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Paraplegic German engineer becomes first wheelchair user in space

Venus L Peñaflor
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Paraplegic German engineer becomes first wheelchair user in space

A German engineer who was left paraplegic by a cycling accident has become the first wheelchair user to travel to space, marking a milestone for accessibility in commercial spaceflight.

Michaela Benthaus, 33, blasted off Saturday aboard a Blue Origin rocket from West Texas, leaving her wheelchair behind as she floated weightless and viewed Earth from space. She flew with five other passengers on the company’s New Shepard capsule, which rose more than 65 miles, or 105 kilometers, above the planet on a brief suborbital mission.

Benthaus, who was severely injured in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, said she laughed throughout the ascent and even attempted to turn upside down once in space.

“It was the coolest experience,” she said shortly after landing.

Blue Origin said only minor adjustments were needed to accommodate Benthaus, noting that the autonomous capsule was designed with accessibility in mind. Jake Mills, a Blue Origin engineer who trained the crew and assisted on launch day, said the spacecraft was built to be accessible to a wider range of people than traditional spaceflight.

The company has previously flown space tourists with limited mobility, as well as passengers with impaired sight or hearing, including two individuals in their 90s.

For Benthaus’ flight, Blue Origin added a patient transfer board to help her move between the capsule’s hatch and her seat. After touchdown, the recovery team unrolled a carpet on the desert floor to provide immediate access to her wheelchair. An elevator at the launch pad already allowed passengers to reach the capsule, positioned seven stories above the ground.

Benthaus is part of the European Space Agency’s graduate trainee program based in the Netherlands. Before this mission, she experienced brief weightlessness during a parabolic flight in Houston in 2022 and later joined a two-week simulated space mission in Poland.

“I never really thought that going on a spaceflight would be a real option for me,” she told The Associated Press ahead of the launch, adding that spaceflight is highly competitive even for those without disabilities.

She said her accident appeared to end any remaining hope. “There is like no history of people with disabilities flying to space,” she said.

That changed when Hans Koenigsmann, a retired SpaceX executive also born in Germany, approached her last year about the possibility of flying with Blue Origin. Koenigsmann helped organize and sponsor her trip and was designated as her emergency helper for the flight. Ticket prices were not disclosed.

Koenigsmann and Mills assisted Benthaus out of the capsule after landing. Unlike some other astronauts with disabilities, Benthaus cannot walk at all due to her spinal cord injury.

The mission was a private flight and did not involve the European Space Agency, which earlier this year cleared reserve astronaut John McFall, an amputee and former British Paralympian, for a future mission to the International Space Station.

Following touchdown, Benthaus urged others not to abandon their ambitions. “You should never give up on your dreams,” she said.

She added that her goal extends beyond space travel, saying she hopes her experience will help improve accessibility on Earth as well.

“I really hope it’s opening up for people like me,” she said. “I hope I’m only the start.”

Benthaus shared the flight with business executives, investors, and a computer scientist, bringing Blue Origin’s total number of space travelers to 86.

Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who flew on the company’s first passenger mission in 2021. The company is also developing larger rockets and lunar landers as it expands its spaceflight ambitions.

Christmas in the Philippines is the longest and most vibrant celebration in the world

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Christmas in the Philippines is the longest and most vibrant celebration in the world

Christmas, originally a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus, has grown into a global celebration observed by millions across the world. While countries worldwide exchange gifts, decorate trees, and hold festive gatherings, the Philippines stands out for having one of the longest and most vibrant Christmas seasons on Earth.

In the Philippines, Christmas celebrations start as early as September, a practice locally known as the “Ber months.” Filipinos eagerly anticipate the season, with many beginning to collect items for gift-giving, parents shopping for clothes and shoes for their children, and others putting up Christmas decorations such as Christmas trees, parols, and festive lights. The season culminates with Simbang Gabi, a series of nine dawn Masses held in the lead-up to Christmas Eve. This tradition, introduced by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, allowed farmers and laborers to attend Mass before starting their day. The final Mass, Misa de Gallo, is the highlight, uniting families through worship and reflection.

Another central tradition is Noche Buena, a family feast on Christmas Eve after midnight Mass. Households gather to share dishes such as lechon, hamón, queso de bola, and various native delicacies. The parol, a star-shaped lantern made from bamboo and paper, has become the iconic symbol of Filipino Christmas, representing the Star of Bethlehem and lighting up towns and cities across the country.

Globally, Christmas began as a religious observance focused on Jesus’ birth. Early Christians did not annually celebrate his birthday, instead commemorating his resurrection at Easter. The story of Jesus’ birth appears in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but the exact date remains unknown. December 25 was established in the fourth century, possibly coinciding with pagan winter solstice festivals. In some Eastern Orthodox traditions, Christmas is celebrated on January 7.

Through the centuries, Christmas evolved from a solemn religious occasion to a more cultural celebration. In Europe, it included feasting, caroling, and gift-giving. Germany introduced Christmas trees in the 16th century, which later spread to England and America. Santa Claus, inspired by the generosity of St. Nicholas, became a global symbol of holiday cheer.

Modern Christmas traditions continue to blend the sacred with the festive. In Japan, for example, eating Kentucky Fried Chicken at Christmas has become a popular custom. In Iceland, children look forward to gifts from the mischievous Yule Lads. Despite these global variations, the Filipino Christmas remains uniquely distinct, combining centuries-old religious devotion with deeply rooted family, community, and cultural traditions.

From Simbang Gabi and parols to extended celebrations that span nearly four months, Christmas in the Philippines exemplifies how faith, family, and festivity can blend to create a celebration that is both enduring and profoundly meaningful.

Blunt force trauma ang ikinamatay ni Cathy Cabral, wala pang palatandaan ng foul play

Venus L Peñaflor
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Blunt force trauma ang ikinamatay ni Cathy Cabral, wala pang palatandaan ng foul play

MAYNILA — Napag alaman sa paunang resulta ng autopsy na namatay sa blunt force trauma ang dating DPWH undersecretary na si Ma. Catalina “Cathy” Cabral, ayon kay Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Iniutos ni Remulla ang agarang autopsy sa mga labi ni Cabral matapos tukuyin ang mga naging lapses sa operasyon ng lokal na awtoridad sa Tuba, Benguet, at gamitin ang kapangyarihan ng Philippine National Police.

Ayon kay Remulla, malinaw sa initial findings ang mga tinamong pinsala ni Cabral. “The initial reports show that with all certainty that she died of blunt force trauma. So ang nakita namin ay basag dito, right side of face niya, likod ng ulo, ang ribs niya ay pumasok sa internal organs at bali yung kanyang mga paa,” aniya noong Sabado.

Dagdag pa niya, wala umanong nakitang senyales ng pakikipaglaban o pananakit. “So wala kaming nakitang signs of struggle sa kotse, walang nakita sa skin cells sa ilalim ng fingernails, at wala ring gunshot wounds ang nakita so far,” sabi ni Remulla.

Batay rin sa backtracking ng CCTV footage sa hotel na tinuluyan ni Cabral, mag-isa umano itong pumasok at umalis. “So far, no signs of foul play,” pahayag ni Remulla.

Ikinuwento rin ng kalihim na bandang alas-otso ng umaga ay nakita si Cabral sa lugar kung saan umano siya tumalon. “Ang interesting doon, at 8 o’clock in the morning, nauna siyang dumaan doon sa spot kung saan siya tumalon, tumigil na siya roon nung umaga pa lang, at tumitingin na siya roon pababa, tapos nakita siya ng police, pinaalis siya,” ayon kay Remulla.

Pagkatapos nito, umakyat umano si Cabral sa Baguio City at nagtungo sa Ion Hotel. “Mag-isa siyang pumasok ng kwarto, an hour later, bumaba siya, tapos sabi sa driver niya alis na tayo, saka niya kinuha yung buhay niya,” dagdag pa ng kalihim.

Kinumpirma rin ni Remulla na pumayag ang asawa ni Cabral na isumite ang mobile phone nito para sa pagsusuri. Noong tinanong tungkol sa posibilidad ng tampering, sinabi ni Remulla na sasailalim ito sa forensic analysis. “May forensics analysis naman yan so hindi mo pwedeng matanggal lahat yan,” aniya.

Si Cabral ay namatay noong Huwebes ng gabi matapos umanong mahulog sa malalim na bangin sa kahabaan ng Kennon Road sa Tuba, Benguet.

Nauugnay si Cabral sa umano’y pagbibigay ng “allocables” o mga proyektong isiningit sa National Expenditure Program para sa ilang mambabatas, isang iskema na ginamit umano sa katiwalian na umabot sa bilyong piso sa mga nagdaang taon.

Nauna dito, sinabi ng PNP na ang driver ni Cabral, na huling nakitang kasama niya, ay itinuturing na person of interest sa kaso. Ayon sa pulisya, sasailalim ang driver sa hanggang 36 oras na pagsusuri upang linawin ang mga pangyayari at tukuyin ang posibleng papel nito sa pagkamatay ni Cabral.

Sinabi naman ni Acting PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. na ang ilang kilos ng driver, tulad ng pag-iwan sa kanyang amo sa isang liblib na lugar nang wala ang mobile phone at bag nito, ay taliwas umano sa “human nature.”

US military launches strikes in Syria against Islamic State fighters after American deaths

EDGARDO HERNAL
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US military launches strikes in Syria against Islamic State fighters after American deaths

WASHINGTON — The United States launched large-scale military strikes in Syria on Friday targeting fighters and weapons facilities of the Islamic State group in retaliation for an ambush attack that killed two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter nearly a week earlier, according to U.S. officials.

A senior U.S. official described the operation as a large-scale strike that hit more than 70 targets across central Syria where Islamic State infrastructure and weapons were believed to be located. Another official said additional strikes are expected as part of the ongoing campaign.

“This is not the beginning of a war, it is a declaration of vengeance,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a social media post, adding that the United States under President Donald Trump’s leadership would not hesitate to defend its people.

President Trump earlier vowed “very serious retaliation” following the deadly shooting in the Syrian desert, which U.S. officials blamed on Islamic State militants. The victims were among hundreds of American troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting the extremist group.

Speaking at an event in North Carolina on Friday evening, Trump described the operation as a “massive strike” that eliminated “ISIS fighters in Syria who were trying to regroup.” He also reiterated his support for Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, saying the Syrian leader was fully supportive of the U.S. operation.

Trump issued a warning to Islamic State militants against further attacks on Americans, threatening stronger retaliation if U.S. personnel are targeted again.

U.S. officials said the strikes were carried out using F-15 Eagle fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft, AH-64 Apache helicopters, F-16 fighter jets from Jordan, and HIMARS rocket artillery. U.S. Central Command said American forces used more than 100 precision-guided munitions during the operation.

The strikes come as the Trump administration has shifted some military focus closer to the Western Hemisphere, including increased operations in the Caribbean and actions targeting sanctioned oil shipments linked to Venezuela. Despite this shift, U.S. officials said counterterrorism operations in the Middle East remain a priority.

The operation also tested improving relations between Washington and Damascus following the ouster of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad a year ago. Trump said Syrian authorities were angered by the attack on U.S. forces and are expanding cooperation with American troops against Islamic State.

Syria’s foreign ministry said the ambush underscored the need for stronger international cooperation against terrorism and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to preventing Islamic State from establishing safe havens on Syrian territory.

Syrian state television reported that the U.S. strikes hit weapons storage facilities and command centers in rural areas of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces, as well as near the historic city of Palmyra.

Islamic State has not claimed responsibility for the ambush that killed the Americans, but it has claimed two subsequent attacks against Syrian security forces, including one that killed four Syrian soldiers in Idlib province. The group has repeatedly denounced the current Syrian leadership.

The Americans killed were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29. The civilian interpreter who died was Ayad Mansoor Sakat of Michigan. Three other U.S. troops and several members of Syrian security forces were wounded in the shooting, while the attacker was killed.

Syrian officials said the assailant had joined the country’s internal security forces as a base guard two months earlier and was under investigation over suspected ties to Islamic State. He opened fire during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials after clashing with Syrian guards.

Jordan later confirmed that its air force joined the U.S.-led strikes, conducting precision airstrikes against Islamic State positions in southern Syria. Jordan said the operation aimed to prevent extremist groups from using the area as a staging ground to threaten regional security.

U.S. Central Command said that since the Dec. 13 attack, U.S. and partner forces have conducted 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, resulting in the deaths or detention of 23 suspected terrorist operatives, as part of broader counterterrorism efforts in the region.

Sarah Discaya arestado na, dinala na sa Cebu

Venus L Peñaflor
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Sarah Discaya arestado na, dinala na sa Cebu

MAYNILA — Arestado na ang kontratistang si Sarah Discaya kaugnay ng P96.5 million ghost flood control project sa Davao Occidental, matapos isilbi ang warrants of arrest laban sa kanya at sa pangulo ng St. Timothy Construction Corp. na si Roma Rimando, na kapwa nahaharap sa kasong malversation at graft.

Pormal na sinilbihan ng National Bureau of Investigation ang warrant of arrest kay Discaya Huwebes ng gabi. Biyernes ng hapon ay inilipat na siya patungong Cebu mula sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport, na ineskortan ng mga ahente ng NBI.

Sa inilabas na video ng NBI, makikitang pinasuot si Discaya ng dilaw na t-shirt na may markang NBI AOTCD detainee habang isinasagawa ang mga kinakailangang proseso.

Si Rimando naman ay sinilbihan din ng warrant of arrest noong Huwebes ng gabi habang nasa kustodiya ng Philippine National Police. Nauna siyang boluntaryong sumuko noong Disyembre 8 at pansamantalang nanatili sa tanggapan ng NBI sa Pasay City bago dinala sa NBI detention facility sa Muntinlupa City.

Ayon sa Pasig Police, pansamantalang ikinulong si Rimando sa Pasig City Police Station habang hinihintay ang commitment order mula sa Lapu-Lapu City RTC para sa kanyang pagbiyahe patungong Cebu.

“Noong December 8, nag-voluntary surrender na ang akusado natin, sinamahan ng kanyang abogadong si Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III. Dito na muna siya tumuloy while waiting for the issuance of the warrant of arrest. Kanina dumating na, sinerve na namin,” ayon kay Pasig City Police Station chief P/Colonel Hendrix Mangaldan.

Dumaan na rin si Rimando sa standard operating procedures ng pulisya, kabilang ang pagkuha ng mugshots, booking process, at medical examination.

Ang kasong malversation of public funds ay isang non-bailable offense, kaya hindi maaaring palayain ng pansamantala ang mga akusado.

Three killed in Taipei knife attack, suspect dies after falling from department store

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Three killed in Taipei knife attack, suspect dies after falling from department store

TAIPEI, Taiwan — At least three people were killed and nine others injured after a man armed with a knife and smoke grenades launched a series of random attacks in Taiwan’s capital on Friday evening, authorities said. The suspect later fell to his death from a department store building.

Police said the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Chang Wen, was declared dead at a hospital after jumping from the sixth floor of a department store, according to the Central News Agency.

Authorities said Chang first threw smoke grenades near an underground exit of Taipei Main metro station, close to the city’s main train station, before attacking pedestrians indiscriminately with a sharp object. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as people fled the area.

Chang later moved north to a busy shopping district, where police said he threw smoke grenades and stabbed multiple victims on the first and fourth floors of the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store, targeting primarily the neck.

Investigators said the suspect used an underground passage between the two attack sites and briefly stopped at a hotel, where he retrieved additional “lethal weapons,” described as edged weapons. He was later seen on a road near the Zhongshan metro station, close to the department store.

Police said no accomplices have been identified and that they are still investigating the motive. Authorities recovered weapons from both Chang’s rented residence in Taipei and the hotel room where he stayed for three nights near Zhongshan.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said a 57-year-old man tried to stop the suspect at the metro station exit but was fatally wounded. National Taiwan University Hospital said the victim suffered “a penetrating injury about five centimeters in length caused by a sharp object that reached from the right lung to the left atrium.”

Another man died after being attacked near the department store, according to EBC News. Taipei Metro said one of its staff members was hospitalized after inhaling excessive smoke while responding to the incident.

A female victim told EBC News that she was struck outside the department store while waiting for her daughter for a dinner appointment.

“It did not feel like a slash — it felt more like being hit,” she said. “Then it really hurt.”

She said that when she turned around, she saw people lying on the ground and bleeding, in need of first aid.

Authorities also said Chang failed to report for reserve military training in November 2024 and was wanted for violating Taiwan’s mandatory military service law. Prosecutors said he had not reported a change in household registration, resulting in his military summons not being delivered.

Nakausap ni Cabral ang 5 prosecutors bago biglaang namatay, ayon kay Clavano

Venus L Peñaflor
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Nakausap ni Cabral ang 5 prosecutors bago biglaang namatay, ayon kay Clavano

MAYNILA — Kinumpirma ng Office of the Ombudsman na nakausap na ni dating Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Catalina Cabral ang hindi bababa sa limang Ombudsman prosecutors bago ang kanyang biglaang pagkamatay, ayon kay Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano nitong Biyernes.

Sinabi ni Clavano na sa kabila ng pagkamatay ni Cabral, nananatiling ligtas at nakatitiyak ang pamahalaan sa mga ebidensyang nakuha mula sa kanya, pati na ang mga dokumento at impormasyong posibleng nasa dating opisyal pa.

“To preserve the integrity of our investigation, including our leads, I cannot give names or specifics pero ‘yung kausap po niya (Cabral) doon ay mga investigators from the different fact-finding bodies that are assigned to the different cases,” pahayag ni Clavano sa isang press conference.

“Marami po yan. I believe there were at least five prosecutors that she was talking to, asking [her] about different cases where she was involved,” dagdag niya.

Kinumpirma naman ng Benguet police nitong Biyernes ang pagkamatay ni Cabral matapos umano itong mahulog. Natagpuan siyang “unconscious and unresponsive” may 20 hanggang 30 metro mula sa ibaba ng highway, ilang oras matapos niyang sabihan ang kanyang driver na iwan siya sa isang bahagi ng Kennon Road.

Ayon kay Clavano, ang mahabang panunungkulan ni Cabral sa gobyerno, mula sa mababang posisyon hanggang sa pagiging mataas na opisyal, ang nagbigay sa kanya ng malalim na kaalaman sa mga proseso ng pamahalaan, dahilan upang maging mahalaga ang kanyang papel sa mga iniimbestigahang isyu sa flood control projects.

“Sa kanya kasi ‘yung sistema eh dahil napakataas siyang opisyal ng DPWH. A lot of the cases [we are dealing with] ngayon, meron talaga siyang kinalaman dahil siya ang nag-insert, siya ang naglagay sa NEP. ‘Yun po ‘yung mga allegations na laban sa kanya,” sinabi ni Clavano, patungkol sa National Expenditure Program.

Nauna nang iginiit ni Senador Panfilo Lacson na tumawag umano si Cabral kay Senate President Tito Sotto upang humingi ng rekomendasyon para sa mga insertions sa panukalang budget o NEP habang binubuo pa lamang ng DPWH ang kanilang panukala.

Ayon kay Clavano, ang naturang pakikipag-ugnayan ni Cabral kay Sotto bago isumite ang budget sa Kongreso ay indikasyon na may kaugnayan siya sa sinasabing flood control mess.

“That (call to Sotto) is already indicative of the system that she was a part of,” ani Clavano.

Nang tanungin kung may nakita nang criminal liability laban kay Cabral, diretsong sagot ni Clavano, “Definitely. Meron talaga siya. So it was just a matter of time before we were able to file those cases.”

“Kaya kinakausap na din siya so that we could see what information she also had,” dagdag niya.

Itinanggi rin ni Clavano ang paratang na ang biglaang pagkamatay ni Cabral ay resulta ng mabagal na imbestigasyon at pag-usad ng mga kaso kaugnay ng paglustay ng pondo para sa flood control projects.

“I beg to differ from the assumption that the investigation is slow. Now, if you’re going to ask me whether this is the fastest that we can go, not yet. We are still doing our best to make things move even faster. But a lot has happened already from the start of this investigation. I’d like to note that we’ve only been here for two months and we have already filed two cases,” aniya.

Kabilang sa mga kasong naisampa ang malversation at graft charges laban kay dating Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co at 16 pang indibidwal sa Sandiganabayan kaugnay ng P289 milyong substandard road dike project sa Oriental Mindoro, at ang malversation at graft charges laban sa contractor na si Sarah Discaya at iba pa sa Digos City, Davao del Sur Regional Trial Court kaugnay ng P96.5 milyong ghost flood control project sa Davao Occidental.

“We first picked the low hanging fruits. We’d rather do that than wait for the big cases and nothing gets filed right away. We attacked the low-hanging fruits, but that does not mean that we are not investigating other allegations,” paliwanag ni Clavano.

Dagdag pa niya, hindi agad-agad nabubuo ang matitibay na kaso laban sa mga indibidwal na kumikilos sa likod ng mga proyekto.

“There is just much more difficulty when it comes to the proponents because the nature of the evidence changes. Aside from documents, we are looking for CCTV, screenshot of messages, call logs, because the proponents hide their tracks. So I actually would like to return the question to everybody who is saying that. If you were in this position, would you have done anything different? Because this investigation is moving as fast as we can. And we are confident that when we do file cases, they will be strong cases,” pagtatapos ni Clavano.

Thai Queen Suthida wins gold in SEA Games 2025 sailing

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Thai Queen Suthida wins gold in SEA Games 2025 sailing

PATTAYA, Thailand — Queen Suthida of Thailand captured a gold medal in sailing at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, held this month in her home country.

Competing in the mixed keelboat SSL47 category, the 47-year-old queen served as tactician and helmswoman on a 47-foot sailboat with nine crew members, guiding the Thai team to victory ahead of Malaysia and Myanmar in the waters off Pattaya.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 73, personally presented the gold, silver, and bronze medals to winners on Thursday evening, including Queen Suthida, whom he married in 2019.

The Thai crew, dressed in matching black sailing attire, celebrated their win aboard the boat, with one sailor waving the Thai national flag.

A communications graduate, Queen Suthida previously worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways before joining the military. Known for her athleticism, she recently completed a half-marathon in Bangkok in 2:13:40 alongside Kenyan running legend Eliud Kipchoge. She also led the Thai delegation at the SEA Games opening ceremony on December 9.

Queen Suthida is not the first Thai royal to win gold in sailing. Her father-in-law, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, competed in the fourth edition of the SEA Games in 1967, winning gold in the OK class alongside his eldest daughter, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, aboard a boat he built himself.

The SEA Games 2025 conclude on Saturday, December 20, with host Thailand leading the medal tally, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam.

Pagpapalabas ng 2025 PEI na P5,000 pinahintulutan ni PBBM

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pagpapalabas ng 2025 PEI na P5,000 pinahintulutan ni PBBM

MAYNILA — Pinahintulutan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagpapalabas ng 2025 Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) sa pare-parehong halagang P5,000 para sa bawat kuwalipikadong empleyado ng pamahalaan, ayon sa inanunsyo ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Sa Circular Letter 2025-13 na inilabas noong Disyembre 17, ipinaalam ng DBM sa lahat ng pinuno ng mga departamento, ahensiya, local water districts, local government units, state universities and colleges, at government-owned or -controlled corporations ang awtorisasyon sa pagkakaloob ng insentibo.

Ayon sa DBM, maaaring ipalabas ang PEI simula Disyembre 15, 2025, alinsunod sa Budget Circular No. 2017-45, na nagtatakda ng mga patakaran sa pagbibigay ng PEI sa mga eligible government workers.

Saklaw ng insentibo ang civilian personnel, maging regular, casual, o contractual in nature, appointive o elective, full-time o part-time, pati na ang military at uniformed personnel, batay sa umiiral na guidelines.

Ang PEI ay bahagi ng Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS) na naglalayong palakasin ang productivity, accountability, at pagtupad sa mga target ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno. Ang eligibility sa performance-based allowances at bonuses sa ilalim ng PBIS ay tinutukoy sa pamamagitan ng Results-Based Performance Management System (RBPMS).

Gayunman, ang implementasyon ng PBIS at RBPMS ay nasuspinde kasunod ng pagpapalabas ng Executive Order 61 noong Hunyo 2024. Matapos nito, bumuo ang pamahalaan ng isang Technical Working Group upang rebisahin at gawing mas simple ang performance management at incentive framework.

Upang patuloy na i-promote ang productivity at hikayatin ang pagkamit ng performance targets, pinahintulutan ni Pangulong Marcos ang DBM na maglabas ng mga panuntunan para sa pagkakaloob ng 2025 PEI.

Ayon sa ulat, umaayon ang PEI sa Congress Joint Resolution No. 4 na inilabas noong 2009, na nagbibigay-diin sa performance-based scheme na kumikilala at nagbibigay-gantimpala sa mga natatanging lingkod-bayan at high-performing agencies.

Idinagdag pa na ang insentibo ay bahagi ng Total Compensation Framework at nakapaloob sa Personnel Services items na ipalalabas sa ilalim ng General Appropriations Act for 2025, alinsunod sa National Budget Circular No. 595.

Ex-Harvard morgue manager sentenced to 8 years for selling stolen body parts

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Ex-Harvard morgue manager sentenced to 8 years for selling stolen body parts

BOSTON – A former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue has been sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing and selling human body parts taken from donated cadavers, treating them “as if they were baubles,” prosecutors said.

Cedric Lodge, 58, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, was at the center of a years-long scheme in which he removed brains, skin, hands, and faces from bodies donated to Harvard for medical research and teaching. Authorities said he shipped the remains to buyers in Pennsylvania and other states after the cadavers were no longer needed.

Lodge’s wife, Denise Lodge, was sentenced to just over one year in prison for assisting him. The couple appeared Tuesday in federal court in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Prosecutors described disturbing examples of the sales. In one case, Lodge supplied skin to a buyer so it could be tanned into leather and bound into a book. In another, the couple sold a man’s face, an act prosecutors said underscored the severity of the crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan Martin said Lodge collected thousands of dollars from 2018 through March 2020 by profiting from the remains of people whose bodies had been donated for the advancement of science.

After Harvard completes research or instruction using donated bodies, the remains are typically returned to families or cremated. Lodge admitted to removing body parts before cremation.

Lodge, who worked as a morgue manager for 28 years, expressed remorse in court. His defense attorney, Patrick Casey, acknowledged the seriousness of the crimes and said Lodge recognized the harm inflicted on both the deceased and their grieving families.

Harvard Medical School suspended its body donation program for five months in 2023 after charges were filed in the case.

Prosecutors said the investigation into body parts trafficking has led to guilty pleas from at least six other people, including an employee at an Arkansas crematorium.

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