Globalport to present Sasa Port modernization plans in March

Padilla files resolution defending former President Duterte vs ICC

Senator Robinhood

“Robin” C. Padilla on Monday filed a resolution seeking to defend former President Rodrigo Duterte from investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) saying the Philippines has its own functioning and independent judicial system.

In filing Senate Resolution 488, Padilla asked his colleagues to support his resolution seeking “to declare unequivocal defense of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, in any investigation or prosecution by the ICC.”

The lower house on Monday approved a similar resolution filed by former President and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

House Resolution 780 highlighted Duterte’s “remarkable accomplishments brought about by his relentless campaign against illegal drugs, insurgency, separatism and terrorism, corruption in government and criminality,” making the life of Fili- pinos “better, comfortable and peaceful.”

Padilla also noted that after a panel of judges at the ICC in The Hague authorized the Office of the Prosecutor to resume its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines which Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla declared as “totally unacceptable.”

The Duterte presidency, according to Padilla ushered “remarkable accomplishments” brought about by relentless campaign against illegal drugs, insurgency, separatism and terrorism, corruption and criminality; while the peace and order situation considerably improved.

Padilla’s resolution likewise pointed out that the former president believed that widespread serious and rampant illegal drug problem “is an existential threat to the country’s social fabric,” thus the fight against illegal drugs, corruption and other crimes “is a prerequisite for achieving genuine growth and prosperity.” (PNA)

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Private port operator Globalport Terminals is expected to present its plans for the modernization of the Sasa Wharf to the Regional Development Council (RDC 11) in March this year.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim announced on Friday that NEDA 11 already communicated with Globalport concerning the modernization plans for Sasa Port.

Considered the most important container terminal and port in Mindanao, Davao Sasa Port serves the needs of the Davao Region and neighboring provinces.

“The Sasa Modernization Project is now operated by a private port opera- tor, the Globalport. We have yet to be presented with the plans of the Globalport. We have gotten in touch with them with the Philippine Ports Authority so they are expected to present to the Regional Development Council with the infrastructure committee sometime in March,” Lim said.

Globalport bagged the contract for the management, operation, and maintenance of the Port of Sasa in Davao City. Its plans include berthing manage- ment, container terminal management, passenger terminal management, stevedoring services, and reefer facilities and services.

The largest government-owned seaport in the Davao Region, the project includes upgrading the general cargo berths and building a backup area to accommodate rising cargo volumes.

Based on Resolution No. 11 of the Regional Development Council (RDC),

FGLOBALPORT, P8