News Roundup 05 August 2022
Aug 05, 2022 • 4 min Read
Hontiveros: Chinese envoy ‘shouldn’t pontificate’ One China Policy | INQUIRER.NET – Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian “shouldn’t pontificate” the One China Policy, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Friday. Huang earlier called on the Philippines to abide by the One China Policy after United States (US) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, a self-governing island being claimed by China as part of its territory. Hontiveros lamented that China rejects rulings when it is disadvantageous to them, hence, the envoy should not preach the One China principle. “In fact, the Ambassador shouldn’t pontificate on such policies, especially considering that his country stubbornly and steadfastly refuses to recognize a decision rendered by an international arbitral court, and ignores and flouts international law in the West Philippine Sea when it suits her interest,” she said in a statement. Hontiveros noted that the Philippines is following an independent foreign policy and the envoy should not lecture on how to pursue it. “Must I also remind the ambassador that in our pursuit of our independent foreign policy, the Philippines has every right, at any time, to review, amend, or modify our foreign policy,” she said. “It is unfortunate that the good ambassador felt the need to impose his will on our country, disrespecting our agency and autonomy. Ang Pilipinas ay may sariling pagkakakilanlan at pag-iisip. Huwag sana nilang pangunahan,” the senator continued. (The Philippines has its own identity and thinking. They should not precede it.)
Imaginary events can never be history, Binay says of ‘Maid in Malacañang’ | INQUIRER.NET – “Imaginary events can never be history,” Senator Nancy Binay had this to say on Friday amid the cinema showing of the controversial film “Maid in Malacañang.” Binay shared on her Twitter account a photo of Cebu City’s Carmelite nuns’ official statement on the movie’s “reprehensible” “attempt to distort history.” Along with the photo, Binay posted on Twitter: “Imaginary events can never be history. Historical trueness will always prevail over historical fiction.” “The path to healing a nation begins at truth-telling,” she continued, adding the hashtags “Never Forget” and “Truth Shall Always Prevail.” To recall, the Carmelite nuns issued their statement after learning that the film showed the late former President Cory Aquino and some religious sisters playing mahjong. The nuns noted that the said scene was malicious, and no one in the movie team reached out to them to ask for information. “The truth was that we were then praying, fasting, and making other forms of sacrifices for peace in the country and for the people’s choice to prevail,” they said. Before the Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986, the Carmelites hid Aquino despite fears that the military would knock at the monastery’s door. The nuns prayed and protected Aquino despite the risks as it was their “contribution to put an end to a dictatorial regime” under then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
BOC questioned over release of P1.4 billion goods | PHILSTAR.COM – The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for allowing the release of imported goods worth P1.441 billion despite the lack of import permits and other supporting documents. “Importations of 553 regulated commodities costing P1.441 billion were processed and released despite the lack of import permits and other supporting documents required under Section 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other relevant laws, rules and regulations implementing the CMTA, thus, defeating the purpose for which these rules and regulations were established,” the COA said in its 2021 annual audit report on the BOC. The COA said its audit team’s adverse finding was based on the review of the sample goods declarations submitted by the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the Port of Manila (POM). Its breakdown showed that the MICP was responsible for the release of 321 entries of regulated commodities with P757.263 million in assessed duties and taxes despite lack of License to Operate, Certificate of Product Registration and electronic Authority to Release Imported Goods, required under the CMTA and other customs rules. The POM, meanwhile, was found responsible for the release of 232 entries of imported luxury vehicles with assessed duties and taxes amounting to P684.029 million. “Importation of luxury vehicles assessed and released without the necessary permits/clearances/certifications and other required supporting documents,” the COA said.
Amid transport crisis, commuter group renews calls for legalization of motorcycle taxis | PHILSTAR.COM – A transport advocacy group called on lawmakers to act on bills pushing to legalize motorcycle taxis, saying the move will help commuters cope with the current transportation crisis as more and more industries troop back to on-site work. In a statement sent to reporters, commuter network The Passenger Forum pointed out that similar measures were pushed in the 18th Congress through the efforts of almost 20 authors in the House and Senate Public Services Committee but ultimately languished. “Allowing motorcycle taxis will give us a much-needed supply of public transport options at a time when there is an apparent deficit…We hope the 19th Congress will act swiftly as commuters need all the help we can get with the current situation of our public transport,” TPF convenor Primo Morillo said. Morillo pointed to Senate Bill No. 167 filed by Sen. JV Ejercito pushing to recognize motorcycles as public utility vehicles for commuters.
