VELASCO ALLIES BEING EASED OUT OF POSTS

Mikee Romero removed as deputy speaker

MANILA — The speakership war in the House of Representatives has claimed its

first casualty.

Yesterday, 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero was removed as deputy

speaker and replaced by Capiz Rep. Fred Castro, who had just finished his

privilege speech demanding the resignation of supporters of Rep. Lord Allan

Velasco from their committee chairmanships.

Romero was an acknowledged supporter of Velasco in the Marinduque

congressmanÂ’s bid to take over the post of speaker from Alan Peter Cayetano.

In his speech, Castro called on VelascoÂ’s supporters occupying leadership

positions in the chamber to quit if they could not accept his rejection by a

majority in the House as CayetanoÂ’s replacement.

Castro dared Cayetano’s foes to “resign your leadership positions and let

those who are willing to help and cooperate take over.”

A House majority early this week voted to reject CayetanoÂ’s resignation,

which he supposedly did to honor a term-sharing “gentlemen’s agreement” with

Velasco.

“There is no shame in admitting defeat at the hands of the better foe,”

Castro stressed in a privilege speech, addressing Velasco supporters.

“Those who cannot or will not join us in this task as they are enslaved by

their personal interest, I have one simple thing to say: dahil mahilig din

naman sila manawagaan sa palabra de honor, panindigan na nila ito (since you

are fond of calling for ‘word of honor’ then live up to it),” Castro said.

Castro also taunted Velasco and his allies for their lack of numbers.

“You didn’t even have the number when the President’s position was not yet

clear. How much more now that itÂ’s as clear that the President is happy with

the current leadership and this issue on House leadership is over,” he

pointed out.

“Even if you call for Speaker Cayetano’s resignation every day, the House

majority will just bring him back also every day,” Castro argued.

WOMEN LAWMAKERS INSIST TERM-SHARING AGREEMENT SHOULD BE HONORED

While CayetanoÂ’s supporters appear determined to ignore the term-sharing

agreement, at last two women legislators – AAMBIS-OWWA party-list Rep.

Sharon Garin and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo – are insisting it

should be honored.

“Term-sharing agreement is still valid. As far as I can remember the

President’s instructions have not changed,” Garin said in an interview on

ANC.

“Unless Duterte retracts his statement on the ‘15-21’ agreement, if you go

against his wishes, are you still for the President?” she argued.

“The President wants the budget passed and the ‘15-21’ term sharing deal

followed. I think the Oct. 14 date was a compromise reached by both parties.

I have been in the Congress for 10-11 years; I think Congress working

together with the executive is very beneficial for the country,” Garin,

economic affairs committee chair, stressed.

Garin said she expects Velasco to pursue the term-sharing agreement if

Cayetano refuses to resign as Speaker.

“I think any congressman can be a Speaker. And nobody has a monopoly on

being the best congressman,” she maintained.

“The most recent developments remind us that our word of honor is our most

valued political capital invested in the Filipino people today and for the

future. In the just-untangled complicated situation, the leaders of the

House of Representatives were reminded to keep their word of honor,” Tulfo

stressed in a statement.

DTI ALLOWS MORE BUSINESSES TO OPERATE AT 100% CAPACITY

MANILA — Businesses in the service sector and wholesale and retail trade can

now operate at full capacity, while restaurants and fast food outlets may

seat beyond 50 percent capacity in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas,

the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said yesterday.

The DTI issued Memorandum Circular 20-52 stating: “Business activities under

Categories II and III except for barbershops and salons in areas placed

under GCQ shall be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity.”

These businesses are mining and quarrying; financial services; legal and

accounting; management consultancy; architecture and engineering; technical

testing and analysis; scientific and research development; advertising and

market research; Computer programming and information service activities;

publishing and printing services; film, music and TV production; recruitment

and placement agencies for overseas employment; Photography services;

fashion, industrial, graphic and interior design; wholesale and retail trade

of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles, including their parts and

components, and repair of vehicles.

Also covered by the new memo are malls and commercial centers, as well as

non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments such as hardware stores;

clothing and accessories; bookstores and school and office supplies stores;

baby or infant care supplies stores; Pet shops, pet food and pet care

supplies; information and communications technology and electronic

equipment; flower, jewelry, novelty, antique and perfume shops; toy stores;

music stores; art galleries (for selling only); and firearms and ammunition

trading establishments.

All other public and private construction projects are likewise allowed up

to 100 percent operating capacity.

The DTI said all these businesses would need to continue to implement

minimum public health and safety standards set by the government.

As for barbershops and salons, the DTI said these would be allowed a maximum

75 percent operational capacity, subject to strict physical distancing.

The DTI said the MC takes effect today.

LGUS TO SET DINE-IN CAPACITY

When it comes to dine-in services of restaurants and fast food

establishments, the DTI said these would be allowed at over 50 percent

operational capacity, the extent of which would be decided by the local

government unit (LGU).

“The increase in operating capacity, menu offering and maximum servings of

alcoholic beverages shall be subject to the corresponding local government

guidelines,” the DTI said.

“Restaurants and fast food establishments’ dine-in, take-out and delivery

services shall be allowed to operate up to 24 hours a day, as far as

practicable, to augment the additional operational requirements and serve

the needs of the public, while enhancing income opportunities for workers,”

the DTI added.

NBI FILES RAPS VS PHILHEALTH OFFICERS BEFORE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday filed criminal

complaints against officers of the Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth)

Corp. before the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to the transmittal letter of the Department of Justice, signed by

Undersecretary Adrian Sugay, the complaint involves “questionable grant of

advances to a number of health care institutions” in Metro Manila.

This was done under the Interim Reimbursement Program, under PhilHealth

Circular No. 2020-0007. The IRM is a mechanism under the National Health

Insurance Program that grants financial aid to healthcare providers affected

by calamities.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday night confirmed the NBI

complaint filed before the ombudsman.

"The NBI, with the endorsement of the DOJ, filed with the OMB this afternoon

a complaint for violation of Sections 3(e) and 3(i) of the anti-graft and

corrupt practices act, malversation of public funds or property, violation

of Sections 251, 255 and 272 of the NIRC, and Sections 4 of RA 1051 in

connection with the questionable grant of advances to a number of health

care institutions in the NCR pursuant to the interim reimbursement mechanism

(IRM)," Guevarra said in a statement.

Below are the respondents:

Ex-PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Arnel De Jesus

Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco Jr.

Senior Vice President Israel Francis Pargas

Gregorio Rulloda

Imelda Trinidad de Vera

Lolita Tuliao

Gemma Sibucao

Lailani Padua

"More complaints will be filed in the next few days/weeks against erring

philhealth personnel and their cohorts," Guevarra added.

GO URGES GOVERNMENT TO LEVEL UP MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS

MANILA — Sen. Bong Go, chair of the committee on health, has urged the

government to step up its interventions addressing mental health concerns as

the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause distress to Filipinos and other

nationals.

During a webinar on adolescent mental health called “Edukasyon Tugon sa

Depresyon” last Wednesday, Go warned about the possible adverse effects of

the pandemic on the mental well-being of Filipinos.

“The physical effects of COVID-19 are well known and well documented.

However, if there is one aspect that has been often overlooked during this

pandemic, it is how it can affect us mentally,” Go said.

The senator also said stress due to the pandemic should not be taken

lightly. “The stress brought about by the pandemic is no joke.”

He said the loss of lives, jobs and livelihood as well as isolation due to

quarantine contribute to stress.

IATF ASKED TO ALLOW MORE DEVOTEES INSIDE QUIAPO CHURCH

MANILA — Quiapo Church is asking the Inter-Agency Task Force for the

Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to increase the allowed

capacity for religious gatherings after throngs of Black Nazarene devotees

flocked to the church yesterday morning.

The traditionally large first Friday crowd drew the attention of the

Philippine National Police (PNP), which issued an appeal to devotees not to

flock to Quiapo Church to prevent transmission of the coronavirus disease.

Parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said the church is big enough to

accommodate more devotees inside, but prevailing protocols under general

community quarantine (GCQ) allow only a few of them to enter.

As such, a large crowd gathered outside the entrances of the church,

violating health protocols such as physical distancing.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy director for administration, said it

became difficult for police onsite to enforce minimum health protocols

because of the big number of people.

“We appeal to the devotees to just attend mass in their communities instead

of going to Quiapo Church,” Eleazar said in a text message.

THE REST

========

NCR STILL COVID-19 EPICENTER WITH 1,084 NEW CASES; PH TOTAL AT 316, 678

MANILA - The National Capital Region remained the epicenter of the

Philippines' coronavirus crisis with 1,084 new cases reported Friday.

This is among 2,611 additional cases confirmed in the Department of Health's

latest bulletin, bringing the total number of infections in the country to

316,678.

This is the fourth straight day the country recorded less than 3,000 new

cases, according to ABS-CBN Data Analytics.

There were 416 new recoveries recorded, bringing the total tally to 254,617,

DOH said.

MAKATI WINS SMART CITY AWARD

MANILA — Makati bagged third place in the Efficient Government category of

the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) Awards this year,

Mayor Abby Binay announced yesterday.

Goyang City in South Korea took first place while Russian capital Moscow

placed second.

The Makati government was supposed to host this year the fifth WeGO General

Assembly, a gathering of over 200 cities who are WeGO members, but it was

cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Makati officials will receive the award during an online meeting of the

organizationÂ’s executive committee in November.

Binay cited the use of the Makatizen Card and the Makatizen App in

responding to emergencies and streamlining government transactions, which

was recognized by the international organization.

She said another innovation is the cityÂ’s initiative of automated

distribution of financial assistance to over 500,000 residents when she

presented the cityÂ’s efforts during the WeGO Smart Health Responder Webinar

in late May.

PASIG REOPENS 7 JEEPNEY ROUTES

MANILA — Seven jeepney routes in Pasig City were reopened to the public,

Mayor Vico Sotto said on Thursday night.

Sotto lauded the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board

(LTFRB) for its decision, which is expected to benefit commuters and jeepney

drivers in the city.

The mayor also thanked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for easing

the problems of commuters.

Citing LTFRB Memorandum Circular 202-050, Sotto said the routes which can

resume operations are Marikina Riverbanks to Robinsons Galleria, Market

Market to Pasig via San Joaquin, Market Market to Rosario via C5, Sto. Niño

Marikina to Ortigas Center, Pasig to Ayala Center, Pasig Santolan to SM

Megamall and Pasig to SM Megemall via Robinsons Galleria.

Sotto did not say how many commuter jeepneys are expected to ply the routes.

ENROLLMENT IN NCR PUBLIC SCHOOLS UP

MANILA — The number of students that enrolled in public elementary and high

schools in Metro Manila has exceeded last yearÂ’s enrollment, in contrast to

the significant drop in private school enrollment in the metropolis.

Data released days before the opening of classes on Monday showed that more

than 2.18 million students have enrolled in public schools in the region,

higher than the 2.05 million student population last year.

All school divisions in Metro Manila have exceeded their previous

enrollment, with the highest rate of increase recorded in San Juan (116.9

percent), Pasig (112.5 percent) and Parañaque (109.9 percent).

TUGUEGARAO REVERTS TO MECQ AS CASES RISE

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — This city has been placed under modified

enhanced community quarantine or MECQ again following a spike in the number

of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases.

The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging

Infectious Diseases or IATF said the MECQ declaration, which starts today,

is until Oct. 16.

The provincial health office said the city accounted for 75 of the 99 active

cases in Cagayan as of yesterday.

At least 27 cases here were traced to drinking binges.

This city was first placed under MECQ from Aug. 26 to Sept. 4.

Most of the cases at the time attended a fiesta, also in Barangay Cataggaman

Viejo.

Meanwhile, in Batanes, the provincial government reported that all the 86

contacts of the first confirmed case tested negative for the virus.

MORE RAINS SEEN AS LA NIÑA STARTS

MANILA — The state weather bureau advised yesterday concerned government

agencies, as well as farmers, to prepare for the possible impact of La Niña,

which may last until the first quarter of next year.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA) said recent oceanic and atmospheric indicators

signify that La Niña – often characterized by rainy weather – is prevailing

in the tropical Pacific.

“Since June 2020, the sea surface temperature in the central and equatorial

Pacific started to cool and further strengthened in September, reaching La

Niña threshold,” PAGASA said.

Based on the latest forecast, weak to moderate La Niña is likely to persist

until the first quarter of 2021, Ana Liza Solis, head of the PAGASAÂ’s

climate monitoring and prediction section, said at a virtual press

conference.

“Given that we already have a La Niña advisory, concerned sectors and

national government agencies need to take action,” she said.

She also urged the Department of Public Works and Highways to clear drainage

canals to prevent flooding, particularly in urban areas like Metro Manila.

Solis said farmers should also prepare their post-harvest facilities such as

drying and storage facilities for their produce, adding they could also

avail themselves of crop insurance.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MTRCB URGES NETFLIX, OTHER VIDEO STEAMING SERVICES TO ‘ADOPT’ PH RATINGS

SYSTEM

MANILA - The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on

Friday said it was "not going to regulate" Netflix and other streaming

services, but instead asked those companies to "adopt" the local rating

system for movies and television shows.

All movies and television programs shown in the Philippines are categorized

into 7 ratings, based on how appropriate the content is to an audience.

"We are not going to regulate video on demand. We are going to do

co-regulation," MTRCB chair Rachel Arenas said during a budget hearing in

the Senate.

"Hinihiling lang naman namin sa kanila is to adopt our ratings."

Netflix and other video streaming providers are "very much amenable" to

adopt the Philippine system of labeling which shows or movies are suitable

to viewers, the MTRCB chief said.

"They are the ones asking what law they should follow. We told them we would

first make guidelines," she said, noting the the review board is still in

the process of crafting these policies.

MTRCB drew criticism after saying it wanted to regulate Netflix and similar

services, which has become more profitable during the COVID-19 lockdown as

traditional cinemas remain closed.

Sen. Grace Poe, a former MTRCB chair, underscored that most films and series

uploaded on video-streaming platforms have already undergone inspections

from their countries of origin.

"These contents have been reviewed by respective places of origin. The

problem is really monitoring within the home," Poe said.

The MTRCB is asking for a P105.93-million budget next year to continue its

mandate of "regulating and classifying motion pictures, television programs,

and publicity materials," as well as "promoting a value-based media and

entertainment culture" in the Philippines.

The review board is in need of more funding next year after its coffers

dipped by 40 percent this year due to the forced closure of ABS-CBN, the

Philippines' largest broadcaster, and the limited operations of the

entertainment industry because of the global pandemic.

SPORTS

    1    2    3    4    T

5 Heat 0-2    23    31    39    21    114

1 Lakers 2-0    29    39    35    21    124

GAME 2: LAL LEADS 2-0

SCORING LEADERS

    J. Butler MIA

25 PTS, 8 REB, 13 AST

    L. James LAL

33 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST

LAKERS OUTMUSCLE UNDERMANNED HEAT FOR 2-0 LEAD

MANILA – The Los Angeles Lakers imposed their will against a shorthanded

Miami Heat side, 124-114, in Game Two of the NBA Finals on Friday.

Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers took advantage of the Heat, who

were missing key players Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo due to injury.

Davis, in particular, was able to have his way against the Miami defense

inside the paint with smaller defenders unable to stop him. He finished the

game with an efficient 15-of-20 shooting and tallied 32 points and 14

rebounds.

James, for his part, chipped in with a game-high 33 points. He also had nine

rebounds and nine assists, flirting with the triple-double.

Though the Heat were able to hang on for most of the game, avoiding

insurmountable deficits, the Lakers were comfortable for most of the

contest.

Jimmy Butler paced Miami with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk

was the second option with 24 points and nine rebounds.

The Heat will try to avoid a 0-3 hole when Game Three tips off on Sunday.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.48

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Attitude is the mind's paintbrush. It can color any situation. - Greek

Proverb