DFA: CHINESE COAST GUARD VESSELS BLOCKED PH SUPPLY BOATS IN AYUNGIN SHOAL

MANILA—The Department of Foreign Affairs said Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked Philippine supply boats in the Ayungin Shoal.

In a statement posted early Thursday, the DFA said Western Command in Palawan reported that 3 Chinese vessels “blocked and water cannoned” 2 Philippine supply boats in Ayungin on Tuesday.

The boats were supposed to transport food supplies to military personnel in the area.

"Fortunately, no one was hurt; but our boats had to abort their resupply mission," Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a statement.

"I have conveyed in the strongest terms to H.E. Huang Xilian, Ambassador of China and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing our outrage, condemnation and protest of the incident."

The DFA said such acts were illegal, because they were in Philippine territory.

"Ayungin Shoal is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is an integral part of the Philippines, as well as the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction," Locsin said.

"The acts of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are illegal. China has no law enforcement rights in and around these areas. They must take heed and back off."

Locsin said these recent developments threatened China-Philippines relations.

"This failure to exercise self-restraint threatens the special relationship between the Philippines and China that President Rodrigo R. Duterte and President Xi Jinping have worked hard to nurture," he said.

"This failure to exercise self-restraint threatens the special relationship between the Philippines and China that President Rodrigo R. Duterte and President Xi Jinping have worked hard to nurture," he said.

"The Philippines will continue to provide supplies to our troops in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). We do not ask permission to do what we need to do in our territory."

5 RUSSIAN NAVY VESSELS ARRIVE IN MANILA

MANILA — Five naval vessels of the Russian Pacific Fleet, including two submarines, are in Manila for a routine port call.

Commander Benjo Negranza, public affairs office chief of the Philippine Navy, said the Russian Navy vessels arrived in the country on Tuesday.

The Russian Navy contingent is comprised of Corvette Gremyashchiy, two submarines, tanker Pechenga and support vessel Alatau.

Negranza said the arrival of the Russian naval contingent “underscores the promotion of peace, stability and maritime cooperation in the region.”

FDA EYES FULL AUTHORIZATION OF COVID VACCINES 'EARLY NEXT YEAR': CHIEF

MANILA - Several COVID-19 vaccines could soon be sold in drugstores as early as the first quarter of 2022 once given full approval by Food and Drug Administration, its chief said Thursday.

"My prediction is early next year, by the first quarter, not only Pfizer maybe several of the existing vaccines will get full approval for marketing authorization," FDA Director General Eric Domingo said on ANC.

According to Johns Hopkins Medcine, full approval is granted when the FDA has amassed enough scientific evidence to support use of the COVID-19 vaccines, showing that the benefits of the vaccine are greater than its risks, and that the vaccines can be manufactured reliably, safely and with consistent quality.

The FDA has so far granted emergency use authorization to nine vaccine brands, which include Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), AstraZeneca, Sinovac (CoronaVac), Gamaleya Institute (Sputnik V), Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Bharat Biotech (Covaxin), Moderna, Sinopharm, and Novovax (Covovax).

Under an EUA, only government can procure the vaccines while private firms may buy it through a tripartite agreement.

The United States granted Pfizer full authorization in August. Pfizer has yet to apply for full approval in the Philippines, said Domingo.

"We did ask them and they said they were completing their documents and requirements...It's not going to take long but they haven’t applied yet. It’s probably because the company is not yet ready to supply, baka nagkoconcentrate sila sa one market at this time (maybe they're concentrating on one market at this time)."

The FDA has also granted an EUA to investigational drug ronapreve for COVID-19 treatment, Domingo said. Another drug, molnupiravir, can be accessed through hospitals with compassionate use permit, he added.

PALACE DENIES VINCE DIZON HAS JOINED ISKO MORENO'S CAMPAIGN TEAM

MANILA—Malacañang on Thursday denied claims that former Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon had joined the campaign team of presidential aspirant Manila Mayor 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso.

"There is no truth to the reports circulating that Secretary Vivencio 'Vince' Dizon allegedly joined the campaign team of a presidential aspirant," Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a statement.

He said Dizon remained a Cabinet member of President Rodrigo Duterte, serving as presidential adviser for COVID-19 response.

"Sec. Dizon is focused on the vaccination efforts of government, and not with any political campaign," added Nograles, also acting presidential spokesperson.

Lito Banayo, chief campaign strategist of Domagoso, earlier bared that Dizon joined their campaign team.

“He is Deputy Campaign Manager and Head of Statistical Research,” Banayo told ABS-CBN News.

A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity had said that Dizon had been connecting Domagoso to potential political supporters as early as February 2021.

“He has been hosting the Manila Mayor’s meetings in Pampanga even before the filing of candidacies,” the source said.

“Dizon even connected Isko to an advertising agency that came up with the ‘Ako Si Isko’ campaign.”

The source said Dizon “only works on the sidelines and behind the scenes" because Palace officials did not allow him to resign from his post as testing czar and deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

“He was allowed to step down from his duties in the BCDA. But he was asked not to leave the administration’s pandemic response panel,” the source said.

Dizon resigned as BCDA president and chief executive officer on Oct. 15.

BONGBONG MARCOS MISSES COMELEC DEADLINE TO ANSWER PETITION VS COC

MANILA — Former senator Bongbong Marcos failed to submit his verified answer to a petition questioning his eligibility to run for president.

Theodore Te, the lead counsel for civic groups who filed the petition, said in an update posted Thursday that Marcos neither submitted his answer to the Commission on Elections nor was his motion to extend the November 16 deadline for it granted.

The 50-page petition, which five civic leaders filed on November 2, argued that Marcos' certificate of candidacy for president filed last month contains "multiple false material representations." They cited a 1995 ruling finding Marcos guilty of tax evasion.

After calling the petition a "predictable nuisance," Marcos acknowledged receipt of the Comelec's summons on November 11. The summons gave him an "inextendible period" of five days to submit his answer to the plea.

On November 15, a day before the deadline, Marcos filed a motion to extend the period, which petitioners opposed on November 17. They requested the Comelec to "observe its own rules" and the "mandatory and peremptory character" of "inextendible periods."

"Petitioners reminded the Comelec that the consequence of granting respondent's motion for more time would be for the Comelec to flout its own rules, which the Supreme Court had already ruled in previous instances as a grave abuse of discretion," Te wrote.

What's next

Citing Sec. 4(6) of Rule 23 under the election agency's rules of procedure, Te argued that Marcos' "non-compliance" with the Comelec's summons should no longer allow him to submit "controverting evidence" or to file a memorandum in support of his candidacy.

Meanwhile, Vic Rodriguez, Marcos' spokesperson, argued on Wednesday that the Comelec has no authority over the petitions for disqualification.

IF HE WINS PRESIDENCY, PACQUIAO OPEN TO APPOINTING PASTORS IN CABINET

MANILA—Religious leaders, especially those from evangelical groups, would be part of Sen. Manny Pacquiao's Cabinet should he win the presidency, the PROMDI standard bearer said Wednesday.

Pacquiao said this while meeting some 400 Evangelical Christian pastors in Guiguinto town, Bulacan led by Bishop Ted Malangin.

He said he wanted to ensure that his administration will be composed of “godly” people who will help him bring back Filipinos’ good values, besides being qualified for the job.

"Hindi rin naman tayo basta-basta mag-appoint . . . as long as they are godly. Nararapat lamang sa posisyon n’ya . . . Halimbawa, boxing ang labanan, hindi mo pwedeng ilagay d’yan ’yung swimmer . . . Kumbaga, kung ano ang fit sa trabaho n’ya at kaya n’yang gampanan, du’n natin siya ilagay dahil d’yan. Marami siyang magagawa,” the senator said.

Aside from the Cabinet, religious leaders will also be part of his own anti-corruption task force” that Pacquiao will form right after assuming office, said the senator, who has been outspoken on the issue.

He also hit out at the supposed promise to Filipino voters by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., that their family will bring back the gold should Marcos win the elections.

"Inamin din nila, ibabalik ang gold. Kapag sinabing may ibabalik, ibig sabihin, ninakaw nila . . . Bakit tayo boboto ng korap?” Pacquiao told the crowd, who applauded his statement.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, expressed his excitement over facing other presidential contenders in a debate, especially those who he said continued to belittle him.

"Gusto ko silang makaharap sa debate eh, lalo na yung mga nagi-isip na ‘Ah, si Manny, wala naman ’yang alam . . . Bigyan n’yo lang po ako ng pagkakataon, sa 6 na taon, at ipapakita ko po sa inyo kung ano ’yung tao na ina-underestimate nila at minamaliit nila. Katulad nu’ng pagmaliit nila sa akin nu’ng ako’y nagsisimula sa boxing," he said.

"Dito sa public service, gusto ko rin pong maging 8-different weight division (champion)."

As to those who belittle his capacity to represent the country abroad because of his difficulty conversing in English, Pacquiao said: “Magsama-sama kami sa ibang bansa, kung sinong papansinin, pag-represent sa ating bansa, di ba? Sige, sama kami lahat na kandidato. ’Pag mag-represent sa bansa natin. Sino’ng mag-represent kaya."

Pacquiao is confident that his “Bisaya kababayans” will support him.

SENATE ADOPTS STRICTER COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AFTER LORENZANA TESTS POSITIVE

MANILA - The Philippine Senate is adopting stricter COVID-19 protocols for visitors including resource persons entering the Senate premises.

This, after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana tested positive for COVID-19 infection following Tuesday's Senate hearing for his department's budget.

Under the new protocols, all visitors, guests and resource persons entering the Senate must have negative RT-PCR or COVID-19 Antigen test results valid for 24 hours; a medical certificate indicating negative COVID-19 symptoms and COVID-19 vaccination card.

Names of the guests, visitors and resource persons must be submitted to the office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms at least a day before their scheduled appearance.

Lorenzana, who had tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 last April, confirmed Wednesday that he was again positive for coronavirus infection.

The defense chief was seated behind Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa who was defending the proposed budget for the Department of National Defense.

Senators Joel Villanueva and Juan Miguel Zubiri, who were both directly exposed to Lorenzana during the budget hearing, have tested negative for COVID-19 after taking an antigen test.

Sen. Francis Tolentino said he also tested negative for COVID-19 after his screening earlier Wednesday.

COUP RUMORS EMERGE FROM HOUSE AS ELECTIONS DRAW NEARER

MANILA — Rumors of yet another leadership change at the House of Representatives are swirling as battle lines are drawn for the crucial 2022 elections.

Coup rumblings were first made public by House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, who on Tuesday denied that there were plans to unseat House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of the administration PDP-Laban party.

"I have no intention to effect any leadership change, especially the speakership," Romualdez said in a statement, adding that he will abide by the agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte between him, Velasco and former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

Under the agreement, Romualdez sits as majority leader, while Cayetano gets to sit as speaker for 15 months and Velasco takes the helm afterwards for 21 months. This agreement fell through as lawmakers had to declare the speakership vacant despite Cayetano's objections.

His statement was followed shortly after by a Politiko report which speculated that a leadership change in the House is imminent after lawmakers, excluding those close to Romualdez, were invited to a dinner in Malacañang.

Some 100 lawmakers were present during the dinner with Duterte, where he endorsed his long-time aide turned senator Bong Go and his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio for president and vice president.

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COMELEC DISQUALIFIES 126 OF 270 PARTY-LIST GROUPS

MANILA — The Commission on Elections has denied the applications of at least 126 party-list groups for next year’s elections, according to Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.

Guanzon issued the statement yesterday in a post on social media, although she did not reveal the reason for the rejection.

She said more than 100 of the denied applicants filed motions for reconsideration, which the Comelec would decide on by Dec. 6, or a few days before the ballot preparation on Dec. 15.

Records from the Comelec’s law department showed it received 270 applications for party-list that filed certificates of nomination and acceptance on the eighth day of filing of certificates of candidacy or COC.

The filing of COCs for national positions was held from Oct. 1 to 8, with substitutions allowed until Nov. 15.

PHILHEALTH REQUIRED FOR TEACHERS IN FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES: CHED

MANILA – Teachers and non-teaching personnel who will be participating in limited face-to-face classes in colleges and universities must be registered with state insurer PhilHealth, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Thursday.

“Isa po sa requirement namin ay dapat registered sa PhilHealth ang ating teaching and non-teaching personnel o kaya naman yung mga students natin na magpa-participate sa limited face-to-face classes,” CHED Executive Director IV Atty. Cinderella Jaro told TeleRadyo, when asked if they will be giving assistance to students and teachers who may fall ill with COVID-19 during classes.

“Para kung sakali po na sila ay magkaroon ng COVID, meron na pong benefits na ino-offer ang PhilHealth. So yung PhilHealth po ang kumbaga sasagot para doon sa mga benefits na nalalaan sa kanila kung sakaling sila ay magkaroon ng COVID,” she said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the CHED’s proposed phased implementation of limited in-person classes for all college programs in areas under Alert Level 3 and below.

SARA DUTERTE IS NEW LAKAS-CMD CHAIR; PDP-LABAN STANDS BY GO

MANILA — The administration PDP-Laban party said Wednesday it respects the decision of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run alongside presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Duterte-Carpio, who joined Lakas-CMD this month as she prepared for her vice-presiential run, is now chair of the party. She said Wednesday that she "[looks] forward to waging a successful campaign for Uniteam BBM-Sara, with the invaluable support of our fellow Filipinos."

Melvin Matibag, the secretary general of the Alfonso Cusi-led faction of PDP-Laban said the party respects Duterte-Carpio's decision but the party "has its alliance with [Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan] among others."

Marcos, son and namesake of the ousted dictator, confirmed late Tuesday that he and Duterte-Carpio will be running as a tandem in the 2022 elections.

Marcos is running under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, while Duterte-Carpio is with Lakas-CMD party.

ISKO MORENO TOUTS MANILA AS MOST COMPETITIVE CITY

MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday touted the city’s top spot in the 2020 rankings of Highly Urbanized Cities under the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index.

The city of Manila bested 32 other local government units with an overall score of 65.9782, according to a statement from Moreno’s camp.

The city also topped in the government efficiency and infrastructure pillars with a score of 20.5491 and 15.0476, respectively.

Moreno said the city was able to achieve the rankings despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index is an annual ranking drawn up by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees, with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

Official posters of Gonzaga sisters' movie ‘The ExorSis’ released

MANILA – The official movie posters for the upcoming film "The ExorSis" starring Gonzaga sisters Toni and Alex have been released.

The two posters of the horror-comedy film, which is an official entry to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival, were uploaded by production outfit TinCan Films on social media.

In their respective Instagram accounts, the celebrity sisters invited their fans to support their project as they uploaded the film's official posters.

"Yehey! We made it to this year’s MMFF! See you sa Pasko!" Toni wrote.

"Mga sissss!! Deserve ninyong tumawa ng natatakot ngayong Pasko. Balik sine na tayo! Ito na #TheExorSis. December 25 sa mga sinehan!" Alex wrote, as she congratulate the film's director Fifth Solomon.

"The ExorSis" also stars Dennis Padilla, Kat Galang, Joel Saracho, Tess Antonio, Kedebon Colim, Isay Alvarez and Melai Cantiveros.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES NOV 16

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Warriors12-2     31        32        35        19        117

Nets10-5           34        24        18        23        99

BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY

SCORING LEADERS

S. Curry GS

37 PTS 7 REB 5 AST

J. Harden BKN

24 PTS 4 REB 4 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

76ers8-7           28        19        19        19        85

Jazz9-5 30        33        34        23        120

VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

SCORING LEADERS

S. Milton PHI

18 PTS 3 REB 4 AST

B. Bogdanovic UTA

27 PTS 6 REB 2 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Spurs4-10         20        33        18        21        92

Clippers9-5       25        32        26        23        106

STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA

SCORING LEADERS

D. Murray SA

26 PTS 12 REB 9 AST

P. George LAC

34 PTS 9 REB 4 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.39

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We must not indulge in unfavorable views of mankind, since by doing it we make bad men believe that they are no worse than others, and we teach the good that they are good in vain. - Walter Savage Landor