NEWS ARTICLES

Meralco, Ginebra seek semis berths

Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star) - November 24, 2019 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — It’s on for the protagonists in the PBA Governors’ Cup
quarterfinals, that stage where everyone goes on playoff basketball mode and move
heaven and earth to beat the odds.
That’s why second-seeded Meralco and No. 4 Barangay Ginebra, which worked
all tournament to get their privileged positions, intend to cash in on their win-once
bonuses and finish off their tough-as-nails opponents in the race to the semifinals.
The Bolts shoot for the hide of rejuvenated No. 7 Aces at 4:30 p.m. while the Gin
Kings look to dash the grandslam aspirations of embattled No. 5 San Miguel at 6:45
p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“With the elims now over, our total concentration is on reaching the semis,” said
Meralco coach Norman Black, whose Allen Durham-led squad aims to hurdle the
challenge of a rival that’s made a strong charge after a 0-5 start to join Last-8 cast.
“Alaska has been playing good basketball so we are expecting a tough
challenge. We need to be ready for the fact that they have been thriving with early
offense and a strong team defense. On our end, we just want to continue to execute
and play the type of basketball that has gotten us to this point,” he added.
The Bolts certainly can’t afford to play sloppily against coach Jeff Cariaso’s
charges. Just look at what Alaska did to NLEX at the end of elims, handing the top-
ranked team a 106-90 rout.
Though up against a troubled SMB team that’s hit by internal issues and missing
Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid due to a team-imposed suspension for
their involvement in a scuffle alongside former import Dez Wells in practice, Ginebra
coach Tim Cone remains wary of their backs-to-the-wall foes.
“We certainly could have chosen a different opponent if it was within our power,
but SMB it is. Control what you can control and that is preparing ourselves the best we
can. It’s always such a great challenge going against them. Both teams are extremely
motivated. It should be a great fight,” he said.
Well, the Beermen will have more motivation – survival. One loss tonight and all
the hard work that SMB put in to grab the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup titles
and coming this close to a rare treble will go pfft.

“These are just trials we’re facing, a test of character for the team. We’re not yet out so
we need to stay positive,” said SMB star June Mar Fajardo.
 Siblings hacked dead by cousin

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines – Two siblings were allegedly hacked dead by their

cousin following a quarrel in Allacapan, Cagayan on Saturday.

Moises Cabiles, 42; his brother Roland, 36, and their cousin Ricky Tabalansa,
40, were having a drinking spree in the house of the suspect in Barangay Capagaran.

The elder Cabiles reportedly mentioned Tabalansa’s alleged complicated marital

life, which made the latter furious, according to Cpl. Ariel Beltran, town police chief.

Roland and his brother decided to leave, but Tabalansa reportedly took out a
bolo and hacked the victims.

Although wounded, Roland was able to grab the bolo and hacked  the suspect
back.

The brothers died at the scene while Tabalansa was rushed to the Toran District
Hospital in Aparri for treatment.             

Duterte: No generals in drug recycling

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte clarified yesterday that no

police general was mentioned in the report on illegal drugs submitted to him
by security officials.

Speaking during a forum organized by a Russian think tank in Sochi last

Friday, Duterte said two generals are “still playing” with illegal drugs as he
justified his brutal crackdown on narcotics.

The President, however, corrected himself yesterday, blaming the

confusion on his “ignorance” of police ranks.

“There are no generals. I’m sure of that. Based on the report sent to me,
there is none. It’s colonel, I think,” the President told reporters in Davao City
upon his arrival from Russia. “I must admit my ignorance actually.”

Duterte said he was confused by the rank of police superintendent, a

term that he associates with school supervisors.
“That’s why during my time, I said you should go back to police colonel, police
major, police lieutenant, because everyone is confused. That sup-sup, it
stands for superintendent. In Bisaya, sup-sup is sucking – ice drops,” he said.

“So that’s quite confusing… I hope that the PNP (Philippine National Police)
should realize that... Stop it. Stop it. We’re comfortable with the ways of the
old. Do not introduce unnecessary changes. It’s confusing.”

Last February, Duterte signed a law modifying the rank classification of the
PNP and making it similar to that of the military. Under the law, the ranks of
police officers would be preceded by the word “police.”

Duterte insisted that his office could not just adopt the findings of the
congressional investigation on the so-called “ninja cops.”

Duque orders review of PhilHealth IRM

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque has ordered a review
of the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) to check for loopholes and correct
possible errors in procedures.

“Confusion has arisen from the circulars issued in the haste to readily provide the
needed financial support to the Health Care Institutions (HCIs) during the pandemic. Let
us look into any loopholes and clarify procedures to ensure that the issues raised are
responded to,” Duque said in a statement released Wednesday night.

Duque has also directed PhilHealth to come out with a systematic, clear and
meritorious identification of IRM recipients so it could avoid being accused of
“favoritism.”

“IRM funds should only be released upon complete submission of documents,

properly vetted by the regional vice presidents,” Duque pointed out.

According to Duque, resolution of issues raised at recent congressional hearings

must be rushed as prolonged suspension of the program may affect the operations of
healthcare facilities.

In response to the coronavirus disease pandemic, PhilHealth issued a circular

stating that “IRM shall cover PHIC claims of those affected by a fortuitous event that
covers of the following, claims for treatment done as an outpatient relative to the direct
and indirect effects of the fortuitous event within the HCI or in an improvised/satellite
facility.”

PhilHealth said the objective of the circular is to extend help to all patients
adversely affected by the pandemic such that the funds should not be made exclusive
to hospitals catering to COVID-19 patients but for all HCIs caring for all patients during
this pandemic.

“The effects of the pandemic, while falling heavily on COVID-19 referral facilities,
have affected the entire health system. These include cancer and dialysis treatment
centers, maternity clinics and other similar facilities that provide care for patients while
the regular hospitals are busy addressing Covid patients. For this reason, they should
also be assisted by PhilHealth,” Duque explained.

Despite the suspension of the IRM, Duque gave assurance that Filipinos can still
avail themselves of all PhilHealth benefits, including ones for COVID-19 patients.

The IRM is a special prepayment mechanism allowed for healthcare institutions

directly affected by “fortuitous events” and emergencies.

PhilHealth had previously made IRMs available to members during calamities

like Ondoy, Yolanda, Marawi siege, and the Taal volcano eruption.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Markk Perete said they

have received inputs from PhilHealth’s senior vice president and Chief Information
Officer Jovita Aragona, Corporate Secretary Jonathan Mangaoang, and acting Senior
Manager for Fact-Finding Investigation and Enforcement Division (FFIED) Ernesto
Barbado that could help Task Force PhilHealth in its inquiry into alleged corruption in
the state insurer.

In a statement, Perete said Aragona admitted to the inability of PhilHealth’s

Information and Technology (IT) systems to detect fraudulent claims.

It was earlier reported that the proposed P2.1-billion IT project, that would have
been used to stop fraud and scams by some corrupt personnel, was tainted with
irregularities.

Aragona said there are segments in the corporation’s validation processes that
are still done manually.

She also attributed the current lack of validation mechanism in PhilHealth’s IT

systems to the alleged failure of concerned offices to specify their required internal
control systems during the design and development stage of the IT systems.

She also mentioned PhilHealth’s plans to develop a more sophisticated IT

system.

Aragona also called for an investigation into the previously reported questionable
procurement of switches by PhilHealth’s National Capital Region (NCR) office.
 Mangaoang, for his part, said the controversial IRM was proposed in January to
ensure that hospitals and medical establishments remain financially viable in case of
emergencies and fortuitous events.

He added the PhilHealth Board approved the IRM based on an opinion issued by
the corporation’s Legal Sector.

Mangaoang likewise confirmed that the board has approved the recommendation
of the corporation’s Protest and Appeals Department to grant amnesty to hospitals that
belatedly filed claims for reimbursement from 2011 onwards.

The law that created PhilHealth renders ineligible for reimbursement a claim filed
beyond 60 days from the discharge of a patient.

Barbado, meanwhile, requested Task Force PhilHealth to look into certain ghost
or fake claims previously investigated by the FFIED. — Evelyn Macairan

COVID-19 releases hit P376 billion — DBM

MANILA, Philippines — The government has released P376.57 billion in funds to
key agencies for their coronavirus disease response efforts, the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) reported yesterday.

According to data from the DBM as of Aug. 10, the bulk or P266.53 billion of the
total allotment releases came from savings generated from discontinued programs,
activities and projects.

Some P100.19 billion came from special purpose funds, while another P9.85
billion was sourced from regular agency budgets.

In terms of recipient agencies, P200.98 billion of the total releases went to the
Department of Social and Welfare Development for the implementation of the Social
Amelioration Program.

The Department of Finance also received P88.13 billion for the Small Business
Wage Subsidy program and Bayanihan grants to local government units.

Funds released to the Department of Health reached P48.98 billion, while the
Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Agriculture received P12.58
billion and P11.39 billion, respectively.

The Department of Education was also allocated P10.91 billion, followed by the
Department of National Defense with P1.36 billion, and Department of Public Works and
Highways with P842.66 billion.
 Other agencies that received additional funds for COVID-19 response include the
Department of the Interior and Local Government, University of the Philippines -
Philippine General Hospital, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science
and Technology, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Office of the Presidential Adviser
on the Peace Process.

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which expired last June 25, President
Duterte was authorized to discontinue programs in the 2019 and 2020 General
Appropriations Act to generate savings for COVID-19 response.

He was also authorized to reallocate or realign cash, funds, investments,

including unutilized subsidies held by government-owned and controlled corporations to
address the health emergency.

In a speech addressed to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the Philippines fared well against some
economies “despite not having the biggest stimulus package and even with the strictest
lockdown.”

“This is not the usual economic crisis, where a larger stimulus package translates
into a milder recession. For instance, we have seen that there doesn’t seem to be a
direct correlation between the size of one’s stimulus package and the drop in GDP,” he
said.

He cited Malaysia, whose economy contracted by 17.1 percent in the second

quarter despite having a stimulus package equivalent to 18.2 percent of their gross
domestic product.

The finance chief said the United Kingdom had a stimulus package equivalent to
23.4 percent of its GDP, but its economy went down by 21.7 percent; while Sweden’s
economy decelerated by 8.2 percent in spite of a stimulus package between 10.8 to
16.6 percent of GDP.

“Only Thailand and the Philippines had stimulus packages lower than the drop in
their GDPs. In particular, the Philippines’ stimulus package is between 4.2 to 6.4
percent of GDP, yet our GDP drop is 16.5 percent for the second quarter of this year,”
Dominguez said.

“It appears that no matter how much money countries pump into their economies,
their GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. It is not the sheer size of the stimulus
package that matters now but also whether it is actually saving the productive parts of
the economy. This is because the problem is not a systemic contraction or a cyclical
bust. Simply, necessary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate demand,” he added.
 Dominguez said the Duterte administration is supporting a “fiscally responsible”
Bayanihan To Recover As One or Bayanihan 2 bill, which will provide another round of
fiscal measures to stimulate consumer demand and support economic recovery

FEATURE ARTICLES

Tomorrow
By Pamela Joy Go, AdI-SMCS
· 700 words in 1 hour
· First Prize masterpiece, DSPC 2002
· Theme: Environmental Problems
· No. of participating schools: 25
HEAL the world,
Make if a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying,
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place
For you and for me

I could only stare at the third-grade pupils as they interpret this Michael Jackson
classic for their presentation during the flag ceremony. They seem to be so full of life, so
vibrant. Nothing in this world could seem to break the unbeatable character they have
glowing brightly inside them.
I sigh as my thoughts fall on the degrading society that we are having now. How
long will these naïve tots have the overwhelming spirit in them? How will they manage
to smile?
Look around you, human. What do you see? The pressing issues concerning the
destruction of Mother Earth is too real…too hard to ignore.
The huge forest fires that terrorize countless of species both here and abroad.
The perennial garbage problem that embraces the government like a cold pack of harsh
ice. The dwindling population of all sorts of mammals and reptiles…the endangered
species. The red list is getting longer and longer. Soon, I doubt if we’ll ever be able to
keep track of all the creatures that have disappeared from the face of the earth forever.
Yes, we want to escape from these enigmas. We really want to. But listen. It’s
also we who are keeping ourselves chained to the enslaving powers of material riches.
We are blinded by the glitter of gold every time we cut down trees.
 However, there are better realities in this issue our ancient mentality should just
think about. The contemporary ambience of people all over the world getting more
humane, more environment-friendly, more real is embracing us. Any maybe, just
maybe, we could start from here.
A year ago, I came across this Reader’s Digest article that suggested a different
view of this dilemma. While countless others would rather stick to the old, hopeless
sense of presenting these inevitable facts, the article examined the optimism that,
surprisingly, never left us.
We still have a chance. At least, that’s what the article said. People are becoming
civilized. We are no longer a heartless breed of warm bodies out for nothing but earthly
wealth. Through time, we have evolved to be persons with some sense. And Mother
Earth is pretty much depending on it. Her whole life, her whole existence is actually
relying on this so-called sensitivity that we are starting to acquire.
These are not made-up facts, ladies and gentlemen. No, this isn’t escapism. We
are not merely creating this news for the sake of lessening the parables that grasp us by
the throat. This is reality.
And this is where we could start. Instead of being a wet blanket, why not take a
positive paradigm shift? This maybe is the breakthrough we have been waiting for. And
this could take us somewhere in renovating our home, to say the least.
Yes, the predicaments around us are more than enough to last us a lifetime. There’s no way they’ll be
solved the moment we put our acts together. They may not even be solved in the entire life of this generation.
They may not even be solved at all. But let us begin. Let us start now.
In John F. Kennedy’s words, “United there’s little we cannot do. Divided, there’s little we can do.” If we
hold hands now, if we open our hearts to one another and disregard those barriers that keep us from being who
we truly are, then maybe we could still hang on to life.
As I watch the children hold hands and dance about the stage, I recognize in their eyes what we almost
lost—hope. The smiles pasted on their innocent faces spell a promise that there will be a tomorrow. And that
tomorrow will surely be better.
Tomorrow, the world will be healed.
Tomorrow, the world will be a better place.
For you and for me and the entire human race.

Blessing in disguise!
By: Peter Paul C. Cubay, Ed.D
With trembling hands, perplexed jaws, and distorted brows paired with
indescribable fast heartbeat aggravated by a sudden shift of body temperature, I
grabbed the envelope handed to me by the postmaster. I was clueless of what was
inside. More so, I did not know how to open it, for fear crept in me as I slowly tore its
soft, glossy edges. Well…by virtue of no choice, as what the famous punch line goes, I
took courage to read the message.
“Congratulations Mr. Peter Paul C. Cubay, your entry to the reality based drama
anthology “Kini ag Akong Suliran”, has been chosen by the screening committee as this
month’s official winner. Upon receipt of the notice, you have a maximum of 60 days to
claim your prize, otherwise it will be forfeited”, goes the message from the station.
Meanwhile, my world suddenly brightened up with vibrant colors as I headed to
my room screaming to the top of my lungs the words of overpowering jubilance. My
house was as if shakened by a considerable magnitude of tremors as I leaped with joy
from place to place. The nuisance agitated my entire family forcing them to get
awakened and joined me in the living room. It looked like it was the happiest episode of
my life to have been finally recognized after several decades of writing stories in the
radio, participated press conferences within and outside the province and touched many
souls with my real life stories. Most importantly, that very day made me feel like a
blessing in disguise had been poured to me by the heaven seeing all of my pains,
bitterness and unbearable sufferings.
Hence, from the day hereon, I utter a solemn vow to be a messenger of hope
and inspiration to the rest of those who are feeling down and weary.

The Button
By Jan Jeremy Campeña
(4th Place, Feature English, DSPC 2012)

I push the button. Suddenly, graphic illusions came out. Different colors, bold
letters and unfamiliar pictures of something appeared instantly. I just did not know those
things. Not really.
When I was a kid, I used to notice things that were called latest, or just simple,
new thing. Some people were using it in their everyday life and they stated that these
new things helped them a lot. Well…I just did not understand what they were telling me
because my thoughts were too young to absorb everything.
Now that I am already a teenager, living in a very modern world, I do remember
the movies I had seen in my young years. The robots, high powered gadgets, automatic
equipment, and voice activated machines-I thought that those things could only be seen
in movies but I proved it wrong.
We are now living in a highly modernized era. For the past years, newly designed
and high tech materials from other countries have been promoted here in the
Philippines. The trend of modern gadgets spreads so fast.
Have you ever seen a five year old kid browsing pictures in his Facebook
account? Well…it sounds funny, isn’t it? But, it is definitely true. Digital equipment
greatly affects the human brain especially those with young minds. Almost all people
here on earth know how to operate digital equipment, even senior citizens push buttons
to type messages and young children swipe screens to play games.
Modernization is now all around us. High technology equipment is embedded
anywhere. Then, we should be able to know how to use those so called high tech
equipment to benefit ourselves with aid of digital technology. Let us not be afraid of
learning something new and let us also encourage everybody to be a part of digital
literacy.
It may be concluded that this modernization would also bring disadvantages, but
let not evil desires use it to affect living things, specially human race.
I pushed a button. Suddenly, graphic illusions came out, and I just knew what
those things are.

A Terror with a Golden Heart

PETER PAUL C. CUBAY, Ed.D
First strike…. a strength of Low-Pressure Area…. second strike…a 7.2
magnitude earthquake…. third strike…. Yolanda…what’s next?
Dealing with millennials nowadays is never easy. Surely, adults should have an
overload of patience and understanding just to fall things in place. In this fast-changing
world, our present generation may have the utter difficulty in adjusting to situations
leading them to be complacent, insensitive…or at times stubborn. Thus, being soft
spoken and calm never give a dose of effect to them.
My journey being a school paper adviser for over a decade has been like a roller
coaster ride. It has the mixture of both euphoria and melancholy as I bound to
experience all the twist and turns, the runs and the riffs, and the better and the worse.
But after all, it is overly fulfilling and gratifying…especially when you see how things are
transformed close to perfection…or even a little difference of how it started.
My first three years is like nothing. Our first entry to the press conferences never
favored us. No matter what we did, winning seems to be very elusive. We went home
empty handed, however, we collected memories and experiences that made us
stronger, fiercer and bolder each day of our lives.
Scientist…
This was I called myself as I kept on searching for possible ways and alternatives
to at least earn a sort of a little accolade just to compensate our grueling experiences of
trainings. Since then, I opted to change my ways- from being meek and gentle to a
fiercer mentor. I realized that several days of training did not work, if I had to remain on
my obsolete ways of handling mentees.
During my fourth year of the press, I commenced with an orderly fashion of
planning things out in the best way possible. In the first week of the opening of classes,
I had to start scouting new aspiring, budding campus journalists to compose our
editorial staff. Amazingly, many rushed to the room to screen clueless of the kind of
journey they had to go through in case of being chosen.
Just in time when we started out the laborious job, the ones who passed quitted
untimely each day.
One…two…three…. four…. five….and so on and so forth.
Until I had very few left. Alarmingly anxious, I convened with these remaining
forces and prompted them that the doors are open for them to take exit at anytime they
want to. I had to be honest to them that the journey awaits them is rough and bumpy
and it takes a brave heart and soul to win in this battle I associate to apocalypse- just a
sort of exaggeration.
Heads are bowed, necks are stiffened and body seemed to be incarcerated in a
hollow restricted hall opening during our training. To make things extraordinarily
horrifying and petrifying, I had to walk amidst the silence with that sharp, stern and
monstrous look for them to feel like they had to go through a little opening of a needle to
surpass the nerve wrenching and backbreaking combat of pens. Adding the seemingly
abode of Hades setting, I had to move like a cop on the raid, clenching the teeth
together and handed to them topics they had to work for an hour or less. Of course, it
should be done in an hour, otherwise, early Halloween ambience would fill the air.
Deep within my soul, my heart is bleeding in the corner seeing these people
exposed to a military rule just for a purpose. Prior to the rigorous training, I had to
explain to them that I had to be strict for them to grow as writers and value each work. I
stressed to them that since we aim for something better, we had to move out from the
normalcy of work. Training should be meant as training and it should never be blended
with complacency and mediocrity, but as high as excellence. Hence, at the onset, I
never started out to writing proper unless the principles and rudiments of Journalism are
best understood by the writers.
Yes, it worked, not just once but twice, thrice, and the rest is history.
If we got home empty handed in the past, now it seems to be a complete irony of
how it started out. Our fourth entry marked the beginning of our skytowering
achievements in Journalism. More surprisingly, we got overwhelming awards in almost
of the categories we had participated. Above all, we finally reached the ultimate height
of success not just in the division, but so well in the regionals and nationals. It is like a
lightning that strikes on our roof and made an astounding inferno trail.
Hailed as grand champion for more than a couple of times is indeed a
remarkable and notable achievement a small school has achieved over its rivals. The
moments of victory and triumph left me breathless and speechless. I could not imagine
how blessings are poured on us after the sullen and agonizing failures in the past.
Recalling those days of losing makes us even grateful that we have surmounted the
toughest and the greatest challenges we have encountered together.
 Yes, I have been so hard to them during the process, but my heart for them is so
wide and open. Rare to a coach to have spent more than half of his life to dedicate his
existence to the young dreamers who are passionate enough in the roads they traveled.
Would you believe it if I say, I am bound to awful financial drawbacks just for my
students? Still, would you believe if I say, I forgot my own self just to secure the lives of
these young writers who are not even my kin?
Yeah…I call myself a driver…. a nanny…a banker…a parent…and name it, I
have played them all.
This is how I treat my students and I just love the way things are done. This is
how I call it a passion not just aiming to advance to a career goal. Working with children
with flaming dedication to work makes my life complete. Recognition? Well…undeniably
the last. Whether being recognized or not, the unwavering passion in me to collaborate
with people still remains blazing within my heart and soul.
I may have been so hard for them but the love I have for all of them is boundless.
It is like a parent who does everything to his kid to straighten up his life. I prefer to be
heartbroken in my solitary ways just to see my mentees exalted in their craft.
Nonetheless, these young dreamers still stick on me no matter what, and keep on telling
me that the times we had known together is the best thing that happens to their
existence. Truly, these words resonated to my whole being and made me mesmerize
how great is our Lord to have plotted these wonderful events that make my teaching
career the best episode of my borrowed life.
True enough, I might have acted like the strength of the catastrophes, but I know
in my heart that I have an oozing love to my students…not anymore as strangers…but a
family who gives more meaning to my life and for who I really am.

Being a Journalist is an Unforgettable Experience

By: Haidee Luoper Aseňero Salvejo
“Every child has the ability to write.”
Our Heavenly Father designed as wonderfully. He endowed us a lot of talents.
Singing and dancing are among them. But one stays different. Others don’t like this
talent, but we should be grateful that we are showered with this unique talent.
I was six when one of my favorite teachers offered me to join Journalism
sessions every Saturday afternoon. I love to write, and this encourages me to accept
the wonderful privilege.
I was seven years old when I write feature article for the first time. My coach
loved my writing and so with my handwriting. She then told me that it will be preserved
for the school paper. Because of this our school was eager to join the Journalism
contest in 2010 held in Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur. We are only three selected
students to join. But sadly, none of us won.
“Practice makes perfect”. I always put this quote in my mind. Until our school
received a news of a new Journalism contest. Even though we are not ready, we
manage to join the contest. Unbelievable, we won 3 rd and 10th place. We are then
qualified for the Regional Level in Pagadian City. Because we lack preparation, we did’t
win.
Now, in this year 2013, unexpectedly I won 1 st place in Feature Writing English in
Molave Zamboanga del Sur during the District Level. Then, I am qualified to the Division
Level held in Tukuran. I won 2nd place there and is qualified for the Regional Level. And
now, I am here, writing.
One of my friends advised me not to be nervous. She then told me to remember
that the thing I am doing is for the glory of our God Jehovah Who has given me the
talent. I should also be thankful to him for giving me the opportunity to have this
experience of writing. And most of all, I should use this talent to show my appreciation
to the Designer of Humans, God our Father!
It is a long journey to pursue this dream into reality, but sacrifices are all worth it.
Truly, being a journalist is an unforgettable lifetime experience.