PRESS FREEDOM VITAL IN NATION’S DEMOCRACY – DUTERTE

MANILA, Philippines — Press freedom is key to a nation’s democracy, President Duterte said, as some sectors criticized what they called the censoring of journalists under his administration.

In a video greeting for the fifth anniversary of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, Duterte cited the role of the body in protecting the freedom and rights of the press.

“The task force plays a crucial role in safeguarding press freedom that is vital in a nation’s vibrant democracy,” Duterte said in a video message posted on the Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson yesterday.

“It also helps ensure that the rights and welfare of the press are well protected and upheld,” he added.

The President also expressed hope that the task force would continue to fulfill its mandate “with utmost excellence and commitment.”

ROBREDO IN TALKS WITH NERI COLMENARES, SONNY MATULA FOR INCLUSION IN SENATE SLATE

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is in talks with former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula for them to be included in her Senate slate in the 2022 elections, Philstar.com learned Wednesday.

Former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said Robredo’s camp has been negotiating with Colmenares and Matula, who are both eyeing seats in the Senate in next year’s polls.

"I know that they are talking to the group of Sir Neri Colmenares in Makabayan," Baguilat told Philstar.com partly in Filipino. "I think even the group of Partido Manggagawa, Sonny Matula, also their candidate for the Senate."

In a message to Philstar.com, Colmenares said that "talks are ongoing on my inclusion in her slate [but there is] nothing definite yet."

Makabayan has also endorsed Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer "Bong" Labog for senator.

Matula confirmed to Philstar.com that talks with Robredo are still ongoing after opposition coalition 1Sambayan endorsed him to be part of her senatorial lineup. He said Robredo welcomed his inclusion in the slate.

DOH READY TO FACE PROBE, EVEN WITH DUTERTE BAN ON CABINET MEMBERS

MANILA - Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Thursday he would recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the attendance of Cabinet members in Senate inquiries if these were less frequent.

Duque, in a Senate hearing Wednesday, said he supports the petition of 45 medical workers groups signed by former health chiefs calling for accountability after Duterte banned his Cabinet from attending the chamber's legislative inquiries.

The DOH, meantime, is "ready support any questions," the Senate would ask by writing them back and submitting subpoena documents, Duque said.

"I have discussed this with Senator (Franklin) Drilon if we can make adjustments and I will endorse or recommend to the President, say the frequency of attending the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings," he told ANC's Headstart.

"If it’s not going to be too frequent in a week, say two or more, at least siguro once a week pwede na (maybe at least once a week is good)."

Duque said he did not miss a Senate hearing on the alleged mismanagement of pandemic funds prior to Duterte's order banning Cabinet officials from the said inquiry.

"Let me tell you that prior to the issuance of memo rider Oct 5...the DOH had a 100 percent attendance. Personally I had attended 10 times of the 10 hearings prior to Oct. 5," he said.

"I think the questions were relevant and to the point, I had answered to the best of knowledge and with the support of my undersecretaries, assistance secretaries and directors."

DOH CHIEF QUESTIONS REMOVAL OF QUARANTINE PERIOD FOR FULLY VACCINATED TRAVELERS

MANILA - Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Thursday he was not consulted when officials made the decision to allow the entry of fully vaccinated travelers from "green countries" without facility quarantine.

Duque said other officials such as vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, vice-chairperson of National Task Force against COVID-19, were also absent.

"I wasn’t part of that IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force against Emerging Infectious Diseases) that deliberated on this yesterday. I was in another budget hearing with the Senate," he told ANC's Headstart.

"It's there so we just have to monitor these border controls and very closely monitor this. This will also be a subject of IATF discussions this afternoon once the members who weren't there yesterday...We’ll see how this is gonna turn out because we have some issues to raise."

Duque said he had always supported five days quarantine followed by a confirmatory test.

"If I recall, even the President said to just reduce the quarantine period but not do away with quarantine period," he said.

"(Other) countries can afford to do it because their national vaccine coverage is 30 percent. And not all travelers pass through NCR (National Capital Region). Some pass are going to Davao, Cebu, other airports, so that's a cause for concern."

It is "very important" for the country to ramp up its vaccine coverage as its jab rate hasn't moved up following the arrival of more supplies, Duque said.

WIDER COVID-19 VACCINE COVERAGE FIRST BEFORE BOOSTER SHOTS: DUQUE

MANILA - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is backing a proposal to give booster shots to healthcare workers, but emphasized that there must first be wider coverage of the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

"I’m pushing for it. It’s just that the all-experts group—mga doktor din ito, mga scientist (these are doctors, scientists), epidemiologists, infectious disease experts—they are all saying that we have to ensure that a bigger percentage of the population must receive the primary series of vaccines," he told ANC's Headstart.

Duque said only 30 percent of the population have complete immunization against COVID-19 and about 34 percent have received their first dose of the vaccine.

"Marami pa tayong hindi pa nakakatanggap ni isa. So kung magbibigay ka hanggang booster dose sa healthcare workers—which I support—this will re-channel, parang ma-disenfranchise, mawala yung equity dun sa mga tao din na dapat mabigyan din," he said.

He also noted that coverage of the vaccine rollout outside Metro Manila is still low.

"Importanteng mabigyan natin ng proteksyon itong mga ito kasi diyan nanggagaling yung mga severe, critical, saka yung mga naa-ICU, saka mga namamatay," he said.

MARING LEAVES AT LEAST 19 DEAD, P1 BILLION AGRI DAMAGE

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recorded 30 fatalities, with 11 of these for verification, due to Severe Tropical Storm Maring that pounded northern Luzon.

As of Thursday morning, the NDRRMC said it confirmed 19 deaths due to Maring and 13 missing persons.

Authorities have so far validated 14 fatalities in Ilocos Sur, one in Pangasinan and four in Palawan. Twelve of those who died in Ilocos Sur were due to flashflood, the NDRRMC said.

Verification is still ongoing on 11 dead, three injured and one missing person.

Authorities are confirming reports of two who died in Cagayan and nine in Benguet.

The NDRRMC also said Maring has affected 194,677 persons or 50,040 families in 673 barangays in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, CARAGA and CAR regions.

METRO MANILA TO BE PLACED UNDER ALERT LEVEL 3 STARTING OCTOBER 16

MANILA, Philippines — Quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila will be relaxed this week as the COVID-19 situation in the capital region continues to improve.

The government's pandemic task force has approved the recommendation to place Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 from October 16 to 31, presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced on Wednesday.

The capital region, the Philippines' economic center, is under Alert Level 4, the second most stringent classification in the government's new quarantine system.

The downgrade in the alert level will increase the permitted operational capacity of businesses, allowing business establishments to serve more clients.

Under the alert status, food businesses may operate in full capacity for take out and delivery while dine-in services will be permitted at 30% capacity. Personal care service establishments can also fill in up to 30% of their venue capacity. The same operational capacities will be implemented in closed and crowded venues and close contact activities. However, the allowed capacities for businesses with safety seals may increase by 10%.

The venue capacities will not apply to areas under granular lockdowns.

Under Alert Level 4, the allowed operational capacity for dine-in and personal care services and in-person religious activities is just 20%.

The alert level system with granular lockdowns is being enforced only in Metro Manila, but the government is considering proposals to expand it in other areas.

'I WILL SELL AND BUILD': ISKO MORENO OPEN TO JOINT OIL PROJECTS WITH CHINA

MANILA - Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday said he is open to having joint oil explorations with China in the West Philippine Sea.

The Manila mayor, who is running for President in the 2022 elections, said profits from any oil found should be used to lower electricity prices, and strengthen the Philippines' maritime assets.

"If I can utilize those, I will do that. Prinoteksyonan ko interes ng Pilipino," he said in online forum Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

"We don't have an engineering facility to dig oil? Then we dig with them: private sectors in the country and private sectors in China," he said.

If the Philippines would hypothetically get 40 percent of the collected oil, Domagoso said 20 percent of the amount should be sold to local oil players to pull down power rates in the Philippines, while the other half should be sold elsewhere to fund the upgrade of the country's maritime vessels.

"I will sell [the oil] and build [the capabilities of the] Navy, the Coast Guard," he said.

"I will continue to build medium-range, medium-sized Navy, Coast Guard [assets] so we can protect whatever is left [of the West Philippine Sea]," he said.

Aside from beefing up the country's sea patrol vessels, reducing electricity rates is also a priority to make the Philippines more competitive, he said.

"Kapag nagmura kuryente sa atin, magiging competitive tayo," he said, noting that several investors prefer Malaysia and Vietnam where power prices are cheaper.

Under a Domagoso presidency, the Philippines would "join only things that will benefits us," the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer claimed.

"We must fish in that area as Filipinos, undisturbed at hindi hinaharang, hindi pineperwisyo (without being barred, without being pestered)," he said.

Domagoso said doing business with China is different from surrendering the Philippines' rights in the West Philippines Sea, which the world's second largest economy is claiming as theirs.

"WPS is different with trade. Politics is different from economics," the presidential aspirant said.

ISKO MORENO A COMMUNIST? JOMA SISON SAYS HE’S NOT QUALIFIED

MANILA - The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on Thursday denied that Aksyon Demokratiko’s standard bearer Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso is a communist.

In a statement, NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison said the claim that Domagoso is a communist is a brazen lie and unfair and unjust to both the Manila Mayor who denies being a communist, and to the Communist Party of the Philippines “which has a high ideological, political and organizational standard for membership.”

“Let us respect Isko’s declaration that he is not a communist because in the first place he is not qualified to be one. We should look at him as a high bureaucrat capitalist dedicated to preserving the present anti-national and anti-democratic ruling system and serving the exploitative interests of foreign monopolists, big compradors and landlords, unless he becomes enlightened and proves himself otherwise,” Sison said in a statement.

Domagoso on Wednesday denied that he is a supporter of the communist movement after his pictures with Sison surfaced online.

Domagoso said his picture with Sison, who has sought refuge in the Netherlands, was taken when he worked as an observer in peace talks between the government panel and communist rebels.

Sison said Domagoso does not become a communist by merely having a photo-op with him during the course of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.

“As of now, Isko is far beyond the integrity, calibre and dignity of the great anti-imperialist patriots and democrats like Claro Mayo Recto, Lorenzo Tañada and Jose W. Diokno who upheld their patriotic and progressive principles and who did not have to attack the Communist Party to prove that they were not communists,” said Sison.

Domagoso said he does not support the communist ideology and he "believes in democracy, in equal opportunity."

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BAWAL MAGKATABI: NO SEATMATES ALLOWED WHEN CINEMAS REOPEN, SAYS DILG

MANILA – There will be seats in between moviegoers when cinemas are allowed to reopen once Metro Manila shifts to a looser quarantine level starting this weekend, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.

The inter-agency task force on COVID-19 on Wednesday approved the recommendation to place the capital region under Alert Level 3 from Oct. 16 to 31, down from Alert Level 4 first imposed on Sept. 16.

Under this alert level, cinemas are allowed to open at 30 percent capacity for fully-vaccinated individuals.

“A lot of people are so happy with this, even the cinema operators association,” Malaya said. “

"They’re happy because under the old guidelines, they would still continue to be prohibited under Alert Level 3, but they really appealed and requested that they be allowed to open.”

STOP SALE OF TEXT BLASTERS, ONLINE SHOP PLATFORMS TOLD

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued show cause orders to Facebook Philippines, Shopee Philippines and Lazada E-Services Philippines Inc. for the sale of text blaster machines in their respective shopping platforms.

The NTC yesterday said it has not authorized the importation, manufacture, sale and distribution of these SMS blast machines and similar equipment which were found being sold in Facebook Marketplace as well as in Shopee and Lazada.

The NTC has ordered the companies to cease and desist from selling the products, as well as similar equipment regulated by the commissi

Any sale of such equipment, it said, appears to violate Republic Act 3846 or “The Radio Control Law,” as well as various rules and regulations such as NTC Memorandum Order 01-02-2013 entitled “Prohibition of Portable Cellular Mobile Repeater and Portable Cellsite Equipment.”

Facebook, Shopee and Lazada were directed to appear before the NTC on Oct. 27 and explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the order why they should not be held liable for violations, as well as subject the violative products to confiscation or forfeiture.

“Failure to answer within the period herein granted shall be considered waiver of the right of respondent to be heard and the Commission shall render judgement as the law and evidence may warrant,” the NTC said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

HOW ANGELINA CRUZ BALANCES HER CAREER, COLLEGE

MANILA -- Angelina Cruz, the eldest daughter of Sunshine Cruz, sure knows how to balance her time for work and studies.

In "Magandang Buhay" on Wednesday, Angelina, who is taking up Marketing Management at De La Salle University via distance learning. proudly shared that she's a Dean's Lister.

"Nag-a-advice po si mommy sa akin to always know my priorities and to always prioritize my studies before 'yung career ko at lagi ko pong ginagawa 'yon ever since I started my career as a singer," Angelina said.

"I always focused on my studies muna. Kapag mayroon pong guesting I have to make sure na it doesn't land on an important date of school. I'd have to sometimes back out of things work-related kasi po I want to focus on my studies and I want to graduate po," she added.

Just last month, her mother took to social media to congratulate Angelina for her academic achievement.

A recording artist, Angelina is Sunshine’s daughter with her ex-husband, actor Cesar Montano.

SPORTS

MERALCO DEF. MAGNOLIA, 102-98 (PBA) SEMIS GAME 5

Meralco Bolts defeated Magnolia Hotshots, 102-98 to trim their deficit to 3-2 in their best-of-7 semis in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Allein Maliksi topscored for the Bolts with game-high 29 points on 8-of-11 shooting including 7 three-pointers along with 3 rebounds and 2 steals in 37 minutes of play to help Meralco extend the series.

Nard John Pinto with a solid game of 24 points (9/17 FG, 3/8 3PT, 3/3 FT), 5 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal while Chris Newsome added 23 points (8/17 FG, 7/8 FT), 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Semifinal Game 6 is on Friday, October 15 at 6:00pm.

The Scores:

MERALCO 102 - Maliksi 29, Pinto 24, Newsome 23, Almazan 9, Hugnatan 6, Hodge 4, Belo 4, Quinto 3, Jackson 0, Caram 0, Pasaol 0.

MAGNOLIA 98 - Barroca 25, Abueva 19, Sangalang 15, Lee 13, Jalalon 12, Ahanmisi 8, Reavis 6, Corpuz 0, Dionisio 0.

Quarters: 23-33, 45-47, 69-71, 102-98.

TNT DEF. SAN MIGUEL, 110-90 (PBA) SEMIS GAME 5

TNT Tropang GIGA uses strong first half to beat San Miguel Beermen, 110-90 to take a commanding 3-2 lead in their best-of-7 semifinal series in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Six TNT players finished in double figures with Jayson Castro leading the way with 19 points (6/13 FG, 7/8 FT), 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 27 minutes of play. Rookie Mikey Williams finished the game with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting including 4 three-pointers along with 4 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal. RR Pogoy added 18 points (7/14 FG, 4/9 3PT) and 4 rebounds while Troy Rosario with a solid game of 17 points (8/9 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.

TNT spoiled June Mar Fajardo's huge double-double performance of 23 points (8/13 FG, 7/11 FT), 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block while CJ Perez added 18 points (5/8 FG), 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. TNT shot 42/86 or 48% from the field (SMB- 32/74 FG, 4/25 3PT) including a 14-of-38 shooting from downtown and went 12-of-15 from the free throw line and committed 11 turnovers (SMB - 15TO) in the contest.

Semifinal Game 6 is on Friday, October 15 at 3:00pm.

The Scores:

TNT 110 - Castro 19, M. Williams 18, Pogoy 18, ROsario 17, K. Williams 12, Erram 10, Reyes 6, Montalbo 5, Exciminiano 3, Marcelo 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0.

SAN MIGUEL 90 - Fajardo 23, Perez 18, Santos 14, Romeo 12, Tautuaa 10, Ross 3, Pessumal 3, Cabagnot 2, Zamar 0, Gamalinda 0, Sena 0.

Quarters: 32-17, 61-35, 81-61, 110-90.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.65

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. - Marcus Aurelius