IN ASEAN TALKS, CHINA PLEDGES SUPPORT IN REGION’S PANDEMIC FIGHT
China will provide 20 million yuan (US$3.1 million) for emergency medical supplies for the region and is developing a global Covid-19 data analysis platform to improve pandemic readiness in East and Southeast Asia, according to the premier.
Li Keqiang was speaking via video link at an Asean summit on Wednesday, attended by leaders of the 10 member states as well as Japan and South Korea.
He also said the region should grow its digital economy, streamline industrial chains and shift to a low-carbon economy as part of the post-pandemic recovery, and that China could help with those efforts.
“In the long term, China is willing to explore with countries in the region how policies can be coordinated and standards harmonised to allow industrial and supply chains to be developed with balance and make East Asia more competitive overall,” Li said.
China is seeking closer ties with its neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, not least because of the many foreign direct investment projects in the region under its vast Belt and Road Initiative. But territorial disputes in the South China Sea and regional security issues have marred Beijing’s relations with Asean, while the US, Japan and the European Union are also looking to forge closer alliances in the region.
On Covid-19, Li said that in addition to the funding for a reserve of medical supplies, China was working on a global platform that will use data to assess health risks, and it would push for regional exercises on pandemic preparedness, without providing further details.
FACEBOOK ANNOUNCES CHANGING PARENT COMPANY NAME TO ‘META’
Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to keep names under rebranding
Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday announced the parent company's name is being changed to "Meta" to represent a future beyond just its troubled social network.
The new handle comes as the social media giant tries to fend off one its worst crises yet and pivot to its ambitions for the "metaverse" virtual reality version of the internet that the tech giant sees as the future.
Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp will keep their names under the rebranding.
"We've learned a lot from struggling with social issues and living under closed platforms, and now it is time to take everything that we've learned and help build the next chapter," Zuckerberg said during an annual developers conference.
"I am proud to announce that starting today, our company is now Meta. Our mission remains the same, still about bringing people together, our apps and their brands, they're not changing," he added.
Facebook critics pounced last week on a report that leaked the rebranding plans, arguing the company was aiming to distract from recent scandals and controversy.
An activist group calling itself The Real Facebook Oversight Board has warned that major industries like oil and tobacco had rebranded to "deflect attention" from their problems.
"Facebook thinks that a rebrand can help them change the subject," the group said last week, adding the "real issue" was the need for oversight and regulation.
Facebook has just announced plans to hire 10,000 people in the European Union to build the "metaverse," with Zuckerberg emerging as a leading promoter of the concept.
UK READY TO BACK PH IN CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITMENTS, SAYS ENVOY AHEAD OF COP26
MANILA — The United Kingdom is ready to support the Philippines in its climate change commitments, its envoy said Friday, ahead of the upcoming 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
The UK is hosting COP26 this year to discuss and reinforce commitments of nations in terms of reducing global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius set some 5 years ago under the Paris Agreement.
"What we’re hoping to happen at COP is that the Philippines might announce net zero... it’s commitment to net zero by 2050 and we stand ready to support the Philippines in its vision to reduce its emission and to transition to low carbon economy," British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils told ANC.
"This conference is about emissions and nationally determined contributions, whether the countries are stepping up and reducing their emissions," she said.
The Philippine delegation will be headed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, also the country's chief climate negotiator.
Saño said commitments from the upcoming summit should be ambitious, balanced, comprehensive, durable, equitable and fair.
The climate change summit will be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 in Glasgow in Scotland.
ROBREDO SAYS TO FIGHT DRUGS AS INTENSELY AS DUTERTE, BUT WITH DIFFERENT APPROACH
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo said on Friday if she succeeds President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2022 elections, she would fight narcotics as intensely as he did, but with a different approach.
Asked in a press conference how her policy on illegal drugs would compare to that of Duterte, Robredo said, “Ganoon katindi, pero sa ibang paraan.”
The opposition leader said the current administration's drug war is too "heavy on enforcement." She said she saw problems in the program "up close" during her short stint as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) in 2019.
She said noted the committee is chaired by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) whose mandate leans toward enforcement. She argued the body should be led instead by the Dangerous Drugs Board so that its approach will be “more holistic”.
“Hindi puwedeng enforcement lang kasi nakita natin over the past 5 and a half years, sobrang daming namatay. Pero ang question, nawala ba [ang droga]? Ang sagot hindi,” Robredo said.
“Ang paniniwala ko ‘pag DDB iyong umupo na chair, ang plano niya hindi lang patay, patay, patay. Ang plano niya talagang very comprehensive, heavy on prevention, heavy on rehabilitation.”
Robredo said she was "okay" with a Senate contender's call for 2022 candidates to undergo drug testing.
“Ready ako anytime. Hindi sa akin problema ‘yon. Kung ire-require iyon okay lalo na dahil maraming mga kuwento na, ‘Eto ay lulong ganito.’ Mas mabuti na clean slate kami,” she said.
ROBREDO SAYS TO PRIORITIZE PANDEMIC, KEEP DUTERTE INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE
Asked about her campaign platform, VP Leni Robredo said she would focus on recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
She compared the country's current situation to a “rollercoaster” in which lockdowns are imposed every time infections spike.
“We did such a terrible job in the last one and a half years, na kahapon lang lumabas ulit iyong Bloomberg na ranking, pinakahuli ulit tayo,” said the vice president.
“Kailangan ayusin natin ‘to. Kailangan ayusin natin na ‘yong ekonomiya natin makabukas na. Kailangan siguraduhin natin na may enough na pondo na inilalaan doon sa mga tao, organisasyon, negosyo na pinakanaapektuhan,” she continued.
Robredo batted for conditional grants for MSMEs, the “immediate” reopening of schools, the vaccination of more people, and reforms in the healthcare system.
She said she would also prioritize programs that "will help alleviate poverty" and will continue the Duterte administration's infrastructure drive.
“No amount of success, magagandang edifice, magagandang infrastructure projects, iyong pagtaas ng income ng mamamayan—hindi siya sapat kung marami pa rin iyong naiiwan sa laylayan,” Robredo said.
“Ipagpapatuloy natin iyong Build, Build, Build. Pero sisiguraduhin natin iyong napupuntahan ng pera para sa infrastructure, meron na itong direct impact sa pag-angat ng mga nasa laylayan.”
She said infrastructure projects should include farm-to-market roads, cold storage facilities, solar dryers, and mass transport improvements, among others.
PRIVATE HOSPITALS WARN CUTTING TIES WITH PHILHEALTH OVER UNPAID 2020 COVID CLAIMS
MANILA—A group of private hospitals on Friday warned that some of its members might not renew their accreditation with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation over unpaid claims of COVID-19 cases from last year.
Dr. Jose Rene De Grano, president of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc, said a number of private hospitals, including in Metro Manila, would release in November a position paper on whether or not they were cutting ties with the state insurer if the issue remained unresolved.
"Karamihan po diyan ay siguro hindi na magre-renew ng kanilang PhilHealth by next year dahil po sa narasanan nila na wala pong kongkretong solusyon na ibinibigay ang PhilHealth sa nakaraang mga 2 o 3 buwan," he told TeleRadyo.
Most COVID-19 claims from 2020 remain unpaid, he added.
At a Senate hearing, the state insurer also admitted to delays in processing of claims for COVID-19 cases.
“We are so swarmed with increase of claims. Can you just imagine, in 2020, we have the average of daily claims of 31,000, and the average the number of claims now is 39,000. Ibig sabihin (Which means) that is job increase of 26 percent," PhilHealth chief Dante Gierran had said.
PhilHealth was also facing a manpower shortage, he added.
"We blame it again on the pandemic because we have a limited locomotive, some of our people got sick, as matter of fact, some of our people even died. And we cannot tell everybody that we have this problem, but we are doing something about it," Gierran had said.
However, De Grano said those allegedly questionable claims being investigated by PhilHealth should not affect the reimbursement of unpaid dues to other hospitals, which they used for their day-to-day operations.
DUTERTE WELCOMES ASEAN COLLABORATION ON VACCINE PRODUCTION
MANILA — President Duterte has expressed support for collaboration among Southeast Asian nations on COVID-19 vaccine production, and stressed the need to fast-track the purchase of vaccines as the region treads what he described as the “long and difficult” road to recovery.
Speaking during the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea Summit (ASEAN-ROK) last Tuesday, Duterte said COVID-19 has exposed the weaknesses of economies and underscored the need for a “deeper regional economic integration.”
“As we work towards recovery, we welcome collaboration on vaccine production and other initiatives under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework,” Duterte said.
The President said the Philippines is also looking forward to closer cooperation in public health security with the convening of the ASEAN-ROK Health Dialogue Channel.
He also lauded South Korea’s COVID-19 response and thanked the East Asian country for its contribution to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.
During the plenary session of the 38th ASEAN summit, Duterte urged the ASEAN Secretariat to expedite vaccine procurement through the response fund.
“If there are still available funds, then we should purchase more,” the Philippine leader said.
Duterte said ASEAN should have its own regional vaccine research and production facilities to ensure its preparedness for future public health emergencies.
PHILIPPINES AIMS TO BE FIRST TO BENEFIT FROM RCEP
MANILA — The Philippines is aiming to be among the first set of countries to benefit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement by next year to fast-track recovery from the pandemic.
“To accelerate post-pandemic recovery, we must further strengthen our economic ties through the RCEP,” President Duterte said in a statement yesterday.
Ratified by Duterte last Sept. 2, the free trade agreement (FTA) is now with the Senate for concurrence.
“We hope to finish the concurrence process the soonest possible time so that the Philippines can already deposit its instrument of ratification, and be one of the first set of economies to benefit from the agreement once implemented by early 2022, as targeted,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
The agreement provides for an open, inclusive and rules-based trading system to promote deeper economic integration in the region.
RCEP is expected to boost to Philippine exports through enhanced market access in the region.
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89 PERCENT NG MGA PULIS, FULLY-VACCINATED NA: ELEAZAR
MAYNILA - Malapit nang maabot ng Philippine National Police ang 100 percent na target nito sa pagbabakuna sa lahat ng mga kawani, ayon kay PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar.
“Sa atin sa PNP, with our more than 223,000, pati na rin ang non uniformed personnel, 89 percent na are fully vaccinated that is around 199,362,” ayon kay Eleazar.
Sa panayam sa programang Sakto sa TeleRadyo, sinabi ni Eleazar na 10 percent naman dito or higit 21,000 ay naghihintay na lamang na mabakunahan ng kanilang second dose.
“That is 99 percent na na lahat ay at least may isang vaccine,” sabi niya.
Sa Metro Manila, sa 23,000 na bilang ng mga kawani ng National Capital Region Police Office, 98 percent dito ay fully vaccinated na at isang porsiyento na lamang ang naghihintay pa ng kanilang second dose.
“Napakarami na ang nababakunahan sa atin at ito ang nagresulta sa pagbaba ng aming infection rate,” sabi niya.
Sa ngayon aniya ay nasa 538 na lamang ang active cases sa hanay ng PNP.
ISKO MORENO ON MARCOS JR.'S OXFORD CLAIM: 'LYING IS DIFFERENT'
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Thursday said presidential candidates are not required to graduate from any particular school, but noted that lying about a degree "is different."
Domagoso gave the statement when asked about the claim of presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. about his supposed bachelor's degree from the Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
"At the end of the day, it's up to you sino ang iboboto ninyo. Hindi kailangan na kaming mga nakapag-aral sa Ivy League," said Domagoso, who finished leadership and governance courses at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University, and at the University of Oxford.
The law only requires presidential candidates to be at least 40-years old and can read and write, Domagoso told reporters on the sidelines of his campaign event here.
"We must follow our own laws in our own land... I have nothing against that [requirement], but lying is different," he said.
Domagoso said while the law does not require presidential aspirants to finish certain educational degrees, the policy may "not be suitable to some" voters who prefer to have highly educated leaders.
"We can amend it... but for now, we just follow the law."
The camp of Marcos Jr. has yet to issue a statement on the University of Oxford denying their claim.
‘REFUND FINES COLLECTED FROM MALE BACKRIDERS’
MANILA — The Mandaluyong government was asked yesterday to return millions of pesos in accumulated fines collected from male backriders since 2014 after the Court of Appeals (CA) declared the city’s policy prohibiting men from backriding on motorcycles unconstitutional.
Dino de Leon, who filed a lawsuit against the local government in 2019 after he was apprehended for riding pillion in the city, said the P2,000 fine for male backriders who have no efficient options for transport amid the perennial traffic jams in Metro Manila was unreasonable.
De Leon said Mandaluyong has collected around P200 million in fines from about 100,000 motorcycle passengers since the ordinance was enacted in 2014.
“These fines should be returned to the passengers,” De Leon said in an interview on ANC. “It’s as if the poorest of the poor are not being understood by the city of Mandaluyong and instead of providing them alternatives, the local government is making it more difficult and costly for commuters to survive every day.”
De Leon described the P200 million in fines collected by the city government as “extortion based on an unconstitutional policy.”
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
MISS UNIVERSE PH BEATRICE GOMEZ, GUSTO MAGING ACTION STAR
MAYNILA -- Bukas si Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez na maging parte ng sikat na serye ng ABS-CBN na "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" na pingbibidahan ni Coco Martin.
Sa naging pagbisita ni Gomez sa "Magandang Buhay" nitong Huwebes, sinabi ni Gomez na handa siyang gumawa ng mga maaksiyong eksena.
"Yes, why not? Willing po ako kahit walang stuntman, gagawin ko," ani Gomez na aminadong gustong maging artista.
"Gusto ko pong maging action star," giit ng beauty queen na marunong ng boxing, kickboxing at aikido.
Kuwento ni Gomez proteksiyon para sa sarili ang dahilan kung bakit siya nag-aral ng martial arts.
"Women are vulnerable to harassment, so for me to empower myself, 'yun ginawa ko po 'yung martial arts other than exercise. That's one reason why I did it din," Gomez
Si Gomez ang kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa Miss Universe 2021 na gaganapin sa Israel ngayong Nobyembre.
Sa programa, ibinahagi ni Gomez kung ano ang pinaghahandaan niya para sa inaabangang kompetisyon.
"I know I am confident po sa question and answer and communication skills ko and my pasarela but as an introverted person po who forced myself into facing that crowd, I want to work more on interacting with other people kasi doon po ako medyo dapat mag-improve," ani Gomez.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES OCT 27
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets4-1 31 33 27 29 120
Magic1-4 31 30 32 18 111
AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO, FL
SCORING LEADERS
M. Bridges CHA
31 PTS 6 REBC. Anthony ORL
24 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hawks3-1 19 34 31 18 102
Pelicans1-4 33 26 18 22 99
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SCORING LEADERS
T. Young ATL
31 PTS 5 REB 7 AST
D. Graham NO
21 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers1-4 24 24 23 29 100
Raptors2-3 29 28 30 31 118
SCOTIABANK ARENA, TORONTO, ON
SCORING LEADERS
M. Brogdon IND
18 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
F. VanVleet TOR
26 PTS 10 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat3-1 29 20 32 25 106
Nets2-3 22 29 23 19 93
BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY
SCORING LEADERS
B. Adebayo MIA
24 PTS 9 REB
K. Durant BKN
25 PTS 11 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards3-1 24 38 25 29 116
Celtics2-3 19 33 34 21 107
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
M. Harrell WAS
25 PTS 11 REB 1 AST
J. Tatum BOS
23 PTS 7 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Lakers2-3 41 31 23 20 115
Thunder1-4 19 37 41 26 123
PAYCOM CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
SCORING LEADERS
A. Davis LAL
30 PTS 8 REB 2 AST
S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC
27 PTS 9 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves3-1 44 22 28 19 113
Bucks3-2 34 24 21 29 108
FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI
SCORING LEADERS
D. Russell MIN
29 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
G. Antetokounmpo MIL
40 PTS 16 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies2-2 27 30 20 19 96
Trail Blazers2-2 24 27 36 29 116
MODA CENTER AT THE ROSE QUARTER, PORTLAND, OR
SCORING LEADERS
D. Bane MEM
19 PTS 3 REB 1 AST
C. McCollum POR
25 PTS 6 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings2-2 23 30 29 28 110
Suns1-3 29 32 15 31 107
FOOTPRINT CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ
SCORING LEADERS
B. Hield SAC
26 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
D. Booker PHO
31 PTS 6 REB 8 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Cavaliers3-2 23 24 25 20 92
Clippers1-3 14 26 24 15 79
STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
C. Sexton CLE
26 PTS 7 REB 1 AST
R. Jackson LAC
16 PTS 4 REB 3 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.71
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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