5 NPA Killed and 6 High Powered Firearms Recovered in Abra

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City- Five (5) suspected members of the remnants of New People’s Army were killed and six (6) high-powered were recovered by elements of 41^st Infantry Battalion, 5^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in a fierce encounter at vicinity Brgy. Guinguinanbang, Lacub, Abra this morning, September 04, 2014.

Recovered firearms consist of 2- M653, 2- M16, 1-Carbine, 1 Garand rifle, and 1- cal.45 pistol and 2- ICOM radios.

One of those killed was identified as Arnold Jaramillo alias Ka Mando, Secretary of the Abra Provincial Party Committee and a notorious NPA leader in the province.

The military troops led by Captain Dionizer Mark D. Delos Santos, while conducting combat operation in said barangay were able to locate the group of New People’s Army (NPA) remnants temporarily encamped thereat.

The exchange of fire began at 5:40am and until this time (9:55am) is still on-going.

Close Air Support was immediately provided to the engaged government troops for possible insertion of additional forces and medical evacuation.

LtGen Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr, NOLCOM Commander said, “The success of combat operation in Abra is a manifestation of the good relationship between the Government forces and civilian community”. He added, “The civilian community is the source of information about the presence of NPA team in said area”. 

Lt. Gen. Trinidad congratulated the 41IB headed by Batallion Commander Lt. Col.Virgilio M Noora (INF) GSC for the successful combat operation that resulted to heavy casualties on the NPA side and recovery of high- powered firearms and other war materiel.

There were no casualties on the Government side indicating excellent execution of combat SOPs by the operating Army elements.

Based on the report, pursuit operation is still conducted by 41IB, 5ID.

Gov't urged to take PNR funding challenge

What about the PNR?

While its focus  – and resources – seem to be concentrated on the breakdown-prone Metro Rail Transit,  Sen. Ralph Recto said government should also turn its attention to MRT’s poor cousin – the  Philippine National Railways, “an aging workhorse which  still ferries  25 million passengers yearly.”

“Kahit konting pagtingin sana mabigyan ang PNR,” Recto said, citing the wide disparity in the proposed budgetary support between the two rail lines.

While the MRT is slated to receive at least P6.7 billion in subsidy in 2015, the PNR will only get P546 million, based on the proposed 2015 national budget.

Even in rehabilitation, something like P54 billion is being floated around as the amount needed to fix MRT’s problems, Recto said.

“In contrast, nobody it seems is officially lobbying for more funds for the PNR. One gets the feeling that while one is on its way to modernization, the other is bound for the scrap yard,” Recto lamented.

But Recto warned that “to ignore PNR is to forfeit on its potentials.”

He explained that just doubling the number of its trains plying the 44-kilometer Tutuban, Manila- Sta. Rosa, Laguna line could raise its daily ridership to 140,000.

“This is one-fourth the number of passengers taking the MRT everyday. Adding more PNR trips will relieve the pressure on MRT and give many commuters an alternative,” Recto said.

Recto said next year’s subsidy for PNR of P546 million won’t allow it to rehabilitate more trains.

“According to the PNR management, it needs about P600 million to put three trains, with three to four coaches and an engine each, back in service,” Recto said.

“If this is indeed the cost, then I would urge the government to include it in the 2015 national budget,” he said. “It should also study the option of buying new ones.”

“In terms of potential ridership, PNR’s quoted amount in repairing some of its rolling stock is way cheaper than, say, building a road and buying buses. According to the DPWH , P600 million can only build you 30 kilometers or even less of a one-lane highway,” Recto said.

Doubling PNR’s rolling stock will displace 14,000 cars on the road at a per passenger cost that is 1/8th of the subsidy government pays for one MRT rider, the senator pointed out.

Government subsidizes PNR passengers to the tune of P5 each while it is P40 per rider over at the MRT.

At present, PNR’s Tutuban-Sta. Rosa service, a fraction of its once extensive 1,110-kilometer network, operates from 5 a.m to 7 p.m daily with 23 stops in between. 

ANGARA PUSHES FOR CAMPUS SAFETY ACT AMID RISE IN KIDNAPPING CASES

MANILA-Amid the spate of kidnapping cases involving students in the country, Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the immediate passage of a bill that would put in place tighter security on campuses nationwide.

Senate Bill 197 or the Campus Safety Act seeks to establish a Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) in all colleges and universities tasked to formulate policies and strategies that will help protect students from threats to their safety and security.

"Schools should be conducive to learning and intellectual discourse, not venues for violence and crime. We must ensure a safe and secure environment for students to pursue their studies within these institutions without fear for their physical well-being," Angara said.

Under the measure, the CPC shall formulate and implement crime prevention programs concerning campus safety and campus law enforcement to prevent the incidence of kidnapping, theft, rape and other forms of violence within and outside the school.

Statistics from the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) show that 18 kidnap-for-ransom cases were recorded in Luzon from January to August this year, one case more than the same period in 2013. With these 18 cases, 22 victims are involved compared to last year's 25.

According to PNP, the AKG has solved a total of 20 cases in the last two years, with 13 other cases still ongoing.

Kidnap-for-ransom syndicates usually target Filipino-Chinese students and businessmen. Some of the victims' families opt to not report the incident anymore to police authorities out of fear of retaliation from the perpetrators.

The senator has called on to the PNP for additional police presence especially during rush hour and school pickup hours when many kidnappings occur.

"It's alarming that student kidnappings happen in broad daylight. This could have been prevented if only there were strict school security measures in place," said Angara, a father of three.

"Our proposed measure aims to arm our students the know-how on courses of action in case of emergency to guarantee security and ensure expedient response and assistance from the authorities," he added.

NIA: No more water release from Angat as of now

MANILA-With an above-normal water level at 17.28 meters and continuing heavy rains, the Bustos Dam will not need as of now additional water releases from the Angat Dam to sustain farming activities in Pampanga and Bulacan unless it will reach a 14.0-meter water level, Engr. Precioso Punzalan of NIA Region 3 said.

This current level is relatively higher compared to 14.80 meters more than a week ago when NIA requested doubling-up of water allocated for irrigation from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on August 23 due to lack of rain. An allocation of 42 cubic meters per second (cms) for 5 days and 21 cms thereafter until the end of August from the Angat Dam is sought to sustain irrigation needs of farmlands of about 14,751 hectares, that if not sustained with water will tantamount to production loss equivalent to P1.25B of farmers, in Region 3 for its wet cropping season.

But on August 25, NIA asked that water releases from Angat be stopped because Bustos Dam is already in its full capacity due to heavy rains. On August 29, Angat totally stopped the release of irrigation water.

As of August 15, the total irrigated area in Region 3 is 77,000 hectares. Out of the total area, 54,000 hectares is under Crop Monitoring – Vegetative Stage; 10,000 hectares under Crop Monitoring – Reproductive Stage; and 13,000 hectares under Land Soaking and Land Preparation. Since Bustos Dam is in its full capacity, and if heavy rains will continue, NIA is optimistic that it will not request more releases from Angat until harvest period.

Angat Dam, as of writing time, has a 182.69-meters water level – 2.69 meters above the dam’s Minimum Operating Water Level (MOWL) of 180 meters.

Filipino athletes lauded for winning international competitions

The Senate today adopted two resolutions commending outstanding Filipino athletes for winning the golf and archery tournaments in California and China.

Sen. Manuel Lapid, who introduced Resolution No. 843, said Harmie Nicole Constantino, Carl Jano Corpus, Annyka Chanel Pineda-Cayabyab, Andrew Chua and the rest of the Philippine contingent to the 2014 Veritas World Junior International Golf Tournament, made the country proud when they won in their respective divisions of the competitions held at the Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena, California last July 19-24.

He said the Girls’ 13 division was dominated by Filipino junior golfers led by gold medalist Constantino, Asiah Marie Nocum and Kyla Nocum, who finished in the 2^nd and 3^rd place respectively.

On the other hand, Lapid said Corpus bagged the gold medal in the Boys’ 12 division, scoring 217 while Cayabyab and Chua, the team’s youngest victor, finished first in the Girls’ 10 division and the Boys’ 7 divisions respectively.

He said Annika Bianca Cedo, Samantha Green, Raymart Tolentino and Richnell Albano each got a silver medal in the Girls’ 15, Girls’ 14, Boys’ 17 and Boys’ 14 divisions respectively while Samantha Andrea Martirez, Josh Jorge and Sean Dominique Granada each won a bronze medal in the Girls’ 16, Boys’ 11 and Boys’ 9 divisions respectively.

The Senate also approved Resolution 861, authored by Lapid in consideration of Resolution 871, introduced by Sen. Sonny Angara, commending 16 year-old Gabriel Luis Moreno for winning the first Olympic gold medal in the 2^nd Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, last Aug. 24.

Lapid, who also introduced Resolution 861 in consideration of Resolution 871, said Moreno holds the distinction of being the first Filipino gold medalist in the Youth Olympic Games and deserves to be commended for the honor and recognition he has brought to the country.

“The Senate of the Philippines congratulates and commends our Filipino junior golfers and archer for winning in the international tournaments and for making our country proud,” Lapid said.

Drilon on suspension of colleagues: ‘We will adhere to the rule of law’

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today stressed that the Senate is not above the law and that the implementation of the Sandiganbayan’s decision to suspend his colleagues is in full adherence to the country’s anti-graft and plunder laws.

“We are not above the law. Neither the Senate nor the senators are above the law,” said Drilon during an interview with Bombo Radyo today.

“We will adhere to the rule of law,” stressed Drilon, a lawyer and former justice secretary.

“Susundin po natin ang batas. Kami po ang gumagawa ng batas, kaya kailangan nating ipakita sa taumbayan na tayo po ay susunod,” he emphasized.

(We will comply with the law. As members of Congress, we must be the first to follow the law, and we must serve as an example to the Filipino people by being obedient to the laws that we create and pass.)

The Senate leader reiterated that the Supreme Court already ruled in 2001 that the nation’s anti-graft law is applicable to the members of Congress.

“The decision of the Senate President to implement the Sandiganbayan’s order of suspension against Senators Juan Ponce Enrle and Jinggoy Estrada is in obedience to the anti-graft and plunder laws which we in the Congress crafted and passed,” said Drilon.

“The Supreme Court categorically held that Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) does not exclude from its coverage the members of Congress. The Supreme Court is clear that the preventive suspension can be applied to all members of Congress,” he explained, noting that the Plunder Law contains an identical provision on preventive suspension.

“Ito ay ginawa natin dahilan sa the Senate is not above the law. Kung ano po yung batas ay susundin natin. Noong 2001 pa lang, nagpahayag na ang Supreme Court sa isang kaso na ang anti-graft at ang plunder law ay sakop ang mga miyembro ng Kongreso –senador ka man o congressman,” said Drilon.

(We are doing this because the Senate is not above the law. We have to follow the law. As early as 2001, the Supreme Court, has already resolved that the anti-graft and plunder laws covers the members of the legislative branch – whether you are a senator or a congressman is not a consideration.)

“All of us should be subject to the laws we pass,” he concluded. 

Drilon: Congress eyes passage of twin bills to increase workers’ take-home pay

MANILA-The Congress is eyeing the passage of two major bills aimed at alleviating tax impositions on Filipino workers and increasing their take-home pay within the 16^th Congress, according to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

“The Congress is aware of the necessity to revisit our existing tax structure which has remained unchanged since 1997. The Congress is committed to pass legislation which will lower individual income taxes in order to help our workers in dealing with the effect of inflation,” said Drilon.

“If the salary hike that our workers have been asking the government to provide is not yet possible due to fiscal constraints, a legislation that will increase the workers’ net take-home pay is the best alternative we can work on,” he added. 

The first bill which will receive urgent legislative attention, according to Drilon, is the one that will lower the rates of individual income tax and adjust individual income tax brackets. The proposed measure is being heard in the Committee on Ways and Means of both houses of Congress.

The Senate leader also warned that in 2018, if Congress fails to plug loopholes in the nation's existing tax system, the lowest ranking government employees will find themselves paying under the same tax bracket as the next Philippine President himself.

The same will be the case for entry level employees of an average corporation who will share the 32% tax rate with the executives and top officers of their company, who obviously earn way much more.

Both scenarios will be inconsistent with the requirement of the Constitution for a progressive system of taxation, said Drilon.

Drilon further stressed: “If we do not seriously study our tax system and make the necessary adjustment, by 2018 everyone will pay the same tax rate which is not progressive as what the Constitution mandated. This is the sort of unjust ways of taxation that we will need to prevent.” 

Under Article VI, Section 28 of the 1987 Constitution, it states that (1) “the rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.”

"We at Congress are ready to work on any proposed measure that can help the average Filipino in their daily expenses. The lowering of tax rates may affect the nation's overall revenue collection, but it will increase the purchasing power of our countrymen and it will be of great convenience for them,” said Drilon.

“When we increase their purchasing power, we could also expect an increase in the household spending that will contribute in the country’s overall economic growth,” he added.

The Congress will also pass a bill which will raise the tax exemption limit on the 13^th month pay and other work benefits of all workers in the public and private sector.

“We have an agreement with the House of Representatives that we will pass this bill within the year, so that Christmas could be merrier for our workers,” said Drilon.

The proposed measure intends to raise the exclusion limit on an individual’s 13^th month pay, Christmas bonus, and other work benefits from income taxation from the current imposed limit of P30, 000 to P75,000.

“There is really a need to revisit the antiquated provisions of the Republic Act No. 7833 which imposed the P30,000 cap on bonuses back in 1994,” said Drilon. 

Drilon: Senate will follow law on suspension order against colleagues

MANILA-The Sandiganbayan’s order of suspension against Senator Jinggoy Estrada has been received by the Office of the Senate President this afternoon, announced Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

“As with the case of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, we will implement the order. We have no recourse but to implement it,” said Drilon.

“The Senate is left with no recourse but to implement the order immediately in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Santiago v. Sadiganbayan in 2001, where the SC categorically held that the Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act does not exclude from its coverage the members of Congress, hence a Senator may be preventively suspended,” Drilon, a lawyer and former justice secretary, explained.

“There is a clear legal precedent for following the implementation of the suspension order. The Senate has a responsibility to follow the law, and we will follow it,” said Drilon.

The Senate leader said that the primary legal basis for the implementation of Senator Enrile’s suspension was the said Supreme Court ruling promulgated in April 2001.

It can be recalled that in January 25, 1996, the Sandiganbayan ordered the suspension of Senator Santiago from her position as the Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

Drilon recalled that upon receipt of the Resolution, then Senate President Ernest Maceda reported the same to the plenary and such was referred to the Committees on Rules and Ethics and Privileges.

Through Committee Report No. 321, the Committees concluded that the Senate does not have the power or authority to suspend any Member, except for disorderly behavior and, only with the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all its Members, for a period not exceeding sixty days.

The Committee further argued that the Sandiganbayan cannot order the Senate to implement the suspension of a Senator without violating the Separation of Powers and that the Sandiganbayan Resolution per se is not sufficient to warrant the suspension by the chamber of Senator Santiago.

However, five years later, the Supreme Court in April 2001 upheld the power of the Sandiganbayan to suspend Santiago, Drilon said.

Ciiting the SC ruling, Drilon thus clarified that the order of the Sandiganbayan to suspend Senators Enrile and Estrada is distinct from the Constitutional power of Congress to discipline its members.

 

“The order of suspension prescribed by Republic Act No. 3019 is distinct from the power of Congress to discipline its own ranks under the Constitution which provides that each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members, suspend or expel a member,” said Drilon citing the SC ruling.

“There is no violation of the separation of powers, and that the Sandiganbayan did not undermine the authority of the Senate to discipline its members because the Constitutional provision deals with suspension as a punitive penalty,” the SC ruling said.

“The ruling said that the suspension contemplated in the above constitutional provision is a punitive measure that is imposed upon determination by the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, upon an erring member,” pointed out Drilon.

On the other hand, the Sandiganbayan’s order is a preventive suspension based on the plunder law: “Preventive Suspension is a remedial measure that operates under closely-controlled conditions and gives a premium to the protection of the service rather than to the interests of the individual office holder,” concluded Drilon, citing the SC ruling.

El Niño to cut down Pantabangan Dam’s water supply to CL farms to 40% -- Umali

JAEN, Nueva Ecija – The dreaded El Niño phenomenon is seen to cut the supply of irrigation from the Pantabangan Dam to Central Luzon farmlands down to only 40%.

          Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali told farmers during a gathering in this town that only 44,000 hectares out of the more than 100,000 hectares agricultural lands in the province, Pampanga and Bulacan would be able to receive irrigation water due to El Niño whose effects are likely to be felt in the last quarter of the year.

          He said this projection was arrived at following his dialogue with officials of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems, the operator of the Pantabangan Dam. “This is a big blow to farmers so we have to prepare them for this worse-case scenario,” he said.

Umali said the provincial government is pushing through with its water summit next week to prepare Nueva Ecija against the adverse effects of the dreaded El Niño phenomenon on food production and water supply in the country’s rice granary.

He said if not addressed, this will impact on food security targets on a nationwide scale.

          The summit, originally scheduled last July 30, was deferred as the provincial government convened various agencies towards formulating an action plan against El Niño.

          Umali said he has utilized his intelligence funds for the de-silting of the Peñaranda River to ensure smooth delivery of irrigation water while the province braces for El Niño.

In late July, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration advised Filipinos to prepare for below normal rainfall in the last quarter of the year, as scientists are predicting the development of a “weak to moderate” El Niño during the period.

          Pagasa administrator Vicente Malano said below normal rainfall is likely in most areas of Luzon and the Visayas while near normal rainfall conditions are expected over Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Albay, Eastern and Central Visayas and most areas of Mindanao in the months of October, November and December.

          The last time El Niño hit the country was in 2009 and experts said the phenomenon happens every four to five years.

Umali said the province will have to be prepared for El Niño particularly since water elevation in the Pantabangan Dam continues to drop.

          In the last week of July, water level at the dam was at 179.04 meters above sea level (masl) and according to the National Irrigation Administration, it would take only 22 days of zero rainfall for the water level to shrink to its critical level of 171 masl, which happened nearly two decades ago.

          The water level rose above 180 masl only because the provincial government initiated cloud-seeding operations in partnership with First Gen. Corp. and other private entities. 

          Yesterday, water level at the dam was at 186.2 masl, according to UPRIIS operations manager Reynaldo Puno.

The water summit will try to identify the areas in the province which will potentially be hit hard by the prolonged dry spell and mitigate its impact on local farmers. It will also come out with projection on the extent of damage.

Umali said farmers will be included in the consultations because they are the ones who will bear the brunt of El Niño.

The provincial government is also looking at tapping other alternative sources of irrigation water to lessen the province’s dependence on the Pantabangan Dam.

          With the dam not fully operational, the utilization of the Peñaranda River, the Tayabo Dam and other upstream water sources to augment supply is also being explored. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda: 2nd National IP Summit to Highlight Strengths, Concerns of IPs

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that the 2nd National Indigenous Peoples Cultural Summit will be a venue where IPs will not only raise their pressing concerns but also be engaged in improving policies and programs that will benefit indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) in the country.

“The main goal of this event is to ensure that the programs of our government and the laws we craft are attuned with the distinctive needs of our IPs. This is a venue where our IPs can engage in dialogue with government agencies, civil society organizations, academe and the donor community,” said Legarda.

The 2nd National IP Cultural Summit, which will be held from September 2-5, 2014, was organized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in partnership with Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities. Following the opening program today is a three-day intercultural exchange or workshop that will engage IPs in policy and program development, implementation and evaluation of programs for IPs and ICCs.

The Senator noted that basic services remain wanting in most geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Further, the reported serious human rights violations, displacement from ancestral domain and destruction of natural environment and cultural values are among serious concerns.

“It is for these reasons that we continue to fight for policies and programs that would give our IPs the respect, recognition and opportunities due them. In coordination with the NCIP, I filed Senate Bill No. 2209 that will create resource centers for IPs. The centers shall serve as access centers to enhance delivery of basic, social, technical and legal services,” said Legarda.      

She added that other bills relevant to IPs include the Ethnic Origin Act that aims to provide accurate and disaggregated data on IPs through a clear definition of ethnicity, which is included in the national census of the Philippine Statistics Authority; theTraditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which seeks to make an inventory of all cultural properties and mandates the payment of royalties to IPs for the use of their cultural properties; and the Baybayin Act, which will mandate government offices to use Baybayin in their official logos in order to preserve and promote the Philippine traditional scripts.

“As we continue to promote measures that will benefit our indigenous communities, we urge our IPs to likewise continue to fight for their rights and to always protect our cultural heritage,” said Legarda.

“I hope that this National IP Cultural Summit, through the active involvement of our IPs, leads us to a clearer path on how we can confront the challenges and effectively build policies to protect the knowledge systems and practices of our indigenous peoples, provide them with more opportunities for growth and development, and to further promote our culture and heritage,” Legarda concluded.

Outstanding teachers, cops, soldiers get Senate recognition

MANILA-The Senate today approved three solutions commending and congratulating the outstanding teachers, police and soldiers through Metrobank Foundation’s annual search.

 

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said, “The awardees should be lauded for their devotion to their profession and for being outstanding role models.” “These men and truly women have truly raised the bar in their respective professions,” he added.

 

Drilon said that the distinction displayed by the awardees provide inspiration to  the Senate to the pass pending measures aimed at improving the lives of government workers, cops and soldiers.

 

“The exemplary actions of these teachers, cops and soldiers just how state workers deserve more support from the government they so eagerly serve, hence the Senate’s recent passing of resolutions that will raise benefits for members of the police and the military, along with the Senate’s focus on proposed legislations on reviewing the tax bracket and on raising the 13th month pay tax exemption for state workers,” he said.

 

Senator Cynthia Villar sponsored Senate Resolution Nos. 836 commending the recipients of Metrobank Foundation’s Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) for 2014 award.

 

“We should recognize the essential role of the teachers in educational advancement, their important contributions in the development of humanity and modern society, and their rights as members of a highly regarded profession,” Villar said.

The Outstanding Teachers for 2014 are Anna Bella F. Abellera of Naga Central School 1, Naga City; Sharon Rose P. Puyo of Cabadbaran South Central Elementary School SPED Center, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; Dr. Enerio E. Ebisa of Doña Juana Actub Lluch Memorial Central School, Iligan City; Allan Moore S. Cabrillas of San Jose West Central School, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija; Juanito A. Merle of Talipan National High School, Pagbilao, Quezon; Jesus C. Insilada of Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School, Calinog, Iloilo; Matrose P. Galarion of Angeles City National High School, Angeles City; Noel V. Ibis of Vinzons Pilot High School, Vinzons, Camarines Norte; Resurreccion B. Sadaba of University of the Philippines-Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo; and Teodora D. Balangcod of University of the Philippines-Baguio, Baguio City.

 

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe sponsored Senate Resolution No.827 commending and congratulating the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS) of 2014 who were selected by Metrobank Foundation, PS Bank and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

 

“COPS serves as the social contract of the Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of New Manila East and PS Bank to the police force that will advance the welfare of the PNP and contribute in the realization of the Integrated Transformation Program of having the institution as a highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership with a responsive community,” Poe said.

 

According to the resolution, the Search for COPS aims to “honor models of professionalism, competence, dedication and integrity” among members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and is an “expression of the civilian sector’s appreciation and gratitude to the effort of the PNP in maintaining the peace and order situation in the country.”

The 2014 COPS awardees are Police Senior Superintendent Cedrick Gayona Train, Police Senior Superintendent Rodelio Balza Jocson, Police Chief Inspector Byron Filog Allatog, Police Chief Inspector Reynald Estrada Ariño, Police Officer 3 Michael Dalisay Pontoy, Senior Police Officer 1 Reynaldo Granada Solante, Police Officer 2 Arshear Usman Ismael, Police Officer 3 Alexander Baradillo Fazon, Jr., Senior Police Officer 1 Rey Hinautan Sarcon and Police Officer 3 Comet Dimla Dumangeng.

 

The Senate also honored the Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) of 2014 through Senate Resolution No. 792 sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara.

 

“The competition is an expression of gratitude to the heroism, gallantry, dedication and sacrifices of the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Angara stated in the resolution. “The Philippine Senate proudly joins the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and Rotary Club of Makati Metro in honoring and commending the gallant men and women who have risked life and limb in the defense of our country’s sovereignty.”

 

The recipients of the 2014 TOPS award are Philippine Army Colonel Teodoro A. Llamas, Philippine Army Master Sergeant Aladin S. Dacayanan, Philippine Army Staff Sergeant Rehum P. Magno, Philippine Navy Captain Alberto B. Carlos, Philippine Navy Sergeant Eugene J. Padilla, Philippine Navy Commissary Steward 2nd Class Felix B. Guaves II, Philippine Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Adriano SJ. Duadico, Philippine Air Force Technical Sergeant Benny G. Dofitas, Philippine Air Force Staff Sergeant Sheryl P. Toribio, and Technical and Administrative Service – Medical Administrative Corps Major Florencio Ritchie I. Capulong III. (Apple Buenaventura, PRIB)

Drilon takes on ice bucket challenge

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today joined the list of Filipinos who have participated in the popular Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ice bucket challenge not only to raise funds and promote awareness for the dangerous disease, but also to bring attention to other important causes in the country.

Drilon became the latest public official to became doused with iced water when he gamely took the charity challenge at his Senate office on Monday morning.

As per the ice bucket challenge’s rules, Drilon said he is going to donate to the Neurosciences Department of the Philippine General Hospital, which is responsible for the treatment of many Filipinos afflicted with neurological diseases.

The Senate leader also made sure that his version of the ice bucket challenge will signal his commitment to water-conservation: collected rain water over the weekend was used in the event, instead of fresh potable water.

Drilon emphasized that apart from the debilitating ALS, he also wanted to bring attention to other pressing causes, hence his nomination of advocacy-oriented people with whom he has worked before to continue the ice-bucket challenge: Gawad Kalinga (GK) founder Tony Meloto, ABS-CBN Kapamilya Foundation Chairman Gina Lopez, and Federation of Filipino- Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.(FFCCCII) President Dr. Alfonso Siy.  

Meloto's Gawad Kalinga helps manage the 1,000 low-cost housing project in Iloilo whose funding was supported by Drilon and  Lopez, as head of the Pasig River cleanup campaign, has exchanged ideas with Drilon, who is also working for the restoration of the Iloilo River.  

Meanwhile Siy, as part of FFCCCII, has previously partnered with Drilon in a nationwide classroom-building project which built 1,600 classrooms at a cost only half compared to regular government contract prices.