DUTERTE PUSHES FOR GREATER PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
MANILA — President Duterte yesterday pushed for greater public-private collaboration as the world faces challenges brought about by the pandemic and climate change.
Speaking during the 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council dialogue with economic leaders, Duterte said the areas of collaboration are improving digitalization and literacy in rural communities, establishing a national social protection floor and facilitating developing economies’ transition to a low-carbon economy.
“President Duterte emphasized the importance of promoting digital literacy to facilitate the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the digital economy, saying this will help increase the economic productivity of marginalized groups under the new normal,” a Palace statement read.
Duterte also stressed the need to “establish the necessary infrastructure for accessible, stable and affordable energy supply in remote communities” to facilitate digital inclusion.
He said a social protection floor would address the gaps in social protection programs that were exposed during the pandemic and guarantee a minimum set of social security benefits for all.
Duterte cited the need for developed countries to provide “sustainable, scaled-up and predictable support” that would enable developing economies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
SCRAP FACE SHIELD RULE? DECISION UP FOR DUTERTE APPROVAL
MANILA — The final decision on whether or not the mandatory use of face shields will be lifted rests on President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said on Friday.
While the inter-agency task force on COVID-19 has made a decision on the issue, "Ito ay (this is) for approval and possibly for announcement by the President himself," said Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque.
Roque's taped announcement did not mention when Duterte would decide.
Mayors in at least 3 areas, namely Manila, Davao City, and Iloilo City, earlier lifted the face shield requirement, even without the task force's decision, prompting questions on whether the move was valid.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año has been quoted as saying that mayors need not wait for the IATF decision before junking the face shield rule.
But Roque said on Tuesday, "Hindi po pupuwede kasing nagkakaniya-kaniya sa panahon ng pandemya."
"Sguro po kung hindi batas ang pinag-uusapan, respeto na lang po sa ating Presidente dahil lahat naman po ng desisyon ng IATF ay desisyon ng Presidente," he said in a press briefing.
"Paano ngayon susunod ang mga mamamayan kung mga mayor mismo ay hindi sumusunod?" added the official.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday said the national government "can go to court and ask for declaratory relief" if it wanted to force the local government to require the plastic coverings again.
GOV’T MAKES COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATORY FOR ON-SITE WORKERS IN AREAS WITH ENOUGH SHOTS
MANILA — The government has made vaccination against the coronavirus mandatory for workers in government and private firms who report on-site in areas with enough supply of the shots, Malacañang announced Friday.
Malacañang said employees who are unvaccinated cannot be terminated, but will be required to undergo regular RT-PCR or antigen testing at their own expense.
It added that all eligible workers in public transportation services in the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors shall also be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition to continue operations.
Public and private establishments may refuse entry or deny service to people who remain unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated despite being eligible for the jab, Malacañang said.
It added that all workers who will be vaccinated during work hours shall not be considered absent upon sufficient proof of a confirmed vaccination schedule.
It said that a medical clearance issued by a government health office or birth certificate shall serve as valid proof that they are ineligible for vaccination.
The government has long been mulling to make vaccination mandatory for certain sectors, but has only taken this step now.
COMELEC: SUMMONS SENT TO MARCOS ON PLEA TO CANCEL COC
MANILA — The Commission on Elections has sent summons to presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on the petition filed to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Friday that the summons was issued on November 11, and is expected to be served today.
“We are awaiting proof of service. Upon receipt of the summons, the respondent will have five days to file an answer,” he added.
A copy of the summons sent to Marcos has yet to be made public as of this story’s posting.
Philstar.com has reached out to Marcos’ spokesperson for their confirmation but has yet to receive a reply.
The petition, filed by six civic group leaders, accused Marcos of making false representation on his COC, specifically when he ticked the “no” box on the question of whether he was found liable for any offense which carries the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
Jimenez earlier said that following the service of summons, parties will then be called for a pre-conference trial and they will be given the opportunity to ventilate their respective positions.
They will be given three days to submit memoranda, after which the case is deemed submitted for resolution.
There is no fixed timetable for the release of the resolution, but Jimenez said it is unlikely that this will reach until elections. He said: “In theory, it can take as long as it takes; in practice, it usually gets results fairly quickly.”
GOV'T REQUIRES COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR ELIGIBLE ON-SITE WORKERS FROM DEC. 1
MANILA — The inter-agency task force leading the country's COVID-19 response said on Friday it approved the mandatory vaccination of eligible on-site workers starting December.
"In areas where there are sufficient supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 vaccination of eligible employees tasked to do on-site work shall be required by all establishments and employers in the public and private sector," said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.
"However, eligible employees who remain to be unvaccinated may not be terminated but they shall be required to undergo regular RT-PCR testing, or antigen tests, at their own expense," he said in a statement.
He said these measures, which are meant to "increase demand for COVID-19 vaccination," would take effect on Dec. 1.
Roque said eligible workers of the public transportation sector should also be fully vaccinated for their operations to continue.
He said public and private establishments "may validly refuse entry and/or deny service to individuals who remain to be unvaccinated, or are merely partially vaccinated, despite being eligible for vaccination."
"Frontline and emergency services, on the other hand, shall continue to render assistance to all persons, regardless of vaccination status," he added.
Roque said local governments "are strongly enjoined" to issue orders or ordinances providing incentives for fully vaccinated individuals, and for business establishments to require proof of inoculation before individuals could undertake or qualify for certain activities.
Further, all workers who will get vaccinated during work hours "shall not be considered absent upon sufficient proof of a confirmed vaccination schedule," he said.
"Accordingly, only the presentation of a medical clearance issued by a government health office, or birth certificate, as the case may be, shall serve as sufficient and valid proof of ineligibility for vaccination," continued the Palace official.
SARA DUTERTE WON'T AGREE TO TERM-SHARING IF SHE WINS PRESIDENCY, SAYS HUGPONG EXEC
MANILA—Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will not agree to a term-sharing agreement should she decide to run and win the presidential elections, an ally said Friday.
Hugpong ng Pagbabago secretary-general Anthony Del Rosario described the proposal to term-share as the country's chief executives as "a very bad idea".
"I don't see that happening. That's pure speculation. I don't think Sara will agree to that kind of a set-up. Term sharing for presidency? That's a very bad idea," he told TeleRadyo.
A 6-year presidential term is "not enough to do the things you really want for this country" more so if it's only half of it, Del Rosario said.
"Kung tatanungin niya ako, huwag na lang siyang tumakbo ng Presidente," he added.
On Thursday, Lakas-CMD co-chairman and Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez said Duterte-Carpio and former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. might agree to share the presidency.
"They can have a term-sharing agreement. One will lead for 3 years then give way to the vice president. So, one will give up the position after 3 years," he said in Filipino, citing Marcos' supposed strong showing in surveys.
This comes as the President's daughter pledged her allegiance to the Lakas-CMD party, boosting speculation that she would run for the country's highest post in 2022.
A day before she officially joined Lakas, she resigned from HNP, a regional party she founded in 2018.
Prior to this, the Davao City mayor also withdrew her candidacy for a reelection bid, barely a week before the poll body's deadline to substitute for an official candidate of a political party or coalition who withdrew.
In the interview, Del Rosario said the party was "surprised" Duterte-Carpio resigned from HNP without telling party members beforehand.
But he said the party would continue to support the city mayor whether she would run as president or vice president.
DOLE TO RESUME FACE-TO-FACE JOB FAIRS
MANILA — To generate more employment opportunities, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to resume face-to-face job fairs nationwide, an official said on Wednesday.
Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said the DOLE is preparing to mount face-to-face job fairs by the end of the month.
The DOLE is in the process of identifying the vacancies and possible venues for the job fairs, Tutay said.
She said pre-employment services would be made available to job applicants.
“Public employment service offices requested for the resumption of face-to-face assessment and job interviews,” Tutay said at a press briefing.
THE REST
========
ISKO MORENO CONTINUES LISTENING TOUR IN BATAAN, ZAMBALES
MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno continued his so-called “listening tour,” this time in the provinces of Zambales and Bataan as part of preparations for his upcoming presidential campaign.
In a meeting with employees of the provincial capitol at Balanga City, Moreno reiterated his pledge to continue the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program, but emphasized his possible term as president would make sure more “schools, hospitals, industries and jobs” would be constructed.
He also vowed that if elected, he would build a bridge “from Bataan to Corregidor, to Batangas and Cavite.” The Department of Public Works and Highways is reportedly working on building the Bataan-Cavite interlink bridge that would cut travel time between the provinces from the usual five hours to 40 minutes.
In the same gathering, Moreno insisted that it was no longer necessary to use face shields because it is not backed by science.
“If science will agree with it, then I will agree with its use. In the absence of study, no way, that’s enough. Let’s stop it and let us focus on something else, something that is important,” he said.
BORACAY WAIVES RT-PCR TEST FOR FULLY-VAXXED TOURISTS STARTING NOV. 16
MANILA – Confirmatory swab tests will no longer be required for fully vaccinated tourists visiting Boracay starting November 16, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said Friday.
Guests will still need to present proof of vaccination upon arrival on the island, the governor said.
“I’m happy to report na by November 16, next week, tatanggalin na namin yung requirement ng RT-PCR test sa mga lahat na pumupunta ng Boracay,” he said.
“Ang kailangan na lang, kung kumuha sila ng QR code nila, ang kailangan na lang, instead ng RT-PCR test na nire-require namin, magsa-submit na lang sila ng vaccination certificate or VaxCertPH under the (Department of Information and Communications Technology) website, o kung mahirapan sila kumuha niyan, yung kanilang vaccination card na may QR code galing sa issuing (local government unit),” he added.
“In the absence ng dalawang iyan, pwede rin silang kumuha ng vaccination certificate sa issuing LGU para makita namin kung saan talaga sila nagpabakuna.”
Miraflores stressed that those who are not vaccinated, or those who have only had one dose of a two-dose jab regime still need to have a negative RT-PCR test result.
He said that they have systems in place to ensure that those who present fake vaccination certificates will be caught.
FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES OUT DECEMBER – COMELEC
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) targets to release the final list of candidates for the May 2022 general elections by next month as it prepares to start sifting through the list of aspirants shortly after the Nov. 15 deadline for substitution.
It also opened yesterday its main office at Intramuros in Manila for those intending to do some subs-titutions for next year’s polls, but only two party-list groups appeared to file a withdrawal and a substitution.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told reporters in a press conference yesterday that they would start vetting individuals who have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2022 polls to ensure that only the legitimate candidates will appear on the final list.
“After Nov. 15, that is when Comelec really starts cracking down on the list because everyone who is getting out of the list voluntarily has already gotten out. So all that remains are those who really want to run for office. Now, we will find out at that point (who among them are) nuisance,” Jimenez said.
He also said that the poll body has “already pre-screened the aspirants” and that it has, so far, filed 70 motu proprio cases for declaration of nuisance candidates. The charges, he clarified, do not correspond to a penalty as they were “only charged for being nuisance candidates.”
EX-MAYOR'S PLEA: CREATE AND BOOST PROGRAMS TO PROTECT MIGRATORY BIRDS
MANILA— Birds, whether resident or migratory, help keep the balance of ecosystems and should be protected, former Candaba, Pampanga mayor Jerry Pelayo said Friday.
This comes as a plea after 129 Common moorhen or “Uwis” and 60 Buff-banded rail or “Tikling” were found by the regional environment office being sold in a market in Baliuag, Bulacan.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Luzon Regional Public Affairs Office Chief Donaver Guevarra said that the operation, which failed to apprehend the suspect but was able to rescue and free the birds put for sale, was not planned.
A DENR employee spotted the suspect selling the birds in a Baliuag market while on the way to work, and the local office responded upon the report.
"Dapat gumawa ng programa para bantayan ang ating mga ibon (Programs should be created to better protect our birds)," Pelayo told TeleRadyo.
Candaba Vice Mayor Michael Sagum said that the birds may not have been caught in the Candaba swamplands, and may have been poached in the neighboring swamp areas of San Luis, Pampanga, or Bulacan.
He added that the local government unit is studying how to further promote "agro-tourism" among its farmers and tourists who visit the province to see the migratory birds.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
MR. AND MRS. RAMSAY: DEREK EMOTIONAL IN WEDDING WITH ELLEN ADARNA IN BATAAN
MANILA — Celebrity couple Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay tied the knot in a luxurious mountain resort in Bataan today.
The newlyweds exchanged their vows in Rancho Bernardo Luxury Villas in Bagac, Bataan.
Their wedding was witnessed by their families and close friends such as actress Beauty Gonzalez and celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho together with their daughter Scarlet.
The couple tied the knot nine months after actress Ruffa Gutierrez shared on Instagram photos of them together.
A month after Ruffa took their photo, Ellen and Derek confirmed their relationship.
The couple got engaged last March.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES NOV 10
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nets8-4 28 37 29 29 123
Magic3-9 23 30 22 15 90
AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO, FL
SCORING LEADERS
K. Durant BKN
30 PTS 5 REB 2 AST
T. Ross ORL
17 PTS 3 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards8-3 24 20 24 29 97
Cavaliers7-5 22 27 25 20 94
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
M. Harrell WAS
24 PTS 11 REB 3 AST
R. Rubio CLE
20 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pistons2-8 23 26 33 30 112
Rockets1-10 21 29 29 25 104
TOYOTA CENTER, HOUSTON, TX
SCORING LEADERS
J. Grant DET
35 PTS 5 REB 3 AST
J. Green HOU
23 PTS 5 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bucks6-6 31 20 31 30 112
Knicks7-5 22 20 24 34 100
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY
SCORING LEADERS
P. Connaughton MIL
23 PTS 9 REB 5 AST
D. Rose NY
22 PTS 3 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Raptors6-6 25 21 22 20 88
Celtics5-6 33 29 18 24 104
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
S. Barnes TOR
21 PTS 7 REB 4 AST
J. Tatum BOS
22 PTS 12 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets6-7 34 26 21 37 118
Grizzlies6-5 36 16 26 30 108
FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN
SCORING LEADERS
K. Oubre Jr. CHA
37 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
J. Morant MEM
32 PTS 7 REB 8 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Mavericks7-4 33 21 26 27 107
Bulls8-3 32 29 34 22 117
UNITED CENTER, CHICAGO, IL
SCORING LEADERS
K. Porzingis DAL
22 PTS 12 REB 1 AST
Z. LaVine CHI
23 PTS 3 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Thunder4-6 28 28 29 23 108
Pelicans1-11 29 19 23 29 100
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SCORING LEADERS
L. Dort OKC
27 PTS 5 REB 2 AST
N. Alexander-Walker NO
33 PTS 10 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings5-7 20 34 33 30 117
Spurs4-7 34 37 33 32 136
AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, TX
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
37 PTS 2 REB 6 AST
D. Murray SA
26 PTS 6 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers4-8 20 24 21 33 98
Nuggets7-4 23 21 25 32 101
BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
SCORING LEADERS
M. Brogdon IND
25 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
W. Barton DEN
30 PTS 6 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Trail Blazers5-7 26 21 30 32 109
Suns7-3 27 33 27 32 119
FOOTPRINT CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ
SCORING LEADERS
D. Lillard POR
28 PTS 7 REB 7 AST
F. Kaminsky PHO
31 PTS 7 REB 3 AST
FINAL/OT
1 2 3 4 OT T
Heat7-4 25 32 29 26 5 117
Lakers7-5 28 27 27 30 8 120
STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
B. Adebayo MIA
28 PTS 10 REB 4 AST
M. Monk LAL
27 PTS 6 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves3-7 28 26 30 26 110
Warriors10-1 31 38 24 30 123
CHASE CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
SCORING LEADERS
A. Edwards MIN
48 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
A. Wiggins GS
35 PTS 4 REB
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.16
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future. - Kathleen Norris
Comments (0)