SIM REGISTRATION AVAILABLE VIA GCASH APP; DEADLINE TO REGISTER EXTENDED FOR 90 DAYS

As government extends the deadline for SIM registration, Globe and TM subscribers may now register their SIMs on the GCash app.

Globe and TM customers who are GCash users will receive a prompt to register their SIMs and they just need to follow the instructions. Once successful, they will get free 1GB of data, which they can use right away.

By registering their SIMs, customers will avoid SIM deactivation and have uninterrupted access to their e-wallet accounts.

Customers who fail to register their SIMs that are linked to their accounts can still access their funds by requesting a transfer to a new registered mobile number from the GCash Help Center. The process, however, will take several days.

“That’s why we encourage SIM users with GCash wallets to register their SIMs before the deadline to avoid this inconvenience. We remind our customers to register their SIMs only with the GCash app or through the official portals of their respective telco providers,” said GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon.

GCash will NEVER ask its customers to share their OTP, MPIN or other sensitive information.

SIM registration is mandated by the Philippine government under Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act. The law was enacted to combat online fraud and other forms of cybercrime.

Some lawmakers urged government agencies and telecommunications companies to use the 90-day extension of the SIM registration to reach out to unregistered users, especially those who do not have internet access.

SUPREME COURT JUNKS TRO PLEA AGAINST SIM REGISTRATION

BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court has denied the plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and several individuals seeking to stop the implementation of the SIM registration law.

Supreme Court magistrates made the ruling during an en banc deliberations in Baguio City on Tuesday, SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said in a press conference.

Instead, respondent government agencies and telecommunication companies were “required to comment on the Petition within 10 days from actual receipt of Notice.”

Respondents to the petition included the information and technology, interior, and education departments; the National Telecommunication Commission; the National Privacy Commission; and telcos Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, PLDT, DITO Telecommunity Corporation, Digitel Mobile Philippines and Cherry Mobile Communications.

No reasons were given for the denial of NUJP’s TRO plea.

There was no information as well as to how the magistrates voted.

A group of journalists, activists, human rights defenders and civil society leaders filed on April 17 a petition seeking to stop SIM registration and declare the law behind it unconstitutional.

The groups alleged the requirement to register SIM cards is a form of prior restraint, a violation of the constitutional right to free speech.

They also claimed violation of the right to privacy.

BIR: PRESIDENT MARCOS CANNOT AVAIL HIMSELF OF ESTATE TAX AMNESTY

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos cannot avail himself of the tax amnesty program of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for his family’s alleged P203 billion in unpaid estate taxes.

This was the assurance given by BIR Assistant Commissioner Ma. Luisa Belen during yesterday’s hearing of the House committee on ways and means, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, on House Bill (HB) 7409, which seeks to extend the June 14 deadline of the estate tax amnesty.

Upon questioning by House Deputy Minority leader France Castro of ACT Teacher partylist, Belen said there is an “exception” in Republic Act 11213, or the Tax Amnesty Act, and the President is covered by it.

Belen was referring to Sec. 9 (a) of the law, which stipulates that the tax amnesty “shall not extend to estate tax cases which shall have become final and executory and to properties involved in cases pending in appropriate courts … falling under the jurisdiction of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).”

But Castro noted Marcos should set an “example and pay (their tax) delinquencies as soon as possible.”

“The Marcos administration has no moral authority to compel delinquent taxpayers to pay their taxes when the President himself and his family have billions owed to the Filipino people,” she added.

In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled with finality that the Marcos family owed the government P23 billion in estate taxes but this has ballooned to P203 billion due to penalties and surcharges.

The committee, “subject to style,” approved HB 7409, principally authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, which proposes to amend RA 11213 by extending the June 14 deadline for the estate tax amnesty.

The bill’s explanatory note cited the COVID-19 pandemic, which  “precipitated severe contractions in economic activity and caused job losses and closed businesses.”

Because of this, “many of the taxpayers failed to comply with the requirements to avail of the tax amnesty due to limited movement and resources.”

The bill proposes that the “availment period of the estate tax amnesty” be extended for another two years or from June 15, 2023 to June 14, 2025.

House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said HB 7409 needs to be prioritized by the administration to augment funds in government coffers and help people save money as well.

PHILIPPINES, US SIMULATE COORDINATED OPERATION AGAINST SHIP OFF ZAMBALES COAST

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine and American troops simulated an operation against a decommissioned Philippine vessel in waters 12 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales province as part of the Balikatan exercises.

The site of the exercise, 12 nautical miles from shore, is also around 180 kilometers from Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a traditional fishing ground where Chinese Coast Guard ships have been deployed.

Authorities say around 1,4000 personnel — marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen — from Washington and Manila participated in the exercise, which made use of at least nine kinds of military assets and artillery from both countries.

"This event enhanced the interoperability of the Philippines and US forces in conducting combined joint operations utilizing both countries’ army, navy, and airforce assets in conducting maritime security and territorial defense," Armed Forces of the Philippines Maj. Gen Marvin Licudine, who is also the Philippines’ Balikatan 2023 exercise director, said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

Apart practicing interoperability, the military exercises also give Filipino military personnel a demonstration and a chance at trying out US equipment. The military modernization program has shifted from buying equipment for internal security to external defense and could include buying missile systems and submarines.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. watched the exercises along with Defense Officer in Charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. Rep. Sandro Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1st District) also attended.

BIDEN, 80, BIDS FOR REELECTION, LIKELY TO FACE TRUMP IN REMATCH

Washington — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday he is running for re-election in 2024, plunging at the record age of 80 into a ferocious new White House campaign “to finish the job.”

“Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. To stand up for their fundamental freedoms,” Biden wrote on Twitter, along with a video.

“I believe this is ours. That’s why I’m running for re-election as president of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job.”

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet with Biden on May 1, saying Monday that his government will seek a review of the treaty agreements signed with its long-time ally, while seeking more partnerships and enhance current deals on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Mr. Marcos said through Mr. Biden, Manila and Washington will discuss commitments to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), a 70-year-old accord between the two allies.

After a series of big legislative wins and momentous foreign policy struggles in his first two years in office, Biden has no real challenger from within the Democratic Party.

But in a campaign that may result in a rematch of the 2020 election against Donald Trump, he is expected to face constant and fierce scrutiny over his age.

DOH: FIRST 'ARCTURUS' CASE IN PH IS FROM ILOILO, PATIENT HAS RECOVERED

MANILA — The country's first case of omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, known as "Arcturus," was detected in Iloilo province and the patient has recovered, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.

"The detected XBB.1.16 case in Iloilo Province was asymptomatic and has already recovered," the DOH said in a statement.

The agency reported the first "Arcturus" case in its latest biosurveillance report issued this week.

XBB.1.16 is a descendent lineage of XBB, a recombinant of two BA.2 descendent lineages. It has the ability to evade immunity and is said to be more transmissible.

"Based on the latest risk assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) last April 17, 2023, no changes in severity have been reported in countries where XBB.1.16. are reported to be circulating," the DOH said.

"There may have been slight increases in bed occupancy in India and Indonesia, but levels are still much lower compared to the effects of the previous variants. Overall, risk assessment is said to be low," the agency added.

NAPOLCOM TO REVIEW 36 ‘NINJA COPS,’ CLEARS 917

The Philippine National Police said Tuesday the five-man advisory group has recommended 36 senior police officials for further evaluation by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo told a news conference the advisory group cleared the remaining 917 senior police officials, who also submitted their courtesy resignations, from any involvement in illegal drugs.

“For the remaining 36, they will undergo further evaluation by the Napolcom,” Fajardo said.

“And eventually, once the findings are submitted to the President, it will be the authority and discretion of the President whose resignations will be accepted,” she added.

Meanwhile, PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr., who assumed his post this week, said there was still no plan to implement a revamp in the police force.

Acorda said all movements in the organization would be based on policies, guidelines, merit, ability, capability, and moral ascendancy.

He also said the shuffling in the ranks has been discussed during his first command conference.

“This SOPB (Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board) will be empowered to make sure no policies are violated and also the candidates are scrutinized,” he added.

Fajardo said Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced that 917 of the 953 senior police officials who submitted courtesy resignations were already cleared.

She said the release of the names of the cleared third-level police officers will depend on the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

DICT SAYS NO HACK, JUST DATA LEAK

No hack, just a data leak.

The Department of Communications and Information Technology stressed this Tuesday following the reported alleged data breach involving over 1.2 million records of law enforcement agencies.

“It was not a hack. It was a data leak,” DICT Secretary Ivan Uy told ANC’s Headstart.

“A cybersecurity researcher… happened to find a site where there was no security. It was just open to the public,” he added.

Based on DICT’s investigation, the data leak came from the online recruitment portal of the Philippine National Police.

“It’s an employment portal or recruitment portal. The uploaded documents were the ones that were exposed,” Uy said.

“So, there was no hacking. It was an unsecured site that was just open, and anybody could see it.”

In a chance interview with Palace reporters, Uy also said there were “serious lapses in the procedure” of the PNP amid its wide-open recruitment system.

The National Privacy Commission is now handling the matter, the DICT chief added. The PNP’s IT department did not have knowledge about its recruitment page, Uy said.

The DICT has yet to discuss this with the PNP, Uy said, owing to the ongoing transition in the police force. The PNP leadership under new Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has yet to comment on the issue.

ANGAT DAM’S WATER LEVEL SLIGHTLY UP

MANILA, Philippines — The water level in Angat Dam increased by .41 centimeters yesterday following scattered rains, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The state weather bureau said the water level was monitored at 196.40 meters at about 6 a.m. yesterday compared to 195.99 meters on Monday.

PAGASA said the water level in Angat Dam was 9.33 meters higher than its rule curve elevation of 187.07 meters or the elevation needed for the dam to be able to fulfill its functions.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs. It also provides for the irrigation needs of 25,000 hectares of farmland in Bulacan and Pampanga.

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48,000 FAMILIES IN MINDANAO TO GET NEW HOMES

MANILA, Philippines — Four local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao have committed to implement housing projects that will benefit 48,000 families, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

The local governments of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog and Opol in Misamis Oriental and Tubod, Lanao del Norte formalized their partnership with the DHSUD on Monday.

More than 60 hectares of land are set to be developed in the four areas for the construction of medium to high-rise buildings under the government’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing or 4PH program.

“The huge housing backlog is not just a figure we need to close. Each number represents a family needing a roof over their heads. As we pursue our mandate and push for the administration’s 4PH program, we recognize the important role of local government units,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said during the signing of the agreements.

The Marcos administration aims to address the country’s housing backlog of 6.5 million by building one million housing units annually until 2028.

DOH: GET VAX BOOSTER AMID COVID UPTICK

A Department of Health (DOH) official said Tuesday more Filipinos must get their COVID-19 booster doses amid an uptick of cases in the country.

The Philippines recorded 3,148 COVID-19 cases in the past week. From April 17 to 23, an average of 450 daily infections were logged in the country, which is 32 percent higher compared to the previous week, according to DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea De Guzman.

“We need more boosters for our targeted population–among senior citizens, only 82 percent are fully vaccinated, and only 30 percent of our target population have received boosters,” De Guzman told TeleRadyo as she attributed the increase in cases to additional mobility.

In related developments:

* People eligible to receive the second COVID-19 booster dose were called on by a medical professional to take the jab amid the reported rise in COVID infections.

In a public briefing Tuesday, Dr. Benito Atienza, Philippine Federation of Professional Association Vice President III, stressed the importance of getting the additional booster dose at least six months after the first dose to improve the body’s resistance against COVID-19.

“It’s for our protection because we know that after a few months, the ‘fighter’ in our vaccine decreases, thus a booster shot is needed. The booster shot would increase the level of our immunity against the disease,” he said.

De Guzman noted the omicron subvariant was still the most predominant COVID variant in the Philippines.

TUGADE: DRIVERS WITH EXPIRING LICENSES NEED NOT VISIT LTO

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need for drivers to visit the Land Transportation Office to extend the validity of their licenses amid a shortage in the supply of plastic driver’s license cards, LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said yesterday.

In a radio interview, he said the LTO has briefed concerned agencies, traffic enforcers and tollway operators on the extension of the validity of driver’s licenses until Oct. 31.

“We conducted a briefing last week with the Philippine National Police, Highway Patrol Group, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, representatives from toll operators like North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway. We also issued a memorandum address to different traffic enforcement units, agencies and government bodies,” Tugade said.

He earlier announced that there are only 147,000 plastic cards left for driver’s licenses nationwide and this supply will be reserved for overseas Filipino workers.

Motorcycle plate backlog

Meanwhile, Tugade also admitted that the LTO still has a backlog on license plates for motorcycles from 2017 onwards.

“One reason for the backlog is the change in the plate design. We have the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act requiring bigger, readable and color-coded plates,” he said.

Tugade added that Congress has allocated funds for the procurement of the license plates by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“We are continuously coordinating with the DoTr to procure the plates,” he added.

9 PAMILYA NASUNUGAN NG BAHAY SA MAKATI

MAYNILA -- Siyam na malalaking pamilya ang nawalan ng bahay makaraang sumiklab ang sunog sa Barangay East Rembo sa Makati City.

Dikit-dikit ang mga bahay, at gawa pa sa light materials kaya mabilis na kumalat ang apoy.

Umabot ng ikalawang alarma ang sunog bago ito nakontrol ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Natukoy na ng BFP kung saang bahay nagsimula ang apoy pero inaalam pa nila ang naging sanhi nito.

Nakausap ng ABS-CBN News ang isa sa mga pamilya at sinabi nilang wala sila sa loob ng bahay ng mangyari ang sunog.

Wala kasing kuryente sa kanila kaya lumabas muna sila para magpahangin.

Wala namang nasaktan pero merong isang residente na kinailangan bigyan ng tulong medikal matapos itong mahimatay.

Umaabot ng siyam na bahay ang nasunog at tinatayang nasa P375,000 ang halaga ng pinsala.

Isa-isa nang sinusundo ng barangay officials ang mga naapektuhang residente para dalhin sa barangay hall, at doon muna mamalagi.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

NEW 'THE FLASH' TRAILER HAS A WHOLE LOTTA KEATON

A new trailer for DC's "The Flash" movie has dropped, and it is absolutely nuts.

Starring Ezra Miller as the titular superhero, "The Flash" sees superhero Barry Allen a.k.a. The Flash use his superpowers to travel back in time in order to save his mother.

His attempt, however, traps him in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, with no other superhero in sight.

It is now up to Barry to ask a very different Batman (Michael Keaton) out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian, Kara Zor-El a.k.a. Supergirl (Sasha Calle), to save the world and return to the future that he knows.

Based on the comic book storyline Flashpoint, the film is directed by Andy Muschietti from a screenplay by Christina Hodson.

The Flash movie races to Philippine cinemas June 14.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.54

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions. - Dalai Lama