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Vol. I No. 69
MANILA, PHILIPPINES |
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
Come Election Day in 2025, overseas Filipinos who are qualified to vote may already use the Internet to cast their votes.
This, after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced it would be signing the contract for the joint venture (JV) agreement with SMS Global Technologies, Inc. and Sequent Tech Inc. for the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) project today, Tuesday.
In an advisory Monday, the poll body said the signing of the contract is set for 10 a.m. at its main office in Intramuros, Manila.
It said a demonstration of the JV's internet voting system would follow immediately after the contract signing.
The OVCS will be used by overseas Filipinos to cast their votes in the May 2025 midterm polls.
Last month, the Comelec en banc awarded the project to the JV of SMS and Sequent after submitting a bid proposal of PHP112 million, much lower than the project's approved budget of PHP465.8 million.
Follow sub judice rule
Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Garcia reminded former Caloocan congressman Edgar Erice to refrain from commenting on the legality of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) contract.
Comelec, service provider to sign
overseas voting pact for '25 polls
In a letter to the former lawmaker, Garcia warned Erice that he may face indirect contempt charges from the Supreme Court (SC) if he continues to speak on the contract between the poll body and the JV of Miru Systems Co. Ltd., Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc.
"The Comelec is equally mindful of its duty to abide by the sub judice rule, lest it commits acts that may constitute indirect contempt. We stand firm in our position that any further discussion about the legality or illegality of the contract between Comelec and the joint venture of Miru Systems should be presented before the courts," the Comelec chief added.
Garcia declined Erice's invitation for the Comelec to join him in a scheduled media conference, noting that a petition on the matter is now pending before the high court.
Erice filed a petition against the PHP17.9 billion Comelec-Miru contract on the 2025 poll automation project before the high tribunal in April.
Last month, the SC required both parties to submit their comments on the petition. (with reports from the PNA)
11M customers affected as Jollibee data breached
Just days after the arrest of several hackers allegedly exploiting the systems of government agencies and private firms, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Monday bared it has been notified by food giant Jollibee Group about the unauthorized access to its data, affecting 11 million data subjects who are mostly customers.
In a statement, the NPC said sensitive personal information, including dates of birth and ID numbers of seniors, has been compromised.
Jollibee notified the NPC of the breach of its system on June 22 at 11:38 a.m.
"Other impacted brands include Mang Inasal, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Greenwich, Burger King, Yoshinoya, and Panda Express," the NPC said.
NPC however said Jollibee Foods Corporation has requested 20 more days to complete its internal investigation.
Jollibee Group is the latest among businesses to have reported a data breach.
Earlier this month, carmaker Toyota and real estate firm Robinsons Land have also reported data breaches.
Last week, the National Bureau of Investigation presented hackers it had apprehended following a series of operations. The hackers admitted having hacked into the system of government agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Security Council (NSC) and several banks.
The NPC said those who believe they are a part of any data breaches are advised to contact the data protection officers of their firms and report it to the commission.
Comelec main office at the Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila (PNA file photo)
The veneration of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc, Manila on Monday would be held later this year.
In a social media post, officials of the Church said Pope Francis has granted the pontifical coronation to the image of the Virgin of Loreto.
“The Solemn Mass and Rite of Laying of Wreath will be held on December 10, 2024, the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, here at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto (Sampaloc, Manila) to be presided by Archbishop Charles John Brown, D.D. (Apostolic Nuncio of the Philippines) with Archbishop of Manila Jose Cardinal Advincula, D.D.,” it said
A Pontifical Coronation is an act of the Pope, duly expressed in thru a Papal Bull or a Papal Decree, wherein the Church recognizes the cultus of a Marian Image under a specific title being venerated in a certain locality or diocese by crowing the image “in the name and in the authority of the Pope
Officials of the Church added it would announce more information on the pontifical coronation through its Facebook account.
Over a year ago, the City Council of Manila declared Our Lady of Loreto as the official “Patroness of Sampaloc”.
The declaration was made in a resolution recognizing the strong devotion to the renowned Marian image enshrined at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc district.
Founded in 1613, the Parish of Sampaloc located on J. Figueras St. (formerly called Bustillos) is home to the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Loreto.
On Dec. 5, 2005, then Manila archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales elevated the parish as an archdiocesan shrine due to the influx of pilgrims over the years.
Vatican oks pontifical coronation
of Our Lady of Loreto Shrine
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
By Lyn Y. Tallio
BI, PRA ink pact
on sharing of retiree
visa applicants' data
DATA SHARING. PRA chief executive officer (CEO) and general manager Roberto Zozobrado and BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco sign a data sharing agreement on June 21, 2024. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday said the two agencies would have access to derogatory records and travel history of foreigners applying for retiree's visa as part of efforts to screen foreign nationals applying for retiree visa in the country. (Photo courtesy of BI)
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) have agreed to join forces in enhancing the issuance of the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) to foreign nationals opting to retire or reside permanently in the country.
In a released to the media, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, BI Legal Division chief Arvin Santos and PRA chief executive officer (CEO) and general manager Roberto Zozobrado and Management Services Department Manager Antonio Rivera announced they signed the data sharing agreement between the two agencies at the PRA head office in Makati City last Friday, June 21.
Under the agreement, the two agencies would have access to derogatory records and travel history of foreigners applying for retiree's visas. PAGE 2
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) yesterday bared more charges are being readied against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo who is accused of being an enabler of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hubs.
Last Friday, PAOCC and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed non-bailable charges against Guo and others for alleged human trafficking in connection to the raided POGO hub in her municipality.
According to PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston John Casio more charges were being prepared to be filed against the embattled mayor, this time over her supposed connection in the raided illegal POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga.
“We have additional cases being prepared this week, maybe up until next week. When we have completed the documentary requirements, the complaint affidavit and all, we will also file the case with the DOJ,” Casio said during the televised Bagong Pilipinas public briefing.
Casio said digital footprints and paper trails of raided POGO hubs in Porac and Bamban established Guo’s connection to their operations. PAGE 2
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
More charges readied Vs. Alice Guo – PAOCC
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
Gov’t to assess ex-MILF combatants
who could qualify for housing aid
In line with the continuing effort to support the peace and development agenda of the Marcos administration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 12 (DSWD-Soccsksargen) is conducting validation and profiling of qualified former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants for the National Housing Authority (NHA) shelter assistance program.
Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay, who also handles the DSWD’s peace and development efforts, said validation and profiling will involve at least 350 from Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
“The shelter assistance program is in line with the socio-economic development component of the normalization process for the MILF decommissioned combatants and their communities,” Tanjusay said in a statement on Monday.
The normalization process is part of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government and the MILF which aims for conflict-affected communities to “return to conditions where they can achieve their desired quality of life, that includes the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods and political participation within a peaceful deliberative society.” PAGE 2
Resupply operation in Ayungin
Shoal completed without an incident
By Paula Bien Valero
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the success of the military’s resupply operation in Ayungin Shoal on Sunday.
The President made the announcement in a visit to Western Command (WESCOM) in Palawan, where he told the troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to continue their professionalism, showing courage, and the unwavering dedication to defend the Philippines.
The troops were victorious as they were sent on a “dangerous” mission to defend the country and its independence and sovereignty without being touched by the aggressive Chinese coast guards.
“Dahil ‘yan ang talagang pinaka-importante dito. Dahil delikado ang sitwasyon at kung isa sa inyo nagkamali, o nagalit, o uminit ang ulo na may ginawa, ay magkakagulo nang husto,” the President said.
“But you have not done any of that, you have remained professional. You have remained calm. You have remained mission-oriented. And for that we thank you for your service,” the President added.
President Marcos commended the troops for their triumph on the mission — defending the country’s maritime domain and allowing the citizens to live in sovereignty within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines without starting a war.
“You are doing it. It is nothing less than the defense of the sovereignty of the Republic, the defense of the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. That is your mission and that is the mission that you have been able to comply with,” the President said.
“Maliwanag na maliwanag kahit gaano kahirap, kahit gaano kabigat ang trabaho na ibinibigay sa inyo ay mission accomplished pa rin kayo every time that you go out,” he added.
A Philippine Navy personnel, Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, lost a finger while on the mission.
Participants in the mission were awarded medals of recognition for their service and sacrifices to the government and the country. PAGE 2
Motorists, brace yourselves for a heavier toll on your wallets as you gas up starting today, Tuesday (June 25). Oil firms have just announced a significant oil price hike, which will directly affect your fuel expenses.
In separate advisories, Caltex, Cleanfuel, Jetti, Petro Gazz, PTT, Seaoil, Shell, and Unioil said they would increase gasoline prices by P1.40 per liter and diesel prices by P1.75 per liter.
Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will also hike kerosene prices by P1.05 per liter.
Prepare for another blow to your budget. This will mark the second consecutive week that oil companies are raising prices at the pump, further escalating the cost of living.
According to industry experts, oil prices have increased in the global market on the back of geopolitical tensions, specifically Ukraine’s drone strike that caused a fire in a major oil terminal in Russia, as well as the looming full-blown war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Last week, oil companies also implemented hefty fuel price increments.
This brought total price adjustment of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene on a year-to-date basis net increases of P6.90, P6, and P0.35 per liter, respectively.
By Komfie Manalo