CAYETANO CONCEDES TO VELASCO, RESIGNS AS HOUSE SPEAKER

Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano ended weeks of leadership tug-of-war

at the House of Representatives when he offered his irrevocable resignation

as House Speaker on Tuesday — acknowledging the election of his archnemesis

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

As Velasco's election was ratified, Cayetano said he is quietly stepping

down — avoiding any more ruckus in the House that was divided due to the

speakership squabble.

"Verbally, I am tendering my irrevocable resignation as the speaker of the

House of the Republic of the Philippines," Cayetano said on Facebook Live.

"At 3 p.m., elect your new speaker and pass the budget... Walang maneuvers

at political tactics na mangyayari diyan (There will be no political

maneuvers or tactics)."

In a separate post, he claimed he decided to step down following President

Rodrigo Duterte's stern reminder to set aside politics in the speakership

issue and focus on the timely passage of the 2021 national budget.

Duterte brokered a term-sharing deal between his two close allies Cayetano

and Velasco in 2019. Tensions escalated in recent weeks as Cayetano was

supposed to vacate the top seat in line with his prescribed 15 months in

power, but he suspended plenary sessions until mid-November — increasing the

possibility of a budget delay.

Taking matters into their own hands, Velasco's allies on Monday staged a

"session" outside the House of Representatives, where 186 lawmakers declared

the speakership post vacant and elected Velasco.

As the issue became more out of hand, Cayetano claimed he decided to give

way to Velasco to ensure the passage of the P4.5-trillion General

Appropriations Bill. Based on his meetings with the President, he said he

understood that he was going to turn over the top post once the 2021

national budget has been passed. He profusely apologized to Duterte if he

misunderstood his orders.

"Mr. President, if I made a mistake, kung mali po ang reading ko, if I

misunderstood na ituloy at tapusin ko ang budget, ako'y humihingi ng

paumanhin," Cayetano said. "Hindi ko intention na hindi ka sundin."

He previously offered to resign before the date agreed upon during the two

lawmakers' meeting with Duterte. Some viewed the move as Cayetano taking

hostage the budget deliberations.

He added that the 15-21 term-sharing deal meant he will talk to Duterte 15

months after his appointment to determine the next actions to take on the

speakership, and not to turn over the post to Velasco after the said period.

He said he is stepping down to uphold the gentlemen's agreement between the

three of them. He also urged Velasco to keep his "palabra de honor" to

retain the appointed deputy speakers and committee chairpersons in the

House.

'ALL IS WELL': DUTERTE ACCEPTS CAYETANO APOLOGY - PALACE

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the apology of ousted

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for a protracted leadership battle that

threatened to delay the passage of a P4.5 trillion budget vital to

rebuilding the country's battered economy, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Cayetano, in a meeting with Duterte on Tuesday, apologized for thinking that

he should stay as Speaker until the 2021 national budget is passed, contrary

to a term-sharing deal in which he should resign as Speaker this month to

give way to Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, said Presidential

Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Duterte, during the meeting in Malacañang, was "like a father to both"

lawmakers, Roque said, quoting Sen. Christopher Bong Go who was there.

"Of course, a father would accept apology from a son. All is well that ends

well," Roque told CNN Philippines.

Velasco on Tuesday replaced Cayetano as Speaker with support from 186 of the

299-member lower house, ahead of a 4-day special session that Duterte called

to finalize the 2021 budget that included funds for the coronavirus

pandemic.

NEW LEADERSHIP OVERTURNS 2ND READING PASSAGE OF BUDGET BILL

MANILA — The first order of business for the House of Representatives under

the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco was to return to plenary

debates the stalled P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.

House Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., who presided over the first day

of the four-day special session, approved the motions of acting House

Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc to “reconsider” the termination of budget

deliberations for agencies.

The same reconsideration was proposed for the second reading approval of the

budget measure, contained in House Bill 7727.

The new leadership had to void or annul the surprise decision of former

speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to pass the measure on second reading and

suspend the sessions until Nov. 16.

Bondoc, a congressman from Pampanga, clarified that the current status of HB

7727 is that it is now “under sponsorship and debate,” in compliance with

Duterte’s Proclamation 1027 providing for a special session from Oct. 13 to

16 for purpose of approving the measure.

This developed as Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, who resigned as Deputy

Speaker, was appointed new chairman of the House committee on accounts,

replacing Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino, who held the post since July 2019.

The chamber decided to go back to plenary debates following the failure of

Cayetano’s leadership to deliberate on the budgets of crucial agencies like

the Department of Public Works and Highways, where Negros Oriental Rep.

Arnie Teves detected and questioned hefty allocations for Cayetano and his

loyal allies.

Deliberations on the budget of 26 government offices, including the

Departments of Education, Health, Social Welfare and Development, the

Interior and Local Government, Tourism, Agrarian Reform and the Commission

on Human Rights, among others, had been stalled.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House ways and means committee,

said the House under Velasco would be a “bridge to the future” as he vowed

that Congress would be on the “fast-lane for modernizing reforms” under new

House leader.

“The new Speaker is a workhorse, not a show-horse. He has very little

appetite for political theatrics, and that attitude will spill over to us in

his leadership team,” the former socio-economic planning secretary general

said.

According to him, Velasco will “bring youth, energy and dynamic curiosity to

House leadership.”

VELASCO ALLY REGAINS HEALTH PANEL CHAIRMANSHIP

MANILA — A known ally of Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque) regained her

chairmanship of the House health committee following his election as speaker

of the chamber.

Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan (Quezon) was reelected as House health panel

chairperson during Tuesday’s special session.

Tan, a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition that backed Velasco’s

speakership bid, was ousted from her position last week and replaced by Rep.

Ma. Lucille Nava (Guimaras).

Speaking to Teleradyo on Wednesday, Tan said she is happy that she is back

as health panel chairperson.

“I was affected by the squabble in Congress. I have a lot of pending bills

that we need to tackle. Somehow, there was an effect on the affairs of the

Committee on Health,” Tan said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Aside from Tan, Velasco allies Rep. Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA party-list) and

Rep. Eric Martinez (Valenzuela City) were also ousted from their committee

chairmanships last week amid the bitter squabble for the top post at

Batasang Pambansa.

Garin is part of the Party-list Coalition, while Martinez hails from the

ruling PDP-Laban party. Both blocs supported Velasco’s bid for speaker.

WORLD GDP TO DROP 4.4% IN 2020, RISE 5.2% 2021: IMF

WASHINGTON - Global growth will collapse 4.4 percent this year, less than

previously expected, the IMF said Tuesday, though the outlook is beset by

uncertainty amid the ongoing pandemic.

Massive injections of government aid kept economies from plunging further,

though growth in 2021 is expected to be slightly slower than forecast in

June, according to the Washington-based crisis lender's World Economic

Outlook.

Around $3 trillion in stimulus spending kept the United States from a

disastrous contraction and growth is expected to decline just 4.3 percent

this year. China will see its economy expand by 1.9 percent.

Even amid the improved news, countries like India, Spain and Italy will see

double digit declines, while Britain just misses that threshold with a 9.8

percent contraction, the IMF said.

CABINET OKS EASING OF TRANSPORT RESTRICTIONS

MANILA — President Duterte and his Cabinet have approved the implementation

of the one-seat apart rule in public transportation as the government moves

toward the reopening of the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the Cabinet approved the

one-seat distance rule while the Department of Transportation (DOTr)

increased the rail capacity from 30 to 50 percent.

The one-seat apart rule will be implemented once the DOTr comes out with the

proper guidelines and publishes these in a reputable newspaper or the

Official Gazette, Roque said.

DOTr spokesperson Goddes Hope Libiran said the DOTr would come up with

guidelines on the implementation of the one-seat-apart rule for public

vehicles including jeepneys, buses and mass rail transit systems.

Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin wants to clarify if passengers are

still required to stay one seat apart even if there is a plastic divider

between them.

Martin gave assurance that their drivers are strictly implementing minimum

health and safety standards such as requiring passengers to wear face masks

and face shields.

The Cabinet also approved the gradual resumption of operations of provincial

buses, motorcycles taxis, shuttles and transportation network vehicle

service (TVNS).

It also approved the gradual expansion of age group allowed to go out like

those 15 to 65 years old.

The economic cluster recommended the implementation of shorter curfew hours

and multiple work shifts to allow more workers and buyers to contribute to

the economy, as well as the gradual expansion of business capacity from 75

to 100 percent.

Should COVID cases rise, the government will maintain quarantine level and

implement stricter protocols and more localized quarantine.

DPWH, SMC: SKYWAY STAGE 3 COMPLETED

MANILA — The construction of the entire 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 project,

which would link the northern and southern portions of Metro Manila, has

been completed, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary

Mark Villar said yesterday.

“From the onset of his administration, President Duterte has worked to

decongest EDSA. The completion of the girder construction of Skyway Stage 3

shows the President’s political will to connect every city in Metro Manila

within a 30-minute frame,” Villar said.

“Skyway Stage 3 is just one of 23 projects aimed at decongesting EDSA,” he

added.

Other projects include the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link, BGC-Ortigas

Link Bridge, NLEX-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Connector, Pantaleon

Estrella Bridge, Binondo Intramuros Bridge, Lawton Avenue, Katipunan

Extension and the Laguna Lake Expressway, among others.

“When Skyway Stage 3 is opened, travel time from SLEX to NLEX will be

reduced from two hours to only 30 minutes. Makati to Quezon City will only

be 20 minutes away,” Villar said.

“Before 2022 ends, travel time from (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) to

Balintawak will only be 20 minutes,” he added.

THE REST

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MANILA WINS FIRST EVER DILG FINANCIAL HOUSEKEEPING AWARD

MANILA — The city government of Manila, under Mayor Isko Moreno, has bagged

its first ever Good Financial Housekeeping recognition from the Department

of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for 2019.

The DILG’s Manila field office said this is Manila’s first Good Financial

Housekeeping award since the national agency’s pilot run of the Seal of Good

Local Governance in 2014.

In a statement yesterday, Moreno said the recognition from the DILG proves

that “the Manila city government has proven itself to be financially

transparent” and that it was able to “spend its funds wisely for the

previous year.”

“This is the first time in the entire history of the city government of

Manila. Last time, I already said that I will not tolerate a dismal

performance from the city government under my watch. We will always aim to

do better for the Manileños,” he said.

He said the city government will ensure that its funds will be used to

upgrade healthcare facilities, improving the quality of nutrition for

Manila’s children and establish other facilities for everyone’s benefit.

The Good Financial Housekeeping award is among the requirements a local

government unit must achieve in order to acquire the Seal of Good Local

Governance (SGLG).

The DILG defines SGLG as “an award, incentive, honor and recognition-based

program for all LGUs, and is a continuing commitment for LGUs to continually

progress and improve their performance.”

AS CREMATIONS INCREASE, BISHOP REMINDS CATHOLICS NOT TO KEEP ASHES OF LOVED

ONES

MANILA - Ashes of cremated loved ones must be kept in sacred places such as

columbaria and cemeteries and not kept at home, Manila Bishop Broderick

Pabillo said Tuesday.

“I would like to remind everyone that it is not allowed for us to keep the

urns containing the ashes in our homes permanently,” Pabillo said as quoted

by CBCP News.

This, after the bishop noted the increasing number of dead being cremated

due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines logged 344,713 COVID-19 cases of which 6,372

patients have died.

In his pastoral instruction issued recently, Pabillo warned of “great danger

of desecration in the future,” most especially when there is no one around

to look after and care for the ashes.

“So the ashes should be laid to rest in columbaria in the cemeteries or in

churches,” he said.

CEBU CITY BACKS MGCQ STATUS UNTIL YEAREND

CEBU — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella agrees with the recommendation of the

Department of Health (DOH) to place the city under modified general

community quarantine or MGCQ until the end of the year.

“For as long as the virus is in our midst, here in the city and the rest of

the world, we should still have quarantine restrictions. I agree... no

letup. We should not be complacent,“ Labella said.

He said quarantine measures should continue to be implemented even as the

number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases in the city continues

to drop.

DOH-Central Visayas director Jaime Bernadas recommended placing the region

under MGCQ to keep the number of cases down.

Central Visayas chief pathologist and COVID-19 spokesperson Mary Jean

Loreche said it is not the right time to consider a new normal as she

expressed concern that residents might forget that the virus is still

around.

Loreche said quarantine measures should remain in place to ensure that

people can spend the Christmas holidays without fear of a surge in cases.

‘OFEL’ MAKES SECOND LANDFALL IN SORSOGON

MANILA - Tropical depression Ofel made its second landfall the vicinity of

Matnog, Sorsogon on Wednesday morning as it traversed Southern Luzon, the

state weather bureau said.

The country's 15th storm this year made its initial landfall over Can-avid,

Eastern Samar at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, PAGASA said.

Ofel was last estimated 30 kilometers southwest of Juban town, Sorsogon as

of 7 a.m., packing maximum winds of 45 km per hour and gusts of up to 55

kph.

It will move west-northwestward over the inland seas of Southern Luzon and

may pass close or over Masbate, Romblon, and Mindoro provinces, PAGASA said.

From Wednesday to Thursday morning, Ofel will bring moderate to heavy rains

over Bicol region, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Romblon, and Mindoro provinces.

Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran,

and most of Mindanao will experience light to moderate with at times heavy

rains due to Ofel and the southwest monsoon.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted in the following areas,

where 30-60 kph winds may rip roofs off nipa and cogon huts, damage rice

crops and down banana plants:

- Batangas

- southern portion of Laguna (Luisiana, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Rizal,

San Pablo City, Calauan, Alaminos, Los Baños, Bay, Magdalena)

- central and southern portions of Quezon (Guinayangan, Tagkawayan,

Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, Mulanay, San Francisco, Catanauan,

Lopez, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Atimonan, Tayabas City, Mauban,

Sampaloc, Lucban, Gumaca, General Luna, Macalelon, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel,

Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores,

Tiaong, San Antonio)

- Occidental Mindoro

- Oriental Mindoro

- Marinduque

- Romblon

- Camarines Norte

- Camarines Sur

- Catanduanes

- Albay

- Sorsogon

- Masbate (including Ticao and Burias Islands)

- Northern Samar

- Eastern Samar

- Samar

- Biliran

Ofel is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm after emerging over the

West Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning and is expected to leave the

Philippine area of responsibility on Friday, PAGASA said.

SPORTS

PARKS ERUPTS FOR TNT; PBA: RAIN OR SHINE ESCAPES BEERMEN IN COLD-SHOOTING

GAME

Tropang Giga in solo lead

MANILA — Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had a grand debut in the PBA bubble last night,

turning in a monster 40-11-5 game to power TNT Tropang Giga past Terrafirma,

112-101, and in the solo lead of the Philippine Cup.

Sidelined by a strained calf in TNT’s opening 100-95 win over Alaska last

Sunday, Parks made a big impact with his career-best production as the

Tropang Giga went 2-0 in the tournament restart at the AUF Sports Arena in

Angeles City.

Parks made seven of his 10 three-point attempts and shot 72 percent from the

floor overall as he picked up from where RR Pogoy left off.

Pogoy erupted for 45 in the opener and slowed down with 11 points against

the Dyip.

Troy Rosario backstopped Parks with 20 markers, 15 boards and five assists

while Jayson Castro and JP Erram chipped in 15 and 14, respectively.

Dyip star CJ Perez paced the Dyip with 30.

Earlier, resilient Rain or Shine took down title-holder San Miguel Beer in

an 87-83 ambush to paint a rosy start to its bubble campaign.

The hot-starting Elasto Painters forced the Beermen to play catch-up

throughout then fended off SMB’s late fightback with clutch shots by young

guns Rey Nambatac and Jayvee Mocon to go 1-0.

Nambatac shook off a woeful shooting and knocked down a dagger trey that

restored more breathing room for ROS against the rallying Beermen, 85-81,

with 13 seconds left.

No-quit SMB pulled two back on a bucket by Terrence Romeo but ROS wouldn’t

let this one slip away.

Mocon cashed in on his charities off a Chris Ross foul with 1.4 tick left to

seal the victory on the night he tallied a career-high-equaling 25 markers.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.53

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Be careful that victories do not carry the seed of future defeats. - Ralph

W. Sockman