A SOLON AFFIREMS THE PHILIPPINES’ FAVORABLE INTERNATIONAL POSITION ON WPS DISPUTE

A House member defended the administration’s actions in dealing with China’s aggression, such as joint military exercises with the United States and other foreign troops, increasing the number of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, and purchase of missiles and submarines.

Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said that the nations that came to our aid or our support actually came here on their own volition, emphasizing that external support aligns with the Philippines’ position on the WPS issue.

He added that they were not requested by the Philippine government. They came here to support us because they see that our position is the right position to take.

As regards concerns over the increase in EDCA sites and the procurement of military assets, Flores defended these actions as essential for self-defense. 

Flores pointed out that there is nothing wrong in defending ourselves and there is also nothing wrong in preparing to defend ourselves, that’s why these exercises are conducted.

(He added, “Sa akin wala namang mali na that’s happening right now, for as long as we do not take the aggressive role siguro and defensive lang tayo. By protecting our rights, it doesn’t mean we have to go to war. It just means that we have to stand our ground also.”)

For his part, Surigao Del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose "Bingo" Matugas clarified that the procurement of submarines is part of the ongoing AFP Modernization Program. 

Matugas said the purchase of submarines is not a new development but rather a continuation of the modernization efforts initiated by previous administrations. 

“I think it’s not a new thing. Ang ginagawa lang ng AFP natin is sinusunod ‘yung AFP Modernization na na-approve po dito sa House and also in the Senate,” Matugas explained.

Flores and Matugas were also reacting to a recent statement by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, wherein the senator questioned the WPS policy of the Marcos administration following the President’s rejection of his proposal to use water cannons against Chinese vessels.

In defending the administration, Gutierrez emphasized the need to distinguish between escalating tensions and preparing for self-defense in the context of the WPS dispute.

Drawing on the diplomatic strategy of China, Gutierrez highlighted the importance of maintaining a multilateral approach to address the issue. 

“They want it to be a conversation between China and the Philippines. Ayaw po nila na may ibang parties pa na that would either support or guarantee ‘yung position of one or the other,” Gutierrez explained.

He underscored the Philippines’ role as part of the international community, advocating for alliances with foreign powers to bolster its position in the dispute. 

“They are now also supporting us in this preparation of defense,” Gutierrez said, referring to the collaboration with foreign allies in the AFP modernization efforts.

Gutierrez reiterated that the purchase of military assets, including submarines, is part of the AFP modernization program and is independent of specific foreign policy issues. 

“This is also independent of international foreign policy… the AFP is modernizing and prepared to defend ourselves,” he clarified. (END)

——— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

Bumabagsak na umano ang integridad ng Senado dahil sa ginagawa nitong pagdinig ukol sa "PDEA Leaks" na nagdidiin kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na sangkot sa ilegal na droga.

Sa pulong balitaan bago ang pormal na anunsyo ng alyansa sa pagitan ng Lakas-CMD at Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, sinabi ni Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong na mistulang "smear campaign" o paninira ng reputasyon ang imbestigasyon ng komite ni Senador Bato Dela Rosa hinggil sa alegasyon ng dating PDEA agent na si Jonathan Morales.

Wala aniyang patutunguhan ito lalo't hindi naman napanindigan ang layunin na "in aid of legislation" kung saan isinasailalim sa review ang mga umiiral na batas.

Hindi rin umano papasa sa prosekusyon ang mga ipinupukol na ebidensya at dokumento dahil kailangan ng matibay na "legal basis".

Para naman kay House Deputy Speaker at Quezon Representative Jay-Jay Suarez, hindi nito maunawaan kung bakit nagsasayang ng oras at resources ang Mataas na Kapulungan sa isang witness na kuwestyonable ang background.

Punto ni Suarez, nakalulungkot na mas pinagtutuunan pa ito ng pansin ng Senado kaysa mas mahahalagang usapin gaya ng West Philippine Sea, pag-amiyenda sa Rice Tariffication Law at pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

Nakikiisa ang ilang mambabatas sa kamara sa paninindigan ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , na hindi paglalagay ng water cannons sa mga barko ng Philippine Coastguard.

Sa ginanap na pulong balitaan, sinabi ni PBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles, hindi kailangan ng bansa na pumatol sa ginagawang pananakot ng China, bagama’t maninindigan sa pagtatanggol sa karapatan ng teritoryo ng bansa sa legal na paraan. 

Iginiit nman ni Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores na ang Pangulong Marcos-bilang pangulo at chief ng foreign policy, ay tinitiyak ang pagtatanggol sa karapatan ng bansa sa mga teritoryong pag-aari ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-alyansa sa iba pang mga bansa tulad na rin ng isinagawang  trilateral meeting sa Estados Unidos . 

Sinabi naman ni House Committee on Bases Conversion at Zambales 1st District Representative Jefferson Khonghun, na tuloy ang isasagawang imbestigasyon ng Kamara kaugnay na rin sa sinasabing ‘gentlemans agreement sa pagitan ng dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Chinese President Xi Jin-Ping.

Paliwanag ni Khonghun, kabilang ang kanilang mamamayan, partikular na ang mga mangingisda sa labis na apektado ng pananakot ng China, lalo na’t dito nakasalalay ang kabuhayan ng kaniyang mga kababayan.

Kaya’t marapat lamang na malaman ang katotohanan kaugnay sa kontrobersyal na kasunduan.

Sa hiwalay na panayam, iminumungkahi ni dating Associate Justice Antonio Carpio ang pagbabalik ng Pilipinas sa arbitral tribunal, para hingin sa international court ang mga panuntunan sa pangingisda sa Ayungin shoal na una ng napagwagian ng Pilipinas noong July 2016 ruling, gayundin ang paghamon sa China sa territorial dispute sa International Court of Justice.

Ayon pa sa dating mahistrado, ito ay pagpapakita ng panindigan ng bansa na pangalagaan ang teritoryo ng Pilipinas at pagsunod sa rule of law. #

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

Hindi matatawag na peace o prayer rally ang mga pagkilos nina Duterte, kundi isang paninira lamang -Cong. Inno Dy

PARA KAY House Deputy Majority Leader at Isabela 6th Dist. Congressman Faustino “Inno” A. Dy, hindi matatawag na “peace o prayer rally” ang mga inilulunsad na pagkilos ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Kundi isang pagtatangka na sirain ang imahe ni President Bongbong R. Marcos, Jr.

Sa isang Press Conference sa Kamara de Representantes, sinabi ni Dy na bilang kasapi ng gobyerno. Labis nitong ikinalulungkot ang patuloy na pandudurog na ginagawa ng kampo ng dating Pangulo laban sa administrasyong Marcos, Jr. sa pamamagitan ng di-umano’y peace o prayer rally. 

Binigyang diin ni Dy na halatang-halata na ikinukubli lamang nina Duterte sa pamamagitan ng “peace o prayer rally” ang kanilang mga pagkilos. Subalit nagdudumilat naman ang katotohanan na pawang paninira at pangdudurog lamang sa Pangulong Marcos, Jr. ang totoong layunin nito.

Ayon kay Dy, makikita sa mga pagkilos ng kampo nina Duterte na hindi naman talaga nila isinusulong ang tema ng peace o kapayapaan. Bagkos kundi ang lantarang pangbabastos, pamamahiya at paninira kay Pangulong Marcos, Jr. ang ginagawa ng mga kaalyado ni Duterte sa nasabing pagtitipon.

Tinatawag nilang peace or prayer rally. Pero ironic nga po, it’s not about peace kundi puro paninira lamang ang nangyayari at puro pambabastos sa ating Pangulo. But they are not offering other solutions to solve the problem. Ako po ay nagtataka kung bakit patuloy itong nangyayari,” paliwanag ni Dy.

Gayunman, naniniwala si Dy na sa kabila ng patuloy na panggigiba at paninira na ginagawa ng mga alipores ni Duterte laban sa administrasyon. Hindi parin aniya matitinag ang pamahalaan na ipagpatuloy ang mandato nito na pagsilbihan at paglingkuran ang mamamayang Pilipino.

“Nakakalungkot nag anito parin ang sitwasyon nil ana sinusubukan nilang siraan ang ating Pangulo. Pero hindi naman basta-basta matitibag ang popularity at support ng ating mga kababayan sa ating mahal na Pangulo,” wika pa ni Dy.

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

MGA PAG-AALALA NG MGA NAGSUSULONG, INIHAYAG SA LUPON NG KAMARA NA TUMATALAKAY SA WAGE HIKE PROPOSAL

Muling ipinagpatuloy ngayong Miyerkules ng Komite ng Labor and Employment sa Kamara, na pinamumunuan ni Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles, ang kanilang deliberasyon sa mga House Bills (HBs) 514, 7871 at 7568, na naglalayong dagdagan ang mga sahod ng mga kawani at mga manggagawa sa pribadong sektor. 

Binigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga opisyal mula sa pribadong sektor, labor groups at civil society organizations sa idinaos na pagdinig, na iprisinta ang kani-kanilang pananaw hinggil sa panukalang wage hike. 

Nagbabala si Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) Executive Director Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo sa Komite hinggil sa panukala, at iginiit ang potensyal na pagkawala ng trabaho at pamuhunan sa kanilang sektor na maaaring idulot ng hakbang, maaaring hilingin nila sa pamahalaan ang suporta at moratorium sa mga wage hike. 

Ayon sa kanya, kasalukuyang nahihirapan ang export sector dahil sa mahinang pangangailangan ng pandaigdigang merkado, at mga kalituhan sa mga non-tariff policies ng mga pangunahing export markets. 

Samantala, sinabi ni Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Director General Arturo Guerrero III na ang panukalang wage hike ay maglalagay sa panganib, hindi lamang sa mga manggagawa sa informal sector, kungdi maging sa micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ng bansa, na kinabibilangan ng 99.5% ng mga rehistradong negosyo sa bansa. 

Ipinaliwanag niya na magdudulot ng malakihang halaga at magiging sahi ng tanggalan sa trabaho o pagsasara ng mga negosyo na may maliliit na kita, ang legislated wage hike. 

Hindi naman sang-ayon si Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Vice Chairperson Luis Corral sa pananaw ng mga employer groups, at sinabing maliit lamang ang epekto sa inflation at unemployment ng panukalang wage increase. 

Binaggit niya ang legislated wage hike noong 1989, na ayon sa kanya ay hindi naman nagdulot ng malakihang tanggalan sa trabaho at inflation. 

"The fruits of their labor should go to the pockets of ever hardworking Filipino workers who have every right to work and live with dignity for the first ever legislated wage hike since 1989," ani Corral. 

Sinuportahan naman ni Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairperson Elmer Labog ang P150 legislated wage increase, at kanyang nakikita na ang regionalized wage system ay isang pasakit, imbes na isang mekanismo upang maipatupad ang wage increases. 

Sa pagpapahayag ng suporta sa panukalang wage increase, iprinisinta ni Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) Executive Director Rochelle Poras ang natuklasan sa isang pag-aaral, na nagpapakita ng pagiging produktibo ng mga manggagawa na nagresulta sa 67 porsyento sa kabila ng 3.6 porsyento ng wage decrease mula taong 2000 hanggang 2022, sa umiiral na halaga simula nang 2018. 

"That is why the legislated wage increase will not undermine industries including MSMEs. It will give dignity to the workers," aniya. 

Nilinaw ni Nograles na ang talakayan sa wage hike at batay sa datos na nagmula sa mga resource speakers, na masusuing susuriin ng lupon bago sila magpasya.

——— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

KUMBINSIDO ang isang kongresista na konektado ang paglutang ng sinibak na ahente ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) para kaladkarin ang pangalan ng Pangulo sa droga sa usap-usapang destabilization plot laban sa administrasyon.

“Kailangan din natin harapin ang katotohanan, this is a bigger plan to destabilized the government. Alam naman natin iyon, na this is a plan para siguraduhin na sirain, ipahiya ang ating Pangulo,” pahayag ni Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, kasabay ng panawagan sa mga kapwa mambabatas na wag na patulan ang tinaguriang PDEA Leaks.

“Sana itigil na iyong mga hearing na iyan…l hindi naman nakakatulong sa ating ekonomiya, sa mga problema ng ating bayan. So halimbawa sa ganitong klase ng mga hearing na wala namang pupuntahan, mas maganda na ihinto na lang nila at sumama na lang sila sa gusto ng ating gobyerno na mapaunlad ang buhay ng ating mga mamamayan,” diin ni Khonghun.

Giit naman ni Bukidnon 2nd District Rep, Jonathan Keith Flores na tumatayong chairman ng House Committee on Government Reorganization, walang kredibilidad ang pinagmulan ng impormasyon.

Katunayan pa aniya, hindi maganda ang record ng hindi pinangalanang former PDEA investigation agent na nahaharap sa iba’t ibang kaso.

Sinabi rin ni Flores na tama lamang ang naging reaksyon ng Punong Ehekutibo nang tanungin tungkol sa tinaguriang PDEA leaks.

“Tama naman ang reaksyon ng Presidente natin hindi ba? If allegations like that are thrown at him and it’s not a serious allegation, then he just laughs at it. Because seriously ano, for evidence to be credible and be credible itself, it must also come from a credible source. 

The source dito has already been discredited and in fact he is facing charges so, why make it a big issue pa, di ba?” patutsada pa ng Bukidnon province congressman. 

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

Abolition of NTF-ELCAC up to PBBM – lawmakers 

Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday said the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is a decision that is purely up to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In a daily press briefing at House of Representatives, Isabela Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy V, Manila Rep. Ernesto “Ernix” Dionisio Jr., and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre all said that dismantling the NTF-ELCAC is the President’s prerogative after the Supreme Court ruled that red-tagging is a threat to people’s lives, liberty and security.

“I trust the decision of the President, also the Executive, in regard to the abolishment or not of the NTF-ELCAC … We leave it up to the Executive to decide kung papano po or how do they go about with proceeding with the NTF-ELCAC program,” Dy said.

For Dionisio, with the landmark SC decision declaring red-tagging as a threat, he encouraged government agencies such as NTF-ELCAC to do their job without trampling on people’s rights.

“Of course, it’s the President’s decision kung anong magiging hakbang niya tungo dito. In doing so, sa lahat ng ginagawa ng every agency, ay dapat lang naman maalala na wala tayong dapat matapakan na karapatan ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino in doing the job na kailangang gawin ng NTF-ELCAC,” Dionisio said.

After the SC decision, there was a clamor for Marcos to abolish the NTF-ELCAC, which the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives said was guilty of red-tagging Filipino citizens.

Acidre said the President may be weighing his actions on the calls as the matter is not as simple as it sounds.

“Duon naman sa pagbuwag ng NTF-ELCAC, I think the President is proceeding with more caution, the way I read it, Malacañang is proceeding with caution conscientiously with how to deal with the insurgency problem,” Acidre noted.

“They have not definitely acted and given that this a policy decision of the Executive. Ang Congress naman will surely support whatever will benefit, whatever would produce the results na kailangan para mas maging manatili iyong pang matagalang pangkapayapaan at matapos na ang insurgency sa ating bansa,” he added.

The three lawmakers said that NTF-ELCAC is a government agency that deals with insurgents and local terrorist groups, and undertakes projects in the provinces to discourage people from supporting communist rebels.

Dy said in his province of Isabela, the NTF-ELCAC has helped many isolated barangays.

“Sa amin po nagkaroon kami ng problema sa ganito, Isabela marami po kaming armed conflict dati. Definitely nabawasan na po ito, kumonti na, but it still exists in certain parts of the country. So iyon po completely ang gusto nating mawala and there have been successes with the NTF-ELCAC,” Dy said.

Dionisio agreed that the said agency has an important role to play.

“There is really an important role that the NTF-ELCAC plays. But it's just a balance. Hindi naman puwedeng alisin totally pero dapat maproteksiyunan lang iyong mga rights ng ating kababayan,” Dionisio said.

For Acidre, he said that it is also the duty of the state to protect the people as what NTF-ELCAC is doing.

“There are reasons na minsan ang red-tagging really results in a threat to the security of certain person, but it has also to be balanced sa tungkulin din ng estado na siguraduhin ang kapakanan ng mas nakakarami,” Acidre said. (END)

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.

He must be dreaming': Young Guns respond to Roque's claim that VP Duterte is true president 

FORMER presidential spokesman Harry Roque's recent assertion during a prayer/peace rally in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental that Vice President Sara Duterte is the country's "true president" has drawn ridicule from House members, particularly from the "Young Guns". 

Addressing the issue during Wednesday's regular press conference, Assistant Majority Leader Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun said that Roque "must be dreaming" to believe such statement. 

"Tingin ko si Secretary Roque, he must be dreaming ano, parang binabangungot ata si Secretary Roque," Khonghun said. 

"Hindi susuportahan ng Pilipino yung gusto nilang mangyari," added the solon, who had warned about the alleged destabilization ploy of anti-administration personalities. 

Khonghun's fellow assistant majority leaders Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon similarly shook their heads over the sheer absurdity of Roque's claim. 

"It's laughable to think [that] for somebody who has served in government to even insinuate that the real president is Sara Duterte. I mean, is he trying to create a parallel universe here?" Adiong said.  

"We simply cannot relate. It's preposterous to even begin with talking about that. Plain and simple absurdity," he noted. 

"Those remarks are irrelevant," Bongalon said for his part, adding that it does nothing but to confuse people. 

"Sino ba binoto ni Harry Roque sa presidente? Bakit niya sinasabi si Sara [Duterte], ‘yung VP ‘yung tunay na presidente? So I guess may mali po doon," said Bongalon. 

"He's trying to be relevant nowadays. Hindi ko po alam kung ano ang rason niya kung bakit sinasabi niya ang ganung statements. Alam po natin, alam po ng masa na nanalo po si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ng 31 million," he added. 

"Wag na po tayong mag-concentrate or bigyan ng panahon ang mga taong ito dahil they're trying to be relevant," Bongalon further said. (END)

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.