Here's a recap of the things you might have missed last October:
LIBERAL PARTY ANNOUNCES SENATORIAL LINE UP FOR 2016 ELECTIONS
The Liberal Party announces its senatorial line up for 2016 elections during its event titled “Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid: Ang Pagpapakilala” on October 12, 2015 in Cubao, Quezon City after thorough discussions and postponement.
The slate is composed of government officers from different sectors. The list of senatorial candidates are the following: Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senate President pro-tempore Ralph Recto, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, Former Senator and Food Security czar Francis Pangilinan, Former senator and former Yolanda rehabilitation chief Panfilo Lacson, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, former TESDA Director General Secretary Joel Villanueva, TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, PhilHealth Director and former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros, COOP NATCCO Party List Representative Cresente Paez, and DILG Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns and former Maguindanao officer-in-charge Nariman Ambolodto
The liberal party is the first to announce their line up on the first day of filing for certificate of candidacy.
Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/108924-liberal-party-2016-senate-slate
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/12/1508513/live-updates-liberal-partys-2016-senatorial-slate
The slate is composed of government officers from different sectors. The list of senatorial candidates are the following: Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senate President pro-tempore Ralph Recto, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, Former Senator and Food Security czar Francis Pangilinan, Former senator and former Yolanda rehabilitation chief Panfilo Lacson, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, former TESDA Director General Secretary Joel Villanueva, TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, PhilHealth Director and former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros, COOP NATCCO Party List Representative Cresente Paez, and DILG Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns and former Maguindanao officer-in-charge Nariman Ambolodto
The liberal party is the first to announce their line up on the first day of filing for certificate of candidacy.
Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/108924-liberal-party-2016-senate-slate
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/12/1508513/live-updates-liberal-partys-2016-senatorial-slate
MANNY PACQUAIO’S SENATORIAL CANDIDACY QUESTIONED DUE TO SEVERAL ABSENCES
Sarangani Representative Manny Paquiao formally announced his intention to run as a senator forthe 2016 elections. However, his decisions earned criticisms from the citizens due to his perennial absencesduring lower house sessions. This is due to his boxing training, basketball games, and other activities involving him. According to the House of Representatives, Manny Pacquiao only attended 108 out of 168 sessions. Former Senator Rene Saguisag was disappointed and asked Feliciano Belmonte Jr., House Speaker, to suspend Pacquiao until the end of his term in 2016.
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/432811/pacquiao-ledesma-top-house-list-of-absentee-lawmakers
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/403179/news/nation/manny-pacquiao-jules-ledesma-most-absent-congressmen-in-2014
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/432811/pacquiao-ledesma-top-house-list-of-absentee-lawmakers
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/403179/news/nation/manny-pacquiao-jules-ledesma-most-absent-congressmen-in-2014
ASSAD VISITS MOSCOW, TALKS WITH PUTIN ABOUT THE WAR IN SYRIA
Last October 20, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Russian President Vladimir Putin to talk about the present condition of Syria. Weeks ago, Russia launched air strikes against the IS which to President Assad found as one of the core problems and the reason of the civil war happening in Syria today. According to President Assad, Russia’s involvement had stopped the terrorism to escalate into a more “widespread and harmful” state.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34590561
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34590561
PHILIPPINES TAKES THE FIRST ROUND AGAINST CHINA IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA DISPUTE
Hope remains regarding the case against China as the Permanent Court of Arbitration has ordered that it has jurisdiction over the case filed by the Philippines about the West Philippines dispute where Philippines and China both declares ownership over the Spratly’s Island and Scarborough Shoal. The court will now begin the hearing on the case’s merits under a UN Convention. The proceedings have been previously boycotted by China as they claimed that the panel has no authority in the case.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34671504
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34671504
COMELEC SPEARHEADS FILING OF CANDIDACY
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officiated the five-day filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for national and local posts that ended at exactly 5 PM, 16th of October. Included in the list of presidential hopefuls were Vice President Jejomar Binay (United Nationalist Alliance), former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas (Liberal Party), Senator Grace Poe (Independent), and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (People’s Reform Party). Meanwhile, Vice-Presidential hopefuls were Senator Gregorio Honasan II, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Chiz Escudero, Senator Bongbong Marcos, and Congresswoman Leni Robredo. COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez said the final tally of COC filers for president is 130, 19 for vice president, 172 for senators and 192 for party-lists. Elections Chairperson Andy Bautista stated that substitution is permitted provided the candidates are under the same party. Substitution is allowed until December 10, 2015.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/16/1511471/comelec-closes-coc-filing-happy-outcome
Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/16/1511471/comelec-closes-coc-filing-happy-outcome
‘LAGLAGBALA’ SCAM AS THE PHILIPPINES’ COUNTRYWIDE EMBARRASSMENT
Complaints of several passengers have been circulating in the recent weeks of being framed for possession of live bullets in their luggage in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The "tanimbala" modus apparently involves airport security officials who plant live bullets in order to force an exorbitant amount of money from the passenger caught with the planted bullet inside their luggage. Under Republic Act 10591, it's illegal for anyone to possess or buy firearms and ammunition without the license to do so. The ‘tanimbala’ scheme not only victimized local citizens but also foreigners.
Source: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/02/How-to-avoid-being-a-victim-of-tanim-bala-laglag-bala-scam-airport-extortion-scheme.html
Source: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/02/How-to-avoid-being-a-victim-of-tanim-bala-laglag-bala-scam-airport-extortion-scheme.html
#DUTERTESERYE: DUTERTE FINALIZES HIS DECISION ON HIS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENCY
Thousands of supporters were left hanging when Rodrigo Duterte failed to show up on the last day of candidacy filing on the 16th of October, Friday, despite the circulating rumor that he was on his way to Manila. Minutes before the Commission on Elections closed the filing of COCs, the iron-fisted mayor of Davao City maintained his decision not to run for the reason that he is “tired” and was “not interested in the Presidency”. Netizens eagerly expressed their frustration on social media by trending the hashtag “#DuterteSerye” on Twitter, relating the tension and excitement upon waiting for the mayor’s final decision to a teleserye; some were disappointed and called the mayor “paasa” and “insensitive” to the Filipinos’ need for a “better government”, while others commended him for keeping his word. Nevertheless, Duterte’s supporters remained hopeful that the mayor will substitute for Martin Diño’s “slot” as soon as the PDP Laban’s Deputy Secretary-General gets disqualified or withdraws his candidacy.
Source: http://¬www.rappler.com/¬nation/politics/¬elections/2016/¬109552-hearts-broken-¬duterteserye-trend
Source: http://¬www.rappler.com/¬nation/politics/¬elections/2016/¬109552-hearts-broken-¬duterteserye-trend
TEN DEAD, AT LEAST NINE INJURED IN SCHOOL SHOOTING AT COLLEGE IN OREGON
“The more you kill, the more you’re in the limelight”, the 26-year-old Chris Harper-Mercer said. On October 1, Oregon college gunman, who, according to his father, glorified the violence of the IRA and Nazis and called himself a “conservative Republican”, walked into Umpqua Community College in Roseburg with three pistols and a rifle and opened fire, killing ten people, including a professor, and injuring at least nine. According to witnesses, Harper-Mercer would make the victims stand up and ask them if they were Christian and tell them “Good, you’ll see God in a second” before shooting them in the head. Harper-Mercer was killed during a gunfight with the police and was said to have frequent tantrums by his neighbors. Chris Harper-Mercer graduated from the Switzer Learning Center in Torrance, a school for students with “learning disabilities and emotional issues”.
Source: http://¬www.dailymail.co.uk/¬news/article-3256633/¬Shooter-Oregon-commun¬ity-college-kills-pe-ople-campus.html
Source: http://¬www.dailymail.co.uk/¬news/article-3256633/¬Shooter-Oregon-commun¬ity-college-kills-pe-ople-campus.html
CHINA LOOSENS UP, SCRAPS ONE CHILD POLICY
China's one-child policy has been in effect for 35 years. However, the Chinese government recently announcedthat it will now allow all married couples to have two children as a way to offset the country's aging workforce. As advised by scholars, China has already relaxed the one-child policy, and allowed more families to have two kids. The announcement states that the country will "fully implement a policy of allowing each couple to have two children as an active response to an aging population." However, no details of how or when the new policy will be implemented have been given.
Source: http://www.infoplease.com/news/2015/current-events/world_oct.html
Source: http://www.infoplease.com/news/2015/current-events/world_oct.html
4POL2 HOLD SEMINARS ON PHIL. PENAL SYSTEM AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW
As part of their Seminar I course, 4POL2 conducted back to back seminar entitled “Sa Likod ng Rehas: Challenges in addressing the state of the Philippine Penal System” and “Implementation of the International Humanitarian Law in Mindanao”. Both pushed through last October 5 at the TARC Auditorium.
Atty. Kristoffer S. Claudio, program officer of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HLAF); Associate Prof. Marina Gamo, Ph.D., from the De La Salle University Dasmariñas; Atty. Ramelisa Dial-Quigao from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology National Headquarters of the Legal Services all shared their various views on how to address the justice system and jail congestion. While Col. Jose Antonio Carlos B. Motril, Chief of the AFP Human Rights Office, gave his insight on how the International Humanitarian Law can bring about justice in Mindanao, especially among the Lumads.
Atty. Kristoffer S. Claudio, program officer of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HLAF); Associate Prof. Marina Gamo, Ph.D., from the De La Salle University Dasmariñas; Atty. Ramelisa Dial-Quigao from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology National Headquarters of the Legal Services all shared their various views on how to address the justice system and jail congestion. While Col. Jose Antonio Carlos B. Motril, Chief of the AFP Human Rights Office, gave his insight on how the International Humanitarian Law can bring about justice in Mindanao, especially among the Lumads.
THOMASIAN YOUTH VOTERS ENCOURAGED TO CHOOSE GOOD LEADERS
On October 27, 2015, a forum spearheaded by the Faculty of Arts and Letters Student Council in partnership with Democracy Watch titled “Elect Protect: Making Your Vote Count,” the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), urged the youth to elect worthy leaders.
According to the COMELEC Chairman Legal Head Atty. Nesrin Cali, said that the youth holds the responsibility to choose the next President of the country for the next six years. He also added that voters should watch public debates in order to have a background on the candidates.
Similarly, the PPCRV former secretary general Bro. Clifford Sorita and PPCRV Visayas regional coordinator Bro. Romulo Guillermo dared the youth to partake this upcoming elections because it was their right and responsibility.
PPCRV Technical Working Committee member Dr. Arwin Serrano highlighted the criteria on choosing the next leader: character, courage, clean, conscience, and critical.
According to the COMELEC Chairman Legal Head Atty. Nesrin Cali, said that the youth holds the responsibility to choose the next President of the country for the next six years. He also added that voters should watch public debates in order to have a background on the candidates.
Similarly, the PPCRV former secretary general Bro. Clifford Sorita and PPCRV Visayas regional coordinator Bro. Romulo Guillermo dared the youth to partake this upcoming elections because it was their right and responsibility.
PPCRV Technical Working Committee member Dr. Arwin Serrano highlighted the criteria on choosing the next leader: character, courage, clean, conscience, and critical.
THOMASIANS URGED TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE LUMADS
On November 7, a forum titled “Dialogue of Life: Our Continuing Journey with the Anawim (Rural Poor),” was spearheaded by the UST Simbahayan, UST Rotaract – Pharmacy Unit, and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines to show support for the Lumads to fight their rights and to stop the killings of their tribe in Mindanao.
Asst. Prof. Mark Anthony Abenir, community development director of UST Simbahayan, supported the campaign of the University to keep the Lumad society free from discrimination, violence and aggression.
Meanwhile, Rev. Father Gallardo Bombase Jr. O.P., Dominican Province of the Philippines urged Thomasians to partake with the campaign for Lumads. He stressed that if we are truly Christians, we should help the people who are in need, referring to the Lumads, because we are all equally created by God.
During the forum, the Bugta to Bata Cultural Group and Lingag Di Kanak Nawa Cultural Group presented their fight for their rights to life, ancestral lands, and self-determination through a war dance or dugso.
Asst. Prof. Mark Anthony Abenir, community development director of UST Simbahayan, supported the campaign of the University to keep the Lumad society free from discrimination, violence and aggression.
Meanwhile, Rev. Father Gallardo Bombase Jr. O.P., Dominican Province of the Philippines urged Thomasians to partake with the campaign for Lumads. He stressed that if we are truly Christians, we should help the people who are in need, referring to the Lumads, because we are all equally created by God.
During the forum, the Bugta to Bata Cultural Group and Lingag Di Kanak Nawa Cultural Group presented their fight for their rights to life, ancestral lands, and self-determination through a war dance or dugso.
POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES FIRST LEG OF LECTURE SERIES
The Department of Political Science launches its lecture series tackling important national issues during the Aquino term with its opening seminar "Usaping Bangsamoro sa Administrasyong Aquino" last October 27 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium (TARC).
In collaboration with The Political Science Forum, the organized seminar brought forth some key points with regard to the current status of the Bangsamoro peace process under the Aquino Administration.
Both guest speakers, GPH Peace Panel Chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Panel member Professor Abhoud Syed Lingga, have concurred that current administration is serious on pursuing peace in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
Urging the students to support the Bangsamoro Basic Law, both speakers stressed that the BBL would be a good place to start peace in Muslim Mindanao.
The Department of Political Science has more in store as many issues still need to be dwelt upon during the Aquino administration.
In collaboration with The Political Science Forum, the organized seminar brought forth some key points with regard to the current status of the Bangsamoro peace process under the Aquino Administration.
Both guest speakers, GPH Peace Panel Chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Panel member Professor Abhoud Syed Lingga, have concurred that current administration is serious on pursuing peace in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
Urging the students to support the Bangsamoro Basic Law, both speakers stressed that the BBL would be a good place to start peace in Muslim Mindanao.
The Department of Political Science has more in store as many issues still need to be dwelt upon during the Aquino administration.
TPSF OPENS SPORTS FEST
Representatives and players from freshmen to seniors attended the opening parade of TPSF sportsfest, which was held at the P.Noval covered court last October 17, 2015. First few games of volleyball were also held after the opening parade.The next games of basketball were held last October 23, Friday.
Sharpie Philippines was also present during the event, as a sponsor, and gave out free highlighters to the students.
Sharpie Philippines was also present during the event, as a sponsor, and gave out free highlighters to the students.
TPSF HOSTS “DIALOGUE WITH THE ALUMNI”
Last October 17, 2015, the Political Science Forum members were able to meet and converse with some of the alumni coming from batches 2001 to 2005 at Room 1107, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building. The seminar, organized by the Alumni Affairs Committee, aimed to create communication between past batches to current onces. Both parties were able to talk about achievements and experiences in career after graduating from Political Science.
4POL1 DISCUSSES IMPLICATIONS OF INFRASTRUCTURES AND PEACE PROCESS IN SEMINARS
2 seminars organized by 4POL1 were conducted the whole day of October 26. The morning seminar, entitled “Peace Process: Dissecting the Agents of Social Instability in the Philippines”, had Undersecretary Robert Francis B. Garcia from the Office of the Presidential Political Adviser to discuss about the current progress of the peace talks of GPH and the CPP/NPA/NDF.
The afternoon facilitated on discussion on infrastructure projects and the significant role it plays in the country’s economy. Held at the Miguel de Benavides Library Conference Hall, the seminar entitled“ Building Bridges Towards Development: Economic Implications of Infrastructures” invited Director Roderick Planta from the National Economic and Development Authority, Deputy Executive Director Eleazar B, Ricote from the Philippine Public-Private Partnership and Dr. Adoracion Navarro from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
The afternoon facilitated on discussion on infrastructure projects and the significant role it plays in the country’s economy. Held at the Miguel de Benavides Library Conference Hall, the seminar entitled“ Building Bridges Towards Development: Economic Implications of Infrastructures” invited Director Roderick Planta from the National Economic and Development Authority, Deputy Executive Director Eleazar B, Ricote from the Philippine Public-Private Partnership and Dr. Adoracion Navarro from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
LAND USE PLANNING DISCUSSED IN 4POL3 SEMINAR
4POL3 held the last seminar from the seniors entitled “Land Use Planning: A Catalyst for Sustainable Development”. Invited guest speakers were Hon. Rovin Andrew M. Feliciano and Mr. Samson B. Predragosa. They talked about the current status of Senate Bill No. 3091 or the National Land Use Act (NLUA) of the Philippines of 2011. The NLUA, until now, is still pending on its third reading in the Senate while it had been in the Congress for two years now. The bill aims to create a National Physical Framework Plan that will categorize land resources into 4 sections: protection for conservation, production for crops, fishery, livestock and poultry, settlements development for residential purposes and infrastructure development for transportation, communication, water resources and social infrastructure.
REV. FATHER DAGOHOY DELIVERS RECTOR’S REPORT
The General Convocation of the Rector’s Report was held last October 16. The Rector of the University of Santo Tomas, the Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., delivered the Rector’s Report which covers the period of Academic Years 2012-2013 to 2014-2015 in a General Convocation at the Medicine Auditorium. This report is intended for the Thomasian community where the presence of administrative, and academic officials, faculty members, representatives from the support staff, students and alimni is highly encouraged.