News Roundup 21 May 2023
May 21, 2023 • 4 min Read
Marcos warns of MUP pension depletion if reforms not done | INQUIRER.NET – PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday warned that the pension fund for military and other uniformed personnel (MUP) will be depleted in five to six years unless the government finds ways to make the pension system “self-sustaining.”
“If we keep going the way we do, my prediction is that it will run out within five [to] six years. Before that happens, we [should be] already ahead of it,” the president told reporters after leading the inauguration of a wind farm here run by the Ayala conglomerate.
Marcos said the government is “in the midst of putting together the pension plans” to make sure that the fund becomes “self-sustaining.”
This was the first time the president spoke about the pension fund for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Bureau of Corrections, among other uniformed personnel — almost two months after Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned about the ballooning pensions which he said could lead to “fiscal collapse.”
According to Malacañang, Marcos immediately ordered a review of the MUP pension system following Diokno’s concerns about the “unfunded liabilities” arising from it.
Full Story at: Marcos warns of MUP pension depletion if reforms not done | Inquirer News
Belmonte, Singson emerge as top performing city mayors | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Mayors Joy Belmonte of Quezon City and Eric Singson of Candon City in Ilocos Sur emerged as among the top performing city mayors in the country in a latest evaluation of performance conducted by an independent research firm.
In a comprehensive research initiative, 145 city mayors were scrutinized concerning their efficacy against a broad spectrum of evaluative criteria.
“The criteria encompass seven vital categories: service provision, financial stewardship, economic progress, leadership and governance, environmental management, social services, and public engagement,” said Dr. Paul Martinez, executive director of RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD).
The Boses ng Bayan study also provided a comprehensive view of leadership effectiveness within the archipelago. Emerging as the most accomplished city mayor in the Philippines for the initial quarter was Belmonte, earning the distinguished recognition with a score of 94.35%.
The following city mayors also made significant contributions to the panorama of exemplary governance: Singson of Candon (92.80%), Nacional Mercado of Maasin (90.26%), Art Robes of San Jose Del Monte (89.75%), Jonas Cortes of Mandaue (88.89%), Denver Chua of Cavite (88.85%), Indy Oaminal of Ozamis (88.78%), Samsam Gullas Jr. of Talisay (88.35%), Bambol Tolentino of Tagaytay (88.29%), Ahong Chan of Lapu-Lapu (88.18%), Eric Africa of Lipa (88.13%), Benjamin Magalong of Baguio (87.82%), Jay Diaz of Ilagan (87.69%), Geraldine Rosal of Legaspi (87.55%), and Sheena Tan of Santiago (87.42%).
In addition, Albee Benitez of Bacolod (83.77%), Pat Evangelista of Kidapawan (83.57%), Bruce Matabalao of Cotabato (83.16%), Jerry Treñas of Iloilo (82.94%), Darel Uy of Dipolog (82.85%), Sitti Hataman of Isabela (82.34%), Baste Duterte of Davao (82.11%), Bullet Jalosjos of Dapitan (81.92%), Joe Relampagos of Panabo (81.83%), and Roxanne Pimentel of Tandag (80.10%) added their distinctive contributions to the grand masterpiece that is Philippine leadership.
Full Story at: Belmonte, Singson emerge as top performing city mayors | Inquirer News
Romualdez warns: ‘Moves to destabilize the House should be nipped in the bud’ | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — As a shake-up triggers drama at the House of Representatives, its leader Speaker Martin Romualdez warned that “occasional moves to destabilize” the lower chamber of Congress should be immediately shut down.
In a statement on Sunday, the House speaker said work continues at the lower chamber, amid the ruckus brought by the demotion of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga)—who President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said was his “secret weapon” in overseas engagements—from the senior deputy speakership.
Without naming Macapagal-Arroyo nor elaborating, Romualdez in a statement on Sunday said “occassional moves to destabilize the House should be nipped in the bud.”
The House speaker said he and fellow lawmakers would be focusing on power woes, unstable commodity prices and other issues instead.
Full Story at: Romualdez warns: ‘Moves to destabilize the House should be nipped in the bud’ | Philstar.com
House ethics panel to discuss possible further sanctions vs Teves on May 23 | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges will convene on May 23 to determine its recommendation, which may include further sanctions, on the continued absence of suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental).
In the coming session, Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon (Ako Bicol party-list)—committee chairperson—said Teves’ application for asylum in Timor Leste will weigh in the panel’s recommendation to the House plenary.
In an interview with DZBB on Sunday, Bongalon said the committee will convene on Tuesday, a day after the 60-day suspension earlier issued against Teves will expire.
He said they will discuss “the possibility to enforce whatever sanction or penalty to be recommended to the House plenary.”
Full Story at: House ethics panel to discuss possible further sanctions vs Teves on May 23 | Philstar.com
