DUTERTE: ASEAN MUST STAND ON ITS OWN IN RECOVERY

MANILA — Southeast Asian nations must be able to stand on their own in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic even with help from external partners, President Duterte said on Tuesday.

During the opening ceremony of the 38th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Duterte said ASEAN’s “road to comprehensive and economic recovery will be long and difficult.”

“It has been almost two years since the first COVID-19 case was recorded. But our region is still reeling from its impact,” Duterte said.

“While we welcome and appreciate the support of our external partners, we as ASEAN community must be able to stand on our own,” he said.

He urged the ASEAN Secretariat to expedite vaccine procurement through the COVID-19 Response Fund and stressed the importance of having regional vaccine research and production facilities to be ready for future public health emergencies.

“We must ensure the phased and comprehensive implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework,” he said.

Duterte vowed the Philippines will do its share in upholding multilateralism by ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) within the year.

The President likewise said ASEAN must address the needs of vulnerable groups during this time of pandemic, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and migrant workers.

HOUSE SENDS P5.02 TRILLION BUDGET FOR 2022 TO SENATE

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday sent to the Senate for its concurrence the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022, ahead of the original schedule as the government tries to have it approved before the year ends.

“In line with our commitment to ensure the timely enactment of next year’s national budget, we have transmitted to the Senate the 2022 GAB duly approved by the House ahead of schedule,” Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said yesterday.

Velasco said the printed copies of the House-approved 2022 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) were sent to the Senate two days ahead of the Oct. 27 target date set by the lower chamber.

“In doing so, we hope to give our senators reasonable time to scrutinize and pass their own version of the GAB as we look forward to the bicameral conference where we can thresh out and reconcile the differing provisions of the House and Senate versions,” he said.

Velasco said with this development, Congress is on schedule to send the all-important budget measure to President Duterte for his signature by December.

As the economy gradually moves toward full reopening, Velasco said he was “extremely hopeful that the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget would help propel the Philippine economy to a strong recovery starting 2022.”

PHILIPPINES TO RECEIVE 300,000 COURSES OF MERCK'S COVID-19 PILL

MANILA - The Philippines will receive 300,000 courses of Merck & Co's COVID-19 antiviral drug next month, licensed importers and distributors said on Wednesday, as Asian nations race to get early access to the experimental pill amid large demand.

Singapore and Malaysia have signed deals to buy the drug, Molnupiravir, while Indonesia is finalizing a purchase agreement, among a slew of orders after data from interim clinical trials showed the pills could halve the likelihood of hospitalization or death for patients at risk of severe COVID-19.

"Molnupiravir can now be accessed by our countrymen upon being prescribed for such use by their respective physicians," Monaliza Salian, president of MedEthix, a Philippine healthcare products importer, told a news conference.

MedEthix will import 300,000 courses of Molnupiravir for COVID-19 patients in four hospitals, she added. The shipment will be the first batch of the drug to arrive in the Philippines.

Each pill is estimated to cost 100 to 150 pesos ($1.97 to $2.96), said Meneleo Hernandez, president of pharmaceutical firm JackPharma, which will distribute the drug locally.

The Philippines has approved the "compassionate use" of Molnupiravir for 31 hospitals, Food and Drug Administration Chief Rolando Enrique Domingo told Reuters on Wednesday.

Molnupiravir would be the world's first oral antiviral medication for COVID-19 if it gets regulatory approval.

The Philippines' health department on Wednesday reported 3,218 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest single-day tally in more than five months. It has so far fully inoculated roughly 26 million of its 110 million population.

PDP-LABAN WING SAYS DUTERTE TO BRING 'STYLE OF LEADERSHIP' TO SENATE

MANILA—A faction of ruling party PDP-Laban is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to run for senator in the 2022 elections to bring his style of leadership in the chamber, its party president said Thursday.

"Kung hindi po namin siya makakasama na tumakbo bilang bise presidente, hinihimok namin siya tumakbo bilang isang senador para po magdala naman ng kaniyang style of leadership in the Senate that will revolutionize ang kuwan po ng Senado," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi told TeleRadyo.

Cusi disclosed the party's proposal was already conveyed to Duterte, who had repeatedly announced he would retire from politics when his term ends in June next year.

He said Duterte's possible Senate run was meant to bring "real change" in the upper House.

"Talagang (Definitely) a senator that would bring or represent the real interest of the majority of the people," he said.

Cusi also dismissed claims that the candidacy was meant to exact revenge against his critics, who had launched investigations into alleged misuse of government funds in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"That will be a total disservice to the nation, to the public. Napakababaw po 'yun (That's very shallow). You don't deserve to be in the Senate kung ikaw ay sinususian lamang ng isang bagay na paghihiganti (if you only want revenge) or you are just representing an interest," he said.

Should Duterte decide to run as senator, Cusi said the party's senatorial bets were willing to give way.

"I'm sure that one of them will be ready to give way to the President to make the sacrifice kung talagang tatakbo si Pangulo (if the President will run)," he said.

Among the party's Senate contenders are actor Robin Padilla, presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo and broadcaster Rey Langit.

GOV’T EYES MORE VACCINATORS AS NATIONWIDE VACCINATION OF MINORS LOOMS

MANILA – The government is planning to hire more vaccinators as the Philippines gets ready to jab minors aged 12 to 17 against COVID-19, the Department of Health said Thursday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are also doing this in preparation for the giving of booster shots to healthcare workers and a third dose to immunocompromised persons.

“Of course that would be very critical, because if we look at our vaccination rollout right now, we are going to add additional sectors of the population to be vaccinated. That would be about 12.7 million children, and then for these boosters we’re going to initially start with senior citizens, immunocompromised and healthcare workers,” she said.

“So that will be an additional almost 10 million individuals so we are looking at adding more vaccinators, expanding hours of vaccination, and expanding the vaccination sites,” Vergeire told ANC’s “Rundown.”

PHILIPPINES REMAINS AT BOTTOM OF BLOOMBERG'S COVID-19 RESILIENCE RANKING

MANILA — The Philippines is still the “worst place to be” amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite the decline in cases, according to the latest Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking.

With a score of 40.5, the Philippines placed last in a list of 53 countries for a second month.

Southeast Asian nations occupied the bottom rungs of the ranking: Indonesia (48th), Malaysia (50th), Thailand (51st) and Vietnam (52nd).

“While the region’s outbreak may have peaked and vaccination has progressed, especially in Malaysia, many of these export-reliant economies are still reeling from Delta’s hit,” Bloomberg said.

European nations continue to dominate the ranking, with Ireland remaining the best place to be in the pandemic.

The ranking is based on 12 indicators related to virus containment, quality of healthcare, immunization coverage, overall mortality, and progress toward opening borders.

EUAS FOR THIRD DOSE, BOOSTERS OUT NEXT WEEK

MANILA — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is likely to come out next week with an emergency use authority (EUA) for vaccines to be used as a third dose for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News/TV5 on Tuesday night, FDA director general Eric Domingo said he has given experts a week to review data and come out with a recommendation on the Department of Health (DOH)’s request for amendments on existing EUAs of vaccines used in the country.

“We are collecting data on third dose, whether monoguous or heterologous – meaning different vaccines – to see which has acceptable and safety efficacy levels that we could use on our health care workers and high-risk groups that need the extra dose,” Domingo said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He said he received the letter-request from the DOH on Monday and, in turn, gave experts one week from Tuesday to examine it and give their recommendation.

At the request of the DOH, the FDA is looking at eight possible combinations – either the same or another vaccine – for the third dose.

AFTER VP PUSH, ADMIN PARTY NOW PRODDING DUTERTE TO RUN FOR SENATOR

MANILA — The faction of administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan backed by President Rodrigo Duterte admitted Wednesday that it is trying to convince him to run for senator in the 2022 elections.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who is party president, said he is prodding Duterte to run for a seat in the upper chamber instead of the vice-presidency and to become the campaign manager of the party’s presidential bet, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and his running mate Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.

“Kung talagang hindi po tatakbo si pangulo dahil talagang decided siya na ayaw niyang tumakbo at ayaw niyang sirain ang salita niya, eh di sabi ko, ‘Okay, takbo ka na lang ng senador para makapagdala ka ng pagbabago diyan sa Senado,’” Cusi told Daily Tribune’s “Gising Na!”

The Constitution bars presidents from running for another term in Malacañang, but does not prevent them from seeking other elective positions.

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PHILIPPINE AIRLINES TO RECEIVE NEARLY P26-B FROM LUCIO TAN TO KEEP IT ALIVE

As part of Philippine Airlines' [PAL 6.05 susp] bankruptcy restructuring plan, PAL’s board approved an increase in PAL’s authorized capital stock (ACS) from P13.5 billion to P30 billion, approved Lucio Tan’s purchase of 10.2 billion shares for P12.75 billion at P1.25/share through a private placement with Lucio Tan’s Buona Sorte Holdings (BSH), and approved a 5-year term loan from BSH for P12.6 billion.

After the transaction, BSH will own 46.77% of PAL, and together with the other Lucio Tan group companies (Cosmic Holdings Corporation and Trustmark), Lucio Tan will own and control 89.45% of PAL’s common stock. The price Lucio Tan paid himself for these shares was “deemed justified” by a PAL forecast “showing improved profitability and liquidity of Philippine Airlines by the end of 2025”. In response, the PSE issued a notice flagging the transaction as falling under the “Additional Listing of Securities” rule, which would require stockholder approval of the transaction, and a FOO or SRO for PAL shares at the same price Lucio Tan offered to himself. The PSE noted that a majority of the minority shareholders may waive this right to a FOO.

MB BOTTOM-LINE

This is Lucio Tan trying to catch his own falling knife. So much of PAL’s fortunes ride on a robust recovery of the tourism and international travel industry, and even PAL thinks that it might only show “improved profitability and liquidity” by the end of 2025. Yes, things look like they’re starting to improve with the Delta variant, both globally and in the Philippines, but all we have to do is think back to December 2020 for a time when we thought we’d rounded the corner on our way to a recovery.

I hope for the Tan Family’s sake that PAL’s forecast, the basis of the valuation of the price they paid for those shares, includes a conservative allowance for future variants to prevent a straight-line recovery; that’s been our experience with this disease so far, and it could be a mistake to ignore the expensive and painful lessons that we’ve learned in this regard. I’m curious to see if the minority shares will reject their right to a FOO/SRO at the Kapitan’s price; we’ll just have to wait until the shareholders’ meeting scheduled for November 25 to see how they vote.

PHILIPPINES GETS 976,950 NEW PFIZER DOSES

MANILA — The Philippines on Wednesday night received nearly a million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine that added to the government's procured supply.

Officials welcomed the arrival of the new jabs which were delivered by an Air Hongkong plane at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay close to 9 p.m. of October 27.

This brought the country's supply of Pfizer's vaccine to 27.31 million doses, according to a monitoring by Philstar.com.

Some 14.65 million doses of that were purchased by the national government, while 12.66 million doses were donations from the global initiative COVAX Facilty.

The arrival of new Pfizer doses comes as the Philippines is set to expand further its inoculation efforts on adolescents, and health authorities approving booster shots and third doses.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY CONFIRMS MARCOS JR. DID NOT GRADUATE, FAILED TO COMPLETE DEGREE

MANILA — The University of Oxford, one of the world's most prestigious academic institutions, on Wednesday confirmed that presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. failed to complete his degree and did not graduate, contrary to his earlier claims.

According to the university's Information Compliance Team, Marcos "did not complete his degree, but was awarded a Special Diploma in Social Studies in 1978."

"We can confirm that a Ferdinand Marcos matriculated at the University of Oxford in 1975 to read for a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. According to our records, he did not complete his degree, but was awarded a Special Diploma in Social Studies in 1978," the university said in an email in response to ABS-CBN News' inquiry.

It added that a special diploma is "not a full graduate Diploma."

Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., earlier claimed in his Senate profile and resume of having obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford.

Meanwhile, the Religious of the Good Shepherd in the Philippines also posted a photo of a letter one of their sisters received in 1983 about Marcos' claim.

RGS said that one of their sisters decided to write a letter to the University of Oxford in 1983 after Marcos assumed the role of governor of Ilocos Norte.

The news clipping, which announced Marcos as the new Ilocos Norte governor, also claimed that he obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Oxford University.

RGS also clarified that the issue is not about Marcos' educational attainment but that he continues to lie about it.

"As had already been pointed out by many others, the issue is not the educational attainment but the value of honesty that we expect no less with anyone aspiring for the highest position of power in our country," it said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ANTHONY TABERNA SARCASTICALLY CONGRATULATES MARIA RESSA FOR WINNING NOBEL

MANILA — Broadcaster Anthony Taberna criticized Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa for winning the Nobel Peace Prize Award, alleging that she only won the prestigious award because she attacked President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a recent Facebook live video, Taberna congratulated Ressa but claimed that the award-giving body’s criteria was biased.

“First of all, gusto kong sabihin sa inyo, I’d like to congratulate Maria Ressa for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Kaya anong problema natin do’n?” Taberna said.

“So deserving s’ya doon kasi malay n’yo ang requirement o criteria ng Nobel Peace Prize award na ‘yan, Nobel Peace Prize committee o ano man ang tawag d’yan, kung ang requirement nila ay kailangan galit ka kay Duterte o magkalat ka nang kasinungalingan laban sa sarili mong bansa. At pagka gano’n, p’wede kang maging Nobel Peace Prize awardee, eh anong pakialam natin do’n? Eh ‘di deserving s’ya du'n, ibigay natin kay Maria Ressa 'yun,” he added.

Taberna also said that Ressa claimed that Duterte was harassing her after being convicted of cyber libel filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OCT 26

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

76ers2-2           26        16        30        27        99

Knicks3-1          23        39        28        22        112

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY

SCORING LEADERS

T. Harris PHI

23 PTS 9 REB 9 AST

K. Walker NY

19 PTS 3 REB 5 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Warriors4-0       29        19        33        25        106

Thunder0-4       34        25        17        22        98

PAYCOM CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

SCORING LEADERS

S. Curry GS

23 PTS 6 REB 4 AST

S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC

30 PTS 1 REB 4 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Rockets1-3       31        29        28        18        106

Mavericks2-1    27        30        34        25        116

AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS, TX

SCORING LEADERS

E. Gordon HOU

22 PTS 1 REB 2 AST

L. Doncic DAL

26 PTS 14 REB 7 AST

FINAL/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

Lakers2-2         27        34        24        29        11        125

Spurs1-3           29        33        35        17        7          121

AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, TX

SCORING LEADERS

A. Davis LAL

35 PTS 17 REB 4 AST

J. Poeltl SA

27 PTS 14 REB

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Nuggets2-2       31        33        26        20        110

Jazz3-0 35        31        25        31        122

VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

SCORING LEADERS

N. Jokic DEN

24 PTS 6 REB 6 AST

R. Gobert UTA

23 PTS 16 REB

TNT DEF. MAGNOLIA, 106-89 (PBA) FINALS GAME 4

TNT Tropang GIGA defeated Magnolia Hotshots, 106-89 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-7 series in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Rookie Mikey Williams led TNT with 26 points (9/15 FG, 6/11 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 assists and 2 rebounds in 39 minutes of play. Jayson Castro finished with 12 points (4/6 FG, 4/4 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 block while Dave Marcelo added 10 points on 4-of 6 shooting along with 5 rebounds and a block.

The 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference Calvin 'The Beast' Abueva paced the Hotshots with huge 28 points (9/15 FG, 4/5 3PT, 6/8 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while Ian Sangalang added a double-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assists.

Finals Game 5 is on Friday, October 9 at 6:00pm.

The Scores:

TNT 106 - M. Williams 26, Castro 12, Reyes 10, Marcelo 10, Heruela 9, Pogoy 9, Erram 9, Montalbo 8, K. Wiliams 6, Rosario 5, Khobuntin 2.

MAGNOLIA 89 - Abueva 28, Sangalang 17, Lee 15, Barroca 13, Dela Rosa 11, Reavis 3, Jalalon 2, Corpuz 0, Melton 0, Ahanmisi 0, Pascual 0, Dionisio 0.

Quarters: 24-24, 57-39, 82-67, 106-89.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.72

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent. - William Blake