DUTERTE DECLARES 'PERIOD OF NATIONAL MOURNING' OVER AQUINO'S DEATH

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has declared June 24 to July 3, 2021 as a "period of national mourning" in the Philippines over former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's death.

Duterte on Thursday called on the public to "unite in prayer and set aside our differences" to pay tribute to his predecessor, the late former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who he said had "given his best to serve the Filipino people.

Duterte extended his condolences to Aquino's four sisters and loved ones. "May you take comfort in the knowledge that he is now in a better place with his Creator," the President said in a statement.

"Let us all take this opportunity to unite in prayer and set aside our differences as we pay respects to a leader who has given his best to serve the Filipino people," said Duterte.

"His memory and his family's legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts," he added.

In a speech in Malacañang, Duterte thanked Aquino "for his service to our country."

"I hope that my fellow Filipinos will be inspired by his legacy," said Duterte.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that under Proclamation No. 1169, which Duterte signed, the Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast "from sunrise to sunset at all government buildings and installations" during that period.

"Let us continue to pray and pay respects to the former President who gave his best to serve our nation and our people," Roque said in a statement.

Aquino, Duterte's predecessor, died on Thursday morning due to renal disease secondary to diabetes. He was 61.

Aquino had been undergoing dialysis 3 times a week in preparation for a kidney transplant before his death, according to a friend of their family.

"PNoy", as he was fondly called, served as the country's Chief Executive from 2010 to 2016.

Aquino tapped into popular sentiment for his parents and democracy icons, former President Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr., and pledged "Daang Matuwid," a clean governance following a nearly 10-year rule of Arroyo, whose administration was tainted with graft allegations.

An economics graduate from Ateneo de Manila University, he steered the country towards consistent and stable growth during his 6-year tenure. The Philippines' Gross Domestic Product averaged 6.25 percent annually, the highest since the 1970s.

It was under the Aquino administration when the Philippines brought China to the arbitral tribunal over its vast claims in the West Philippine Sea. Manila's victory against Beijing was announced in July 2016 after Duterte assumed power.

Duterte, who has pursued friendly ties with China, has called the ruling a mere piece of paper.

After stepping down in 2016, he was largely silent and out of public eye despite repeated criticisms from the incumbent President.

US PRESIDENT BIDEN HONORS NOYNOY AQUINO: 'HE WAS A VALUED FRIEND'

MANILA - US President Joe Biden has honored former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who died on Thursday at the age of 61.

Biden extended his "deepest condolences to the people of the Philippines," saying that the country's 15th president was a "valued friend and partner to the United States."

"President Aquino’s steadfast commitment to advancing peace, upholding the rule of law, and driving economic growth for all Filipinos, while taking bold steps to promote the rules-based international order, leaves a remarkable legacy at home and abroad that will endure for years to come," Biden said in a statement posted on the White House website.

"He will long be remembered for serving his country with integrity and selfless dedication," he said.

"I greatly valued our time working together, and I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family and to all who will mourn his absence," said Biden who served as US President Barack Obama's vice president.

DUTERTE WARNS ROMUALDEZ VS HOUSE ‘COUP’

MANILA — President Duterte jumped the gun and pre-empted any move on the part of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to take the speakership through a rumored coup in the House of Representatives.

“Huwag ka na maghabol diyan (Don’t go chasing after that),” said Duterte as an apparent reference to speculations that Romualdez, currently the House majority leader, was looking to oust Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

In his recent talk to the people, Duterte said he would support Romualdez should the lawmaker decide to run for vice president.

Romualdez seemed buoyed by the President’s favor and thanked him for the support, but stopped short of confirming any plans to seek higher office in 2022.

“Currently, I am keeping my options open with regard to the 2022 elections. As the majority leader of the House of Representatives, I am focused on steering the approval of vital legislative measures that the President wishes to be passed before his term ends next year,” he said.?However, rumors swelled the past week that he was allegedly gathering support to take over Velasco’s post in a bid to strengthen the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)’s position in Congress.

Duterte nipped any such scenario in the bud, recommending instead that Romualdez, the national president of Lakas-CMD, focus his energies elsewhere.

LAKAS-CMD BACKS ROMUALDEZ FOR VP

MANILA — The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party fully supports the possible vice presidential bid of its national president, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.

Lakas-CMD’s declaration comes after the party resolution supporting the possible presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and renewing their coalition with her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, party vice president for agriculture and food, said members of their executive committee unanimously approved his motion to support Romualdez should he decide to run for vice president in next year’s polls.

In an interview, Romualdez said he has not yet decided whether or not to seek the vice presidency next year following a public endorsement from President Duterte.

“We are very much in deep consideration of this opportunity to vie for the second highest position in the land. It would be done with consultations… from province of Leyte and of course with our party members, I will rely heavily on that,” he told House reporters.

Romualdez also sees no conflict with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also reportedly being considered as the vice presidential running mate of Duterte-Carpio.

DUQUE: ‘PLUS 10’ AREAS TO GET 25 TO 30 PERCENT ADDITIONAL VACCINES

MANILA—The Department of Health will be allocating additional vaccine supply up to 30 percent in the 10 areas outside of the National Capital Region experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

“We’re looking at 25 to 30 percent each for the Visayas and Mindanao. Iyan ang magiging range ng support natin. But, of course, magbabago pa rin iyan kasi depende nga sa metrics (tulad ng) average daily attack rate and health care utilization rate, ICU bed utilization rate,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday.

Malacañang said on Thursday that the 10 areas — Bacolod, Iloilo City, Cagayan De Oro, Baguio, Zamboanga City, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga, and Legazpi City — would be part of the priority in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The distribution priority was previously limited to the so-called NCR Plus 8 area, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Rizal.

“Nasa low risk naman na ang NCR Plus. Nire-recalibrate natin doon naman sa nagkakaroon ng surge. Dinadala natin ang mas maraming bakuna, pero hindi ibig sabihin na ititigil mo pagbabakuna dito sa NCR. Sinasabi lang natin maglalagay tayo dagdag doon sa mga lugar in a surge,” Duque said.

NO HCWS FOR COUNTRIES RESTRICTING PINOYS’ ENTRY

MANILA — The Philippines is not sending additional health care workers (HCW) to countries that are restricting the entry of Filipinos.

In a resolution, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said the HCW deployment ceiling should be enforced in “accordance with existing entry restrictions of Filipino nationals.”

The government previously banned the deployment of OFWs to Oman after the Arab country restricted entry of Filipino nationals. Several other countries have imposed restrictions on the entry of Filipinos due to high COVID cases in the country.

While the government has increased the deployment ceiling for newly hired HCWs from 5,000 to 6,500 this year, POEA chief Bernard Olalia said the policy should be applied consistent with the non-deployment of OFWs in non-compliant countries.

The HCWs to be hired under government-to-government agreements and returning HCWs are exempted from the cap.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bong Go has appealed to government agencies to ensure that the allowances and other benefits due to health workers serving as frontliners and risking their lives to serve others are paid.

PHILHEALTH TOLD TO SPEED UP REIMBURSEMENTS TO HOSPITALS

MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe on Friday called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to immediately settle the reported unpaid claims of hundreds of hospitals warning that failure to do so would jeopardize their pandemic response.

In Western Visayas, including Iloilo City, claims of hospitals and laboratories have reached over P800 million, Poe said citing reports from the region.

The senator added that local executives from the area have sounded the alarm to the national government over the shortage in hospital beds, medical staff, vaccine supply, medicine and on top of all this, PhilHealth's failure to adequately settle its dues.

Dr. Jaime Almora, Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) president, last month told a Senate panel that the state-run insurer was reimbursing non-COVID claims but failing to remit COVID ones, causing both private and public hospitals "severe financial distress."

“PhilHealth should pay up. Hospitals are battlegrounds in this fight against COVID-19. They need what’s due to them, especially in this time when a number of them are overwhelmed with patients due to the recent surge of infections,” Poe said.

“Lives are on the line every day. The people should be able to rely on the promises of the state health insurer amid the health crisis.”

Poe also urged PhilHealth to review its Debit-Credit Payment Method which it started implementing in April to validate and fast-track the payment of claims.

BANGSAMORO GOV’T ‘FOREVER GRATEFUL’ TO PNOY’S ADMIN, SAYS CHIEF

MANILA - The Bangsamoro government is “forever grateful” to the administration of ex-President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for its peace efforts that resulted in the expansion and empowerment of the autonomous region in Mindanao, its chief said Thursday as it expressed grief over the passing of the former leader.

“The Bangsamoro Government joins the entire country in mourning the death of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino who passed away today, June 24,” Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said in a statement.

“We are forever grateful for his administration’s efforts in revitalizing the peace talks and their help in laying the groundwork for lasting peace in Mindanao,” he added.

“The former president played a vital role in the Bangsamoro peace process.”

Aquino and Ebrahim’s meeting in Japan on August 4, 2011 led to continuing negotiations between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, then the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, culminating in the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2012, and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014.

The two documents paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, a reconstitution of the previous ARMM which was later approved by residents through a plebiscite.

The peace pact, seen as a political solution to the more than four decades of Muslim insurgency in the south, has been regarded as among Aquino's legacy during his presidency from 2010 to 2016.

Ebrahim also hailed Aquino “for his commitment to fight corruption and just like his parents, his unwavering commitment to democracy.”

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UNIVERSITIES HONOR AQUINO: HE REPRESENTED PHILIPPINES WITH HONOR, DIGNITY

MANILA — Top universities on Thursday hailed the late Benigno Aquino III for a leadership they said was marked by competence and humility, after the former president died this morning.

His alma mater Ateneo de Manila said he showed the country and the world "how leadership with competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment can bring about a marked difference in the lives of millions of people."

The University of the Philippines, meanwhile, said Aquino was a strong supporter of the higher education sector.

UP President Danilo Concepcion added: "He also understood the importance of high-value scientific research and innovation in the country and supported the various research initiatives within UP and collaborations between UP and the government sector."

The University of Santo Tomas has since sent its condolences, too. In a statement, it said: "May the former president with his legacy of humility and integrity continue to serve as an inspiration to the country's future leaders."

NOYNOY AQUINO'S REMAINS CREMATED; BURIAL ON SATURDAY - AQUINO FAMILY

MANILA - The remains of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III have been cremated at the Heritage Park in Taguig on Thursday afternoon, his family confirmed.

Kris Aquino, Noynoy's youngest sister, confirmed the development to the media, hours after the family organized the wake for their brother.

A mass will be held in Ateneo de Manila University on Friday, while his burial will be on Saturday at the Manila Memorial Park, beside their parents and democracy icons Benigno and Corazon, she said.

Kris Aquino said that their family made the decision to prevent a super spreader event amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The cremation is already finished... On Saturday, we will bury him beside our parents in Manila Memorial. Ganun kasimple lang. Sana maintindihan niyo na we did not think it would happen this soon. We are just trying our best na hindi magkaroon ng super spreader event," Kris said.

According to an official bulletin, a one-day public viewing would be held at the Church of the Gesu inside Ateneo de Manila University from 10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Aquino family urged the public to strictly adhere to health protocols and physical distancing during their visit.

The Ateneo de Manila University will also livestream the viewing via the Facebook page of Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM, the bulletin read.

BULAKLAK, KANDILA INIALAY PARA KAY DATING PANG. NOYNOY AQUINO SA TIMES ST.

Damang-dama ang pagmamahal ng mga taga-suporta ng yumaong dating pangulong si Benigno Aquino III malapit sa bahay nito sa Times Street, Quezon City Huwebes.

Dumagsa ang pag-aalay ng kandila at bulaklak, at lahat ay may mensahe ng pakikiramay sa pamilya.

Sa harap naman ng gate, dilaw na mga lobo at bulaklak ang inilagay.

HERE'S A LIST OF IN-DEMAND JOBS FOR FRESH GRADUATES ACCORDING TO JOBSTREET

MANILA - Recruitment portal Jobstreet said Friday it rounded up the most popular opportunities for fresh graduates as unemployment continued to challenge the jobs market.

Here are the top jobs for fresh graduates in 2021: [BOLD]

• Education (21 percent) = remains as "top specialization" that is welcoming to fresh graduates mainly through ESL or English as a second language

• Business Process Outsourcing/Customer service (14 percent) = second biggest jobs contributor

• Clerical/Administrative support (9 percent)

• General Work (7 percent) - including housekeeper, driver, dispatch etc

• Healthcare (7 percent)

• Security/armed forces (5 percent)

• General/cost accounting (3 percent)

• Sales (2 percent)

• Banking and finance (2 percent)

• Agriculture (2 percent)

Among the available specializations that are open to new graduates, 3 percent offer work-from-home arrangements while 97 percent are on-site, Jobstreet said.

“In 2021, we observed from the monthly average total of job vacancies in JobStreet that 29 percent are for positions that require less than a year of experience. So, our new graduates must submit job applications to as many companies as possible for more chances of landing their first job," said JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip Gioca.

Remote work is also likely to remain due to the pandemic so it would be wise for fresh graduates to invest in a "conducive work from home setup," Gioca said. [REMOTE WORK https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/business/06/25/20/firms-now-prefer-hiring-people-with-work-from-home-setups-jobstreet]

Jobstreet said there are over 16,000 remote jobs on the portal which are mostly virtual assistants, online teacher and customer service representatives which are accepting applicants with less than a year of experience.

Fresh graduates can also spend the down time to learn new skills via online courses while waiting for a job oppotunity, Jobstreet said.

At least 3.44 million Filipinos who are part of the labor force are jobless in March, according to the data by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

‘NAPATAWAD NIYA AKO’: KRIS AQUINO, PNOY ENDED YEARS-LONG RIFT BEFORE HIS PASSING

MANILA — Actress and TV host Kris Aquino, who took on official duties during the presidency of her brother Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, said Thursday that they were able to reconcile before he passed away, without detailing the root of their rift.

Kris mentioned a past conflict with her brother, as she faced members of the press at the Heritage Park in Taguig City, where her brother's remains were cremated.

After announcing plans for a June 26 funeral for the late chief executive, Kris turned emotional as she recalled being able to heal her ties with her brother before he died.

“God blessed me, because we made our peace. That is private. I would like to keep that for myself. But I am so grateful na binigay iyon sa akin,” she said.

“Nagpapasalamat ako na napatawad ako at minahal ako, and to the end, ang tinuring niya sa akin ay ako ang kaniyang bunso.”

SPORTS

NBA SCORES JUNE 23

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

5 Hawks1-0       25        29        34        28        116

3 Bucks0-1       28        31        26        28        113

GAME 1: ATL LEADS 1-0, FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

SCORING LEADERS

T. Young ATL

48 PTS 7 REB 11 AST

G. Antetokounmpo MIL

34 PTS 12 REB 9 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.73

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will. - James Stephens