UN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES PH: PUBLISH DRUG WAR REVIEW FINDINGS

UN high commissioner says severe human rights violations continue in the Philippines

MANILA — The head of the United Nations (UN) human rights office on Thursday urged the Philippine government to publish the findings of its drug war review panel.

Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the UN Human Rights Council during its 48th session in Geneva that while the Philippines’ drug war review is an “initial development” in its Joint Program for Human Rights with the Philippines (UNJP), it needs to be made public.

“In February, the Secretary of Justice announced at the Human Rights Council some preliminary findings of the inter-agency review panel on anti-illegal drugs operations where deaths occurred. The panel has now referred its findings on 52 cases involving 154 police officers for investigation for criminal liability,” she said.

“I encourage publication of the panel’s findings so its work can be evaluated,” she added.

Bachelet was referring to the two drug war reviews that a Department of Justice-led panel has so far examined but whose reports have never been publicized thus far.

The first one involving 328 drug war cases based on records of the National Prosecution Service was finished in December last year, the preliminary findings of which Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed before the UNHRC.

Guevarra said that in more than half of the cases, law enforcement agents failed to follow standard protocols and the weapons supposedly used by slain drug war suspects were not fully examined.

Sugay told ANC Rundown Tuesday that in the second drug war review, they found a lack of scene of the crime operatives (SOCO) reports, paraffin tests, ballistics tests, as well as the lack of any attempt on the part of the police officers to determine the ownership of the firearms recovered from slain drug suspects who supposedly fought back against authorities.

In some instances, Sugay said, paraffin tests showed the suspects did not in fact fire any firearm since there were no gunpowder nitrates on the hands of those killed.

But the DOJ has yet to release any official communication regarding the new findings, deferring instead to the decision of the Office of the President on whether to release the reports.

PROSECUTOR: ICC HAS JURISDICTION IN PH DRUG WAR KILLINGS

MANILA - An International Criminal Court prosecutor on Thursday reiterated the intergovernmental organization has authority over alleged crimes against humanity that took place in the Philippines despite the country's withdrawal from the treaty that created the ICC.

Britain's Karim Khan, prosecutor of the ICC, said in a statement that judges of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber confirmed that his office "retains jurisdiction" on its probe of the drug war in the Philippines from July 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte took office, until March 16, 2019, when the country’s departure from the Rome Statute took effect.

The probe will also cover killings in the country from November 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016, when Duterte served both as Davao mayor and vice mayor since the Philippines was an ICC "State Party, from November 1, 2011 up to and including March 16, 2019", Khan said.

"In their ruling, the Judges of Pre-Trial Chamber I accepted that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the crime against humanity of murder appears to have been committed," he said.

PHILIPPINES REPORTS 516 COVID BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS

MANILA—The Philippines had 516 COVID-19 breakthrough infections out of 20.3 million fully vaccinated Filipinos, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

The breakthrough infections or those who caught the respiratory illness more than 14 days after completing the recommended doses represent only 0.0025 percent of the total vaccinated, FDA director general Eric Domingo said.

"So napakababa naman talaga compared sa general population," he said in a press briefing.

UNITED KINGDOM TO REMOVE PH FROM TRAVEL RED LIST STARTING OCT. 11

MANILA - The government of the United Kingdom on Thursday announced it will be moving a number of countries, including the Philippines, off its travel red list by October 11, Monday.

This means fully vaccinated nationals Filipinos can travel to the UK to visit family and friends without having to complete a pre-departure COVID-19 test, quarantine for 10 full days, and take a post-arrival COVID-19 test.

To qualify, travellers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival in the UK.

The following are the approved vaccines:

Oxford/AstraZeneca

Pfizer BioNTech

Moderna

Janssen

The UK said it will also be recognizing the formulations of the said vaccines, such as AstraZeneca Covishield, AstraZeneca Vaxzevria and Moderna Takeda.

Fully vaccinated travelers would have to present a proof of vaccination or a vaccine certificate.

Regardless of vaccination status, all arrivals are still required to take a Day 2 COVID-19 test and complete a passenger locator form.

Anyone arriving in the UK from the Philippines before Oct. 11 must still follow the red list rules.

‘PRESIDENT, NOT KING’: SENATORS BRUSH OFF DUTERTE THREAT TO JAIL THEM OVER PHARMALLY PROBE

MANILA, Philippines — A number of senators are undeterred by President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to jail them over their inquiry into the government's anomalous deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp.

"Now, if you are cited in contempt, if I find out, I will jail the senators," Duterte told members of his Cabinet in Filipino in a taped meeting aired late Wednesday night.

He also repeated his instruction to the police and military not to arrest resource persons ignoring Senate subpoenas.

"Only a court of law can issue a warrant of arrest in accordance with the rule of law or under Rule 113 of the Rules of Court. Under Section 5, even a warrantless arrest or citizen’s arrest has clearly defined circumstances," Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former police chief, said Thursday.

"The president is a lawyer. He should know his law."

Duterte reminded: Senate is a co-equal branch of government

"When you threaten to harm any member of the Senate in our performance of our sworn duties, you attack and undermine the Senate as an institution mandated to check your excesses and abuses," said Sen. Richard Gordon who has been leading the chamber's inquiry as blue ribbon chairman.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros chimed in, saying in a separate statement: "Last time I checked, we are in a democracy in which the executive and the legislature are co-equal branches of government."

"The Senate has no obligation to stop its investigations just because the president feels offended," she added.

"He is President Duterte, not King Duterte."

NO MORE TIPTOEING: ROBREDO DECLARATION TO BOOST HER RATINGS - ANALYSTS

MANILA – Vice President Leni Robredo’s survey ratings may improve following her declaration that she will run for President in the 2022 elections, two political science professors said Friday.

In a September 6-11 Pulse Asia survey, Robredo placed sixth among 12 probable presidential candidates, gaining an 8 percent backing from the poll’s respondents.

“I guess definitely yesterday was kind [of a] major boost in her, all the doubts all the tiptoeing, and the dilly-dallying that were perceived to be a part of her being indecisive proved to be wrong, ‘no?” said University of the Philippines (UP) political science professor Jean Franco.

“And I think, it is going to be a good start for her in the runup to the 2022 elections,” she added.

KIKO PANGILINAN FILES COC FOR VICE PRESIDENT

MANILA—Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan filed Friday his certificate of candidacy for the vice-presidency after being tapped as the running-mate of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Robredo accompanied Pangilinan during the filing of his COC at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City, where the Commission on Elections, had set up a tent for COC filing due to threat of COVID-19.

Pangilinan, 58, is president of once-ruling Liberal Party chaired by Robredo. The party's chairman emeritus Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III succumbed to kidney failure last June.

NORA AUNOR FILES COC AS PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE

MANILA -- Movie icon Nora Aunor on Friday filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) as the representative of NORAA Party-list or National Organization for Responsive Advocacies for the Arts in the May 2022 elections.

Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, Aunor, dubbed as the country's Superstar, started her career in showbiz after joining "Tawag ng Tanghalan" in the '60s.

After staying in US for five years, Aunor returned to the Philippines in 2011 to make a comeback in local showbiz.

EX-AGRI CHIEF PIÑOL FILES COC FOR SENATOR

MANILA - Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Friday filed his certificate of candidacy to join the 2022 Senate race.

Piñol is running under the ticket of senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III.

Earlier this week, Piñol resigned from President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet, and also left ruling party PDP-Laban.

Piñol, Duterte’s former Agriculture secretary, said he left PDP-Laban after party officials declined to include him in the ruling party’s senatorial slate.

“Does my resignation and decision to run for a Senate seat outside of the party of President Duterte mean that I am parting ways with him or I am turning my back on him? No, never,” Piñol said on Facebook.

TRILLANES SEEKS SENATE COMEBACK, FILES CANDIDACY

MANILA — Former lawmaker Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, filed on Friday his certificate of candidacy (COC) for a return to the Senate in the May 9, 2022 elections.

The former senator earlier said he would run for President if Vice President Leni Robredo did not seek the highest post. On Thursday, he announced he would run for senator under Robredo's slate.

Trillanes graduated cum laude from the Philippine Military Academy and was a Navy officer.

ARJO ATAYDE FILES COC FOR CONGRESSMAN OF QUEZON CITY

MANILA -- Arjo Atayde on Friday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for congressman of Quezon City's first district in the 2022 elections.

The actor will be running under the the party of incumbent Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte.

He filed his COC at the Comelec NCR office in Intramuros, Manila.

Atayde, son of veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez, was named best actor at the 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards for his performance in "Bagman."

DETAINED SEN. LEILA DE LIMA, FIERCE DUTERTE CRITIC, SEEKS REELECTION

MANILA - Detained Senator Leila De Lima is seeking reelection in the 2022 polls, as she filed her certificate of candidacy Friday through an authorized representative.

Atty. Dino de Leon, De Lima's spokesperson, filed the senator's COC on her behalf.

One of President Rodrigo Duterte's fiercest critics, the lawmaker, confirmed her reelection bid last July, adding she would demand an accounting of the president's unfulfilled campaign promises.

SHERWIN GATCHALIAN FILES COC FOR SECOND SENATE TERM

MANILA — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian filed Friday his certificate of candidacy for senator, seeking a second term in the upper chamber.

Gatchalian, 47, is running under the National People's Coalition, founded by the late businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.

He comes from a family of politicians, with his younger brothers Rex and Weslie serving as Valenzuela’s incumbent mayor and first district representative, respectively.

EX-VPS BINAY, DE CASTRO JOIN SENATORIAL RACE

MANILA, Philippines — Two former vice presidents have thrown their hat in the race to the Senate yesterday, joining some familiar names and returning personalities at Sofitel Harbor Tent in Pasay City on the seventh day of filing the certificate of candidacy (COC).

Former vice president Jejomar Binay filed his COC for senator, presenting himself as a leader who intends to help Filipinos he claims were neglected by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We should work to rebuild our economy in a way that puts priority on creating stable jobs. We should reform our health care system. And the safety, welfare and well-being of the people should always be our foremost concern,” Binay said in a statement.

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MECQ IN 2 CITIES, 24 TOWNS IN ILOCOS SUR

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Two cities and 24 towns in Ilocos Sur were placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting yesterday until Oct. 21 amid rising number of COVID cases.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued Executive Order 109, which placed the cities of Vigan and Candon as well as the municipalities of Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos, Cabugao, Caoayan, Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, Narvacan, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Santiago, Sigay, Sinait, Sta. Catalina, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Maria, Sto. Domingo and Suyo under stricter community quarantine.

Ilocos Sur has 32 municipalities and two component cities.

Singson said the threat of COVID-19 in the province remains “very high and alarming,” with 3,740 active cases with extensive contacts recorded as of Sunday.

A total of 3,483 of the active infections are from the 26 areas placed under MECQ.

Aside from limiting the movement of people to access goods and services and work in essential establishments, a ban on travelers from Metro Manila and areas classified as high-risk for COVID cases will be enforced.

MORE LAWMAKERS IN METRO MANILA SEEK REELECTION

MANILA, Philippines — Several incumbent lawmakers in Metro Manila seeking reelection have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC).

Rep. Benny Abante of Manila’s 6th District filed his COC yesterday. Reps. Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong, Allan Reyes of Quezon City’s 3rd District and Eric Martinez of Valenzuela’s 2nd District filed their COCs on Wednesday.

The other candidates who have joined the congressional race in Quezon City are Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Jopet Sison, Mary Ann Susano and Allan Francisco.

Rizaldy Jose of Marikina’s 1st District, Ricardo Opoc of Makati’s 2nd District, Edmund Ressureccion of Mandaluyong and Ramon Morales of Manila’s 3rd District also filed their COCs yesterday.

Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan are seeking a comeback in the House of Representatives after they filed their candidacies for congressmen of their respective districts.

The other congressional hopefuls who filed their COCs last Wednesday were Sotero Vargas of Quezon City’s 6th District, Ernesto Mijares Dionisio Jr. of Manila’s 1st District, Rose Nono Lin, Rose Lyn Velasco and John Gary Castillo of Quezon City’s 5th District and Macario Assistio of Caloocan’s 2nd District.

Also running for congressional seats are Federico Sandoval of Malabon, William Tieng of Manila’s 5th District, Gador Raul Sanchez and Marvin Rillo of Quezon City’s 2nd district, Jannah Ejercito of San Juan, Dean Assistio of Caloocan 3rd District, Roberto Samson of Caloocan 2nd District, Josephine Noel of Malabon and Rex Maliuang of Pasig.

227,076 QUARANTINE VIOLATORS ACCOSTED IN NCR

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 227,076 people have been accosted in the National Capital Region for violating health protocols since the start of the implementation of the general community quarantine’s Alert Level 4, according to data released yesterday by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP said 120,687 of the violators were apprehended for disregarding minimum public health standards while 92,270 violated the curfew from Sept. 16 to Oct. 6.

The remaining 2,528 went out of their homes despite belonging to the non-authorized persons outside of residence category, police said.

The average number of quarantine violators held during the 21-day period was 10,813.

The PNP said 120,687 or 53 percent of the violators received a first-time offense warning while 92,270 or 41 percent were fined based on the ordinances of local government units.

The remaining 14,119 or six percent were slapped with charges in court.

The PNP said 186 areas in Metro Manila remain under granular lockdown due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Of the number, 75 are in Manila while 44 are in Quezon City. The rest are from other parts of the region.

The PNP said 687 police officers and 702 force multipliers are securing the areas under granular lockdown.

LPA LOCATED EAST OF BICOL REGION DEVELOPS INTO TROPICAL DEPRESSION 'MARING'

MANILA - The low pressure area east of Camarines Norte has developed into a tropical depression and was named "Maring" by the state weather bureau on Thursday.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Maring was last located 505 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center with gusts of to 55 kph.

It was moving south southeastward at 15 kph.

Strong winds up to 250 km are extending from the tropical cyclone's center, PAGASA said.

The trough of Maring may bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains in Eastern Visayas. PAGASA warned affected areas of possible scattered flooding, including flash floods, and landslides.

Hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals in several provinces in northern Luzon are also likely, the weather bureau said.

It warned of moderate rough seas in the seaboards of Luzon, and the eastern and western seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.

It is the 13th storm to hit the country this year.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BOY ABUNDA DISSECTS TONI GONZAGA’S CONTROVERSIAL INTERVIEW WITH BONGBONG MARCOS

Veteran TV host Boy Abunda took an academic perspective in dissecting his former co-host and known close friend Toni Gonzaga’s interview with presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos.

Abunda, who is also a Communication Arts educator, enumerated the types of interviews, ranging from contrarian, investigative, educational, to promotional, among others.

Referring to Gonzaga’s controversial sit-down with Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Abunda said, “To my mind, it was a friendly, almost familial [interview].”

“To a certain point, it may have been a PR interview. I am not sure, it is a guess. This is an interpretation,” he said.

Speaking with ABS-CBN News, Abunda then gave his take on why Gonzaga’s interview with Marcos has been “polarizing,” firstly pointing out that the subject is a contentious figure to begin with.

Abunda also discussed his recent interview with former House speaker and aspiring senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who has been criticized for his involvement in the forced broadcast shutdown of the TV host’s home network ABS-CBN.

Abunda revealed that he had set out to be contrarian, with the raw conversation lasting four hours, and with only half an hour of the interview making it to the final edit.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs. - Henry Ford