News Briefs: February 17, 2017

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Stories from across the Philippines on Friday, February 17


Ex-La Union congressman Dumpit faces 18 criminal charges over PDAF

 

MANILA – Eighteen criminal charges have been filed before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan against former La Union Representative Tomas Dumpit Jr over alleged fraudulent use of P43.65 million of his pork barrel from February 2009 to April 2010.

The cases consist of 9 counts each of violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds. There are 21 other co-accused: Elsie Walican, Dumpit’s political affairs staff; 8 officers of the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC); and 12 private individuals.

A bail bond of P30,000 per graft case and P40,000 per malversation charge has been recommended by the prosecution. The respondents therefore have to post P630,000 each. 

The prosecution alleged that Dumpit’s Priority Development Assistance Fund was released to the NLDC, which in turn transferred it to the non-governmental organization KKAMFI, which did not have a track record in working with its supposed target sector. Transactions were covered by falsified documents to make it appear the ghost projects were completed. – Rappler.com

 


PhilHealth members can now check app for available benefits

 

MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation announced on Friday, February 17, the launch PhilHealth ACR (All Case Rates) mobile application that will provide information on available benefits with the state-run insurance firm.

“With the majority of people using mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, we saw an opportunity to create and develop an app to provide our members with easy access to information on their PhilHealth benefits,” said Ramon Aristoza Jr, PhilHealth acting president and CEO. 

The app promises to give infomation on “accurate and appropriate” benefits to PhilHealth members, non-members, and medical practitioners to help facilitate processing of claims.

According to PhilHealth, the mobile app is currently available to Android users on Google’s Play store. The app can also be used even on offline mode. Non-Android users can know more about PhilHealth benefit rates by using the ACR Search Engine on the PhilHealth website, www.philhealth.gov.ph. – Jee Y. Geronimo/Rappler.com

 


Surigao airport to remain closed until March 10

 

MANILA – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has issued a notice to airmen that the Surigao Airport will be closed from February 13, starting at 7:23 am, until March 10, at 8 am.

This is to give way to repair and rehabilitation work on the runway and the terminal after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the city on February 10. Repair is estimated to cost P73 million.

CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco said work is being done on the damaged portions of Runway 18/36 on ’round the clock. – Rappler.com 

 

 

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