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News

‘Right to Care’ ordinance, anti-discrimination amendments pushed 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

A LAWMAKER here is pushing for  “Right to Care,” or Healthcare Proxy Ordinance, aimed at granting LGBTQIA+ couples and alternative family structures the legal authority to make critical medical decisions for their incapacitated partners.

Councilor Luna Acosta introduced the proposed policy in her privilege speech at Tuesday’s regular session, June 23. 

Acosta said current traditional laws heavily restrict critical medical decisions and hospital visitation rights strictly to legally married spouses or the immediate next of kin.

“This leaves individuals in same-sex relationships, unmarried partnerships, or non-traditional households without the legal authority to consent to treatments or access medical records for their loved ones in the hospital,” Acosta explained.

Under the proposed Healthcare Proxy Ordinance, all healthcare providers within the city are mandated to recognize the valid medical consent, caregiver instructions, and decisions executed through a valid healthcare proxy card.

“The objective of the Right to Care or the Healthcare Proxy Ordinance is to ensure equality, equity, and inclusive healthcare for all Davaoeños, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, civil status, or family structure,” the councilor stressed. 

Acosta clarified that similar policies have already been successfully adopted in cities like Quezon City, Iloilo, Cavite, and Cebu through the use of a Special Power of Attorney (SPA).

The proposal has been jointly referred to the Committee on Health and the Committee on Social Services for further review.

Along with the healthcare proxy proposal, Acosta also moved for the first reading of a proposed amendment to Davao City’s existing Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, which was originally adopted in 2012 and expanded in 2018.

“As we celebrate Pride Month this year, I also wish to emphasize that our work does not end with ordinances and programs. Davao City’s leadership on this issue demonstrates that protection for the LGBTQIA+ community is not just a matter of politics; it is a matter of human rights and basic decency,” Acosta said. 

Acosta emphasized that the amendments are necessary to address critical gaps and integrate national frameworks like the Safe Spaces Act into the local ordinance.

The move to review was referred to the Committee on Rules to assess the proper legislative measures. 

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News

20th Congress called to enact comprehensive maritime safety law, set criminal penalties

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE 21ST City Council called on the 20th House of Representatives to enact a comprehensive maritime safety law covering criminal penalties for safety violations following several maritime accidents in the country.

During the regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 3, Proponent Councilor Luna Acosta said the current laws governing seafaring vessels, which are administered and enforced by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as other concerned offices, are often confusing, contradictory, or overly complicated. 

Lawmakers invited MARINA and the PCG representatives to Tuesday’s regular session to discuss matters on maritime security in the city in aid of legislation.

It can be noted that Councilor Ralph Abella introduced the Maritime Passenger Safety Compliance Ordinance of Davao City last Feb. 3 session, aiming to tighten the mandatory documentary requirements, including documents issued by the MARINA and PCG.

“Most penalties are covered only by administrative fines or suspension of permits, to the detriment of the seafaring public,” Acosta said. 

The councilor stressed there is no single comprehensive law that specifically covers the safety and security of the seafaring public and criminally penalizes errant boat owners, operators, crew, or passengers for violating safety protocols.

She added that there is a directory of errant violations, and ensures that violators will no longer be allowed to register operators or set sail in other localities.

“With the current maritime accidents plaguing the country, it is high time to increase administrative fines, implement criminal penalties, and hold offenders liable for safety violations, non-compliance with permits, and other offenses,” Acosta stressed.

The councilor said that as much as the city council wanted to enact a city ordinance to ensure all the boats plying to and from the city, neighboring cities and municipalities that share the same sea as the city have to be considered.

Commodore Philipps Soria, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Southeastern Mindanao commander, said there is a need to amend the national law

“For the past several years, MARINA and PCG have been talking over para ma improve din natin na magkaroon ng effect ang punishing charges. The result of continuing talks resulted in the amendment of fines at MARINA, but they couldn’t be implemented because they are so extensive,” Soria said.

He added that these are administrative charges and lack criminal liability against violators. 

Soria also backed the push of the city council for the Maritime Passenger Safety Compliance Ordinance in support of the existing national law.

“This is a very welcome development coming from the national government for the local government to have their own city ordinance because in the redundancy of control na tinatag natin, it will not only be visible sa national government but reflective in the national government,” he said. 

Soria added that, apart from Marina and PCG, the ordinance will allow the operators to comply, given that the extra control with the revocation of permits will be a plus factor.

The proposed ordinance, which was read on the first reading, will penalize those who fail to comply with the requirements, such as a P5,000 fine and the suspension of the business permit.

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News

One step closer 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas
  • Proposed clamping ordinance hurdles second reading 

LAWMAKERS passed the Wheel Clamp Ordinance on second reading on Tuesday, Oct. 14, paving the way for its adoption and implementation. 

The Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday’s regular session approved on second reading the ordinance authorizing the use of wheel clamps for illegally parked vehicles in selected areas in the city.

The ordinance further amends Davao City’s Traffic Code as proposed by Councilor Luna Acosta, in a bid to strengthen the enforcement of traffic regulations.

Acosta stressed that illegal street parking contributes to the traffic problems. 

Owners of the illegally parked clamped vehicles will face penalties of P2,000 for light vehicles and P5,000 for trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Vehicle owners who refuse to pay parking fees in pay parking zones will be subject to clamping as stated in the ordinance. 

Clamping zones include those already established as illegal parking areas or vehicles parked across any line or marking of a parking space.  

In addition, the ordinance also covers parking any vehicle for the purpose of waiting, resting, washing, cleaning, greasing, painting, or repairing, or any installation of any car accessories and/or tinting, except repairs due to an emergency; and parking to display for sale or to sell goods and merchandise. 

Acosta said they initially identified Daang Maharlika Highway, Sandawa, Quimpo Boulevard, and Tulip Drive to be declared as clamping zones.

The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) will determine more clamping zones, considering factors such as traffic volume, PUV routes, and other traffic concerns.

The ordinance will have a pilot study duration in the first quarter of 2026.

CTTMO representative Atty. Eduardo Perez said that the office has requested the purchase of additional clamps to ensure the smooth pilot implementation next year. He said they will first install clamping zone signs to warn motorists. 

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Opinion

ROUGH CUTS | Indeed, she’s her mother’s daughter

by Vic Sumalinog
written by Vic Sumalinog

Lady lawyer councilor Luna Acosta is introducing a proposed ordinance in the Davao City Council authorizing traffic policemen to clamp a wheel of illegally parked vehicles and requiring the owner to pay fines prescribed thereof in order to retrieve his or her unit.

We are certain that the model used by the lady councilor in her proposed measure is the one implemented in Cebu City starting years ago.

“We hope that Mayor Magalong will rekindle his much ballyhooed bravery as a police official by naming even just one corrupt congressman. That will make ours and a lot of other people’s day.”

For us this is a nice ordinance once passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Dabaw and signed by the mayor. We congratulate the lady local lawmaker. She is indeed her mother’s daughter.

What surprised us, however, is that it took quite a long time before one member of the Council ever thought of aping that Cebu City ordinance. After all, Davao City is not wanting of drivers wantonly violating the city’s illegal parking ordinance. In fact it is one major reason of the spike of road accidents in the city lately. Illegally parked vehicles are constricting the already over-crowded city streets and even Davao’s major highways.

We can only wish Councilor Luna luck in justifying her measure and in getting her fellow dads to give their unqualified support to the proposed ordinance.

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As we were half way writing this column the Senate was about to vote on what move it will take on the aborted trial of  the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.

This after the Supreme Court resolved a Petition by the Vice President to have her trial stopped because of the House of Representatives’ alleged violation of the one year bar in filing more than one impeachment case. The Supreme Court declared that the filing of the VP’s impeachment was in violation of the Constitutional provision. In effect it nullified and voided the House’s transmittal of the case to the Senate and at the same time effectively stopped the Upper Chamber from proceeding with the trial.

 The same resolution however, does not ban the House from filing another impeachment case on the same ground after February 6, 2026.

Meanwhile, in an interview by broadcast journalist Christian Esguerra, Sen. Riza Hontiveros disclosed that a resolution is being circulated in the Senate seeking a vote for the continuation of the trial despite the SC ruling and the filing by the House of a Motion for Reconsideration on the Highest Court’s resolution.

The lady opposition senator claimed in that interview that there are at least five members of the Upper Chamber who have already signed the Resolution and they expect some more.

Unfortunately for us, by the time we completed writing our piece, the Senate debate was not yet concluded. But it appears that the five  pro-continuation of the trial are unlikely to get their desired number.

Of course, the final outcome was expected to be known when the voting among the senators was over and all the raised hands were counted yesterday afternoon.

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Former Senator Antonio Trillanes is still not through with his once-desired ally, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a recent interview Trillanes said that he is certain the International Criminal Court (ICC) will possibly issue more arrest warrants in connection with the former President’s crimes against humanity emanating from his bloody war on drugs.

If the former Senator is correct then who is or are likely to be issued arrest warrant among those who played key roles in FPRRD’s war on illegal drugs?

Of course we know that one of them is very likely Senator Bato dela Rosa who was Duterte’s first PNP chief and his implementer of the war on drugs starting at his native Davao City when he was mayor.

Another could be Dela Rosa’s successor, Gen. Oscar Albayalde who followed Duterte’s mandate to the letter. For now we could not think of any other.

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We strongly agree with our fellow journalist Ver Bermudes on his description of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Lately Magalong, a former Police Lt. General, had been mouthing about corruption by high government officials including Congressmen. But he did not mention even a single name among the more than two hundred House lawmakers.

Instead he alleged that the congressmen who sponsored nationally funded infrastructure projects get at least 40 percent in kickbacks. He even assigned certain percentage of the budget going to this and that official up to the one in the lowest level whose signature is required for the contractor to collect the final payment.

In his breakdown of percentage with the Congressmen getting the biggest take, it appears that there were projects that were not implemented but fully paid. Hmmm, reminds us of the Ampatuan’s Maguindanao fame (or notoriety?).

Our friend Ver calls Magalong’s act of leveling charges on certain top government officials and Congressmen without naming names similar to that of vloggers whose immediate intention of his/her vlogs is to get more views… and listeners of course.

We hope that Mayor Magalong will rekindle his much ballyhooed bravery as a police official by naming even just one corrupt congressman. That will make ours and a lot of other people’s day.

                                                                                       -30-

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News

“No backpack” policy retained with few considerations

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

COUNCILOR Luna Acosta reminded Davaoeños and visitors that the “no backpack” policy will be enforced in maximum security zones, although there will be a few modifications in other areas.

“We would like to remind everyone who wanted to participate in our Kadayawan that backpacks are still not allowed in our maximum security zones,” Acosta said during the Pulong Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday.

The committee on peace and public safety chair said as much as possible, if visitors wanted to bring personal items, it is best to put them in a small bag or a clear container to avoid being flagged.

However, Acosta emphasized that there will be a few considerations, such as the size of the bag, and based on the events.

“Ang understanding namin ng security sector is as long as dili kaayo dako ang bag, we will post naman specific guidelines kung unsa lang gyud nag bag nga pwede masulod,” she said.

She cited as an example the small backpacks for children, which are easier to check. 

“The safest thing to do, if it’s really big, wag niyo na dalahin sa area. But if it’s small enough to carry personal items, wala namang problema ang security sector as long as it is thoroughly checked,” she stressed.

She said it is the prerogative of the safety and security sector to determine the rules, which in this case is the Public Safety and Security Office.

The councilor cited the Indak Indak and Pamulak, which may allow small bags because it’s almost impossible to check all the people walking around.

In April this year, the Public Safety and Security Office shared that they are looking to amend the “no backpack policy” due to a post of a mother who brought her 4-year-old to the Rio Carnival along the Davao City Coastal Road.

The mother shared that she brought a “baby” backpack for the essentials of her child. “I believe this is a chance for us to have a conversation about existing policies. Of course, we respect the culture of security in Davao, pero perhaps meron tayong extra consideration if the place is really meant for kids,” she said.

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