News Briefs: Southern Leyte governor indicted for ‘faking’ credentials

Southern Leyte governor indicted for ‘faking’ credentials

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the indictment of Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado for falsely claiming to be an engineer and failing to detail his educational credentials in 2010. Mercado allegedly failed to submit a “true, correct and complete” personal data sheet (PDS) and elective local official’s profile directory (ELOPD) data capture form. The governor allegedly stated in his ELOPD that he was an engineer, but he turned out to be a contractor. Likewise, he supposedly claimed in his PDS that he was a civil engineering graduate, without disclosing the year when he graduated. —Vince F. Nonato

Taiwan OKs visa-free entry for Filipinos starting June

Filipinos may visit Taiwan visa-free beginning June, according to Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Taiwan representative to the Philippines. The move is part of the Taiwanese government’s “New Southbound Policy,” which aims to forge strong economic ties and strengthen “people-to-people” exchanges between their country and South and Southeast Asian nations. Late last year, Filipinos were allowed to apply for visas and travel authorization certificates online. “Based on our recommendation, from June 1st this year, Taiwan will give visa-free treatment for all Filipinos,” he added. Filipinos may stay in Taiwan up to 30 days. —Jhesset O. Enano

Joel Reyes seeks dismissal of Malampaya scam cases

Former Palawan Gov. Mario Joel Reyes has asked the Sandiganbayan to throw out his cases involving the misuse of P1.53 billion in royalties from the Malampaya gas field in 2008 and 2009. In a motion, Reyes cited the “complete lack of basis to sustain a prima facie case” in seeking the dismissal of the 36 graft charges filed against him by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon. He held his subordinates accountable for the alleged procurement irregularities, claimed the projects were completed and played down the supposed omissions in the awarded contracts. Reyes was charged with 14 counts of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for awarding 209 infrastructure contracts to 11 construction firms despite noncompliance with the requirements of the Government Procurement Reform Act, and by approving the payment to three contractors despite lack of supporting documents. —Vince F. Nonato

PAL mounts direct flights Tagbilaran to S. Korea, Clark

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will start next month direct flights from Tagbilaran City to South Korea and to Clark. PAL spokesperson Maria Cielo Villaluna said the new Tagbilaran-Incheon and Tagbilaran-Clark routes are part of the flag carrier’s continuing expansion, allowing travelers to reach their destinations conveniently. Currently the flag carrier’s international flights operate out of Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa. The new service to Incheon will depart daily, starting June 22, from Tagbilaran at 5:20 p.m. The Tagbilaran-Clark flights will depart daily at 6:40 a.m. starting June 23. —Jeannette I. Andrade

Master, doctoral studies for Pinoy teachers in US

United States ambassador to the Philippines Kim Sung recently renewed an agreement that would allow more Filipino teachers to pursue master and doctoral studies in American higher education institutions. Kim, the honorary chair of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation board, inked last week the renewal of the memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). The deal, which was renewed on April 28, will continue the grant of Fulbright-CHEd scholarships for graduate studies in the United States. The scholarships enable faculty and staff from higher learning institutions to obtain master and doctoral degrees from HEIs in the United States. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE

New Puerto Princesa int’l airport terminal opens

Officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) led the blessing of the new Puerto Princesa International Airport terminal building. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco, guests from the Korean Embassy led by Ambassador Kim Jae-shin, and local officials led by Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Luis Marcaida III witnessed the opening of the modern airport terminal complex. Located at Brgy. San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City, the new P4.5-billion airport terminal has a floor area of 13,000 square meters, a seating capacity of 1,500, parking slots for over 200 cars, a 2,600-meter runway and six parking bays. —JEROME ANING

CamSur mayor sacked over anomalous lease deal

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has dismissed Baao, Camarines Sur, Mayor Melquiades Gaite over irregularities in the 25-year lease deal for the town’s public market. The Ombudsman found Gaite guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. In May 2014, Gaite entered into a 25-year lease contract with Lamvert Consolidated Complex Development Corp. on a portion of the Baao public market building covering 1,704 square meters. But Gaite failed to show the lease had the prior approval of the Sangguniang Bayan as required by the Local Government Code. —VINCE F. NONATO