DepEd releases school calendar for SY 2016-2017; classes to start June 13

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has released on Friday, April 22, the official school calendar for school year (SY) 2016-2017. Based on DepEd Order No. 23, series of 2016, the opening of classes shall be on Monday, June 13, 2016 and the last day shall be on Friday, April 7, 2017.

"The School Calendar for School Year (SY) 2016-2017 shows the school events and activities for the said SY. The core events and activities for this SY, which represent the actual teaching-learning days, shall be strictly observed in all schools," DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said.

The next SY will consist of 202 school days, inclusive of the five-day In-Service Training (INSET) break. The parent-teacher conferences shall be held every quarter and shall be held on Saturday, except on the last conference in April 2017.

DepEd added that Christmas break shall begin on Thursday, December 22, 2016. Classes shall resume on Monday, January 2, 2017.

Meanwhile, the summer or remedial classes shall begin on Monday, April 17, 2017 and end on Saturday, May 31, 2017, which is the last day for the final examination. A separate issuance regarding the conduct of summer classes shall be released by DepEd.

In preparation for the opening of classes for SY 2017-2018, the schools shall conduct the following activities: early registration on Saturday, January 28, 2017 and Brigada Eskwela from May 15-20, 2017.

DepEd said that private schools may deviate from this School Calendar. However, they may not start classes earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August, as provided for in Republic Act No. 7797 entitled An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days. They should notify their respective regional offices (ROs) in advance regarding any deviation.

Schools may observe national and local celebrations, holidays and advocacy activities other than declared by DepEd, provided that the total number of school days shall not be compromised. Make-up classes can therefore be conducted to compensate for the school days spent for activities deemed beneficial to the learning-teaching process. Likewise, make-up classes are recommended in lieu of no-school days due to occurrence of a natural and man-made calamities. A mechanism for having make-up classes must be agreed upon by school administrators and parents.

Here's the official copy of DepEd Order No. 23, series of 2016 (School Calendar for SY 2016-2017):

DepEd School Calendar

Can elections be at risk due to Comelec website hacking?

MANILA, Philippines - On Thursday, April 21, website “Philippines, we have your data” claiming to contain sensitive information about voters has emerged online. The said website reportedly contains data such as voter’s first and last name, personal address, birthdate, passport details, precinct and other information.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez apologized for the hacking of the website which led to the biggest leak of personal data in Philippine history. However, they are yet to confirm if the leaked data came from LulzSec Philippines, which hacked and defaced the website on March 27.

Hackers leaked sensitive data of 70 million Filipino voters. PHOTO CREDIT: Sunstar.com.ph

“I apologize for this continuing attack on your privacy and assure the public that the Comelec is doing everything we can resolve this matter at the soonest possible time,” Jimenez said in a statement.

Jimenez added that the poll body is yet to verify the posted information online with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) CyberCrimes Division. Moreover, he also warned the public not to use the hacker website as it can be used by hackers to get further information.

“We also cannot rule out at this stage that this may be an attempt by the hackers to monetize the data they claim to have,” Jimenez added.

Statement. pic.twitter.com/fwyxrOxyS0

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) April 21, 2016

According to Digital Forensics principal consultant Drexx Laggui, the new website has massive implications.

“So many different organization, good and evil intent, want that database. Worst case scenario, people can be mapped out, bribed or intimidated… Or scared to not vote anymore if a region is not favorable to an org,” Laggui explained.

The electoral process, according to Laggui, may also be compromised if Comelec officials will be prosecuted for violations of Data Privacy Act. In this case, they will not be able to administer their functions.

The 23-year-old Information Technology (IT) graduate who allegedly hacked the website last month was arrested by NBI agents on Wednesday, April 20.

Paul Biteng, the alleged hacker of Comelec website.

Known as PhantomHacker Khalifa in the hackers community, the suspect identified as Paul Biteng claimed he had not intention to harm and had been hacking websites for years in order to “practice.” Aside from the Comelec website, he had also taken down other government websites like Pagasa, the Civil Service as well as the Dipolog City government.

Biteng, who is also an alleged member of the hacking group Anonymous Philippines, asked for a selfie with NBI Director Virgilio Mendez. The suspect is currently facing charges for violating the anti-cybercrime law.

Yugatech.com advises the public to change passwords and security questions of online accounts if their personal information was included in the leak.

--Mini, The Summit Express

Duterte admits shooting a bully San Beda Law student

ILOILO City, Philippines - Following the controversial rape remark he said during a campaign rally on April 12, the tough-talking mayor from Davao City has once again shocked the nation with a new revelation.

Presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte revealed that he shot a fellow law student who was bullying him at San Beda College. PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Rody Duterte

In front of thousands of supporters in Iloilo City on Tuesday, April 19, presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte revealed that he shot a fellow law student who was bullying him at San Beda College.

According to Duterte, the law student picked on him because he was Bisaya. Because of the shooting incident which took place in the school corridor, Duterte was almost expelled from school but was able to graduate eventually.

“Pero sa totoo lang, sanay ako magbaril ng tao. Mag-graduate na lang kami sa San Beda, may binaril akong tao,” Duterte disclosed.

(The truth is, I’m used to shooting people. I was about to graduate from San Beda when I shot someone.)

Duterte disclosed that his verbally abusive classmate was pushing people in the corridor when he decided to fight back.

He said: “Mag-gagraduate na kami, binantayan ko siya, sabi ko, ‘Ito, may tama ito sa akin. Bago kami maghiwa-hiwalay sa San Beda, ginaganoon niya, bully, ‘Hoy, hoy, hoy,’ kasi nasa corridor kami, papasok. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Putang-ina mo kung tinamaan ako niyan, babarilin kita. Putang-ina, tinamaan nga ako sa ilong. Ahhh, bang! Expelled.”

(We were about to graduate, I watched him and I said ‘I’ll teach this guy a lesson.’ Before we parted ways in San Beda he would say “Hoy, hoy, hoy” in the corridor before we enter. I told him “ *** if that hits me, I will shoot you. *** it hit me on the nose. Ahh, bang! Expelled.)

Although he refused to give more details about the incident, Duterte said his victim survived.

His shocking revelation during the campaign rally drew applause from the crowd.

A report by Inquirer revealed that the law student Duterte was referring to was his Lex Talionis fraternity brod Octavio Goco.

A fraternity member who refused to be identified said that San Beda College did not want to expel him yet did not allow him to join the graduation rites.

However, another source from the fraternity told Inquirer said that the shooting incident was “hushed up” by the fraternity with the help of school authorities.

Goco was admitted to the bar in 1975 and later migrated to the United Sates. He died in 2004.

Duterte would later establish Lex Talionis chapter at Ateneo de Davao with fellow San Beda graduate Atty. Alberto Sipaco Jr.

--Mini, The Summit Express