IBP joining protests vs.
human security act

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Western Visayas Region headed by Raymund J.A. Mercado has joined groups concerned with the protection of civil liberties.

The group expressed concern that Republic Act 9372, or the Human Security Act of 2007, while having good intentions is fraught with much leeway for abuse and trampling of basic civil liberties and constitutional rights of privacy, freedom, liberty of abode, among others.

The IBP held a meeting recently at Ortigas in Pasig City attended by former Senator Rene Saguisag, Genunine Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano, Lawyers for Civil Liberties head Neri Colmenares, and other IBP governors in other regions. The lawyers said they are apprehensive over some sections of the new law. These are Sections 7 [surveillance and wiretapping operations] 18 and 19 [arrest of persons without judicial warrants], 26 [house arrest with prohibition against using cellphones, emails, etc] 27 [examination of bank deposits and financial papers] and 39 [seizure, sequestration and freezing of properties], among others.

Teachers get incentives

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dumaguete City appropriated during its regular session Thursday P663,000 for the cash incentive of the 663 DepEd employees in the city, at P1,000, each to be released this month.

The appropriation was requested by Mayor Agustin Perdices to augment the cash incentives of teachers and employees of the city schools division and encourage public school teachers to strive for excellence. But City Administrator Dominador Dumalag Jr. said the incentive is actually P2,000, the P1,000 will be given to school employees in December.

He said this is on top of what these employees are receiving from the national government. "The incentive will continue, provided that teachers also do their best," Dumalag said.

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