MANILA: Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed Senate Resolution 908 seeking recognition of master lensman Romeo ‘Romy’ Vitug’s invaluable contribution to Philippine cinema.

The resolution he filed on Jan. 22 also expressed the Senate’s sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of the legendary lensman and celebrated cinematographer.

‘Vitug’s unparalleled artistry and eye for detail, uncompromising commitment to excellence, and mastery of the craft make him one of the leading figures in Philippine cinema who immensely contributed to its enrichment and advancement. His passing is a great loss to the film industry and the Filipino nation,’ Estrada said in a news release on Thursday.

Vitug, whose career spans more than four decades, passed away on Jan. 18 at the age of 86.

Estrada said aside from his impressive filmography, Vitug lent his stature to support advocacies that greatly contributed to the development of the local film industry, such as the ‘Sagip Pelikula’ film restoration project and the anti-pi
racy information campaign of the Optical Media Board (OMB).

‘Vitug’s exceptional creativity and technical proficiency honed through many years of hard work, innovation, and discipline were indispensable moviemaking skills in effectively telling the stories of the Filipino people,’ he said.

Vitug first worked as a photographer for news publications, a newsreel cameraman for a television network and a stillman who took pictures of films’ highlights for promotional materials, before venturing into cinematography where he built a solid reputation and became the most sought-after lensman for his expertise in lighting, framing, and compositions.

Estrada noted that the numerous accolades and distinctions received by Vitug catapulted him into becoming one of the most celebrated in his field.

He was honored with a Cinemanila International Filmfest lifetime achievement award in 2000, the Natatanging Gawad Urian in 2016, and the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Hall of Fame award in 2019.

Vitug also produced some
of the most memorable and epic scenes in films directed by esteemed directors, such as National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Celso Ad Castillo, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Laurice Guillen, and Olivia M. Lamasan.

Vitug was a lifetime member of the National Press Club and the Philippine Press Photographer.

‘The Skywalker’

Estrada also filed Senate Resolution 911 expressing the Senate’s sympathy and condolences on the passing of Avelino ‘Samboy’ Lim on Dec. 23 at the age of 61.

He said Lim, one of the 25 greatest players of the Philippine Basketball Association, merits the recognition of the Senate for exemplifying his boundless passion for the sport and exhibiting the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.

“His love and dedication to the sport as demonstrated by his outstanding performances exhilarated fans, inspired generations of athletes, and contributed immensely to the growth of Philippine basketball,” Estrada said in a news release on Thursday.

Lim earned the nickname “The Skywalk
er” due to his gravity-defying moves and high-flying plays on the court during the 1980s and 1990s.

He was the first recipient of the PBA Sportsmanship Award in 1993 for embodying the ideals of sportsmanship- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. In 2016, the award was renamed as the Samboy Lim PBA Sportsmanship Award in honor of his contributions to the sport.

The basketball legend built a stellar collegiate career and steered Colegio de San Juan de Letran into attaining three consecutive championships in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) where he was named as Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1984.

Two years later, he joined the San Miguel basketball team and spent his entire 11-year PBA professional stint with the celebrated franchise, where he won nine championships, including a rare Grand Slam in 1989.

He also secured five PBA All-Star appearances, two PBA Mythical Second Team Selections.

When he became a member of the national basketball teams to represent the country in numerous
international competitions, he brought honor and pride by winning gold medals in the 1983 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore, 1985 SEA Games in Bangkok and 1985 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship title in Kuala Lumpur; silver medal in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing; and bronze medal in 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.

His passion for the sport did not cease following his retirement as he established the Skywalker Basketball Clinic and imparted valuable skills and lessons to the new breed of ballers, including beginners, intermediate and elite players.

Estrada said Lim’s passing is an immense loss not only to his family, but to the entire nation as well.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CEBU CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Visayas (Region 7) on Thursday committed to give the people in the region the best police services aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s new brand of governance, ‘Bagong Pilipinas.’

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, said the members of the command group and staff, along with the faith-based leaders, force multipliers, and stakeholders threw their support to the leadership campaign of the Marcos administration.

‘Police Regional Office-7 commits to always delivering the best police services in Central Visayas, along with the vision of a highly capable, effective, and credible PNP with the support of a responsive community toward a safer, more peaceful, and promising future to generations to come,’ Aberin said.

He said the entire police force in the region pledged its support to the new battle cry of the Marcos brand of governance.

He added that they are committed to a principled, ac
countable, and dependable government toward a transformed nation focusing on ‘Patriotism, Excellence, and Discipline: Serbisyong Nagkakaisa Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas’.

The regional police virtually participated in the pre-launching of the PNP’s kick-off rally of Bagong Pilipinas at the PRO-7 headquarters in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. on Wednesday, as the main event unfolded at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Aberin said the pre-launching is a demonstration of the PRO-7’s able, active, and allied force’s resolute commitment to significantly contribute to the vision of the Pres. Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas campaign that creates good governance and leadership image in the country.

Highlighted in the ceremony were the pinning of the Bagong Pilipinas pin and the pledge of commitment to uphold the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability to a nation that thrives on economic prosperity, equal opportunities, and shared progress for all.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: One bidder has so far bought bid documents for the procurement of Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for overseas voting for the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported on Thursday.

In a statement, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the company SMS Global Technologies Inc. represented by Ma. Cerestina Zurbano, bought the documents on Tuesday.

‘As of now, there is a lone purchaser of the bidding documents. Bid documents may be purchased until Feb. 8, 2024, the deadline for Bid Submission, which will be followed by the bid opening,’ Laudiangco said.

‘Though isa pa lang po ang bumili ng Bid Docs (only one has so far purchased bid documents), several potential bidders are present here at the Pre Bid Conference, which is being live streamed at the Comelec Facebook and YouTube Channels, plus hybrid mode through MS Teams for the benefit of interested bidders who cannot physically attend,’ he said.

The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the online vo
ting system is PHP465.8 million.

Among those who attended the Pre-Bid Conference at the Training Room 2, 4th flr., Bureau of Treasury (BTR), Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila on Thursday were representatives from prospective bidders Scytl, Makopa, Edge Com, SMSGT, Sisco, AMA group, Vohtz, Indra, and Tambuli Labs.

The observers were from National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Comelec Advisory Council-Department of Information and Communications Technology, Commission on Audit and SMMT.

Online participants were representatives of MYBUSBEE Inc.,Kolonwel Trading, WJD Total, Secur Links, among others.

The opening of the bids will be on Feb. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the third floor of the Palacio del Gobernador.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: An initial 10,000 units under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program will be built in Clark, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang said.

‘We are about to finalize a deal with Department of [Human Settlements and Urban Development] (DHSUD) under Secretary (Jose Rizalino) Acuzar and a big local developer to build the first 10,000 units of housing,’ Bingcang said in a recent interview.

The 10,000 units under the 4PH Program are being eyed to be built in a 100-hectare land inside the New Clark City, a flagship development of the BCDA in Bamban, Tarlac.

‘So, we’ll make sure the design, the amenities, the facilities are at par with what we would like,’ he added.

The 9,450-hectare New Clark City is aimed to be the country’s first smart and green city. Aside from office spaces, the project will also include industrial and tourism development, among others, to create new economic opportunities outside Metro Manila.

Road netwo
rks connecting New Clark City and the Clark Freeport zone are also underway to shorten travel time between the BCDA’s two properties.

Bingcang added that they are working with Congress to make the land for the 4PH Program from a leasehold to a freehold arrangement. This will enable the 4PH beneficiaries to own the land instead of only having the right to occupy the land for a given number of years.

For the entire Clark property, the BCDA is allocating 5 percent, or around 1,500 hectares, for residential development.

‘It’s like six times already of BGC (Bonifacio Global City) but it’s like spread across… Of course, we want to balance the development. We want to create a compact neighborhood where there’s residential, there’s commercial. There’s the place of communities like church, school,’ the BCDA chief said, adding that the residential development in Clark would be ‘socially inclusive’ that ‘even minimum wage earners can afford.’

‘That’s one of the biggest lessons that we’ve learned in BGC. It’s so expe
nsive to own a unit there. But in Clark, we want to make sure as BCDA, which is part of the development and being a government entity, we’ll make sure we address the economic requirements,’ he added.

Bingcang said around 138,000 workers in Clark are living outside the freeport zone.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) recently equipped Iloilo City’s public market store owners with the capacity to accept digital payments as part of the government’s commitment to make cashless transactions more accessible.

In a statement on Thursday, LandBank said market store owners adopted the use of Quick Response (QR) technology.

The Paleng-QR PH Plus program, led by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, aims to promote the use of QR PH, the national standard for electronic payments, through QR codes.

Jasmin Mangalisan, a vegetable vendor at the Iloilo Terminal Market, said cashless payment has become a game-changer in their day-to-day business.

“No more fake money scares, less bulky loose change to manage, and it’s easier to pay my suppliers through online transfers,” she said.

LandBank’s active participation in the Paleng-QR PH Plus program nationwide extends beyond Iloilo City.

The bank said since August 2022, it has fa
cilitated on-the-spot account openings for market vendors, customers, and public transport drivers nationwide.

“LandBank is leveraging the transformative power of digitalization to advance cashless transactions across local markets nationwide. In partnership with the [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] and [the Department of the Interior and Local Government], we are empowering store owners like Jasmin, as we continue to promote financial freedom for all,” LandBank president and CEO Lynette Ortiz said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI CITY: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) on Thursday paid tribute to the heroism of the 44 Special Action Forces (SAF) personnel killed in an anti-terrorist operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao nine years ago, saying their sacrifices must be a reminder to every police officer to continue heroism, embody greatness and act with honor and love for the country.

Maj. Gen. Rudolph B. Dimas, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for Plans, was the guest speaker during PRO5’s observance of the National Day of Remembrance at Camp Simeon Ola here and delivered the message of PNP Chief, Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr.

“The dedication and courage displayed by the SAF 44 in the face of danger exemplify the highest ideals of service, patriotism, and sacrifice. The Mamasapano incident stands as a constant reminder of the challenges and risks our law enforcement officers face daily in the pursuit of safeguarding our nation and its citizens,” Dimas said.

Dimas, a former SAF director, added that the memory o
f the SAF 44 stands as an enduring inspiration, compelling to persist in advocating for justice and peace in the nation.

“We must recognize the importance of unity, coordination, and effective communication in our pursuit of national security. The sacrifices of our heroes must motivate us to strive for excellence in our duty to protect and serve. In their memory let us renew our commitment to strengthening our law enforcement agencies and enhancing operation capabilities and ensuring the support they need to carry out the crucial missions,” he added.

Lt. Col. Chester P. Pomar, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Kaisang-Bisig Class 2009 and “mistah” or schoolmate of the late Sr. Insp. Max Jim B. Tria from Catanduanes, also known as the “Last Man Standing” among the SAF 44, reminisced about his comrade’s exceptional qualities and dedication.

“Jan. 25, 2015, it was one of the darkest days in the PNP history. It was the saddest day mixed with anger as I watched the news and learned that
the three officers among the casualties who led the operations against the international terrorist Marwan were my classmates– Captain Max Jim Tria, Sr., Captain Getnad Tabdi and Captain John Garry Erana. With a heavy heart together with my classmates, (we) silently accepted that they were already gone. Proud of their courage and dedication to serving the nation and the people,” Pomar said.

He also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for naming the 50th Maneuver Company Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5 in Barangay Esperanza, Pilar, Sorsogon as Camp Police Max Jim Ramirez Tria.

The PRO5 held a wreath-laying ceremony and rendered a 21-gun salute in remembrance of the SAF heroes.

Meanwhile, in Central Luzon, the Aurora Police Provincial Office (APPO) also led the commemoration of the bravery and heroism of the 44 SAF troopers.

Col. Myles Angel S. Pascual, APPO director, together with Col. Raul C. Siriban (retired) and the families of the fallen PO3 Nicky DC. Nacino and PO3 Martial Ronald B. Ruidera wh
o were from San Luis, Aurora, led a wreath-laying ceremony and 21-gun salute followed by the giving of military honors at Camp Victor Ravina, Barangay Sabang here.

Pascual said the Mamasapano incident stands as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks that law enforcement personnel face in safeguarding the country and the citizenry.

‘The death of our fallen heroes leaves an enduring imprint in our history. Their sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts…a strong manifestation that police officers are always ready to carry out their mission despite the odds and difficulties along the way,’ Pascual said.

The APPO director also delivered the message of the PNP chief urging the police officers to continue the SAF 44’s heroism.

‘As we pay tribute to the SAF 44, let us honor their legacy by rededicating ourselves to the cause of upholding the rule of law, defending our nation against terrorism and promoting peace and stability in our communities. We must remain worthy of the great sacrifices of our fal
len heroes, forever loyal to the country they loved and served, and the freedom they fought and died for,’ he said.

On the other hand, Siriban remembered the ultimate sacrifices of the fallen SAF 44, saying that Nacino, Ruidera and the others are true heroes and will never be forgotten.

APPO Deputy Provincial Director for Administration Lt. Col. Abraham B. Hambon said the SAF 44 had proven that heroism doesn’t occur from taking orders, but rather from people who through their own willpower and strength are willing to sacrifice their lives.

‘Let us all remember the SAF 44 with love and sincerity while moving forward with pride and honor for the heroism and patriotism they portrayed for the country and the community they are serving,’ Hambon said.

Source: Philippines News Agency