News Roundup 10 September 2023
Sep 10, 2023 • 4 min Read
Teachers’ groups denounce DepEd’s ‘distortion of history’ in curriculum revision | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines —Teachers’ organizations condemned the Department of Education for its move to “distort history” by downplaying the image of late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as a dictator in its revised basic education curriculum.
In separate statements over the weekend, the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) denounced the DepEd’s move to change “Diktadurang Marcos” to mere “Diktadura” in the Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan curriculum.
A memorandum dated September 6 from the agency’s Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) said the change in nomenclature “was made even after the arduous process of review and revision was done under the guidance and scrutiny of experts, the review of stakeholders, and the public and the launch of the MATATAG curriculum.”
BCD said this was meant to comply with the order of the Curriculum and Teaching Management Committee.
CONTEND said that the revision is “a clear strategy of the current administration to rehabilitate the dark history of the Marcos family” and “a blatant example of disinformation.”
The group called on educators to reject DepEd’s move and seek transparency in curricular revisions.
‘Dark period’
In a statement Sunday, ACT stressed that the alteration of terminology also undermines the truth about one of the darkest periods in Philippine history.
Full Story at: Teachers’ groups denounce DepEd’s ‘distortion of history’ in curriculum revision | Philstar.com
Philippines, Australia establish ‘work and holiday’ visa scheme | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Australia agreed to issue multiple-entry visas that will allow citizens of both countries to seek short-term employment while on vacation to help fund their trips.
The Presidential Communications Office said Sunday that Manila and Canberra signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a “work and holiday” visa arrangement, which will allow eligible Filipino and Australian nationals to stay and work in the host country for a non-extendable period of 12 months.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Ku signed the MOU during the official visit of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last Friday.
Full Story at: Philippines, Australia establish ‘work and holiday’ visa scheme | Philstar.com
DFA chief to visit Buenos Aires as PH-Argentina ties mark 75 yrs | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo is set to go on an official visit to Buenos Aires to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Argentina ties.
Manalo will be in Argentina from September 11-16, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Sunday. His trip to the South American country includes a meeting with his counterpart, Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs Santiago Andres Cafiero on September 13.
The DFA said the Philippines was the first Asean country to build relations with Argentina, and Manalo’s visit will be a demonstration of the country’s commitment to establishing stronger and deeper bonds with Latin America.
Latin America, the DFA added, is “a region with which the Philippines shares many cultural and historical commonalities.”
Full Story at: DFA chief to visit Buenos Aires as PH-Argentina ties mark 75 yrs | Inquirer News
Lawyer urges VP Sara: Withdraw and reallocate confidential funds to other sectors | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former legislator Atty. Barry Gutierrez urged Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday to voluntarily withdraw her request for confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) and instead reallocate them to other sectors.
Duterte’s request for CIF amounting to P500 million and P150 million for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education, respectively, for 2024 was approved at the Senate subcommittee-level hearing on September 4.
In an interview with DZRH’s “Isyung Pambayan,” the former OVP spokesperson and aide to ex-VP Leni Robredo stressed that Duterte should proactively distribute CIF to meet more pressing needs.
“Dito sa confidential fund hindi mo na kailangan hintayin na kongreso mismo ang kumilos. Mismong si VP Sara, nakikita naman niya na may mga kwestyon dito, nakikita naman niya na may mga pangangailangan yung iba, pwedeng yung OVP mismo ang magrequest na wini-withdraw nila ang kanilang paghingi at Congress na lang ang maglilipat,” Gutierrez said, emphasizing that it would be better to initiate the withdrawal while it is still under deliberation.
(In line with the confidential fund, you don’t have to wait for the Congress to act on it. VP Sara herself sees that there are questions here and she actually sees that others have needs. The OVP itself can initiate to withdraw their request and Congress will then transfer it.)
Gutierrez added that the CIF can be redirected to the agriculture sector to help ease the impact of price ceilings on retailers.
Full Story at: Lawyer urges VP Sara: Withdraw and reallocate confidential funds to other sectors | Inquirer News
