Manila Bulletin – Page 34 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Two more wanted persons arrested in Las Piñas City

April 30, 2024April 20, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, two wanted persons were arrested as the local police officers continued their anti-crime operations with warrants of arrest issued by different courts, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Members of the Las Piñas City Police on Friday, April 19, conducted anti-criminality operations which led to the arrest of two wanted persons for three counts of sexual assault and illegal possession of drugs.

The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspects as alias Marion, 38, and alias Mak, 40.

Based on the police report, Marion was arrested at around 7:00 p.m. in Barangay Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City.

He said Marion was arrested by the combined team of Warrant and Subpoena Section (WSS) and Station Intelligence Section (SIS) by virtue of warrant or arrest issued by Judge Mildred Jacinto Marquez of Judge Mildred Jacinto Marquez of Las Piñas Family Court Branch 2 on March 18, 2024 with recommended bail of ₱600,000.

Meanwhile, Mak, who was listed as the Top 4 wanted person, was nabbed at around 8:30 p.m. in Barangay Pulanglupa Uno, Las Piñas.

The police said Mak was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Judge Anne Beatrice Aguana Balmaceda of Las Piñas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 200 on March 12, 2024.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted that wanted criminals in your city were arrested by due process and without violence?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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IMF raises Philippine economic growth forecast to 6.2% for 2024

April 30, 2024April 17, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its 2024 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.2% which is within national government’s growth range for this year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news article. Some parts in boldface…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its Philippine growth forecast to 6.2 percent for 2024 from its previous estimate of six percent announced last January, citing carryover strength from the last quarter of 2023.

The IMF also expects the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6.2 percent in 2025, higher than its January forecast of 6.1 percent.

Based on the April IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) report released Tuesday, April 16 (Washington time), the IMF also projects Philippine inflation will fall to below four percent this year and in 2025. Its projected year-end inflation is 3.6 percent for 2024 and three percent for 2025 which is within the government target of two percent to four percent.

Meanwhile, the 6.2 percent IMF GDP outlook for 2024 is within the Marcos administration’s growth target of six percent to seven percent but the 2025 projection is below the government target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent.

IMF’s Resident Representative in the Philippines Ragnar Gudmundsson said in an email that real GDP growth for 2024 was revised slightly to 6.2 percent from six percent in the January WEO because of “carryover from a better-than-expected outturn in the last quarter of 2023.” The local economy grew by 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter 2023, bringing the full-year GDP to 5.6 percent.

As to the 2025 growth outlook, Gudmundsson said the 6.2 percent GDP expansion next year will be “supported by an acceleration in domestic demand and investment.”

“Over the medium term, structural reforms to close infrastructure and education gaps, attract greater FDI (foreign direct investments), and harness benefits from the digital economy should help realize a growth potential of about 6-6.5 percent. These reforms should be complemented by strengthening existing social protection schemes and addressing climate change through a more integrated strategy that includes a carbon pricing scheme,” he said.

Gudmundsson said the 6.2 percent GDP forecast for the Philippines “compares with an average growth rate for ASEAN countries in 2024 of 4.6 percent.”

Based on the latest WEO, the IMF forecast the Asian regional economy will grow by 4.5 percent this year and 4.3 percent in 2025.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippine economy has enough momentum to surpass the 6.2% growth forecast of the IMF for 2024? Do you think inflation in the country will slow down more than what the IMF predicts?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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PDEA arrests three suspects and seize P3.4 million worth of illegal substance in Parañaque City

April 29, 2024April 20, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) organized a buy-bust operation which resulted in the arrests of three suspects and the seizure of more than P3 million worth of illegal substance at the basement parking of a certain shopping mall, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Government anti-narcotics authorities seized P3.4 million worth of shabu on Tuesday, April 16, following the arrest of three suspects during a buy-bust operation at the basement parking of a shopping mall in Parañaque City.

In an initial report, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said that the law enforcers confiscated 500 grams of shabu from Asher Guiani, 32; Ariedz Guiani, 27; and Almajid Kudandin, 22, at around 12:20 p.m. during the operation in barangay Don Bosco.

Aside from shabu concealed in six pieces of knot-tied transparent plastic sachets, the operatives seized a genuine P1,000 bill with serial number NUO69267 placed on top of boodle money, one cellphone, a laminated temp PhilSys identification (ID) card under the name of Ariedz Guiaman Guiani and black Hyundai Accent vehicle with license plate AQQ2908 with ignition key.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more people engaging in illegal drugs and other high-stakes criminal activities within the city? Do you think it will be long before Parañaque will get declared as a drug-free city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Commission on Audit (COA) tells local governments to limit expenses of discretionary funds to amounts under law

April 22, 2024April 10, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the Commission on Audit (COA) reminded local government units (LGUs) to limit the expenses of discretionary funds as it cited the case of one particular town that exceeded its “prescribed statutory limitation” for extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) by millions of Pesos in 2023, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Audit (COA) has reminded local government units (LGUs) against exceeding the “statutory limitation” on disbursements for extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) or discretionary funds taken out of their collected real property taxes (RPTs).

It cited the case of Eastern Samar’s Guiuan town which exceeded its “prescribed statutory limitation” for EME by P6.53 million in 2023.

In its annual audit report (AAR), COA cited its Circular No. 85-55A and Section 325(h) of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code, which both provide the general limitation on the use of EME funding.

Section 325(h) of RA 7160 provides: “The annual appropriations for discretionary purposes of the local chief executive shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the actual receipts derived from basic real property tax in the next preceding calendar year. Discretionary funds shall be disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law. No amount shall be appropriated for the same purpose except as authorized under this section.“

COA said that under the law, Guiuan town should only have EME of P26,465.14, which is equivalent to two percent of the P1.323 million RPT collected in 2021. But, it said, the town used P6.56 million for its discretionary funds or an excess of P6.53 million.

It pointed out that discretionary funds are only supposed to be used by the Office of the Municipal Mayor, but Guiuan even allocated funds for different offices such as the Vice Mayor’s office, Municipal Investment and Tourism Office (MITO), and Municipal Treasurer’s Office, among other offices.

It said the Mayor’s Office used P2,611,254.77 EME in 2023, while the vice mayor used P500,000. MITO, it also said, spent P1,332,395, while the Municipal Treasurer’s Office used up P450,000 EME.

It noted that when its audit team confronted the municipal accountant about its excessive use of discretionary funds, the accountant explained that it committed an “honest error” in assuming that the EME account was a “misnomer for Other Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses account.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Is your local government practicing a disciplined approach on spending and the alignment of funds?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Mayor congratulates Grade 5 student for bronze medal victory in a math contest overseas

April 19, 2024April 10, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon congratulated local Grade 5 student Antonio Pio Vivo for achieving honors for the country by winning the bronze medal in a mathematics contest held in Thailand, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon congratulated a Grade 5 student who won in an international math contest in Thailand.

Antonio Pio Vivo of San Beda College Alabang won a bronze medal at the International Talent Mathematics Contest (ITMC) held in Thailand.

Vivo is one of the Filipino students who competed and won in the contest participated in by students from 10 countries and regions: Thailand, Brazil, Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“Nakakaproud talaga ang mga kabataang Muntinlupeño na nag-eexcel in many various fields (We really feel proud about young Muntinlupeño who excel in many various fields),” said Biazon.

“Congratulations ulit, Antonio! Sana ma-inspire mo rin ang iba pang kabataang Muntinlupeño na mag-excel in both academics and sports (Congratulations again, Antonio! I hope you will inspire other young Muntinlupeño to excel in both academics and sports),” he added.

Before competing in Thailand, Vivo also joined and won in other math and science contests in South Korea and Hong Kong. Vivo also won a gold medal at the 1st MRB Taekwondo Cup last November.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted about the achievement by the local Grade 5 student who brought honors for the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City raises monthly allowance of Class A athletes

April 16, 2024April 12, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government formally raise the monthly allowance of its athletes under Class A who represented the city in competitions locally and overseas, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The raise was done by means of legislation.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government has increased the monthly allowance of its Class A athletes who represent the city in local and international competitions.

Ordinance 2024-164, passed by the Muntinlupa City Council, was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon on April 11.

Under the ordinance, a Class A athlete is someone who has shown excellence in sports and is representing Muntinlupa in regional, national, international and invitational competitions including the Olympics, Asian Games, SEA Games, world championships, Philippine National Games, national finals, Philippine Youth Games, and Palarong Pambansa.

For 2024, Class A athletes from the years 2022 to 2023 will receive a monthly allowance of P1,000 while additional athletes will start from P500 per month.

For 2025, Class A athletes of 2023 will get P1,500 per month; P2,000 per month in 2026; P2,500 per month in 2027; and P3,000 per month in 2028.

The allowance can be used by athletes to buy food and medicine, transportation, equipment for training, playing uniform and other expenses for their studies, the ordinance stated.

The criteria for the selection of Class A athletes are: should be a resident of Muntinlupa for at least one year during the time of his training or joining a competition; recommended by the coach; and those who represent Muntinlupa who win gold, silver and bronze medals in international, national, regional and invitational competitions certified by the Philippine Sports Commission, National Sports Association, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education and International Sports Federation.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you confident that the raise of allowance for the local Class A athletes will boost their moral and encourage more locals to excel in sports?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Woman arrested for theft in Las Piñas City

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, police officers arrested a woman who has been wanted for theft, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect, who has since been detained, was one of the Top 10 most wanted persons.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin’s news report. Some parts in boldface…

A 21-year-old woman wanted for theft was arrested by operatives of Las Piñas Police Warrant and Subpoena Section (WSS) and Station Intelligence Section (SIS) on Friday, April 5.

The Southern Police District (SPD) said Las Piñas police chief Col. Sandro Tafalla reported the arrest of alias Chin-Chin tagged as Top 10 most wanted person.

Tafalla said the police apprehended the suspect at around 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Pulunglua Unot, Las Piñas City by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Teodoro S. Carbonera of Las Piñas City Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 121 on January 31, 2024 for the service of sentence.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that some members of your local community could be wanted by the police for crimes previously committed?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Prohibition on e-bikes and e-trikes on major Metro Manila roads takes effect today

April 15, 2024April 12, 2024carlocarrasco

Be mindful that effective today, electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric tricycles (e-trikes) are officially prohibited from traveling along major roads of Metro Manila in accordance to the Metro Manila Council’s approved resolution.

To be very clear, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared the following thoroughfares as off-limits to e-bikes and e-trikes: C1: Recto Avenue; C2: Pres. Quirino Avenue; C3: Araneta Avenue; C4: EDSA; C5: Katipunan/CP Garcia; C6: Southeast Metro Manila Expressway; R1: Roxas Boulevard; R2: Taft Avenue; R3: Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway); R4: Shaw Boulevard; R5: Ortigas Avenue; R6: Magsaysay Blvd./Aurora Blvd; R7: Quezon Ave./Commonwealth Ave; R8: A. Bonifacio Ave.; R9: Rizal Ave.; R10: Del Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway; Elliptical Road; Mindanao Avenue; and Marcos Highway.

As mentioned previously, it is up to the Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) to add more roads to the above list by means of approving local ordinances. Going back to the ban on e-trikes and e-bikes on Metro Manila’s major roads, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon publicly emphasized the aspect of safety.

“It is about time we rationalize the use of these vehicles which are increasingly getting involved in accidents, cause traffic and endanger their users,” Mayor Biazon said in Manila Bulletin’s February 28, 2024 news report.

I should also state that there have been a lot of videos of e-trikes and e-bikes that caused problems on public roads and posted below for your viewing are YouTube videos I found. Do not be surprised to see how reckless or careless some e-bike/e-trike drivers turned out as caught on video.

It’s one thing for a person to drive an e-bike or e-trike, it is completely another for him or her to be fully oriented with traffic rules and safety oriented driving. In my view, all e-bike and e-trike units should be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and each driver of electric vehicles should be required to get licensed to drive (which includes attending seminars and passing the tests). This is all about the greater good, the need to be orderly and ensuring road safety in general.

*An electric tricycle (e-trike) spotted traveling along Alabang-Zapote Road in Muntinlupa City. Do you think e-bikes and e-trikes should be banned on that major road someday?*

*An electric tricycle spotted moving slowly on the leftmost lane along Dr. A. Santos Avenue (DASA) in Parañaque City. Should a ban on e-bikes and e-trikes along this road be implemented someday?*

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you wish to see the ban on e-bikes and e-trikes be expanded to even more major roads of Metro Manila? Do you think it is high time that all e-bike/e-trike drivers should be required to attend road safety seminars and pass tests in order to be licensed to drive? Are there many e-bike/e-trike drivers in your local community who often drive carelessly or recklessly? Is every e-bike/e-trike driver in your city fully aware of the traffic rules and the basics of safety oriented driving?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Delivery rider arrested for extorting money from motorist while posing as a traffic enforcer

April 12, 2024April 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Manila, a delivery rider who disguised himself as a traffic enforcer flagged down a motorist and extorted money which eventually led to his arrest, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect has been charged for robbery extortion and the usurpation of authority.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A delivery rider posing as a traffic enforcer was arrested after he flagged down a motorist to extort money.

The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the suspect as Lloyd Tolentino, 27, resident of Barangay Kaunlaran, Navotas City.

According to the police report, the 43-year-old victim Reagan Ramos was traveling along Pedro Bukaneg Street corner Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila on Sunday night, March 31.

He said he was flagged down by the suspect, who was wearing a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau uniform, and introduced himself as a traffic enforcer.

The suspect asked for the victim’s driver’s license for a traffic violation (swerving), but the victim contested.

The victim became suspicious when the suspect demanded P200 in exchange for not being issued a traffic violation ticket. Police said the victim immediately reported the incident to authorities that led in the arrest of the suspect.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be more abusive delivery riders around Metro Manila who could be committing the usurpation of authority and extort money from motorists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Only cash and manager’s checks will be accepted by Muntinlupa Treasurer’s Office

April 10, 2024April 1, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that its Treasurer’s Office will no longer accept personal and company checks as forms of payment, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. This effectively means that only cash and manager’s checks will be accepted by the said office on-site (over the counter).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government announced that its Treasurer’s Office will no longer accept personal and company checks as payment.

In a Facebook post on April 1, the city government said this is based on the “Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 2013-004, Items 26-28, Chapter II” or the Revised Cash Examination Manual.

It said only cash and manager’s checks with the City Treasurer of Muntinlupa as payee will be accepted for on-site payment.

Under items 26 to 28 of the COA circular, “Checks presented for payment must be drawn by the payor himself and made payable to the agency or head of agency. In the latter case, only the official title or designation of the agency head concerned shall be stated as the payee.”

It prohibits the following checks as payment: checks drawn payable to the name of the agency head or any of its officers, endorsed private checks, post-dated checks, and stale checks.

“When a check drawn in favor of the government is not accepted by the drawee for any reason, the drawer shall continue to be liable for the sum due and all penalties resulting from delayed payments. Where the reason for non-acceptance by the drawee bank is insufficiency of funds, the drawer shall be criminally liable therefore,” the circular stated.

It added, “Whenever a payor has a record of a previously dishonored private check drawn by him in payment of taxes and dues, even if such check has already been settled, any private check presented by him shall no longer be accepted. In such case, the payor shall be required to pay only in cash or by certified check. Each agency head, or treasurer, in the case of local government units, shall make a list of payors whose checks have been dishonored and shall circularize the list to all COs under his jurisdiction.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you have any issues with having to pay only cash or manager’s checks to the Treasurer’s Office?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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