CHARTER CHANGE THROUGH PEOPLE'S INITIATIVE: WHAT IS IT?

MANILA — The resurgence of talks about amending the 1987 Constitution has gained momentum, spearheaded by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, aiming to focus on economic provisions limiting foreign ownership. Concurrently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez's cousin, ordered a review to evaluate the necessity of a constitutional overhaul to attract foreign investments.

Recent concerns emerged regarding alleged "nationwide" charter change campaigns, with mayors reportedly offering P100 to constituents signing petitions modifying constitutional provisions. While Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman disclosed a people's initiative for constitutional amendments, specifics about the backers remain undisclosed.

People's initiative, outlined in the 1987 Constitution and Republic Act 6735 (The Initiative and Referendum Act), empowers Filipinos to propose constitutional changes by gathering a petition signed by at least 12 percent of registered voters, with each legislative district represented by a minimum of 3 percent. The process involves verification by the Commission on Elections, publication of the petition, and a subsequent referendum for public approval. The proposal becomes effective 15 days after publication if endorsed by the majority of voters. Despite its potential, the people's initiative is a laborious and costly process.

NAZARENO DEVOTEES CONTINUE TO ARRIVE FOR 2ND DAY OF 'PAHALIK'

MANILA -- Devotees flocked to the Quirino Grandstand on Sunday for the second day of the annual "Pahalik," a homage to the revered Black Nazarene. Despite physical challenges, 71-year-old Francisco Lozada insisted on making the journey, seeking healing after a fall left him with a lump on his head. Two years ago, inspired by miraculous stories, Lozada embraced devotion to the Nazarene, believing in its healing powers. "Sabi po kasi ng mga tao... Sabi po nila nakakapagpagaling daw eh. Kaya ho naniniwala ako... Gusto kong gumaling," he said.

Imelda Rapas, accompanied by her four children, shared her unwavering devotion, attributing her daughter's avoidance of surgery to the Nazarene's intervention. "Panata ko po yan sa anak kong panganay na si Princess, kasi dati nung 2016, dapat ma-operahan siya po. Tapos ngayon, ipapanata ko siya dito kay Nazareno. Sa awa ng Diyos, 'di po siya naoperahan," Rapas said.

The Manila LGU provided free water for the devotees, offering relief for those enduring the lines. Attendees praised the organized event, contrasting it with past experiences. "Dire-diretso kami… mas maganda ngayon. Dati hindi organized, kung sino-sino lang ang sumisingit," said Jing Se. The Manila Police District reported a peaceful situation at Quirino Grandstand, with no significant incidents. In preparation for the Traslacion on January 9, several roads around Quirino Grandstand will be closed starting January 8 at 8 pm.

40,000 PUMILA SA 'PAHALIK' SA POONG NAZARENO

Dinagsa ng mga deboto ang ikalawang araw ng ‘pahalik’ sa Poong Nazareno, kalakip ng kani-kanilang panata, sa Quirino Grandstand nitong Lunes ng madaling araw.

Bumiyahe galing San Pedro, Laguna ang grupo nina Raffy Austero, habang suot ang mga inimprenta nilang hiphop clothing na may imahe ng Nazareno.

“Lagi na po namin ito na panata, mga ilang taon na rin po. Inaano po namin ‘yung ibang hiphop, mga gang member katulad namin na hinihikayat namin sila na magpunta po dito,” ayon kay Austero.

Puno rin ng pasasalamat ang kasama nilang deboto na si Ronnel Custodio na dating nakulong at naituwid ang buhay dahil sa kanyang debosyon.

“Sa kulungan, lumaya at nagbago dahil sa Ama Nazareno. Nagbabago naman ang tao e. Halos lahat kami panay negosyo na lang, tigil sa mga away, tigil sa gulo,” sabi ni Custodio.

Hindi naman alintana ang pagod at puyat para sa ‘kababaihan’ na si Estrella Balubar, na piniling maglingkod sa simbahan upang mas mapalalim ang debosyon na ipinasa ng kanyang magulang.

“Kahit maliit ako, sumisiksik ako sa loob ng simbahan, makita ko lang siya. Dahil deboto ka, talagang kelangan ibigay mo sa kanya itong araw na ‘to. Buong buhay mo talaga, kelangan maraming lakas,” ayon kay Balubar.

Sa tala ng Manila Police District (MPD), umabot na sa higit 40,000 deboto ang pumila sa ‘pahalik’ sa Poong Nazareno simula nitong Linggo.

Samantala, isang 12-anyos na babae ang nasugatan makaraang makatapak ng bubog habang nakapila.

“Ang reported po sa’min, nabubog po ng bote. Binigyan po namin ng first aid kaagad then nai-stop din naman po ‘yung bleeding. Then, pumirma rin po ng waiver,” sabi ni Ulyssis Castillo, Team Leader ng MMDA Road Emergency Group-Delta Group.

Patuloy naman ang paalala ng pamunuan ng Quiapo Church na tumalima sa mga patakaran na kanilang inilatag upang maging matiwasay ang pagdiriwang ng #Nazareno2024.

JAPAN QUAKE DEATH TOLL JUMPS TO 161, 103 MISSING: AUTHORITIES

SUZU, Japan — The death toll from Japan's New Year's Day earthquake has jumped to 161 from 128 overnight, authorities said Monday as snow complicated rescue efforts.

The number of people unaccounted for fell to 103 from 195, according to authorities in the central Ishikawa region hit by the 7.5-magnitude quake.

The shock waves toppled buildings, sparked a major fire and triggered tsunami waves over a metre high.

Thousands of rescuers have been drafted in from all over Japan, their work complicated by roads being cut off by the quake and an estimated 1,000 landslides.

In the last two days, the region has been blanketed in snow, making the operation harder still.

Against the odds, a woman in her 90s survived five days under the wreckage of a collapsed house in the city of Suzu on the hard-hit Noto Peninsula before being saved on Saturday.

The colder weather is also likely to worsen conditions for more than 28,800 people in 404 government shelters.

Continuous rain has increased the risk of fresh landslides, while heavy snow could cause more buildings to collapse under its weight, the regional government warned.

At least 2,000 people in many communities on the remote peninsula have been cut off by damaged roads, with some of an estimated 1,000 landslides also blocking aid vehicles.

That means relief materials have been slow to reach areas suffering water and power outages.

Around 20,700 households in the wider Ishikawa region remained without electricity on Sunday. More than 66,100 households were without water.

"The first priority has been to rescue people under the rubble, and to reach isolated communities," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in an interview with NHK on Sunday.

The military has sent small groups of troops to each of the isolated communities on foot, he said.

The government has also "deployed various police and fire department helicopters" to reach them, Kishida added.

PNP CHIEF DISMAYADO SA PAGKADAWIT SA 'DESTABILIZATION PLOT' LABAN KAY MARCOS

MANILA — Dismayado si Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. sa pagdawit sa kaniyang pangalan sa umano'y destabilization plot laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Sa kauna-unahang flag raising ceremony ngayong 2024 sa Camp Crame, iginiit ni Acorda na ang pagpapakalat aniya ng ganitong maling impormasyon ay "unforgivable" at hindi nila kinukunsinti ang ganitong maling gawain.

Ayon pa kay Acorda, sinisikap ng PNP na lumikha ng magandang imahe kaya hindi nya palalampasin ang umano'y paninira sa kanya at sa organisasyon.

"It hurts me that there are people na gusto lang maging sikat yung kanilang vlog ay gagawa ng mga disinformation. No less than my face, the face of the CSAFP (Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) posted on [the] viral [video] and saying the AFP and the PNP withdrawing support or asking the resignation of the President," ani Acorda.

"It's unforgivable. Hindi po tama yun... We try to promote investments and tourism pero dahil lang sa mga ito, sa pansarili nagki-icreate na hindi

magandang imahe sa ating bayan. We don't tolerate these things and the people are counting on us," dagdag niya.

Nanawagan ang opisyal sa publiko na huwag i-repost ang naturang vlog at irespeto ang PNP.

Hinikayat naman ni Acorda ang buong PNP na magkaisa at maging tapat sa kanilang mandato na protektahan ang mamamayan at ipatupad ng tama ang batas.

Matatandaan na may kumalat na video sa Facebook at YouTube nitong nakaraang linggo na nagsasabing mayroon umanong destabilization plot laban kay Marcos at dinawit ang pangalan nina Acorda at AFP Chief of Staff Gen.Romeo Brawner Jr.

TESDA: TECH-VOC SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR THOSE DISPLACED BY PUV MODERNIZATION

MANILA — Drivers and operators and their family members affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program can avail of skills training to help them through the transition of the eventual phaseout of traditional jeepneys, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority said Monday.

In a statement, TESDA said it supports the government's transport modernization program but that it also acknowledges that "there are individuals whose livelihood have been or will be affected by this initiative in one way or another."

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has required all jeepneys and UV Express franchise holders to consolidate their franchises under a transport corporation or cooperative.

Those who have refused and who service routes where less than 60% of units have met the requirement to consolidate are allowed to operate but only until the end of the month.

"Under the Tsuper Iskolar program, drivers, operators and their family members who have been displaced or otherwise affected by the PUVMP are entitled to free tech-voc skills training, and assessment and certification," TESDA said, adding qualified beneficiaries can get a trainign allowance of P350/day for a maximum of 35 days.

It said the program has been in place since 2019 and that Tsuper Iskolar had P300 million in funding in 2023.

"We encourage our kababayans to approach any TESDA office to check where they can avail the Tsuper Iskolar program and take this opportunity to learn new skills that will empower them to start a new career or engage in entrepreneurial activities," TESDA also said.

Transport groups PISTON and Manibela are opposed to the PUV Modernization Program because of the cost of new minibus units, which can go up to as much as P2.5 million each.

They are also wary of the consolidated franchises, saying their members would prefer to retain individual franchises and ownership of units in case the cooperatives fail or are mismanaged.

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OIL PRICES UP BY P0.10 IN SECOND WEEK OF JANUARY

MANILA — Oil prices are rising by a small amount on the second week of January.

Petroleum companies announced the following adjustments on pump prices effective Tuesday, January 9.

PILIPINAS SHELL (from 6 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.10/L increase

Kerosene - P0.10/L increase

Diesel - P0.10/L increase

Industry insiders have said that fears of a supply disruption over incidents in the Red Sea may drive an oil price spike in the world market.

7 SLAIN INDIVIDUALS BURIED TOGETHER IN LANAO DEL NORTE

COTABATO CITY — The police recovered seven missing persons buried together in a shallow grave in Barangay Karkum in Sapad, Lanao del Norte on Sunday.

In an initial report on Monday, the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office said that Joselito Gaviola, Marly Gaviola, Elvie Lenara, Jomar Lenara, Jopay Lenara, Epifanio Lenara Sr. and Epifanio Lenara Jr., were buried two days after villagers discovered the grave where their abductors dumped them together.

The Gaviolas are residents of Barangay Sangali in Zamboanga City while the Leneras are from Margossatubig town in Zamboanga del Sur, according to officials of the Sapad Municipal Police Station.

The Lanao del Norte PPO and the Sapad MPS had said in separate statements on Monday that investigators are still trying to identify the men who brought and buried the seven persons in a coconut farm in Barangay Karkum.

There are text messages spreading around Lanao del Norte hinting that the seven persons were abducted and killed somewhere outside of Sapad and were brought to Barangay Karkum where they were buried in a spot far from houses of residents.

The victims have bullet wounds in different parts of their bodies.

32,246 PWDS, 31 CENTENARIANS, RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID FROM BARMM IN 2023

COTABATO CITY — In 2023, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) provided financial assistance to 32,246 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the form of an initial grant of P6,000 each. The MSSD-BARMM also supported 35,113 marginalized families through livelihood assistance, skills training, and educational subsidies under the Unlad Pamilyang Bangsamoro Program. Local leaders, such as Basilan Governor Hadjiman Salliman, expressed commitment to expanding these programs in their respective areas with assistance from local government units.

PWD beneficiaries, like 46-year-old Monder Sarmin Akil and Mursiba Salik Ansar, emphasized their gratitude for the subsidies, highlighting the positive impact of the BARMM government resulting from the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Emergency assistance requests from 216,028 residents in the region were also addressed by MSSD-BARMM in 2023, mainly facilitated through local government units. Jidday Buat Lucman, a senior staff from MSSD-BARMM, acknowledged the vital role played by LGU officials in overseeing project implementations for constituents in need. Looking ahead to 2024, MSSD-BARMM aims to serve more people with the continued support of local leaders.

Furthermore, MSSD-BARMM distributed P100,000 each to 31 centenarians across the region as part of its assistance initiatives from January to December 2023.

DAVAO BUSINESSMAN, CROCODILE PARK OWNER DIES IN ROAD MISHAP

Davao businessman Philip "Sonny" Dizon was killed after he got into a road accident while on his motorcycle this weekend.

The prominent 64-year-old businessman was immediately brought to Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City on Sunday, but later died of serious injuries.

According to the local Bansalan Police Station, Dizon was traveling along the Bansalan-Balutakay road going to Balutakay, Barangay Managa.

The businessman allegedly swerved his motorcycle to the outer lane to avoid an approaching vehicle. He lost control of his Can-Am three-wheeled motorcycle, which then overturned. The victim fell on a concrete lane.

Dizon was the owner of the Davao Crocodile Park, Dizon Farms, and the Mount Apo Highland Resort in Barangay Kapatagan, Digos City.

Dizon was also the president of the American Chamber of Commerce Davao City chapter.

VILLAGERS COLLECT SARDINES SWEPT BY WAVES TO SARANGANI SHORES

In Maasim town, Sarangani, a substantial amount of tiny sardines washed ashore, a phenomenon attributed to changes in sea temperature and wave directions, lacking planktons for the fish to feed on. Local villagers, considering it a sign of good fortune, collected the juvenile pelagic sardines, distributing them among marginalized constituents. Residents, like Allan Gomez Dionaldo, expressed gratitude for the unexpected blessing and gathered buckets of tiny sardines from the shores of Barangay Tinoto. Hundreds of villagers took home sizable portions of the "lopoy," as the small sardines are locally known, scooping them with their hands, pails, and basins.

Despite traditional beliefs associating such events with calamities, Cirilo Aquadera Lagnason Jr., from the Protected Area Management Office, clarified that the beaching of juvenile pelagic sardines does not conclusively indicate underwater seismic activity. The locals, however, view the occurrence as a blessing from God, celebrating the unexpected abundance of sardines along their shores.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MMFF 2023 EXTENDED AS GROSS RECEIPTS NOW AT P1-BILLION

MANILA -- The theatrical run of the Metro Manila Film Festival movies will be extended, organizers announced on Sunday, as the combined total gross receipts of the films has reached P1 billion.

MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF Overall Concurrent Chairman Atty. Don Artes confirmed the development on Sunday, amid calls for an extension by moviegoers.

The festival was set to end on Sunday but has now been extended for a week.

"We at the MMFF would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us and watched the movie entries, particularly those who requested for the MMFF movies to extend beyond its original run," said Artes.

"Marami pong salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagtangkilik. Moviegoers, may mga karagdagang araw pa para panoorin lahat ng MMFF entries," he added.

MMFF complimentary passes will also be honored until January 14.

Earlier, MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer expressed his gratitude as the box office gross of the 49th MMFF reached P1-B, exceeding their performance in 2022 when the movies combined for P500-million.

"ISANG BILYONG PASASALAMAT … We have reached the 1 BILLION MARK sa box office gross ng 49th METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL," MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer said in a statement.

The combined gross ticket sales of the ten MMFF movies reached P700-M just last Wednesday, January 3. The record box office gross of the MMFF is P1.061-B, a mark set in 2018.

Artes is hopeful that the earnings will increase as moviegoers continue to flock to cinemas.

"This is a good sign as we gear up for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)," said Artes.

The MMFF movies were honored in an awards night on December 27, with "Firefly" emerging as the Best Picture while Vilma Santos ["When I Met You in Tokyo"] and Cedrick Juan ["Gomburza"] hailed as the Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively.

After the festival, all ten MMFF movies will be brought to Los Angeles, California for the Manila International Film Festival set for January 29 to February 2.

SPORTS

PBA SCORES JAN 7

San Miguel def. TerraFirma, 132-110 (33-30, 67-60, 103-91, 132-110)

Ginebra def. NorthPort, 103-93 (24-26, 50-50, 77-72, 103-93)

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON JAN 6, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics

28-7

29        29        26        34        118

Pacers

20-15

17        32        32        20        101

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

player headshot

J. Tatum BOS PF

38 PTS , 14 REB , 6 AST

player headshot

B. Mathurin IND SF

20 PTS , 4 REB , 2 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Knicks

21-15

34        29        28        30        121

Wizards

6-29

19        24        32        30        105

Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Randle NY PF

39 PTS , 7 REB , 5 AST

K. Kuzma WAS PF

27 PTS , 2 REB , 2 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Jazz

17-20

32        26        29        33        120

76ers

23-12

28        29        22        30        109

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

L. Markkanen UTA SF

33 PTS , 13 REB , 1 AST

T. Maxey PHI PG

25 PTS , 1 REB , 9 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Bucks

25-11

18        25        30        35        108

Rockets

18-16

29        34        26        23        112

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

G. Antetokounmpo MIL PF

48 PTS , 17 REB , 2 AST

A. Sengun HOU C

21 PTS , 11 REB , 4 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.67

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

What you get by reaching your goals is not nearly as important as what you become by reaching them. - Zig Ziglar