DUTERTE SAYS STATE CAN USE POLICE POWER TO COMPEL VACCINATION

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the government can invoke the police power of the state to compel COVID-19 vaccination on those who refuse to do so.

According to Duterte, the state can use its authority to compel everyone to get vaccinated, especially those who refuse to do so based on their personal beliefs or religion.

"We are almost pleading down on our knees. Parang nakaluhod na kami, nakikiusap sa taong bayan, 'yung mga taong ayaw o hindi pa nagpabakuna, at nandiyan naman ang available. If it's not yet there in your place, hindi pa dumating 'yung mga supply, well, perfectly understood," he said in a taped public address.

"Pero 'yung nandiyan na at ayaw ninyo, o talagang may pinag-isipan. You know, I do not want to advance this theory, but under the police power of the state, everybody can be compelled to be vaccinated. Not because we do not believe in your theory or belief, or your religion, but because you are a carrier and a danger to society. 'Yan ang problema diyan. It's between your belief maybe, your religion, eh there is a division of religion and state," Duterte added.

Duterte said this is the only time that the government will ask people to do something against their beliefs or religion, since it is a matter of public safety.

"Ngayon, sa ordinaryong mga araw, hindi naman nakikialam ang gobyerno. Ni minsan, government has no power to compel any religion, faith or church to do a certain thing, or not to do a certain thing. We can only cooperate. But itong police power of the state, na hahawain mo kapwa tao mo, patayin mo, and maybe it would affect a large number of our people, then you are already a danger to society, and therefore I said, contrary to the belief or opinion of others, I, opinyon ko lang 'yan, can compel you under the police power of the state," he said.

Meanwhile, The Philippines is planning to administer 55 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in October and is "seriously" looking into opening the immunization drive to minors and the general population, officials said.

Government expects to take delivery of some 100 million COVID-19 shots next month, said vaccine "czar" Carlito Galvez Jr.

In line with this goal, authorities eye administering 500,000 to 800,000 jabs daily, added Galvez, who also serves as chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

As of Monday, the Philippines has fully vaccinated at least 20 million people against COVID-19.

Authorities have administered some 43.9 million COVID-19 shots nationwide, of which around 22.5 million were first jabs, said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.

At least 20,307,122 people were fully vaccinated as of Sunday, he said in a press briefing. The national target is 77.1 million.

The Philippines, which is fighting one of Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks, has confirmed some 2.4 million coronavirus infections, including about 37,000 deaths overall.

UNITY TICKET FOR SINGLE OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL BET IN 2022 'VERY SLIM': LACSON

MANILA - There is a "very slim" chance that the opposition will field only one presidential candidate in next year's elections, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said the politicians Vice President Leni Robredo has talked to--Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso--have already announced their bids for the presidency.

"I cannot see the possibility na matutuloy pa yung 1 unity ticket ng opposition (that the 1 unity ticket of the opposition would push through)," the presidential hopeful told ANC's Headstart.

"It’s possible but very slim yung chance (the chance is very slim). Kung meron mang opening yung door, I think napakasikip na yung daraanang pinto."

Lacson said he and Senate President Vicente Sotto III will file their certificates of candidacy on October 6.

"Let’s just wait for October 8 and even November 15, the last day of substitution kung ilan ba talaga ang formally o officially na candidate (to see how many are official candidates)," he said.

'MEAGER, DIVISIVE, UNFAIR': WHY NURSES' GROUP REJECTS 'SINGULAR ALLOWANCE' PROPOSAL

MANILA—A group of nurses rejected Tuesday the Department of Health's proposal for a "singular allowance" as it would reduce their current monetary benefits.

Speaking to Teleradyo, Filipino Nurses United president Maristela Abenojar called the proposal "meager, divisive and unfair."

"Parang ginawa po talaga nila na binarat ang mga health workers. Nakakagalit na po kasi delayed-delayed sila magbigay noon sa Bayanihan 1 at Bayanihan 2 at hanggang ngayon hindi pa ho lahat nakakatanggap tapos ito na naman po," she said.

The DOH is proposing monthly allocations of P3,000 to health workers with low exposure or those assigned to areas without patients; P6,000 on medium exposure or those handling non-COVID-19 patients; and P9,000 on high exposure or directly caring COVID-19 patients.

The FNU says the so-called singular allowance would remove health workers’ active hazard duty pay worth P3,000, special risk allowance worth P5,000, and meal, accommodation, and transportation benefits worth P8,000.

Abenojar said health workers were being treated as "sacrificial lambs" as the government had little regard to their lives and sacrifice.

The FNU also slammed as unacceptable the DOH's proposal to categorize the risk exposure of health workers.

"Wala na ho tayong masasabing clean area kasi ang buong ospital po talaga ay exposed sa airborne na COVID-19 virus," she said.

PRIVATE HOSPITALS RETHINK TIES WITH PHILHEALTH AFTER NON-PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

MANILA - Many private hospitals may no longer renew their accreditation with PhilHealth due to non-payment of reimbursement claims that has affected their operations.

"Pag hindi naresolba ang problemang 'yan na sinabi namin doon sa aming position paper ay 'yun po ang mangyayari. By 2022, hindi na po sila magre-reaccredit,” said Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc, president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano in a TeleRadyo interview.

In Iloilo, 7 private hospitals namely Iloilo Mission Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo, Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital, Medicus Medical Center, The Medical City of Iloilo, Qualimed Hospital Iloilo, and Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center Inc have threatened to disengage with PhilHealth after failing to pay them P545 million in hospital claims.

“Noon pa nila ipinarating sa PhilHealth, noong last week pa po at nagkakaroon sana ng pag-uusap pero ang sinasabi ng ating mga ospital ay unless meron silang konkretong solusyon sa mga hinihiling nila ay talagang hindi na muna sila makikipag-usap sa PhilHealth,” De Grano said.

Last month, PhilHealth said it has P12.9 billion in unpaid claims which are in different stages of processing.

“Parang napakatagal po, isang taong at kalahati nang nagrereview sila ay hindi namin malaman kung kailangan matatapos 'yun,” said De Grano.

But aside from private medical facilities in Iloilo, De Grano said there are other hospitals which would soon issue their own statements.

EXPRESSWAY A 'DEATH SENTENCE' FOR PASIG RIVER, SAYS GROUP

MANILA – A transport group is opposing the construction of the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX), saying it will not improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila.

Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said San Miguel Corp. signed the supplemental toll operations agreement for the 19.4-kilometer, six-lane elevated expressway expected to connect Road-10 in Manila, EDSA, and C5, and C6.

It will be constructed along the banks of Metro Manila’s biggest river.

“For decades we’ve been building roads, road widening, building flyovers and expressway and yet, here we still are,” said AltMobility PH director Ira Cruz.

“And you know, that’s happening because [of] what we call induced demand. Induced demand is, as we increase the supply of one thing, in this case the roads for cars, we encourage people to keep on driving.”

“You know while we might see some easing of congestion at the beginning of projects like this, demand will just eventually catch up and we’re back to where we began and that’s precisely why PAREX is not the solution,” he explained on ANC’s Rundown.

Cruz added, however, that more than just worsening traffic, the construction of the PAREX will have environmental repercussions too.

NBI HELPING SENATE PANEL LOCATE MAGO

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and nuns are now helping in efforts to locate Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. official Krizle Grace Mago, Sen. Richard Gordon said yesterday.

The Senate feared Mago may be in danger after she admitted that her company tampered with expiry dates and sold substandard face shields to the government.

Gordon, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon committee probing the alleged procurement anomalies, said the chamber wrote to the NBI to help look for Mago, who was starting to give information but “then suddenly lights out.”

“We’re dealing with big people here. I hope she’s safe… I’ve also enlisted the help of the Sisters of St. Paul (of Chartres). They’ve been trying to reach her as well. The nuns are very concerned. I’m sure they are praying for her, trying to reach her for her own good,” Gordon said, noting they are verifying reports that Mago is no longer in her condominium but in a safe house under armed guard.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed yesterday that the NBI is working closely with authorities to locate Mago.

“The NBI has directed its intelligence and regional service personnel to help in locating Krizle Mago of Pharmally,” Guevarra said.

SWS: 60% OF PINOYS FROWN ON DUTERTE VP BID

MANILA — Sixty percent of Filipinos believe that President Duterte’s bid for the vice presidency in 2022 violates the intent of the Constitution, a survey by pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The survey showed respondents agreeing that Duterte’s running for vice president “violates the intention of the Constitution, which should first be amended before he may run for office again.” The poll was taken from June 23 to 26, before Duterte confirmed he would seek the nation’s second highest post.

The proportion of those who said Duterte’s vice presidential bid would violate the Constitution was highest in Balance Luzon with 65 percent, followed by the Visayas with 59 percent, Metro Manila with 56 percent and Mindanao with 53 percent.

A majority of respondents in all educational levels also shared this view, with 67 percent among non-elementary graduates, 70 percent among elementary graduates, 52 percent among junior high school graduates and 61 percent among college graduates.

The same survey showed that 39 percent of respondents would like Duterte to run for vice president “because they like his style of government management.”

The survey also found that all categories across self-rated poverty have opposed Duterte’s vice presidential bid. The proportion with this view was highest among those who are not poor with 64 percent, followed by borderline poor with 61 percent and poor with 5 percent.

Further, the survey also showed that 75 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with Duterte’s performance as president, while 13 percent were dissatisfied, and 12 percent were still undecided.

The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults distributed across Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

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HOUSE OKS RENAMING OF ROOSEVELT AVENUE TO FPJ AVENUE

MANILA - The House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate bill renaming Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City to Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue, paving the way for the bill be sent to President Duterte for signature.

The House made the concurrence during the plenary session Monday.

The original House Bill 7499 initially sought to rename Del Monte Avenue, which is also located in Quezon City's first legislative district, after the late actor.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, however, introduced an amendment to Section 1 of the proposed measure, renaming Roosevelt Avenue instead.

Now that the House has concurred with the Senate’s version, the bill can be enrolled and transmitted for the President’s signature.

Section 27, Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution gives the President 30 days to either veto or sign a bill approved by Congress before it lapses into law.

The Senate approved the renaming of Roosevelt Avenue two weeks ago.

Poe, the father of sitting Senator Grace Poe, was dubbed the "King of Filipino Movies" before he unsuccessfully ran for President in 2004.

That election was marred by allegations of fraud against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Poe died that same year due to multiple organ failure.

HOUSE, SENATE OK BILLS TO EXTEND VOTER REGISTRATION

MANILA — In a continued bid to compel a resistant Commission on Elections to extend the voter registration period, both chambers of Congress unanimously approved on third and final reading Monday bills seeking to delay the deadline by a month.

Voting 23-0, senators passed Senate Bill No. 2408 which contains a single provision: "The registration of voters for the 2022 National and Local Elections is hereby extended to October 31, 2021."

House Bill No. 10261, which says the last day of registration will be 30 days from the effectivity of the proposed measure, was approved on Monday as well with lawmakers voting 193-0.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the upper chamber will adopt the House of Representatives' version of the bill to allow the legislature to dispense with the bicameral conference committee meeting.

After this, the bill will be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. "Hopefully the president will sign this request," Zubiri, an administration ally, said.

MANILA SHORTENS WORK HOURS FOR FAMILY WEEK

MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday allowed city government employees to leave work early in observance of the first day of the 29th National Family Week.

Moreno suspended work at city hall at 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

Malacañang has issued Memorandum Circular 90 pursuant to Proclamation 60 signed in 1992, which declares every last week of September as Family Week.

Moreno, however, ordered the continuous operation of the city health department, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, local social welfare department and other offices whose functions involved basic and health services.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LEA SALONGA CAST IN NEW HBO MAX SERIES 'PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN'

MANILA – Broadway star Lea Salonga was beyond excited to announce that she was cast in the upcoming HBO Max series “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.”

The acclaimed actress shared the good news via her Instagram page on Tuesday morning.

“The moms have descended upon the town of Millwood! And we have secrets and lies of our own (can’t let the children have all the fun),” she wrote.

“So excited to be part of the cast of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” she added before tagging her co-stars on the show.

Aside from Salonga, the series will also star Sharon Leal, Elena Goode, Zakiya Young and Carly Pope.

According to a Variety report, Salonga will play the role of Elodie, the overbearing mother of Minnie (Malia Pyles) “who works overtime to protect her daughter from her childhood trauma.”

Variety also said “the series is set in the present, 20 years after a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. Now, a disparate group of teen girls — the new ‘Little Liars’ — find themselves tormented by an unknown ‘Assailant’ and made to pay for the secret sin their parents committed two decades ago, as well as their own.”

The original “Pretty Little Liars” bowed out in 2017 after seven seasons.

SPORTS

GILAS WOMEN ABSORB HUGE LOSS AGAINST CHINA TO OPEN FIBA WOMEN'S ASIA CUP

The Gilas Pilipinas Women could not sustain a solid start and absorbed a heavy 143-52 loss against powerhouse China in their first game of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, Monday evening in Amman, Jordan.

The Gilas Women were within striking distance early, trailing by just five points 15-10 midway through the opening period off a Khate Castillo three-pointer.

But China pulled away from there, scoring 14 unanswered points to build a double-digit lead that they would maintain all the way to the final buzzer. A jumper by Afril Bernardino to end the second quarter gave the Filipinas some momentum at the half, but they were still down 69-29.

China showed no let-up in the second half even with a sizable lead, and their pressure defense made it difficult for the Filipinas to establish their offense. On the other end, the Gilas Women could not contain the taller Chinese players inside the paint.

"It's about the preparation. China is … coming off from the Olympics. Right now, we just practiced for one month," said Gilas Pilipinas Women's coach Pat Aquino after the game. "It's really a big difference in preparation."

"But the girls really tried very hard, and hopefully in the next game, we'll do better," he added.

Bernardino led the Philippines with 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block but limped off the court with cramps in the fourth quarter after having played 30 minutes. No other Filipina reached double figures; veteran Janine Pontejos had seven points while the debuting Ella Fajardo scored six markers.

Meanwhile, eight Chinese players were in double-digits led by Liwei Yang who had 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Yueru Li added 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

China shot a blistering 66.67% from the field, including nearly 72% on their two-point field goals. Meanwhile, the Philippines made only 31% of their shots. China also pressured the Filipinas into 24 turnovers, scoring 34 points from those miscues.

China also had a huge 55-23 advantage on the boards, and their 15 offensive rebounds led to 21 second chance points.

This marks the Philippines' third loss to China in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup; they also lost 117-43 in 2017, and 104-57 in the 2019 edition of the event.

The schedule does not get easier for the Gilas Women as they face another powerhouse in Australia on September 29.

The Scores:

CHINA 143 -- Yang L 21, Li YR 18, Han 17, Li Y 13, Zhang 13, Li YF 13, Yang H 11, Wang 10, Huang 9, Pan 9, Wu 7.

PHILIPPINES 52 -- Bernardino 17, Pontejos 7, Prado 6, Fajardo 6, Nabalan 5, Castro 5, Castillo 3, Clarin 3, Cabinbin 0, Tongco 0, Pingol 0, Cayabyab 0.

Quarters: 35-17, 69-29, 108-38, 143-52.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 51.00

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. – Voltaire