News Briefs: March 4, 2019
Pope Francis names Cebu bishop new military ordinariate
Pope Francis has named Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio as the new military ordinariate of the Philippines.
Florencio, 53, will succeed Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak who passed away in June 2017.
As military ordinarirate, Florencio is responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the military, police, coast guard and prison service.
Born in Capoocan town in Leyte province, Florencio was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Palo on April 3, 1990.
He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. —Tina G. Santos
Article continues after this advertisementPanelo on debate with Colmenares: I have better things to do
Article continues after this advertisementMalacañang has dismissed the challenge of senatorial candidate and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares to a debate on the Chinese-funded Chico River Pump Irrigation Project.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he had better things to do than take on Colmenares’ challenge to a debate, stressing it was a mere attempt to get more media mileage.
“He should be commended for that, but I have better things to do than to provide him the forum he desperately needs,” Panelo said. —Julie M. Aurelio
AFP chief liaison officer: CPP ‘greatest scam of the century’
The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ new chief liaison officer vowed on Sunday to expose the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as the “greatest scam of the century.”
Newly installed deputy chief of staff for civil military operations (J-7) Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade told reporters that his unit would expose the shenanigans of the CPP, its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) and its front organizations.
“We are on the side of truth. The thing is, not everyone knows the shenanigans of the NPA. Their narrative is becoming dominant. So I think civil military operations play a big role here,” Parlade said. —Jeannette I. Andrade
PCSO OKs arbitration with Peryahan games operator
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has agreed to enter into an arbitration with gaming tech startup Globaltech Mobile Online Corp., the operator of the Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB) games, in compliance with the directive of the Court of Appeals (CA).
In a manifestation, the PCSO, represented by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, signified its intent not to file any motion for reconsideration on the CA’s ruling dated Jan. 15, 2019, that allowed Globaltech’s PNB games to continue.
However, the PCSO said it would raise questions with the arbitration tribunal on the extension of deed of authority it issued to Globaltech for the operation of the PNB.
On Jan. 15, the CA’s Eighth Division upheld the status quo ante order issued by Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 161 in May 2016 that allowed PNB operations to proceed pending resolution of the dispute involving the termination of Globaltech’s permit by the PCSO.
RTC Judge Nicanor Manalo Jr. ordered the parties to resolve the dispute through arbitration.
