PANDORA PAPERS: DOCUMENT DUMP ALLEGEDLY LINKS WORLD LEADERS TO SECRET WEALTH

WASHINGTON — A massive leak of financial documents was published by several major news organizations on Sunday that allegedly tie world leaders to secret stores of wealth, including King Abdullah of Jordan, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The dump of more than 11.9 million records, amounting to about 2.94 terabytes of data, came five years after the leak known as the “Panama Papers” exposed how money was hidden by the wealthy in ways that law enforcement agencies could not detect.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a Washington, D.C.-based network of reporters and media organizations, said the files are linked to about 35 current and former national leaders, and more than 330 politicians and public officials in 91 countries and territories. It did not say how the files were obtained, and Reuters could not independently verify the allegations or documents detailed by the consortium.

Jordan’s King Abdullah, a close ally of the United States, was alleged to have used offshore accounts to spend more than $100 million on luxury homes in the United Kingdom and the United States.

DLA Piper, a London law office representing Abdullah, told the consortium of media outlets that he had “not at any point misused public monies or made any use whatsoever of the proceeds of aid or assistance intended for public use.”

The Washington Post, which is part of the consortium, also reported on the case of Svetlana Krivonogikh, a Russian woman who it said became the owner of a Monaco apartment through an offshore company incorporated on the Caribbean island of Tortola in April 2003 just weeks after she gave birth to a girl. At the time, she was in a secret, years-long relationship with Putin, the newspaper said, citing Russian investigative outlet Proekt.\

PANDORA PAPERS: SOME PHILIPPINE NAMES APPEAR IN NEW OFFSHORE DATA LEAK

MANILA — Some prominent names in the Philippines emerged in a far-reaching new investigation by the ICIJ media consortium, which found that more than a dozen heads of state and government around the world have used offshore tax havens to hide assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The so-called "Pandora Papers" investigation — involving some 600 journalists from media including The Washington Post, the BBC and The Guardian — is based on the leak of some 11.9 million documents from 14 financial services companies around the world.

Some 35 current and former leaders are featured in the latest vast trove of documents analyzed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) — facing allegations ranging from corruption to money laundering and global tax avoidance.

At home, the report found that the purpose of majority of offshore accounts linked to the Philippines are unknown, while names of some individuals do not show up in publicly available records and search engines.

ICIJ partnered with Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Rappler for the local report.

The names of the heirs of late retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. appeared in 10 offshore firms in British Virgin Islands, where more than two-thirds of the companies tracked by ICIJ were set up.

The Gaisano family, another well-known mall owner in the country, were tied to 12 companies.

Other prominent names that showed up in the report were some members of the Aboitiz family and the Gatchalian family, which controls the Wellex Group. The logistics firm of Davao-based tycoon Dennis Uy was also on the list.

PANELO, ROQUE, VILLAR, BELGICA TO RUN IN 2022 POLLS: PDP-LABAN

MANILA - At least four members of President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet, including his spokesman and chief legal counsel, will run in next year's elections, the president of PDP-Laban said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, and anti-corruption commission chief Greco Belgica will run even after the President backed out of the party's vice presidential nomination, said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade are still mulling their decision, he added.

"When the President decided not to run, of course emotions were running...nung nalaman ni Secretary Tugade and Bello ito now they're assessing whether they're going to file their candidacy dahil gusto nila kasama nila si Pangulo," Cusi told ANC's Headstart.

"Secretary Panelo, Villar tuloy po ang pagtakbo (will continue their bid), then si Greco will run, Secretary Roque will also run. There are also other candidates we're considering to run under PDP."

ISKO MORENO FILES COC, OFFICIALLY JOINS 2022 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

MANILA - Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Monday filed his certificate of candidacy for president, formalizing his 2022 election bid and role as Aksyon Demokratiko's standard bearer.

"This is the time to be true to our commitment. Wag kayo malilito. Tuloy ang gobyerno sa lungsod ng Maynila… Today will be part of history and I hope it is destiny," he said in a short message at the Manila City Hall before the filing.

Domagoso filed his certificate of candidacy on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi and the birthday of late television host German Moreno, who helped catapult the actor-turned-politician into stardom in the 80s.

Before filing his COC, Domagoso visited the Sto. Niño Church in Moriones, where he and his mother used to pray when he was still living in the slums of Tondo.

Domagoso earlier said that he plans to become a "healing" president, who could work both with members of the current administration and opposition.

"Kapag may pananagutan ka, haharap ka sa husgado... pero in my leadership, no abuse will come to you," he earlier told ANC's Headstart.

DOC WILLIE ONG FILES CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY, JOINS 2022 VP RACE

MANILA - Cardiologist Willie Ong on Monday filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president as running-mate of Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso in the 2022 national elections.

Ong arrived at the filing venue in Pasay City with Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso, who also filed his COC to officially join the presidential race.

Domagoso earlier belied claims that Ong was only a decoy candidate who would later on be replaced by Sen. Grace Poe, the Manila Mayor’s alleged true runningmate.

“Hindi ko papalitan si Doc Willie. Solve na ako dito," he earlier said in an interview on ANC's "Headstart."

"Ayoko ng tsutsubibo na buhay. Diyan nga tayo nagkaloko-loko, paflipflop-flipflop, pabago-bago . . . We need some decisiveness,” he said.

Ong is the “perfect” vice president as the Philippines continues to battle COVID-19, Domagoso said, noting that Manila’s pandemic response was effective thanks to his vice mayor Honey Lacuna, who is also a doctor.

Picking Ong as a partner for the 2022 national elections is a “stroke of genius,” said Tony La Viña, former dean of the Manila-based Ateneo School of Government.

"Parang perfect choice for the pandemic. Doktor ka. He's a serious doctor. Parang Dr. (Juan) Flavier siya, 'yung ganoong klase na doktor. For sure 'yan, ang advantage niyan, nandoon kay Isko at Ong,” he said in an earlier interview with ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

Ong is a social media star himself with some 16 million followers on Facebook, and another 16,000 on Twitter.

MORE THAN A HUNDRED COPS IN DRUG WAR REVIEW MAY BE CRIMINALLY LIABLE: DOJ

MANILA — The Department of Justice has found "possible criminal liability" on the part of police officers involved in the cases that the agency reviewed, Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday.

"Based on the facts gathered by the PNP (Philippine National Police) Internal Affairs Service, the police officers involved in these cases were not only administratively liable, the existing evidence pointed to their possible criminal liability as well," Guevarra said.

He was referring to the 52 cases from the files of the PNP, which are part of the DOJ's second drug war review. The agency completed its first drug war review report in December 2020.

Around 154 police officers were involved in the cases, according to Guevarra.

The justice secretary said the cases would be endorsed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) "for case build-up and filing of criminal complaints if warranted by the evidence."

"The NBI and the PNP agreed to coordinate with each other in this endeavor," Guevarra said, adding that a meeting among the involved agencies is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

STOP MASS MIGRATION OF NURSES – LAWMAKER

MANILA — The government should immediately take the necessary steps to prevent the mass migration of nurses due to the high COVID-19 cases in public and private hospitals, according to a congressman.

Rep. Alfred Vargas, chairman of the House committee on social services, filed Resolution 2241 expressing concern over reports that health care workers (HCWs) have been going abroad “due to the supposedly challenging working conditions” in the country.

“Health care workers have been at the vanguard of protecting the health and welfare of the general public, as they risk their lives to serve and provide care, especially for COVID-19 infected patients,” Vargas stated in his resolution.

He urged the Department of Health and other government agencies to take immediate steps to address the alarming number of nurses and other health care workers (HCWs) leaving the country in the midst of the pandemic.

“It is the duty of the government to ensure that the heroism and dedication of our HCWs are duly recognized and justly compensated,” he said.

Around 3,000 to 8,000 nurses leave the country each year on permanent visas, according to government data, greatly affecting the supply of skilled health workers in the country.

THE REST

========

PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS OVER 13K NEW COVID CASES, OVER 45K NEW RECOVERIES

MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 13,273 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the country’s total to 2,593,399.

The Department of Health also reported 45,249 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 2,442,623.

This means that the country has a total of 112,008 active cases as of 9 p.m. Sunday.

One hundred twelve new deaths were also reported, bringing the country’s death toll from the disease to 38,768.

The positivity rate was also down to 20.2 percent.

PDP-LABAN’S CUSI WING EXPELS PACQUIAO

MANILA — Sen. Manny Pacquiao has been kicked out of a PDP-Laban faction for filing his certificate of candidacy for the presidency under a local party, a move that goes against the ruling party’s constitution, an official said yesterday.

PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag said Pacquiao’s filing his candidacy under PROMDI, a local party based in Cebu, means that he is automatically expelled based on Article 7 Section 6 of the PDP-Laban charter.

“The PDP Laban National Executive Committee met Oct. 1 and a resolution was approved automatically expelling Sen. Pacquiao from PDP-Laban in accordance with the party constitution,” Matibag said in a statement.

“Senator Pacquiao claims that he is the legitimate president of PDP-Laban and even called his own National Assembly where he

accepted their so-called proclamation as presidential candidate and yet he is running for president under PROMDI. Let’s call a spade a spade. If that is not disloyalty, betrayal, and abandonment of PDP Laban, I don’t know what is,” he added.

Pacquiao filed for his presidential run on Friday under the party amid an ongoing legal contest between two factions within PDP-Laban––Pacquiao and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III’s group; and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi’s.

The two factions each filed separate sworn information update statements before the Commission on Elections. If the Comelec decides in favor of one, the other would not be able to field candidates under the party’s name.

Matibag said Pacquiao’s move to file under PROMDI proves that the other wing’s appeal with Comelec has less bearing compared to that of Cusi’s wing, adding that the senator’s move might actually belie his claim that “he has the support of grassroots members.”

“This is where people can see Sen. Pacquiao and Sen. Pimentel do not abide by the Constitution of PDP Laban and they are sidelining the voice of the many, true members of PDP Laban,” he said. “Why would he leave PDP Laban if it’s true that he has thousands of supporters within the party?”

Meanwhile, Matibag said the party fears that Pacquiao’s move to build alliances with PROMDI and the People’s Champ Movement would stir confusion among PDP-Laban supporters.

ATIENZA ON PROTÉGÉS ISKO, MANNY: I WAS HOPING I COULD MAKE THEM WORK TOGETHER

MANILA – Vice presidential aspirant Lito Atienza was hoping Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Senator Manny Pacquiao would “work together” in the 2022 elections, he said in an interview Monday.

Atienza, who surprised many when he filed his certificate of candidacy as Pacquiao’s running-mate, made the revelation when asked if he had a message for Domagoso.

“Isko is my protege also. He started his politics with me in 1998. And I’m happy with his development. But I was hoping I could make them work together with Manny Pacquiao. Dalawang protégé ko yan (Those are my 2 proteges),” he said.

“So, eh hindi naman ako nag-succeed because both of them want to be president. And, I told Moreno, and we had a good talk, if hindi ko maayos, pag sabay kayong tumakbo (if I can’t fix things, if you both run), I have to support Manny Pacquiao because to me, he’s more senior than you are. And he has done much, much more for the country, and he can do more. Your time could be a later time,” he added.

“Moreno will also make a good president, in due time,” Atienza said. “But at this point in time, I see Manny Pacquiao sana siya ang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ng lahat ng mga aspirante ngayon (I hope all aspirants will give him a chance now) so that we unite in the opposition and win this election.”

Atienza has had a close relationship with Pacquiao since he was Manila mayor.

L&M Gym, where Pacquiao used to train as a fledgling fighter, is in Sampaloc district in Manila beside University of Santo Tomas.

Atienza, who considered Pacquiao "an adopted son of Manila," would put together a motorcade every time Pacquiao returned from a fight in the United States.

3 METRO MANILA HOSPITALS TO OFFER VACCINATION FOR MINORS

MANILA — Three government hospitals in Metro Manila will initially offer vaccination against COVID-19 for children with comorbidities and the rollout can begin as early as this month, authorities said yesterday.

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the pilot testing for pediatric immunization against COVID-19 will be at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) and National Children’s Hospital (NCH), both in Quezon City.

In a radio interview, Cabotaje explained that children aged 12 to 17 who will be prioritized in the pilot testing are those with previous records of consultation in the three hospitals.

“For example, the PHC has a patient 12 to 17 years old with a heart condition – those with a record of consultation with them,” she said of the children with comorbidities initially qualified to get the COVID-19 jab.

In the first two to three weeks, immunization of children will be done only in hospitals, Cabotaje said. “This is so we can see what things are needed. When things go okay, then we can expand (pediatric inoculation) to regular sites,” she added.

Vaccine czar and National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed confidence in starting the inoculation of minors this month, citing the arrival of another 2.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

PHILIPPINE BEAUTY QUEEN CROWNED MISS AURA INTERNATIONAL 2021

Filipino beauty queen Alexandra Faith Garcia is the winner of Miss Aura International 2021 held at Rixos Sungate in Antalya, Turkey on October 3.

She is the first Filipina to join the pageant and the first Pinay beauty queen to win the title since the debut of the international pageant in 2006.

Other winners include Miss Romania Alexandra Stroe, 1st runner-up; Miss Ukraine Katerina Pidkopai, (2nd runner-up); Miss Colombia Maria Del Mar Meza, 3rd runner-up; and Miss France Cassandra de Soussa, 4th runner-up.

Garcia posted a photo of her Miss Aura International 2021 crown on Instagram.

"WE DID IT PHILIPPINES! Your Miss Aura International 2021!" Garcia wrote.

Garcia who hails from Olongapo joined Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2014. She also joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2016 and Bb. Pilipinas 2020/2021.

SPORTS

MAGNOLIA DEF. MERALCO, 88-79 (PBA) SEMIS GAME 1

Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots uses strong fourth quarter to beat Meralco Bolts, 88-79 to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-7 semifinal series in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Ian Sangalang topscored for the Hotshots with 18 points (8/19 FG, 2/3 3PT), 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Paul Lee finished with 17 points on 4-of-11 shooting including 3 three-pointers along with 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. Rafi Reavis added 9 points (2/3 FG, 5/8 FT) and 10 rebounds.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 88 - Sangalang 18, Lee 17, Abueva 13, Jalalon 12, Barroca 11, Reavis 9, Dela Rosa 6, Dionisio 2, Corpuz 0, Ahanmisi 0, Pascual 0.

MERALCO 79 - Quinto 14, Belo 11, Caram 11, Hugnatan 10, Almazan 9, Newsome 8, Pinto 6, Hodge 7, Maliksi 3, Pasaol 0.

Quarters: 22-17, 47-40, 61-64, 88-79.

TNT DEF. SAN MIGUEL, 89-88 (PBA) SEMIS GAME 1

TNT Tropang GIGA uses strong third quarter to beat San Miguel Beermen, 89-88 to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-7 semifinal series in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

RR Pogoy led the Tropang GIGA with 23 points (9/20 FG, 1/6 3PT, 4/8 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 39 minutes of play. Veteran guard Jayson Castro with a solid game of 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting including 2 three-pointers along with 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals while center JP Erram added 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

CJ Perez paced the Beermen with 23 points (8/14 FG, 1/4 3PT, 6/6 FT), 5 rebounds and 2 blocks while June Mar Fajardo with a double-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

The Scores:

TNT 89 - Pogoy 23, Castro 16, Erram 15, Rosario 14, M. Williams 7, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 4, Marcelo 3, Reyes 2, Heruela 0.

SAN MIGUEL 88 - Perez 23, Fajardo 13, Santos 12, Lassiter 10, Romeo 8, Cabagnot 8, Ross 8, Tautuaa 6, Gamalinda 0.

Quarters: 19-17, 42-41, 71-60, 89-88.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not understand. - Leonardo da Vinci