FORMER House deputy speaker Pablo Garcia yesterday opposed the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) because Congress has no authority or competence to amend the Constitution to create another autonomous region.
Garcia expressed his views on the BBL during a public hearing and consultation on House Bill 4994 conducted by the Ad Hoc Committee led by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) and Rep. Democrito Raymond Mendoza (TUCP Party-List).
Garcia said the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), created under Republic Act (RA) 6734 of 1989, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), created by RA 6766, are organic parts of the country's political subdivisions and cannot be abolished by just another congressional act.
But Rodriguez said laws are subject to amendments.
“There is no such thing as an irrepealable law. Pabling (Garcia) said only one (law) can be passed by Congress but that is not true because in 2001, RA 9054 was passed amending the organic acts. So, that is already a precedent,” Rodriguez said.
Repealable
“Congress cannot amend the Constitution, but any law, like the law for ARMM and CAR can be repealed anytime because laws are dynamic,” he added.
Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, fourth district) said that there are many questions about the Bangsamoro and the public hearings are meant to address these and come up with the right legislation.
Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo of the Magdalo Party-List said that sustained peace and progress in Mindanao would also mean economic growth for Cebu and the rest of the Philippines.
Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu, third district), Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City North), Rep. Mujib Hataman (Basilan), Rep. Tupay Loong (Sulu), Rep. Edgar Masongsong (1-Care Party-List), rep. Jorge Almonte (Misamis Occidental), Rep. Celso Lobregat (Zamboanga) and Rep. Neri Colminares (Bayan Muna) also attended the public hearing.
Mendoza said that while there were a few who opposed the passage of the BBL, majority of those who attended the 31 public hearings nationwide support it.
“We are talking here of ending a 40-year old rebellion. That's why the vast majority are for a Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Mendoza said. - By Elias O. Baquero - SunStar
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Labor leader passes away
National labor leader and human rights fighter Zoilo “Zoy” De La Cruz of Bacolod City passed away at the Makati Medical Center in Makati City 9:40 p.m. Saturday.
De la Cruz, 84, a former labor sector representative in the House of Representatives, peacefully passed away surrounded by his children, his son Roland de la Cruz, former Murcia town councilor, who is also a labor leader, said yesterday.
Zoilo, who was suffering from kidney failure, had been undergoing dialysis for a year, his son said.
He dedicated his life to the welfare of workers, about whom he was very passionate up to the very end, said Roland, whose father was also a lawyer.
“My father’s priorities had always been God, the workers, and family in that order,” his son said.
A pillar of the trade union movement, my father, from his sick bed, reminded us to never give up the fight for the welfare of the workers, especially in the sugar industry, his son added.
De la Cruz, at the time of his death, was president of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines and numerous other labor groups, and national treasurer of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.
He conceptualized the Social Amelioration Program in the Sugar Industry, the 13th Month Pay, Cost of Living Allowance, and housing projects for sugar mills workers, his biodata states.
His remains that are now at the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City, will be flown from Metro Manila to Negros Occidental on Friday, where it will lie in state at the Sugar Workers Livelihood Center in Bacolod City.
A necrological mass will be held at the Sugar Workers Livelihood Center in Bacolod City 9 a.m. Saturday, after which his remains will be transferred to the family home in Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod.
Zoilo’s remains will be flown back to Manila for cremation on Monday and laid to rest at the Santuario de San Antonio crypt in Forbes Park, Makati City, Roland said.
He is survived by his children Jess, Linus, Benjie, Zoly, Lizalyn, Roland and Vivian.*CPG - BY CARLA GOMEZ - Visayan Daliy Star
De la Cruz, 84, a former labor sector representative in the House of Representatives, peacefully passed away surrounded by his children, his son Roland de la Cruz, former Murcia town councilor, who is also a labor leader, said yesterday.
Zoilo, who was suffering from kidney failure, had been undergoing dialysis for a year, his son said.
He dedicated his life to the welfare of workers, about whom he was very passionate up to the very end, said Roland, whose father was also a lawyer.
“My father’s priorities had always been God, the workers, and family in that order,” his son said.
A pillar of the trade union movement, my father, from his sick bed, reminded us to never give up the fight for the welfare of the workers, especially in the sugar industry, his son added.
De la Cruz, at the time of his death, was president of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines and numerous other labor groups, and national treasurer of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.
He conceptualized the Social Amelioration Program in the Sugar Industry, the 13th Month Pay, Cost of Living Allowance, and housing projects for sugar mills workers, his biodata states.
His remains that are now at the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City, will be flown from Metro Manila to Negros Occidental on Friday, where it will lie in state at the Sugar Workers Livelihood Center in Bacolod City.
A necrological mass will be held at the Sugar Workers Livelihood Center in Bacolod City 9 a.m. Saturday, after which his remains will be transferred to the family home in Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod.
Zoilo’s remains will be flown back to Manila for cremation on Monday and laid to rest at the Santuario de San Antonio crypt in Forbes Park, Makati City, Roland said.
He is survived by his children Jess, Linus, Benjie, Zoly, Lizalyn, Roland and Vivian.*CPG - BY CARLA GOMEZ - Visayan Daliy Star
Monday, December 15, 2014
Negros labor leader Atty. Zoilo V. de la Cruz passed away
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| Atty. Zoilo V. de la Cruz |
The officers, staff and local union members of Pambansang Kilusan ng Paggawa (KILUSAN)- TUCP through its president, Arthur Juego, would like to extend condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Atty. Zoilo V. de la Cruz who passed away Saturday evening.
Atty. Zoilo V. de la Cruz, served as national president of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP) , treasurer of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP and in Philippine Congress from 1993 to 1998.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Jeepney fare cut by P1, Bigger rollback possible – LTFRB; adjustment draws mixed reactions
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| BACK TO P7.50 — The minimum fare in jeepneys is back to the P7.50 as shown here by a ‘barker’ at the terminal on Leon Guinto Street in Manila, yesterday. Top photo, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Winston Ginez holds the order slashing P1 from the previous minimum fare. (Ali Vicoy and Michael Varcas) |
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday approved a P1 provisional fare rollback for jeepneys plying in Metro Manila.
The fare cut will take effect immediately, LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said.
From P8.50, the minimum fare will now be P7.50 for the first four kilometers. However, the rate for succeeding kilometers will remain the same.
The fare roll back will also be applicable to senior citizens and students, who are entitled to 20-percent discount.
Ginez said the LTFRB will issue as soon as possible a fare matrix to serve as guide to passengers and drivers alike.
In the provinces, Ginez said the LTFRB regional or provincial offices will have to implement their own fare rollback because diesel prices in these areas vary.
“We have directed them to initiate their own proceedings. Within 30 days, they have to report to the board what they have done with regard to the fare rollback. We would like that their decisions be based on regional prices,” said Ginez.
The LTFRB chairman said the rollback now is similar to 2011 when diesel prices were in the range of P34-P35, and the minimum fare was P7.50.
Ginez said the provisional rollback for now “is effective until further notice” but there is a possibility that jeepney fares might have bigger reductions in the future.
PALACE WELCOME ROLLBACK
Malacañang welcomed the P1 provisional fare rollback.
“That’s a timely decision from the LTFRB and will certainly be welcomed by the riding public,” Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said.
The fare rollback was also a welcome development for transport and consumer groups.
Elvira Medina of the National Center for Commuters Safety and Protection said it’s “about time” the rollback was implemented.
George San Mateo of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) expressed the same sentiment. However, he is concerned that the sudden implementation of the fare rollback might cause a ruckus in the streets.
He appealed to the LTFRB to set a proper date for the implementation of fare rollback to avoid discord within the streets, especially since not all drivers and passengers are aware of this provision.
Obet Martin of Pasang Masda said that the price rollback is just right since it is in accordance with diesel prices now. But like San Mateo, he is concerned that arguments might arise between drivers and passengers with the sudden implementation of the rollback.
MIXED REACTIONS
While Malacañang, consumers, and transport groups welcomed the rollback, the labor sector had mixed reactions.
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesperson Alan Tanjusay lauded the fare cut as an early “Christmas gift” for workers.
“The jeepney fare rollback is a welcome development for workers at this economically difficult period. This is a Christmas gift for minimum wage earners who commute everyday for work,” Tanjusay said.
“It’s a small amount but it’s a big relief for working people,” he added.
But the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) demanded a higher fare rollback, saying it is not “commensurate” with the decrease in the global prices of petroleum products.
“Oil rollback should be more or at one-time not in installments.That’s cheating by big oil cartels,” KMU Chairman Elmer Labog said.
Labog also said the other private transportations like airlines, Metro Rail Transits (MRT), and the Light Rail Transits (LRT), should also follow the example of PUJs in reducing their fare rates.
He also said other private companies should also reduce prices of their services or goods to relieve workers of their financial woes.
“It’s high time for other quarters to follow suit. Like businessmen who should lower the prices of their commodities and services,” he added.
Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway had earlier filed a petition seeking a reduction in jeepney fare.
Iway had asked the LTFRB to reduce the minimum fare from P8.50 to P8 for the first four kilometers, and the succeeding kilometer rate from P1.50 to P1.40 for jeepneys in Metro Manila, Regions 3 and 4. - by Czarina Nicole O. Ong (With reports from Genalyn D. Kabiling and Samuel P. Medenilla)
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