DUTERTE TELLS AGENCIES TO PUBLISH DETAILS OF INFRA, IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN

NEWSPAPERS

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered agencies to publish details

of infrastructure and irrigation projects, including their status and

winning bidders, saying it would help with detecting collusion among

agencies and contractors.

Duterte said the public deserves to know how much the government would spend

for the projects and what companies would undertake them.

"Kindly agree with some of the newspapers, the leading ones... perhaps it

will be three pages long, the projects of irrigation, Department of Public

Works and Highways, transportation. Although I don't interfere with the work

of secretaries, I want to know the projects, the bidders... and the

contractors who won the bidding," he said during a public address delivered

from Malacañang last Monday.

"Perhaps it won't exceed five pages. We will buy (space). Just do a

merry-go-round (among newspapers)... All of them. The people should know.

You will know the costs of projects undergoing bidding... the winning

bidders...so you can see for yourselves. You can go there and see what kind

of projects are being done. That is the rule," he added.

Duterte also directed agencies to publish a list of completed projects. Such

a list, the president claimed, would allow the public to identify possible

collusion among bidders and officials.

"I have a list of these devils. People will know the estimated (cost of)

projects, how much is the winning bid, to whom it was awarded to, and for

how much." he said.

"If it's a P50 million (project), dinive mo ng P30 (million), may konsabo

'yan (You lowered it to P30 million, there is collusion there). So what do

you expect (from) a 30-million project?"

Duterte said the publication of project details would help prevent

questionable deals.

"Something must be terribly wrong there. That's why you have a project that

it's really not a project but supposedly a project but already bidded out

and constructed and completed. Another page for completed projects," the

president said.

Late last month, Duterte vowed to implement stricter procurement measures to

ensure that public funds won't go to corruption. He instructed agencies to

disclose all procurement plans even for small items like paper clips.

PEMBERTON RELEASE PROCESS ‘EXPEDITED’

MANILA — There is no need for deportation proceedings, and fresh

fingerprints, mug shots and even a COVID swab test have been taken as the

government “expedites” the release of homicide convict US Marine Lance

Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), which has jurisdiction over the special

prison where Pemberton has been detained for nearly six years, has begun the

process of releasing the US serviceman after he was given absolute pardon by

President Duterte for killing Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.

BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag told dzBB yesterday that while PembertonÂ’s

release would be “expedited,” the bureau would stick to procedures normally

followed for the release of prisoners, especially those granted pardon.

“The process for pardon and parole for our prisoners would be followed just

the same. Only that we have to consider all implications of what we are

doing, because (Pemberton) is covered by other agreements,” Chaclag said.

He was apparently referring to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which

includes provisions governing treatment of US servicemen who run afoul of

the law.

“The order contains what would be done so, on our part, our personnel are

getting ready. Each step would be handled by an officer and they are ready

for whatever happens,” Chaclag added.

He said processing of release papers normally takes a few days or even

weeks. “We will do everything (to expedite the procedure), we will not skip

anything,” he said.

ROBREDO ON PARDON: IS IT FAIR AND JUST?

MANILA — President Duterte’s granting of absolute pardon to US Marine Lance

Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted of homicide for the death

of transgender Jennifer Laude in 2015, proves his administrationÂ’s bias

toward the “powerful,” Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday.

“This case is just one of the many proofs of the government’s bias toward

those in power,” Robredo said. “Our question is: is this decision fair and

just?”

She noted that thousands of inmates are waiting for the resolution of their

cases as they could not afford a lawyer.

Robredo said Pemberton had lawyers, special detention facilities, a quick

public trial and an appeal.

“Now, it has become clearer that he also has resources to ensure that his

case will get the attention of the President himself,” Robredo, a former pro

bono lawyer, said.

The Vice President said many Filipinos have committed lesser offenses but do

not get such attention and privilege.

“What we see is that if you are poor, there is punishment; but if you are

rich and in power, you can walk free,” Robredo said.

The US serviceman has been held at a facility at Camp Aguinaldo instead of

regular prison in accordance with the Philippine-US Visiting Forces

Agreement (VFA).

CHINA-BACKED DITO ALLOWED TO INSTALL CELL SITES INSIDE MILITARY CAMPS:

LORENZANA

MANILA — DITO Telecommunity, the country's third telecommunications player,

has been given the go-signal to install cell sites inside the country's

military bases, the country's defense chief confirmed Tuesday, despite

concerns over its national security implications over Chinese involvement in

the consortium.

During the House of Representatives hearing on the budget proposal of the

Department of Defense (DND), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he has

approved the 2019 Memorandum of Agreement between DITO Telecommunity and the

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that would allow the telco to put up

towers in select military camps.

Lorenzana said he approved the deal "recently."

DITO, the consortium of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy's Udenna Corp and

Chelsea Logistics with China Telecom, is fasttracking its commercial rollout

set in March 2021.

Formerly know as Mislatel, DITO was granted a fresh 25-year franchise by

Congress last August.

Lorenzana clarified that the memorandum of agreement he approved between AFP

and DITO covers only military camps which already host Globe and Smart cell

sites.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, meanwhile, expressed concern and asked

Lorenzana to review the deal.

The deal has drawn concerns as the Philippines remains locked in a

territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, the country's

exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea where Beijing has stepped up

militarization activities.

DITO committed to provide internet speeds of up to 27 mbps and 37-percent

coverage during its launch next year.

So far, out of the target 1,300 towers, 300 were "live" and 500 have been

erected, the consortium earlier said.

FILIPINOS TOLD TO BE OPTIMISTIC BUT CAUTIOUS ON DECLINING TREND OF COVID-19

CASES

MANILA — While the reported decline in new COVID-19 cases is a reason to be

optimistic, Filipinos should still be cautious of the virus, an official

leading the country's pandemic response said Tuesday.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines on Sunday said Metro

Manila— the country's coronavirus epicenter— and the neighboring Southern

Tagalog region are starting to flatten the pandemic curve, as the virus

reproduction rate in the two regions is estimated at 0.95, below the

threshold of "1."

"Iyon pong tinatawag nating optimism with caution, dapat i-caution pa rin

natin na huwag tayong magkumpiyansa," COVID-19 policy chief implementer

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr said in a virtual press briefing.

The reported declining trend in new virus infections can be attributed to

increased public awareness on the needed minimum health standards such as

wearing of face masks, he added.

"Nakita natin dahil siguro tumaas na rin ang consciousness ng ating mga

mamamayan ay talagang nag-a-ano na sila ng face shield at saka face mask

kaya bumaba po ang nakita nating reproduction," Galvez said.

Earlier, the government required the public to wear face shields on top of

the mandated face masks in public transport and commercial establishments.

The government is looking at September as a "transition point" to more

relaxed virus restrictions, Galvez said after it made quarantine protocols

implemented on Sept. 1 effective for a month instead of the usual 15-day

period.

"Nakikita po namin itong September po na ito maganda po ito na maging

transition," Galvez said.

Only three areas remain under the stricter modified enhanced community

quarantine until the end of the month: Iligan City, Bacolod City, and Lanao

del Sur.

The rest of the Philippines have eased virus restrictions to general

community quarantine and modified GCQ.

DUTERTE EYES SPRATLYS ‘VACATION’ WITH DUQUE, AMERICANS

DAVAO CITY — President Duterte wants to take a vacation somewhere in the

country, possibly the Spratlys, and wants to invite Americans to join the

tour.

“One of these days, magtawag ako ng bakasyon. Bakasyon tayo. Mamili ka sa

lugar, Secretary. Huwag lang sa labas ng Pilipinas. Dito lang (I will take a

vacation. LetÂ’s have a vacation. Choose a place, Secretary. But not outside

the Philippines, let’s just stay here),” Duterte said in a televised public

address on Monday night, addressing Health chief Francisco Duque III.

“Maybe we will visit Spratlys. But we will also invite the Americans to come

along. We’re going on a sight-seeing tour,” he added.

Duterte asked Duque to join him in the vacation.

The President told Duque not to quit his post, saying they were “on the same

boat” and he knows the difficulties of his job.

During the presidential campaign in 2016, Duterte offered to go to the

Spratlys on a jet ski and plant the Philippine flag to assert the countryÂ’s

sovereignty.

The President later clarified that his statement was meant to stress his

point that he would not give up the countryÂ’s claims in the West Philippine

Sea (WPS).

SC, PNP LAUNCH E-WARRANT SYSTEM

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)

yesterday launched the enhanced e-warrant system that would fully automate

the issuance of arrest warrants by the courts.

The system would be fully implemented by 2,600 courts and 1,900 police

stations all over the country by yearend, the SC said.

The system operates as an online database of arrest warrants and provides

real-time updates on the status of warrants and the specific actions taken

by law enforcement agents.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said that with the systemÂ’s nationwide

rollout, “we are able to adopt technologically advanced innovations in our

court processes for a more accessible, efficient, effective and responsive

administration of justice.”

PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said the system is geared toward his “central

vision” of a more reliable, credible police force to improve crime solution

efficiency.

The first ever e-warrant was issued yesterday by Pasig Regional Trial Court

Branch 155 Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang in a qualified theft case.

THE REST

========

PHILIPPINES' COVID-19 CASES BREACH 240,000

MANILA — COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reached 241,987 on Tuesday as the

Department of Health reported 3,281 additional cases.

This is the 9th day that the daily tally of additional cases was below

4,000. However, it is back in the 3,000 to 4,000 level from previous weeks

even with 34 laboratories failing to submit test results.

Of the additional cases, based on tests done by 81 out of 115 laboratories,

almost half are from the National Capital Region (1,420), followed by Cavite

(263), Negros Occidental (204), Laguna (197) and Rizal (196).

With 286 additional recovered patients and 26 more coronavirus-related

deaths, there are now 52,893 active cases in the country.

The total number of recoveries, meanwhile, is at 185,178 while the total

number of fatalities is at 3,916.

NO BAR EXAMS FOR 1 YEAR

MANILA — The next Bar exams would take place in November 2021, the Supreme

Court (SC) said yesterday.

The announcement is contained in Bar Bulletin 13, series of 2020, issued by

SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen yesterday as chair of the 2020/21 Bar

examinations.

“The examination periods and the venues of the next Bar examinations will be

announced in a separate Bar Bulletin,” Leonen said.

The SC earlier announced that the 2020 Bar exams would not be held this year

and would be moved to next year.

The decision to move the Bar examinations was brought about by the

uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The SC had also announced that aside from Manila, there would be a second

venue for the Bar exams – Cebu City.

CEBU GOV ORDERS MINING HALT IN DOLOMITE SOURCE FOR MANILA BAY

MANILA - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Tuesday ordered the halt of

mining operations in Alcoy town, where dolomite or synthetic white sand is

sourced for the "beautification" of the Manila Bay.

Through Executive Order No. 25, Garcia ordered the Philippine Mining Service

Corporation and the Dolomite Mining Corporation to "immediately cease and

desist from further extracting, processing, selling and transporting of

dolomite, associated mineral deposits, and other quarry resources."

The executive order also said both the provincial government of Cebu and the

municipality of Alcoy were not informed of the beautification project in

Manila. There was also no public consultation prior to the issuance of ore

transport permits (OTP) by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Central

Visayas.

"The issuance of the OTPs to PMSC (Philippine Mining Service Corporation)

without the proper notice to the local government unit and the absence of

public consultation and participation clearly lacks transparency on the part

of MGB, PMSC and DMC (Dolomite Mining Corporation)," the order read, adding

that such is a violation of the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2010-21, which states that the

local government should ensure compliance with relevant laws on public

notice, public consultation and public participation.

The order, likewise, said there was no Environmental Impact Study performed

on the use of dolomite in the Manila Bay shoreline project.

"The absence of said Environmental Impact Study is a clear and blatant

violation of DENR Administrative Order No. 2003-30, the Implementing Rules

and Regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586, Establishing the Philippine

Environmental Impact Statement System," the order read.

The extraction of dolomite from Alcoy town and the "consequential damage it

will cause the terrestrial environment of Cebu Island" is also a violation

of the constitutional right of Cebu residents to "a balanced and healthful

ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature."

The Department of Health earlier warned that crushed dolomite can cause

respiratory issues. It later backtracked and said it was the process of

crushing dolomite that was hazardous to one's health.

Malacañang defended the project, saying it is expected to help in flood

control and gives city dwellers access to a white sand beach experience as

leisure travels are discouraged due to the pandemic.

ALL MANILA CEMETERIES CLOSED FOR ‘UNDAS’

MANILA — This year, visit your dearly departed in the cemeteries early.

All public and private cemeteries in Manila will be closed from Oct. 31 to

Nov. 3 to avoid the mass gathering of people during All SaintsÂ’ and All

Souls’ Days, collectively called “Undas,” Mayor Isko Moreno said yesterday.

He signed Executive Order 38 ordering the “temporary closure of all public

and private memorial parks, cemeteries and columbaries during Undas as the

city battles the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Manila North Cemetery, which has 105,837 graves, is estimated to receive

about 1.5 million visitors during Undas while Manila South Cemetery, which

has 39,228 graves, receives about 800,000 visitors.

He said people have two months to visit their departed loved ones buried in

ManilaÂ’s cemeteries.

Speaking in a Facebook Live broadcast, Moreno said the temporary closure of

the facilities is subject to general community quarantine protocols.

“Only interment and cremation services for non-COVID-19 cases shall be

allowed, subject to the strict observance of minimum public health standards

and social distancing,” he said.

RAINS FAIL TO RAISE ANGAT DAM WATER LEVEL

Weaker than expected rains have failed to raise the level of Angat Dam, the

main water source of Metro Manila, its regulator said Wednesday.

The dam in Central Luzon was at 178.7 meters, lower than the 180-meter

minimum operating level, said Executive Director Sevillo David Jr.

July and August, he said, saw less rains than expected.

“Ito pong mga kasalukuyang pag-ulan ay hindi pa po umaabot sa Angat

watershed na siyang inaasahan nating magbibigay ng steady water supply sa

Metro Manila,” he told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

The MWSS might lower the water supply allocation in the capital region if

the Angat DamÂ’s level does not improve, said David, as he asked the public

to conserve water.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LIZA SOBERANO REACTS TO PEMBERTON'S PARDON, SLAMS BASHER CALLING HER 'BOBA'

MANILA — Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano sarcastically answered a social

media user who called her "boba" after she aired her anger on the recent

release of US Marine Joseph Pemberton after he killed transgender Jennifer

Laude in 2014.

A Twitter user told Liza that she is just acting smart but she's really

dumb.

@lizasoberano: So a murder was just released for good conduct. Are we

supposed to just forget that he killed Jennifer Laude because heÂ’s done some

good?

“What? Ang boba pala ng babaeng ito. Now naniwala na talaga akong acting

lang yung kunwaring matalino cya. Stick to your craft girl. Hwag masyadong

pahalata na wala kang alam sa basic conprehension on laws & current events.

Lening leni ang peg," the Twitter user said.

"Ouch ang sakit nasaktan ako,” Liza sarcastically replied.

Liza criticized the government for pardoning Pemberton.

"So a (murderer) was just released for good conduct. Are we supposed to just

forget that he killed Jennifer Laude because heÂ’s done some good?" Lisa

tweeted.

"Another question, you think this murderer (im not even gonna say his name)

wasnÂ’t treated fairly but, was it fair that Jennifer Laude was murdered out

of hate just because of her sexual orientation?" she added.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES SEP 8

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

team logo 5 Heat 4-1    19    33    21    30    103

team logo 1 Bucks 1-4    28    18    19    29    94

GAME 5: MIA WINS 4-1

SCORING LEADERS

J. Butler MIA

17 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST

K. Middleton MIL

23 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

team logo 1 Lakers 2-1    32    29    21    30    112

team logo 4 Rockets 1-2    33    31    18    20    102

GAME 3: LAL LEADS 2-1

SCORING LEADERS

    L. James LAL

36 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST

    J. Harden HOU

33 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.56

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it

is a bright day. Otherwise, itÂ’s not. - Elon Musk