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Grace Poe on the revocation of Maynilad and Manila Water concession agreement: “Pinakanababahala ako ngayon”

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The decision of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to revoke the extension of the concession agreement between the government, Manila Water Inc. and Maynilad received praise from the netizens.

However, one Senator expressed her concern over the decision of the MWSS to revoke an extension between the two big companies saying that it might affect the distribution of water to the people.

In an interview on Wednesday, Senator Grace Poe said that she’s worried about the possible consequences of the decision of MWSS.

“Ako, pinakanababahala ako ngayon ay ang pagrevoke ng extension contract,” Poe said.

“Dahil kung ‘yun ang mangyayari, alam mo kahit magpatayo tayo ng Wawa Dam, ‘yung treatment facilities n’yan, at saka ‘yung conveyance, ‘yung pagdi-distribute ng tubig sa mga household, sa mga businesses…kapag itinigil ngayon ‘yung distribution process, mawawalan tayo ng tubig ngayon na ire-revoke ‘yan,” she added.

Poe also pointed out that the water companies might stop their ongoing projects because of their agreement with the government is now set to expire in 2022 instead of 2037.

“Nirevoke na daw yung extension so hanggang 2022 na lang, so pagdating ng 2022, kung hindi sila ma-extend beyond 2022, lahat ng projects nila in the pipeline, matitigil,” Poe said.

MWSS made the decision following President Duterte’s revelation against the two water companies, saying that they’re trying to take advantage of the natural resources of the country.

Before Duterte’s criticism, the government is being ordered by an international tribunal to pay the two companies with a total of P11-B pesos.

However, Maynilad and Manila Water decided not to ask the government to pay the 11-B anymore after Duterte’s criticism.

“Ayaw po naming kalabanin ang Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Mabuti po ang ginagawa niya para sa taong bayan at sumusuporta po kami. Humihingi po kami ng paumanhin kung nagalit siya dahil sa arbitral ruling,” Manila Water Corporation President and CEO Jose Almendras said during a Senate hearing on the proposed creation of a water department.

 

 

“Bongga!” Vietnamese poured out into the streets as Vietnam wins first ever football gold medal in SEA Games

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It seems that the people of Vietnam are happy as the Philippines despite not getting the overall champion title in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Thousands of Vietnamese went out of their homes to gather into the streets of Ho Chi Minh city to celebrate the first-ever football gold medal they got in the SEA Games.

Photo: VnExpress

Newspaper VN Express international and netizens posted several photos of the celebration.

Some netizens also uploaded a video of the scene, showing thousands of Vietnamese cheering and waving their flags.

Some of them even brought fireworks to make the celebration brighter.

Vietnam defeated Indonesia 3-0 in the final of the SEA Games giving them the elusive gold medal in football.

The Vietnamese are one of the most active fans of football.

Vietnam received a total of 288 medals (98 gold, 85 silver, and 105 bronze), placing second in the tally.

 

 

U2 lead singer Bono reminds President Duterte: “You can’t compromise on human rights”

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The lead singer of the Irish rock band U2 has a message to President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Tuesday, December 10, during a press conference at the Philippine Red Cross Headquarters in Mandaluyong, Bono said that he doesn’t have any plans to meet President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I have no plans and, you know, today, I’m just focused on what the positives of working with the health service might be and I just met with the health minister and it’s very encouraging. And so I thank him for that.” Bono who’s real name is Paul David Hewson said.

“The President is very popular, and he doesn’t need me on his side.” he added.

He also introduced himself as a member of Amnesty International (AI), the group that criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s policies several times.

The media also asked Bono about his thoughts on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

” I am a member of Amnesty International, I have been all my life, and I think human rights are critical. My impression of the Philippines is (they’re a) very caring, very sophisticated people, and I understand that when progress is made, some people make what they think are compromises for that progress,” he said.

“And I would just say you can’t compromise on human rights. And that’s my soft message,” he added.

Bono’s band, U2 is set to hold a concert at the Philippine Arena on Wednesday.

Indonesian volleyball player receives criticisms for flashing middle finger after match vs. PH

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An Indonesian volleyball player is receiving a tremendous amount of criticisms on social media after he was spotted raising his middle finger on live television.

Putu Randu has gone viral on social media after he was spotted doing the said bad gesture in front of the Filipino crowd after they won the gold medal against PH during the men’s volleyball final of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

Netizens couldn’t hide their disappointment over Randu’s gesture, calling him arrogant and showing unsportsmanlike even during the match against the Philippines.

“How disrespectful! Sorry but athlete with this kind of attitude is a TRASH,” netizen @masterjoyang said.

“Lastly, he doesn’t deserve to represent your country! Eto papakita niyo? Ganito ba ugali niyo. Diba ang pangit na may ganyan kayong players kasi parang nirerepresenta niya yung buong KAYO!” he added.

Another netizen told Randu that he would never get the respect he wanted after his actions.

“TO HIS FACE, RANDU. THAT’S WHAT IM TELLING. YOU WILL WIN BUT YOU WILL NEVER RECEIVE RESPECT BECAUSE YOU ARE DISRESPECTFUL ATHLETE. IMAGINE REPRESENTING INDONESIA WITH THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE,” @athenaw02 twitted.

“FOR THOSE DEFENDING RANDU, HOW CAN YOU DEFEND THE MIDDLE FINGER HE DID LIVE? HUH? WHAT NOW? THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE FROM AN ATHLETE REPRESING HIS COUNTRY INDONESIA DID A MIDDLE FINGER WOW! WHAT A SHAME INDEED!” she added.

A netizen also brought up the incident where a Filipino saved his Indonesian opponent from possible drowning.

“While our fellow Filipino saved your fellow people from drowning, here you are. #Randu, you won the gold but never the humility and respect!!!,” netizen @eyannmiguel remarked.

Meanwhile, an Indonesian fan said that people cannot blame Randu’s action because he was not the crowd’s favorite during the match.

“You know that your audience reacts to our athlete, moreover the atmosphere is underestimated. You just don’t know his position,” @gabukahatisorry told a critic of Randu.

It can be remembered that Randu became the most talked player during the said match because of his gestures.

The Filipino crowd also cheered when the ball when PH Player Mark Espejo spiked Randu to the face.

Despite the very intense match, Randu said in an interview that he loves the Philippines.

“I love the Philippines,” Randu said after wearing the gold medal.

Sen. Lacson praises Pres. Duterte on his action against water companies: “One of the great things only President Duterte is capable of”

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Senator Ping Lacson couldn’t stop himself from praising President Rodrigo Duterte after Manila Water and Maynilad stated that they would no longer collect P11-B compensation from the government.

In a Twitter post, Lacson said that the decision of the two water concessionaires is a great thing that only President Duterte can do.

“One of the great things only President Duterte is capable of doing all by himself,” Lacson said.

According to some reports, the two water concessionaires will no longer bring up the arbitral ruling asking the government to pay them a total of P11-B for not following the contract which President Duterte labeled as “onerous”.

“Opo sir, susunod po kami sa kagustuhan ng gobyerno, at ng Pangulo,” Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Rene Almendras told lawmakers during a hearing of the House of Representatives on the contracts between the said water companies and government.

Maynila President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez also said that they already stopped demanding the government a long time ago.

“Na-award po ang arbitral award sa Maynilad nung 2017 pa po. After we have followed up the government, nung hindi ho kami binibigyan ng pansin, hindi na ho kami nagpursigi,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System said that they already canceled the extension contracts of Maynilad and Manila Water.

It means that instead of 2037, the contracts of the two water concessionaires with MSS will end in 2022.

 

 

Jimmy Bondoc doesn’t believe that ABS-CBN is concern with their employees: “wag naman tayo magpaloko”

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Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Assistant Vice President for Entertainment Jimmy Bondoc refuted the argument of ABS-CBN supporters that the closure of the said company would result in the loss of thousands of jobs.

In a lengthy post, Bondoc explained why the possible franchise expiration of ABS-CBN would not quickly going to affect its employees.

He pointed out that ABS-CBN could make another company under a new name and management and transfer all their employees there.

He then questioned if the said television network is really concerned with their employees.

Bondoc claimed that the said company faced several labor cases filed by their employees.

“Jurisprudence shows otherwise. Labor cases abound based on ABS’s unfair labor practices, termination disputes, and many more. In fact, decided cases have been final and executory for long, yet ABS has obstinately refused to comply with court orders,” said Bondoc.

“In some cases, they complied with DOLE orders by reinstating employees, but committed acts amounting to constructive dismissal naman. Yun bang halos pahirapan ka para lang lumayas ka na,” he added.

The former singer turned public official then pointed out the case of “Wheng Hidalgo”

According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Hidalgo filed a case against ABS-CBN because she was allegedly treated as contractual employee by the said company despite working there for 16 years.

Bondoc urged the people not to believe the supporters of the company who are using employees to get sympathy.

“So ulitin lang natin. If ABS is plucking at the heartstrings of the public by highlighting the loss of jobs of thousands, why have they not shown compassion or at least, compliance with court orders or employees’ appeals with regard to regularization of employees, or reinstatement of illegally dismissed employees?” said Bondoc.

“Wag naman tayo magpaloko sa mga emotional appeal of a company who supposedly pities their employees and blames this government for the loss of many jobs, but have been shown to disregard the rights of the very employees they claim to be protecting. In Facebook parlance, they call that Charot,” he added.

According to data taken from 2017, there are 11,068 employees working in ABS-CBN.

One twitter page that supports the company even asked if the government could give new jobs to the employees of ABS-CBN if ever that its franchise expires.

Timorese athlete becomes emotional after winning ‘official’ first medal for Timor-Leste

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One of the athletes of Timor-Leste became emotional as she finally won a medal for her country in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Taekwondo jin Imbrolia De Araujo Dos Reis Amorin placed third in the women’s 57kg division to win a bronze for her country Timor-Leste on Sunday.

Amorin couldn’t stop from being emotional after she was assured of a bronze medal.

“It’s the first medal for my country. That’s why I’m so emotional. I feel so happy. I’m so excited. I give this medal for our country,” said Amorin.

Several Filipinos who saw the victory of Amorin personally didn’t let the opportunity escape to have a selfie with the Timorese athlete.

It can be remembered that Filipino sports fans also cheered for Timor-Leste after seeing that the said country is the only participant with zero medal since day 1 of SEA Games.

During her semifinal match against Cambodia, Amorin even gained cheers from the Filipinos, shouting ‘Timor-Leste’ when she was introduced.

The match was held at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Timor-Leste only got assured of medal on Sunday since the SEA Games started after flyweight Jose Barreto Quintos Da Silva was already qualified to get a bronze medal after successfully entering the semifinal bout of the boxing competition.

Amorin is the first one who got the actual medal before Da Silva as the medal awarding ceremony for boxing was scheduled on Monday.

Meanwhile, another athlete from Timor-Leste Ana Da Costa Da Silva Pinto Belo brought the first silver medal for her country on Monday.

It was Timor Leste’s sixth silver medal since they started participating in SEA Games in 2003.

As of writing, Timor-Leste already got 6 medals (1 silver and five bronze)

 

Police said that the Chinese victim in Makati incident knows the suspect: “Hindi muna pinilit na pumasok yung victim”

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The Makati Police said that the woman who forcefully grabbed inside a vehicle in front of an office building along Paseo de Roxas cor. Perea St. in Legazpi Village is a Chinese National.

According to the Makati Police, they firmly believe that the victim knows the people who forced her to get inside the van based on their initial investigation.

In an interview, PCOL Rogelio Simon said that the victim was first seen by the witnesses boarding the vehicle voluntarily, however she was forced to stay inside the van after trying to leave.

“Initially ang lumalabas doon sa interview ay naglalakad ito (victim) from one of the adjacent building, naglakad at yung van na kumuha sa kanya is tatlong beses ding umikot, ayon sa CCTV na chineck ng mga investigators natin,” Simon said.

“Ang assessment namin, parang kilala kasi ito kaya hindi muna pinilit na pumasok yung victim, kumbaga lumapit siya doon sa van at nung pinipilit na siyang ipasok eh doon na siya nagsimula na sumigaw,” he added.

They also tried to trace the plate number of the van involved in the incident, however, they found out that it was registered for a different kind of vehicle.

The authorities also recovered the documents including photocopies of passports and sale of vehicles between Chinese individuals.

After being uploaded on social media, netizens started to link the incident in the “white van scare” and asked other people to be vigilant and avoid walking along.

In the video, it can be heard the victim screaming “tulong” however all the bystanders were left stunned by what they witnessed.

Please walk with a group or near establishments na may guard if you really have to walk late at night,” netizen Joeybear said.

“Yari!” Government ready to take over the distribution of water if necessary amid problems with Maynilad and Manila Water

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The Department of Justice said that the government has no choice but to take over the water distribution if ever that the government problem with Manila Water Co., Inc and Maynilad Water escalates.

According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, the government is willing to handle the distribution of water if the two water concessionaires decided to stop their service to the people.

“The government will have to take over if necessary,” said Guevarra.

However, they believe that there are still more options left for the two companies to fix their problems with the government.

“This is a problem that can be solved. I don’t have any reason to believe that we should be worried about the stoppage of water supply. Unless and until the government is ready to run the distribution business efficiently, I guess for now we still have to rely on private concessionaires for the distribution of water supply,” Guevarra said.

Meanwhile, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go criticized the two water concessionaires for putting the government in a disadvantage in their contract.

“Tayo pa ngayon ang magbabayad ng bilyon-bilyon mula sa kaban ng bayan dahil pinigilan sila magtaas ng singil ng serbisyo na napakababa ng kalidad. Buong bansa ang magbabayad, hindi lang ang kliyente ng mga concessionaires na ito,” Go said in his privilege speech in the Senate.

“It will bear the brunt of the greed and selfishness of these big concessionaires… The government and the people are now at the mercy of these big concessionaires. it is apparent that many of the provisions in the concessionaire agreement are unfair and unjust to the Filipino people,” he added.

Go said that he wanted to know the people behind the controversial contract to ask them why they let the two companies have the advantage in the agreement.

“Kaya ang tanong ko, sino ba ang mga abogado at opisyal na nakaupo nang pina-bid at ginawa ang mga kontrata na ito? Bakit pinalusot niyo?” he said.

Mayor Isko Moreno does the ‘Duterte fist bump’ during launching of Pasig ferry service

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It seems that Mayor Isko Moreno is one of the ‘DDS’.

Mayor Moreno is one of the politicians who joined the launching of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Pasig Ferry Service.

The Pasig Ferry Service was launched to help the people to have an alternative way of traveling along Metro Manila without experiencing the traffic.

In the photos posted by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Greco Belgica, it can be seen Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, Mayor Isko Moreno of Manila, Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim riding one of the ferries being used by the commuters.

It can also be seen that Mayor Isko Moreno joined the other public servants in doing the Duterte fist bump except for Mayor Sotto of Pasig.

“Kung iyong mga kababayan namin na pupunta outside of Manila going to Pasig, one of the most efficient alternative way is sumakay ng ferry,” Mayor Moreno said.

According to the MMDA Chair, they relaunched the ferry service to prevent the people from experiencing inconvenience, especially during the holiday season.

MMDA is offering free rides until January 31.

“The Pasig River ferry service has been an alternative mode of transport to Metro Manila commuters who want to avoid traveling the busy streets of Metro Manila. They can enjoy ferry rides between Pasig City and Manila City, for free until the end of January,” said Lim.

The schedule of the ferry service will be from Monday to Friday (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

OPERATIONAL FERRY STATIONS
-Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City
-San Joaquin, Pasig City
-Maybunga, Pasig City
-Guadalupe, Makati City
-Valenzuela, Makati City
-Hulo, Mandaluyong City
-Lambingan, Manila
-Sta Ana, Manila
-PUP, Manila
-Lawton, Manila
-Escolta, Manila

They’re still discussing the fares for the Pasig River Ferry Service.

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