Phl effective prevention of natural hazard and unnatural hazard is needed

SENATE OFFICE Manila, February 11, 2011-In a recent report on the economics of disaster prevention jointly produced by the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations (UN) publication entitled: “Natural Hazard, Unnatural Disasters: The Economics of Prevention”, Senator Loren Legarda said that the country should have an effective disaster preparedness to pursue sustainable development for our economy.

Legarda cited the lessons of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng which taught the citizenry in enhancing the capacities to re-build after each and every disaster, saying that for without effective disaster prevention, hundreds of lives, thousands of homes, billions worth of properties and livelihoods, even government's growth and revenue targets, can be at the mercy of a single extreme weather event.

The country has to face time and again the impacts of natural hazards which have been a major constraint and an important development issue especially the climate change hazards that can be more frequent and intense, adding that the occurrence of it must be turn to be not disasters.

Early prevention will preserve risk reduction as the key of success in fighting disasters where the Senator said that the country is second in the world to receive the recent special briefing by WB and UN.

Legarda lauded the report of Mr. Apurva Sanghi, leader of the technical working group who made the presentation, the World Bank-Philippines’ Country Director Mr. Bert Hofman, and World Bank- Sector Coordinator Ms Yan Zhang, who also shared their insights, adding that the event was joined by the Secretary of the Department of Finance Cesar Purisima, Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. and Presidential Assistant for Climate Change Elizea Gozun and other legislators, who are chairpersons of major committees in Congress, key government officials, members of international organizations and the diplomatic corps, heads of non-government organizations and various institutions and members of the academe.

“Disasters maim and kill. They devastate the environment and set back economic development,” Legarda said, stressing that reducing disaster risk is a critical development issue that affects everybody and concerns every sector of the society.

Legarda urged the political leaders of the country to realize that reducing disaster risk is a moral responsibility to the people and a commitment to good governance that transcends political boundaries.

She calls to PNoy that now is the time to make a difference and must act now, pointing out that leaders of the country should not allow another Ondoy and Pepeng to happen again in Metro Manila.

The Senator recommended that there is a need to improve the country’s early warning system and strengthen Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAG-ASA) as deemed the most cost effective in reducing the impacts of disasters, adding that there is a need to invest in flood protection and earthquake mitigation in Metro Manila and other low land areas heeding the lessons of Ondoy and Pepeng.

There is a need to convene the Climate Change Commission and make disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation high in the development agenda, saying that there is a need to engage local government leaders in the fight against disaster and climate risks.  They are in the frontline and most in need of capability building, act decisively and secure the children’s future to make economic good sense. (Jason de Asis)

Grievance committee formed to probe Gapan scams amid boy's forged certificate of live birth

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, February 11, 2011-Mayor Christian Tinio has formed a grievance committee to investigate and conduct summary hearings against appointive officials and employees following the involvement of an employee of the city’s civil registrar office here in the falsification of the certificate of live birth of an eight-year-old boy and for the mysterious disappearance of the marriage contract of his parents.

In Executive Order 2011-02, Tinio designated his executive assistant Danilo Padiernos as chairman of the five-men grievance committee. The other members of the committee are human resource management officer Cesar Mendoza, city administrator Eduardo Almera, city engineer Carl Anthony Alfaro and assistant city treasurer Mauro Marcelo.

Tinio said he formed the committee after his office received numerous complaints against appointive local city officials and employees. He stressed that its formation was in line with Section 86 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code which provides that administrative investigation may be conducted by a person or a committee duly authorized by the local chief executive.

The committee’s creation came after the Sangguniang Panlunsod, presided over by Vice Mayor Rodel Matias, opened its probe on Jocelyn Dimacale, clerk of the office of the city civil registrar following a complaint-affidavit lodged before the council by Desiree Bonifacio of Barangay San Nicolas here.

Tinio said whoever was responsible for the anomaly will be held responsible once proven guilty.  

Bonifacio is the mother of Davis Mandy Afable.        Afable was born last May 28, 2002 to Bonifacio and Manuel Afable, an American citizen. Exactly a month later, the elder Afable and Bonifacio got married.

Bonifacio said in the process, Davis Mandy was “legitimated through subsequent marriage,” as borne by the couple’s application for marriage license and the certificate of live birth.   The couple’s relationship, however, went sour and they later separated.

Sometime last year, Bonifacio went to the National Statistics Office to request a copy of their authenticated marriage contract and Davis Mandy’s certificate of live birth. To her surprise, the copy of the marriage contract could not be found and the certificate of her son’s live birth was forged through false entries.

A copy of the certificate of live birth of Davis Mandy showed that the boy’s middle name and surname Afable were erased. The same document, however, clearly indicated that Davis Mandy was “legitimated” through the subsequent marriage of his parents on June 28, 2002. Because of the forged certificate of live birth, Bonifacio said it would appear that Davis Mandy was an illegitimate child and was deprived of benefits.

In her complaint-affidavit, she also attached a copy of certificate of live birth signed by city civil registrar Danilo Tan and Dimacale dated July 5, 2002 showing that she and Afable got married. But in another certificate of live birth dated January 21, 2011 also signed by Tan and clerk 2 Arthur Merle, there were no entries opposite the lines “date and place of marriage of parents.”

Bonifacio said when she confronted Dimacale about the falsified certificate of live birth and the missing marriage contract, the latter admitted she pulled out the authentic documents on the request of the elder Afable. (Jason de Asis)

NOLCOM AFP lighted candles for peace inside Camp Aquino

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City, February 11, 2011-To signify the institution’s will to remain as the “knight in shining armor” of the citizenry, the men and women of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) jointly lighted candles, Tuesday Amidst controversies hounding the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in respond to the calls of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David, Jr. to all military personnel to remain strong and united.

The candle lighting took place in a covered court here and was voluntarily participated in by dependents of uniformed men and residents living nearby who believe in the peace and advocacy of the AFP.

“The candle lighting was done simultaneously with similar activity spearheaded by the general headquarters at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, participated in by the AFP major services, some non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, government agencies and was replicated in other military camps nationwide,” NOLCOM Spokesman Major Rosendo Armas said.

NOLCOM Chief Lieutenant General Gaudencio S. Pangilinan said that the symbolic lighting of candles was very timely considering the issues currently besetting the AFP, referring to allegations of corrupt practices in the organization particularly the so-called “pasalubong” and “pabaon” given to top-brass AFP officials, saying that sometimes it pays to know and experience a disease to be able to make the right dose of medicine for that particular ailment, nevertheless, he believes that after all these trying times for the organization, the AFP will emerge much stronger than before.

To prevent abuses, Pangilinan emphasized that so many reforms in the system have been  already instituted, pointing out that no conversion is happening right now in all AFP units including NOLCOM and instead, they resort to cash advance to be able to give timely support especially for the troops in the field. Check and balance are also in place.

Pangilinan urged to give peace a chance by actively supporting the Internal Peace and Security Plan of the AFP, adding that the Bayanihan is not new to the local populace because Filipinos are well-known for the spirit of cooperation.

“There is a need that the people should be one hundred percent behind us, every step of the way the AFP can accomplish many things to scrap rebels and that is the reason why soldiers are calling on the support of all stakeholders so that if everybody is united, there is a lasting peace in the community. Peace can be won,” he ended.

Earlier, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David, Jr. ordered all military officials and soldiers to remain loyal to and yielding of their sworn duties to the country and its people, saying that the ongoing investigation on corruption against some former top-brass officials of the AFP is “part of the past” that “serves as basis for fixing the system and creating tight reforms.”

“What is important is to maintain the trust, respect and support of the public to Filipino soldiers,” David asserted.

While David expressed dismay over things that has been exposed in the senate trials on the alleged corrupt practices in the AFP, the highest ranking military official still believes that the AFP can still walk with pride as it faced the controversy with valour considering that what has transpired would give way to further solidifying the strength of the military force.

David ensured authorities of the AFP’s, as well as of the Department of National Defense’s full cooperation in the ongoing investigation relative to the alleged corrupt practices in the military. (Jason de Asis)

Manila tagged as 8th most polluted Asian city

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 10, 2011-Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Congressional Commission on Science Technology, and Engineering (COMSTE) said that there is a need to find solution to the increasing levels of pollution, especially in the transport sector as the World Health Organization (WHO) identified Manila as the most polluted city in the Philippines while World Bank and Asian Development Bank study of air pollution for 20 major Asian cities between 2000 and 2003, Manila is on the 8^th spot that lead Filipinos to be affected by diseases like anemia, decrease fertility in females and kidney problems.

Angara said that study of COMSTE links the effects of air pollution and health in the Philippines which indicates that the air quality has progressively deteriorated in the last two decades, saying that one such solution is the development of electric and hybrid vehicles, the development of which is one of the priorities of COMSTE.

Earlier, he bares the report that the adults who are exposed to a hazardous amount of lead can experience disorders like anemia, nervous system dysfunction, hypertension, kidney problems, decreased fertility and increased level of miscarriages (in females) while children exposed to low amounts of lead may show symptoms of neurologic damage, including slow development, reduced Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced height and hyperactivity (ADHD), adding that in very high and severe levels, comas, convulsions and even death.

Epidemiological study observed that COPD signs and symptoms are more prevalent among jeepney drivers (32.5%) than drivers of air-conditioned buses (16.4%) and public passengers (14.8%).

The College of Public Health in UP-Manila with the support from WHO, Subida and Torres (1991) also reported that compared to other areas in the Philippines, there is an increased risk of abnormal pulmonary function by almost 50% and the risk of COPD by more than double in Manila jeepney drivers.

To address the growing need for more eco-friendly, and sustainable transport, the electric vehicle initiative is being pushed by Angara, concluding that the program can lessen the dependence on imported fuel sources and lead the way to creating energy independence while also lessening the carbon footprint of the transport sector.

“In the use of electric vehicle, air pollution will be lesser and will protect the health of the citizenry aside from being environment friendly,” the Senator ended. (Jason de Asis)

n-bot^ 5 . 0 Α 0� o-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal'>Anoyo was nabbed by the Munoz police at around 11 am yesterday by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by San Pablo City Regional Trial Court Branch 32 Judge Zorayda Salcedo.

Cabal said Anoyo was unarmed and did not resist arrest. He was detained at the police stockade here.

The suspect was long wanted for the killing of his sister-in-law Denia Anoyo on December 28, 1998 in San Pablo City. The Laguna Provincial Police Office has tagged him as no. 1 on its most wanted list with a reward of P75,000.   

Cabal said after the killing, Anoyo went into hiding in Guimba where he posed as a certain Rey Deveza to unsuspecting residents. “Because he has been using an alias, he was able to elude arrest in Guimba,” Cabral said, adding an intelligence build-up made possible his arrest.  

He said they are checking with other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation if Anoyo has other pending cases. (Jason de Asis)

International container port eyed in northern Aurora

CASIGURAN, Aurora, February 9, 2011-The Philippine government and the South Korean government eyed an international container port inside the Freeport zone of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) here to accommodate the export products of five (5) provinces in the boundaries of Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

APECO deputy administrator Ramon Fernando told newsmen here that the Korean Export-Import Bank has already commissioned a consortium composed of the Dasan Engineering and DY Engineering companies to do the feasibility study for three (3) months for the international container port through the extension of a $300,000 or roughly P15-million grant.

Last month, Fernando said that a high-level team from the consortium led by project coordinator Shan Sheonghan Kim conducted an ocular inspection of the site of the container port project in Pagas Point in Barangay Dibacong along the Casiguran Bay.

Kim was accompanied in the trip by Korean engineering coordinators Se Wook Yeo, Ji Hoon Lee and Hyuk-Yoon Kwon where the delegation was very much impressed with the potentials of an international container port in Casiguran.

“Bidding of the project was already conducted last December in South Korea,” said Fernando, adding that with the presence of an international container port, products for export will no longer have to pass through the container port in Manila and the container port project will accommodate produce in the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. (Jason de Asis)

Environmentalists lauded PNoy’s EO to fight illegal logging

BALER, Aurora, February 9, 2011-The environmentalist group Noble Blue Falcons International lauded President Benigno S. Aquino’s order declaring an indefinite log ban all over the country, saying that amidst a series of landslides and flooding in many areas of the country due to the La Niña phenomenon the issued Executive Order 23 last week implementing the indefinite log ban and creating an Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force where the group claim incessant logging further aggravated the situation.

The Blue Falcons, represented by National Chairman Prof. Joseph Beatriz Usita, declared their support to the issuance of the executive order calling it PNoy’s fulfilled promise and a “triumph of environmentalists who sacrificed so much to save our remaining forest cover”.

In his statement, it stated that as defenders of Aurora's Forests, the Noble Blue Falcons International, Environmentalists, Peace Crusaders supports E.O.No.23 of President P-Noy declaring a logging Moratorium nationwide.

The group also called for a stop in the “conspiracy of power and greed” and personal enrichment at the expense of the environment.

“Let us end the corruption among inept government personnel,” Usita furthered.

The Blue Falcons started in 1996 and has around 8,000 “green armies” in its personnel that continue to press for reforms and fight for a stop in illegal logging especially in Aurora province.

“Nagsimula tayong makibaka noong 1996, wala kahit anuman maliban sa bitbit na malinis na simulaing ipagtanggol ang kalikasan,” the Blue Falcons exclaimed-we started the fight in 1996, carrying nothing but a pure resolve of fighting for the environment. (Jason de Asis)

Green skills program needs government and private sector support

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 8, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda urged the government and the private sector to increase their support to green skills programs that would not only create more livelihood opportunities for many Filipinos but also to promote environment protection, stressing that to provide livelihood opportunities to poor communities using recycled materials while promoting a cleaner environment, her office has already been conducting green skills training in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Legarda said that the effort is multi-beneficial where they are creating jobs for the citizenry, making good use of recyclable waste materials, helping solve the garbage problems, and protecting the country’s environment, pointing out that there is a need to give more support to the said program particularly in the poor communities.

Last February 3, 2011, Legarda gave certificates of appreciation for the contribution to their communities of the 16 trainers from Camanava, Manila, Pasig, Marikina, and Quezon City who graduated from the Trainers Methodology/Assessors Methodology Program conducted by TESDA during the Lingkod Loren Advocacy Fair, in celebration of the Senator’s birthday.

Dr. Nenuca Tangonan, Regional Director of TESDA-NCR, worked closely with the Bessie B. Legarda Livelihood Program of Senator Legarda to train them in teaching various skills such as: newspaper bag weaving, making slippers and bags from water lilies, and accessories such as bracelets and rosaries from old magazine strips, and knitting plastic sando bags. 

The Senator encouraged the local government units and the private sector to support this green skills program with the help of national government agencies such as TESDA and the Department of Trade and Industry to work closely together in promoting and marketing of the end products in bringing additional income to the poor communities, while using only minimal resources. (Jason de Asis)

Former AFP chief Angelo Reyes suicide nixes reactions

SENATE OFFICE, MANILA, February 8, 2011-The controversial former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief and Defense Secretary Angelo Tomas Reyes, 65 years old committed suicide by shooting himself early this morning in front of the grave of his mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, Tuesday.

Reyes was immediately rushed to the Quirino Hospital at about 7:45 a.m. to revive him but the victims has no vital signs and already dead according to Colonel Boogie de leon who was a former administrative officer of Reyes while the members of the latter’s family remain silent for comment about the incident.

Earlier, Reyes said that he could not take anymore the smear campaign against his name and his family on the congressional investigations on the alleged AFP financial irregularities, saying-don’t do it to my family.

Reyes allegedly received Php50 million in “send-off” money when he retired as part of the military tradition going back decades, a former budget officer told a Senate panel last Thursday.

Initial investigation disclosed that Reyes asked his sons, his aide and bodyguard to leave him for a while and after a few seconds a gun shot was then heard with Reyes falling to the ground with blood over him.

Relative to this, Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona confirmed Reyes has died from gunshot wound to the heart and was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, adding that the doctors tried to resuscitate Reyes who was brought to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. from Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City where he visited the grave of his mother.

The doctors reported that Reyes has already no pulse and no breath. The doctors on duty resuscitated Reyes, however after 45 minutes at 8:32 a.m. he was dead.

As of this report, Police Senior Supt. Francisco Soria Manalo of the Eastern Police District said that Reyes allegedly used a caliber .45 hand gun that caused him to sustain a gunshot wound to the heart and an external wound to the back.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered one empty shell of cal. 45. and one book on Donald Trump titled “Trump: The Art of the Deal” while the authorities are still conducting meticulous investigation and waiting for the autopsy report to be provided by the PNP-Crime Laboratory regarding Reyes before they can make statement about the case. He assured that the PNP will provide the full details regarding Reyes death.

Senator Gringo Honasan who is a Mistah of Reyes in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), appealed to the media to make sure the veracity of their report and not by trial by publicity. Honasan also extend his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Reyes.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan was deeply saddened by the turn of events to the late Secretary Reyes saying that it is tragic that what started out as an investigation in aid of legislation has led to his apparent suicide.

Kiko lamented that death is not a graceful exit to such a distinguished officer as Reyes, a more honorable way would have been to come out with the truth and win back the admiration of his fellow soldiers. This is now the challenge other generals are facing.

He gave also his condolences to the bereaved family where he stressed that in the light of this very sad incident, he urged his colleagues to expedite the investigation on the irregularities within the AFP. To bring the system of corruption to light is to give justice and meaning to Reyes’ death.

“Reyes is a victim of a corrupt system,” he said, adding that if his death should have any meaning, it should lead to real reforms in the armed forces in particular, the entire government bureaucracy in general and we should not let this incident deter our efforts in curbing pervasive corruption.

Kiko lamented that this brings a degree of urgency to PNoy’s advocacy against corruption. For how many sad stories must our countrymen be subjected to before we see true justice being served? Justice cannot be served this way; not through trial by publicity, but by a strong justice system.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. requested the Senate Blue Ribbon Chairman Teofisto Guingona III to temporary stop the investigation regarding the “payola and pabaon system” issue at the AFP in respect to Reyes and re-scheduled it after Reyes burial. During the formal consensus in the Senate, Majority floor leader Senator Vicente Tito Sotto, Senator Chiz Escudero and Gringo Honasan supported the request of Revilla to defer the hearing in the senate blue ribbon committee for temporary suspension.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that he did not feel responsible for Reyes untimely demise and was not sorry about his feud with Reyes, adding that he did not also agree to Sen. Honasan’s statement that Reyes was subjected to at trial by publicity that could have been one of the reasons why the former committed suicide.

The senator reacted when asked by newsmen about the phone call of Arroyo to Reyes at the height of the Senate investigation into the alleged military corruption, saying that maybe that’s an angle that we could pursue after we have mourned the passing of General Reyes.

Reyes was a graduate of the PMA Class ’66 and became as the AFP chief during the time of former President Joseph Estrada, and secretary of defense, interior and local government, and energy during the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2003.

Patriciao Adaza, spokeswoman of Reyes calls the public to respect the family of Reyes and give their family time to air their side and be fair in giving information about Reyes.

The remains of Reyes is scheduled to be brought to Camp Aguinaldo to give him full military honor according to AFP spokesman Gen. Jose Mabanta, saying that the whole AFP is shocked and saddened by the passing of Gen. Reyes and condoled with the immediate family as to this incident. This is a deep blow to the ongoing investigation and all the members of the AFP and the citizenry quest for the truth.

“In the light of this incident, we hope Congress and Senate can expedite this proceeding to ensure immediate enactment of laws in furtherance of good governance measure for the whole Armed Forces,” Mabanta said.

Meanwhile, the human rights group KARAPATAN-Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights commiserates and condoles with the family and expressed regrets, saying that one uncovered corruption within the AFP has been smeared by blood.

KARAPATAN spokesperson Jigs Clamor said that Reyes death should bear on the conscience of the AFP particularly its officers corps, adding that the AFP leadership should rethink its role in society if his death would have relevance.

He added that he regret one unsolved mystery in the corrupt practices within the AFP, the on-going investigations into the AFP slush funds should be pursued in the interest of truth, justice, government accountability, and genuine civilian supremacy over the military.

  

“With the serious charges hurled against him, he took his life upon his own hand rather than be devoured by shame for life.  We leave it to the AFP to ponder whether it was honorable or not.  But we hope the AFP honor their own by truly serving the people,” Clamor furthered. (Jason de Asis)

Petrochemical Plant in Bataan seen economic boom

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, February 7, 2011-Governor Enrique “Tet” Garcia said that  the Petrochemical Plant (Petrochem) here played a major role for the economic development of Bataan with the hundreds of millions of pesos it has contributed to government coffers in the form of taxes.

Garcia added that aside from the taxes it is paying, Petrochem is also giving thousands of employment to Bataenos, and furthered that the multi-national firm is expected to hire more workers and personnel in the coming years with the expected establishment of another big-time investor.

“A total of P200 million in the form of taxes are being paid yearly to the province coming from the Petrochem alone,” said Garcia, where he expressed optimism that an additional P85 million will be paid by the plant this year.

Petrochem provides 3,000 employments to the province and this will be increased once the other new company starts operation by next year which means additional income for the province and additional employment to the Bataenos,” Garcia explained.

Earlier, Garcia, then Representative of Bataan’s 2nd District, fought a landmark case all the way to Supreme Court (SC) just for the retention of the Petrochemical plant in Bataan after the President at that time asked him to let the plant be transferred to Batangas.

Garcia stood his ground to keep the plant even local leaders here led by then Gov. Ding Roman, the provincial board, Rep. Tong Payumo of 1st district, have agreed to move the establishment of the plant to Batangas. (Jason de Asis)

New NAPOLCOM head Region 3 director inducted

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga February 7, 2011-Outgoing Central Luzon chief Raquel Q. Ramos has formally turned-over the directorship to Atty. Manuel L. Pontanal as the new director of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region 3.

After Pontana was installed last Friday Ramos has been designated as the new chief of the Finance Service Division of NAPOLCOM, saying that Ramos was also Pontanal’s predecessor when he assumed the top post of the regional office in MIMAROPA.

Apart from having served as the director of region 4-B, Pontanal also had his stint in managing the commission’s Legal Affairs Service; Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service; and Installation and Logistics Service divisions. (Jason de Asis)

Government should find ways to stop the Phl continuous rising prices

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 6, 2011-To immediately find ways on how to cushion the impact of rising prices of basic commodities and services on consumers, Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri who is the principal author of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 has urged the Aquino government to find ways how to find solution to the continuous price hike in the country, adding that he called for an immediate review of the Oil Deregulation Law following the unabated oil increase in January of this year.

Zubiri lamented that last January 2011, oil prices had gone up three (3) times and is expected to climb up again by 75 centavos to one peso for diesel and 50 to 75 centavos for gasoline following the increasing demands of oil in China where for the last few months the country experienced the steepest climb of oil prices in the world market.

“The oil prices have been progressively increasing and stabilizing or settling down at higher and higher levels. The giant appetites of China, India and the US, and instability in the Middle East all exert upward pressures on prices," Zubiri lamented further noting that the increasing oil prices and the additional impact of VAT translates to higher consumer prices.

"The RVAT has made crude and petroleum products and electricity highly taxed commodities. Every peso profit in by the government is an additional burden shouldered by the consumer especially in times of rising oil prices and transportation costs," Zubiri explained in Senate Bill 2672 seeking the exemption of VAT on oil and electricity.

After the Aquino administration, the oil price hikes hit consumers and led to other transportation-related increases, such as the one-peso jeepney fare hike, 40-peso taxi flagdown rate, toll rates and the impending mass transport system fare hikes in March. (Jason de Asis)

87 percent internet users in the country fall to cybercrimes

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 5, 2011-Senator Edgardo J. Angara bares that leading security software firm Symantec has reported that 87 percent of Filipino Internet users have fallen victim to cybercrimes which include hacking, identity theft, spamming, phishing, malicious software and even sexual predation.

During his keynote address at the 2nd International Conference on Cybercrime yesterday, Angara reported that there are nearly 30 million Internet users in the country and it is expected to continue growing due to the increasing availability of infrastructure, especially mobile internet, and deepening of social media penetration.

Angara has introduced the Cybercrime Prevention Bill (CPB) to empower authorities versus offenses and violators online, saying that access today in the modern world become the most indispensable technology and is crucial because it also gives rise to a diverse host of evolving threats that require radical solutions.

The Senator urged the government and the people to work together in the 2^nd International Conference on Cybercrime, held at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati to solve cybercrime in the country the Senator authored Senate bill No. 52 in order to deter cybercrime by imposing prison time and heavy fines of at least P200,000, adding that the CBP also seeks wide international cooperation to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes.

He said that to address the rapidly changing cybercrime industry and ensure that ICT is maximized for the benefit of society more than anything else, there is a need for more dynamic solutions, stressing that jurisdiction is one of the most critical aspects of cybercrimes, requiring collaboration within a government and among governments.

Angara warned that cybercrime is a silent epidemic that we cannot sufficiently address through existing law enforcement tools. (Jason de Asis)