BIDEN ALMOST THERE; TRUMP CRIES FOUL

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won Michigan and Wisconsin

Wednesday, putting him on the brink of taking the White House from President

Donald Trump, hours after the president’s team opened legal fights to stop

vote counting in at least two states.

Meanwhile, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said that the President would

formally request a Wisconsin recount, citing “irregularities in several

Wisconsin counties.” Trump claimed he had already won the elections and

further counting of votes was like committing a “fraud on the American

public”. He didn't elaborate on the alleged fraud.

The Trump campaign said it also filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Michigan,

laying the groundwork for contesting the outcome in undecided battleground

states.

In the race to 270 electoral votes, Biden has 253, while Trump has 214.

Biden is likely to win Arizona (11) and Nevada (6) too, taking his count to

270.

The other states where clarity is yet to emerge but Trump is leading, are,

Alaska (3), Georgia (16), North Carolina (15), Pennsylvania (20)

With millions of votes yet to be counted across several key states — there

is a reason that news organizations and other usually impatient actors were

waiting to declare victors. If Biden can hold Arizona and Nevada, the former

vice president could win the election even without Pennsylvania, which has

long been viewed as a must-have battleground state.

“We feel good about where we are,” Mr. Biden told rattled supporters early

Wednesday morning. “I’m here to tell you tonight we believe we’re on track

to win this election. I’m optimistic about this outcome.”

One source of Biden’s resilience lies in the nature of the votes still to be

counted. Many are mail-in ballots, which favor him because the Democratic

Party spent months promoting the message of submitting votes in advance,

while Trump encouraged his voters to turn out on Election Day. And in

Michigan and Pennsylvania many of the uncounted votes are from populous

urban and suburban areas that tend to vote heavily for Democrats.

Early Wednesday, Mr. Trump prematurely declared victory and said he would

petition the Supreme Court to demand a halt to the counting. Biden urged his

supporters — and by implication, Trump — to show patience and allow the

process to play out.

Republicans however grew increasingly confident on Wednesday that they could

maintain narrow control of the Senate and make a considerable dent in the

size of the Democrats’ House majority.

INFLATION ACCELERATES TO 2.5 PERCENT IN OCTOBER, FASTEST IN 3 MONTHS

MANILA - Philippine inflation quickened in October driven by higher food and

non-alcoholic beverage prices, according to official government data

released on Thursday.

The consumer price index rose at a quicker annual pace of 2.5 percent in

October, within the 1.9 to 2.7 percent forecast range of the Bangko Sentral

ng Pilipinas' Department Economic Research for the month.

Core inflation which strips out volatile food and fuel items, came in at 3

percent.

"Ang pangunahing dahilan sa pagtaas ng inflation sa buwan ng Oktubre 2020 ay

ang mas mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng food and non-alcoholic beverages,"

said National Statistician Dennis Mapa.

The increase was attributed to higher inflation for meat and fish, Mapa

said, with meat at 4.7 percent and fish at 3.7 percent.

Barbershop services and education also contributed to the faster inflation

for the month bringing year-to-date inflation for 2020 at 2.5 percent.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said October inflation remained consistent

with its assessment of "favorable inflation dynamics" over the policy

horizon.

"The balance of risks continues to be on the downside due largely to the

impact of domestic and global economic activity of possible deeper economic

disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic," the Bangko Sentral said in

a statement.

DUTERTE MAY AGAIN SUSPEND VFA ABROGATION

MANILA — President Duterte may opt to call for a second suspension of the

abrogation process for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United

States, his spokesman said yesterday.

“That has the option of being further extended by another six months. So my

thinking is, perhaps the President will invoke the second six-month time to

finally abrogate the VFA,” Harry Roque said over CNN Philippines.

“But anyway, what I am saying is, there is no immediate rush for the

President to decide because the notification we sent to the Americans gives

them at least one year leeway before it’s abrogated,” Roque added.

Meanwhile, a congressman said it would be best and most practicable for the

government to set aside the Philippines’ abrogation of the agreement,

especially since Duterte’s six-month suspension of the termination will end

on Dec. 2.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon said doing so would give Manila the needed

“elbow room” for a possible renegotiation, depending on the outcome of US

presidential elections.

“If we really want elbow room, an extension of the suspension would be the

choice, given that there is a possibility of a new administration that would

be coming in in America,” the administration legislator said in an interview

on TV5’s One News’ Agenda last Tuesday.

“Because of the US elections, then we will know whether President Trump will

be re-elected or former vice president Joe Biden will become the new

president,” Biazon explained, noting there will be a world of difference on

whoever will emerge as winner.

He said a new White House administration may mean a change in US foreign

policy and extending the suspension of VFA abrogation would give the

Philippines opportunity to negotiate for better terms in the agreement.

SUPER TYPHOON ROLLY'S PRICE TAG: P5.8 BILLION IN INFRA DAMAGE

MANILA - Super Typhoon Rolly left some P5.8 billion in infrastructure damage

in Bicol region after pummeling Luzon on Sunday, the Department of Public

Works and Highways said Thursday.

The strong winds and torrential rains of Rolly, the world's strongest storm

so far this year, destroyed majority of the region's flood control

structures, according to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar who inspected the area

Wednesday.

"First thing we wanna secure is the residents there. The damage in the dikes

- we want to plug it as soon as possible. We still want to be ready in case

there might be another low pressure area or typhoon. We wanna make sure the

safety infra are repaired," he told ANC's Headstart.

The national roads in island province Catanduanes remain impassable but it

will be cleared in the next few days, Villar added.

Meantime, the agency also needs to desilt rivers in Guinobatan town, where

Rolly brought down debris and boulders from Mayon Volcano to communities,

leaving at least 3 dead.

"The volume of debris coming from Mount Mayon is very massive. After every

eruption those debris actually accumulate. If there’s heavy rain and it

comes down, it overwhelms the safety measures we put up," Villar said.

The environment department had suspended quarrying operations around the

volcano after its initial investigation showed some of the quarry operators

left their stockpiles in the middle of the rivers, which were then washed

away when floodwaters flowed down from Mayon Volcano.

Albay Governor Al Bichara said the debris and boulders that Rolly swept into

a community in Guinobatan town were from the top of Mayon Volcano and not

from quarry stockpiles.

"Regardless of quarrying the debris is still there. It has to be removed,"

Villar said.

The agency has about P1 billion in quick response fund for disasters that

can be replenished, the secretary said.

"We’re expecting a new replenishment. Next batch we’ll be focusing on

structures affected by Typhoon Rolly," he said.

'MAS MASAHOL PO ITO SA REMING': TYPHOON-BATTERED TABACO CITY SEEKS FOOD,

HOUSING MATERIALS

MANILA - Tabaco City in Albay is in need of food and housing materials after

the onslaught of 2 consecutive typhoons, its mayor said Thursday.

Esrtwhile Super Typhoon Rolly was among the worst storms that hit the city,

Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro said as it damaged heritage structures and half

of all houses in the area. In late October, Typhoon Quinta hit land in the

city.

"This (Rolly) is the worst typhoon recorded since Typhoon Trix in 1952. Mas

masahol po ito sa Reming (It's worse than Typhoon Reming)," she told

ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

Typhoon Trix in 1952 killed 995 people in Bicol region, while Typhoon Reming

left some 734 dead in 2006.

The city did not suffer any fatalities during Rolly's onslaught as residents

were forcibly evacuated, the mayor said. Rolly's strong winds, however,

unroofed evacuation centers, she said.

She added that some 3,000 residents remain in evacuation centers, where the

local government would be focusing its resources.

"It is better than bumalik sila sa damaged homes nila. At least sa isang

lugar dun na lang namin itututok ang resources namin kasi again scarce ang

resources," she said.

The city is coordinating with the labor department in implementing an

emergency employment program where residents will be given a minimum wage

salary for 10 days, the mayor said.

IMMIGRATION ANNOUNCES 'ONE-STRIKE POLICY' VS ERRING PERSONNEL

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration said Thursday it will enforce a

one-strike policy on officials and personnel as it intensifies its drive

against corruption.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said he ordered the bureau’s

newly-reconstituted Board of Discipline to “carefully assess complaints and

reports against erring personnel.”

If the board finds the complaint to have merit, they will immediately

recommend the filing of an administrative case against them before the

Department of Justice, BI’s mother agency.

"Under the one-strike policy, erring personnel subject of complaints and

investigations will be relieved from their posts immediately," the BI said.

Relief is not the same of dismissal from the service.

NEXT PNP CHIEF: 3 NAMES SUBMITTED TO DUTERTE

MANILA — Three police officials have been recommended to President Duterte

as replacement for Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo

Cascolan, who is set to retire this month, the Department of the Interior

and Local Government (DILG) said yesterday.

The DILG, which has supervision over the PNP, declined to name the

officials.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the police officials were chosen based

on seniority, track record, career assignments, performance in field and

office duties as well as leadership skills.

“I don’t want to give descriptions because it can confirm guesses easily.

The only thing important is that they are senior PNP officials. This

recommendation was a resolution of the National Police Commission (Napolcom)

so this is a collegiate decision,” Año told reporters.

The President, upon the recommendation of the Napolcom, can choose the PNP

chief among the roster of the most qualified officers.

THE REST

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HOLIDAYS COULD BRING 'UPTICK' IN COVID-19 CASES IN PH: OCTA RESEARCH

MANILA - The Philippines may face an increase in its COVID-19 cases as the

holidays near, a researcher said Thursday.

The country now ranks 22nd among nations with most coronavirus cases

worldwide as it records around 1,000 daily average patients, according to

Professor Guido David, member of the OCTA Research Group which analyzes

COVID-19 data in the Philippines.

"Aware rin naman tayo na pagdating ng holiday season meron na ring fatigue

ang mga tao, gustong lumabas, pwedeng magkaroon ng uptick pero ang

importante d'yan 'yung response natin mabilis para... di lalala at

magkakaroon ng surge," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Patuloy pa rin nating gawin ang mga ginagawa nating tama para di magbago

ang trajectory natin so 'yung health protocols kailangan strictly sinusunod

natin. Wag muna tayo magpabaya at maging pasaway."

David said the decline in daily average cases may be due to the Philippine

Red Cross' halt of government testing, which has since resumed, and the

disruption of laboratory tests results due to typhoons.

The Philippines as of Wednesday reported 388,137 COVID-19 cases, of which

31,679 were considered active, 349,091 were recoveries and 7,367 were

fatalities.

BATANGAS CITY BAGS WWF’S MOST LOVABLE CITY AWARD

MANILA — Batangas City has been hailed as the “World’s Most Lovable City”

and overall winner in this year’s edition of the World Wide Fund for Nature

(WWF)’s “We Love Cities” campaign.

The announcement was made online via Zoom recently and attended by

representatives of WWF national offices around the world and We Love Cities

campaign finalists, said Oliver Gonzales, environment and natural resources

officer of Batangas City.

“We’re overwhelmed and happy. This challenge brought us together and made us

proud as citizens of our city. We want to thank WWF-Philippines for their

great support and guidance throughout this challenge,” Gonzales said.

MOTORISTS WITHOUT RFID TO BE GIVEN TICKET

MANILA — Starting Dec. 1, motorists passing the North Luzon and South Luzon

Expressways with no RFID stickers attached to their vehicles will be

penalized by the Land Transportation Office.

Motorists who fail to conform to the government’s mandate will be

apprehended and issued a citation ticket, the Department of Transportation

(DOTr) said yesterday.

The DOTr has moved the mandatory implementation of cashless toll collections

from Nov. 2 to Dec. 1.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. president Rodrigo Franco said the MPTC would

put in place measures to ensure that motorists with no RFID by then would

have their stickers installed before they enter the expressways.

“In principle, motorists can be penalized if they enter the tollways without

RFID. But we have procedures to allow them to have RFID installed before

they enter the expressways,” Franco said.

MALL SALES, OUTDOOR DINING BACK IN QUEZON CITY

MANILA — Mall sales and outdoor dining in Quezon City restaurants are now

allowed to help the economy recover while maintaining the highest standards

of prevention against COVID-19, Mayor Joy Belmonte announced yesterday.

Under the revised general community quarantine guidelines approved recently

by the city government, operations of restaurants, especially in open-air

spaces and the holding of mall-wide sales were allowed.

“With active COVID-19 cases on a downward trend, we are pushing various

activities during the holidays that will jumpstart the economy and give

livelihood to the people,” Belmonte said.

“But we encourage them to hold these activities in open-air spaces and well

ventilated indoor areas to prevent the virus from spreading. This way, we

will be having a safe and meaningful Christmas celebration,” she added.

Belmonte said bazaars, tiangge or flea markets are also allowed in the city

with strict implementation of health protocols. Event organizers are

required to log attendees for contact tracing purposes.

4 IN 5 FILIPINOS SAY QUALITY OF LIFE GOT WORSE IN PAST YEAR – SWS

MANILA — Four out of five Filipinos said their lives got worse in the past

12 months, a new Social Weather Stations survey suggested.

The September 17 to 20 survey found that 82% of adult Filipinos said their

quality of life worsened (termed by SWS as “losers”) compared to a year ago,

while only 6% believed it got better (termed as “gainers”). The remaining

11% said it was the same.

This yielded a net gainers score of -76, classified by the polling firm as

“catastrophic”—or a score of -50 and below.

SIGNAL NO. 2 UP IN BATANES, BABUYAN ISLANDS AS ‘SIONY’ MOVES CLOSER TO LAND

MANILA — Signal Number 2 is now hoisted over Batanes and the eastern portion

of Babuyan Islands as Severe Tropical Storm “Siony” (international name:

Atsani) threatens to make landfall over those areas by Friday morning or

noon.

PAGASA said those areas can expect winds between 61 to 120 kilometers per

hour (kph) in at least 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau hoisted Signal Number 1 over the

following areas, where winds between 30 to 60 kph and intermittent rains may

be expected within 36 hours:

The rest of Babuyan Islands

The northern portion of mainland Cagayan

The northern portion of Apayao

The northern portion of Ilocos Norte

PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains due to Siony will begin affecting

Batanes and Babuyan Islands by early Friday morning.

Siony, which was last spotted 595 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, is

moving west southwestward at 10 kph and is packing winds of 95 kph near the

center and gusts of up to 115 kph, according to PAGASA.

PAGASA also forecast that the troughs of Siony and Tropical Storm Goni,

outside of the country’s jurisdiction, will bring scattered light to

moderate with at times heavy rains over Pangasinan and most parts of Central

Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, and

Mindanao.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ARJO ATAYDE MARKS BIRTHDAY WITH MAINE MENDOZA, TRENDS ON TWITTER

MANILA -- Actor Arjo Atayde celebrated his birthday with his family and

girlfriend Maine Mendoza.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Atayde's mother, Sylvia Sanchez shared

snaps from their family's celebration for his son's special day.

"Masaya ako anak kasi alam kong masayang masaya ka, " Sanchez wrote, using

the hashtags #family, #happiness, #grateful, #blessed, #thankuLORD

Fans of Atayde also showed their love for the actor as the hashtag

#HappyBirthdayArjo became one of the top trending topics on Twitter.

Atayde had admitted that he misses Mendoza the most during the pandemic.

"It's hard to be away from your loved ones -- family, girlfriend. This

quarantine is making us stronger," he said.

Atayde and Mendoza have been dating for more than a year.

Last February, when asked about whether he would like to marry Mendoza,

Atayde quickly answered: "Of course."

Atayde and Mendoza have kept their relationship low profile.

Behind the scenes, the two have become integrated into each other’s family,

with Mendoza spotted a few time with the Ataydes.

Atayde, too, has been welcomed by the Mendoza family, he said.

“Sobrang mabait din po ng family niya,” Atayde said. “Very welcoming din po

and very protective din po as well. I love them. Very mabait po sila, wala

po akong masabi. Gayundin po ang mga kapatid niya. They’re very kind to me.

Very, very kind.”

SPORTS

PBA SCORES NOV 4

WED, NOV 4, 2020    Q1    Q2    Q3    Q4    T

Batang Pier    29    19    27    25    100

Barangay Ginebra    23    34    27    28    112

Magnolia Hotshots    24    23    27    28    102

TNT Tropang Giga    25    16    27    24    92

Blackwater Elite    15    21    23    26    85

Meralco Bolts    25    19    22    23    89

Rain or Shine    18    21    18    17    74

NLEX Road Warriors    24    18    22    30    94

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.40

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Destroying is a necessary function in life. Everything has its season, and

all things eventually lose their effectiveness and die. - Margaret J.

Wheatley