Duterte batting for climate justice - Legarda | ABS-CBN
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Duterte batting for climate justice - Legarda
Duterte batting for climate justice - Legarda
ABS-CBN News
Published Nov 04, 2016 11:27 AM PHT
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Senator Loren Legarda, a known environment champion in the Upper Chamber, remains confident the Philippines will ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Senator Loren Legarda, a known environment champion in the Upper Chamber, remains confident the Philippines will ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Legarda said it is "unfair or rash" to judge that the country will not ratify the pact or blame the delay on President Rodrigo Duterte, when only 10 of the 33 government agencies required to submit their certificates of concurrence have done so.
Legarda said it is "unfair or rash" to judge that the country will not ratify the pact or blame the delay on President Rodrigo Duterte, when only 10 of the 33 government agencies required to submit their certificates of concurrence have done so.
"When the 23 remaining agencies of government have put it together through the Climate Change Commission, then the Office of the President, the Executive Secretary can give their legal opinion," she explained on ANC's Headstart.
"When the 23 remaining agencies of government have put it together through the Climate Change Commission, then the Office of the President, the Executive Secretary can give their legal opinion," she explained on ANC's Headstart.
After the President approves it, she said the agreement will have to go to the Senate for debate before they issue their certificate of concurrence.
After the President approves it, she said the agreement will have to go to the Senate for debate before they issue their certificate of concurrence.
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Although the pact takes effect on Friday, Legarda maintained that even if the Philippines ratifies it a day or a week after, "we will be part of this global, historic agreement."
Although the pact takes effect on Friday, Legarda maintained that even if the Philippines ratifies it a day or a week after, "we will be part of this global, historic agreement."
"I am optimistic that everyone in government will see the importance of being part of the discussions, to be able to access the technical and financial assistance, and to know that our 70% reductions of greenhouse emissions are pegged or contingent or dependent on technical and financial [assistance]," she said.
"I am optimistic that everyone in government will see the importance of being part of the discussions, to be able to access the technical and financial assistance, and to know that our 70% reductions of greenhouse emissions are pegged or contingent or dependent on technical and financial [assistance]," she said.
She said she had reached out to the departments and agencies, giving them memoranda and briefers on the issue and discussing it during committee hearings, and "they’re unanimous in agreement with the ratification of the Agreement. There’s [where] my confidence is coming from."
She said she had reached out to the departments and agencies, giving them memoranda and briefers on the issue and discussing it during committee hearings, and "they’re unanimous in agreement with the ratification of the Agreement. There’s [where] my confidence is coming from."
Among them were Cabinet secretaries like Gina Lopez of Environment and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Piñol of Agriculture, Benjamin Diokno of Budget, and Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic Development Authority, according to Legarda.
Among them were Cabinet secretaries like Gina Lopez of Environment and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Piñol of Agriculture, Benjamin Diokno of Budget, and Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic Development Authority, according to Legarda.
"I’m not only hopeful; I am optimistic and confident because I see the background," she said, citing that less than a month after the Philippines signed the agreement in April, an election was held in May; then a new government came into office in July, with new Cabinet members appointed in August.
"I’m not only hopeful; I am optimistic and confident because I see the background," she said, citing that less than a month after the Philippines signed the agreement in April, an election was held in May; then a new government came into office in July, with new Cabinet members appointed in August.
The Climate Change Commission, then, only began getting the certificates of concurrence from all the 33 government departments in September and October.
The Climate Change Commission, then, only began getting the certificates of concurrence from all the 33 government departments in September and October.
"It’s a matter of really giving the president the complete staff work—giving him the papers, seeing the legal opinion of his lawyers, getting the concurrence of the agencies of government," she said.
"It’s a matter of really giving the president the complete staff work—giving him the papers, seeing the legal opinion of his lawyers, getting the concurrence of the agencies of government," she said.
"I am certain he’s (Duterte) sincere, he wants what’s good for the people and he’s just batting for climate justice," she added.
"I am certain he’s (Duterte) sincere, he wants what’s good for the people and he’s just batting for climate justice," she added.
Read More:
ANC
Loren Legarda
Paris Agreement
Paris Agreement on Climate Change
Rodrigo Duterte
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PAOCC: P210M spent since 2023 for detained POGO workers, billions in assets seized
PAOCC: P210M spent since 2023 for detained POGO workers, billions in assets seized
Foreign nationals arrested at a POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City in September 2024 are brought to Mactan Airbase for transfer to Metro Manila. Annie Perez
MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday said it has spent about P210 million in the past two years for the detention of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers arrested since the crackdown began in 2023.
MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday said it has spent about P210 million in the past two years for the detention of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers arrested since the crackdown began in 2023.
The PAOCC spends about “P35 million every 4 months” for the food, water, electricity, security officials and administrative costs for POGO workers who are awaiting deportation, said spokesperson Winston Casio.
The PAOCC spends about “P35 million every 4 months” for the food, water, electricity, security officials and administrative costs for POGO workers who are awaiting deportation, said spokesperson Winston Casio.
“Roughly two years na po so we may have spent already...P210 million to end this problem,” he told Palace reporters.
“Roughly two years na po so we may have spent already...P210 million to end this problem,” he told Palace reporters.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) explained that the PAOCC had to shoulder some of its costs as their detention facility in Taguig could only house up to 100 foreign nationals for deportation.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) explained that the PAOCC had to shoulder some of its costs as their detention facility in Taguig could only house up to 100 foreign nationals for deportation.
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“Ang PAOCC napakalaki ng tulong (has been a great help) in terms of housing them prior to deportation,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.
“Ang PAOCC napakalaki ng tulong (has been a great help) in terms of housing them prior to deportation,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.
As of December 2024, the PAOCC has deported 2,121 foreign nationals working in illegal POGO hubs. Nearly 340 others are awaiting deportation, according to data from the agency.
As of December 2024, the PAOCC has deported 2,121 foreign nationals working in illegal POGO hubs. Nearly 340 others are awaiting deportation, according to data from the agency.
“This does not include those who voluntarily left the country,” Casio said.
“This does not include those who voluntarily left the country,” Casio said.
But, Casio said, PAOCC's expenses have to be seen in the context of property seized in its operations.
But, Casio said, PAOCC's expenses have to be seen in the context of property seized in its operations.
“We could have already gained anywhere between P20 billion to P30 billion worth of real estate properties, tangible items, cars, name it,” he said.
“We could have already gained anywhere between P20 billion to P30 billion worth of real estate properties, tangible items, cars, name it,” he said.
He said that Anti-Money Laundering Council has already ordered market valuation of seized items and properties.
He said that Anti-Money Laundering Council has already ordered market valuation of seized items and properties.
Among the seized properties from POGOs that are awaiting deposition are several high-value properties in Pasay City, a hotel in Cebu, mega compounds in Tarlac and Pampanga, as well as 134 seized vehicles, Casio said.
Among the seized properties from POGOs that are awaiting deposition are several high-value properties in Pasay City, a hotel in Cebu, mega compounds in Tarlac and Pampanga, as well as 134 seized vehicles, Casio said.
Most of the POGO-linked foreign nationals who were either deported or awaiting deportation are from Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Myanmar, data from the BI showed.
Most of the POGO-linked foreign nationals who were either deported or awaiting deportation are from Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Myanmar, data from the BI showed.
Immigration officials are also working with various embassies so that they could shoulder the repatriation flights of their respective nationals who were involved in illegal gambling operations here, the agency’s spokesperson said.
Immigration officials are also working with various embassies so that they could shoulder the repatriation flights of their respective nationals who were involved in illegal gambling operations here, the agency’s spokesperson said.
Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the Philippines after congressional investigations and multiple raids showed that the industry was linked to several criminal activities including torture, prostitution and human trafficking.
Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the Philippines after congressional investigations and multiple raids showed that the industry was linked to several criminal activities including torture, prostitution and human trafficking.
Since the ban took effect on January 1, 2025, only 11,000 of the 33,000 registered POGO workers have remained in the Philippines, according to data from the BI.
Since the ban took effect on January 1, 2025, only 11,000 of the 33,000 registered POGO workers have remained in the Philippines, according to data from the BI.
Of the 11,254 POGO workers who stayed in the Philippines, 121 have been deported, 518 have been arrested, while 45 other voluntarily surrendered.
Of the 11,254 POGO workers who stayed in the Philippines, 121 have been deported, 518 have been arrested, while 45 other voluntarily surrendered.
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