UNTV News and Rescue

The Department of Education (DepEd) seeks support from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strengthen security in public schools following the multiple violent incidents on campus.

The DepEd admitted that its budget is insufficient to assign security guards to every public school. Consequently, the agency will prioritize deploying guards to large and populous schools, where most violent incidents have been recorded in recent months.

“Ang suggestion namin, mag-umpisa sa malalaking eskwelahan dahil napansin namin, karamihan nung mga insidente ng karahasan nangyayari sa mga very large schools,” DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara said

[Our suggestion is to start with large schools because we noticed that most violent incidents occur in very large schools.”]

For smaller campuses, DepEd also asked DILG to deploy community watchmen (barangay tanods) as surrounding patrols for security measures.

“Sa mga mas maliit na eskwelahan, sinabi ko na rin kay Sec. Jonvic, hingin namin yung tulong ng mga barangay tanod na mag kahit romonda sila sa mga eskwelahan para ma-discourage 'yung mga violent incidents,” he added

[“For smaller schools, I also told Sec. Jonvic, that we will ask for help from community watchmen (barangay tanods) to conduct patrols around campuses to discourage violent incidents.”]

The DepEd also plans to use the fund for purchasing metal detectors for smaller public schools to prevent individuals from bringing bladed weapons and other prohibited items.

“Marami ring kulang ng metal detectors kasi yun ang importante. Maraming nagdadala ng mga kutsilyo tsaka ibang kagamitan. So yun, pinapabili na namin kasi medyo mas kaya namin yun eh. May ilang libo lang yung isang metal detector. So halos lahat ng schools bibigyan natin ng metal detectors,” Angara said

[“Many schools also lack metal detectors, which are crucial. Many bring knives and other weapons. So, we are ordering those now because that is more affordable for us. A metal detector costs only a thousand pesos, so we will provide metal detectors to almost all schools.”]

Police visibility around schools will also be intensified. While the police may generally remain outside school premises under normal circumstances, they will be permitted to go inside during emergencies.

Secretary Angara also stressed that active shooter drills should be conducted regularly in schools, so that new students and teachers become familiar with safety protocols.

Aside from security, the DepEd also plans to coordinate with the DICT, DOJ, telecommunications companies, and social media platforms to limit the spread of violent online content that the youth might copy.

The DepEd and DILG have already signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12199 or the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act.

The law aims to strengthen the care, protection, and early development of Filipino children from birth up to five years of age.

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The Supreme Court dismisses the petitions challenging the House of Representatives' action on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte as moot.

This means the issues raised in the petitions no longer need to be resolved by the court. According to the Supreme Court, this is because the House of Representatives has already approved and transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

“The SC ruled that the issues raised in the petitions had become moot, or no longer required resolution, because the House had already approved and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate,” according to SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting

The dismissed petitions were separately filed by Att. Israelito Torreon and VP Duterte’s legal team. The petitioners argued that the House Committee on Justice allegedly exceeded its constitutional authority in gathering evidence and compelling witnesses to appear.

The Supreme Court explained that the transmittal of the articles of impeachment signaled the end of the House’s role and marked as the start for the Senate to initiate the proceedings.

“The SC explained that the House’s transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment marked the end of the House’s role in the impeachment process and the initiation of the impeachment case,” Atty. Ting said

While the court acknowledged that it can issue decisions regarding moot issues under exceptional cases, it stated that there was no sufficient basis to apply such exceptions to the present matter.

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The House Prosecution Team welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions questioning the actions conducted by the House of Representatives and House Committee on Justice, in relation to the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a statement, House Lead Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, she said that the ruling affirms constitutional mechanisms and reinforces the fundamental principle that no public servant, including the second highest official of the country, will escape accountability.

Rep. Luistro serves as the chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, which conducted hearings on impeachment complaints against the Vice President,

The recommendation and resolution of the committee served as a basis for the articles of impeachment of the House plenary, which are now being tried by the Senate Impeachment Court.

House Prosecution Panel Member and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua said that there will be no obstacles to the continuation of the trial anymore.

“At least hindi na tayo kakaba-kaba na baka mamaya bukas makalawa ay patitigilin tayo dahil sasabihin nila ay may Supreme Court decision at sinasabi, ‘unconstitutional’,” he said

[“At least we no longer have to worry that the proceedings might be cancelled later on because they’re going to say that there is a decision from the Supreme Court that says ‘unconstitutional’.]

Another prosecution panel member, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, said that this is the time for the defense team to move on.

“Panahon na po para mag-move on depensa sa usapin po ng mini trial, sa usapin po ng fishing expedition,” he said

[“It is time for the defense to move on from arguments about a ‘mini-trial’ or a ‘fishing expedition’.”]

The trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has entered its fifth week, where the prosecution is currently presenting witnesses for Article I – the alleged use of confidential funds.

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