Davao City Residents Get Free Medical Care Cards

Lawyer Karlo Nograles, son and chief of staff of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, leads the distribution of Philippine Health Care Cards to residents of Davao City's first congressional district on Saturday, August 15, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 17, 2009) – Hundreds of villagers in the southern Filipino city of Davao have received free medical care cards from House Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Nograles’ son and chief of staff, lawyer Karlo Nograles, led the weekend distribution of the PhilHealth cards mostly to poor residents of the city’s first congressional district where the solon belongs.

The distribution of the medical care cards was held at the covered court in the village of Matina.

The cards will provide its holders with free medical care from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, an attached agency under the Department of Health.

The young Nograles said it was part of his father’s “Oplan Kaalam” program which will benefit poor families.

“Having a PhilHealth card is a great help especially to the poor because they can use this card in their hospitalization,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the money paid to avail the cards came from the solon’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The lawyer said thousands of PhilHealth cards were already released to local residents in recent years.

The distribution of PhilHealth cards was originally started by President Gloria Arroyo and continued by the House Speaker to help the poor, who cannot afford to pay the medical care premiums.

With the PhilHealth card, the enrolled families may avail themselves of the regular hospitalization benefit package provided by the agency in any of its accredited hospitals and other institutional health care providers in the country. (Geo Solmerano)

House Speaker Prospero Nograles administers oath of office to new solon

Speaker Prospero Nograles administers the oath of office to Representative Acmad Tomawis of the party-list ALIF as family members look on Monday, August 17, 2009 at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives. Tomawis is the 268th member of the House of Representatives. Other solons who witnessed the oath-taking were Representatives Abraham Kahlil Mitra, of Palawan and Abdullah Dimaporo, of Lanao del Norte. There are 216 regular district representatives and 52 party-list members. (Photo by Tobias Engay)

Activists hold rally in Davao City, protest proposed Charter change

Political activists hold a rally in front of the field office of House Speaker Prospero Nograles in Davao City on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. They say Nograles, 1st District Representative of Davao City, is one of the promoters of charter change. The House of Representatives has approved the HR 1109 which empowers them to convene itself into a Constitutional Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution without the participation of the Senate. (Photo by AKP Images / Keith Bacongco)

2 bishops open to 'extra-legal' means to bring down Arroyo - GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines — Two senior Roman Catholic bishops on Thursday said they were open to “extra-legal" means in forcing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo out of office if the search for truth continues to be suppressed.

Bishops Antonio Tobias and Deogracias Iñiguez expressed their disgust during a press conference in Quezon City a day after administration members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice voted to kill an impeachment complaint filed against President Arroyo.

“If we can no longer go through the legal means of seeking the truth, we will be forced to use extra-constitutional or extra-legal means," Iňiguez said.

"Ipakita natin na ayaw na natin ang nangyayari (Let us show that we are sick and tired of what’s going on)," added Tobias, who argued that such action should not be misconstrued as “destabilization."

The two outspoken bishops said they were hoping that a protest action planned on Nov. 30 at the Balintawak Monument would spark a bigger uprising like the previous “people power revolutions."

In a phone interview, Iñiguez told GMANews.TV that their move would focus on denouncing fresh attempts by Arroyo allies to tinker with the Philippine Constitution.

Tobias also read to journalists a statement made by detained Brigadier General Danilo Lim, former commander of the Army’s Scout Ranger Regiment.

“The Filipino people should act now to reclaim their dignity, remove the pretender from power and steer this nation on the path to greatness," Tobias read from Lim’s statement
Iñiguez said Lim’s letter was given to them through the Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomista (KME). He said the letter was sent to them as a means of support for their upcoming protest action.

“Siguro nabalitaan niya yung affair namin sa Nov. 30 na against cha-cha tapos sumulat siya parang pakikiisa on the part of the military (Maybe he’s heard of the anti- Charter change rally that we would hold on Nov. 30. So, he wrote a letter expressing his support on the part of the military)," Iñiguez said.

Lim is facing court-martial for his involvement in an alleged plot to seize power on Feb. 24, 2006. He was charged with the violation of Articles of War 67 (inciting to sedition).

Iñiguez also said that they were very happy to have received Lim’s support. “We are very happy, siya naman kasi nakakulong siya so he is against the government, we are happy na sa military na meron may ganoong sentiment (We are very happy that at least someone in the military has the same kind of sentiment.)," he said.

In Malacañang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez, denounced the two prelates for encouraging mass uprising instead of just clamoring for truth.

“I think everybody should be clamoring for peace and the leaders of the Church should be clamoring for peace as well," Golez said.(Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV)

House urged to pass Senate-approved bill doubling teachers’ pay

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 3, 2008) - The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has urged the House of Representatives to promptly pass the Senate-approved bill seeking to increase by P9,000 or double the minimum basic pay for the country's public school teachers.

"House leaders should now stop paying lip service to the plight of our more than 500,000 public school teachers, and waste no time in passing the bill that the Senate already approved two months ago," TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera, said in a statement.

Herrera was referring to Senate Bill (SB) 2408, principally authored by Sen. Loren Legarda. The bill proposes to raise from Salary Grade 10 to 19 the entry-level pay classification for teachers in public elementary and high schools.

This means their initial monthly pay would be jacked up to a new range of P18,471 to P21,995. The existing range is P10,933 to P12,997.

On top of the preliminary P9,000-increase, public school teachers would also get a P3,000-pay raise every three years.

Once approved, the initial adjustment would likewise automatically set off commensurate pay increases for every teacher in the public school system currently receiving compensation higher than the starting rate.

Herrera stressed the need for Congress "to redeem public school teachers from grinding poverty and restore the nobility of the teaching profession."

He warned that unless the House passes the Senate-approved bill, the public school system would continue to lose thousands of highly qualified instructors forced to seek greener pasture overseas, or here in the private sector.

Herrera noted that English-speaking Filipino teachers continue to leave in droves for overseas employment, particularly for the United States, where they get up to $4,000 monthly.

"Advancing in a big way the quality of life of our teachers and keeping them constantly motivated is the best way for Congress to check and reverse the rapid decline of basic education," Herrera pointed out.

Once SB 2408 is enacted, the first-year pay for public school teachers would be almost 25 percent higher than the P15,000 average starting pay for their counterparts in the private sector.

House Bill 4734, principally authored by Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Iligan, is the counterpart of SB 2408. Ilagan’s bill has been pending with the House appropriations committee since July 2007.

House Bill Threatens Food Security In Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 9, 2008) - A Filipino lawmaker on Tuesday said a bill being proposed in Congress would affect food security in the Philippines.

Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said the House Resolution 737 authored by Speaker Prospero Nograles, seeks to amend Sections 2 and 3 of Article XII of the Philippine Constitution that would allow the acquisition by foreign corporations and associations, and transfer of alienable lands and private lands.

“Allowing 100 percent foreign ownership of Philippine lands will further endanger the country’s food security and may lead to higher hunger and poverty incidence in the Philippines," she said.

She said the resolution aims to scrap the provision in the Constitution requiring 60 percent ownership by Filipino citizens of corporations wanting to explore, develop and utilize the country’s natural resources and hopes to allow foreign individuals, corporations and associations to hold up to 1,000 hectares of alienable lands of public domain by lease or acquire up to 25 hectares of the same.

According to Ilagan, the resolution, which also aims to sustain national growth by attracting investments, contradicts the 1987 Constitution which states that the State “shall protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices” and “promote industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform”.

“HR 737 will open almost 50 percent of the Philippine’s 30 million hectares of lands to foreigners. Foreign corporations which have greater capability to buy lands than most Filipinos do, will transform these into huge plantations, large scale mining site and other conglomerates which will suit only commercial, transnational interests. As 93 percent of the alienable and disposable lands to become available to them are agricultural, it will displace farmers and will push the country to rely on rice imports to be able to eat,” Ilagan said.

In Mindanao, she said 8,262,612 hectares of the 20,399,772 island’s total land area can be owned by foreign corporations. She fears that Nograles’ plan will lead to further displacement of the Bangsamoro and indigenous peoples and the worsening of peace situation in the southern provinces.

Vast tracks of mineral-rich lands in Mindanao are already being exploited by multinational companies such as Canadian-owned TVI Pacific Inc. for gold, silver, copper and zinc and Crew Development Corporation for nickel. Oil behemoth Exxon Mobil is exploring Sulu for oil deposits while Australian mining giant BHP Billiton is interested in Davao’s nickel.

Ilagan also questioned the medium through which the Speaker is attempting to amend the Constitution. She said that a House resolution would not suffice as changes in the highest law of land should be done by a House bill that is either joint or concurrent that can be transmitted by the House to the Senate.

Private Corporations In RP Told To Comply With Requirements

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (September 4, 2008) – House Speaker Prospero Nograles warned private corporations against non-compliance with the requirements of their legislative franchises, endorsing an earlier call by a senior Mindanao lawmaker for a review of all franchises granted by Congress.

"Rep. Rodolfo Plaza was right when he sought such a review because the grant of a franchise is an act of Congress which can also be taken back or revoked when the grantees do not adhere to the mandates of their franchises," Nograles said.

Plaza (Agusan del Sur) revealed that a number of private corporations granted franchises by Congress are reportedly remiss in complying with the letters of their legislative concessions.

Nograles said Plaza's revelation, that certain firms deliberately conceal their true ownership when applying for a legislative franchise, "is something that should be really looked into".

Following this revelation, Nograles instructed the House Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired by Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron, to exercise oversight over the franchises granted by Congress.

Nograles also wants Biron to "find out if these franchisees have been diligently complying with the terms and conditions pertinent to their legislative franchises including the submission of annual reports to Congress."

According to Plaza, a number of legislative franchise holders have not been submitting annual reports. Under the law, companies can be fined with up to P50,000 per day for failure to submit their annual reports.

Nograles said the congressional review would cover telecommunications service providers, broadcasting media companies, cable television firms, commercial airlines and public utilities.

"We owe it to the Filipino people," Nograles said and assured that "those who faithfully comply with the terms and conditions of their respective franchises have nothing to worry about." (Romy Bwaga)

Philippine Speaker Turns To Mindanao Leaders Over Peace In Troubled Region

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Boxing Program To Be Revived Again In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 26, 2008) – Philippine House Speaker Prospero Nograles said he would revive his boxing program in Davao City in an effort to produce more world champions like Manny Pacquiao.

Lawyer Karlo Nograles, the solon’s son and chief aide, said the “Oplan Kamao” is expected to attract new breed amateur boxers who wanted to be like Pacquiao or other famous Filipino ring champions.

”Hopefully we can revive the program this year,” Nograles said, adding, the solon was inspired by two local boxers who won gold medals in the recent Palarong Pambansa sports competition held in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province.

Davao boxers John Vincent Moralde, 13, and his elder brother Engelbert Moralde, 15, both students of Erico Nograles High School, topped their boxing divisions in the annual sporting event.

Earlier, Nograles offered scholarship grant to the two boxers for their victory which placed Davao City in the boxing map of the country.

”The scholarship grant will help these two young boxers attain their dreams and be proud that they are Davao boxers,” the young Nograles said.

John Vincent Morales ruled the powder-weight division (36 kgs) when he defeated Region 6 boxer Jhon Arcita. His elder brother ruled at the 45 kgs division.

”Sports has always been an advocacy of my father to focus the youth in sports and veer them away from drugs and other vices,” he said.

Nograles, a known sportsman, also put up basketball courts in many areas here and has continuously sponsored various sports activities and competition. (Romy Bwaga)

Davao Officials Pledge More Development Projects

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 25, 2008) – Davao City deputy mayor Sarah Duterte said the local government would concentrate its development and infrastructure projects in other parts of the metropolis.

Duterte said House Speaker Prospero Nograles has poured projects in the city’s Firsty District and that she would put more efforts in other parts of Davao – the Second and Third Districts.

Nograles has allocated more than P400 million in various development projects for the First District where he belongs.

“I thank vice mayor Duterte for recognizing the projects that the Speaker has poured in for the First District,” the solon’s son and chief aide, lawyer Karlo Nograles said.

“I am certain we all share in the same dreams for the people of our beloved city,” he said. (Romy Bwaga)

P200 M Released For Davao Infra Projects

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 24, 2008) – At least P200 million in various development and infrastructure projects are to begin in Davao City in southern Philippines.

The money will come from the Country Development Fund of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, a native of Davao City. Nograles earlier released about P20 million for the repair of the old Justice Hall building in Davao City.

The latest funding will go to the constructions of various projects, said lawyer Karlo Nograles, the solon’s son and chief aide.

Nograles earlier pledged to release more funding for local development projects.

The new funding will include the following: Repair of the S.I.R. Fire Station (P1.5 million); completion of the GSIS Fire Station (P2.5 million); completion of the Talomo Police Station (P3 million); completion of the Barangay Hall at Matina Crossing (P3 million); and completion of the Sta. Ana Fire Station (P10 million).

And road concreting projects in following villages: Brgy. Bucana 76-A (P15 million); Brgy. 19-B (P10 million); Talomo (P5 million); Catalunan Pequeno (P10 million; Matina Crossing (P10 million0; Matina Aplaya (P10 million); Dumoy (P10 million); Baliok (P10 million; Bago Aplaya (P5 million); Bago Gallera (P5 million); Maa (P10 million); Langub (P10 million); Magtuod (P10 million); Matina Pangi (P10 million); and Catalunan Grande (P10 million).

Nograles has already released some P400 million for various projects since early this year. (Romy Bwaga)

Davao Justice Hall Gets Fresh Rehab Funding

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 23, 2008) – Some P20 million in fresh funding have been released for the repair of the Justice hall building in the southern Philippine city of Davao.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles funded the building’s rehabilitation project. The Department of Public Works and Highways is preparing a survey of the project to finalize the repair of the building which houses the local judiciary courts.

Lawyer Karlo Nograles, the solon’s son and chief aide, said the money comes from his father’s Countrywide Development Fund. “The Department of Public Works and Highways is now preparing to survey the Hall of Justice building to finalize the program of work, then bidding of the project so we can already implement the repairs,” he said.

”We have to understand that the Justice Hall is more than just a structure. It is a symbol of the country’s justice system and democracy,” Nograles said.

He said once completed, the building should reflect the nobility and honest profession of the people working at the judiciary. (Romy Bwaga)

200 Graduate From Vocational Schools In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 22, 2008) – Some 200 vocational scholars graduated from various courses in Davao City in the southern Philippines under the “Oplan Kaalam” program.

The program, launched by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, is aimed at helping poor but deserving students in pursuing their career. The scholars were also given financial allowance during their studies.

Lawyer Karlo Nograles, son and chief of staff of the lawmaker, represented his father in the graduation ceremony which was recently held at the CAP Auditorium here. Those who graduated hailed Nograles’ scholarship program.

In his speech, the younger Nograles urged the graduates to be responsible citizen and help in nation-building now that that they have the necessary skills for them to find a descent job.

He said his father’s Oplam Kaalam program will continue in an effort to help moiré deserving scholars. (Romy Bwaga)

House Speaker: Do Not Dismember Country

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 21, 2008) – Philippine House Speaker Prospero Nograles rejected proposals to dismember the country as the issue on the controversial Muslim ancestral domain stalled the government’s peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Security forces were pursuing hundreds of MILF rebels led by Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar, blamed by authorities for the deadly attacks in Mindanao that left at least three dozen people dead.

The MILF, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila, said the rebels were disgruntled over the failure of the peace negotiators to formally sign the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain that would eventually grant some 4 million Muslims a separate homeland in Mindanao.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the August 5 signing of the accord after politicians and lawmakers opposed to the deal filed a petition to force Manila to make public the provisions of the agreement. Once the deal is signed, a plebiscite would follow in areas covered by the ancestral domain, but there is a need to amend the Constitution to allow referendum.

“Peace? Yes! But not at the expense of our constitutional processes and territorial sovereignty,” Nograles said.

President Gloria Arroyo has ordered security forces to capture Kato and Macapaar’s groups.

Nograles said he is supporting Arroyo’s order to the military and police to pursue the perpetrators of violence and terrorism in Mindanao. “Why escalate violence and terrorism if they (MILF) want peace? Is it still logical and right for the government to continue the peace negotiation with the MILF when its acknowledged leadership could not guarantee complete loyalty of its followers?,” he asked.

At the same time, the House leader, who hails from Davao City, lauded Arroyo’s call for an expanded meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to find a solution on the latest outbreak of armed conflict in Mindanao.

“Decisions must be made after consultations and that’s the correct move made by our president,” Nograles said, noting that “even as the President has in her command and grasp all the necessary information relative to the Mindanao crisis, the collective wisdom resulting from such consultations is always crucial.

Nograles said the police and the military must remain steadfast to their respective mandates to protect national interest and promote the rule of law with the President as their Commander-in-Chief.

“The military and police must bring to justice those responsible for the violence and terror in several parts of Mindanao and protect civilians and every inch of Philippine sovereignty. That’s their sworn duty,” Nograles said. (Romy Bwaga)

Homeowners Seek Solon's Help Over Loans

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 21, 2008) – Mindanao homeowners have sought the help of House Speaker Prospero Nograles against possible foreclosure of their houses and estate.

Nograles recently sponsored a forum in Davao City to allow dialogues between homeowners and mortgage firms.

Homeowners expressed fear that they would lose their assets should mortgage firms suddenly foreclose their contracts because of faulty in payments despite promissory notes.

Lawyer Karlo Nograles, the solon’s son and chief of staff, the problems of the house owners were being addressed. (Romy Bwaga)

Thousands In Davao City Get Free Health Cards

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 20, 2008) – Thousands of mostly poor residents were given Philhealth cards in the southern Philippine city of Davao.

The health cards were distributed to some 5,000 people in Barangay 35-D recently, according to lawyer Karlo Nograles, son of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who was behind the program.

The younger Nograles said his father, a native of Davao City, has allocated five million pesos from of his Priority Development Assistance fund for the project.

“Since January this year, we have already released 3,000 of these Philhealth cards and will be releasing at least 2,000 more before the year ends,” Nograles said, adding, it was part of the Oplan Kalusugan program which began in 2004.

”The distribution of Philhealth cards was originally started by President Gloria Arroyo and continued by us to help the poor,” he said.

He said the Philhealth program is very beneficial since members and their beneficiaries receive substantial deductions in their hospital bills. “What is good about this card is the fact that the dependents and beneficiaries of the cardholder can also avail of the deductions in hospital bills and other benefits,” Nograles said.

Rep. Nograles has in the past also offered free medical assistance to local residents and provided medicines and dialysis treatments to the poor. (Romy Bwaga)

Medical Missions Launch In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 19, 2008) – Hundreds of residents have benefited from two medical missions in Davao City in southern Philippines.

The humanitarian outreach missions, a project of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, were held recently in Village 37 and Matina Crossing. Dubbed as Oplan Kalusugan, residents here received free medicines and consultations and dental services and circumcision.

The two activities were also supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and medical teams from the Davao Medical Center, according to the lawmaker’s son, lawyer Karlo Nograles.

He said aside from the free medical services, they also distributed Philhealth cards. (Romy Bwaga)

School Kids Get Free Notebooks

Lawyer Karlo Nograles distributes free notebooks to grade school students in Davao City.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 18, 2008) – Hundreds of grade school students were given free notebooks in Davao City in the southern Philippines.

The notebooks were donated by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, his son lawyer Karlo Nograles, said.

“It was a small gesture to help the children, especially nowadays that school supplies are so expensive. We hope to give more to other students in Davao City,” he said.

”The children are the hope of our country and they deserve all the support they could get,” he said. (Romy Bwaga)

Davao Courts Get New Computers

Lawyer Karlo Nograles turns over computers to representatives of different courts in Davao City in southern Philippines.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 17, 2008) – House Speaker Prospero Nograles donated at least 8 computer sets to the City Prosecutors Office and the Public Attorneys Office, including the Regional Trial Court and library in Davao City in the southern Philippines.

Norgrales’ son, lawyer Karolo Nograles, led the distribution of the computers which he said is aimed at helping in the workload of the courts.

”For the City Prosecution Office alone, we have already given 18 laptop computers sourced from private funds,” Nograles said.

He said more laptop computers will be given to the other courts. Nograles has already distributed 29 laptop computers to the different courts here.

“With these laptop computers, we hope to properly equip the justice system of Davao City with the necessary tools to turn the wheels of justice even more swiftly,” he said. (Romy Bwaga)

Davao Residents Get Free Rice Allocation

Lawyer Karlo Nograles, son of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, distributes rice to poor families in Davao City in southern Philippines.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 16, 2008) – Dozens of local residents lined up for free rice in the southern Philippine city of Davao after House Speaker Prospero Nograles distributed them to help poor families cope up with the rising cost of basic commodities.

The rice distribution held recently benefited villagers and the lawmaker also signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Food Authority for the putting up of 40 retail stores in Davao City that would sell rice at government prices.

NFA rice is currently selling at P18.25 a kilo.

“With the high prices of rice, this distribution can really do a difference in the life of the people. We hope to help more poor families here,” said lawyer Karlo Nograles, the lawmaker’s son, who active in humanitarian mission in Davao City.

He said the rice subsidy program came from Nograles’ development fund.Nograles said more NFA stores would be put up in strategic areas to make it more accessible to public. “Many poor families are sure to benefit from these NFA rice outlets,” he said. (Romy Bwaga)