DUTERTE SAYS 'NO ONE DESERVING' TO REPLACE HIM IN 2022

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said there's no one yet fit to replace him when his term ends in 2022.

"Wala ako nakikita na deserving (I don't see anyone deserving)," he said during an interview with Pastor Apollo C Quiboloy on SMNI channel.

Duterte said that he told her daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, on Monday not to run for president in 2022.

"Kinausap ko talaga kagabi (I talked to her last night). 'Do not run. Do not ever, ever commit the mistake of running for presidency,'" he said, adding she won't get something back from becoming the country's chief executive.

"Puro ka na lang trabaho diyan (You would only focus on work)."

Duterte, however, said he may publicly commend a presidential aspirant "when the time comes."

Aside from Sara, other names swirling as possible presidential candidates in 2022 include Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, former senator Antonio Trillanes, and Duterte's former aid Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go.

US CDC EASES TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS ON 61 COUNTRIES; PH CLASSIFIED ‘LEVEL 3’

WASHINGTON—The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has eased its travel recommendations for 61 countries, including Japan from its highest Level 4 rating that had discouraged all travel to recommending travel for fully vaccinated individuals, the agency confirmed Tuesday.

The new ratings, which were not previously reported and posted on a CDC website Monday, lower 61 countries to Level 3, including France, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Italy. A U.S. State Department official said it was in the process of revising its travel advisory to reflect the CDC changes.

The CDC said the change comes after its revised its criteria for travel health notices. The CDC said it has also revised its rating for the United States to Level 3 from Level 4.

Meanwhile, the advisory on the Philippines, categorized as Level 3, went: "make sure you are fully vaccinated before traveling to Philippines."

"Unvaccinated travelers should avoid nonessential travel to Philippines," it added.

"Because of the current situation in Philippines, all travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants. Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Philippines, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others."

DUTERTE SAYS HOUSE GIFT FROM QUIBOLOY LED TO GRAFT ALLEGATIONS

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said gifts from his close friend, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect, led to allegations of graft against him.

In an interview with Quiboloy on SMNI channel, Duterte said that after he received a house from the pastor, his critics like former senator Antonio Trillanes accused him of anomalous transactions.

Duterte argued that the house he received from the sect leader when he was mayor of Davao City is not yet technically his since his supposed agreement with Quiboloy was he will only own the house after he retires from politics.

"Yung bahay na binigay mo na sabi mo, 'Pag retire mo, may matirhan ka.' 'Yan 'yung sabi mo nung gabing 'yun na dinala mo ko du'n," he told Quiboloy.

The President said he will live there after his term ends in 2022.

Quiboloy defended his gifts to Duterte, saying they were out of "friendship."

"Sila naman sinasabi, graft. Sabi ko, 'Ano naman klaseng mga tao 'to? May puso ba kayo? Our mayor [then] is doing his job and never think of himself,'" he said.

Duterte, before he assumed the presidency in 2016, admitted receiving expensive gifts from his decades-old friend, including properties and cars as Davao mayor.

Under Presidential Decree No. 46, it is punishable by law "for any public official or employee, whether of the national or local governments, to receive, directly or indirectly, and for private persons to give, or offer to give, any gift, present or other valuable thing on any occasion, including Christmas, when such gift, present or other valuable thing is given by reason of his official position."

Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed "appointed son of God," rose to national prominence just as Duterte took power.

The two earlier allegedly had a spat after the President reportedly refused to accept the pastor's help in selecting Cabinet members.

They mended ties reportedly after the 2019 midterm elections.

DUTERTE DISSES PACQUIAO’S FOREIGN POLICY KNOWLEDGE AMID PDP-LABAN SQUABBLE

MANILA — "Magaral ka muna nang husto," President Rodrigo Duterte told Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who recently criticized his policy in the West Philippine Sea, baring what appears to be a deepening of conflict within the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan.

Early last May, Pacquiao was quoted in several news reports as saying that he found Duterte's policy on the West Philippine Sea lacking, contrasting Duterte's current attitude towards China with his bluster about riding a jet ski to plant the Philippine flag in contested islands while he was a candidate.

"Well, if it’s about foreign policy, I would not want to degrade him but next time he should — mag-aral ka muna nang husto bago ka pumasok (you should study hard before coming in)," Duterte said in response over a month later.

"Currently this guy has a very shallow knowledge of..." he also said, trailing off mid sentence.

The president took the uncharacteristic hit at Pacquiao in a Tuesday interview with his ally and controversial religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy after weeks of staying out of the public squabbles among PDP-Laban leadership.

DUTERTE 'RESISTING' PARTY'S CALL FOR HIM TO RUN FOR VP IN 2022

While he has not yet confirmed any plans, Pacquaio is expected to seek the presidency in 2022.

But his party during the national assembly passed a resolution urging Duterte to run as vice president next year and to choose his own running mate. The president's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is not part of the PDP-Laban but some members of the party want her on their ticket nonetheless.

Duterte, however, said he is resisting such calls from his party, in a manner reminiscent of the run-up to the launch of his 2016 campaign for the presidency.

"That is difficult, Pastor, because I am retiring. Then, this time, I will choose the president. When I win, they will say what I am doing is perpetuate [myself] in power, so I resist," the president said partially in Filipino.

Duterte also said that he dissuaded his daughter anew from seeking the presidency.

"I arrived last night. Inday, I really spoke [to her] last night: 'Do not run. Do not ever, ever commit the mistake of running for presidency.' ...I do not mean to insult the Filipino people," he said partially in Filipino.

PHILIPPINES CAN ACHIEVE 'POPULATION PROTECTION' IN ECONOMIC HUBS: PALACE

MANILA - The Philippines will achieve "population protection" in Metro Manila and 8 other key economic hubs, Malacañang said Wednesday after Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said herd immunity cannot be achieved this year.

The Philippine government aims to vaccinate 500,000 people daily in NCR+8 to achieve herd immunity by November 27, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr earlier said.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, however, has said the Philippines is now eyeing “population protection” against the novel coronavirus before the end of the year.

“We are shifting to the term 'population protection' through mass immunization kasi po iyong ating herd immunity, marami pong mga kaakibat na mga criteria,” Cabotaje said during a televised public briefing.

“Herd immunity” usually refers to continuous protection, said Cabotaje, who is chairperson of the National Vaccinations Operations Center.

The fresh batch of 1 million Sinovac vaccines that arrived over the weekend has been distributed to local governments but has yet to be administered as government is waiting for quality certification, said Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

The Chinese jabs have to be subjected to a "certificate of analysis" to confirm that its quality is the same from the previous batches that the country had received, according to Roque.

DOH DENIES DAVAO CITY IS NEW EPICENTER OF COVID-19 IN THE PHILIPPINES

MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said Davao City should not be considered as the new epicenter of COVID-19 in the Philippines, despite the rise of fresh cases in the Mindanaoan city.

In a report from independent research group OCTA, Davao City recorded an average of 213 fresh COVID-19 cases, higher than the 207 cases from Quezon City, which used to log the most number of new coronavirus patients.

"Davao City is not an epicenter," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.

"We discourage the use of the term 'epicenter' in describing the rise of cases in an area," she said.

Epidemic epicenters are "meant to connote the area as a hotspot for the infection," but may be "interpreted by some to refer to an area as the source of the infection," the Undersecretary said.

"Using the term 'epicenter' detracts from other surrounding areas which may be equally or more affected by COVID-19," she said.

Malacañang earlier said it was "unfair" to compare the COVID-19 situation in President Rodrigo Duterte's hometown and Quezon City.

RAPS FILED VS TWO BEHIND 'VACCINE SLOT FOR SALE' SCHEME

MANILA — The Philippine National Police has filed several charges before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office against two men behind the sale of vaccine and vaccination slots, its chief disclosed.

In a statement sent to reporters Wednesday morning, Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP chief, said that Cyle Cedric Soriano Bonifacio and Melvin Polo Gutierrez were charged with estafa on Monday.

The two face violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Red Tape Law of 2007, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

"When Bonifacio surrendered to us and gave a statement, he named Gutierrez, a fire and barangay volunteer, who allegedly helped him get a vaccination slot in Mandaluyong City," Eleazar said.

Bonifacio said that he got the idea for the scheme after he received P12,000 as a reward after he helped a friend get a slot.

According to the PNP chief, Bonifacio tried to offer the service to his former high school classmate who rejected his sales pitch and later reported him.

He said that there may be others still involved in the scheme but assured that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Anti-Cybercrime Group are still investigating.

THE REST

========

AFP WELCOMES BORDADO AS NEW NAVY CHIEF

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed yesterday the appointment of Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado as the 39th chief of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Bordado, who was vice commander prior to his appointment, assumed the top Navy post during the change of command ceremony and retirement rites for Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

President Duterte thanked Bacordo for his service and contributions to the military’s upgrade efforts. “With the new chapter unfolding in your life, I wish you continued success and more meaningful years ahead,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded video message.

DOTR, OWWA SIGN AGREEMENT TO HELP DISPLACED OFWS

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed an agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to help displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) find jobs in various transport projects being undertaken nationwide.

The agreement seeks to provide OFWs displaced by the pandemic with employment opportunities in the DOTr through seamless reintegration.

Under the agreement, the DOTr will provide OWWA with a list of vacant positions and skills required where an OFW can apply for work.

The DOTr will also be informing OWWA of other projects that may benefit OFWs.

“This agreement will serve a dual purpose. First, our repatriated OFWs who are out of work will be able to work under the DOTr and they will be here in their own country. They no longer need to go out of the country because work is here at home,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

“Second, we will not be looking elsewhere in getting the needed work force to finish various infrastructure projects,” Tugade said.

UP, UST SLIP IN QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2022

MANILA — The University of the Philippines (UP) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) slipped in the World University Rankings for 2022 by international higher education information provider Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

The World University Rankings released on Wednesday showed that UP fell to the 399th spot, three places lower than its ranking in 2021. UST meanwhile slipped to 1001-1200 bracket, from last year’s 801-1000.

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and De La Salle University (DLSU), the two other Philippine universities in the rankings, maintained their brackets at 601-650 and 801-1,000, respectively.

The latest rankings listed 1,300 universities across the globe. Institutions have been assessed through academic reputation, employer reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty and international faculty ratio/international student ratio, the website said.

The four Philippine universities also made it to QS’s world rankings by subjects released in March. UP again had the most subjects on the list, ranking in 15 out of 51 disciplines, although down from last year’s 18.

Both ADMU and DLSU ranked in four subjects each, while UST still ranked in Medicine, but fell to 601-650 from 551-600 last year.

US’ Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) topped the rankings, maintaining its spot from last year’s list.

The University of Oxford in the United Kingdom came in at second spot, rising to three places.

US’ Stanford University and UK’s University of Cambridge both ranked third. Stanford placed 2nd in the 2021 list, while the University of Cambridge went up from last year’s 7th spot.

The Harvard University came in as fifth top university, down two spots from 2021’s 3rd place rankings.

In Asia, the National University of Singapore ranked the highest, followed by Nanyang Technological University, also in Singapore. They ranked 11th and 12th, respectively, in the overall list.

BARANGAY SA BAYAN NG LAWAAN SA EASTERN SAMAR, ISINAILALIM SA TOTAL LOCKDOWN

Simula na ngayong Miyerkoles ang pagpapatupad ng total lockdown sa isang barangay sa bayan ng Lawaan sa Eastern Samar laban sa pagkalat ng COVID-19.

Sa kautusan na ibinaba ni Mayor Athene Mendros, inilagay ngayon sa total lockdown ang Barangay Maslog hanggang Hunyo 24.

Ito'y matapos na makapagtala ng 15 bagong kaso ng COVID-19 sa nasabing barangay.

Kasabay nito, ipinatutupad ang curfew hours sa buong bayan ng Lawaan mula 8:00 ng gabi hanggang 4:00 ng madaling araw.

Sa nasabing EO pinagbabawalan din ang mga residenteng may edad 18 taong gulang pababa at mga senior citizens na lumabas ng bahay.

Ipinag-utos din ng alkalde na ipasara pansamantala ang business establishments at suspension ng team sports events.

Ipinagbabawal din ang mass gatherings sa loob ng 14 na araw.

Pinapayuhan din ang mga residente na sumunod sa mga health protocols gaya ng social distancing, pagsuot ng face mask at face shield, paggamit ng alcohol at paghugas palagi ng kamay.

PLDT, SMART LAUDED FOR EFFORTS VS CHILD ABUSE

MANILA — The International Justice Mission (IJM) lauded yesterday PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. for their efforts against online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

Samson Inocencio Jr., regional vice president for IJM’s global program against OSEC, commended PLDT and Smart for blocking websites that host child sexual exploitation

materials.

As of end-May, PLDT and Smart have cut access to more than 8,000 links hosting sexually explicit materials featuring children.

“We are pleased to be working with PLDT and Smart in our common mission to make the internet a safer place for children,” Samson said in a statement.

He said PLDT and Smart’s recent members with the Internet Watch Foundation have provided them access to IWF’s database of more than 9,000 illegal links.

In the second half of May alone, PLDT and Smart blocked more than 3,000 uniform resource locators from the IFW’s blacklist.

MANILA OPENS ISLAMIC CEMETERY

MANILA — The Manila city government inaugurated on Monday the first Islamic cemetery and cultural hall to pay tribute to Muslims who have brought honor to the nation’s capital.

Mayor Isko Moreno led the opening of the Islamic cemetery inside the Manila South Cemetery in San Andres district as part of the observance of the city’s 450th founding anniversary.

Moreno was joined by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Muslim Affairs Bureau director Shey Sakaluran Mohammad and other local officials.

He said the 2,400-square-meter cemetery would serve as a symbol to remind the youth about Manila’s history, culture and tradition.

“Muslims have long been neglected by the local government even as the city’s history showed that even before the Spaniards came, Manila has been the land of the rajahs,” Moreno said.

PHILIPPINES RECORDS 51 DEGREES CELSIUS HEAT INDEX IN PANGASINAN

MANILA — The heat index or the temperature as felt by the human body hit 51 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on Saturday.

This was the highest heat index recorded in the country so far this year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The heat index surpassed the previously recorded figure in the area at 49 degrees Celsius on April 6.

PAGASA said a heat index of 51 degrees Celsius could trigger heat cramps and exhaustion, and heat stroke with continuous activity.

The public has been advised to remain indoors, stay on the lowest floor of the house or out of the sun if air conditioning is not available, wear light and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of water regularly.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES JUNE 7

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Bucks0-2       19        22        24        21        86

2 Nets2-0          36        29        30        30        125

GAME 2: BKN LEADS 2-0, BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY

SCORING LEADERS

G. Antetokounmpo MIL

18 PTS 11 REB 4 AST

K. Durant BKN

32 PTS 4 REB 6 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Nuggets0-1    28        30        21        26        105

2 Suns1-0         28        29        31        34        122

GAME 1: PHO LEADS 1-0, PHOENIX SUNS ARENA, PHOENIX, AZ

SCORING LEADERS

N. Jokic DEN

22 PTS 9 REB 3 AST

M. Bridges PHO

23 PTS 5 REB 5 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 47.72

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Freedom, morality, and the human dignity of the individual consists precisely in this; that he does good not because he is forced to do so, but because he freely conceives it, wants it, and loves it. - Mikhail Bakunin