GORDON ON NEXT PH PRESIDENT: 'YOU CANNOT KILL THE PEOPLE'

Sen. Richard Gordon gave several suggestions on who should be voted the next president in 2022, saying the next Chief Executive should be a "president that we can all be proud of."

Gordon, who lost to Benigno Aquino III in the 2010 polls, said consultations with people in Zamboanga and Batangas showed that the public want change because "the situation has gone from bad to worse."

"Look at your Facebook. Everybody is saying, we need a president that we can all be proud of, that can negotiate with countries in a dignified manner, God-fearing, and knowing you cannot kill the people," he said in an interview on ANC's Headstart.

He added: "I've said this before and I hope the President forgives me for doing this, but if he doesn't, that's the way it is. You make your bed, you sleep in it."

Asked if a Sara Duterte-Carpio presidency would be a form of "inheriting the presidency" as well as another case of political dynasty, Gordon said: "Both. She can run. Yes, people we think decide but also guns, goons and gold decide. They are influential. At the same time, people would always think: 'Anak ng presidente 'yan. Hindi papatalo 'yan.'"

"Ang daming paputok ng Malacanang. 'Tatakbo akong vice-president', sabi ni kwan. Now, sasabihin niya si Martin Romualdez. Tapos si Pacquiao, hindi pupuwede. Tatanggalin namin si Pacquiao. Kawawa naman si Pacquiao," he noted.

PHILIPPINES RAISES OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT CAP ON NURSES, HEALTH CARE WORKERS

MANILA — The inter-agency task force leading the country's COVID-19 response said on Friday it raised the annual cap on the deployment of nurses and other health care workers who want to work abroad.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration earlier this month suspended the overseas deployment of newly hired medical professionals after the 5,000 annual ceiling for new hires was breached on June 1.

The IATF, in a meeting on Thursday, "increased the annual deployment ceiling of new hire healthcare workers (HCWs) for Mission Critical Skills (MCS) to 6,500," said task force and Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque.

"HCWs falling under MCS with perfected contracts as of May 31, 2021, shall form part of the adjusted ceiling," he said in a statement.

"Healthcare workers under government-to-government labor agreements shall, however, be exempted from this adjusted ceiling," added the official

DOE SEEKS RESKED OF POWER PLANT MAINTENANCE TO STAVE OFF RED ALERTS

MANILA - The Department of Energy is asking power generation companies to reschedule their preventive maintenance programs to prevent a possible red alert level beginning next week until mid August.

Director Mario Marasigan of the DOE’s Electric Power Industry Management Bureau said that based on the scheduling submitted to them by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Block A of the Ilijan, Batangas power plant is set for preventive maintenance next week.

The Block A plant has a capacity of 600 megawatts.

“Halos makakasabay niya po ang overlap ng maintenance din ng Pagbilao Unit 2 na mangyayari naman po sometime sa middle of July. Tinatarget nila July 1," Marasigan said in an interview on ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

Sula Unit 1, which has 647 megawatts capacity, is also set to undergo maintenance towards the end July, he said.

“Pag magkasabay-sabay po yung tatlo, may kalakihan po ng mawawala sa grid natin na supply. Ito po ay lampas 1,500 megawatts,” he said.

The DOE, he said, will coordinate with these plants to ask them to reschedule their maintenance.

The NGCP for its part said they have no information yet on the specific dates of possible rotational brownouts.

IATF POSTPONES SHORTER QUARANTINE FOR FULLY VACCINATED TRAVELERS

MANILA — Inbound travelers who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 would still be required to undergo a 10-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, contrary to an earlier announced development.

This, as the inter-agency task force leading the country's COVID-19 response pushed back the start of shorter quarantine for inbound travelers who were fully vaccinated in the Philippines, said task force and Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque.

Instead of a June 16 effectivity date, the IATF would implement the shorter quarantine period beginning June 22.

Under the upcoming protocol, inbound fully vaccinated individuals will only need to go on a 7-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, and would only be tested for the novel coronavirus if they show COVID-19 symptoms during the quarantine.

This is "in consideration of the full rollout of the process of validation of vaccination certificates," he said in a statement.

The IATF also "reiterates the strict enforcement of current testing and quarantine protocols" that it approved, "regardless of any specific protocols that may be issued the local government units on the contrary," he said.

He said several agencies "have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to the abovementioned directive."

FIRST SHIPMENT OF COVID-19 VACCINES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR ARRIVES

MANILA — The first shipment of coronavirus vaccines purchased for the private sector arrived yesterday via a Cebu Pacific flight.

The 500,000 doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac for private organizations arrived with the government's additional 1 million doses to augment its public inoculation drive.

Behind the maiden shipment of doses for companies was local biotechnology and pharmaceutical importer IP-Biotech Inc, which represented vaccine manufacturers Sinovac Life Sciences Ltd. in welcoming the shipment.

Enrique Gonzalez, chairman of IP-Biotech, thanked the national government for supporting the initiative. "The 500,000 doses mark the first arrival of privately procured vaccines in the Philippines. We hope to meaningfully contribute to the country's goal of reaching herd immunity at the soonest time," Gonzalez said.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) and IP-Biotech had signed a tripartite agreement under Republic Act 11525 to import COVID-19 vaccines for free distribution to private sector employees and other personnel.

The partnership's network also made the enrollment of participating companies possible.

TREATMENT CZAR: NCR ICU UTILIZATION RATE AT LOW RISK, BUT CRITICAL IN BICOL

MANILA—The utilization rate for intensive care units in hospitals in Metro Manila is decreasing, but remains critical in Bicol region, treatment czar Leopoldo Vega said on Friday.

In an interview on TeleRadyo, Vega said Metro Manila is now at a low risk position as its total health care utilization has gone down to 48 percent.

“Kung bibilangin ang isolation beds, ICU, ventilators at saka ’yung ward for COVID mababa,” Vega said.

“Sa ICU kung ide-disaggregate mo ’yan, ang intensive care unit utilization mababa na rin tayo, nasa 51 percent. Nasa low-risk position kaya lumuwang na rin ang Metro Manila compared sa two months ago na nasa critical and high risk position talaga ’yung intensive care unit.”

As for manpower, Vega said that of the more than 3,000 positions they opened for doctors, nurses and medical technology workers, about 700 remains unfilled.

However, Bicol’s hospital utilization rate remains critical due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the area.

“Mataas ang Bicol ngayon, nagsu-surge sila. In fact, may pag-uusap na kami ni [Albay 2nd District] Cong. [Joey] Salceda ang mga needs nila at parang gagawing strategy sa Bicol area, kasi alam namin Naga saka Legazpi area medyo tumataas ang surge. Kaya medyo aggressive na ang kanilang testing at contact tracing at isolation sa area na ’yun dahil kung di nila gagawin ito tataas talaga,” he said.

GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE SECTOR URGED TO PREPARE FOR ‘NEXT NORMAL’

MANILA — As the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program continues to accelerate, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion has called on stakeholders to prepare the Philippines for the “next normal” marked by greater mobility and a more open economy.

Specifically, Concepcion has asked for the issuance of a vaccine pass, exemption from getting an RT-PCR test for fully vaccinated Filipinos wanting to travel around the country, and allowing restaurants and other establishments compliant with the required health and safety protocols to go beyond their imposed limits and accept more fully vaccinated guests. For now, vaccine pass can be the bakuna card issued by local government units.

He said they have been discussing the matter with the OCTA Research Group and Department of Health (DOH) adviser Dr. Edsel Salvana.

“In domestic travel, no PCR required if fully vaccinated; for seniors, which was approved, no restrictions on movement; and for restaurants, additional capacity to be given to them, assuming 20 percent or above, but only for the fully vaccinated, this can be applied to other sectors as well,” Concepcion said.

“Areas of high-risk category like arenas, movie theaters, bars and the like, either segregation where vaccinated can stay indoors and those unvaccinated outdoors,” he said.

“The US is applying this now and some are not accepting those unvaccinated. These are some examples of what the private sector will propose,” he added.

1,200 SEAFARERS GET PFIZER JABS IN MANILA

MANILA — At least 1,200 seafarers were given Pfizer jabs yesterday in Manila because of the vaccine brand preferences of their destination countries.

Mayor Isko Moreno, National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vince Dizon, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Sen. Joel Villanueva attended the symbolic inoculation of seafarers at the Palacio de Maynila.

Dizon said there was a need to give the Pfizer vaccines to seafarers because of specific brand requirements in other countries.

“I’m sure if they had a choice, they would choose any vaccine that’s available. But there are some countries that do not recognize some vaccines,” Dizon said at a press briefing.

Seafarers and other overseas Filipino workers were elevated to the A1 priority group, Dizon added.

Moreno said seafarers are welcome to get their COVID-19 jabs in Manila.

“We would be happy to vaccinate you and give you a level of confidence to go abroad,” he said.

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SC UPHOLDS MMDA’S NUMBER CODING SCHEME

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the power of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enforce measures to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis, such as the number coding scheme for public and private vehicles.

In a 28-page decision, the entire SC unanimously voted to dismiss the petition for injunction filed by bus drivers Samson Pantaleon, Eduardo Tacoyo Jr., Jesus Bautista and Monico Agustin.

The SC said the bus operators or franchisees, not the petitioners, should be the parties in the case.

The high court promulgated the case on Nov. 17, 2020 but the ruling was released to the public only last June 11. The decision was penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

The petitioners questioned the MMDA’s Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or the number coding scheme, which is embodied in MMDA Resolution No. 10-16 and Memorandum Circular No. 08, Series of 2010.

“The petitioners failed to present a factual foundation to rebut the presumption of validity of the challenged issuances, which were issued pursuant to the MMDA’s power to regulate traffic under Republic Act 7924 or the MMDA Law,” the SC said.

“The arbitrariness, oppressiveness and unreasonableness of the implementation of the issuances have not been sufficiently shown. The buses driven by the petitioners have not been totally banned from plying Metro Manila roads. However, as in private vehicles, the operation of public utility buses was regulated to ease traffic congestion,” the court argued.

Under RA 7924, the MMDA is vested with authority to regulate traffic along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

SAN FRANCISCO HONORS FIL-AM SCIENTIST, RAPPER RUBY IBARRA FOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP

SAN FRANCISCO, California— The San Francisco Immigrant Commission, along with the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, held its annual immigrant leadership awards this month, honoring a Fil-Am scientist and rapper for youth leadership.

The event helped kick off immigrant heritage month this June.

Ruby Ibarra, a Fil-Am rapper and biotech scientist whose company worked on COVID-19 tests kits and vaccines, was given the Youth Leadership award.

Born and raised in Tacloban City, Philippines, Ibarra's music unapologetically sheds light on the pressing issues facing the immigrant community while also celebrating Pinoy culture.

“When I think of the word ‘immigrant’ I think of the people who undeniably built this country but I also recognize that a lot of work needs to be done from continuing to dismantle systemic racism to address the growing violence and attacks on the Asian American community to protecting children who continue to be separated from their families because of certain systems in place,” said Ibarra.

As she continues to be a voice for the marginalized through her words and music, Ibarra hopes immigrant communities will be more united and empowered.

“Progress is not made through barriers or walls. Progress is done by uplifting each other and ensuring that people are able to fulfill their potential. This is for the immigrants in our community. This is for the dreamers. This is for us. No one is illegal. We belong here and we’ve been here. Thank you very much,” said Ibarra.

3 LUMAD SLAIN IN SURIGAO DEL SUR NOT REBELS, LOCAL SAYS; ARMY INSISTS THEY'RE REDS

MANILA - Three members of the Manobo tribe who were killed in an alleged firefight with the military in Surigao del Sur were not members of New People's Army, a local resident said Friday.

Willy Rodriguez, Lenie Rivas and a 12-year-old girl died in a supposed clash with members of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga town on Tuesday, in what the military maintained was a legitimate operation.

"Napakalaking kasinungalingan po 'yong sinasabi nilang child warrior," a certain Jack (real name withheld) told ANC's "Rundown," referring to the minor.

"Sinasabi lang nila 'yan para pagtakpan 'yong pagmasaker doon sa 3 sibilyang lumad na mga magsasaka," he added.

The victims came across the military after harvesting abaca, Jack said. Soldiers allegedly opened fire at the them, killing Willy, Lenie and her sister. Three others who were with the victims ran for their safety.

Jack said the soldiers brought the 12-year-old girl's remains to the community for identification, saying they were pursuing communist rebels.

"Hindi naman 'yan NPA eh. Nag-aaral 'yan sa alternative learning system," he said.

The bodies of Rodriguez and Rivas were later found in the farm.

Jack also rejected the military's claim that firearms and explosives were recovered from the victims.

Lianga Mayor Novelita Sarmen said the province has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident.

EX-MAYOR ON NARCO LIST SHOT DEAD

MANILA — A former Maguindanao town mayor included in President Duterte’s narco list, who was arrested on Wednesday night along with six others at the port of Batangas for reportedly transporting high-powered firearms and drugs, was killed during an alleged scuffle with a police officer in San Juan yesterday.

Montasser Sabal, former mayor of Talitay, was in a police car traveling along N. Domingo street when the incident happened at around 5:20 a.m., according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

Eleazar said Sabal was among the suspects in the 2016 bombing in Davao City, which killed 15 people and injured at least 70.

Prior to joining politics, Sabal served as a Special Action Force trooper with training in disposal of explosives.

Eleazar said Sabal was supposed to be transported to Camp Crame in Quezon City when the suspect allegedly grabbed the firearm of a police officer and a scuffle ensued.

“Meron siyang nabaril na isang kasamahan nating pulis pero nakasuot ng vest at maayos naman ‘yung pulis na kasama doon sa sasakyan,” Eleazar told reporters.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

PIOLO-ALESSANDRA FILM 'MY AMANDA' FINALLY SET FOR RELEASE ON NETFLIX

MANILA — After nearly two years, the romance film starring Piolo Pascual and Alessandra de Rossi is finally set for release, exclusively on Netflix in July.

“My Amanda,” which marks de Rossi’s directorial debut, will be available on the streaming platform globally on July 15.

Produced by Pascual’s Spring Films, with Joyce Bernal as creative producer, “My Amanda” follows the story of best friends TJ (Pascual) and Amanda (de Rossi), as they navigate different shades of their relationship.

“This movie is about friendship, and how much I treasure connections that are sincere, overwhelming, and that have a very profound impact, at least for me,” de Rossi said.

“There is no single or universal definition that could explain how much gratefulness a person experiences when another being gives you a chance to believe in yourself,” she added.

De Rossi described the film as a “gift” for Pascual, whom she credited for “turning my life around” when he produced her indie blockbuster “Kita Kita.”

Bernal, meanwhile, said “My Amanda” is about “learning to be vulnerable again to the risk of losing what you have, for each other, for the moment and sharing something deeper.”

Pascual agreed, saying he is looking forward to sharing with viewers “the feeling of being on the same journey with someone, [and] finding out what profound companionship can offer to the other.”

“My Amanda” was originally planned for release in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed that schedule.

De Rossi, who also wrote the film, shared the first trailer of the project back in September 2019.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES JUNE 16

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

5 Hawks3-2       24        16        29        40        109

1 76ers2-3        38        24        25        19        106

GAME 5: ATL LEADS 3-2, WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA

SCORING LEADERS

T. Young ATL

39 PTS 1 REB 7 AST

J. Embiid PHI

37 PTS 13 REB 5 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

4 Clippers3-2    36        24        32        27        119

1 Jazz2-3          37        28        18        28        111

GAME 5: LAC LEADS 3-2, VIVINT SMART HOME ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

SCORING LEADERS

P. George LAC

37 PTS 16 REB 5 AST

B. Bogdanovic UTA

32 PTS 3 REB

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.38

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. - Peter Marshall