Congress vows to pass BBL before June 30

 

Source: RPN9

House and Senate leaders on Tuesday, March 3, agreed to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before June 30 – just before President Benigno Aquino III delivers his final State of the Nation Address in July.

But the peace pact still faces an uncertain fate despite the target deadline because of the repercussion of the Mamasapano encounter, in which Moro fighters killed 44 commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF).

In their monthly meeting, on Monday, March 2, the leaders of both houses of Congress sealed an agreement to revise and amend the proposed BBL to ensure its constitutionality even if this would result to a watered-down version as feared by Moro rebels.

“Aming napagkasunduan ipapasa bago matapos ang second regular session, which means by June 30 we will have a Bangsamoro Basic Law that is in accordance to our constitution,” said Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Congress suspended deliberations on the BBL pending results of the official Philippine National Police (PNP) probe on the Mamasapano clash.

After the Senate wrapped up its investigation, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. became hesitant about his chamber's own probe.

“I think we can take it up in the House, pero definitely I don't want to repeat what has already been done,” Belmonte said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, meanwhile, echoed Belmonte’s statement, saying the PNP report – to be released on Friday, March 6 – should be enough.

Rodriguez, chairman of the 75-member Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, said the bill's passage would largely depend on the cooperation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF has around four months to gain back lawmakers' trust, he added.

“Certainly there's a loss of trust at the House with the MILF,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said his committee might resume the BBL hearings in two weeks – giving them four days to meet before their six week break.

He is also proposing one to two weeks special session to salvage the ”dying” bill seeking to create the Bangsamoro juridical entity.

Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., on the other hand, said Senate BBL hearings might resume as soon as reports on Mamasapano by the PNP and the MILF are released.

“Ano ba talaga ang mekanismo para pag alam na ng commander na ang pinapuputukan niya ay tropa ng gobyerno, kelangan dapat matigil,” he said.

According to Marcos, the MILF and the government would need to regain the people's trust by telling the truth about the Mamasapano operation as well as for President Aquino to explain why he "created another chain of command" outside of normal procedure. – 9News Online, from a report by Pia Bonalos

Kathryn admits feeling 'awkward' with Nadine

MANILA – Teen star Kathryn Bernardo admitted that there exists "some kind of awkwardness" between her and Nadine Lustre who is constantly being compared to her.

“Siguro meron kaming awkwardness kasi with the social media, the Twitter, the Instagram, parang nauunahan ng lahat ng tao bago pa kami mag-meet,” Bernardo said during her live interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday.

While they see each other at events, Bernardo said they have yet to be introduced to each other formally.

“Hindi pa nabi-break 'yung awkwardness na 'yun kasi hindi pa kami formally nagmi-meet. Siguro sa backstage, doon lang kami nagkikita kasi kami 'yung next. Pero sana, open ako sa idea na gusto ko mag-meet kami,” she said.

Bernardo said she would like to get to know Lustre more, and maybe even hang out with her in the future. She even agreed to host Kris Aquino’s suggestion that the three of them have coffee one day.

Nadine Lustre and Kathryn Bernardo. File Photo.

ABS-CBNnews.com

 

“Go sige, basta free,” she said. “Gusto ko na makausap ko siya para maalis 'yung awkwardness. Ayaw ko kasi 'yung awkwardness.”

Since Lustre rose to fame in last year's "Diary ng Panget," not a few have commented that the two young actresses look alike. Moreover, Bernardo’s team-up with Padilla is also being compared to the tandem of Lustre and James Reid.

Despite this, Lustre had shrugged off comparisons, pointing out that she and Reid are just starting out and still have much to prove.

In their past separate interviews, both Lustre and Bernardo have expressed that they are open to work with each other if given the opportunity.

2 'drug couriers' in Mindanao network nabbed

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Two alleged drug couriers in Alubijid town were arrested here Sunday.
Police said the suspects, identified as Cita Namatucan and Perlita Barreto Sequilla, were arrested Sunday evening in Barangay Lumbo by personnel of the Alubijid Police and members of the the detective management desk of the Cagayan de Oro City Police.

Seized from the suspects were 6 packs of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P90,000.
The suspects are known drug couriers operating in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City and Alubijid, Misamis Oriental. - By Rod Bolivar, ABS-CBN News Northern Mindanao

 

 

Senate divided on Enrile house arrest

MANILA - One of the allies of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile called on the Senate to seek house arrest for the detained lawmaker, citing his old age and fragile health.
Enrile has been on hospital arrest at the PNP General Hospital on plunder and graft charges in connection with the pork barrel scam. He was rushed to the Makati Medical Center last week due to pneumonia.

In a speech on Monday, Sotto asked that a resolution “expressing the sense of the Senate or at least some of its members be passed and ask the proper authority to exercise its judicial compassion and allow Senator Enrile to be detained at his residence in Makati.”

“Under present circumstances, justice is no less diminished should Senator Juan Ponce Enrile be detained at his residence in Makati. He is not a flight risk, and neither is he intending to be one,” said Sotto, the chamber’s acting minority leader.

“I am not here to plead for mercy. Senator Enrile has not been convicted. I simply want to rely on our operating principle that innocence is presumed.”
Sotto's request has been referred to the committee on rules chaired by Enrile’s critic, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Other senators believe, however, that the Senate need not step in on the issue of house arrest for Enrile, who was Senate minority leader before he was detained.

“Sa ngayon hindi ko pa naman naiisip na dapat gano’n (For now I don’t think that should be done),” said Senator Grace Poe. “Para sa akin, mismo dapat ang doktor doon sa Crame ang magsabi kung ano ang pinakamabuting paraan para siya ay gumaling (For me, it should be the doctor at Camp Crame who should say what the best way for his recovery).”

Senator Sonny Angara said the issue is a matter of “judicial prerogative."
“At the end of the day, talagang Sandiganbayan lang ang magde-desisyon diyan (Only the Sandiganbayan will decide on that),” he told reporters. - by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

Aquino ‘special powers’ OKd

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen senators  on Monday  voted   to pass on third and  final  reading  a joint resolution,  granting “special powers” to President Benigno Aquino  III to address the projected  “electricity  imbalance” in the Luzon  grid during the summer this year.
No  member of the Senate   objected or   abstained when Senate  Joint Resolution 12 initiated  by Senate President  Franklin Drilon and Senator Serge  Osmena III, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, was put to a vote  in the plenary.

The proposed measure was the chamber’s  response to  the President’s request   last September, 2014 to the two chambers  Congress for authority  to establish  additional generating capacity, citing  the projected “critical electricity situation” in  the summer of 2015 in Luzon.
The President, under the proposed measure,  will be authorized  to address the projected imbalance of the supply and demand for electricity  in the Luzon grid especially in 2015 and  2016 under certain  conditions.

In December , 2014, the  House  of Representatives  also approved House Joint Resolution No. 21 that seeks “to provide for the establishment of additional power generating capacity as mandated by Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), to effectively address the projected shortage of the supply of electricity in the Luzon grid from March 12 to July 2015.”

Congress will then convene a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the two versions of the proposed measure and  come up  with  a report for ratification by the two chambers.

NBA Roundup: Missed FTs from LeBron help Rockets edge Cavs in OT

Photo courtesy of NBA Facebook page | By ABS-CBN Sports

ROCKETS 105, CAVALIERS 103

James Harden came out on top in his duel with LeBron James as the Houston Rockets topped the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, 105-103, on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) in Houston’s Toyota Center.

Harden’s 33 points pushed the Rockets ahead, 105-100, until LeBron drilled a trey to get the Cavaliers within two with 43 seconds left in overtime. In the game’s decisive possession, LeBron was fouled in his drive onto the lane, but muffed both charities that secured Houston’s 41st win in 59 games.

LeBron finished with 37 markers, but his three out of 11 free throw performance became the most glaring factor in Cleveland’s drop to 37-24.

CLIPPERS 96, BULLS 86

Chris Paul had 28 points and 12 assists to drive the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the Chicago Bulls, 96-86, at the United Center in Chicago.

DeAndre Jordan contributed 26 rebounds to own the glass against the Bulls who were without Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson and then lost Jimmy Butler for the second half. The final score raised the Clippers to 39-21 and lowered the Bulls to 37-23.

WARRIORS 106, CELTICS 101

The Golden State Warriors battled back from a 26-point deficit to edge the Boston Celtics, 106-101, at the TD Garden in Boston.

Stephen Curry scored 37 to lead the Warriors in erasing a huge second quarter margin for their 46th victory out of 57. On the other hand, the Celtics squandered a good start to fall to 23-34.

THUNDER 108, LAKERS 101

The Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder still proved too much for the Los Angeles, 108-101, at the Staples Center in LA.

With Durant hobbled by a foot injury and Westbrook just having undergone surgery in his cheek, newcomers DJ Augustin and Enes Kanter merged for 34 points and 24 rebounds in the Thunder’s 33rd triumph in 60 tries. Augustin and Kanter snapped the Lakers’ season-best three-game win run and sent LA to 16-42.

BLAZERS 110, KINGS 99

Damian Lillard drained nine of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to run away from the Sacramento Kings, 110-99, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

LaMarcus Aldridge added 26 markers and 15 rebounds to give Portland its third straight victory coming from a 36-19 record. Rudy Gay’s 24 points were not enough to prevent Sacramento’s 37th loss out of 57.

PELICANS 99, NUGGETS 92

The New Orleans Pelicans notched their fifth consecutive victory, this time at the expense of the Denver Nuggets, 99-92, at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Tyreke Evans’ 22 points led the Pelicans to their fourth win in a row without sidelined Anthony Davis coming from a 28-27 record. Denver stumbled to 20-39 with the loss.

HORNETS 98, MAGIC 83

Mo Williams’ double-double proved to be the difference in the Charlotte Hornets’ 98-83 victory versus the Orlando Magic at the Amway center in Orlando.

Williams finished with 23 points and 11 assists to help elevate the Hornets to 24-33. Victor Oladipo led the Magic in the losing effort, their 42nd out of 61.

PACERS 94, 76ERS 74

Roy Hibbert powered the Indiana Pacers through the Philadelphia 76ers, 94-74, in Indianapolis’ Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Hibbert had 14 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks as the surging Pacers won their eighth in the past 10 games coming from a 17-32 record. The loss sent the 76ers to 13-46.

PNP forms team to investigate Jolo Revilla shooting incident

By ELIZABETH MARCELO

 

(Update 2:11 p.m.) The Philippine National Police has formed a team to investigate the shooting incident involving Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla to determine whether there was foul play involved.

 

“Kahapon ng gabi ay bumuo na tayo ng composite team to investigate the incident para malaman natin kung purely accidental ba ito or there was a foul-play involved,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Carmelo Valmoria told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

 

Valmoria said the team will be headed by Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Henry Rañola.

 

Valmoria said Rañola and the members of the team were already instructed to coordinate with the Revilla family regarding the investigation.

 

Valmoria said he also gave other specific instructions to the team regarding the things to look into in the conduct of investigation but refused to elaborate.

 

“Basta nabigyan na natin sila ng specific tasks. May mga bagay silang dapat alamin, pero huwag na muna natin pag-usapan sa ngayon because it might affect the investigation,” Valmoria said.

 

On Saturday afternoon, Revilla was rushed to the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City after he sustained a gunshot wound on his chest.

 

The Revilla family earlier said Jolo sustained the gunshot wound after he accidentally pulled the trigger of his gun while cleaning it inside their family home in Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa City.

 

Valmoria, however, said that despite the statement of the Revilla family, an investigation on the incident is still necessary.

 

“It's part of the standard operating procedure of the PNP to investigate any medico-legal incident. Basta may taong nalagay sa kapahamakan ang buhay whether due to a self-inflicted act or due to an act of another individual, ay iniimbestigahan natin yan, irregardless kung ordinaryong tao o makapangyarihang tao ang involved,” Valmoria said.

 

Valmoria said he also tasked the group to coordinate with the Asian Hospital to get the necessary medical reports that would be vital in the investigation.

 

He, however, refused to confirm if the gun involved in the incident is already under the possession of the team for examination.

 

“Let's just wait for the result of the investigation,” Valmoria said.

 

He said there is no deadline given to the team for the conduct of the investigation.

Earlier in the day, Jolo's father, detained Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to visit his son in the hospital.

The elder Revilla is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center over graft and plunder charges in connection with the P10-B alleged pork barrel scam.

Also on Monday, the spokesperson of the Revilla family said Jolo is now in stable condition and could be transferred to a regular room within the day.

“Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla’s condition is stable. However, he had fever this 5 a.m. which [is an] indicative of some infection in his body,” lawyer Raymond Fortun said.

 

“The family is still hoping to transfer him to a regular room this afternoon. Doctor is monitoring output of blood, which looks like it’s decreasing,” Fortun added. — RSJ, GMA News