President Aquino signs two laws creating
additional branches of regional trial court in Malaybalay, Bukidnon and San
Mateo, Rizal
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed two
laws creating additional branches of regional trial court (RTC) in the city of
Malaybalay in Bukidnon and San Mateo in Rizal in a bid to unclog court dockets
and speed up the dispensation of justice.
The Chief Executive signed on June 11 Republic
Act (R.A.) No. 10602 otherwise known as "An Act Creating Four (4)
Additional Branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Tenth Judicial Region to
be stationed at the city of Malaybalay, province of Bukidnon, further amending
for the purpose Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980″, as
amended,
and appropriating funds therefor".
This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate
Bill No. 3026 and House Bill No. 5341, was finally passed by the Senate and the
House of Representatives on September 17, 2012 and February 5, 2013,
respectively.
President Aquino, likewise, signed on June 11
R.A. No. 10603 otherwise known as "An Act Creating Two (2) Additional
Branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Fourth Judicial Region to be
stationed at the municipality of San Mateo, province of Rizal, further amending
for the purpose Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980″, as
amended, and appropriating funds therefor"
This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate
Bill No. 3042 and House Bill No. 6856, was finally passed by the Senate and the
House of Representatives on September 17, 2012 and February 6, 2013,
respectively.
Both laws mandate the Supreme Court to assign
the respective branch numbers for the newly created branches.
Under the new laws, the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court, in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of Justice,
shall immediately include in the Court’s program the implementation of this
Act. The funding shall likewise be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.
Under the laws, the funds necessary for the
operation of the newly-created courts shall be appropriated and released only
upon the actual organization of the courts and the appointment of its
personnel.
Both Acts shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation. PND (js)
President Aquino acknowledges role of
Professional Regulation Commission in bureaucratic reforms
President Benigno S. Aquino III acknowledged the
contribution of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in spearheading
bureaucratic reforms and has considered the commission as a front liner in the
fight against graft and corruption.
In his message during the commission’s 40th
anniversary celebration at the Manila Hotel Thursday, the President said
integrity and professionalism were the major ingredients in good governance.
The people trust public servants who are honest
and professional, he said, adding that this is the reason why his
administration carries out an inclusive governmental reform and continuous
fight against graft.
“Nasa frontline ng agendang ito ang Professional
Regulation Commission. Napakahalaga ng papel at responsibilidad ninyo sa
pagpapatibay sa kakayahan ng ating mga propesyunal. Hindi lang kayo nagbibigay
ng pagsusulit o nagkakaloob ng lisenya’t sertipiko; nagsisiguro sa mahusay na
pagtugon ng ating mga propesyunal sa kanilang tungkulin, at paggamit nito ayon
sa kanilang kakayahan at katwiran,” the President said.
The PRC can serve as an effective agent for
social change because instead of being reactive, the commission could be
proactive in assisting students select their professions.
The commission is not new to controversies, he
said. The PRC has faced numerous allegations such as exam leakages and
corruption. But the President said the PRC must not let these menace overcome
the regulatory body.
“Pero hindi po tayo magpapatalo sa iilang
naghahari-harian sa burukrasya; hindi natin sila hahayaang patuloy na
makapaminsala sa ating kapwa. Walang sinuman ang lisensyadong manloko.
Papatunayan nating hindi mabubura ng ilang hudas sa sistema ang dangal at
mandatong itinindig ng PRC sa loob ng apatnapung taong paglilingkod,” the President
said.
“Batid po nating habang pinapaunlad at
pinapatibay ang kakayahan ng ahensya, lumalaki rin ang inyong ambag sa agenda
natin ng malawakang reporma.”
The PRC must shun bribery and must set and
observe a high standard of service to the people, the President said. Giving
professionals the licenses they deserve will make them more competitive, and
productive members of society, he added.
The public will also have more protection
against malpractice if the PRC grant licenses to qualified professionals such
as engineers and doctors because only those who have passed the examination
will get the certification, the President said.
At the same time, the President expressed his
gratitude to the commission for participating in the government’s jobs and skills
matching agenda aimed at creating more jobs especially among the ordinary
people. He also acknowledged the PRC’s Career Guidance and Advocacy that
assists students in choosing their future careers.
The PRC was created as a national government
agency by Presidential Decree No. 223 on June 22, 1973, by the late President
Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Prior to that issuance, the commission was
previously called the Office of the Board of Examiners created by Republic Act
No. 546 on June 17, 1950, under the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The PRC became operational on January 4, 1974
with the assumption into office of the first set of appointed Commissioners and
Associate Commissioners. PND (as)
President Aquino signs laws converting two state
colleges into universities in Iloilo and Pampanga
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed laws
converting two state colleges into universities in Iloilo and Pampanga.
The Chief Executive signed on June 11 Republic
Act No. 10604 otherwise known as "An Act converting the Iloilo State
College of Fisheries in the municipality of Barotac Nuevo, province of Iloilo
into a state university to be known as the Iloilo State University of Science
and Technology, with campuses in the municipalities of San Enrique, Dingle and
Dumangas, and integrating therewith the Barotac Nuevo Polytechnic Institute in
the municipality of Barotac Nuevo, all located in the province of iloilo and
appropriating funds therefor."
This Act, which originated in the House of
Representatives, was finally passed by the Senate and House of Representatives
on February 4, 2013 and February 6, 2013, respectively.
"The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s
appropriations of the ISCOF, except the sums needed to continue the operations
of the existing high school. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued operation and maintenance of the University shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act," RA 1060ISCOF4 said.
The President likewise, signed R.A. No. 10605
otherwise known as "An Act converting the Pampanga Agricultural College in
the municipality of Magalang, province of Pampanga into a state university to
be known as the Pampanga State Agricultural University and appropriating funds
therefor."
This Act, which originated in the House of
Representatives, was finally passed by the Senate and House of Representatives
on February 4, 2013 and February 6, 2013, respectively.
"The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s
appropriations of the PAC except the sums needed for the continued operation of
the existing high school. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued operation and maintenance of the University shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act." R.A. 10605 said.
Under the new Acts, the University shall
primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional
instruction and training in fisheries technology, arts and sciences, education,
industrial technology, engineering, aquaculture, seaweed farming and other
related fields of study and as may be relevant to national development. It
shall also undertake research, extension services and production activities in
support of the development of the Province of Iloilo and provide progressive
leadership in its areas of specialization.
The University shall enjoy academic freedom and
institutional autonomy, pursuant to Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines.
Both Acts shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. PND (js)
Government to redouble efforts in fight against
human trafficking, says Palace
The Philippine government will focus more on
strong areas to finally stop human trafficking following the report of the US
State Department recently that has also retained the country at Tier 2 ranking.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday,
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the State
Department mentioned inadequacies in the government’s fight against human
trafficking there are also some positive observations.
Among the gains of the Philippine government is
the increase in the number of prosecutors handling human trafficking cases in
the country, she said.
“The year before the reporting year, it was 57;
ngayon tinaasan na to 98, so isa 'yan sa mga magagandang observations. We
intend to exert more efforts on the positive areas and to likewise address the
recommendations that were raised,” Valte said.
There are ten recommendations spelled out by the
US State Department and the Interagency Council Against Trafficking intends to
act on all of it, she added.
In its 2013 Trafficking in Persons report, the
US Department of State maintained the country's Tier 2 status owing to
inefficiencies in the justice system and complicity of law enforcers in curbing
trafficking in persons.
Being in Tier 2 means failure to fully comply
with the minimum standards for the elimination of severe forms of trafficking
as provided by the Trafficking Victims’ Protection Act of 2000, but are making
significant efforts to achieve those standards.
Having this ranking means the government
sustained its levels of funding for the Inter-Agency Council Against
Trafficking last year and has been continuing its efforts to implement
anti-trafficking laws and policies. PND (as)
Aquino signs National Health Insurance Act of
2013 to provide Filipinos health care insurance coverage
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into
law a bill amending the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 in a bid to
ensure that all Filipinos, especially the indigents and persons with
disabilities, will get health care insurance coverage, a Palace official said
on Friday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday that the Chief
Executive signed on June 19 Republic Act 10606 or "An Act Amending
Republic Act 7875 otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995,
as Amended and for Other Purposes."
The Act is also known as the National Health
Insurance Act of 2013. Republic Act 10606, which is a consolidation of Senate
Bill No. 2849 and House Bill No. 6048, was finally passed by the Senate and
House of Representatives on February 4, 2013.
The law mandates the State to provide
comprehensive health care services to all Filipinos through a socialized health
insurance program that will prioritize the health care needs of the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, persons with disabilities (PWDs), women and
children and provide free health care services to indigents.
The new law provides that all citizens of the
Philippines shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
The program shall ensure sustainability of coverage and continuous enhancement
of the quality of services to people.
The Program shall be compulsory in all
provinces, cities and municipalities nationwide, notwithstanding the existence
of Local government unit-based health insurance programs.
Under the law, the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PHIC), Department of Health (DOH), local government units (LGUs),
and other agencies including non-governmental organizations and other national
government agencies shall ensure that members in localities shall have access
to quality and cost-effective health care services.
Any accredited health care provider who commits
a violation, abuse, unethical practice or fraudulent act which tends to
undermine or defeat the objectives of this program shall be punished with a
fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000 or suspension of
accreditation from three months to the whole term of accreditation, or both, at
the discretion of the PHIC.
Any member who commits any violation of this Act
independently or in connivance with the health care provider for purposes of
wrongfully claiming NHIP benefits or entitlement shall be punished with a fine
of not less than P5,000 or suspension from availment of NHIP benefits for not
less than three months but not more than six months, or both, at the discretion
of the PHIC.
Any employer who fails or refuses to register
employees, regardless of their employment status, or to deduct contributions
from the employee's compensation or remit the same to the PHIC shall be
punished with a fine of not less than P5,000 multiplied by the total number of
employees of the firm.
Any employer or any officer authorized to
collect contributions under this Act who, after collecting or deducting the
monthly contributions from his employee's compensation, fails to remit the said
contributions to the PHIC within 30 days from the date they become due shall be
presumed to have misappropriated such contributions.
The law creates a Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee to conduct a regular review of the NHIP which shall entail a
systematic evaluation of the program's performance, impact or accomplishments
with respect to its objectives or goals. The committee will be composed of five
members from the Senate and five members from the House of Representatives to
be appointed by the Senate President and the House Speaker, respectively.
The National Economic and Development Authority,
in coordination with the National Statistics Office and the National Institutes
of Health of the University of the Philippines shall undertake studies to
validate the accomplishments of the Program.
The PHIC, in coordination with the DOH, shall
craft implementing rules and regulations within 60 days from the effectivity of
this Act.
The Act shall take effect 15 days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 2 newspapers of general
circulation. PND (js)
