SENATE, HOUSE SLAM PHILHEALTH PROBE REPORT

Palace: Duque not yet off the hook

MANILA — Lawmakers including those from the administration slammed yesterday

the findings of a special task force that investigated alleged anomalies in

the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., particularly the non-inclusion of

Health Secretary and PhilHealth chairman Francisco Duque III in the list of

those recommended for criminal charges.

Reacting to criticisms, task force head Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra

emphasized that the task force report contained only preliminary findings.

“Our report is about our initial findings only. Further investigations will

be conducted and more people may be charged,” Guevarra said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the task forceÂ’s failure to

recommend charges against Duque and PhilHealth senior vice president for

legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario Jr. has left him stunned and “dumbfounded.”

“No Duque? No Del Rosario? I’m dumbfounded! Article 217 (malversation) of

the (Revised Penal Code) is very clear,” Sotto told reporters in a Viber

message late Monday.

“It’s good that the Office of the Ombudsman does not rely on investigations

of task forces. They have motu propio powers,” Sotto said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also expressed disappointment even

as he pointed out that senators had previously adopted a resolution calling

for DuqueÂ’s resignation.

“If the board did its job then there should be no problem,” Recto told CNN

Philippines. Duque heads the PhilHealth board.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he has yet to read in full the report of the task

force headed by Guevarra but expressed regret that the recommendations of

the Senate apparently went unheeded.

Sen. Bong Go for his part commended the task for its “thorough

investigation” even as he stressed the probe should not stop with the

release of the report.

PNP INVESTIGATES NAZARENE PROCESSION

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday ordered a probe on

the procession of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on Monday for

possible violation of quarantine protocols.

PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has tasked

Manila Police District director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda to look into the

incident, which drew hundreds of devotees.

He said they will also ask representatives from the Minor Basilica of the

Black Nazarene about the incident.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Eleazar said there will be “appropriate

action” if violations are found.

Devotees joined the one-hour procession that began at around 1 p.m. despite

heavy rains. The Black Nazarene was paraded along the streets of

Evangelista, Raon, Hidalgo and Mendoza as well as Quezon Boulevard and

Quinta Market.

Church officials said the purpose of the procession is to give hope to

people who have suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleazar said police officials “discouraged” representatives of Quiapo Church

from holding the procession as mass gathering is banned under a community

quarantine.

While the organizers may have good intentions, Eleazar said they should

always ensure that minimum health standards and other quarantine measures

are strictly observed.

“We expect the cooperation of all sectors,” he said.

‘NO APPOINTMENT, NO ENTRY’ POLICY ADOPTED IN POEA

MANILA — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other clients are now required

to set an appointment to enter Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

(POEA) offices.

In a recent memorandum circular, the POEA announced the adoption of a “no

appointment, no entry” policy amid the continuing threat of COVID-19 in

workplaces.

POEA chief Bernard Olalia said the new policy covers all clients of the

agency, including foreign citizens who are intending to visit POEA offices.

“To the greatest extent possible, all routine, regular and ordinary

transactions should be conducted using the agency’s online systems,” he

said.

Olalia said personal appearances before the POEA shall be reserved for

transactions that need verification of a personÂ’s identity and when the

submission of a document is required.

Booking an appointment shall be through the POEA online appointment system.

It shall also be mandatory for individuals doing face-to-face transactions

with POEA to declare their current health status or they shall not be

allowed entry.

VICE PRESIDENT ROBREDO'S NET WORTH AT P3.5 MILLION IN 2019

MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo's net worth increased to P3.5 million

in 2019, according to her latest Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net

Worth (SALN).

Robredo reported a P1.2 million uptick in her net worth from P2.3 million in

2018, the second time she posted an increase in her wealth since she took

office in 2016.

Based on her SALN, a copy of which was obtained by ABS-CBN News, the

increase can be attributed to the growth in her personal properties.

Robredo declared that her cash on hand rose from P7,351,430 in 2018 to

P8,576,478 in 2019.

The value of her other personal properties remained unchanged in her latest

SALN. These are furniture, appliances and other equipment worth P1.5

million; jewelry worth P100,000; prepaid insurance worth P630,000; a Toyota

Innova acquired in 2010 worth P1,123,000; and a Toyota Grandia acquired in

2014 worth P1,750,000.

A vice president is under salary grade 32, which is equivalent to a monthly

pay of a maximum of P353,470, according to the Department of Budget and

Management (DBM).

The ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group requested a copy of the Vice

PresidentÂ’s 2019 SALN from the Office of the Vice President on Sept. 11,

2020. The OVP sent ABS-CBN a copy of the Vice PresidentÂ’s 2019 SALN last

Sept. 14.

CONTRACTUAL CONTACT TRACERS IN DOH COVID-19 SURVEILLANCE UNIT UNPAID FOR

MONTHS

MANILA — Contractual employees under the Department of Health have not been

receiving their salaries since they were hired to do contact tracing amid

the COVID-19 pandemic 3 to 4 months ago. Some have contracts set to expire

this month but have not yet received any compensation.

Marie (not her real name) told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview that

they were hired in May and June to work for the DOH Epidemiology Bureau,

which at that time was in charge of monitoring COVID-19 cases and contact

tracing.

She said there are around 300 employees under the COVID-19 Surveillance and

Quick Action Unit of the Epidemiology Bureau, and many have been complaining

of their delayed salary.

“Akala namin isang buwan lang o isa’t kalahati lang pero habang tumatagal...

Ilang buwan na wala pa rin sahod,” Marie said.

“Ang sabi sa amin ire-reimburse 'yung nagastos namin. So nag-try kami

magtanong sa team leaders kung ano ang i-reimburse ang pera. Kasi nga galing

sa bulsa mo 'yun wala kang trabaho,” she said.

She explained that they had to spend their own money for calls for contact

tracing, a task that was still under the DOH in the first few months of the

pandemic. With local government units now in charge of contact tracing,

Marie and the rest of her fellow employees are now tasked to handle the

encoding and validation of COVID-19 case data, a job that has become

necessary as hospitals and laboratories are overwhelmed with the processing

of COVID-19 patient data.

MarieÂ’s co-worker Alex (not his real name) said he had resorted to borrowing

money to continue working.

“Kapagka walang pang-load o connection, inuutang po bukod sa expenses sa

bahay,” he told ABS-CBN News.

Those in charge reportedly told them that the delay was due to the

difficulty of processing papers during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Marie said that while they understand the delay, 3 to 4 months is too long.

WOMAN NAMED ARMY ARTILLERY UNIT COMMANDER

MANILA — The Philippine Army’s 2nd Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) under the

Army Artillery Regiment operating in Davao del Sur, Sarangani and parts of

North Cotabato has a female battery commander.

First Lt. Monnit Andrino assumed the post as she replaced Capt. Jorry

Vinluan in ceremonies held at the Bravo Battery headquarters in Sitio

Pulutana, Barangay Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani.

Andrino, who recently completed the field artillery officer advance course,

was former assistant operations officer of the 2nd FAB.

Capt. Alvin Abella, spokesman for the 2nd FAB, said the unit provides field

artillery canon fire in Davao region and parts of Soccsksargen.

QUARANTINE VIOLATIONS REPORTED TO TASK FORCE ON FACEBOOK RESULT IN 16

ARRESTS

MANILA — Taguig City police arrested 16 people found drinking together on

the streets at a birthday celebration after they were reported to the

quarantine enforcement task force via social media, it said Tuesday.

The operation, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield said, resulted from the

report of a one social media user "who provided the local police with the

details of the violation and even provided photos of the on-going violation

of the quarantine protocols" to the COVID Shield Facebook Page.

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, the joint task force disclosed that

operatives of the Hagonoy Police Sub-Station 9 in Bicutan, Taguig City were

immediately sent to Aguirre Street in Barangay Lower Bicutan at around 10:30

p.m. on September 12 after they received the complaint.

“When the police personnel went there, those who attended the birthday

celebration were not wearing face masks and not observing the proper

physical distancing,” said Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, task force

commander.

This comes just days after the task force formally opened its Facebook page,

which it said could be used to gather evidence from netizens "to warn, to

fine and to summon the people concerned in coordination with the barangay

officials concerned."

THE REST

========

PHILIPPINES' COVID-19 CASES NEAR 270,000 AS 3,544 NEW INFECTIONS DETECTED

MANILA — The Philippines reported 3,544 additional coronavirus infections

Tuesday, bringing the country's cumulative total of COVID-19 cases to

269,407.

The Department of Health (DOH) said that of the confirmed cases, 57,392 are

active, while 207,352 have recovered and 4,663 have died.

This is the 8th straight day that additional cases are more than 3,000.

Majority or 690 of the new cases are from the National Capital Region, the

epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

‘PLANTDEMIC:’ REINVIGORATED BAGUIO PARKS HIT BY PLANT THIEVES

BAGUIO CITY — Even Baguio City’s reinvigorated parks have become victims of

“plant poachers” as a so-called plantdemic sweeps the country.

Amid the craze that has gained popularity as a diversion, if not a cure for

COVID-19 pandemic-induced boredom and depression, the City Environment and

Parks Management Office yesterday reported losing some plant species in the

cityÂ’s parks and greenbelts to plant thieves.

Assistance City Environment and Parks Management Officer Rhenan Diwas said

poachers nearly wiped out the monstera plants that have long been inhabiting

portions of Mines View Park and Burnham Park.

Monstera is the “monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese” plant, which has

become an in-demand indoor plant and is selling like hotcakes and valued

like gold.

Succulents at the City Hall Park were also taken, according to Diwas, while

the Upper Session Road greenbelt was stripped of its rubber trees.

Both species also have great following among “plantitas” and “plantitos.”

Other parks and pocket gardens in the city are now being inspected to check

their conditions following the discovery of plant thieveries.

A video of unidentified women swiping plants from one of the cityÂ’s public

elementary schools had earlier gone viral.

“While we appreciate the growing interest of the people in maintaining

plants in their homes and we understand the need of some to earn, let us be

reminded (of respecting) the natural habitat of these plants. Allow them to

multiply in the forest rather than constricted in a pot. Let them grow and

bloom in public places for everyone to appreciate,” Diwas said.

“We should learn from this pandemic: it is dangerous to encroach on the

habitat of wildlife,” he added.

To prevent the balding of city parks, security measures will be undertaken

in the parks, according to Diwas

8-HOUR DUTY FOR COPS EYED

MANILA — The Philippine National Police is planning to implement an

eight-hour shift from the current 12 hours to give PNP personnel enough time

to rest and have more quality time with their families.

At a press briefing yesterday, PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said the

reduced work hours would have a significant impact on the health and

well-being of the 209,000-strong police force.

Cascolan said to promote productivity, the daily duties of policemen should

be reduced to eight hours.

“The best way for them to perform is to have a good schedule, especially

when it comes to beat patrols,” Cascolan told reporters.

He said the eight-hour shift could be applied in the National Capital Region

Police Office (NCRPO), which has over 27,000 personnel.

“NCRPO personnel can do eight hours duty and 16 hours off,” Cascolan said.

He said police commanders have the option to maintain the current 12-hour

shift but with an option to extend the rest period of personnel to 24 hours

from the current 16 hours.

'LEON' STRENGTHENS INTO TROPICAL STORM; DOZENS EVACUATE AS IT TRIGGERS

LANDSLIDES IN CEBU

Dozens of people fled from their homes as tropical storm Leon spawned

landslides in Cebu City, a local official said Wednesday.

Landslides hit 4 of the city's 80 barangays so far and authorities were

still waiting for the status report of 31 villages, said Ramil Ayuman,

officer in charge of the local disaster office.

“Leon”—the 12th tropical cyclone for 2020—strengthened into a tropical storm

as it moved over the West Philippine Sea, state weather forecasters said

early Wednesday.

The tropical storm was given an international name “Noul”— a name

contributed by North Korea, which means “red sky.”

“Leon” was last spotted 225 kilometers west northwest of Coron, Palawan

bearing peak winds of 65 km per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80

kph. Moving west northwest at 10 kph, it is expected to leave the Philippine

Area of Responsibility Thursday morning.

PAGASA said “Leon” is likely to continue intensifying. It is forecast to

become a severe tropical storm category within 24 hours and a typhoon within

48 hours.

As the tropical storm continues to move away from land, there are no

tropical cyclone wind signals currently in effect.

However, intermittent gusts may be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan

Islands, Palawan (including Kalayaan, Calamian and Cuyo Islands), Mindoro

provinces, Romblon and Western Visayas.

Residents of Aurora, Rizal, Palawan (including Kalayaan, Calamian and Cuyo

Islands), Mindoro provinces, Romblon, Western Visayas and Negros Oriental

will have moderate to heavy rains.

PAGASA warned that flooding and rain-induced landslide may occur during

heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in areas that are highly or very

highly susceptible to hazards.

The weather bureau also said that sea travel is risky over the western

seaboard of Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands) and Occidental

Mindoro (including Lubang Island) due to rough to very rough seas.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas will prevail over the northern, eastern

and southern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.

Fisherfolk and those with small sea vessels are advised to take precaution.

MANILA TO HOLD RESTAURANT WEEK

MANILA — The Manila city government will launch a “restaurant week” to

promote local food businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor

Isko Moreno said yesterday.

Moreno urged city residents to patronize local restaurants, food chains and

carinderias.

The Manila Restaurant Week will be held from Sept. 20 to 27.

Local food businesses participating in the event must comply with minimum

health standards in food preparations, Moreno said.

He also ordered vendors in 17 public markets to avail themselves of free

swab tests the Sta. Ana Hospital.

This is to ensure that market goers will be kept safe from the virus, Moreno

said.

He said tricycle, pedicab and jeepney drivers would be next in the priority

list.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ANGEL LOCSIN REACTS TO REPORTS SHE, NEIL ARCE HAVE BROKEN UP

MANILA – Angel Locsin put an end to speculations that she and her fiancé

Neil Arce have decided to call it quits.

Through an Instagram Story, Locsin shared a screen capture showing multiple

videos uploaded on YouTube about their supposed break up.

Across it, the actress wrote: “Oh wow. Can’t believe some people would stoop

this low.”

“Why do some people make this much effort to put me in a bad light? That is

the question,” she added.

In a joint interview last June, Locsin said she and Arce have yet to decide

whether they are going to postpone their wedding which was originally

scheduled to happen this year.

Locsin begged off from disclosing the actual date of the ceremony, but she

teased thatÂ’s in the near future.

On whether they will push through or postpone it, she said: “Parang

masyadong maaga to decide kung tuloy or anong mangyayari. Hindi natin alam

baka next week may vaccine na. Hindi na lang po kami magko-complain.

Maghihintay na lang kami kung ano mang mangyayari.”

This was echoed by Arce, saying, “I think we’ll decide somewhere near our

date na lang if we’re gonna move it or not.”

The couple got engaged in June 2019 and had since started planning their big

day.

JANELLA SALVADOR, MARKUS PATERSON GO PUBLIC WITH RELATIONSHIP

Kapamilya actress Janella Salvador and Filipino-British actor and model

Markus Paterson finally revealed to the public their relationship through a

kiss on Saturday (Sep 12).

Paterson posted a video of him and Salvador intimately dancing on Instagram,

with the caption "my world."

While locked in embrace with Salvador, Paterson kissed her. The video ended

with their foreheads resting on each other.

Hours later, the 22-year-old actress shared a photo of her and Paterson on

Instagram, which was eventually flooded by comments of industry friends with

congratulatory remarks.

Paterson in October refused to reveal his relationship with Salvador on

"Tonight With Boy Abunda", saying it was not yet the right time.

"We don't hide from anyone but right now is not just the right time for

everything, " he said.

"There's always a right time for everything and I strongly believe in that."

SPORTS

NBA SCORES SEP 15

FINAL/OT

    1    2    3    4    OT    T

5 Heat 1-0    18    37    16    35    11    117

3 Celtics 0-1    26    29    28    23    8    114

GAME 1: MIA LEADS 1-0

SCORING LEADERS

G. Dragic MIA

29 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST

J. Tatum BOS

30 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

3 Nuggets 4-3    24    30    28    22    104

2 Clippers 3-4    24    32    18    15    89

GAME 7: DEN WINS 4-3

SCORING LEADERS

    J. Murray DEN

40 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST

    M. Harrell LAC

20 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.40

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. –

Aristotle