by magnolia_eic | Apr 20, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit has ordered the release of 10 more renegade soldiers who were tagged in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege, a military spokesman said.
Armed Forces spokesman Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said Bangit signed the release order Sunday, days after the detained soldiers have settled their case before the military’s general court martial.
The 10 were sentenced to 8 months in prison by a military court last April 7 after pleading guilty to offenses filed against them in relation to the November 2007 siege of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
The charges were violation of Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 70 (escape from confinement).
The 10, along with former Scout Ranger chief now senatorial candidate Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and at-large Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, were also originally charged with violation of AW67 or mutiny, which was earlier dismissed by the court.
Abaya said Lim and Faeldon remain charged for violation of the four Articles of War before the tribunal. Lim is also facing a separate military court for his involvement in the alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006.
The 10 sentenced officers are among the many Magdalo officers charged with coup d etat before the sala of Makati City judge Oscar Pimentel for the Oakwood mutiny. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 20, 2010 | Announcements, Election 2010, World
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged Sunday Filipino migrants to vote early and not wait for the May 10 deadline for overseas absentee voting (OAV), citing about 30,000 Filipinos abroad who have already cast their votes for this year’s polls.
“We are encouraging registered overseas absentee voters to exercise their hard-earned right of suffrage, so they can be involved in deciding who will compose our next set of national leaders come July. We also urge them to vote now, in order to avoid last minute queues at the polling places,” DFA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and OAV-Secretariat (OAVS) chairman Rafael Seguis urged.
Seguis disclosed that there were almost 30,000 Filipinos who have exercised their right to vote in the first week of overseas absentee voting, which started on April 10 and will commence on May 10 in 93 Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 19, 2010 | Election 2010, Features, Local News / Bohol Balita
ONE congressional representative, three town mayors and two vice mayors are virtual winners before could be voted upon, and automation has nothing to do with it.
While some 1,234 other candidates in Bohol are burning rubber exhausting energies to persuade voters into rooting for them in the campaign trail, these six politicians might as well prepare for their separate victory parties.
The country’s former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (Bohol’s third District) and incumbent mayors Dominisio Chatto of Balilihan town, Roberto Salinas of Catigbian and Thomas Louis Gonzaga of Danao all run unopposed and have the top seats handed to them in silver platter.
23 days into the country’s first automated national and elections, these candidates are now devoting their spare time campaigning for their slates to assure them of more allies as their new mandates start July 1.
Aside from Yap’s sure seat, eight other candidates vie for the two remaining congressional seats in Bohol in a political “Trip to Jerusalem” of sorts.
Some five candidates throw their hats for the single gubernatorial seat while four more are eyeing at being the chief presiding officer in the province’s highest legilslative body, data from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) show.
Another 28 candidates are vying for the 10 seats as district Board Members: 10 of them from District 1, eight from District 2 and another 10 from District 3.
Discounting the three sure winners for mayoralty seats, some 107 candidates would be politically slugging it out to sit in opened 45 mayoralty seats in 47 towns and a city.
Aside from Vice Mayor Jose Cepedoza of Danao who has sealed his seat when he ran unopposed, some 113 vice mayoralty candidates would be sweating wits to outsmart co-candidates into the voter preference count.
Meanwhile, some 964 candidates for councilors would be restless until the eve of the elections, wooing voters through intelligence, charm and talent to be elected.
Only 384 of them would be lucky enough to get into the 48 town and city councils.
At the prospect, election supervisor Labaria said it would be historic if in Bohol, we could do away with the sore loser and for those who lost to gracefully concede. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 18, 2010 | Announcements, Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday signed the amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons which directs local government units to establish a “Persons with Disability Affairs Office” (PDAO) to ensure the implementation of programs and services for persons with disabilities in every province, city and municipality nationwide.
Mrs. Arroyo signed the Republic Act No. 10070, a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3560 and House Bill No. 1387, on April 6.
Under the amended law, the local government units are ordered to promote the formation of organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their respective areas. The law also encouraged the national agencies and the LGUs to enter into joint ventures with organizations or associations of PWDs “to explore livelihood opportunities and other undertakings that shall enhance the health, physical fitness and the economic and social well-being of PWDs.”
Republic Act No. 10070 also called for the appointment of a qualified PWD to assume as a PWD affairs officer to manage and oversee the operations of the PDAO.
Among the responsibilities of the appointed PWD affairs officer are: formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs; represent PWDs in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies; and ensure that the policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs are funded by both the national and local government.
The Amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 18 and January 26, respectively this year. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 18, 2010 | Announcements, National News
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminds the public to check the validity of their passports and renew them six months before expiry to avoid the hassle of getting a replacement in light of increased passport applications especially during the summer season.
A passport is valid for five years, but airlines and countries require passports with validity of six months prior to the expiry date.
Currently, the DFA charges P950 for regular processing (20 working days) and P1,200 for expedited processing (10 working days). For those applying in the DFA’s regional consular offices (RCOs), another four days is added for transport of the passport booklet from Manila to the RCO.
The DFA also reminds passport applicants to avail of the appointment system to ensure quick and comfortable service. Walk-in applicants are discouraged.
The DFA further reiterates that securing an appointment online is free of charge. It is warning the public against unscrupulous individuals charging applicants P200 fee for securing for them online appointments.
Applicants can check the passport requirements and secure an appointment at www.passport.com.ph or by calling hotline (02) 737-1000. They may also call the DFA helplines at telephone numbers (02) 831-8971, (02) 551-4437, (02) 551-4402, (02) 834-4855 and (02) 834-4424. (PIA-Bohol)
