DOTr's "Notice to Terninate" to BURI

Please be informed that on 17 October 2017, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) served upon BURI a Notice to Terminate (Notice) its MRT-3 contract due to the following reasons:

1. Poor performance;

2. Failure to put in service and subsequently ensure the availability of contractually obligated number of trains, and more importantly, for failure to put in operation reliable and efficient trains;

3. Failure to implement a feasible procurement plan for spare parts, as it in fact failed to procure and store the required volume of spare parts, which affected its ability to effect immediate repairs on defective trains and other facilities of the MRT-3 system, and;

4. Failure to comply with the contractual requirements of a complete and up to date Computerized Maintenance Management System.

Further, please be informed that BURI was given 7 calendar days upon its receipt of the Notice to respond and submit a verified position paper stating why its contract should not be terminated. After which, the DOTr shall have 10 days, upon receipt of BURI's response, to decide whether or not it will issue an Order to terminate the entire contract.

Thank you.

32 New Elevators, 13 New Escalators at LRT-2 Stations Now Ready for Public Use

In order to enhance accessibility and convenience of rail commuters, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) simultaneously opened yesterday, 19 October 2017, 32 new elevators and 13 escalators in various LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) stations.

LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya, who led the simple opening rites at the LRT-2 Recto Station in Manila, said the project is in line with the objective of the Duterte administration to provide the riding public, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and pregnant women, a safer and more accessible commuting experience.

“Ito po ay handog ng ating Pangulong Duterte sa ating mga mananakay upang maging madali ang pagbi-biyahe,” Gen. Berroya said, noting that the elevators have rails that are user-friendly to PWDs, particularly the blind.

Gen. Berroya likewise expressed his gratitude for the support given by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade to the rehabilitation program of LRTA.

Berroya noted that the operationalization of elevators and escalators is part of the newly-installed, state-of-the-art and durable conveyance system of the LRTA, which is designed to last from 10 to 15 years.

Berroya said this is the first time that the conveyance system has been replaced since LRT-2 started operations in 2003.

“Yung nakaraang anim na taon sira yan kaya kawawa yung mga pasahero noon,” he said.

Apart from the conveyance system, rehabilitation projects of LRT-2 include the systematic replacement of all train air-conditioning systems, restoration of four trains and rehabilitation of station facilities and equipment. ​​​​​​

The LRT-2 runs from Santolan in Pasig to Recto in Manila, and has an average ridership of over 252,000 passengers daily.

Aegis Juris Fraternity: How to Get Away with Murder 101

The Aegis Juris fraternity members attempted to 'cover up, conceal' the UST law student's death.

It is shocking that upcoming and existing lawyers from this frat are like these. The so called future generations of lawyers are actually a new breed of criminals, cowards and liars. They will twist and manipulate the law to save themselves. It makes you wonder if all lawyers that once belonged to a frat are also like these. There is truth in the saying that Lawyers are liars. They work around the law to save their guilty clients confirming that the affluent who can conveniently hire good lawyers usually get away with crimes.

The Facebook conversation of Aegis Juris Fraternity members that focused on Horatio "Atio" Castillo's hazing death, as presented in the Senate reveals how the frat members attempted to get away with "murder." Good for us that they are amateurs since it's probably their first time to encounter death during their hazing activities. If there's a class/subject on how to get away with murder 101... I think they're about to retake it again. Who knows how long they have been doing this and if everyone else were taught to behave like this.

This is appalling! Such a disgrace not only for the university but for their families and the profession!

I am sorry for the loss of the parents of the UST student but luckily they are in power to make a difference in other students life that wants to participate in Fraternities like this one. Can we just not miss the fact that the freshman willfully joined a frat even though he knew he’s not supposed to.

Fraternities and sororities are false brotherhood and sisterhood at its finest. When you join a group who encourages you to side with each other even if at fault, then you do not deserve to be part of society. I just hope justice will finally prevail and all these educated criminals be disbarred.

It is just very disappointing how slow and hassle the process of finding justice for your brutally murdered kin in the Philippines despite of the apparent concrete evidences being laid out.

I'm somehow elated by the fact that amidst all the evil planning these so-called lawyers were doing that time, one man (Michael Vito), stood his ground and bravely reminded his brods about their fraternity's sacred mantra "Do no injustice, suffer no injustice."

It's appalling to see how these young lawyers turned their back from their sacred oath:

"I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent to the same;"

One even mentioned that they did no injustice, citing it was an accident. Is that how justice works for these 'future' court judges and politicians. No wonder our country's in deep sh*t.

The deep side of this crime is mind boggling. Really, these are lawyers and lawyers to be? We are led to believe that these lawyers take an oath after they pass the bar exam to uphold the law. They uphold their dark characters, their criminal minds thinking they are lawyers and above the law. Instead of having balls to accept the consequences if their action, they resort into lies and perjury that will bite the asses.

*The Aegis Jvris Fraternity is a recognized law school based fraternity exclusively domiciled in the Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas. Established since 1979, Aegis Jvris, literally mean Shield of Justice in latin, was founded by 25 young, idealistic, and brave founders who have sown the fraternal seeds which have grown to... become the most dynamic, and active law fraternity in the Faculty. The Aegis Jvris Fraternity pride itself by having 5 deeply rooted principles of Academic Excellence, Equality, Godliness, Integrity, and Service.