GCash expressed its full support for the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Resolution No. 10946, also known as “Kontra-Bigay”, ahead of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Officials from the fintech company attended the campaign’s launch at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, earlier in September.

The launch was also attended by distinguished representatives from lead agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Department of Education (DepEd), as well as prominent election-focused NGOs like National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and Legal Network For Truthful Elections (LENTE).

Comelec Resolution No. 10946 aims to combat online vote buying and selling by establishing a Kontra-Bigay Committee and expanding the existing vote-buying regulations under the Omnibus Election Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the other rules and regulations issued by Comelec.

One of the most significant highlights of the newly passed resolution is its recognition of online banking transactions and the use of e-wallets as potential channels for vote buying under Section 30.

During the launch, Comelec emphasized its authority to scrutinize the financial details of account holders suspected of involvement in such illicit activities.

“GCash reiterates its unwavering commitment to cooperate fully with the COMELEC in the fight against online vote buying. The company recognizes the critical role fintech companies play in safeguarding the integrity of elections by preventing the misuse of digital financial tools for unlawful purposes,” said Martha Sazon, president and chief executive officer of GCash.

GCash believes that fostering transparency, accountability, and trust in financial transactions is paramount to ensuring fair, honest, and inclusive elections that reflect the people’s will.

“We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and security in financial transactions and will actively support the COMELEC in their efforts to maintain a level playing field for all candidates and voters,” added Sazon.

As the country’s no. 1 finance super app, GCash embraces its responsibility in ensuring that not only finance but also democracy, is for all. (PR)

In the wake to abolish the CIF

TACLOBAN CITY-Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos said that it is up to Congress if they want to clip local executives on the matter of the controversial confidential and intelligence fund (CIF).

Abalos, who was in the city on Monday (ct.2) to attend the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTFELCAC), said that it is up to Congress to ‘refine’ the law governing the CIF.

He, however, stressed that CIF is essential for the local governments to fight criminalities and even the continuing war on drugs.

“Ako, walang problema sa akin because that is a law. It was passed by Congress and Senate. Kung mayroon man itong issue, its up to them if they want to refine it or not,” he said in a brief interview with the members of the local media.

Abalos said that he does not see anything wrong with the local executives having their own CIF as long as they would be strictly guided by the law governing it.

“We are guided by the law. As long as it is not abused; as long as it is within the intention of the law, which is really to aid the chief executives in fighting criminalities, extreme violence, and even drugs,” he said.

Abalos admitted that his department, the Department of Interior and Local Government has its own CIF amounting to ‘more or less P100 million’ for this year.

He, however, defended the department’s CIF, citing their fight against illegal drugs, their campaign against e-sabong, and on the matter relative to fugitive former Arnolfo Teves Jr. of Negros Oriental.

Earlier, Senate President Miguel Zubiri said that not only national government agencies should be clipped with their NIF but also to include those of the local government units.
The issue of the CIF came into light amid questions on the said matter involving Vice President Sara Duterte who also heads the Department of Education, totaling in all to P650 million.

Duterte, as mayor of Davao City, had also P460 million CIF.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA/ JOEY A. GABIETA)

In Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The provincial government of Northern Samar (PGNS) has taken proactive measures to address the shortage of teaching personnel in senior high schools throughout the province.

To this end, PGNS is planning to hire 100 Senior High School teachers, who should be included in the 2023 CAR-RQA. These dedicated educators will receive a monthly honorarium of P12,000.

At a recent meeting of the provincial school board on September 25, 2023, Noe Hermosilla, chief of the school governance and operations division (SGOD) of the Department of Education (DepEd) – Northern Samar, acknowledged the pressing issue of insufficient classrooms and teachers for senior high school students in the province.

Hermosilla stressed the importance of ensuring that the province-hired teachers, who will be assigned to various schools, “possess specialized degrees or skills in areas such as accountancy, engineering, mathematics, or other relevant fields.”

Governor Edwin Ongchuan reiterated his administration’s commitment in assisting the DepEd “not just addressing the shortfall of classrooms but also the shortage of teachers in the province.”

As of September 22, the Division of Northern Samar recorded a total of 185,642 enrollees from Kindergarten to senior high school, encompassing both public and private schools.
Furthermore, to bolster education in the province, the provincial government has already recruited 92 learning support aides.

These dedicated individuals are currently providing valuable assistance to elementary teachers in nurturing students’ foundational skills, with a particular focus on reading and writing proficiency.

(The Provincial Government of Northern Samar)

ORMOC CITY-Joint forces led by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Samar Provincial Police Office and the City Drug Enforcement Team here apprehended a bus dispatcher, tagged as a high valued individual in the PNP drug watch list, at about 5:14 am on Saturday (Sept.30) in Barangay Buno-anan, Catbalogan City.

Police identified the suspect as Elmer Mabansag, 46, who was caught in possession of three sachets containing alleged shabu during the sting operation.

Charges of violations of Sections 5 and 11, of Article II of RA 9165 the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002 were filed against the suspect who is now locked at the detention facility of the Catbalogan city police office.
(ROBERT DEJON)