous individuals who might use the law to harass and extort money from motorists and urged the PNP and the DOTC to come up with measures to ensure that the law will not be used for extortion by unscrupulous law enforcers.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations released by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) last week, Drilon explained that the implementation of the law lies with a deputized law enforcement officer (LEO), such as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who will be issued breath analyzers for the task.

However, Drilon said that the LEO’s powers to enforce the law have been strictly defined.

“A deputized law enforcement officer (LEO) cannot just stop and flag down any vehicle and then subject the driver to a sobriety test. In fact, an officer can only start screening the driver when there is reasonable ground to believe that the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, such as after they have committed a traffic offense,” he said.

Meanwhile, the regulations state that any apprehended driver will be subjected to three field sobriety tests to be conducted by the LEO: 1.) an eye test, where one must follow the object the officer moves a foot away from their face, 2.) a walk-and-turn test, where one must walk nine steps forwards and back, and 3.) the one leg stand, where one must stand on one leg and raise the other at least 6 inches from the ground and hold that position for 60 seconds.

The IRR provides that if the driver passes these tests, he/she will only be apprehended for his traffic violation only. However, if the driver fails any of the three tests, he/she will then be subjected to an alcohol breath analyzer test, where the LEO would determine the blood alcohol level of a person by testing his/her breath.

Drilon said that a major aspect of the law is the regulation limiting the allowable blood alcohol level to below 0.05% for most drivers. “But drivers of buses and other public-utility vehicles are now required to have no amount of alcohol (0.0%) in their blood, since people’s lives are at their hands everytime they get behind the wheel," he added.

The IRR stated that drivers who are suspected to be under the influence of dangerous drugs or other illegal substances will be brought to the nearest police station and subjected to a drug screening test, in accordance with existing anti-drug laws.

Drilon reminded motorists that penalties for offenders range from a minimum of  three months in prison plus a P20,000 fine, to a maximum of 20 years plus a P500,000 fine

“Meanwhile, non-professional driver’s license holders will also have their license suspended for 12 months on their first offense, and their second offense will get their licenses perpetually revoked. In the case of professional driver’s license holders, the first offense alone will result in their license's perpetual revocation,” Drilon said.

Legarda Calls for Resilient Economy as Phl Posts Slow 1st Quarter Growth

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated her call to build a resilient economy that will cushion the impacts of natural hazards and climate change following the reported slowdown in the country’s growth primarily due to disasters.

 

For the first quarter of 2014, the Philippines registered GDP growth of 5.7%. In the same period last year, growth was at 7.7%. Economists attributed the slow growth to disasters such as the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Typhoon Yolanda.

“Economic losses due to disasters are taking a toll on development. One UN study stated that the Philippines can suffer losses worth more than US$9 billion due to a strong earthquake. We must invest in disaster resilience and climate change adaptation so that the impact on the economy is not as severe,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

The Senator said that aside from having a climate-proof budget, the Department of Finance’s proposed climate resiliency fund is also vital especially in ensuring that infrastructures are built in safe areas and are structurally sound.

She also urged the DOF to fast track its plan to put up a guarantee fund for lending institutions and an insurance mechanism for local government units to facilitate speedy recovery and rebuilding of communities and industries affected by disasters.

“Disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation must be at the core of the economic agenda and fiscal strategies. The government’s budget must be allocated to more resilience building efforts. For instance, we must put in place early warning system for crops harvest so we can make reliable forecasts that target farmers should there be a need to harvest early,” Legarda said.

She also said it is important to strengthen the building code and ensure it is updated for future hazards.

“With effective DRRM strategies, we will be able to address the vulnerability of communities to disasters and climate change. We can significantly diminish loss of lives and damage to properties and investments, and with less communities to rehabilitate, the economy will not have to suffer a major setback,” Legarda concluded.

Congress vows to provide higher benefits to barangay officials

MANILA-Barangay officials and workers will get more benefits once the various measures that seek to give them additional remunerations, particularly the granting of retirement pensions and loan packages, are passed into law, according to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

Speaking before delegates of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas - Bulacan Provincial Chapter Convention held at Davao City, the Senate leader said that the leaderships of the Senate and the House have agreed to work on expanding the coverage of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to include the country’s barangay officials.

“We in Congress recognize the barangay leaders’ contribution to the community as front-liners of government service, so it is high time that we accord them the recognition and benefits the state is supposed to give to its workers,” Drilon said.

In the Senate, Drilon is the author of Senate Bill No. 467, which seeks to “amend Presidential Decree No. 1146, as amended, to expand and increase the coverage and benefits of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to include elected and appointed barangay officials.” A similar version of the bill was also filed by the senator in the previous 15^th Congress. Last Tuesday, the bill was tackled by Senate Committee on Finance.

Once the bill is enacted, the barangays officials from almost 42,000 barangays in the country  can qualify for retirement benefits and other kinds of loans such as housing, salary, education and calamity loans, among others which the insurance agency is providing to state workers, explained Drilon.

  

He said that the inclusion is only warranted, due to the crucial part played by barangay officials play in addressing the everyday needs of their constituents, and in their role as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community level. 

However, despite their “evident importance,” Drilon observed that the officials of the barangay have not been recognized as government employees, particularly when membership in the GSIS is concerned.

“The allowances and benefits being given to barangay leaders do not commensurate with the quality of service and assistance they are extending to the community as well as to the government,” he said.

Under the bill, the compensation, honoraria and other emoluments being received by the barangay officials will be the basis in computing their contributions to GSIS.

This, Drilon hopes, will incentivize efficient performance among barangay officials, saying that these “benefits should inspire exacting efficient and effective results among public servants in the barangay level.”

  

The proposed measure also instructs the GSIS to work with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the national league of barangay captains and officials to formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the act. 

Drilon to drivers: Don't drive when drunk

MANILA-Following the full implementation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act next month, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today cautioned motorists against breaking the law to avoid being hit with a P20,000 to P500,000 fine and worse, imprisonment from three months to 20 years.

He said that "drivers should by now familiarize themselves with the rules against driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances."

The Senate chief stressed that the full implementation of the law is important in the light of a growing number of accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal substances.

“This Anti-Drunk and Driving Act which the Congress passed in 2013 aims to protect the motoring public and ensure the safety of pedestrians. So the public needs to know exactly the new regulations that will be enforced soon," said Drilon

But Drilon also warned against unscrupulous individuals who might use the law to harass and extort money from motorists and urged the PNP and the DOTC to come up with measures to ensure that the law will not be used for extortion by unscrupulous law enforcers.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations released by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) last week, Drilon explained that the implementation of the law lies with a deputized law enforcement officer (LEO), such as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who will be issued breath analyzers for the task.

However, Drilon said that the LEO’s powers to enforce the law have been strictly defined.

“A deputized law enforcement officer (LEO) cannot just stop and flag down any vehicle and then subject the driver to a sobriety test. In fact, an officer can only start screening the driver when there is reasonable ground to believe that the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, such as after they have committed a traffic offense,” he said.

Meanwhile, the regulations state that any apprehended driver will be subjected to three field sobriety tests to be conducted by the LEO: 1.) an eye test, where one must follow the object the officer moves a foot away from their face, 2.) a walk-and-turn test, where one must walk nine steps forwards and back, and 3.) the one leg stand, where one must stand on one leg and raise the other at least 6 inches from the ground and hold that position for 60 seconds.

The IRR provides that if the driver passes these tests, he/she will only be apprehended for his traffic violation only. However, if the driver fails any of the three tests, he/she will then be subjected to an alcohol breath analyzer test, where the LEO would determine the blood alcohol level of a person by testing his/her breath.

Drilon said that a major aspect of the law is the regulation limiting the allowable blood alcohol level to below 0.05% for most drivers. “But drivers of buses and other public-utility vehicles are now required to have no amount of alcohol (0.0%) in their blood, since people’s lives are at their hands everytime they get behind the wheel," he added.

The IRR stated that drivers who are suspected to be under the influence of dangerous drugs or other illegal substances will be brought to the nearest police station and subjected to a drug screening test, in accordance with existing anti-drug laws.

Drilon reminded motorists that penalties for offenders range from a minimum of  three months in prison plus a P20,000 fine, to a maximum of 20 years plus a P500,000 fine

“Meanwhile, non-professional driver’s license holders will also have their license suspended for 12 months on their first offense, and their second offense will get their licenses perpetually revoked. In the case of professional driver’s license holders, the first offense alone will result in their license's perpetual revocation,” Drilon said. 

Legarda: PHL, One of the Biggest Losers Amid Threats of Biological Meltdown

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed alarm over reports of an impending biological meltdown that threatens the planet.

According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the Philippines is ranked fourth in the world out of 19 ecological hotspots which indicate the highest concentration of biodiversity in the globe.

“Our country is blessed with rich biodiversity. This means we have the most to lose as threats of biological meltdown continue to be proven by scientific data and research,” she said.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, is calling on the government to get serious about biodiversity protection and in implementing a program to build sustainable communities that protect the environment.

“This research on biodiversity hotspot echoes other data about the country’s biodiversity and the signs of its gradual degradation. We are dubbed as one of the megadiverse countries, being among the richest globally in terms of plant and animal species, and because of this we are also the biggest losers of environmental assault,” she stated.

According to the research, 90% of the Philippine archipelago was forested during the 1900s. The original old-growth forest today remains at 3-5%. This has caused a ripple effect in which water, air and other ecological services have been compromised.

“We have unique ecosystems. The report indicated that 44% of the birds in the Philippines can only be found here. This means birdwatching is  a unique experience because species like the Philippine eagle, trogon and the tarictic hornbill cannot be found elsewhere but in our country. Can you imagine a world where your children will only see Philippine eagle on photos, or Philippine tarsier will just be part of stories that the older generation can tell their kids?” Legarda stated.

“The government and all concerned institutions and departments, especially the local government must come up with a strategy to create sustainable communities which will be able to use our biodiversity responsibly,” she  said.

“Education is also vital in our bid to protect our biodiversity. Let us get everyone on board, each member of the community must be aware of what’s happening. We all stand to lose a lot from a biodiversity meltdown,” she stressed.

Legarda has several projects that deal with biodiversity protection. Her most recent work is a collaborative video documentary on Philippine Marine Biodiversity, launched during Earth Day 2014. The video reports the state of the Philippines’ marine biodiversity and what needs to be done to protect it.

Bus operators, drivers, conductors in CL undergo training on Basic Occupational Safety and Health

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-A total of 60 bus operators, drivers and conductors coming from the provinces of Bataan and Zambales and representing 57 companies recently participated in a training on Basic Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) conducted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with Corporate Occupational Safety and Health Environment Association of the Philippines.

 

“The five-day activity was meant to impart to the attendees the necessary skills and knowledge on Occupational Safety, Occupational Environment, Occupational Health, and responses to various OSH issues and concerns faced by the transport industry,” DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said.

 

Among the topics discussed include OSH situationer of the bus transport industry, General Fleet Safety, Safe Driving Practices, Defense Driving, Housekeeping and Materials Handling, Fire and Machine Safety, Use of Personal Protective Equipment, Accident Investigation,Industrial Hygiene and Control Measures, Various Forms of Hazards and their Potential Health Effects, and Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle.

 

Apart from lectures, participants took part in the crafting of the OSH programs and policies that would address the needs of their industry.

 

They also visited bus terminals to check and evaluate their OSH practices.

 

“With recent and numerous cases of reports on vehicular accidents involving public transportations, particularly bus-related accidents, it’s high time for the bus transport industry to take serious efforts in working with government in promoting safe and health practices in their day to day operations. We need to push these efforts in order to prevent or minimize occupational transit accidents, which can result in injuries or claim lives of workers, passengers, and other motorists,” Agravante stressed. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Cuevas-Mercado dream team in 2016?

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–A powerhouse tandem involving Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas and Vice Mayor Florante Mercado is looming in 2016 amid the latter’s affirmation of support to the Cuevas administration.

The Cuevas-Mercado dream team is a possibility after both politicians said they are open to a team-up.

This after Mercado assured Cuevas he would continue to support her administration and her programs and won’t seek the mayorship for as long as she is the local chief executive.

Earlier, Mercado denied reports his father, former Makati City vice mayor Nestor is considering to run for mayor in this city to challenge Cuevas’ reelection bid. He said these are mere speculations.

          “It’s not impossible. If he wants to be with me,” Cuevas said, responding to a question of whether Mercado could be her running mate in 2016.

          Asked the same question, Mercado replied : “puwede naman (it’s feasible).”

Cuevas and the younger Mercado belong to rival political parties. Cuevas is a partymate of Gov. Aurelio Umali at the Liberal Party and its local party Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago while Mercado ran for vice mayor under the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the local party Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija of the Josons.

Both won by landslides in last May’s elections. Cuevas defeated former three-term congressman Pacifico Fajardo by some 4,500 votes  while Mercado clobbered Cuevas’ running mate, former three-term mayor Romeo Capinpin by 2,900 votes.

          Mercado said he will never fight Cuevas nor oppose her programs because he has never seen anything wrong in what she is doing.

          Cuevas said she liked and appreciated what Mercado said. “I also believe that he trusts in what I do,” she said, adding this inspires her to work harder in her job as mayor.

          She also mentioned that she and Mercado appear to have chemistry. “We are working together very well,” she observed. (Manny Galvez) 

380 LGU reps in CL attend seminar-workshop series on the Localization of Magna Carta of Women

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Around 380 personnel coming from 114 local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon recently took part in a seminar-workshop series on the Localization of the provisions of Republic Act 9710 otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women.

 

Spearheaded by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the activity was meant to capacitate provinces, cities and municipalities in coming up with a gender-responsive plan and budget for 2015.

 

“Central Luzon is one of the first to conduct this kind of activity. In the past three years, LGUs are receiving audit observations on the utilization of Gender and Development (GAD) Funds. Through this, our resource persons gave the most palatable and most acceptable inputs and information which would be very useful to be able to craft the LGU GAD Plan and Budget,” DILG Regional Director Florida Dijan said.

 

“DILG’s goal is to make all LGUs sustainable development-oriented which can only be achieved if they all practice self-reliance,” Dijan added. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Mercado denies pa’s mayoral bid, reaffirms support to Cuevas

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Vice Mayor Florante Mercado has denied reports that his father, former Makati City vice mayor Nestor Mercado is gunning for mayor in this city to challenge the reelection bid of Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas even as he reaffirmed his and the Sangguniang Panglungsod’s support to the executive agenda and programs of the local chief executive.

          Speaking during an out-of-town meeting with Cuevas, city councilors and barangay chairmen in Baler, Aurora, Mercado dismissed as sheer speculations that his father would make a political comeback by seeking the mayorship in this provincial capital.

          “This issue of my father running for mayor of Palayan is farthest from the truth. He no longer want to re-enter politics,” he said.

          The younger Mercado issued his statement after word spread that the elder Mercado is planning a comeback after his aborted mayoral run in Makati City against Junjun Binay.

Cuevas and the younger Mercado belong to rival political parties. Cuevas is a partymate of Gov. Aurelio Umali at the Liberal Party and its local party Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago while Mercado ran for vice mayor under the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the local party Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija of the Josons.

Both won by landslides in last May’s elections. Cuevas defeated former three-term congressman Pacifico Fajardo by some 4,500 votes  while Mercado clobbered Cuevas’ running mate, former three-term mayor Romeo Capinpin by 2,900 votes.

          Nestor was once a staunch ally of Binay’s father, Vice President Jejomar Binay. He was his running mate for three terms.

          When the elder Binay’s term as mayor was to expire in 2010 due to the three-term limit, Nestor started to campaign for mayor but Jejomar suddenly fielded his son.

          The younger Mercado said his father was already committed so he went on with his mayoral bid out of principles.

          In his case, the younger Mercado said he will never fight Cuevas and that for as long as the latter remains as mayor, the position he will be seeking is that of vice mayor.

          “I will never fight you. It’s because I have never seen anything wrong in what you are telling us to do,” he said of Cuevas as political leaders and city hall personnel cheered. Also in the audience was Cuevas’ husband, Bong.

          Mercado told the audience to disabuse their minds of the thought that he and his camp is planning to contest the city’s top post. He said he and Cuevas have no disagreements, real or imagined.

          He recalled that before he entered City Hall after they won last year, he told Cuevas “You are the mayor, You are the one to be  followed,” he said.

          He also said that his absence in certain official functions of Cuevas was no indication that he was distancing himself from her. “The truth of the matter was that I was tending to my business so I was not able to go with her,” he said.

          Mercado also defended himself and the SP from criticisms and complaints that they are blocking certain requests forwarded for approval, particularly by some barangay chairmen.

          “Some say I was blocking all requests forwarded to the SP. I have no right to do that. As a presiding officer, I just bang the gavel. So it’s not true that there are pending requests in our office,” he said.

          Mercado said some of the requests take some time before they get approved because the SP deliberate on them. “We have a process to be followed. We are just doing our job. We have to do it because it will be subject for review by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” he explained.             

          Mercado reiterated that for him, elections are just one day, saying he will not politicize development.

He said the issue of majority and minority is no longer relevant in the 10-man SP, saying the programs of the sitting mayor deserve the support of everyone, especially if this involves the welfare of majority of Palayanos. – Manny Galvez

Slowest in ASEAN Faster internet speed pressed

MANILA-Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto is urging government to also mandate internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom companies to increase the minimum speed of their internet service to 10 Mbps (megabits per second) from the current internet speed of 3.4 Mbps.

Recto said with 3.4 Mbps, the country has the slowest internet speed in South East Asia followed by Indonesia with 4.1 Mbps, Malaysia at 5.5 Mbps, with Singapore as being the fastest in the ASEAN region with a lightning internet speed of 61.0 Mbps.

The global internet speed to download information and pictures from the worldwide web is 18.4 Mpbs.

“Unfortunately, the Philippines ranks at the tail-end of world broadband speed rankings and is also tagged as one of the most expensive,” Recto said.

The Senate leader added: “The national march towards a broader internet or Wi-Fi access should be in cadence with a decent internet speed. Aanhin mo ang Wi-Fi kung puro ka naman antay?”

Recto said Filipino internet users are also paying more than their ASEAN counterparts with a monthly average of $24.92 or roughly P1,120 compared to the fraction spent by other nationalities.

                                                                                                       

He said his Senate Bill (SB) 2238 dubbed “Bilis Konek Act of 2014” would empower the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to require a minimum internet speed for all ISPs and telcos offering internet service of 10 Mbps for mobile broadband/internet access.

The speed should be faster at 20 Mbps when it comes to fixed and fixed wireless broadband/internet access or those installed at home. The transition to a faster internet speed would be two years after the enactment of the law.

“This bill recognizes the importance of high-speed internet connections in increasing productivity and the growing demands for connectivity,” he said, noting that faster internet has correlation to economic growth according to a foreign report.

Recto stressed mandating a minimum internet speed makes sense since the country aside from being the "Texting Capital of the World" was also named by the Global Web Index as having the Fastest Growing Internet Population with a 531% growth in the last five years.

“If the Human Rights Council of the United Nations General Assembly declares internet access as a basic human right, internet users should also have the right to faster internet -- call it internet on steroids,” he said.

Recto has also filed SB 2232, which seeks the roll out of free Wi-Fi access to all public places in the National Capital Region (NCR) as a companion measure to his "Bilis Konek Act."

Recto said an NCR-wide free internet access would provide equal opportunity to all, especially the marginalized members of society and promote efficiency and productivity in businesses.

“Providing free internet access to public buildings and facilities in the national capital will also ensure that our growing labor force will be updated with employment opportunities,” Recto said in filing SB 2232.

He said a free internet access to the public would “mean providing access to the underserved in our society, including getting low-income people online.”

A free Wi-Fi service, according to him, would also give access to vital information available online such as school information for students; traffic reports and alternative routes for motorists; latest weather bulletins, basic goods prices such as oil and gas; and, updates on government services.

Recto said his proposed bill, if enacted into law, would mandate free internet use to the following public areas in the entire NCR:

·        All national and local government offices

·        Public health services and hospitals

·        Public elementary and high schools, and state colleges and

universities

·        Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminals I, II, III and IV)

·        Public libraries

·        Tollways and expressways

·        Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other national roads

·        Public transport terminals

·        Port of Manila; and

·        Rail transit stations (LRT Line 1, MRT Line 2, MRT Line 3, and PNR

south rail).

He assured that once seamlessly in place in Metro Manila, other major cities in the country should be also accorded with free Wi-Fi service.

The Recto bill mandates the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the lead agency. 

3 Army intel officers indicted for mauling carpenter in Aurora bar brawl

BALER, Aurora – Three rookie soldiers were charged with serious physical injuries by the Philippine National Police before the provincial prosecutor’s office Monday for the brutal mauling of a 37-year-old carpenter during a brawl in a restaurant here at dawn Friday.

          Charged in an information filed by the Baler PNP led by its station commander, Chief Inspector Reynante Pitpitan were privates first class Jesse Roque, 28, of Tarlac City; Jaypee Gutierrez, 27, of Camp Tinio, Cabanatuan City and Efren Montefalco Jr., 30, of New Abra, Matalam, North Cotabato.

          They were all assigned with the military intelligence branch (MIB) of the Army’s 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division based at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

          The case has been raffled off to prosecutor Julieta Isidro-Reyes.

The three soldiers were charged for mauling carpenter Antonio Macarayo of Barangay Suklayin following a confrontation inside the Freddie’s Resto Bar at Sitio Labasin, Barangay Sabang at around 3 am Friday.

          Named by the PNP as witnesses in the complaint were Macarayo’s wife Chona, Mark Gregory Babia, and PO2 Geoffrey Bolante and PO3 Guervin Atun, both of the Baler PNP.

          Police Inspector Desiree Buluag, Baler deputy chief of police, in an incident report released to newsmen, said that prior to the incident, Macarayo went to the bar to drink liquor with four of his young companions identified as Rienheart Jeff Virey, 21,; Marvin Virrey, 23; Arvin Santiago, 22; and Sherwin Pangalinan, 22.

          Later, Macarayo’s group figured in a heated argument with the soldiers, who were apparently drunk, including Montefalco who was armed with a caliber 45 revolver.

          The two groups were somehow pacified by the bar’s security guard on duty and they left shortly after.

          Unknown to Macarayo’s group, Montefalco’s group waited for them outside and when they spotted them, they assaulted the five.

Macarayo and his companions scampered in different directions but he slipped and fell on the pavement where the suspects caught up with him and took turns mauling him, knocking him unconscious.

          Responding lawmen arrested the three suspects and detained them at  the municipal police stockade.

          Macarayo was rushed to the Aurora Memorial Hospital for treatment of bruises and contusions in the face. He was later transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).

          Mrs. Macarayo said her husband was almost left for dead by the suspects who even pistol-whipped the victim in the head and face.

          Babia, another witness said that while the victim was being beaten to a pulp by the suspects, he overheard one of them yelled “tuluyan mo na pare (kill him buddy).”

          Brig. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, 7^th ID commanding general, said they will never tolerate such acts by the soldiers.

          “We will have the incident investigated and give the three soldiers due process. But we will never condone their actions if they are found guilty,” he said, adding they could be dismissed from the service depending on the gravity of the offense.   

Senate grants Philippine citizenship to Brooklyn Nets Center Andray Blatche

MANILA-The Senate today approved on third and final reading a bill granting Philippine Citizenship to American professional basketball player Andray Blatche, who is a member of the Brooklyn Nets, the National Baskekball Association (NBA).

Committee Report No. 27 on House Bill No. 4084, sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara was approved with 20 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstention.

“The recent modest ascent in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) standings is indicative of the development of Philippine basketball in the international scene, which ought to be sustained,” Angara said.

“International tournaments allow countries to be represented by naturalized players subject to certain conditions like the number of naturalized players in a team. Other countries, while ranking higher than the Philippines, have opted to take advantage of this naturalized-player rule, meant to equalize the world basketball landscape historically ruled by American and European countries, with great benefit,” Angara added.

Blatche is not the first international player to become a naturalized Filipino citizen. In 1985, three naturalized players, namely Dennis Still, Jeff Moore and Chip Engelland helped the RP-North Consolidated Corporation win the William Jones Cup and the ABC Championships. Another naturalized player, Marcus Eugene Douthit, who became a naturalized Filipino in 2010, helped bring honor to the Philippines by helping the Philippine team win the 2010 Philippine Invitational Cup, 3^rd place in the 2010 William Jones Cup and 2012 William Jones Cup Championship.

Blatche is currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams and Paul Pierce. Blatche, who stands 6’11,” averages 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Fresh out of high school, Blatche was drafted to the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2005 where he was chosen 49^th overall by the Washington Wizards. He was eventually released by the Wizards in 2012 and was signed up by the Nets.

“Andray Blatche has openly expressed his desire to play for the Philippines. He is in a position, at age 28, to make significant contributions to Philippine basketball and accordingly, eligible for the conferment of the honor of being a Philippine citizen,” Angara said.

Blatche will be part of the 24-man roster of the Smart Gilas Basketball where the final 12 players will be chosen to compete in the FIBA world championships this August in Spain. (Olive Caunan)

SENATE OKs BLATCHE'S NATURALIZATION BILL

MANILA-The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill introduced by Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara that would confer Philippine citizenship on American professional basketball player Andray Blatche, in effect clearing the way for him to help the Philippine national basketball team that will compete in the FIBA World Championships in Spain this August.

 

"Blatche is possibly the best center from the NBA that we can get who is willing to shun more lucrative offers now and in the future just to be part of our national team," stressed Angara, who said that the Brooklyn Nets big man's documents will now be transmitted to the Office of the President for the chief executive's signing.

 

Angara expressed gratitude to his colleagues, particularly Senate Justice Committee Chair Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano for the swift passage of Senate Bill 2108.

 

"This was indeed a total team effort on the part of the Senate. Credits are due to both the majority and minority blocs for supporting this measure, which to my mind, is the Senate's own way of contributing to the cause of our basketball team," he pointed out, mentioning also Senate President Franklin Drilon, and Senators Tito Sotto and Jinggoy Estrada.

 

Blatche, who averages 12 points and six rebounds, will also be allowed to backstop the country in other major international basketball tournaments, including the Asian Games that will be held in September this year in South Korea and in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

 

For accepting to be part of the Philippine basketball squad, Blatche will be forever prohibited to join any other foreign national team.

 

"Having naturalized players is the rule in international competitions rather than the exception. It's very accepted. We are just taking advantage of the rule," said the neophyte senator, who chairs the committee on games, amusement and sports.

 

The House of Representatives, through the efforts of Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno, has approved the application of Blatche last month.

 

The 6-foot-11 American isn’t the first foreign player to be given Philippine citizenship.

 

Americans Arthur "Chip" Engelland, Jeff Moore and Dennis Still were naturalized in the 1980s to help the Philippine men’s basketball team to win the Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA Asia Championship) crown in 1985.

 

Also, another American, Marcus Douthit, who was naturalized in 2011, contributed a lot in bringing back the country to the international basketball map as it helped the squad to qualify for the World Championships by placing second in last year's FIBA Asia tournament, beating Asian powerhouse and RP's perennial nemesis South Korea in the semifinal game.

 

"We took a leap of faith when we naturalized Marcus Douthit, and that leap of faith paid dividends. We are hoping this would be a similar case with Andray Blatche," Angara said.

 

The lawmaker also dismissed concerns that having naturalized players would stunt our local players, saying that on the contrary, it would definitely help our local players.

 

"Since our local players will be playing against bona fide professional NBA players, they will be forced to improve. It's like we're putting them in a competitive atmosphere. Great players make other players even better," he argued.

 

"This is the first time in 40 years that the Philippine team will play once again in the world basketball tournament. We are number 34 in the world basketball ranking and yet, we made it to the FIBA World Championships, which is the top 24 teams in the world. Given this rare opportunity, we should do everything we can to give our national team the best representation and the best chance to win," Angara added.