News Briefs: Feb. 25, 2019
Ex-Sulu vice governor, husband plead guilty
Former Sulu Vice Governor Nur-Ana Indanan Sahidulla and her husband, Abdulwahid Omar Sahidulla, have pleaded guilty to failing to declare cars and real estate properties in their joint Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth for 2009.
In a Feb. 12 decision, the Sandiganbayan Second Division said the Sahidulla couple changed their plea from not guilty to guilty and were ordered to pay a P5,000-fine each for violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
The couple was also sentenced to up to one year in prison for perjury for their “willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood in a sworn statement.”
The case stemmed from their failure to declare a Toyota Hilux, a Mitsubishi L200 Strada, and a 1,500 square-meter lot in Baliwasan, Zamboanga City. —Patricia Denies M. Chiu
Philippine Navy to upgrade patrol vessels
Article continues after this advertisementThe Philippine Navy’s Del Pilar-class patrol vessels are due for a P1.5-billion upgrade which would enable them to detect submarines.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Navy has three Del Pilar-class vessels: BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15); BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16); and the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17).
Navy flag officer in command Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad said a company from the United Kingdom had won the limited source bidding, an alternative mode of procurement, for the contract. —Jeannette I. Andrade
Foreign nationals have until March 1 to report to BI
Foreign nationals registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have only until March 1 to go to the nearest BI field office and make their 2019 annual report.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente warned that noncompliant aliens may be fined or prosecuted for violating the Alien Registration Act.
Morente stressed that aliens can report to any of the BI’s designated field, satellite and extension offices nationwide. —Tina G. Santos
Dole holds job, business fair in Mandaluyong mall
The Department of Labor and Employment will hold a Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan job and business fair in Mandaluyong City on Monday.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III urged job seekers to apply for 20,000 local and overseas jobs offered by 50 employers and recruitment agencies at the 2nd Floor Activity Center of Starmall along Edsa-Shaw.
Countries of destination include the United States, Malaysia, Brunei, Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Madagascar, Malta and Mauritius. —TINA G. SANTOS
