Month: June 2017

BIDA KA!: Tutukan ang kapakanan ng senior citizens

Mga Bida, kamakailan ay naki­pagpulong tayo sa ilang mga grupo ng senior citizens sa bansa kung saan inilabas nila ang mga problema at hamon na kinakaharap ng kanilang sektor.

Sa nasabing pulong, sinabi ni ­Oscar Ricafuerte, secretary general ng Fe­deration of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP) na hindi ganap na natutugunan ng kasalukuyang National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) ang pangangailangan ng senior citizens.

Ayon kay Ginoong Ricafuerte, isang senior citizen lang ang miyembro ng nasabing board kaya madalas, hindi akma ang mga programang inilalatag nito para sa kanila.

Maliban pa rito, hindi rin sila nakokonsulta sa mahahalagang isyu at mga panukalang batas, tulad na lang ng Centenarians Act. 

Aniya, kung nabigyan lang sila ng pagkakataong sumali sa pagbalangkas nito, ipinanukala nila na dapat pagsapit pa lang ng 80-anyos ay binibigyan na ng cash incentive upang mapakinabangan nang husto ng mga senior citizen.

Sa isyu naman ng senior citizen’s ID, iginiit ni Ginoong Ricafuerte na dapat mabigyan ito ng seryosong pansin upang maiwasan ang pamemeke, bagay na hindi matututukan ng karaniwang board lang gaya ng NCMB.

***

Para naman kay Nanay Salve Basiano ng Pederasyon ng mga Maralitang Nakakatanda, natutuwa sila sa pagsisikap ng NCMB upang matugunan ang pangangailangan at problema ng mga nakatatanda.

Subalit para kay Nanay Salve, mas maganda kung mayroong isang komisyon na tututok sa mga totoong pangangailangan ng senior citizens sa bansa.

***

 

Tama ang puntong ito ni Nanay Salve dahil may iba’t ibang komisyon sa pamahalaan na tumututok sa partikular na sektor ng lipunan.

Para sa kabataan, mayroon tayong National Youth Commission (NYC). Pagdating naman sa kababaihan, naririyan ang National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.

Tumututok naman sa kapakanan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim ang National Commission on Muslim Filipinos habang sa katutubo naman, mayroon tayong National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Bilang isang sektor na kinabibilangan ng 7.6 milyong senior citizens, nararapat lang na may tumutok na isang komisyon, lalo pa’t inaasahang dodoble ang kanilang bilang sa 14.2 milyon pagsapit ng 2030 at 22.5 million sa 2045.

***

Kaya inihain natin ang Senate Bill No. 674 na layong lumikha ng National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) upang matiyak na protektado ang karapatan at naibibigay ang mga benepisyong nakalaan para sa ating senior citizens.

Kapag naisabatas, bubuwagin na ang NCMB at papalitan na ito ng NCSC, na ang pangunahing tungkulin ay tiyaking naipatutupad nang tama ang Republic Act 7432 o ang Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2015.

Bilang isang pambansang ahensiya, magbabalangkas ang NCSC ng mga polisiya, plano at programa para maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng senior citizen. Sila rin ang tutugon sa mga isyung nakakaapekto sa sektor.

Ang nasabing komisyon ay pamumunuan ng isang chairperson at commissioners mula sa listahang isusumite ng iba’t ibang grupo ng senior citizens. 

Magkakaroon din ito ng sangay sa iba’t ibang local government units na pamumunuan ng regional commissioners upang mabantayan ang kapakanan ng senior citizens sa mga lalawigan.

***

Kilala ang mga Pilipino bilang mapag-alaga sa ating mga matatanda. Sa panukalang ito, maipapakita natin na kung gaano kahalaga ang mga senior citizen. 

Ito’y pagkilala sa kanilang napakalaking sakripisyo at kontribusyon sa lipunan at sa pagpapalago ng ating bansa.

Sen. Bam: Gaming can bring jobs and business into PH

Sen. Bam Aquino sees the potential of the gaming industry in bringing honor to the country and creating jobs and livelihood for Filipinos.

 “There is so much potential in our gaming industry,” said Sen. Bam upon hearing that a Filipino team – TNC – qualified again for the prestigious International DOTA 2 Championship, which will be held from August 7 to 12 at KeyArena in Seattle. Last year, TNC placed eighth among 18 countries that joined the event.

Sen. Bam is a supporter of Filipino esports athletes and game development in the Philippines. He helped establish Philippine esports Association (PeSPA) to strengthen the foundation of esports in the country, look after the welfare of cyber athletes and stakeholders and promote esports in the country.

 “We have very talented gamers that are winning big in the world stage. But we also have game developers and local studios that are hired to help create some of the most popular games,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam mentioned that several Filipino game developers and studios recently made their mark in the international arena.

In the Tokyo Game Show, Japan’s most important video game convention, seven Pinoy independent game developers brought home awards, including Keybol Games, Squeeky Wheel Studio, Monstronauts, Unibox, Popsicle Games, Moocho Brain Interactive Designs, and Nico Tuason’s “Games by Nico”.

Sen. Bam added that the game Flippy Bottle Extreme by Derrick Alain Mapagu also became a global hit, beating out games like Temple Run 2 and even Pokemon Go in the United States.

Other global companies tap Filipino studios and artists in producing popular games, such as Electronic Arts and FunGuy Studio. Synergy 88 and Microsoft for Gears of War 4 and Sony’s Naughty Dog and Secret 6 on Uncharted 4.

“This is big business. Gaming can actually bring in money, jobs and livelihood into the Philippines,” said Sen. Bam.

 Furthermore, Sen. Bam said the inclusion of esports in the Asian Games in 2022 will give Filipino athletes another venue to highlight their skills and excel and bring honor to the country.

Sen. Bam: More work needed to reduce casualties during earthquakes

Sen. Bam Aquino lauded the efforts of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to hold a nationwide earthquake drill to ensure readiness of Filipinos when a strong earthquake hits the country.

However, the senator stressed there’s more work to be done to ensure resiliency of different structures to avoid loss of lives when a Big One hits Metro Manila and different parts of the country.

“Earthquake drills help the community prepare for quakes but there is more we must do to reduce the loss of life. Dapat rin nating tingnan kung matibay at ligtas ba ang mga istruktura sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

Sen. Bam recently conducted a hearing to look into whether the scientific data gathered by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is effectively disseminated to allay fears and combat the prevalence of false information online. The probe was also aimed to prepare communities in the occurrence of destructive tremors.

During the hearing, several issues were raised, including the resiliency of structures against strong tremors and the congestion in the Metro Manila, which can contribute to the number of fatalities if not properly addressed.

PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum revealed that if the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that killed nine people in Surigao del Norte last February happened in Metro Manila, around 23,000 people will perish.

Sen. Bam emphasized that the high number of fatalities could be avoided if structures and residential houses comply with the Building Code, enabling them to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 to 9.

The senator is pushing for a periodic review on the resiliency of structures, especially houses, to “ensure that it can withstand strong tremors and avoid loss of lives”.

Sen. Bam also urged concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to make sure that buildings, houses and other structures can withstand strong earthquakes.

The lawmaker also underscored the need for a periodic review of Republic Act 10121 or the Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System to make it attuned to present needs.

“We’ve already had 163 earthquakes this year. Buhay ang nakasalalay,” Sen. Bam stressed.

The magnitude 6.5 earthquake that rocked Leyte on Thursday brings the count up to 164 earthquakes for 2017.

“Kailangan nang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga istruktura sa ating bansa upang maiwasan ang malawakang pinsala at kawalan ng buhay,” he added.

 

 

Edited: July 7, 2017

 

 

 

 

7 Tips for responsible use of social media for Filipinos

It’s World Social Media Day! According to studies, the Philippines ranks no. 1 in terms of time spent on social media. At dahil diyan, dapat lang na mas maging responsable tayo sa paggamit ng social media, di ba? Huwag basta-basta maniwala sa mga nababasa online. Think before you click and spread love not hate. Peace!
1. Check the label. Sa dami ng naglipanang fake news websites, i-check muna ang pangalan at URL o link ng news source. Kapag may extra letter o number sa pangalan ng source, aba eh maghinala ka na! Maraming websites ang nagpapaganggap na legit news websites pero kung susuriing mabuti, ginagaya lang nila ang interface at URL ng website upang makapang loko.
2. Read before you share.  Huwag basta-basta mag like, comment or share ng mga juicy articles na nababasa sa Facebook at Twitter. If it’s too funny or too weird to be true, basahin at intindihin muna ang buong article bago i-share o mag comment. Sabi nga nila – G.I.Y.F. – Google is Your Friend! Kapag hindi sigurado, i-Google mo.
 
3. Keep out! Hindi lang sa totoong buhay dapat maging “nice”, sa​ social media din. Iwasan ang mga Facebook group at pages na nakaka-violate at discriminate ng pagkatao. ​Respeto lang! ​Peace!
4. Do not enter! Hindi lang sa pag-ibig maraming manloloko at manggagamit, pati na sa world wide web. Huwag ​click ng click sa mga kung anu anong websites, lalo na yung kahina-hinala, baka mavirus ka pa!
6. Quality over quantity. Magbasa ng mga balita online ​at maghanap ng kalidad na mga journalist, huwag umasa sa headline, hirit at dami ng followers. Remember, popularity is not credibility.

 

7. Be real. Kung paano ka ​in real life, dapat ganun ka din sa social media​. Pag-isipan ng maigi bago mag-post. Sa dinami dami ng fake ​na​ nagkalat, kailangan ng mundo ang mga nagpapakatotoo at authentic. Stay real, Philippines!

 

5. Care before you share. Sa dali at bilis ng pag-post sa social media, minsan nakakalimutan natin pakinggan ang puso bago mag-share ng saloobin. Huwag na tayo dumagdag sa dami ng away at pananakot online. Mag-ingat at piliting maging understanding. Magshare ng mga magagandang bagay at pampa GV. ‘Wag lang puro nega, ​why not spread mega-love and happiness to your online friends! 

Sen. Bam aims to promote welfare of Filipino scientists, researchers

In a move to recognize their contribution to the country’s growth in terms of research and development, Sen. Bam Aquino is pushing for two measures that will promote the welfare of Filipino scientists and researchers.

“Sad to say, the contribution and welfare of Filipino scientists and engineers and researchers are undervalued in the Philippines. That’s why many of them leave the country to look for greener pastures abroad,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

Sen. Bam is currently working on the passage of Senate Bill 1183 or the Balik Scientist Bill and Senate Bill No. 679 or the Magna Carta for Scientists to strengthen support for Filipino scientists.

 “As Chairman of the Committee on SciTech, we need to lay the foundation of a modern and prosperous society. Proper utilization of SciTech will be crucial in this aspiration and these measures could help in achieving our goal,” added Sen. Bam.

 The Balik Scientist Program provides financial incentives for overseas Filipino scientists and facilitates their return to work on either a short-term, medium-term or long-term basis.

  The measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research and address development gaps in the Philippines.

 The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel.

During a committee hearing, it was discovered that the Philippines needs 19,000 more scientists working in both government and private sector to turn the country into a significant force in research and development.

Currently, the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, far from the ideal target of 380 per million. The number also pales in comparison with other countries as South Korea and United States have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.

 “Sa tulong ng panukalang ito, mahihikayat natin ang mga Filipino scientist sa ibang bansa na bumalik sa Pilipinas at tumulong sa pagpapaunlad ng ating research and development,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Balik Scientist Bill.

Sen. Bam to youth: Government needs you

More than ever, the government needs young, passionate and idealistic leaders to help change it from within.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this pronouncement in the light of moves to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated in the last Monday of October this year.

 According to the senator, more young Filipinos are joining the national conversation, taking to the streets to air their grievances and using social media to voice out their opinion and stand on matters of national importance.

“The SK is an opportunity to go beyond the streets, beyond social media and really work on programs to change their communities for the better,” said Sen. Bam, a former chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

“Many people underestimate the capability of the youth to lead but in my experience, big changes can come from the youth sector. Marami tayong youth leaders na nakakatulong sa kanilang komunidad at kailangan sila ng ating bayan,” he stressed.

 “Tama na ang walong postponements! Let’s roll out the new and improved SK and start developing better public servants for a better future,” said Sen. Bam, pertaining to Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.

 “The new and improved SK will give the youth a chance to contribute to the development of the country and emerge as better public servants in the future,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

Earlier, Sen. Bam opposed the government’s plan to postpone SK elections and appoint barangay officials instead.

 “Mahalaga na mismong taumbayan ang magpasya kung sinong lider ang nais nilang iluklok. Sa ganitong paraan, makikitang gumagana pa rin ang demokrasya sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Pampalipas oras naging negosyo

Mga kanegosyo, walang pinipiling edad ang pagiging negos­yante. Gaya na lang ni Aling Milagros­ Hipolito ng San Jose City, Nueva Ecija na nagbigyan ng pagkakataong makapagpatayo at magpaunlad ng negosyo.

Sa halos 12 taon, nagtrabaho si Aling Milagros bilang guro. Nagturo siya ng ilang subjects gaya ng Mathematics, Physics, Computer at Technology Livelihood Education.

Noong 2009, nagpasya si Aling Mila na iwan ang pagiging guro at samahan ang asawa’t mga anak sa Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.

Dahil sanay na nagtatrabaho, nainip si Aling Mila sa araw-araw na panonood ng TV, paggawa ng gawaing bahay at paghihintay sa asawa at anak na umuwi galing sa opisina at paaralan.

Bilang libangan at pampalipas-oras, naisip ni Aling Mila na gumawa ng mga maliliit na damit mula sa panggagantsilyo.

Upang malaman ang mga bagong istilo sa paggagantsilyo at mga produkto na maaaring gawin sa pamamagitan nito, tumi­ngin siya sa Internet at doon niya nakita ang paraan ng paggawa ng cellphone cases, coin purse, baby booties at swim suits. Tinawag ni Aling Mila ang kanyang mga produkto na ­Gawang Kabyawenyo.

Nakita naman ng kanyang mister ang potensiyal ng mga produktong gawa ng misis kaya nagpasya silang i-display ito sa Kabyawan Festival noong Pebrero 2015. Nagulat ang mag-asawa dahil naging paborito ng mga dumalo ang kanilang mga produkto. Halos lahat ng kanilang paninda ay nabili at uma­bot sa P5,000 ang kanilang kinita sa loob lang ng isang araw.

Nang i-post naman ng kanyang anak sa Facebook ang mga produktong gawa ni Aling Mila, hindi nito intensiyon na maghanap ng customer kundi ipakita lang ang libangan ng pamilya.

Ngunit dinagsa sila ng order mula sa mga kaibigan at ­kamag-anak para sa kanilang koleksiyon at souvenir tuwing may birthday o binyagan.

*** 

 

Nang magbukas ang Negosyo Center sa Cabiao, isa si Aling Mila sa mga naimbitahan upang bigyan ng payo ang iba pang entrepreneurs na nais magsimula ng negosyo.

Dahil hindi pa sapat ang kaalaman sa pagnenegosyo, dumalo­ rin si Aling Mila sa ilang seminar at training na bigay ng Negosyo Center.

Kabilang sa mga seminar na ito ang Design Mission, How to Start a Small Business, Go Negosyo Act, Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Law, Developing Mindset of Successful Entrepreneurs at Product Labeling and Packaging.

Ginawa na ring pormal ni Aling Mila ang kanyang negosyo­ sa pamamagitan ng pagpaparehistro nito sa tulong ng Negosyo Center. Ngayon, kilala na ang kanyang negosyo bilang Gawang­ Kabyaweño-Handicrafts.

Naka-display na rin sa Negosyo Center ang ilang produkto na gawa ni Aling Mila para makita ng mga bumibisita rito.

Kahit malapit nang maging senior citizen, natutuwa si Aling Mila at nabigyan siya ng panibagong pagkakataong kumita at makatulong sa pamilya.

Nagpapasalamat din si Aling Mila sa Negosyo Center sa pagbibigay sa kanya ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang hamon ng pagnenegosyo.

***

Higit sa 500 na ang mga Negosyo Center sa Pilipinas salamat sa Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negosyo Act, ang kauna-unahan kong naipasang batas bilang senador.

Layunin nitong maglagay ng Negosyo Center sa bawat munisipalidad, siyudad at lalawigan sa buong bansa upang suportahan ang mga Pilipino na nais magsimula ng sariling negosyo o tulungang mapalaki ang kasalukuyan nilang negosyo.

Upang malaman ang pinakamalapit na Negosyo Center sa inyong lugar, magtungo sa https://www.bamaquino.com/gonegosyoact/negosyo-center-tracker/.

Sen. Bam calls for stakeholders’ cooperation to combat fake news

With more Filipinos now getting their news from social media, a senator stressed the urgent need to combat the proliferation of fake news online.

“Huwag na tayo magpabola sa mga nagpapakalat ng fake news,” said Sen. Bam Aquino. “Panahon na para labanan ang pekeng balita sa Pilipinas”.

“Hindi lang nakakasira ng reputasyon ang pekeng balita, nilalayo pa tayo sa tunay at mahalagang isyu ng lipunan,” he added.

While he supports the passage of Senate Bill No. 1429, Sen. Bam said it needs to be discussed further.

“Nagkakaisa kami ni Sen. Joel na naniniwala na lahat, lalo na ang ating sworn public servants, ay dapat managot sa pagkalat ng maling balita,” he added.

“Pero marami pa tayong kailangan klaruhin, like what is considered a reasonable period for a social media platform to be able to put down a fake post? What would be an acceptable basis for branding fake news?” Sen. Bam said.

In addition, Sen. Bam called for stakeholders cooperation, from government officials, social media platforms and schools to combat fake news online.

“Kailangan natin ng kooperasyon ng lahat, lalo na mula sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, at mga social media platforms para labanan natin ang pagkalat ng pekeng balita sa Internet,” said Sen. Bam, who during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education pushed for social media literacy in schools.

“In a hearing on social media literacy last year, we already called on schools to better educate the youth on fake news and cyberbullying,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said fake news is not just a local concern but a worldwide phenomenon, with different countries starting different initiatives to battle its spread.

Countries like France are strengthening their fact-checking capabilities while Germany has passed legislation to regulate social media.

In Malaysia, online chat administrators are facing legal action for allowing spread of disinformation among members of their groups.

Sen. Bam also said Indonesia is setting up an agency that will tackle fake news.

“We must study all possible courses of action and learn from the best and most effective practices,” he said.

BIDA KA!: Tulong sa mga kooperatiba

Mga bida, ilang beses ko nang nabanggit sa kolum na malapit sa akin ang mga kababayan nating micro, small at medium entrepreneurs.

Bago pa man ako naging mam­babatas, matagal ko silang nakakatrabaho sa aking social enterprise na tumutulong sa mga kababaihan na may maliit na negosyo. 

Dahil napalapit ako sa ating mga kababayang negosyante, alam ko ang kanilang mga pangangailangan at kung anong akmang tulong ang maaaring ibigay sa kanila para lumago at magtagumpay.

Kaya sa unang taon ko bilang senador, isinulong ko ang pagsasabatas ng ilang mga programa na alam kong malaki ang maitutulong sa kanila, tulad ng Go Negosyo Act, Microfinance NGOs Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act at Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act. 

Natutuwa naman tayo at kamakailan, pinirmahan na ang pinakahihintay na implementing rules and regulations (IRR) ng Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Cooperative Act o Republic Act 10744.

*** 

Ano nga ba ang tulong na hatid ng Republic Act 10744 sa mga kababayan nating nais magsimula o magpalago ng negosyo?

Ilang beses na nating natalakay na isang malaking hadlang na kinakaharap ng mga kababayan nating nais magnegosyo ang kawalan ng pagkukunan ng pautang para gamiting puhunan.

Sa ngayon, maaaring lumapit ang mga may-ari ng maliliit na negosyo, gaya ng sari-sari store, sa microfinance institutions (MFIs) para makautang ng P5,000 hanggang P150,000.

Para naman sa mga medium at malalaking negosyo, naririyan ang mga bangko na nagpapautang ng higit sa limang mil­yong piso.

 

Ang malaking problema, walang nagpapautang sa tinatawag na small entrepreneurs, o iyong mga nangangailangan ng puhunang naglalaro mula P200,000 hanggang P5 milyon.

Masyadong malaki ang nasabing halaga para sa MFIs habang kailangan naman nila ng kolateral kapag lumapit sa bangko upang makakuha ng pautang. Madalas, ang kolateral na hinihingi ng mga bangko ay titulo ng lupa na hindi maibi­gay ng ating mga maliliit na negosyante.

Ang malala rito, minsan kumakapit sa patalim ang mga negosyanteng nangangailangan ng puhunan sa paglapit sa 5/6 kung saan napakataas ng interes.

*** 

Ang tawag natin dito ay ‘missing middle.’ Ito ang nais tugunan ng Republic Act 10744, na aking isinulong sa Senado bilang sponsor at author noong panahon ko bilang chairman ng Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship. 

Sa batas na ito, itinatakda na magtulungan ang lokal na pamahalaan, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Cooperative Development Authority, mga kooperatiba at mga government financing institutions (GFIs). 

Magsama-sama sila para bumuo ng paunang pondo kung saan maaari itong gamitin na miyembro ng kooperatibang kasamang bumuo ng paunang pondo bilang alternatibong garantiya para sa uutanging puhunan sa bangko.

Sa tulong nito, puwede nang mangutang ang ating mga negosyanteng nangangailangan ng kapital.

Kailangan lang, kabilang ang mga negosyanteng nais gumamit nito sa kooperatibang tumulong sa pagbuo ng paunang pondo.

Bago pa ito naisabatas, pinapatupad na ito ng Bangko Sentral sa apatnapu’t anim na probinsya at siyudad at nakapagbigay na ng P3.25 bilyong pautang sa 16,360 MSMEs.

Kaya ngayong naisabatas na ito at mayroon nang IRR, inaasahan na mas marami pa itong matutulungan.

*** 

Napaka-espesyal ng batas na ito dahil aking yumaong tiyuhin na si dating senador Agapito ‘Butz’ Aquino ay malapit sa mga kooperatiba.

Katunayan, siya ang tinaguriang ama ng kooperatiba sa Pilipinas dahil sa mga batas na kanyang isinulong para sa kanilang kapakanan.

Ang Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act ay katuparan ng isa sa ating mga pangakong tulungan ang mga maliliit na negosyante na mapalago ang kanilang kabuhayan at makapagbigay na dagdag na trabaho sa ating mga kababayan.

Sen. Bam wants DOJ to explain contradictory resolutions in Espinosa case

A senator wants the Department of Justice (DOJ) to explain its contradictory issuances regarding the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and fellow inmate Raul Yap inside his jail cell in Baybay City Provincial Jail last year.

“The DOJ’s recent ruling in favor of the accused police officers was made with blatant disregard for the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Senate,” Sen. Bam Aquino in Senate Resolution No. 413.

 Sen. Bam was referring to the DOJ’s June 2 resolution which indicated that there was no record of “evident premeditation” and “necessary force” was used to implement the search warrant against Espinosa.

 The latest decision reversed the earlier DOJ resolution dated March 2, which recommended the filing of murder charges against 19 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), headed by Supt. Marvin Marcos.

 In that resolution, the DOJ stated that “the killings are qualified by evident premeditation since the attack was well planned”.

 “The recent turnaround in the DOJ ruling is deeply concerning as there is no clear and compelling reason to reverse its initial resolution,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the new DOJ resolution contradicts the agency’s earlier decision as well as the findings of both the NBI and the Senate committees which investigated the incident.

After its own investigation, the NBI disputed the claim by the CIDG-8 team that the killing happened in the course of a shootout between Espinosa and Yap and the CIDG team. Based on its findings, the NBI concluded that the killing was a rubout, premeditated and with criminal intent.

In its report, the Senate Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Justice and Human Rights also maintained that the mayor’s murder was premeditated.

 “This sends the message that the supposed law enforcers frontlining the current administration’s war on drugs are exempted from the rule of law,” the senator said.

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