Dutertes Cabinet

AS A MATTER OF FACT By Sara Soliven de Guzman (The Philippine Star) | Updated

July 11, 2016 - 12:00am
Digong may have cleaned up The Cabinet of Malacaang and installed new
secretaries but do the departments and agencies still have skeletons hiding in the
closets (offices)? If the President wants them to do a good job, I suggest he instructs his
Cabinet to wash out and cleanse their offices. We have a new administration so, isnt it
best to start with a clean slate?
President Duterte handpicked his Cabinet officials, which according to him are
honorable and respectable men who will address his priorities such as corruption, crime
and red tape. But how can the Cabinet secretaries work if there are still remnants of the
old system lurking in the dark shadows of each office or agency?
The trade of corruption will continue to exist if an iron hand is not used. The old
practices will continue to go on if the bad apples are not thrown away. Those who carry
a whiff of bad air, aggressively seeking a position or holding a bad record in his/ her
midst, possibly without credentials are those we do not want working for government.
Those who have an agenda boldly spelled out on their foreheads should be removed
or silenced. Its just too much in this day and age.
So, lets see, we have the following new Cabinet secretaries:
Leoncio Jun Evasco, Cabinet Secretary;
Salvador Medialdea, Executive Secretary;
Martin Andanar, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary;
Ernesto Abella, Presidential Spokesperson;
Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., National Security Adviser;
Rafael V. Mariano, Secretary of Agrarian Reform;
Emmanuel Manny Pinol, Secretary of Agriculture;
Benjamin Diokno, Secretary of Budget and Management;
Leonor Briones, Secretary of Education;
Alfonso Cusi, Secretary of Energy;
Regina Gina Lopez, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources;

Carlos Sonny Dominguez III, Secretary of Finance;

Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs;
Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial, Secretary of Health;
Rodolfo Salalima, Secretary of Information and Communication Technology;
Ismael Sueno, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government;
Vitaliano Aguirre II, Secretary of Justice;
Silvestre Bebot Bello III, Secretary of Labor and Employment;
Delfin Lorenzana, Secretary of National Defense;
Mark Villar, Secretary of Public Works and Highways;
Fortunato de la Pea, Secretary of Science and Technology;
Judy Taguiwalo, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development;
Wanda Corazon Teo, Secretary of Tourism;
Ramon Lopez, Secretary of Trade and Industry;
Arthur Tugade, Secretary of Transportation and Communications;
Michael Dino, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and
Christopher Bong Go, Special Assistant to the President/Presidential Management
Staff Chief.
Topping the list of the most corrupt government agencies according to a Social Weather
Stations (SWS) survey of businessmen in 2015 are the Bureau of Customs, Land
Transportation Office, House of Representatives, Department of Public Works and
Highways, Philippine National Police and Department of Agriculture. But since the
survey involved respondents from the Business sector, only one facet of the definition of
corruption, which involves bribery, surfaced. Corruption, by definition, is not limited to
financial gain. It also encompasses dishonest or unethical conduct by a person
entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit.
As an academic, I take particular interest in matters related to Science and Technology
in the Philippines. I was and still am happy to note that Secretary Fortunato de la Pea,
one of the good men of the DOST in the past, who a few years ago retired seemingly
frustrated was recently appointed as the head of the DOST.

Commission confirms appointment of Andanar, 3

Cabinet execs
By Azer N. Parrocha (philstar.com) | Updated October 13, 2016 - 12:16pm
MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) The Commission on Appointments
(CA) confirmed Wednesday the appointment of four Cabinet officials, namely the
secretaries of energy, finance, labor and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
After being deferred last week for failing to provide the commission with the data
requested, the appointment of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was confirmed.
Also confirmed were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Labor Secretary Silvestre
Bello III, and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon committed to vote for Andanars
confirmation, but questioned if PCO secretaries usually need confirmation.
Drilon stressed that the 1987 Constitution states that since the PCO secretary heads an
office and not a department, he should no longer need confirmation.
He further noted that previous press secretaries, such as Herminio Coloma Jr. among
others, did not go through confirmation.

17th Congress
HOUSE LEADERS INFORMATION
Hon. Alvarez, Pantaleon D.
House Speaker
Hon. Farias, Rodolfo C.
Majority Leader
Hon. Suarez, Danilo E.
Minority Leader

17th Congress Senators

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III

Senate President
Senator Franklin M. Drilon
Senate President Pro-Tempore
Senator Vicente C. Sotto III
Majority Leader
Senator Ralph G. Recto
Minority Leader

Duterte signs historic EO on Freedom of Information

By Alexis Romero (philstar.com) | Updated July 24, 2016 - 3:38pm
MANILA, Philippines A landmark order that would require all government offices
under the executive branch to disclose details of their transactions has been signed by
President Rodrigo Duterte in a move that officials said would promote transparency and
strengthen public participation in governance.
The executive order (EO) implementing the freedom of information (FOI) in the
executive branch was signed by Duterte in his hometown in Davao City last Saturday,
two days before he delivers his first state of the nation address (SONA) and three
weeks after he assumed office.
This is already a record-breaking speed of cornerstone or a milestone or landmark
executive order being signed, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a
press conference in Davao City Sunday.
Andanar claimed that the timing of the signing of the EO had nothing to do
with Dutertes first SONA.
On the first day of President Rody Duterte on June 30, we already pushed for an
executive order on the freedom of information. There was substantive pushing and
pulling and additions to this executive order for a more transparent executive
branch, Andanar said.
It just so happened that the executive order was finalized Saturday night, he added.
The order was supposed to be signed as early as two weeks ago but officials claimed it
was overtaken by events like the issuance of the ruling on the South China Sea row by

a Hague-based arbitral tribunal. The court ruled in favor of the Philippines and declared
that Chinas expansive territorial claim has no legal basis.
Andanar said there have been moves to push for an FOI law in Congress in the last 29
years but they were unsuccessful. Bills seeking to implement the FOI in all government
branches have been filed since the 12th Congress but they were bypassed due to
concerns by some lawmakers that they might be used for black propaganda.
The historic EO was still unnumbered as of Sunday, Andanar said copies of the order
with a number and the presidential seal would be available on Monday. The order was
drafted by the offices of the presidential communications chief, the executive secretary,
and the chief presidential legal counsel after a series of consultations with transparency
advocates.
Congress, judiciary not covered
The EO will cover all government offices under the executive branch including the
national government and all its offices, departments, bureaus, offices
and instrumentalities. It will also be implemented in state-run firms, universities and
colleges.

The order will not cover Congress and the judiciary because of the doctrine of the
separation of powers. Andanar said it would be up to the legislature to decide whether
to enact an FOI law that would cover all government branches.
Congress is an independent branch of government and the president believes in the
independence of each independent branch of government, Andanar said answering a
question on whether Duterte would ask Congress to pass an FOI law.
Local government units, however, are encouraged to observe and be guided by the
order.
The order defined information as the following:

records
documents

papers

reports

letters

contracts

minutes and transcripts of official meetings

maps

books

photographs

data

research materials

sound and video recording

magnetic or other tapes

electronic data

computer stored data or other like or similar data or materials

recorded stored archived or whatever format

Every Filipino shall have access to information, official records public records and
documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions and decision as well as
government research data used as basis for public development, the order read.
Exceptions
Requests for information, however, will be denied if they fall under exceptions provided
in the constitution, laws or jurisprudence. The Justice department and the solicitor
general's office were directed to come up with an inventory of exceptions and submit
them to Duterte within 30 calendar days from the effectivity date of the order.
The inventory of exceptions will be updated periodically to reflect changes in existing
laws and jurisprudence. Andanar said among the information that would not be released
are those that put the government in danger in terms of national security.
Officials who refuse to release information that do not fall within the exceptions may
face administrative charges, he added.
The order also reminded officials to file and to make available their statements of assets
liabilities and net worth.
The head of the government office, which has custody or control of the information
being sought or his duly designated official will determine whether the exceptions are
applicable to the request.
Heads of offices or their duly designated representatives were ordered to exercise
reasonable diligence to ensure that the exceptions or denials of requests would not be
used to cover up a crime or any wrongdoing like graft or corruption.
There shall be a legal presumption of favor of access to information, public records and
official records. No request for info shall be denied unless it clearly falls under any of the
exceptions listed in the inventory or updated inventory of exceptions, the order read

While officials were directed to provide public access to information, they were also
instructed to observe and protect the right to privacy of individuals.
Government offices in the executive branch were directed to ensure that personal
information would only be released if relevant to the request and if the EO or by laws
and regulations allow such disclosure.
They were also tasked to make "reasonable security arrangements" against leaks or
premature disclosure of personal information that might subject one to harassment,
vilification and other wrongful acts.
15-day response period
Those who wish to request for information shall write a letter to the government agency
concerned. The letter should state the name and contact information of the one making
the request.
Requesting parties should also present a valid proof of identification or authorization,
describe the information being sought and state the reason for doing so.
Government officials receiving the request are required to provide free "reasonable
assistance" to all requesting parties.
Government offices shall respond to all requests that complied with all requirements
within 15 working days starting from the date the request was received. The response
refers to the decision of the office to grant or deny access to the information requested.
However, the period to respond may be extended whenever the information requested
"requires extensive search" of the government's office records or the examination of
voluminous records. The response period may also be prolonged when unexpected or
"fortuitous events" happen. Government offices will be required to notify the requesting
party of the extension.
"In no case shall the extension go beyond 20 working days unless exceptional
circumstances warrant a longer period," the order read.
Failure to notify the requesting party of the action taken on the request within the 15-day
period will be viewed as a denial of the request.
Not for free
The requested documents will not come for free. While government offices will not
charge any fee for accepting requests for access to information, they may ask the
requesting party to shoulder the costs incurred in reproducing the information sought.
In no case shall the applicable fees be so onerous as to defeat the purpose of this
order, the order read.

Denial of any request for information may be appealed to the person or office next
higher in authority. The one who made the request should submit a written appeal within
15 calendar days from the notice of denial or from the lapse of the response period.
The next higher authority shall decide on the appeal within 30 working days from the
filing of the written appeal. Once all administrative appeal remedies have been
exhausted, the requesting party may file a case before the court.
All agencies were asked to come up with their respective procedures on freedom of
information within 120 days from the effectivity of the EO. The government will also
prepare a People's FOI Manual that will include the location and contact details of
offices where the public can submit requests and the schedule of applicable fees.
The 1987 Constitution states that Filipinos have the right to information on matters of
public concern. It also called for a policy of full public disclosure of all state transactions
involving public interest. The absence of an FOI law, however, has prevented the public
from fully enjoying these constitutional guarantees.

Duterte issues administrative order amid online

threats to media
Posted on October 14, 2016
AMID ONLINE attacks on journalists for their reports critical to the administration,
Malacaang on Thursday announced an administrative order creating a
Presidential Task Force that will probe assaults on members of the press.
Signed on Oct. 11 by President Rodrigo R.. Duterte and Executive Secretary Salvador
C. Medialdea, Administrative Order (AO) No. 1 declares that all forms of political
violence and abuses of power, whether by agents or elements of the State or of nonState
forces
against
the
so-called
Fourth
Estate,
must
stop.
Section 1 of the order, on Violence against Media Workers, refers to the attempted,
frustrated, or consummated killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave
violations of the right to life, liberty and security of Media Workers who were targeted by
reason
of
the
media
work
of
such
persons.
The order also said an investigating body will conduct an inventory of all cases of
violence against media workers which will be put under the following categories:
unsolved cases; cases under investigation; cases under preliminary investigation; cases
under
trial;
and
cases
under
appeal.
A special team of probers will exclusively look into new cases for the immediate
investigation
and
prosecution
of
perpetrators.
The task force, which has a special oversight team composed of investigators and

prosecutors, will be led by Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II as chairperson and

Communications
Secretary
Martin
M.
Andanar
as
co-chairperson.
The investigating group will also invite the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the
Ombudsman, and various media advocacy organizations as observers and resource
persons.
The new AO replaces AO No. 35 of 2012 -- signed by Mr. Dutertes predecessor,
Benigno S. C. Aquino III -- which serves to activate an inter-agency committee on
extralegal
killings.
On average, one journalist is killed every week around the world, according to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2015.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Philippines ranks third
worldwide in terms of the number of journalists killed in the course of their profession.
Online threats against journalists are not included in the inventory of cases in the AO,
but Malacaang on Thursday assured the issue will be discussed among concerned
agencies
under
the
presidential
task
force.
Mr. Andanar at Thursdays press briefing said journalists being harassed or threatened
by trolls on the Internet can report this to the task force and agencies under it.
So pwede po kayong magsumbong (You can report this). Itoy pag-uusapan po ng ibat
ibang ahensiya na kasama dito at iyong mga (This will be discussed among different
agencies and those) members or yung mga (the) private members ng (of the)
Presidential Task Force,kasama na po diyan yung (including the) KBP (Kapisanan ng
mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas),yung PAPI (Publishers Association of the Philippines),
[and]
NUJP
(National
Union
of
Journalists
of
the
Philippines).
The reason why the President wanted this Admin Order or Administrative Order No. 1
is because he cares for you, for us. And he believes in freedom of the press, Mr.
Andanar
said,
in
part
to
explain
the
AO.
He added the budget for the presidential task force is not included in the proposed
General
Appropriations
Act
of
2017.
The NUJP on Wednesday criticized anew the online threats on journalists, including
Reuters reporters Manny Mogato and Karen Lema.

LOOK: 8 new, interesting laws in the Philippines

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 04 2016 06:52 PM | Updated as of Aug 05 2016 02:56 AM

Out of 40 national laws to have passed through the 16th congress, 36 lapsed into
law from July 17 to 22 after former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and
President Rodrigo Duterte neither signed nor vetoed the bills.
Here are new, interesting laws that stood out:
1. Stricter Anti-Carnapping Law
Republic Act 10883 or An act providing for a new anti-carnapping law of the
Philippines now considers carnapping a non-bailable offense and will require
Land Transportation Office to keep a record of all cars and owners.
The new law increased the imprisonment time from a maximum of 17 years and
four months, to around 20 to 30 years in jail.
If the person resorted to violence, their sentence would be extended from 30
years and one day up to 40 years. If the victim is raped or killed, the carnapper
would be given a life sentence in prison.
Any person involved in the concealment of the crime will be imprisoned from six
to 12 years and fined with the cost of the car or any part involved in the crime.
2. Mandatory subtitles
Republic Act 10905 or An act requiring all franchise holders or operators of
television stations and producers of television programs to broadcast or present
their programs with closed captions option, and for other purposes requires TV
stations to provide subtitles for the deaf community.
However, it exempts franchise holders or TV station operators and program
producers who release public service announcements under 10 minutes or if
providing text caption would prove to be economically burdensome. It also
exempts programs aired between 1 am to 6 am, or are already textual in nature.
Those who fail to follow will either be fined with at least P50,000 but not more
than P100,000 or be imprisoned for at least six to twelve months, or both.
License or permit to operate may also be revoked.
3. Keeping Filipinas from becoming mail order brides
Republic Act 10906 or An act providing stronger measures against unlawful
practices, businesses, and schemes of matching and offering Filipinos to foreign
nationals for purposes of marriage or common law partnership, repealing for the
purpose republic act no. 6955, also referred to as the 'anti-mail order bride law'"
penalizes any person who has in any way engaged in business to exploit
Filipinas to offer to foreigners for marriage.
If found guilty, they will be penalized with 15 years of imprisonment and be fined
with at least P500,000 thousand pesos but not more than P1-million.
Anyone who has cooperated in the illegal act will also suffer the same penalty.
However, those who operate in more than two people will be penalized with 20

years of imprisonment and a fine of at least P2-million but not more than P5million.
Any person who has served as an accessory to the crime will be imprisoned for
10 years and a fine of at least P100,000 but not more than P500,000.
Meanwhile, foreign offenders will be deported to their home country and if the
offender is under the employment of an establishment, then the person in-charge
who participated in the act will be facing penalties.
In turn, proceeds and penalties will be seized by the government. Victims will
also receive assistance from the respective government agencies and
commissions.
4. No more candies or inexact change
Once Republic Act 10909 or An act prohibiting business establishments from
giving insufficient or no change to consumers and providing penalties therefore
takes effect, you can now sue the establishment for not giving you your due
change.
Establishments are also required to stick price tags with the exact price the
consumer has to pay.
Failure to comply will result to a fine of whichever is higher in amount: P500 or
3% of gross sales for first offense, P5,000 or 5% of gross sales for second
offense, and P15,000 or 7% or gross sales and a three-month suspension of
operations.
The last offense will result to a fine of P25,000 and total closure of the
establishment.
5. Longer prescription for crimes of graft and corruption
Republic Act 10910 or An act increasing the prescriptive period for violations of
Republic Act no. 3019, otherwise known as the 'anti-graft and corrupt practices
act' from fifteen (15) years to twenty years, amending section 11 thereof
amended the prescription of offenses, also known as the statute of limitations,
from 15 to 20 years.
This means its still possible to carry out judgment on individuals guilty of graft
and corruption within 20 years.
6. Anti-age discrimination for employees
Republic Act 10911 or An act prohibiting discrimination against any individual in
employment on account of age and providing penalties therefore prohibits
employers from withholding promotion or deny training opportunities,
compensation and privileges from employees on the basis of age.
Recruitment and employment agencies are also prohibited from refusing to help
individuals regardless of age from seeking employment and labor organizations
are prohibited to refuse employees of membership because of their age.

Violators will be fined at least P50,00 but not more than P500,000 and/or be
imprisoned between three months to two years.
However, this law will only be effective on August 16.
7. No more texting while driving
Republic Act 10913 or An act defining and penalizing distracted driving will
mean that any person who is using their phones in non-emergency cases and/or
needs it for work will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 for first offense, P10,000
for second offense, and P15,000 and suspension of license for three months for
the third offense.
The law added that the fine may be increased, along with ultimately suspending
the drivers license if properly disseminated to the public.
Meanwhile, those who are driving public utility vehicles, school buses, or carriers
with flammable or toxic material within a 50 meter radius from school premises
will be fined with P30,000 and have their licenses suspended for three months.
8.) Mandatory speed limiters
Republic Act 10916 or An act requiring the mandatory installation of speed
limiter in public utility and certain types of vehicles will require all covered public
transportation vehicles to have a speed limiter.
Vehicles without speed limiters before the passage of the law will have to comply
within 18 months after it takes effect.
The absence of a speed limiter will not be allowed for registration or be given a
franchise permit, and the owners or operators for the vehicle will be fined with
P50,000.
Meanwhile, the drivers license will be suspended for one month and the
franchise permit for three months for the first offense.
Sanctions for succeeding offenses will be license suspension for three months
and franchise suspension for six months on top of imposed fines at the second
offense; and revocation of license and franchise suspension for at least a year,
and an imposed fine for the third offense.
Offenders caught tampering with speed limiters will be imprisoned for six to 36
months and fined with P30,000.

Purisima named Finance Minister of the Year anew

(philstar.com) | Updated October 13, 2016 - 3:22pm

MANILA, Philippines An international firm named anew Cesar Purisima, who served
in the Cabinet of former President Benigno Aquino III, finance minister of the year.
The recognition by Global Markets is the second straight award for Purisima, who as
Finance secretary, Purisima was among those looked at behind the expanding public
investments and dipping of the national debt-to-GDP ratio.
The firm also hailed Purisima for managing domestic and international expections while
also focusing on infrastucture investment drive.
Economic Affairs Minister of the Philippine Embassy in the United States Jose Victor
Chan-Gonzaga recently accepted the award on Purisima's behalf.
"(Purisima) and his colleagues in the economic team presided over six years of
unprecedented economic growth in the Philippines," Chan-Gonzaga said.
"Their hard work has resulted in a vibrant and dynamic economy that enjoys
macroeconomic and financial stability, which the new Administration, together with our
economic partners such as yourselves, can build on moving into the future," he added.
Purisima, for his part, said it's his "life's greatest honor" to have served as the head of
the country's economic team. He also dedicated the award to Aquino, whom he cited as
having a "transformative vision and leadership."
The former Finance chief said the economic officials of President Rodrigo Duterte are
also "hard at work building on the gains" of the past years.
"I have absolute faith that they will be even more successful than we were," he said.

Miriam Defensor-Santiago passes away at 71

By Rosette Adel (philstar.com) | Updated September 29, 2016 - 10:35am
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 2 11:13 a.m.) Longtime senator Defensor-Santiago
on Thursday died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 71.
Santiago's husband, lawyer Narciso "Jun" Santiago confirmed the veteran politician
passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, according to a report by the STAR.
Miriam's staff said the veteran lawmaker died at 8:52 a.m.

Miriam was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer in 2014 but declared she had beaten
her illness a year after. She then pursued her presidential bid despite doubts cast on her
health. She lost to President Rodrigo Duterte in the May elections earlier this year.
During the last stretch of her tenure as a senator, Miriam filed an indefinite leave from
the Senate due to her health. She was hospitalized last May 30 due to lung
complications.
The former senator celebrated her 71st birthday last June 15.
Santiago was one of the most endearing figures in Philippine politics, pop culture and
academia. For some, she could be among the best presidents the Philippines never
had, after having ran for government's top post three times and lost.
She was first elected senator in 1995. In 1997, then President Fidel Ramos initiated a
people's campaign for an infinite presidential term which Santiago criticized and and
went to court. She won and preserved the people's mandate for term limits.
She was again elected senator in 2004 and in 2010. During these two terms at the
Senate, she served as chair mostly of the foreign relations committee and the
constitutional amendments committee. with Kristian Javier

Supreme Court: Poe a natural-born Filipino

(philstar.com) | Updated September 20, 2016 - 3:20pm
MANILA, Philippines The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the decision of the
Senate Electoral Tribunal on Sen. Grace Poes eligibility to run in the 2013 elections and
ruled that she is qualified to sit as a senator of the republic.
The court voted 9-3 in favor of Poe and declared her a natural-born Filipino citizen, and,
therefore, qualified to hold the office of senator. The SC junked a petition filed
by Rizalito David, a losing senatorial candidate in 2013, asking the high court to reverse
the SETs ruling.
David claimed Poe, a foundling, cannot be considered a natural-born Filipino because
of the absence of proof of blood ties to a Filipino father or mother.

David also questioned Poes reacquisition of her Philippine citizenship in 2006 after
being naturalized as a US citizen and living there until the death of Fernando Poe Jr.,
her adoptive father, in late 2004.
Questions about Poe's citizenship were raised as she prepared to run for president in
the 2016 elections. She lost to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the May polls.
The SC members who dissented in the case were Associate Justices Estela PerlasBernabe, Mariano Del Castillo and Bienvenido Reyes. On the other hand, Senior
Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Teresita De Castro and
Arturo Brion inhibited from the case.