HOUSE PRIORITIES: BAYANIHAN 3, LEONEN IMPEACHMENT
MANILA — The impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen and the proposed P405.6-billion economic stimulus package Bayanihan 3 will be among the priority measures of the House of Representatives when it resumes session today.
House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, vowed to include in the plenary’s order of business the Leonen impeachment complaint as per “explicit instructions from Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.”
The complaint “will be discussed by his committee” following the Speaker’s endorsement last March 25, when Congress went on a Holy Week break.
The impeachment complaint was filed in December 2020 by Edwin Cordevilla of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government, which was endorsed by Ilocos Sur Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, cousin of former senator Bongbong Marcos.
At the same time, Romualdez said the House leadership will “prioritize the passage” of the P405.6-billion Bayanihan 3 upon the resumption of its three-week session before Congress’ sine die adjournment on June 4.
“We need Bayanihan 3 to help ensure that the economy recovers quickly from the coronavirus disease-19-induced crisis in a strong, sustainable, and resilient manner,” Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD, stressed.
ROBREDO, TRILLANES STILL AMONG 1SAMBAYAN CANDIDATE POOL FOR 2022 POLLS: CONVENOR
MANILA - Opposition coalition 1SAMBAYAN said Monday nothing has changed with its pool of nominees for next year's national elections.
Vice President Leni Robredo and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV remain among the coalition's five possible candidates for the presidency or vice presidency, said 1SAMBAYAN convenor, lawyer Howard Calleja.
Trillanes earlier said he was considering running for president following reports that Robredo would run for governor. The Vice President has since said she has not made any decision.
The other possible candidates were Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, and Manila mayor Isko Moreno, according to Calleja. The coalition is waiting for the decision of 2 other possible candidates, he said.
"Winnability is always a factor. We understand that election is always an addition. We believe in 1SAMBAYAN that a growing and united coalition, we can make the capable candidate winnable," he told ANC's Matters of Fact.
"We believe having all these nominees together, we can have the numbers not only to surpass any candidate of the administration but win by a margin as long as all nominees stay united and stay true to the course...under a united opposition."
The coalition believes and accepts the realities of politics, Calleja said.
"I think the Filipino people has matured enough and part of our program is really to give voter education," he said.
1SAMBAYAN will be focused on national candidates, including a complete slate of senators, while candidates for local positions will be considered on later dates, according to Calleja.
"We are open to those who are independent and open-minded. We’re open tot hose who love the country and who are democratic and reject the ideals of EJK (extrajudicial killings). We are open to those who would follow the Constitution and defend the territory of the Philippines," he said.
DUTERTE SIGNS EOS ON NEW PORK, RICE TARIFFS
MANILA — To ensure food security and protect consumers, President Duterte approved yesterday the recommendations of the National Economic and Development Authority board to temporarily reduce the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rates on imported rice and adjust the rates on imported pork products.
Duterte signed two executive orders that will reduce the MFN tariff rates for rice and pork, the Office of the President said in a dispatch last night.
The President signed Executive Order (EO) 135 that reduced the MFN tariff rates for rice to 35 percent from 40 percent (in-quota) and 50 percent (out-quota) for a period of one year.
The move aims to “diversify the country’s market sources, augment rice supply, maintain affordable prices and reduce pressures on inflation.”
“The tariff reduction took into consideration the increase in global rice prices and the uncertainties surrounding the steady supply of rice in the country,” the Palace said.
Meanwhile, the President also issued EO 134 to adjust the MFN tariff rates for pork products in response to the plight of concerned sectors and stakeholders, including the local hog industry.
INDONESIAN ACCIDENT NO REASON TO SCRAP PHILIPPINE’S SUBMARINE ACQUISITION
MANILA — The recent tragic loss of an Indonesian submarine, killing all 53 of its crew, should not erode the Philippines’ plan to acquire three submarines, a Mindanao lawmaker said yesterday.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the Philippine Navy’s plan to obtain three Scorpene-class submarines from France should push through, especially at this time when tensions are running high in the West Philippine Sea with Chinese ships swarming the area.
“The attack submarines that our Navy intends to procure will be particularly helpful in protecting our maritime domain in the deeper waters of the West Philippine Sea,” Pimentel, chairperson of the House strategic intelligence committee, said.
“They can stealthily conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against unwelcome Chinese maritime militia vessels,” he added.
Pimentel pointed out that Manila is “not just a coastal state like Vietnam and Malaysia,” which ironically “have their own submarines.”
“We are in fact one of the world’s largest archipelagic states, just like Indonesia,” he stressed. “We are completely surrounded by waters, so submarines should form part of our mix of defensive combat ships.”
The submarines are capable of anti-surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes as well as special operations and intelligence gathering. They will be equipped with torpedoes, missiles and mines.
“We welcome France’s commitment to help our Navy develop a submarine force,” he said.
The submarines are on top of the 16 surface warships – four frigates and 12 corvettes – that the Philippine Navy has lined up for acquisition between now and 2028.
COVID-19 STRICKEN SHIP LEAVES FOR VIETNAM
MANILA — After nine days of staying in Manila Bay, the Panamanian-flagged vessel M/V Athens Bridge that had 12 crewmembers infected with COVID-19 has left for Vietnam.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cavite station commander Lieutenant Michael John Encina yesterday said the cargo ship departed for Vietnam on Friday night.
“According to the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Corregidor, the M/V Athens Bridge departed for Vietnam last May 14 at 7 p.m.,” Encina said.
The international vessel stayed at the anchorage area of Manila Bay, specifically at 5.2 nautical miles (10 kilometers) off Sangley Point in Cavite for nine days. It arrived there last May 6.
It had 21 crewmen, all Filipino, and 12 of them were infected with the coronavirus disease. Of the 12, nine were found with the Indian B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant.
“All the clearance needed prior to departure have been completed by the ship,” Encina said.
He added that before the vessel departed, it also “changed crew,” which means those who were infected with COVID-19 disembarked and have been receiving medical treatment, aside from following quarantine protocols.
The sick crewmen were also replaced with other Filipino seafarers.
FILIPINOS TOLD TO TAKE ACTION VS GLOBAL WARMING AS NATION SWELTERS
MANILA - Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Sunday urged Filipinos to care for the environment as the country experienced a sweltering summer and climate disasters, according to him, are exacerbated by mining activities.
Pope Francis had designated May 16 to 24 as Laudato Si Week or the 6th anniversary of his encyclical, which backed scientific evidence that human activity was to blame for global warming.
"Totoong papunta tayo sa langit. Pero habang hinahangad natin na pumaroon tayo, 'wag nating pabayaan ang mundong ito kung nasaan tayo ngayon. Titirhan pa ito ng ating mga anak at mga apo. Anong klaseng mundo ba ang iiwan natin sa kanila?" Pabillo said in his Sunday mass homily.
"Ngayong Laudato Si Week, maging mulat tayo sa nangyayari sa ating kalikasan at magbago nawa ang ating ugali at pananaw alang-alang sa ating mundo. Sa misang ito, ipagdasal natin na bigyan tayong lahat ng pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit sa magandang mundo na ibinigay sa atin."
It does not help that President Rodrigo Duterte removed the moratorium on mining activities, Pabillo said.
"Mas pinapanigan pa ng mga pulis at military ang mga dayuhang mining companies kaysa sa mga mahihirap natin at tagapangalaga ng kalikasan," he said.
"Ang pagmimina rin ang isang dahilan ng pagkasira ng mga communities ng mga Lumad at mga mahihirap. Magkakaroon naman ng maraming human rights violations at red-tagging sa mga leaders ng mga katutubo, magsasaka at mangigisda na tumututol sa mga mining na ito kasi nakakasira sa kanilang kabuhayan."
The Philippines was the deadliest country for land and environmental defenders in 2018. It slipped to second place in 2019, watchdog Global Witness earlier said.
FAUSTINO OUT, CENTINO NAMED NEW ARMY CHIEF
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has removed Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. as commanding general of the Philippine Army in an acting capacity.
AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said Faustino’s relief was in accordance with Section 4 of Republic Act 8186, which states that the Army chief should have at least one year remaining in the service on the day of his assumption.
Faustino, who was appointed to the Army post last February, will retire from the military service in November.
The AFP welcomed the appointment of Maj. Gen. Andres Centino as the new Army chief.
“Given his professionalism, operational experience and managerial skills gained from various leadership echelons of the AFP, General Centino will stir the Army to greater heights,” AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.
GOVERNORS, MAYORS GET VACCINE PRIORITY
MANILA — Local chief executives or LCEs in the country will now be among the A1 priority list for vaccination.
The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) said its appeal to reclassify LCEs to be part of the priority A1 group for the national vaccination program was approved on May 15.
LCEs, including governors and city mayors, will be listed under priority group A1.5, following Advisory No. 40 by the chair of the National COVID-19 vaccination operations center, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said over the weekend.
LCP national president and Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia said LCEs will be included in the A1 priority list as they head the Local Health Board and chair the Local Task Force Against COVID-19.
THE REST
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PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS 5,790 NEW COVID-19 CASES; TALLY NOW AT 1,143,963
MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 5,790 new cases of the disease on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 1,143,963.
The Department of Health meanwhile also reported 7,541 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 1,069,868.
This means that the country has a total of 54,904 active cases as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
One hundred forty more deaths were reported from the illness, bringing COVID-19’s death toll in the Philippines to 19,191.
ICU bed occupancy in NCR is now in the safe zone at 57 percent.
CANDON CITY UNDER MECQ
DAGUPAN CITY — The city of Candon in Ilocos Sur was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ starting yesterday until May 29 due to increasing COVID cases.
In an executive order, Gov. Ryan Luis Singson said the threat of COVID in the province remains high and alarming.
The province has 1,407 confirmed cases, 322 of which are active and need extensive contact tracing, Singson said.
Candon City recorded 60 cases as of Saturday. Indicators such as health, economic and social security as well as doubling of the cases showed there was a need to reclassify the quarantine status of the city.
QUEZON CITY VACCINATION DRIVE IN FULL SWING – BELMONTE
MANILA — The Quezon City government’s vaccination program is in full swing, with more inoculation sites established in the city in partnership with the private sector.
To date, Quezon City has a total of 35 vaccination sites scattered in six districts to accommodate more residents.
The number has exceeded the original 24 vaccination venues identified by city hall when it laid out its inoculation program to the national government.
“Our vaccination drive is in full swing. With the continuing effort to establish more inoculation sites and given a steady supply of vaccines, we are able to vaccinate an average of 7,095 people per day,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said over the weekend.
Quezon City reached a record high 8,574 vaccinees on May 15, according to Belmonte.
The city government has so far administered 229,674 doses of vaccine provided by the national government.
Belmonte expressed gratitude to the private sector for helping the city government in opening more vaccination sites for “QCitizens.”
ANG INIT! METRO MANILA HEAT INDEX MAY REACH 39 TO 41 DEGREES: PAGASA
MANILA - The public is advised to stay indoors and stay hydrated while outdoors as the heat index in Metro Manila might reach 39 to 41 degrees Celsius in the next 3 to 4 days, PAGASA said Monday.
PAGASA defines heat index as human discomfort index that gives the "apparent" temperature, or what humans perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body.
"As much as possible kung walang importanteng gagawin sa labas, manatili lang sa loob ng bahay," PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
"Yung mga kasama nating di maiwasang nasa labas because of the nature of their work, as much as possible sumilong at uminom ng tubig to keep themselves hydrated."
Easterlies continue to prevail and may bring cloudy skies with isolated rains over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, Perez said.
DOT REOPENS 2 HISTORIC SITES IN INTRAMUROS
MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) will reopen today two historic attractions in Intramuros in an effort to restart travel activities in Metro Manila.
Fort Santiago and Baluarte de San Diego will resume operations after the Walled City was shut down to tourists for almost two months.
Fort Santiago can accommodate up to 200 visitors at a time. Baluarte de San Diego can accommodate up to 100 people in compliance with the 30 percent capacity limit imposed by the government.
Last week, President Duterte downgraded Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal to general community quarantine with heightened restrictions.
Outdoor activities may now resume in the National Capital Region with the minimum health standards in place.
“The reopening of Fort Santiago and Baluarte de San Diego will allow visitors to again experience the world’s leading tourist attractions as recognized by the prestigious World Tourism Awards,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
RABIYA MATEO ENDS MISS UNIVERSE JOURNEY
The Philippines will have to wait for another chance at the Miss Universe crown.
This as the country's representative, Rabiya Mateo, finished in the Top 21 of the pageant.
Making the Top 10 are:
1. Jamaica
2. Dominican Republic
3. India
4. Peru
5. Australia
6. Puerto Rico
7. Thailand
8. Costa Rica
9. Mexico
10. Brazil
The 69th Miss Universe coronation night is still ongoing at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Pageant fans from the Philippines can watch it live on A2Z channel.
Mateo is the first representative under Miss Universe Philippines, which is headed by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup and beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud.
In previous years, the country's Miss Universe delegates were sent by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., which holds the annual Bb. Pilipinas pageant that was won by the likes of Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray.
Aside from Wurtzbach (2015) and Gray (2018), other Miss Universe winners from the Philippines include Margie Moran (1973) and Gloria Diaz (1969).
PIA WURTZBACH, CATRIONA GRAY SEND LOVE FOR RABIYA AFTER EARLY MISS UNIVERSE EXIT
MANILA – The Philippines was stunned after Rabiya Mateo ended her Miss Universe journey early when she failed to crack the Top 10 of the international pageant on Monday (Manila time).
Mateo finished as part of the Top 21.
Following the announcement of the Top 10, former Miss Universes Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray took to social media to share their reaction.
A heartbroken Wurtzbach, who won the competition in 2015, admitted she needed a minute to digest what happened to Mateo.
In her follow-up tweet, she sent her love to Mateo.
Woooow this year is intense!! Sending Rabiya all of our love! She made our country proud! 11 Year consecutive semi-streak Pilipinassss..
Gray, who held the crown in 2018, also sent her message of support for Mateo, saying she still made the Filipino people proud.
Mateo is the first representative under Miss Universe Philippines, which is headed by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup and beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud.
In previous years, the country's Miss Universe delegates were sent by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., which holds the annual Bb. Pilipinas pageant that was won by the likes of Wurtzbach and Gray.
Aside from the two former Miss Universes, here are the reactions of the other Filipina beauty queens and celebrities.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MAY 15
FINAL/OT
1 2 3 4 OT T
Hornets33-38 27 27 32 18 5 109
Knicks40-31 36 27 26 15 14 118
SCORING LEADERS
M. Bridges CHA
30 PTS 5 REB 4 AST
J. Randle NY
33 PTS 10 REB 13 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bulls30-41 29 22 20 20 91
Nets47-24 28 33 18 26 105
SCORING LEADERS
P. Williams CHI
24 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
K. Irving BKN
22 PTS 2 REB
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Lakers41-30 36 28 32 26 122
Pacers33-38 28 28 32 27 115
SCORING LEADERS
A. Davis LAL
28 PTS 10 REB 5 AST
C. LeVert IND
28 PTS 5 REB 12 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Celtics36-35 37 29 23 35 124
Timberwolves22-49 26 21 27 34 108
SCORING LEADERS
J. Tatum BOS
26 PTS 11 REB 2 AST
K. Towns MIN
24 PTS 14 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns50-21 34 34 41 31 140
Spurs33-38 17 30 23 33 103
SCORING LEADERS
D. Booker PHO
27 PTS 2 REB 4 AST
K. Johnson SA
18 PTS 2 REB
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat39-32 28 23 30 27 108
Bucks46-25 44 26 29 23 122
SCORING LEADERS
K. Nunn MIA
31 PTS 6 REB 3 AST
B. Forbes MIL
21 PTS
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this? - Henry David Thoreau
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