Tugade Orders Preventive Suspension of LTFRB Executive Director Jardin Over Corruption Allegations

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has ordered the preventive suspension of Samuel Jardin, Executive Director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), over allegations of corruption.

The preventive suspension will last for a period of 90 days.

Along with the order issued yesterday, 03 April 2019, a formal charge has been filed against Jardin for grave misconduct; receiving for personal use a valuable thing in the course of official duties wherein such gift was given in the expectation of receiving favorable treatment; and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The formal charge alleges that Jardin solicited money amounting to PhP4.8 million in exchange for facilitating and granting the application for a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

As part of the internal investigation of the DOTr, Jardin is required to submit a Verified Answer, including documentary evidence, within three days from receipt of the formal charge.

Secretary Tugade strongly reiterates that any corrupt deed, or the perception thereof, in the ranks of the DOTr offices and attached agencies will not be tolerated.

During the DOTr flag raising ceremony at the central office in Clark, Pampanga on Tuesday, 02 April 2019, the transportation chief announced that two high-ranking officials, then unnamed, will be meted orders of preventive suspension for alleged involvement in corruption.

The DOTr resounds its stern warning that disciplinary action shall come swift and unrelenting to any official or employee, no matter the rank, for the slightest hint of corruption.

The transportation department wholly supports the campaign of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte against graft and corruption, and shall not hesitate to exercise its full power and authority to rid its ranks of errant officials and employees.

DOE Steers Power Industries to Work Together for the Summer Months

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Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi met with Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) officials headed by Meralco President and CEO Oscar S. Reyes yesterday (3 April) to discuss the details of the delivery of power to its customers throughout the summer months.

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has been closely coordinating with the power industry players to address the growing demand and the thinning of power reserves for the summer months. 

“The entire energy family should take a pro-active approach towards securing our power supply, especially since it is both summer and election season,” Sec. Cusi said.  

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and the DOE agreed that the power situation should be closely monitored given supply level adjustments brought about by increasing demand and the forced outages of power plants. 

Strategies on how to address thinning power reserves were also discussed during a meeting with Meralco officials. This includes the creation of additional power bypass lines, the efficient utilization of available power plants, as well as the application of demand-side management and accurate information dissemination to consumers. 

On the matter of the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) as a measure to help enhance power reserves, Sec. Cusi emphasized that “it shall be implemented as a last resort given the additional costs the ILP would bring to consumers.”  The ILP serves as an option for Distribution Utilities (DUs) like MERALCO and electric cooperatives to ask their big load customers to serve their own power needs by using their own generator sets to augment power supply capacity in times of Red Alert Status or when power supply reserves are thin.

“We will not wait for a loss of power to occur. The ILP is there as a final option to help us prevent a supply shortage,” Sec. Cusi added.  

YELLOW ALERT MONITORING 

According to the report of the NGCP, the yellow alert status issued today has been lifted effective at 4:00pm due to sufficient operating reserve brought about by low actual demand.

Earlier today, the NGCP issued a yellow alert notice issued for 1:00pm to 4:00pm today, due to insufficient operating reserve brought about by the high system demand and forced outage of the following plants:

Malaya Unit 2 (350 MW)

Pagbilao Unit 3 (420 MW)

SLTEC Unit 1 (135MW)

Makban Unit 7 (20 MW)

Tiwi Unit 6 (57 MW)

Tiwi Unit 1 (60 MW)
 

(Total = 1,042 MW)

De-rated Plants:

Masinloc Unit 2@250 (344MW)

Calaca Unit 2@200 (300MW)

Malaya Unit 1@150 (300MW)

SLPGC Unit 2@100 (150MW)

“The DOE and the energy players are closely monitoring the increases in demand and the power plants that are expected to be in,” Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella emphasized in a press conference earlier at the agency’s headquarters. 

The other strategies considered by the power industry players include the management of plant maintenance schedules, the optimization of existing hydroelectric power plants, the upgrading of the electricity facilities, the preparation of available generator sets for unforeseen outages, the participation of big establishments in the Interruptible Load Program, as well as the continued call for an energy efficiency lifestyle for electricity end-users. The DOE also emphasized the improvement of the operations of power plants and through the use of renewable energy (RE) and information technology. 

DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The DOE through its Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB) reiterated the importance of its SAVE SAVE SAVE energy efficiency campaign, not only to incur more savings, but also to ensure uninterrupted electricity services this summer season.

Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Candidates Presented to Media

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Here's the official press release, including group photo, from the press presentation of Bb. Pilipinas 2019 candidates. For our own set of photos, you may find them at our Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas

The 40 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 thrilled members of the media, sponsors and the general public during their Press Presentation on Thursday, April 4 at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

The 40 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 thrilled members of the media, sponsors and the general public during their Press Presentation on Thursday, April 4 at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

Wearing their swimsuits, the gorgeous women competing in the country’s most prestigious beauty pageant wowed the guests with their beautiful physique and winsome personality as they introduced themselves and posed for photos at the hotel’s pool area.

The roster of this year’s finalists is composed of models, flight attendants, performers, students, multi-hyphenates and pageant veterans, who have their own stories to tell and advocacies to promote, proving that they exemplify traits #BeyondBeauty.

They are all vying for the chance to represent the Philippines in the most prominent international beauty competitions. They are the cream of the crop, having been chosen by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. executive committee led by chairperson Mrs. Stella Marquez Araneta in a rigorous screening process.

Up for grabs in this year’s contest are six crowns: Miss Universe Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas International, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational, Binibining Pilipinas Globe and Binibining Pilipinas Grand International.

The candidates are hoping to duplicate the amazing feat of last year’s winners who all made a mark in the international scene. Catriona Gray bested more than 90 candidates to take home the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown, while Karen Gallman won the country’s first-ever Miss Intercontinental crown. Ahtisa Manalo also came close and emerged first runner-up in Miss International. Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao, and Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug complete last year’s winners’ court.

The Press Presentation also served as a mini reunion of past titlists, delighting pageant fans.

The Press Presentation is one of the most anticipated events in the Binibining Pilipinas calendar. Last Saturday, March 30, 17 of the 40 contestants slugged it out in the Talent Competition. On May 25, they will be going around Araneta Center, the Home of the Queens and recently declared as a Tourism District by the Quezon City Government, in the Grand Parade of Beauties, and on May 29, they will be sashaying in the stage in a glitzy Fashion Show at the New Frontier Theater. The pageant will culminate in the Grand Coronation Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 9.

The official Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates are the following: Jessica Marasigan, 25, Malabon City Denielle Joie Magno, 25, Pangasinan Martina Turner Diaz, 22, Muntinlupa City Malka Shaver, 23, Zamboanga Sibugay Sigrid Grace Flores, 26, Iloilo Jane Darren Genobisa, 22, Davao del Sur Honey Grace Cartasano, 25, Province of Rizal Joahnna Carla Saad, 26, Dumaguete City Melba Ann Macasaet, 25, Negros Oriental Marianne Marquez, 26, Marikina City Marie Sherry Ann Tormes, 27, Polangui, Albay Gazini Ganados, 23, Talisay City, Cebu Maria Andrea Abesamis , 27, Pasig City Leren Mae Bautista, 26, Laguna Maria Isabela Galeria, 20, Sorsogon Denise Omorog, 24, Baras, Catanduanes, Bea Patricia Magtanong, 24, Bataan Hannah Arnold, 23, Masbate Ilene De Vera, 23, Mandaue City, Cebu Julia Saubier, 24, Legazpi City Anne Barker,26, Isabela Province April Short, 24, Zamboanga City Larah Grace Lacap, 25, Quezon City Jean Nicole Guerrero, 25, Ilocos Sur Samantha Ashley Lo, 26, Cebu City Emma Mary Tiglao, 24, Pampanga Samantha Mae Bernardo, 26, Palawan Rubee Marie Faustino, 23, Province of Bulacan Cassandra Colleen Chan, 24, Bacolod City, Resham Saeed, 25, Maguindanao Danielle Isabelle Dolk , 18, San Pablo City, Laguna Mary Faye Cunanan, 22, Tarlac Jessarie Dumaguing, 23, Puerto Princesa, Alannis Reign Binoya, 22, Batangas, Kimberle Mae Penchon, 26, La Union Francia Layderos, 26, Libon, Albay Samantha Poblete, 22, Cavite Vickie Rushton, 26, Negros Occidental Dia Nicole Magno, 24, Butuan, Caraga Region Joanna Rose Tolledo, 25, Caloocan City The Binibining Pilipinas pageant is presented by the following sponsors: Araneta Center Inc., ABS-CBN, World Balance, Poten CEE, JAG Jeans, PLDT Home Fibr, Manhattan Garden City, Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc., Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, Philippine Airlines, Manila Bulletin, Novotel Manila Araneta Center, David's Salon, Power Trac Inc., Gold's Gym, Picture City, Domz Ramos Swimwear, Jojo Bragais Shoes, Equinox Manila, Raymond Saldaña Photography and Bruce Casanova Photography. For more updates, visit www.bbpilipinas.com and follow our social media pages: @RealBBPilipinas on Facebook and Twitter and @BbPilipinasOfficial on Instagram.