September To Be Declared as Month for National Truth-Telling on Martial Law?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two days before the country commemorates the declaration of Martial Law, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a joint resolution calling on the government to declare the month of September of every year as a time for national truth-telling, reflection, and reconciliation.

Hontiveros, who was joined by student council leaders from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), University of the Philippines (UP), De La Salle University (DLSU) and Adamson University, said that there is a strong need to tell the truth about Martial Law and protect the country's history from revisionists who want to paint a rosy picture of the dictatorship and absolve the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos of his crimes against the people.


"Don't let Marcoses steal again"

"Huwag natin hayaan na pagnakawan tayong muli ng mga Marcoses. Huwag natin payagan na nakawin nila ang ating kasaysayan at katotohanan," Hontiveros said.

("We must not allow the Marcoses to steal from us again. We must not allow them to rob us of our truth and sense of history.")

Hontiveros' resolution, whose counterpart in the House of Representatives is authored by Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, urges all schools and other educational institutions to conduct month-long educational activities to commemorate the declaration of Martial Law and educate the youth of the democratic values and practices the nation adheres to and experiences today in contrast to the dictatorial regime installed by Marcos more than 40 years ago.

The first-term Senator explained that her proposal for a "truth-telling month" is consistent with the provision of Republic Act No. 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, which authorizes the government to implement the mandatory teaching of Martial Law history at all levels of education. She however lamented that three years have already passed since the passage of the law, the government's educational institutions have not yet included the teaching of Martial Law history in the basic, secondary, and tertiary education.

Hontiveros also renewed her opposition to the government's plan to bury the remains of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. She said the proposal is "the ultimate act of airbrushing history in favor of the Marcoses."

"I call on the Duterte administration to implement the mandatory teaching of Martial Law history to students as provided for by RA 10368 and abandon its plan to give Marcos a hero's burial," Hontiveros said.

Globe Expansion of Network Infrastructure, Capacity at Full Throttle

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In line with new vision for Philippines to become an admired nation for having 1st world internet connectivity, Globe Telecom goes full throttle in its ongoing expansion of its network infrastructure and capacities to improve the internet experience of its customers. The company’s aggressive stance in expanding its network capacities is in line with the company’s new vision for the Philippines to become an admired nation for having a first world internet connectivity.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said that more and more of the company’s customers will experience improved services as adoption of LTE-capable devices increases and as the telco provider continues to deploy LTE 700 in more sites. “Guided by our new purpose of ‘treating people right to create a Globe of Good’, the company is aggressively fast tracking a multi-pronged network infrastructure and capacity expansion build to provide our customer a better internet experience,” said Cu.

Cu said the company’s deployment of LTE service using the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency is now in full swing, adding Globe expects to have around 250 LTE 700 sites by the end of September. According to Cu, the company plans to activate more than 500 LTE 700 sites across the country by the end 2016. Majority of the company’s LTE 700 sites will cover major business districts and highly-urbanized and populated areas in the country, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. He emphasized Globe is maximizing the use of the previously idle 700 MHz band in fulfillment of its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to improve the overall internet experience of its customers following the sell-out of San Miguel’s telco assets.

Parallel to this, Globe also began rolling out a capacity expansion program for its corporate data network to address bandwidth requirement of its enterprise clients as they make use of various data solutions to improve business efficiency, enhance productivity, and boost competitiveness, Cu disclosed. Specifically, the company will be upgrading its corporate sites with the deployment of fiber-optic technology. This year alone, at least 61 sites are being upgraded, with 455 sites scheduled for next year.

As part of its efforts to create an internet superhighway nationwide, Globe recently completed the deployment of fiber broadband technology in Binondo, Manila, an initiative that will provide world-class internet experience for Globe customers in the district, said Cu. Globe plans to deploy fiber optics in 20,000 barangays by 2020 that will provide ultra-fast internet access to around 2 million homes nationwide.

PhilJets Expands Operations with Acquisition of Two New H130 Helicopters

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Since its inception, three and half years ago, PhilJets, the aviation start-up is pursuing its growth and its objective to develop aerospace, aviation and tourism in the Philippines while contributing its share to develop the country image and aviation standards.

Over the years, PhilJets started to assert itself and gain credibility towards major market leaders and actors through strong partnerships, as with Jewelmer, Grab with the GrabHeli or more recently with Citibank for the launch of their Citi Prestige credit cards. PhilJets also set up a complete & diversified aviation strategy with strong connections not only with worldwide manufacturers but also with worldwide players. Thanks to the increased customer’s confidence, the company is growing and now aims at covering the whole archipelago. Indeed, before the year ends, PhilJets will welcome a new helicopter H130, previously ordered in January whose delivery is planned for October. This will be PhilJets’ 5th helicopter under its AOC fleet and its 4th Brand New H130 under operations.

The company, has recently placed a new order for 2 additional H130 this September from Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia, the subsidiary of Airbus Group. The H130 helicopter is one of the best on the market for corporate and tourism, as it is a lightweight helicopter tailored for passenger transportation, sightseeing, aerial survey as well as medical airlift. These helicopters will be operated by PhilJets Aero Charter Corp, the group air transport subsidiary, in order to sustain the company activities growth over the country.