News Roundup 21 October 2023
Oct 21, 2023 • 4 min Read
Philippines mulls raising alert level for Lebanon amid Israel tensions | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is considering raising Lebanon’s alert status to Level 3, which indicates voluntary repatriation, in response to the escalating tensions with Israel, according to an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Kailangan lang pirmahan ni [DFA] Secretary Manalo pero darating pa either tomorrow or Monday. As far as the embassy is concerned, the DFA is concerned, we are on voluntary repatriation,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said during an interview on Dobol B TV.
(All that remains is Secretary Enrique Manalo’s signature, expected either tomorrow or Monday. As far as the embassy is concerned, the DFA is concerned, we are on voluntary repatriation.)
Israel launched extensive airstrikes in Gaza after a Hamas attack killed over 1,400, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory bombings have claimed over 4,100 lives, including many civilians. Ongoing clashes with Hezbollah near the Lebanon border raise fears of regional escalation.
De Vega stressed the urgency of repatriation, noting Lebanon’s volatile history and unpredictability of the situation.
Full Story at: Philippines mulls raising alert level for Lebanon amid Israel tensions | Philstar.com
OFWs told: Avoid Israel-Palestine protests in Egypt, Lebanon | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Philippine embassies in various parts of the Middle East cautioned Filipinos abroad to steer clear from public gatherings and protests in connection with the war between Israel and Palestinian militants due to “safety concerns.”
The embassies in Egypt and Lebanon — countries situated very close to Palestine and Israel — issued the statements last Thursday as casualties in the “Holy Land” swell by the thousands.
“There are currently random marches/demonstrations in Egypt, including others planned for the future,” said the Philippine Embassy in Egypt.
“The Philippine Embassy in Cairo advises everyone to exercise caution, keep away from mass congregations, and to stay home unless necessary.”
Egypt shares a border with Palestine — a country currently illegally occupied and bombarded by Israel through air strikes — through the Rafah crossing. It is the sole border from Palestine that isn’t under Israeli control.
The Philippine Embassy in Beirut issued a similar advisory on the ongoing mass protests, this alongside the persistent tension in its southern border that they say pose a “significant threat to the safety and security of civilians.”
Full Story at: OFWs told: Avoid Israel-Palestine protests in Egypt, Lebanon | Philstar.com
Napoles, 4 others found guilty in pork scam; ex-lawmaker cleared | INQUIRER.NET – The Sandiganbayan has sentenced Janet Lim-Napoles, the so-called brains of the pork barrel scam that came to light in 2013 and who has been behind bars for about a decade, to at least 66 years in prison for four counts of graft and four counts of malversation of public funds.
The latest convictions were for cases involving pork barrel allotted to South Cotabato under then Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr.
In a decision handed down on Friday, the antigraft court’s Special Second Division also ordered Napoles to pay a total of P41.81 million, covering fines and the amount illegally disbursed.
2 NGOs
Also found guilty and handed a 50-year prison term was Evelyn de Leon, an employee of Napoles in one of her “nongovernmental organizations” (NGOs) that were used as conduits for the funds.
Three former officials of a government corporation were also convicted.
The court acquitted Pingoy, now vice governor of South Cotabato, of the same charges and of direct bribery in another case.
The cases revolved around what became of P20.9 million from Pingoy’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that was allotted for his congressional district from 2007 to 2008. The money was disbursed to two Napoles NGOs—the Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation and Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI)—supposedly for livelihood projects of farmers. The court heard testimonies on how documents were forged to make it appear that purchases and deliveries were made in connection with the projects.
Full Story at: Napoles, 4 others found guilty in pork scam; ex-lawmaker cleared (inquirer.net)
MMDA to let go of ‘simple’ traffic violations during the holidays | INQUIRER.NET – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Romando Artes’ newest directive to help manage the expected heavier traffic in the coming weeks may be an early Christmas gift for some motorists.
“We directed our traffic enforcers not to issue tickets to motorists committing simple violations. Because we all know that if you stop a vehicle, there will be discussions between the motorist and our enforcer. It will take some time and it will surely cause a traffic bottleneck,” he said at a press conference on Friday at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig City.
“Our instruction to our traffic enforcers this coming Christmas is to prioritize traffic management. Thus, apprehension of simple moving violations, which may cause traffic congestion shall be avoided,” Artes added.
Full Story at: MMDA to let go of ‘simple’ traffic violations during the holidays (inquirer.net)
