Wheelchairs around 100,aid and donation, gifts given to PWDs in QC

 

QUEZON CITY -- Ang Probinsyano Party- List (APPL) Rep. Alfred delos Santos spearheaded the distribution of wheelchairs and other assistance to some 100 persons with disabilities (PWDs) on Tuesday (May 21) at the 15th Floor of the Quezon City Hall. 

Rep. Delos Santos was joined by Majority Floor Leader Dr. Doray Delarmente, Councilor Aiko Melendez, and actor Piolo Pascual, among others. 

The gift giving was the initiative of Piolo Pascual in cooperation with Surge Fitness + Lifestyle, Ang Probinsyano Party-List, and Cornerstone Entertainment Vice President Jeff Fadillo. 

Also present during the event were the families of the beneficiaries, the staff of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and the Quezon City government.

In her opening remarks, PDAO Head Deborah Dacanay expressed gratitude to Piolo Pascual, Councilor Melendez of District V, Rep. Delos Santos and the Probinsyano Party-List.

Rep. Delos Santos noted that the beneficiaries are excited to see actor Piolo Pascual. 

He acknowledged the presence of Councilor Melendez, among others. 

"This event will not be successful without the help of Jeff Fadillo," delos Santos said. 

Delos Santos revealed that a bill has been passed in the 19th Congress for the benefit of all senior citizens. 

He also disclosed that he has filed a bill in the 19th Congress for the grant of Php1,000 for the persons with disability (PWDs) and a 20 percent discount for food, medicines and services. 

The Probinsyano Party-List representative also divulged that the PWDs will also be prioritized during the elections wherein they will not be required to line up just to be able to exercise their right of suffrage.

Majority Floor Leader Dr. Doray Delarmente, as representative of Mayor Joy Belmonte, said that they are present in today's event to receive the donation of wheelchairs and gift packs. 

Delarmente read the message of Mayor Joy Belmonte, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the donation and gift giving. 

The mayor noted that 69,170 PWDs were registered in Quezon City. 

Melendez also expresssed her gratitude for endeavors in upholding and protecting the rights and welfare of the PWDs in the city. 

Fadillo expressed his gratitude to the Quezon City local government, Councilor Aiko Melendez and Majority Floor Leader Delarmente and Rep. Alfred delos Santos. 

He admitted that he had been a PWD himself and it's good that all the stakeholders are doing everything for the benefit and welfare of the PWDs. 

Piolo was elated for today's gathering for the betterment of PWDs. 

He stressed that whatever is lacking to anyone should not be a cause of concern, but rather, take it as an opportunity for the better. 

Pascual, Melendez, Delarmente, Delos Santos and Fadillo turned over the five of the 100 wheelchairs initially to the PWD beneficiaries. 

In a press conference, Piolo basically, it's such a gift giving. 

A lot of things to do in the ground with Rep. Delos Santos. 

It's as if it's the spirit of Christ mas already. 

Rep. Delos Santos what we do here6is to give smile to the role. 

The lives of the PWDs should be made a little bit enjoyable livable. 

We go to geographically situated PWDs to see what their condition is. 

Delos Santos is targeting to tour the countryside in order to know the real situation of the PWDs. 

Fadillo for me it comes from a edonal vNtage6point because I'm also a wdpwd. 

Because of thePeople wjo helped me along the way I was able to move kn5and move along. 

He expressed gratitude to the Ppl as this is just the beginning to realize our dream of 

Such an amazing city that is very organized. 

He thanked the city ckuncikors6for helping the Pwdsa, especially to Pio Pascual. 

"61,000 registered PWDs and multiply that in the whole country.," Fadilo said. 

Delarmente said in behalf of Mayor Joy Delarnente. they would like to thank everyone for today's gathering.

"Quezon City Is the biggest city in the country with 69,000 plus PWDs and because of that we need the help of everyone," Delarmente said. 

Melendez noted "as a Party-List congressman, delos Santos is like a Senator of the Land."

She thanked Papa P, Fadillo, Engelbert Apostol, the Head of PAISD. 

PDAO head Dacanay expressed her profound gratitude to Papa P, Delarnente, Melendez, Fadilo among others. 

Dacanay noted that" Quezon City is about one-fourth of Metro Manila."

"The deaf cannot go to the theaters because there are no subtitles" she said. 

"In Quezon City, there are 69,000 PWDs because of legible registration," she added. 

"There are four cases now ongoing for falsification of PWD IDs who have taken away the 20 percent discount which should be for the PWDs" Dacanay said.

Pharmaceutical firm charge cyber libel case vs. Dr. Leachon

Pharmaceutical firm files cyber libel raps vs. Dr. Leachon

QUEZON CITY -- Executives of Bell-Kenz     

Pharmaceutical, Inc. on Tuesday (May 21) filed cyberlibel charges with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Dr. Antonio "Tony" Leachon. 

In a press conference at Max’s  Restaurant in Scout Tuazon, Quezon City, Atty. Alex Avisado, Jr. said it took time for Bell-Kenz to take action in the sense that they would like to have an air tight case against the malicious allegations of Leachon. 

The allegations of Leachon claimed that Bell-Kenz has been overcharging or allegedly engaging in unethical standard. 

Avisado stressed that "was it right for claiming that doctors are practicing their profession in exchange for Rolex watch."

"The disclosures of the doctors of Bell-Kenz are already complete," he said. 

According to Avisado, they may file an administrative complaint against Leachon in order to revoke his license to practice medicine. 

Avisado added that they are not only holding Leachon criminally liable, but also other doctors who are destroying the reputation of Bell-Kenz which was only providing medicines which are cheaper by 30 percent to the Filipino people. 

"Bell-Kenz is open to all government agencies for the conduct of an investigation in order to clear the name of Bell-Kenz from the malicious allegations of Leachon," Avisado said. 

Avisado said that Leachon went to the Senate and accused Bell-Kenz of allegedly switching his prescriptions. 

Atty. Dezery Perlez, Spokesperson of Bell-Kenz, said that they filed a criminal complaint for violation of the Ant-Cyber Law against Dr. Antonio Leachon. 

Lechon alleged or claimed that the doctors of Bell-Kenz are overcharging their patients in exchange for luxury cars.

"What we have filed is a criminal complaint and not a civil complaint which is penalized with imprisonment," Perlez said. 

Perlez added that the NBI would take action on the malicious posts in the social media of Leachon which also destroyed the reputation of doctors. 

Leachon, Go said, had malicious postings in the Twitter and X. 

"As of today, we have only criminally charged a single respondent," Perlez said. 

Atty. Joseph Vincent Go, legal counsel of Bell-Kenz, said that the allegations of Leachon had besmirched the reputation of Bell-Kenz. 

"At this point," Go said, "we are not sure where did Leachon gather his sources of Bell-Kenz doctors who were allegedly engaging in unethical standard in exchange for luxury cars, jewelries and others." 

Leachon, Go said, also had malicious postings in the Twitter.

Quezon City Uphold liable bet,call gaming habit,Mayor Joy Belmonte

 

QUEZON CITY — Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday (May 20) said that it’s due time to hold the first International conference on responsible gambling and gaming addiction. 

Belmonte recalled the incident wherein a high roller gambler, who was a former government employee, who staged an attack inside a gambling casino that claimed the lives of many innocent victims and destruction to properties.

She noted that gambling and gaming addiction have evolved from traditional forms. 

“Gambling and gaming are not only present in resorts but also in other places,” Belmonte said. 

“It is a slimmer of hope. The luck strikes in one in a million,” she added. 

She noted that there are now 43 million online gamers in the Philippines, majority of which use online devices. 

There remains a vacuum to address their setbacks. 

She cited for an instance that here in the Philippines, gaming and gambling are regulated by PAGCOR that contributes income to the government which fund projects and programs of the government. 

The Quezon City chief executive acknowledged the presence of PAGCOR chief Al Tengco. 

Belmonte cited a city ordinance which regulates responsible gaming and gambling are regulated by PAGCOR that contributes income to the government which fund projects and programs of the government. 

The Quezon City chief executive acknowledged the presence of PAGCOR chief Al Tengco. 

Belmonte cited a city ordinance which regulates responsible gaming and gambling activities of the 3.2 million QCitizens. 

She also cited the new Solaire casino hotel in Quezon City which will create thousands of jobs to city residents and generate millions in income to the city government. 

*There is a lot of work for us. Pioneering work in our communities which will address the problem of gambling addiction, ” Belmonte stressed. 

The Quezon City local government was praised for the initiatives undertaken in connection with responsible gambling and gaming addiction. 

In a press conference, Belmonte said the city government has led in data gathering in connection with responsible gambling and gaming addiction. 

She noted that gambling addiction may lead to mental health problems and may even result to destruction of the moral fiber of the family. 

“We aim to achieve responsible gambling and address gaming addiction,” Belmonte said. 

Belmonte noted that among the participants in today’s event are the members of the academe, who would in turn, disseminate awareness and information on responsible gambling and gaming addiction and how to address them. 

” We are empowering the youth,” she said. 

“For as long as I am the Mayor, it (Solaire North) will be the only one in Quezon City,” Belmonte stressed. 

She had requested that the Casino North should not be visible to school children. 

The Quezon City chief executive stressed that there are 19,000 city hall employees who are prohibited entry to Solaire North, but they and their respective families can dine in the restaurants in the area, however, never in casino area. 

Belmonte expressed the hope that they would be able to obtain “hard data” to present to PAGCOR in order to receive additional income so that the social risks of casino gambling would be addressed. 

Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman of PAGCOR, said that the conference that starts today is being held with the help of the Quezon City government and the Seagulls Flock Organization. 

Tetangco echoed the statement earlier made by Mayor Belmonte that about one-third of the 115 million Filipinos are involved in gambling. 

“We are now looking at different platforms that would address the concerns of gamblers,” Tetangco said. 

He added that PAGCOR is now looking at a software to mitigate the problem of gambling addiction. 

He assured the stakeholders of PAGCOR that they are fully behind their initiatives for responsible gambling and address gaming addiction. 

The PAGCOR chief cited Globe for making Gcash the number one cash solution. 

“We have so many licensees and I urge them to support Seaguls Organization,” Tetangco said. 

He also noted the big attendees in today’s event, expressing the hope that bigger attendees will participate next year. 

Tetangco said that 68 percent of the gross revenues of PAGCOR goes to the national government, PhiHealth, Philippine Sports Commissioner and other corporate social responsibility initiatives. 

“We are the top GOCCs — BIR, BOC, PAGCOR — that are contributing to the coffers of the national government,” he said. 

“In 2023, almost Php50 billion has been remitted by Pagcor to the national coffers which funded various projects and programs of the government,” he added.

Tetangco noted that the prevailing rule is that a Casino facility should be at least 200 meters away from school premises. 

He also said that with the advanced identification system with the use of Artificial Intelligence, some 1,000 individuals would surely not be able to gain entry into the integrated casino facilities nationwide. 

Tetangco also prematurely announced that PAGCOR is studying the earlier statement made by Mayor Belmonte for the putting up of a “Hotline” nationwide precisely to address the concerns and problem of gaming addiction. 

Teresita “Chit” C. Castillo, Chairperson of Seagulls Flock Organization, said that they are neither in favor nor against gambling. 

Castillo added that they are basically advocates of helping those who have become gaming addicts. 

She lauded the support extended by PAGCOR to the initiatives of Seagulls Organization. 

Jody Bechtold CEO of The Better Institute, Emeritus, International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB), said that she is neither in favor nor against gambling. 

Bechtold said that they are into providing trainings and certification for responsible gambling. 

She added that they would like to help address addiction in gambling and awareness on responsible gambling.

Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel, Vice President of IGCCB, Founder & President Reboot & Recover said “We used certified trainings for responsible gambling.” 

Dr. Morel added that they would like to help Filipino families who have problems in gaming addiction. 

Dr. Marc N. Potenza, professor of Child Psychology in Yale University, said that there are several points that are noteworthy. 

Gambling problems do not only affect the individual but also the people around them.

Dr. Potenza expressed gratitude for today’s conference which in the end would help address responsible gambling and gaming addiction

Authorities seeks Senate probe on so called ‘US-Gibo’ subversion, call out Admiral Carlos

 

QUEZON CITY – Alternative Think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ASCPSI) on Friday (May 17) sought a Senate investigation-in-aid of legislation into the alleged “United States-Defense Sec. Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro” subversion as it hailed Admiral Alberto Carlos.

During the Media Forum at the Packo’s Bar and Restaurant, ASCPSI President Herman “Ka Mentong” Tiu Laurel said that they are an alternative think which only protects the interest of the Filipinos and the whole nation, especially in the current issues, concerns and controversies about the South China Sea (SCS).

Laurel noted that Admiral Carlos, “being caught under the bus”, pinasasagasa sa ilalim ng bus si Admiral Carlos, so to speak.

He stressed that the recent pronouncements of Commodore Jay P. Tarriela, the Spokesperson for the WPS, seemed to have insubordinated the foreign policy direction set by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. that “goes down to the path of peace”, deescalate or palamigin ang tension sa SCS.

“Malinaw po ang instruction or policy direction ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas ‘for deescalation’ in the WPS,” Laurel said.

The ACPSSI chief executive noted that the dialogue between two top foreign officials had the imprimatur of the highest official of the Philippines.

Laurel cited the pronouncements of official position of the Marcos administration that the Philippines needs “paradigm shift” in dealing with the sea row – ang pag-aaway sa karagatan na kailangan nan ang pagbabago.

“We have to stop in going that way. We have gone the wrong road. Find a peaceful road to go down,” President Marcos had said.

President Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the APEC Summit 2023 in November last year. Top diplomats of China and the Philippines discussed tensions in the sea.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had 8th Philippine-China discussed bilateral cooperation and bilateral communication mechanism on the South China Sea in February this year.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal was “flawless” on Feb. 2, 2024 in accordance with the policy direction of President Marcos.

However, on Feb. 13, 2024, Tarriela surfaced saying that the Transparency strategy in WPS will continue despite de-escalation deal with China. Tarriela had no authority for making such a statement.

According to Laurel, Tarriela had no authority to go other way than the deal between President Marcos and Chinese President Xi for the de-escalation of tension in the South China Sea.

It was reported that AFP Western Command (Westcom) chief Admiral Carlos agreed to China’s “new model”.

Laurel also cited the article of former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad in The Manila Times entitled “Thick fog, or ‘hamog’ over the West Philippine Sea”.

He stressed that Tarriela and not Carlos should be the one to be investigated in connection with the Transparency strategy in the WPS, which according to Tarriela, will continue despite the de-escalation with China.

“The proper body to investigate this is the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations chaired by Senator Imee R. Marcos,” Laurel said.

It was also reported that Sen. Marcos grills DFA’s Manalo for allegedly “xeroxing” the Defense Strategy of the United States of America.

Laurel noted that if the Senate could not convene to conduct an investigation-in-aid of legislation on the “insubordination” or even “subversion” for undermining the government policies purportedly committed by Tarriela, they will organize a “People’s Tribunal”, saying that “Let the people decide”.