OVER 1.3M COCS FILED FOR BSKE, SAYS COMELEC

Over 1.3 million people filed their candidacy for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October. During a weeklong gun ban operation related to the BSKE, 216 individuals were apprehended, and 130 firearms were seized.

The latest data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reveals that 1,316,265 aspirants submitted their candidacy for various BSKE positions. Of these candidates, 92,173 filed for punong barangay positions, 690,531 for sangguniang barangay members, 85,816 for SK chairpersons, and 447,745 for SK members.

Male applicants made up 65.43% of the total, with females constituting 34.57%. Candidates will contest a total of 672,016 seats, including punong barangay, sangguniang barangay, SK chairpersons, and SK members.

As of January 28, 2023, there were 2,085,142 voter registrants for the BSKE elections, with most undergoing the regular process and a few through the Registration Anywhere Project.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that during the gun ban period from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, they apprehended violators at Comelec checkpoints, primarily civilians, including two security guards and two military personnel.

The gun ban, enforced until Nov. 29, prohibits carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public places without Comelec authorization. Violators may face imprisonment, disqualification from public office, loss of suffrage rights, and gun license cancellation or disqualification.

GOV’T INVESTING P14 BILLION FOR ACCESS ROADS, BRIDGES

The government is investing another P14 billion to develop access roads and bridges to tourist destinations across the country, according to Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo.

The P14-billion budget is itemized in the national spending plan for 2024 and is on top of the P17.7 billion already earmarked for the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) this year, he said.

Rillo is a member of the committee on appropriations and vice chairperson of the committee on tourism.

“We expect the incremental spending for the TRIP to create a multitude of construction-related jobs that effectively redistribute income to poorer households,” he said.

“The improved infrastructure will also help drive tourist traffic and employment growth in accommodation, transport, food and beverage services, entertainment, and other activities in the (tourism) value chain,” he added.

The TRIP bankrolls the construction and upgrading of roads and bridges leading to declared tourist sites that are not yet covered by other funding sources.

The Department of Tourism and Department of Public Works and Highways have jointly identified the projects under the TRIP in support of the National Tourism Development Plan.

Based on DOT data submitted to Congress, a total of 2,938,717 foreign tourists and 279,668 Filipinos who are permanent residents abroad visited the Philippines from January to July this year, Rillo said.

SC UPHOLDS PAO IN DENGVAXIA COMPLAINTS

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has welcomed the reaffirmation of the Supreme Court that PAO may file a petition preventing the removal of cases involving children whose deaths are Dengvaxia-related at a Quezon City family court.

The High Court earlier denied the motions for reconsideration of the Aug. 27, 2020 of those accused in the criminal complaint including ex-Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Garin and the other respondents’ motion were “bereft of merit as they failed to present substantial grounds,” it said, citing their arguments on the jurisdiction over the subject cases lies with a regular court, and with a family court in Quezon City, and that a metropolitan trial court, not a regional trial court, has the jurisdiction over the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Moreover, the accused argued that the Quezon City Regional Trial Court has no jurisdiction over the cases, and that PAO has no personality to file instant petitions.

But the Supreme Court Second Division said “Quezon City may still be the proper venue,” of all Dengvaxia cases, and that PAO may act as counsel of the petitioners or the private complainants.

In 2016 until 2017, DOH implemented a widespread vaccination of students in public schools against dengue infection.

In November 2017, the vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., said those who have received the Dengvaxia vaccine without prior dengue infection could be vulnerable to more severe infections.

PRICE CAP SA BIGAS, INALMAHAN NG ILANG TINDERO SA MAYNILA

MAYNILA — Rice vendors at Altura Market in Sampaloc, Manila are expressing their concerns about the upcoming price ceiling implementation, setting rice prices between P41 to P45 per kilo starting Tuesday. Vendor Jonna Burac highlights that consumers are complaining about high rice prices, but reducing them suddenly would lead to significant losses. Grace Romero, a long-time rice seller, also voices her frustrations, arguing that small retailers like them shouldn't be targeted. She suggests focusing on rice traders instead. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry to impose price ceilings on rice due to recent price hikes. Monitoring by the DA shows local regular milled rice prices ranging from P42 to P55 per kilo, while local well-milled rice is priced between P47 and P57 per kilo. For families like Beng Carandang's, with six members, the price cap on rice is a significant relief amidst the daily price increases. Violating the rice price ceiling could result in fines and imprisonment for businesses.

PRICE CAP ON RICE ONLY 'TEMPORARY', NEDA SAYS AFTER STAKEHOLDERS AIR CONCERN

MANILA — The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on Sunday sought to allay stakeholders' concerns on the rice price ceiling, which it said was only temporary.

The price ceilings on rice that will take effect Sept. 5 will not only help lower prices but also combat hoarding, profiteering and smuggling, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said over the weekend.

“We are facing difficult times,” NEDA said in a statement, noting that the extreme weather conditions brought about by the El Niño phenomenon are likely to take a heavy toll on agriculture, particularly rice.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Marcos' executive order on the price ceiling was not a standalone measure to lower rice prices.

“We are confident that the imposition of a price ceiling is only a temporary measure. We expect rice harvest to commence soon and anticipate that other initiatives will produce the desired result," Balisacan said in a statement.

"We note that the price of rice has been sharply increasing over the past weeks, which is inconsistent with the apparent supply and demand situation. This implies that some are manipulating the expected impact of El Niño to depict a shortage at this time,” he added.

The NEDA chief said the Philippines' rice supply would be enough until the end of the year due to the start of the harvest season this September and additional rice imports.

Government also continues to crack down on rice hoarders and price manipulators, he said.

The Federation of Free Farmers on Saturday said it was "very worried" about Marcos Jr.'s order, as farmers from Pampanga and Sultan Kudarat already reported a P3 per kilogram decrease in palay prices.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. said the order would "never work" as rice prices were driven by the rules of supply and demand.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual clarified that some premium rice varieties were not covered by the order, which only applied to regular-milled and well-milled types.

Based on the Department of Agriculture's monitoring as of Friday, prices of imported commercial rice ranged from P43 to P65 per kilo, while local rice retailed at P42 to P65 per kilo in Metro Manila.

SEAWATER ENTERS VESSEL BEACHED OFF MINDORO

MANILA — A cargo vessel stranded off Occidental Mindoro faces challenges leaving its current position due to the risk of sinking in deeper waters. The motor vessel Joegie 5, carrying 28,020 bags of cement and 15,148 liters of diesel, ran aground in shallow waters near Calavati Point in Paluan town after encountering rough seas and strong winds. The vessel's skipper, Arnie Alberto, reported seawater seepage, making it susceptible to capsizing. To prevent further risk, the crew anchored the vessel in the shallower area, and no oil spill was detected at the time. Monitoring continues, with inspections postponed due to rough sea conditions.

KOREA VISA APPLICATION CENTER OPENS IN PHILIPPINES

MANILA — The Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) opened in Taguig on Aug. 31 to meet the growing demand amid a surge in the number of travelers between South Korea and the Philippines.

“The Korean government has designated 2023-2024 as ‘Visit Korea Year,’ making the opening of KVAC a perfect fit to the tourism campaign,” South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa said during the opening ceremony of the KVAC, which is located at the Brittany Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.

“There have been concerns that the visa application process has been too difficult for Korea, but expectations are high that it will be improved by opening of KVAC,” he said.

“Following the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Korea in 2024, I hope that the people-to-people exchanges will become more active, and that the friendship and partnership between two countries will deepen,” he added.

3 QUEZON CITY TRAFFIC COPS SUED OVER GUN-TOTING INCIDENT

Three Quezon City traffic policemen who initially handled the viral gun-toting incident involving a dismissed police officer and a cyclist last Aug. 8 are facing an administrative complaint.

The city government yesterday confirmed that a case was filed against Staff Sergeants Darwin Peralta and Joel Aviso and Executive Master Sgt. Armando Carr before the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB).

The three are all members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Traffic Sector 4 in Kamuning, which initially handled the incident.

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CALUMPIT STILL IN STATE OF CALAMITY 5 WEEKS AFTER EGAY

For the past month, the town of Calumpit, Bulacan has remained in a state of calamity due to floods brought on by Super Typhoon Egay and succeeding storms.

Calumpit was first placed under a state of calamity last July 30 after 85% of the town’s 115,000 residents were affected by floods.

Schools in Calumpit affected by the floods implemented shifting schedules to allow students to use classrooms that were not flooded.

John Paul Adriano, Calumpit, Bulacan MDRRMO staff, said that as of Monday, the state of calamity has not been lifted as the town remains under1-4 feet of water due to high tide. At least 2 barangays remain impassable to light vehicles, he said.

Classes in all levels for both public and private schools were suspended Monday due to the floods.

Adriano said it could take another week before the floods are completely gone.

OIL PRICES TO RISE IN FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER

MANILA — Oil prices are rising for the 9th straight week.

Oil companies on Monday said they will increase the prices of their petroleum products on September 5, Tuesday, at 6 a.m. by the following amounts:

SHELL PILIPINAS, SEAOIL,

Gasoline: P0.5/L increase

Kerosene: P1.10/L increase

Diesel: P1.20/L increase

CleanFuel, meanwhile, will increase prices by the following amounts starting 4:01 p.m. on Tuesday:

Gasoline: P0.5/L increase

Diesel: P1.20/L increase

Higher fuel prices drive the prices of other goods up, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas saying last week that a "sharp rise in fuel prices as well as increased transport costs" likely raised the inflation rate in August.

Experts earlier forecast that prices are expected to increase further as the winter approaches and demand piles up.

5-ANYOS NA BATA PATAY MATAPOS BUGBUGIN NG AMAIN

Isang 5-anyos na bata ang patay matapos bugbugin umano ng kanyang amain.

Ayon kay Police Lt. Col. Pablito Naganag, San Pedro municipal police station police chief, lumabas na namatay ang biktima dahil sa blunt traumatic injuries of the head and chest at fractured right thigh area.

Nasa barangay umano ang nanay ng bata nang nangyari ang pambubugbog. Pangatlong asawa na ng nanay ang amain ng bata.

Ayon kay Naganag, plano nilang kasuhan ang amain ng bata ngayong araw.

MMDA TO ENFORCE TRAFFIC SCHEME AROUND LSGH

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a temporary traffic scheme around La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) in Mandaluyong starting today.

The traffic scheme, coordinated with LSGH management, is for morning drop-offs to ease traffic flow in the area, the MMDA said yesterday.

Motorists entering the campus are advised to enter at Gate 5, turn left then make another left at the pagoda.

Grades 1 to 12 are to be dropped off at the school’s emergency bay located at the senior high school building, the MMDA said.

The exit will be at Gate 6, while one lane will be maintained, according to the MMDA.

Motorists coming from the EDSA flyover are advised to enter through Gate 6.

The MMDA also said that vehicles taking the U-turn slot, who cannot merge with the line going to Gate 4, are advised to proceed to Gate 6.

TYPHOON HANNA EXITS PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Typhoon Hanna has exited the Philippine area of responsibility as of 8 a.m. Monday and is now threatening Taiwan, weather bureau PAGASA said.

Taiwan woke up Monday to toppled trees, floods, and persistent rainfall after Typhoon Haikui made landfall on the island and swept overnight across its central mountain ranges.

It had initially appeared to leave the island, but made a second landfall early Monday morning in southwestern Kaohsiung, before it was downgraded to a severe tropical storm.

There were no reports of deaths, but destruction was seen in coastal Taitung, a mountainous county in lesser-populated eastern Taiwan where the storm directly hit the day before.

THOUSANDS STILL IN SHELTERS AS TYPHOON EXITS PAR

Thousands of people remain in government shelters Monday despite the exit of Typhooon Hanna from the Philippine area of responsibility.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Director Edgar Posadas confirmed 2 fatalities as well as one missing following the onslaught of Typhoons Goring and Hanna as well as the southwest monsoon.

Occupied government shelters went down from 400 to 52, housing 3251 individuals or 915 families

Posadas said he expects more people to go back to their homes as the weather improves. "They were saying that by Wednesday gaganda na ang weather," he said.

The disaster official said the cyclones left 1,349 damaged houses including 226 that were completely destroyed.

Estimated damage to infrastructure is at P130 million while damage to agriculture is at P421 million so far.

VETERAN JOURNALIST MIKE ENRIQUEZ LAID TO REST

MANILA — Veteran broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez was laid to rest on Sunday at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

A final mass for Enriquez was held at Christ The King Parish in Greenmeadows Quezon City attended by his extended family and friends.

On Tuesday, GMA News confirmed the passing of Enriquez during its flagship newscast “24 Oras.”

Back in December 2021, Enriquez went on a medical leave to undergo a procedure that would require prolonged isolation. He went back to work in March last year, where he opened up about the kidney transplant that he went through.

Enriquez joined the broadcast industry in 1969 and then became part of GMA Network in 1995, serving the Filipino audience for 54 years.

He then became one of the anchors of GMA's flagship newscast "24 Oras" and hosted the long-running public affairs program, "Imbestigador."

He also etched his name in radio broadcasting, anchoring DZBB's "Super Balita sa Umaga" and "Saksi sa Dobol B."

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

VILMA SANTOS UNVEILS POSTER OF MOVIE WITH CHRISTOPHER DE LEON

MANILA – Vilma Santos teased her fans with a glimpse of her return to the big screen, as she unveiled a movie poster featuring her upcoming film with Christopher de Leon.

Santos took to Instagram to share the poster for "When I Met You in Tokyo," with the two award-winning stars against the backdrop of Japan’s sakura.

“Ready to fall in love? Soon…” Santos simply wrote in the caption.

Produced by JG Productions of Rowena Jamaji and Rajan Gidwani, “When I Met You in Tokyo” is a romantic-drama shot in Japan, which also features Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto.

The acclaimed actress expressed her immense enthusiasm for this project, highlighting her eagerness since she hasn't worked on a film for six years.

“My last movie was ‘Everything About Her.’ When this movie was offered to me, tinanong ko lang kung ano ang synopsis at kung sinong kasama. When they said si Christopher de Leon, yes agad ang sagot ko,” she said.

Santos and De Leon were first paired in 1975 in Celso Ad. Castillo’s “Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw” and followed by “Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig” in 1977.

The two have done more than 20 films together.

SPORTS

GILAS PLACES 24TH, EARNS FIBA OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TILT SPOT; LITHUANIA STUNS TEAM USA; SERBIA ADVANCES

MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas secured a slot in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with their impressive 96-75 victory over China during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez praised their achievement. The Philippines joins Lebanon as Asia's representatives in the tournament.

The FIBA rankings dictate that the next best 16 placers in the World Cup will participate in Olympic qualifiers. France has already qualified as the host nation, and South Sudan, Japan, and Australia secured slots during the ongoing World Cup.

Additionally, Egypt, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Finland, and New Zealand have earned places in the 2024 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament based on their World Cup performances.

Despite earlier losses, Gilas Pilipinas celebrated a victory on home turf, ending a nine-game drought in the world stage. Jordan Clarkson played a pivotal role, scoring 34 points in the game, breaking records along the way.

In another notable upset, Lithuania defeated Team USA, with Jonas Valanciunas leading the charge. Despite Team USA's efforts to stage a comeback, Lithuania secured the win with a final score of 110-104. Lithuania will face Serbia in the quarterfinals, while Team USA will take on Italy.

Serbia secured a spot in the FIBA World Cup's final phase with a dominant 112-79 victory over the Dominican Republic. Serbia's early lead of 18 points in the first quarter set the tone for the game, and their sharp 3-point shooting and ball movement overwhelmed their opponents. Despite efforts from the Dominican Republic, Serbia's offense proved insurmountable, with Bogdan Bogdanovic leading the way with 20 points. This win solidifies Serbia's place in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 record in Group I, alongside Italy, while Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have been eliminated from the tournament and will be ranked ninth to 16th among the bottom teams from other groups.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

For every complex problem, there is an answer that is simple, clear and wrong. - H L Mencken