PHILIPPINES SIGNS DEAL TODAY WITH UK VACCINE MAKER

MANILA — An agreement for the purchase of two million doses of COVID-19

vaccine from British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca is scheduled to

be signed today, the chief implementer of the government’s pandemic policy

said.

National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito

Galvez Jr. yesterday said the agreement is a product of discussions between

the government, the private sector, pharmaceutical firms and embassies of

different countries.

Aside from this, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo

founder Joey Concepcion is also leading the private sector efforts to

procure between 2.5 million to 3 million doses of the vaccine in an effort

to augment the government’s separate procurement initiatives.

The tripartite agreement will be signed by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

Philippines president Lotis Ramin, Galvez and Concepcion, who is

representing the private sector, at the JoeCon Hall of the RFM Corporate

Center. The representatives from the signatory companies will participate

via Zoom conference.

“We are happy to report that the discussions have borne fruit and… we will

sign a tripartite agreement to buy two million doses of vaccine from

AstraZeneca of the United Kingdom. The private sector is part of this and

will donate,” Galvez said at a press briefing.

GLORIA ARROYO NAMED AS DUTERTE ADVISER

MANILA — Former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is back

in the national government, this time as one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s

advisers.

Duterte appointed Arroyo as presidential adviser on Clark flagship programs

and projects on November 24. She will receive a salary of just P1 per year,

according to her appointment paper released to the media on Thursday.

Duterte also has another adviser on flagship programs and projects in the

person of Bases and Conversion Development Authority President and CEO

Vivencio “Vince” Dizon.

The 4,300-hectare Clark Freeport Zone serves as the home of the Clark

International Airport and of more than a thousand businesses. It is also the

location of the government flagship project New Clark City, which is being

eyed as a backup government center in case disasters strike in Metro Manila.

Arroyo, who has maintained close ties with Duterte, previously served as

president for 10 years before being elected as a representative of

Pampanga’s second district.

She was elected speaker of the House during Duterte’s third State of the

Nation Address following a coup which ousted erstwhile Duterte ally Rep.

Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte).

Arroyo now serves as a consultant of the Pampanga provincial government.

PHILIPPINES TO ALLOW FILIPINOS' FOREIGN SPOUSES, CHILDREN TO ENTER NEXT

MONTH

MANILA — The Philippines' coronavirus task force has approved the entry of

Filipinos' foreign spouses and children who are traveling with them starting

December, Malacañang said Friday.

The inter-agency task force, which met Thursday, "allowed the entry to the

Philippines of Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless

of age, who are traveling with them, starting Dec. 7," Presidential

Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

The IATF also allowed the "entry of former Filipino citizens, including

their spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them,"

he said.

The travelers are allowed visa-free entry and required to pre-book a

quarantine facility and COVID-19 test at an airport laboratory, Roque said

in a statement.

"They, too, must be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at

the port and date of entry," he added.

The IATF directed the immigration bureau to "ensure the smooth

implementation of this policy" and the tourism department to "issue the

necessary guidelines," said Roque.

CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE OKS HIGHER LOAD FOR COMMISSIONED SHUTTLE SERVICES

MANILA — The Philippines' coronavirus task force has approved a higher

passenger load for commissioned shuttle services, Malacañang said Friday,

easing another restriction in an apparent bid to help the country’s battered

economy recover from recession.

The inter-agency task force, in a meeting on Thursday, approved an increase

in the operational capacity of commissioned shuttle services for employees

of permitted offices or establishments "by allowing them to adopt a

“one-seat apart” arrangement or a full seating capacity," said Presidential

Spokesperson Harry Roque.

The shuttles should have dividers between passengers and other health

measures, he said in a statement.

The task force directed the labor and trade departments to "issue the

necessary advisories for private shuttles in this regard," he said.

PHILIPPINES EYES CONSOLIDATION OF COVID-19 CONTACT-TRACING DATA

MANILA — The Philippines' coronavirus task force has approved the

consolidation of contact-tracing data from digital applications, Malacañang

said Friday, some 8 months into varying degrees of lockdown meant to contain

an unabated first wave of the pandemic.

The inter-agency task force, which met Thursday, said digital contact

tracing data "shall conform with specific minimum data requirements" that

the health department set, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Data on the contacts of COVID-19 patients from health facilities,

establishments, workplaces, transport hubs, and local government units

"shall be submitted to a centralized tracing data repository, which will be

linked to either COVID-Kaya or the COVID-19 Document Repository System

(CDRS)," he said in a statement.

StaySafe.ph "will be the government’s digital contact tracing application of

choice and will be made mandatory for adoption and use in all national

government agencies and instrumentalities as well as LGUs," he said.

Private establishments, facilities and offices are encouraged to use

Stafysafe.ph while for those with existing contact tracing applications they

are enjoined to integrate their systems with the Staysafe.ph system, Roque

added.

RED-TAGGING UP 'UNFAIR, INTOLERANT,' AFFECTS ENTIRE COMMUNITY: OFFICIAL

MANILA - A University of the Philippines (UP) official on Friday criticized

what she called "unfair and intolerant" accusations the school had become a

breeding ground for communists.

Speaking to ANC's "Headstart," UP Vice-President for Public Affairs Elena

Pernia said academic freedom remains in UP and that the state university has

no place for bigotry and red-tagging.

"What has happened is that the entire university has been red-tagged, which

is unfair, which is really intolerant and which does affect our entire

community," she said.

The UP official also echoed the remarks of UP Diliman chancellor Fidel

Nemenzo that red-tagging is dangerous.

"We are one with the chancellor in saying that red-tagging has negative

impacts not only on our students, not only on our faculty, but the

reputation of the entire University of the Philippines," Pernia said.

In a public address aired Nov. 18, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to

cut the funding of the state university following calls of academic strike

due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent typhoons.

It was also the chief executive who said that UP does nothing except recruit

communists.

"Stop studying. I will stop the funding. You don't do anything except

recruit communists," Duterte said in Filipino.

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METRO MANILA BANS CAROLING, SUSPENDS CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN WAR VS COVID-19

MANILA - Mayors of Metro Manila will ban the traditional Christmas caroling

this holiday season to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the chairman of the

capital region's council said Friday.

"Naglabas na kami ng executive order na walang physical caroling na

mangyayari dito sa darating na Kapaskuhan," Parañaque City Mayor Edwin

Olivarez told Teleradyo.

The Metro Manila Council also agreed to suspend Christmas parties in public

offices, he said.

The private sector is also discouraged from holding the traditional

Christmas event, as only up to 10 people can join gatherings under the

general community quarantine (GCQ).

The government has previously encouraged the public to limit Christmas

celebrations to family members.

Olivarez said they would be creating task forces to monitor the no-caroling

policy all over the metropolis. They will also ask village officials to keep

an eye on carolers in their respective areas.

The inter-agency task force leading the country's pandemic response has

already approved the recommendation of the Metro Manila mayors to prohibit

caroling to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed Metro Manila, home to

some 12 million people, has the most number of coronavirus infections in the

country with 196,415 cases.

It also led with the most number of new COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days

with 3,949.

PLANNING A COVID-FREE CHRISTMAS? BUY NOCHE BUENA EARLY - DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry has a piece of advice this Christmas

season: Buy your Noche Buena feast early to avoid the rush amid the COVID-19

pandemic.

Speaking to reporters, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said Filipinos should

start buying Noche Buena items less than a month before Christmas.

"Kung kaya na nila, bumili na sila kahit pakonti-konti habang kaunti pa lang

ang tao sa supermarket. Hindi nila kailangang magsiksikan at siyempre

ma-avoid nila 'yung transmission ng virus," she said.

Castelo also warned traders to follow the prevailing price freeze on

essential goods following massive floods in Luzon. Violators could face up

to a P1 million fine plus imprisonment.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the agency would implement

a department circular to remind Filipinos to continue observing minimum

public health standards during the holiday season.

Under the circular, holiday activities such as caroling, shopping in crowded

markets and shopping centers, indoor gathering with large crowds, riding in

stuffed public transportation vehicles, and others that involve physical

contact are discouraged.

Duque has called on other government agencies and local government units to

implement the circular.

WALANG SINGKO: UP CLARIFIES RULE ON INCOMPLETE GRADE UNDER 'NO FAIL POLICY'

MANILA - The University of the Philippines on Friday assured students

enrolled this semester that nobody will get a failing grade as it would be

implementing the ‘no fail policy.’

Elena Pernia, UP Vice President for Public Affairs, said the general policy

released Thursday by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs

says that students enrolled this semester will get number grades from 1 to

3.

“If they do not accomplish all the requirements of the course, they will get

an incomplete. Essentially, walang makakakuha ng singko, which means nobody

will get a failing grade this semester,” said Pernia.

Pernia said members of the academic advisory council are going to meet today

to come out with specific operationalizations.

“But generally, the guideline is - if a student did not complete

requirements for some reason then they will get incomplete grade. Whether

this requirement (is) 1 or several, no student will get a failing grade,”

she said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

SAN JUAN LAUNCHES SOLAR-POWERED BIKE PIT STOP

MANILA — The San Juan government on Wednesday launched the country’s first

solar-powered bicycle pit stop and bike-sharing program for city hall

workers.

Mayor Francis Zamora led the opening of the bike pit stop along Pinaglabanan

street.

The local government has passed ordinances to promote biking as an

alternative mode of transport as well as to protect bikers. It had also put

up infrastructures such as bicycle lanes.

San Juan was recently chosen as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the

country in the first Mobility Awards.

Zamora said they would launch early next year the historical bike trail

traversing landmarks in the city.

He said the trail would enable bikers to pass through landmarks such as the

Pinaglabanan Shrine, Museo ng Katipunan, El Deposito Museum and El Deposito

Underground Tunnel.

The program, according to Zamora, aims to boost local tourism and promote

the use of bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation in the city.

ISKO ORDERS INSTALLATION OF CCTVS IN COURTS

MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday ordered the installation of

closed-circuit television (CCTV) system in every courtroom in the city as

additional protection for judges.

Moreno said the CCTVs would serve as a deterrent against crimes.

Surveillance cameras will help police respond immediately to any untoward

incidents, he said.

Moreno has ordered the deployment of additional policemen and guards to

tighten security at the entrances and exits of the city hall.

The local government will also allocate funding for ambulances, according to

the mayor.

8888 TEXTERS SHOULD ID SELVES FOR REWARD’

MANILA — Citizens who wish to report corrupt officials to the 8888 Citizens’

Complaint Center should identify themselves so they can collect their reward

money, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque assured the public that the identities of

tipsters would remain confidential.

“If the report has a basis and if it is proven that your tip allowed us to

catch a corrupt personnel, you need to state your name – it won’t be

released by 8888 – just in case you want to collect a reward,” Roque said at

a press briefing.

“If we can’t trace you, you won’t be able to collect your reward,” he added.

President Duterte has offered reward money ranging from P50,000 to P100,000

to anyone who would report corruption in government.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

PIA WURTZBACH POINTS OUT RABIYA MATEO'S EDGE TO WIN MISS UNIVERSE

MANILA — Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach told Miss Universe Philippines

2020 Rabiya Mateo that she's in the right path to win the country's fifth

Miss Universe crown.

In the latest episode of her online show "Queentuhan," Pia said Rabiya has

her self-awareness and knows how to improve herself.

"Alam mo kung saan ka possible na ma-trigger, alam mo kung saan ka dapat

mag-train pa. Ang laki ng self-awareness mo, which is so important because

you have to have that open mind, that you need to keep learning. Hindi ka

dapat makuntento na, 'Ah nanalo na ako, okay na 'to. Ito na 'yung formula

ko.' Pero parang na-notice ko sa'yo na sobrang open mo to learning and

inoobserbahan mo rin 'yung sarili mo na, 'Ito dapat gawin ko, ganito,

ganyan.' Which is so good and so important for a person who wants to keep

improving and wants to win," Pia noted.

"I think you're on the right path already, Rabiya. You don't need a lot of

work. What I mean (by) work, alam mo 'yung parang may mga babaguhin pa sa

way of thinking mo or training mo," she added.

Rabiya said in the interview that she is set to start training for the

international pageant soon, admitting that she is not yet in her best

fighting form.

"I want to have the best body. Iyon sana, that's my target. I'm aware that

my frame is kind of small. And 'yung mahirap kasi sa akin, even though I eat

a lot, hindi ako lumalaki. So I really need to hit the gym and to have those

weights," Rabiya shared.

"Right now sinasabi we have this target na arms, hips, body," she continued.

"And sabi ko nga, nai-inspire ako to do that kasi I know myself, I'm not

gonna settle for less. I'm gonna push myself to improve kasi Pilipinas na

'yung dala-dala mo eh."

SPORTS

LAST DANCE OR GO HOME

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — It’s anybody’s game as the bubble’s “Big 4” duke it

out in a pair of sudden deaths today to determine the final combatants for

the vacant PBA Philippine Cup throne.

TNT and Phoenix settle the score while Ginebra and Meralco face off in a

decisive battle that perfectly wraps up the well-fought race-to-three

semifinals of the unique bubble tourney at the AUF Sports Arena Powered by

Smart 5G.

The Tropang Giga look to complete their fightback from a 1-2 deficit in the

3:45 p.m. fifth match in a bid to reach the All-Filipino’s Last Dance for

the first time since winning the 2012-13 edition.

Rival Phoenix intends to make the most of its second chance for a

breakthrough finals stint.

The Bolts have similar objectives as TNT and Phoenix in the 6:30 p.m.

you-or-me encounter with the top-seeded Gin Kings.

Like TNT, Meralco aims to win back-to-back games to progress. And like

Phoenix, coach Norman Black and company seek to reach the prestigious

conference’s championship for the first time.

“Just like in our previous (quarterfinal) battle with (twice-to-beat

five-peat champ) San Miguel, we have to win two games to move to the next

stage,” said Black after their series-tying 83-80 verdict over Ginebra last

Wednesday.

“We’re halfway through,” added Black, whose wards are also motivated to get

back at Ginebra, their tormentors in three previous Governors’ Cup finals

matchup.

Gin Kings mentor Tim Cone said they’re moving on from that bungled try in

Game 4.

“We came up short, we’re not going to hang our heads. We just have to look

forward and get ready for Game 5,” said the multi-titled coach, who’s

aspiring to steer Ginebra to its first Philippine Cup finale since 2016.

TNT strategist Bong Ravena, meanwhile, hopes to get more from struggling

Troy Rosario and Poy Erram, who were both non-factors in their 102-101

verdict last time.

“We have faith in them. We know they will step up and contribute in this

important Game 5,” said Ravena, who also banks on Jayson Castro, Ray Parks

Jr., Simon Enciso, and RR Pogoy to deliver.

Phoenix counterpart Topex Robinson, for his part, doesn’t want to burden

Matthew Wright and the gang with so much pressure going to the decider.

GILAS 12-MAN LINEUP VS THAIS KNOWN

MANILA — The final 12-man lineup for Gilas Pilipinas against Thailand in

their FIBA Asia Cup qualifying game on Friday has finally been announced.

After sending a 15-man pool to Bahrain, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

Inc. (SBP), the final three cuts were announced late Thursday evening.

The cadet-laden lineup will be led by collegiate stars Kobe Paras, Dave

Ildefonso, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro, Kenmark

Cariño and Justine Baltazar. Recently graduated Mike and Matt Nieto, Isaac

Go and Rey Suerte round up the 12-man list.

NCAA MVP Calvin Oftana, Jayde Tungcab and the injured Allyn Bulanadi have

been cut from the roster.

The young Gilas squad will test their mettle against the all-pro Thai team,

who only have 10 men in their lineup, in the first game of the November

window Friday night at 9 p.m.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.11

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I do not like the phrase: Never cross a bridge till you come to it. The

world is owned by men who cross bridges on their imaginations miles and

miles in advance of the procession. - Bruce Barton