GOV'T URGED : CREATE OWN MAP TO AFFIRM WEST PHILIPPINE SEA CLAIM

MANILA - The Philippines should conduct oil exploration in its maritime waters and create its own map staking its claim in the West Philippine Sea following increased Chinese incursions, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday.

Government can partner with other countries and private firms, Sotto said. The country and its partner should have 60-40 sharing agreement, he earlier said.

"Why don’t we start exploration already in these contested areas that we know are ours? If we cannot do it alone, we can have other countries or private companies that are interested. Even China itself," he told ANC's Headstart.

The Senate President added that he read an article, authored by Melissa Loja and Romel Bagares, proposing that the Philippines make its own map like the one China has been presenting.

"Why don’t we make our own map? Make our own 9-dash line. I think that’s a very good suggestion. Let's insist on our own and God forbid they cross the line, the Mutual Defense Treaty will kick in. I think it’s just a matter of setting our foot down," he said.

"I think these are plausible. I'm toying with the idea of filing a bill... lilinawin doon ang ating mga pag-aari (It will make clear which areas are our territories)."

PDP-LABAN LEADERSHIP HITS PALACE ANNOUNCEMENT OF NAT'L ASSEMBLY

MANILA — Tensions in the ruling PDP-Laban Party continue to show after a ranking exec criticized the announcement made by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque of a council meeting.

This came after Roque, who is not a member of the party, announced earlier Sunday that PDP-Laban vice chair and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was directed by President Rodrigo Duterte to convene and preside over a council meeting.

"Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as vice chairman of the ruling party PDP-Laban was directed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who serves as chairman, to organize, convene and preside over the council meeting," Roque said n a statement.

"This move, which is part of the democratic exercise, aims to consult party members and have fruitful and productive exchanges on issues affecting PDP-Laban," he added.

In a statement, PDP Laban's National Executive Director Ron Munsayac pointed out that only the chief executive, who serves as Chairman of the party, has the power to call an assembly.

"With all due respect to the Presidential Spokesperson, the PDP Laban has its Constitution and Bylaws for a reason. It's very clear that only the Chairman (President Duterte) in coordination with the Party President (Manny Pacquiao) can call on the Party's National Council and/or Assembly," the statement read.

"If this purported council meeting is sanctioned by our Chairman, how come we have not received any formal communication, only an announcement from his spokesperson who isn't even a partymate?"

To recall, PDP-Laban acting president Sen. Manny Pacquiao slammed Cusi for violating the party's constitution with his call for a meeting of the national council, a power that he said was Duterte's alone.

Earlier this weekend, Pacquiao told Cusi not to "divide" the party "for his own interest" and urged his partymates to snub the call for the meeting, which he said was not sanctioned by national officers.

"Let us follow the proper process. Sen. Manny Pacquiao will request for a meeting with chairman so the two party leaders can discuss and set the agenda for the legitimate national council meeting to be set a month before the filing of candidacies, or earlier if the chairman wishes," Munsayac said.

The boxer turned senator earlier disowned calls for Duterte to run as vice president in the 2022 polls, going as far as warning Cusi against “poisoning” the minds of their party mates.

“It's embarrassing that we're talking about politics as early as May. And then we will uproot some local executives, governor, mayors, party mates, some congressmen to go to Cebu to discuss politics,” Munsayac also said in mixed Filipino and English in an interview aired over One News’ “The Chiefs” earlier this weekend.

50K SPUTNIK V VACCINE DOSES ARRIVE IN PHILIPPINES

MANILA — The Philippines received 50,000 more doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute.

The Qatar Airways flight carrying the Sputnik V jabs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Sunday night.

The National Task Force against COVID-19 said the vaccines will be distributed in “centers of gravity” or areas in the country that are experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases.

The latest shipment raised the number of jabs the government has received from the Russian drugmaker to 80,000. The first two batches comprising 15,000 doses each arrived in May 1 and May 12.

ISRAEL SUMMONS PHILIPPINE ENVOY OVER PH VOTE FAVORING PROBE INTO GAZA MISSILE STRIKES

MANILA - Israel has summoned the Philippines' ambassador to Tel-Aviv to clarify the Philippine government's vote backing the UN Human Rights Council's investigation into crimes that may have been committed during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza this month, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sunday.

The Philippines had voted at the UN Human Rights Council in favor of the establishment of an investigative committee against Israel over its "Operation Guardian of the Walls."

The vote is "unacceptable to Israel, and constitutes a reward for terrorism," said Gilad Cohen, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs' deputy director general for the Asia-Pacific.

"It is unacceptable that a country like the Philippines, which itself endures radical and murderous Islamist terrorism in the south of the country, would support a draft resolution that ignores the Hamas terrorist organization’s war crimes. Israel expects friends such as the Philippines not to support proposals that strengthen terrorism, and to stand by us during this time," Cohen said in a statement.

The UN Human Rights Council is a "biased and anti-Israel institution, and the decision that was made is grossly one-sided, does not mention the Hamas terrorist organization at all, and ignores the 4,300 rockets that were fired at Israeli civilians," according to the MFA.

Meanwhile, the Philippines Commission on Human Rights denied that it was the CHR that cast the vote backing the UN investigation into alleged crimes committed during the 11-day conflict.

Based on the voting system of the UNHRC, it is the states and not the national human rights institutions that vote on UN Human Rights Council resolutions.

DOJ: COPS IN DRUG KILLINGS UNCOOPERATIVE

MANILA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday admitted difficulty in getting the cooperation of law enforcers in the department’s review of the drug war.

Aside from movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOJ “could not gain the full cooperation of law enforcement agencies because they might be worried that they would be the ones to be blamed and charged if they give (us) information,” Guevarra told dzBB in an interview.

He said it might take a few months to determine if, aside from administrative liability, law enforcers may be prosecuted criminally.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have also raised concerns about the Data Privacy Law, thinking if it would be correct for them to give information to the drug war review panel, he said.

Guevarra thanked the National Privacy Commission for affirming that the investigation being done by the Department of Juctice is legitimate “so the PNP and PDEA should cooperate and show their records.”

“In the administrative aspect it is easy since the quantum of proof needed is just ‘substantial evidence’ but in order to prosecute criminally… we would need stronger evidence,” the DOJ chief said.

OFWS GOING TO SAUDI ARABIA STILL SUBJECT TO QUARANTINE IF INOCULATED WITH CHINA VACCINES

Overseas Filipino workers deployed to Saudi Arabia will still need to be swabbed and quarantined for 10 days even if they have been inoculated with China-made COVID-19 vaccines, the labor department said Monday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III confirmed OFWs deployed to the Arab state will need to undergo RT-PCR test and 10-day quarantine upon arrival if they are inoculated with vaccines made by Sinovac or Sinopharm.

"Tinatanggap pa rin pero kailangan dumaan pa rin sa quarantine at may [RT-PCR] pa rin, hindi kagaya nung Pfizer ka. Libre ka na, tuloy-tuloy pagpasok mo," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

The Philippines earlier suspended deployment of OFWs to Saudi Arabia following reports that deployed workers will need to shoulder the costs of the 10-day quarantine.

Social media posts also claimed that Riyadh will not allow entry of travelers inoculated with China-made vaccines such as Sinopharm and Sinovac.

The deployment ban was lifted Saturday after the Saudi government said it has mandated foreign employers to shoulder the travel protocol costs of OFWs upon arrival.

Bello said he had to ensure that employers would cover the costs of quarantine, which could run up to 3,500 Saudi riyals.

WITH SENATE NOT INTERESTED, ECONOMIC CHA-CHA DOOMED

MANILA — Efforts of the House of Representatives to amend prohibitive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution may have reached an end with the Senate’s refusal to act on it, an administration lawmaker said yesterday.

“Resolution of Both Houses 2 is practically dead in the water. Passing RBH 2 is an exercise in futility as it appears dead in the water in the Senate,” Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte predicted.

The House leadership is bent on approving this week the measure on third and final reading before Congress goes on recess on June 4. Senators and congressmen have their break before sessions resume on July 26 when Duterte delivers his sixth and last State of thee Nation Address.

“Going through the motion of passing RBH 2 on third, final reading will just be an exercise in futility, especially when the House leadership could better spend the precious hours on more urgent measures such as on COVID-19 response and economic recovery,” he said.

ALL NATIONAL ATHLETES SET FOR VACCINATION

MANILA -- The government has approved the vaccination of all Philippine national athletes, including those who will not compete in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam later this year.

This, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, who welcomed the "great news" for the national athletes.

The development comes three days after SEA Games- and Olympic Games-bound athletes were inoculated at the Prince Hotel in Manila.

"We thank the government for putting priority on our athletes and coaches for the vaccine rollout," said Tolentino.

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PHILIPPINES LIKELY TO KEEP CREDIT RATINGS DESPITE GLOBAL DOWNGRADES: BSP CHIEF

MANILA - With a stable outlook, the Philippines is likely to sustain its current credit ratings even for as long as 24 months, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday.

Debt watcher S&P Global Ratings earlier affirmed the Philippines' investment-grade credit rating of BBB+ with a stable outlook.

Fitch Ratings in January also affirmed the country's BBB with a stable outlook rating. A BBB rating is considered an investment grade.

Moody's in 2020 kept the Philippines Baa2 rating with a stable rating or one notch above minimum investment grade.

The ratings have defied the global trend since the issuers have implemented a total of 144 downgrades and 153 negative outlooks during the pandemic, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno told ANC.

"The Philippines defied that just like last week...For how long, as usual, all 3 major rating agencies have the Philippines in a stable outlook that means the Philippines’ investment-grade credit ratings will remain intact within the rating agencies forecast horizon of 18 to 24 months," Diokno said.

"Given all these, together with the vaccination rollout..I’m confident that the worst is behind us," he added.

METRO MANILA MAYORS WANT GCQ TO STAY, MORE BUSINESSES OPENED

MANILA - Metro Manila mayors have agreed to keep the capital region under general community quarantine (GCQ) but open up more businesses and seating capacity, their representative said Monday.

Meeting centers, conferences, and exhibits will be allowed at a "limited capacity," said Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez, who serves as Metro Manila council chairman.

Outdoor amusement attractions will also be allowed while the region's 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew will remain, he added.

"Ang recommendation ng Metro Manila Council ay GCQ pa rin po tayo pero may kaunting pagbubukas ng kaunting negosyo," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"'Di po tayo pwede magrelax. Alam po nating bumababa ang cases at utilization ng healthcare pero di po tayo kailangan magrelax para totally ma-contain ang COVID na ito," he added when asked why the council chose to keep the region's curfew.

Metro Manila, home to a tenth of the Philippines' 100 million people, is also considering region-wide incentives for the fully-vaccinated, Olivarez said.

IMEE MARCOS CONFIRMS BONGBONG, SARA DUTERTE MEETING IN DAVAO, DENIES DISCUSSING 2022 POLLS

MANILA - Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday confirmed that she and her brother, former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., met with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio recently.

The meeting in Davao City was a social gathering, and plans for the 2022 national elections were not discussed, she told ABS-CBN News in a text message.

"BBM (Bongbong Marcos) and I went to greet her an early happy birthday yesterday," the senator said.

"Atty. Mans (Manases Carpio), her hubby, treated us to lunch," she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter is celebrating her birthday today, May 31st.

The senator said there were no discussions about a possible Duterte-Marcos tandem for the presidential and vice presidential race next year.

"Nah, walang pulitika (No, there was no politics involved)," she said.

TITO SOTTO OPEN TO RUNNING FOR VICE-PRESIDENT IN 2022 ELECTIONS

MANILA - Senate President Vicente Sotto III is open to running for vice-president in the 2022 national elections, saying he wants Senator Panfilo Lacson as his running mate.

Sotto ranked third among preferred vice presidential candidates in next year's polls, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

"I have to admit I’m thinking about it unlike other politicians who say they’re not running but on the day of registration nangunguna (they lead)," he said in an interview on ANC's Headstart.

"What will make me run? If we can upgrade the Vice President into something (more prominent). For example if the Vice President will be handling the problem in illegal drugs and drug abuse."

The Senate President said he would back Lacson's presidential bid. Lacson ranked 8th among preferred 2022 presidential candidates.

Sotto said he, Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao were supposed to meet Sunday evening to discuss next year's polls but did not elaborate.

"First of all, I’m still considering it. If I do consider it, the number 1 on my list would be Senator Lacson, I know his capabilities. I know what he can do for the country. If he runs for President I will support him," he said.

Sotto added that he would make his decision in August or September.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

FIL-AM ACTRESS AINA DUMLAO PLAYS A NURSE IN 'GREY’S ANATOMY' FINALE

On June 3, the long-running medical show “Grey’s Anatomy” will air an episode titled “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”.

It will feature a compelling story of a Filipino nurse named Girlie Bernardo, played by Filipino-American actress Aina Dumlao.

For years, the Fil-Am community has decried the lack of Filipino representation in American medical shows when hospitals in real life are full of healthcare workers with roots from the Philippines.

“Shooting it for the last two weeks when the showrunner Krista Vernoff gave a speech at the end of the series, she says they're really trying to represent the true colors and the true face of Filipino frontline workers and it's starting with that episode, the finale that I'm on. So all of a sudden I'm like, ‘Oh, I didn't realize the weight on my shoulders,’” Dumlao said.

“Without giving too much away, I tried to infuse the nurturing aspect of Filipino frontline workers, specifically nurses, but then they also still smile and try to stay positive amidst everything that's going on. If Filipino nurses see this all over the world, that they can actually feel themselves seen for the first time,” she added.

Dumlao is also headlining with “The Lord of the Rings” star Miranda Otto and Michelle Vergara Moore in “The Unusual Suspects.”

The Australian four-part series premieres on SBS and SBS On-Demand on June 3.

“I basically had to pinch my cheeks and then, when I auditioned, I only saw like three pages or five pages of the script. But when I got the role, I read all of it. I'm like, ‘What? This is the kind of show? This exciting, amazing show that Filipinos get to be a part of!’ It’s very emotional. I’m not gonna cry but I feel like it’s such a long time coming,” she said.

The show also stars several Filipino talents and will have Tagalog subtitle option.

For years, Dumlao has been writing and self-producing projects, and there is a common thread in what she produces.

“My largest motivation for writing these Filipino stories is that I wanted to normalize Filipinos. The story isn't really about them being Filipino. It just so happens to be a part of them. But I just wanted Filipinos to be just kind of like part of the overall picture of the entertainment industry in the entire world because that's what reality is. I want to be a name, so I can help make names.”

SPORTS

NBA SCORES MAY 29

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Bucks4-0       22        35        34        29        120

6 Heat0-4         26        38        21        18        103

GAME 4: MIL LEADS 4-0, AMERICANAIRLINES ARENA, MIAMI, FL

SCORING LEADERS

B. Lopez MIL

25 PTS 8 REBB. Adebayo MIA

20 PTS 14 REB 4 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Nuggets2-2    24        23        19        29        95

6 Trail Blazers2-2          32        25        36        22        115

GAME 4: SERIES TIED 2-2, MODA CENTER AT THE ROSE QUARTER, PORTLAND, OR

SCORING LEADERS

N. Jokic DEN

16 PTS 9 REB 1 AST

N. Powell POR

29 PTS 2 REB 1 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

1 76ers3-0        36        36        37        23        132

8 Wizards0-3    28        30        28        17        103

GAME 3: PHI LEADS 3-0, CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC

SCORING LEADERS

J. Embiid PHI

36 PTS 8 REB 2 AST

R. Westbrook WAS

26 PTS 12 REB 10 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

1 Jazz2-1          34        28        34        25        121

9 Grizzlies1-2    22        29        34        26        111

GAME 3: UTA LEADS 2-1, FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN

SCORING LEADERS

D. Mitchell UTA

29 PTS 2 REB 5 AST

J. Morant MEM

28 PTS 3 REB 7 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Neither despise, nor oppose, what thou dost not understand. - William Penn