News Roundup 07 October 2023
Oct 07, 2023 • 4 min Read
Liberal Party mulls action vs Quimbo over OVP’s confidential funds issue | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:30 p.m.) — Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo’s defense of the confidential funds, particularly those allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, as well as the Maharlika Investment Fund, has ignited controversy within the Liberal Party, according to LP President Edcel Lagman (Albay representative)
Quimbo’s stance, in direct opposition to the collective position held by the party’s leadership and ranking members, has prompted a demand for sanctions against her.
“The defense of [Quimbo] of the confidential funds, particularly of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, and the Maharlika Investment Fund, contrary to the collective position of the leadership and ranking members of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, has resulted in some clamor to sanction Rep. Quimbo as a Party member,” Lagman said.
“Although it has to be noted that she has later conceded that the utilization and audit of secret funds must be made more transparent and officials made more accountable.”
Quimbo revealed during budget plenary debates at the House of Representatives that the OVP spent its P125 million confidential funds in just 11 days — even shorter than the 19 days initially detailed by Makabayan lawmakers.
Full Story at: Liberal Party mulls action vs Quimbo over OVP’s confidential funds issue | Philstar.com
NPC probes PhilHealth’s possible violations after ransomware attack |PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) said it is investigating the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) following a recent ransomware attack that exposed members’ personal data.
The NPC is looking into possible violations of data privacy laws and security concerns.
“This decisive action follows the unsettling revelation of a data breach where confidential information was illicitly obtained from PhilHealth’s systems,” the NPC said in a statement released on Saturday.
The commission expressed their commitment to protecting personal data privacy and launched an immediate investigation into potential breaches by PhilHealth and its officials after a data breach.
The NPC’s Complaints and Investigation Division found a significant amount of personal and sensitive information, totaling 734 GB, in a compressed file claimed by the Medusa group.
The commission has also initiated a “sua sponte” investigation to uncover the full extent of the breach and identify those responsible.
“The NPC will leave no stone unturned in its investigation into the potential negligence of PhilHealth officials and explore whether any efforts have been made to conceal pertinent information,” the privacy body said.
Data stolen from PhilHealth through the Medusa ransomware attack was discovered to have been released online via platforms like Telegram on Thursday.
Full Story at: NPC probes PhilHealth’s possible violations after ransomware attack | Philstar.com
Asean nations to prioritize members’ rice needs – Malaysia state media | INQUIRER.NET – KUALA LUMPUR — Southeast Asian countries have agreed to prioritize helping each other overcome rice supply shortages and other food-related problems, Malaysia state news agency Bernama reported, citing the agricultural minister.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached the agreement at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Friday, according to the agency.
“ASEAN collaboration means if we face rice issues, ASEAN member countries will give priority to ASEAN nations first,” he said.
Full Story at: Asean nations to prioritize members’ rice needs – Malaysia state media | Inquirer News
SLU files motion for reconsideration on LEB’s cease and desist order | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Saint Louis University (SLU) has filed a motion for reconsideration to address the Legal Education Board’s (LEB) cease and desist order on their Master of Laws Program (LLM).
On Thursday, the LEB issued the order to stop the operation of SLU’s LLM, citing that the university is not authorized to offer the program.
“To address this Order, a Motion for Reconsideration will be filed within the day,” said SLU in their statement issued Friday evening.
The Baguio-based university shared that LEB issued them a show cause order on September 29, in which they complied on October 3, while they received the cease and desist order on October 5.
According to SLU, they inquired to the LEB about the requirements of opening an LLM during a meeting held in their university in 2022, which was attended by “all LEB commissioners.”
“During this meeting, then Associate Dean Tadeo inquired about the requirements needed to open a Master of Laws (LLM) program. In response to this question, the Chairperson of the LEB, Hon. Ana Marie Melanie Trinidad, unambiguously and unequivocally responded that there was no necessity to submit any document, as opening an LLM program is embraced in the University’s exercise of academic freedom,” SLU recalled.
“The other LEB Commissioners unanimously seconded Chair Trinidad’s response. It was this clear representation and declaration by the members of the LEB itself which sealed the plan of opening SLU’s LLM program,” the university added.
Full Story at: SLU files motion for reconsideration on LEB’s cease and desist order | Inquirer News
