News Roundup 18 September 2023
Sep 18, 2023 • 4 min Read
Supreme Court asked to declare ‘dangerous’ Maharlika fund unconstitutional | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna filed in the Supreme Court a petition seeking to declare as unconstitutional and void the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023, saying the measure is a “disaster waiting to happen.”
In July, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law a bill creating the country’s first sovereign wealth fund, which the government claims will boost economic growth.
However, critics—including business groups, academia, economists, and opposition lawmakers—have warned it will be prone to misuse.
Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares and former representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite filed a petition Monday. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel was also named a petitioner.
The petitioners also asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injustice or status quo ante order to stop the implementation of Republic Act 11954, and to conduct oral arguments.
“Petitioners ask this Honorable Court to intervene in this constitutional transgression and put a stop to this practice—especially on such a dangerous law as the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023,” the petition read.
Full Story at: Supreme Court asked to declare ‘dangerous’ Maharlika fund unconstitutional | Philstar.com
Underwater surveys show reef damage in Rozul Reef, Escoda Shoal — Coast Guard | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said Monday that its surveys have revealed “extensive” damage to the marine environment and coral reefs in areas frequented by Chinese maritime militias in the West Philippine Sea.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea matters, said that the underwater surveys of the seabeds in Rozul (Iroquois) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal showed that the marine ecosystem there “appeared lifeless, with minimal to no signs of life.”
Surveys conducted in Escoda Shoal also spotted visible discoloration of its seabed, which indicates that “deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain.”
Tarriela added that the presence of crushed corals suggests “a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed.”
The Coast Guard conducted surveys from August 9 to September 11, during which there were 33 Chinese maritime militia vessels in the vicinity of Rozul Reef and 15 vessels in Escoda Shoal.
Full Story at: Underwater surveys show reef damage in Rozul Reef, Escoda Shoal — Coast Guard | Philstar.com
Ombudsman finds Antiporda liable for harassing, oppressing NIA employees | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has found former National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Benny Antiporda liable for harassing and oppressing the agency’s employees.
The verdict was handed down in a decision signed by Deputy Ombudsman Jose Balmeo last August 30 and released to reporters on Monday.
Antiporda was ordered to serve the penalty of a one-year suspension without pay.
Other complaints against Antiporda, such as grave misconduct and ignorance of the law, were dropped.
The Ombudsman said if Antiporda could no longer serve the suspension due to separation from NIA, he would still be ordered to pay the amount equivalent to his one-year salary as NIA acting administrator.
In November 2022, the Ombudsman placed Antiporda on a six-month preventive suspension as an investigation into the complaints filed against him started.
On December 22, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed former Piddig, Ilocos Norte mayor Eduardo Eddie Guillen as the new NIA head.
Full Story at: Ombudsman finds Antiporda liable for harassing, oppressing NIA employees | Inquirer News
Let private sector handle Hajj coordination, says lawmaker | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The coordination and management of the Hajj pilgrimage — a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the Islamic faith — should be transferred to a private firm from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said on Monday.
Hataman, in a statement, reasoned out that the yearly pilgrimage of thousands of Filipinos to Mecca has been riddled with issues like pilgrims’ flights being delayed or Muslims encountering various obstacles just to fulfill their religious duties.
Making the trip to Mecca for the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required for Muslims to do so at least once in their lives.
Full Story at: Let private sector handle Hajj coordination, says lawmaker | Inquirer News
