Photo Credit: Allan Gatus Twitter Page

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of incumbent Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and 15 others after it found probable cause to hold them in trial for supposedly entering into an allegedly disadvantageous lease contract for government properties.

Paulino and his co-accused were charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for supposedly taking advantage of their official position to fast-track the award of the lease contract of the Olongapo City Civic Center to SM Prime Holdings Inc.

This was, however, allegedly not in compliance with the provisions of RA 6567, or the act that authorizes the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects by the private sector.

Also ordered arrested were Aquilino Yorac Cortez, Jr., Elena Calma Dabu, Benjamin Gregorio Cajudo II, Eduardo Guerrero Guerrero, Noel Yabut Atienza, Alruela Mauro Bundang-Ortiz, Edna Alviz Elane, Emerito Linus Dolantre Bacay, Randy Dela Cruz Sionzon, Egmidio Manzano Gonzales, Jr., Tony-Kar Balde III, Cristiflor Buduhan, Anna Marin Florentina Sison, Mamerto B, Malabute, and Joy Fernandez Cahilig.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division, where the charges have been lodged, set the bail for each accused at P30,000 for their temporary liberty, which they have posted already.

The Office of the Ombudsman had earlier ordered Paulino suspended for 90 days for the same case pending trial.

Private complainant Rodalyn Guinto Hanif welcomed the Sandiganbayan order, but expressed disappointment that the accused individuals were able to post bail.

Source: gmanetwork.com

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The Commission on Higher Education says starting classes in August would mean easier processing of budgets since the school year would become aligned with the fiscal year

Photo Credit: getrealphilippines.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) urged all public universities and colleges to move their opening of classes to August starting school year 2019 to 2020.

In a CHED memorandum issued April 5 and released to media Monday, April 15, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said the shift would ensure that schools’ academic calendars are aligned with the fiscal year.

“All state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) are enjoined to synchronize its respective academic year to a fiscal year starting fiscal year (FY) 2019,” De Vera said in the memo.

As it stands, some SUCs and LUCs have their opening of classes usually scheduled in June or July.

Why align the school year with the fiscal year? De Vera said this will facilitate the easier processing of schools’ budgets as the government shifts to cash-based budgeting.

Aside from this, De Vera told Rappler the shift will also “foster internationalization and linkages with top Philippine universities that already shifted their calendar.” Public universities which already open their school year in August include the University of the Philippines.

CHED earlier proposed the change in the opening of classes after noting the commission may have difficulty with the shift to cash-based budgeting as the fiscal year and academic year are not aligned.

During CHED’s budget hearing at the House of Representatives in 2018, De Vera said cash-based budgeting would “severely hamper” the implementation of the free higher education law.

He said validation processes and paperwork make it difficult for CHED to reimburse all schools by the end of the year, as some schools that open classes in June or July would start their second semester in November.

Having schools open in August, then, would address this issue as reimbursements to schools for the first semester of the academic year may be done by the end of the year. Similarly, budget allocations and reimbursements for the second semester can be done in January during the start of a new fiscal year.

Meanwhile, De Vera said the August opening of classes is only a recommendation and not a requirement for schools.

In a GMA News online report, De Vera said CHED does not have the power to require schools to make the change as it is up to their Board of Regents.

Source: rappler.com

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A Philippine Air Force UH-1 Huey, left, and a U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk, right, prepare for lift-off before a combat search and rescue training mission during Exercise Balikatan at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 2, 2019. Balikatan advances combined military modernization and capability development by working together and conducting combined training. The PAF servicemembers are with the 505th Search and Rescue Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines—U.S. and Philippine air forces shared best practices and showcased their interoperability at various locations across the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan April 1-12, 2019.

The Philippines-led exercise is often known for its humanitarian and amphibious activities, but throughout the exercise’s long history, aviation operations have become an increasingly important piece of the two nations’ training objectives.

“Working hand-in-hand, training side-by-side, and enhancing friendships together is the essence of Balikatan,” said Philippine Air Force Master Sgt. Wilma Cango, the first sergeant assigned to the 602nd Aerodome Operations Squadron, and native of Pampanga, Philippines. “We are lucky to have Balikatan because the Philippines and U.S. have a longstanding friendship, and they are always here for the PAF.”

Approximately 380 U.S. Air Force personnel from more than 60 career fields participated in the joint, multinational exercise to exchange operational and organizational knowledge.

“The U.S. Air Force comes to the Philippines to share and gain knowledge in different tactics, techniques and procedures whether it’s close-air support, air traffic control, or combat search and rescue,” said Lt. Col. Jason Chambers, 13th Air Expeditionary Group commander and native of Athens, Alabama.

The U.S. Air Force and PAF began the exercise with combat search and rescue (CSAR) training which included three HH-60G Pave Hawks assigned to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

“I was able to see how the 31st Rescue Squadron (RQS) performs a CSAR whereas we function as a non-combatant rescue team,” said PAF 1st Lt. Anthony Feril, a 505th Search and Rescue Group UH-H1 Huey co-pilot. “I appreciated being able to experience joint rescue missions with the 31st RQS, allowing for both PAF and U.S. Air Force teams to perform better in the future.”

Throughout the exercise, four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs with the 25th Fighter Squadron out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, participated in nearly 50 flights alongside U.S. Marine Corps and PAF aircraft.

“The missions have been going really well,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Brian Higgins, an A-10 pilot and native of Vestal, New York. “We were able to work with some of the Filipino joint terminal attack controllers, which we’ve never been able to do before.”

While aircrew worked together high in the skies, medical and security forces personnel on the ground held their own subject matter expert exchanges to strengthen partnerships between first responders.

“I participated in five Exercise Balikatans before this one,” said Tech. Sgt. David Rivera, a member of the cadre assigned to the 736th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) from Anderson Air Base, Guam. “I’m really humbled to share our knowledge and exchange with the PAF how they operate during deployed situations.”

By working together with their PAF counterparts, U.S. Airmen fortified their skills and increased the fluidity of mission execution between the two nations.

“I think anyone who comes to the Philippines sees they are phenomenal people and they’re more than hospitable,” said Chambers. “From a military standpoint, we learn as much from them as they learn from us.”

U.S.-Philippine military collaboration has served as the cornerstone for stability in the Indo-Pacific region for decades. Exercise Balikatan will continue to strengthen the nations’ longstanding alliance and friendship for years to come.
Source: dvidshub.net

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By Francis Wakefield

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – The Philippine military will acquire this year four AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles) from South Korea.

A Hovercraft from the U.S. Marine Corps carrying troops participates in the Balikatan Exercises 2019 in San Antonio, Zambales. (FRANCIS WAKEFIELD / MANILA BULLETIN)

Lt. Commander Liezl M. Vidallon, Public Affairs Officer of Balikatan 2019 for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) side, said it will be the first time the country will acquire military assets for sea and land operations.

Vidaallon was interviewed on at the sidelines of the Balikatan’s Amphibious Exercise (Amphibex) at the Naval Education Training Command (NETC) in San Antonio, Zambales, Thursday.

Source: news.mb.com.ph

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A statement by Zambales governor, Amor Deloso became hot topic when he revealed that the Chinese government is allegedly using Philippine soil extracted from the mountains of Sta. Cruz, Zambales to build their artificial islands on Scarborough Shoal.

UNTV News & Rescue travelled to Zambales to personally confirm the claims of Gov. Deloso regarding the widespread destruction on its mountains.

Together with local officials, the team visited LNL Archipelago Minerals Incorporated in Barangay Guinabon.

From the entrance, one can clearly see that the foot of the mountain had been hewn out to create roads for heavy equipment.

LNL ‘s Sta.Cruz Nickel Mining Project resident manager, Deody Solee confirmed that the soils extracted from their mines are being transported to China. However, Solee strongly denies they are being used on Scarborough Shoal.

“There’s no truth to that. Can you imagine yung lupa ang itatabon nila dun, na madaling anurin ng dagat yun. So supposed to be, dapat ang nilalagay dun bato, para hindi mabubuwag yung kung itatambak nila dun sa dagat,” explained Solee.

(There’s no truth to that. Can you imagine if they use the soil as landfill; the sea will sweep it away. So supposed to be, rocks should be used to stabilize the landfill so as not to be easily eroded by the sea.)

On the other hand, Governor Deloso said, the company should refute allegations on the issue.

“Kapag sinasabi nila ngayon na hindi totoo itinambak doon sa Scarborough (Shoal) then there must be a trace of the documents. Meron ba silang Bureau of Customs permit? Meron ba silang Coastguard permit? Because to bring out the minerals from Zambales for purpose of mining exportation, kailangan may trace of documents. Can they really prove that?”

(If they are now denying that the soil is being deposited on Scarborough (Shoal) then there must be a trace of the documents. Do they have Bureau of Customs permit? Do they have Coast Guard permit? Because to bring out the minerals from Zambales for purpose of mining exportation, there should be a trace of documents. Can they really prove that?)

The UNTV team visited other mining companies operating in Zambales to verify reported damaging effects of mining activities on the environment.

With the help of a drone, UNTV was able to capture the extent of damage that Eramen Minerals Incorporated and Bengetcorp Nickel Mines Incorporated have purportedly inflicted on two mountains in the course of their mining operations.

According to Deloso, thousands of trees have also died including the endemic Mindoro Pine Tree.

UNTV had tried to get a statement from Benguetcorp Nickel Mines Incorporated but the latter refused an interview. (JOSHUA ANTONIO/ UNTV News & Rescue)

Source: sg.news.yahoo.com

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