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Higher-ups bypassed in pricey laptops deal
Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
T
HE head of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Sen. Francis Tolentino, said the purchase of much expensive but outdated laptops worth P2.4 billion for the use of public school teachers in their online classes during the pandemic did not go through the proper channels. DepEd Usec. Alain Pascua
At the start of the hearing yesterday, Tolentino observed irregularities in the approval as it did not go through “the higher-ups." He said the procurement was approved only by Education Undersecretary Alain
Pascua and Director Abram Abanil, a member of the PS-DBM Special Bids and Awards Committee. Pascua, however, said he was not a signatory to the documents pertaining to the pricing of the laptops. Next page
Former Education Sec. Leonor Briones
‘Ber months to usher in mixed retail prices for salt, sugar products By Vito Barcelo
DTI to release SRP of holiday items in October
WITH the “Ber” months signaling the holidays approaching, prices of salt are going up while the prices of sugar are falling, the Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday. DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the agency approved an increase in the suggested retail prices of salt after prices of the commodity went unchanged for six years while denying there was a shortage of salt supplies in the country. In its bulletin, the Trade Department approved upward movements in prices of iodized rock salt to P21.75 for 500 grams and P23.00 for one kilogram. In terms of iodized salt, the suggested retail price for a 100-gram pack is set at P4.50; 250 grams ranging from P9.00 to P11.75; 500 grams ranging from P16.00 to P21.25; and one kilogram at P29.00.
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 191 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 FRIDAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
“On the issue of supply, we have sufficient because we have a lot… We have three or four large companies that produce salt, and we also have imports,” Castelo told a public briefing. On sugar, Castelo said several small retailers have also expressed their intent to sell white refined sugar at P70 per
kilogram, following commitments made by major supermarket chains. “They are most welcome to join us if they can sell white refined sugar at P70 per kilo, but the government does not provide benefits or assistance to the three retail chains mentioned,” she said. SM Supermarket, Robinsons
Supermarket, and Puregold all earlier committed to selling sugar at P70 per kilogram, amid the high prevailing prices at the market. The latest data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) show that prices of sugar in Metro Manila stand at P95 Next page
AS THE Christmas holidays are just around the corner, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday it will release the suggested retail prices (SRP) of Noche Buena items by the end of October or early November. It also urged Filipinos to consider doing early Christmas shopping to avoid price hikes, as the season kicks off on September 1st or the start of the “Ber” months and lasts until January the following year. “We will soon release a Noche Buena Next page
SWEET AND SALTY. A worker arranges sugar packs priced at P70 per kilo -- a substantial markdown from a high of P110 per kilo -- at a supermarket along Judge Jimenez Street, Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. In Cavite, a man rakes salt at a warehouse as the Trade Department approved a price hike for the seasoning. Robert Oswald Alfiler and AFP
Rights body worried over spate DOTr claims funds for extended free ride nixed V. Cruz of violence vs. women, children ByandMaricel Darwin Amojelar By Rio N. Araja
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday raised concern over an increase in abductions and incidents of gender-based violence perpetrated against women and children, even as the police said a recent spate of killings and kidnappings were mostly related to offshore gaming operators. “The right to life is a natural right guaranteed to all individuals without
distinction and goes beyond the rights to mere existence,” CHR executive director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said as she cited several cases of gender-based violence. These include: • Princess Dianne Dayor, an industrial engineer from Barangay Tikay, City of Malolos, who was found dead on July 5 after being reported missing on July 2. Next page
‘Dual infection’ of monkeypox, COVID raised By Willie Casas
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Hence, similar to previous years, no funds were allocated for it under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP)," she said. Libiran said the ball is now effectively with Congress as it was also the one who introduced the item in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. "Hence, we will defer to the wisdom of our honorable lawmakers the decision on whether or not to allot appropriations for the said program. We shall likewise defer to the direction of the Department of Finance (DOF) as to policies concerning Next page
Senate panel opens debate on Cha-cha BACK FROM RIMPAC. BRP Antonio
AN infectious disease expert warned on Thursday that COVID-19 and monkeypox could hit a person at the same time. Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the adult infectious diseases unit of San Lazaro Hospital, said it is not uncommon that a “dual infection” could happen. “The fact that the person has COVID means his immune system is weakened in
THE Department of Transportation has asked lawmakers to fund its Libreng Sakay program for next year after its request for a P12 billion allocation was excluded in the proposed 2023 budget submitted to Congress. Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transportation Marke Steven Pastor said the Libreng Sakay program is not included in the 2023 budget of the DOTr.
"We requested P12 billion for [the] 2023 budget. However, it was not included in the National Expenditure Program,” Pastor said during the hearing conducted by the House Committee on Transportation Thursday. In a separate statement, Budget Undersecretary Goddes Libiran explained that the Service Contracting Program, more popularly known as Libreng Sakay, is a "non-recurring or one-time expend i t u r e item." "It is not a regular program.
Luna docks at the Manila South Harbor Pier 15 during the arrival ceremony for the returning Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.0 on board the multi-mission capable frigate from their participation in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2022 in Hawaii. Norman Cruz
By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes on Thursday met for the first time to discuss possible amendments to the 1987 Constitution. Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla, who chairs the committee, kicked off the process by saying: "There is one truth that cannot be denied -- that we Filipinos must respond to the call to improve and enhance our Constitution if needed.” Next page