SC CREATES TWO BODIES TO PURGE JUDICIARY FROM ERRING OFFICIALS, PERSONNEL

MANILA — The Supreme Court has approved the creation of the Judicial

Integrity Board and the Corruption Prevention and Investigation Office to

prevent corruption within the Judiciary.

Last July 31, the SC Public Information Office said the tribunal approved

amendments on the JIB and CPIO, first created in 2018, but were put on the

back burner for a review of the boardÂ’s functions.

“The [SC] of the Philippines, the constitutional repository of judicial

power and administrator of all courts and its personnel, has both the duty

and the power to pursue its constitutional missions and ideals through the

creation of a body/office to promote integrity and curb corruption in the

Judiciary,” the recently released en banc resolution read.

JIB:

The JIB will have a chairperson, vice-chairperson, three regular members for

a term of three years without reappointment, and will be appointed by the SC

en banc

The JIB chairperson and vice chairperson must be retired members of the SC

while the regular members must be justices from the Court of Appeals,

Sandiganbayan or the Court of Tax Appeals.

The board will receive and act on administrative complaints or disciplinary

actions against justices of CA, Sandiganbayan, CTA, ShariÂ’ah High Court and

the first and second level court judges, down the officers of the Judiciary.

It shall also receive disciplinary actions against the court administrator

and its deputies and assistants.

It shall have jurisdiction over complaints against justices of appellate

courts and judges of lower courts, except those against the SC magistrates,

and complaints of violation of the “Code of Conduct for Court Personnel” and

civil services rules against court officials and employees.

CPIO:

The CPIO meanwhile has the power to conduct probes or lifestyle check on CA,

CTA, Sandiganbayan and ShariÂ’ah high court judges and personnel of lower

courts. This will also cover officials of employees of the Office of the

Jurisconsult and the Court Administrator and its deputies and assistants,

and their personnel.

The office can conduct discreet investigations or surveillance of the

justices, judges and court personnel who are subjects of anonymous and

unverified complaints.

It shall also have the power to assist in the prosecution of those involved

in the illegal acts and coordinate with other government agencies for the

accomplishment of their mandate.

MISUARI SURRENDERED WANTED ABU SAYYAF LEADER IN DAVAO, PNP CHIEF SAYS

DAVAO CITY (UPDATED)- Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur

Misuari surrendered wanted Abu Sayyaf Group leader Anduljihad "Idang"

Susukan to authorities in Davao City, Philippine National Police chief Gen.

Archie Gamboa said Thursday night.

Gamboa, in a statement, said Susukan was turned over to authorities at

Misuari's residence at Yñigue Subdivision in Brgy. Maa, Davao City.

The terror group leader earlier went to Davao City to seek medical

attention. This prompted the police to negotiate the surrender with Misuari,

Gamboa said.

“The PNP immediately advised (Davao) Mayor Inday Sara Duterte who assured us

of her full cooperation and assistance, to ensure the peaceful handover and

orderly transfer of custody to proper authorities."

Susukan has 34 outstanding arrest warrants for murder, kidnapping, serious

illegal detention, and frustrated murder.

Authorities said he will undergo a medical check-up before being turned over

to the Armed Forced of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Malaysian media earlier reported Susukan was seen in the southern Philippine

city with Misuari, supposedly for fitting of a prosthetic arm.

It added that Susukan "surrendered" to Misuari sometime in April and that

Misuari is expected to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte soon.

"I am awaiting the official report," said Lorenzana, who admitted that the

military was unaware why Susukan and Misuari are in Davao, especially since

the Abu Sayyaf leader is wanted by the military.

Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao

Command, said Susukan remains an enemy of the military as it doesn't

recognize his surrender to Misuari.

"He did not surrender to us. Misuari is not the government...As far as

WesMinCom is concerned, he is still an enemy," Encinas said.

MILITARY SAYS READY FOR ABU SAYYAF RETALIATION AFTER LEADERÂ’S ARREST

The military said Friday it is ready to repel any retaliatory attack by the

Abu Sayyaf Group after the arrest of its leader Anduljihad "Idang" Susukan.

Susukan, who is facing at least 30 arrest warrants for murder and various

crimes, went to Davao City this week for medical treatment. Moro National

Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari facilitated the terror leaderÂ’s

surrender to authorities on Thursday.

“Inaasahan nating itong mga tauhan niya ay made-demoralize sapagkat itong

kanilang leader ay nahuli na nga natin,” military spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard

Arevalo told ABS-CBNÂ’s TeleRadyo.

“At the same time, inaasahan din natin na maaari sila ay gaganti, subalit

handa tayo, ang ating Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas na i-repel kung ano

mang balak nilang gawin,” he said.

PHILHEALTH SUSPENDS IRM IMPLEMENTATION

MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has suspended

the implementation of the controversial Interim Reimbursement Mechanism

(IRM) amid congressional inquiry into alleged anomalies in the agency.

PhilHealth announced the suspension of IRM in a message posted on its

official Twitter account last night.

According to the state insurer, the suspension will allow it to “review and

resolve” issues arising from the congressional inquiry.

PhilHealth vowed to find ways to make the IRM more responsive to the needs

of healthcare facilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers have started a probe on the alleged irregularities in the IRM,

which was identified as the main source of corruption in the agency.

PALACE: WITHOUT FUNDS, MECQ CANÂ’T BE EXTENDED

MANILA — President Duterte is expected to announce on Monday the new

quarantine classifications for Metro Manila and other areas, but Malacañang

deemed it highly unlikely for the metropolis and nearby provinces to remain

under strict lockdown.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque yesterday reiterated that the government

was not inclined to extend the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ)

in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal unless Congress allocates

a budget for emergency aid to vulnerable sectors.

“I’ve already said it’s unlikely unless Congress provides for aid... because

the President said so,” he said.

Duterte has said he could not afford to impose lockdowns because the

government no longer has funds to finance aid programs for displaced

workers.

DENGVAXIA SCANDAL HAUNTS PHILIPPINES' COVID-19 VACCINE RUSH

MANILA — A global scramble to find the first coronavirus disease-2019

(COVID-19) vaccine has arrived in the Philippines from Russia, triggering

concerns the rush to develop a convincing defense against the deadly disease

is creating more questions than answers.

Western scientists have already warned against administering Sputnik V, the

Russian government-funded vaccine against the deadly COVID-19, without

undergoing the crucial third phase of typical vaccine development that

gauges the vaccineÂ’s efficacy on a broader population. In Manila, stakes are

higher coming off from a botched dengue vaccination program that spawned

into a bigger political controversy just three years ago.

“People are concerned about a repeat of Dengvaxia and for good reasons,”

said Dr. Beaver Tamesis, president of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare

Association of the Philippines Inc., an industry group.

“There is this lack of information about the vaccine that is concerning the

public,” he said in a phone interview.

At the Palace, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was quick to qualify

the Duterte administrationÂ’s early optimism for a vaccine this year. As it

is now turning out, Sputnik V may not be ready for deployment until May next

year, when President Rodrigo Duterte himself is expected to be vaccinated

first as he promised, following the third phase of trials, part of which

will be held in the country from October 2020 to March 2021.

To be fair, Dr. Benjamin Co, an infectious disease expert said a vaccineÂ’s

efficacy and safety provisions, even when already in market, is consistently

reevaluated and updated. In the end, it is up to health officials to

carefully evaluate whether the vaccine is safe for public usage with the

information they have at hand.

DEPED TO CONSULT REGIONAL HEADS ON PROPOSED POSTPONEMENT OF CLASSES

MANILA -- The Department of Education on Friday might consult its regional

directors on the proposed postponement of the school year opening, an

official said.

DepEd regional heads earlier claimed preparations for the Aug. 24 opening of

classes were “on time,” said Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and

Instructions Diosdado San Antonio.

Education officials will meet again Friday afternoon and calls to move back

the start of classes will be “the main item to be discussed,” he said.

“It would depend on the assessment of the whole team. Secretary Liling

[Briones] is very consultative and collaborative in coming up with

decisions,” Antonio told ANC.

“I think she will once again ask our regional directors about their views on

the state of readiness,” she said.

DepEd is reviewing protocols in delivering lessons through TV and radio to

avoid errors like those recently criticized on social media, he said.

The first week of classes will be spent orienting students on changes, he

said.

StudentsÂ’ understanding of lessons will be measured through portfolios,

reflection papers, videos of them doing activities, and phone calls with

their teachers.

“This is also the perfect time for us to teach honesty to our own young

children. While we say that the parents should extend support, the parents

should not be the one to prepare the tasks or the assignments,” said

Antonio.

Communication expenses of teachers will be reimbursed using schoolsÂ’

maintenance budget, he said.

PHILIPPINES SEES 4,002 NEW COVID-19 CASES; TOTAL NOW AT 147,526

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Philippines rose to

147,526 Thursday after 4,002 new infections were added to the countryÂ’s

caseload.

The regions with the highest number of newly reported cases include Metro

Manila with 2,445, Laguna with 319, Cebu with 212, Rizal with 142 and Cavite

with 101.

THE REST

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GOVÂ’T TO STUDY ENGINEERSÂ’ RECOMMENDATION ON MOTORCYCLE SHIELDS

An inter-agency task force (IATF) will study engineersÂ’ recommendations on

its policy for installing protective dividers for pillion riding on

motorcycles, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Friday.

The task forceÂ’s working group is coordinating with a society of engineers

about the widely criticized policy meant to prevent the spread of the novel

coronavirus, he said.

“Magbibigay sila ng advice sa IATF. Pag-uusapan namin iyon sa IATF,”

Nograles told ABS-CBNÂ’s TeleRadyo.

The government approved 2 prototypes for the barrier: a shield attached to

the motorcycle and designed by the Bohol provincial government, and a second

backpack-like design by ride-hailing platform Angkas.

1 IN 3 PINOY MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS STARTED BUSINESS DURING PANDEMIC

MANILA — One in every three Filipino micro-entrepreneurs started a business

during the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey conducted by web-hosting company

GoDaddy showed.

The global entrepreneurship survey, which was conducted in 10 countries last

June, revealed the extent of the impact of the coronavirus on entrepreneurs,

especially those that have fewer than 10 employees.

“The Filipino’s ability to adapt in times of crisis is largely seen among

these microbusiness owners. As COVID-19 caused uncertainty on various

fronts, Filipinos turned to entrepreneurial pursuits with one in three

Filipinos establishing a microbusiness during the pandemic,” read the report

released on Wednesday.

“Filipino microbusinesses felt the brunt of the pandemic with 81 percent of

Pinoys surveyed reporting a reduction in revenues. Respondents also had to

deal with temporary closures brought by the various levels of quarantines

imposed since March this year,” it added.

The survey had 5,265 entrepreneurs and microbusiness owners in the

Philippines, Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, Turkey,

United Kingdom and the United States.

Over 90 percent of the respondents have 10 or less employees, including half

that are solo business operators.

QC EYEING SPECIAL CONCERN LOCKDOWN FOR 25 VILLAGES

The government of Quezon City is considering to place at least 25 villages

inder special concern lockdown for being COVID-19 hotspots, Cabinet

Secretary Karlo Nograles says.

Nograles, co-chairperson of the inter-agency task force on COVID-19, says

they have agreed with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on a six-step approach

to address the pandemic.

"Quezon City has already been doing special concern lockdowns to control

transmission," he says in an interview with ANC's "Headstart".

EXPECT LEANER PANDEMIC CURRICULUM COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS: DEPED

The academic curriculum for school year 2020-2021 will be leaner compared to

previous years, the Department of Education said Friday, as the educational

system adjusts to the coronavirus pandemic.

This curriculum will only have 5,000 competencies or 40 percent of about

14,000 competencies in the curriculum in previous years, which was “crowded”

and “congested,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instructions

Diosdado San Antonio.

“We have streamlined the curriculum, we have reduced it. We only are paying

attention to the most essential, foundational, most consequential

competencies,” he told ANC.

“We are still retaining the standards. What we have done is to really make

sure that the most important skills and competencies are fully developed,”

he added.

Classes are set to open on Aug. 24, with the DepEd offering several options

for distance learning, including the use of printed and digital modules,

online classes, television, and radio.

The first week of the school year will be spent for orientation to address

various issues, including parents who may not be “confident and competent to

provide academic guidance to their children,” said San Antonio.

“We are encouraging learning support aides, volunteers who may be able to

extend the assistance that would be required so that the child, especially

[for] the early grade learners and the struggling learners in the higher

grades,” he said.

DENNIS UY RESIGNS AS PRESIDENT OF DITO HOLDINGS FIRM

Davao-based tycoon Dennis Uy resigned as president on Friday of his holding

firm, his company disclosed at the stock exchange.

Uy, however, will remain as chairman of Dito CME Holdings Corp., a holding

firm he established for his venture as third telco player. He will be

replaced by Ernesto Alberto as president.

"Considering that Mr. Uy continues to hold the position of Chairman, the

change shall foster an appropriate balance of power, increased

accountability, and better capacity for independent decision-making," the

company said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

‘GINAGAWA KO NA LAHAT, INIIWAN PA RIN AKOÂ’: ARCI MUÑOZ GETS CANDID ON

HEARTBREAKS

MANILA — After lessons learned from her past relationships, Arci Muñoz is

firm about staying single for now, as she prioritizes loving herself first.

This was the candid confession of the “Love Unlock” actress during a recent

media conference for the digital short film, premiering Saturday night on

Kapamilya Online Live.

“Hindi ako magaling diyan,” she said, referring to being in a relationship.

“Ginagawa ko na lahat, iniiwan pa rin ako!”

“Whenever I’m in a relationship, I give it my all. Sometimes I forget about

leaving a little bit of self-love. Sa aking mga experience before sa

previous relationships ko, as in buhos talaga. Parang ako ‘yung lalaki.”

MuñozÂ’s last known relationship was with businessman Anthony Ng. Their

two-year relationship reportedly ended in 2019. Prior, Muñoz was also open

about her romance with rock singer Badi del Rosario. They broke up in

December 2016.

Noting she has been single for nearly two years now, Muñoz likened her

status to “freedom.”

“Wow, sarili ko muna,” she said, as she shared her realizations about

prioritizing herself. “I learned na kailangan for you to be able to love

someone else, kailangan mahal mo ang sarili mo.”

“Itong journey na pinagdadaanan ko ngayon, na-appreciate ko yung maliliit na

bagay and also to appreciate myself more,” she said.

Asked whether she is ready to enter a new relationship at this point, Muñoz

said it has been a conscious decision to avoid even the slightest prospect

of romance.

“It’s my choice to stay single right now. Like, kahit may nagpaparamdam

before lockdown, choice ko talaga, ako muna, sarili ko muna,” she said.

“Pagdating ng panahon at nandiyan na ‘yung tamang tao para sa akin, alam ko

na kung paano ‘yung tamang ibibigay ko lang sa taong iyon.”

SPORTS

NBA: SUNS STAY UNBEATEN AT BUBBLE, BUT PLAYOFF HOPES STILL HANG IN BALANCE

Devin Booker scored 27 points to lead the Phoenix Suns past the Dallas

Mavericks 128-102 on Thursday (US time) to keep alive their suddenly faint

hopes of extending their season.

Phoenix has done just about everything it can to put itself in position for

a spot in the Western Conference play-in game scheduled this weekend.

The Suns are 8-0 now, the only undefeated team in the NBA's bubble, but that

perfect showing may not mean anything if the result of the Portland-Brooklyn

game later in the day doesn't go their way.

Owing to a tiebreaker with Phoenix, Memphis advanced to the play-in after

the Grizzlies beat Milwaukee.

Phoenix's season now rests on Portland losing to Brooklyn.

Dario Saric and Cameron Payne contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively,

off the bench for the Suns, who went on a 31-point explosion in a span of

7:30 in the second quarter to turn the game into a rout.

Boban Marjanovic tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas, which played

Luka Doncic sparingly and missed Kristaps Porzingis (heel).

Dallas will face the Los Angeles Clippers in the West first round.

San Antonio, a fourth team that was eyeing to reach the playoffs, was

eliminated after the victories by Memphis and Phoenix.

The 8th- and 9th-place finishers in the West will battle this weekend in a

1- or 2-game play-in series on Saturday and, if necessary, Sunday.

The 8th-place finisher must win only one game, while the 9th-place finisher

must win both. The winner of the play-in will face the top-seeded Los

Angeles Lakers in the traditional first round of the playoffs.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.84

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Hindsight, usually looked down upon, is probably as valuable as foresight,

since it does include a few facts. - Grace Paley