US WARNS CHINA AFTER AYUNGIN INCIDENT
MANILA — The United States on Friday accused China of an escalation against the Philippines and warned that an armed attack would invoke Washington’s mutual defense commitments after an incident in the West Philippine Sea.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the US stands with its ally, the Philippines, “in the face of this escalation that directly threatens regional peace and stability, escalates regional tensions, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order.”
Washington issued the statement after the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Chinese Coast Guard fired a water cannon against supply boats en route to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, forcing the vessels to abort their mission.
“The People’s Republic of China should not interfere with lawful Philippine activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” Price said.
“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” he added.
ICC PROSECUTOR SUSPENDS PROBE INTO PH DRUG WAR KILLINGS
THE HAGUE — International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan has suspended a probe into suspected rights abuses during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drugs, documents released on Friday showed.
Judges at the ICC in September approved a probe into the campaign in which thousands of suspected drug peddlers have died. Activists say many have been executed by law enforcement agencies with the tacit backing of the president.
Philippine authorities say the killings have been in self-defense and that the ICC has no right to meddle.
According to the court documents, Khan wrote that Manila had filed a deferral request on Nov. 10. Governments can ask the ICC to defer a case if they are implementing their own investigations and prosecutions for the same acts.
“The prosecution has temporarily suspended its investigative activities while it assesses the scope and effect of the deferral request,” Khan wrote, adding that it would seek additional information from the Philippines.
LAWYERS TELL ICC PROSECUTOR TO CONTINUE PROBE
“There is no inconsistency with the request for suspension of action,” Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s chief legal counsel, told Reuters on Saturday, without elaborating. Duterte, 76, has said the ICC has no jurisdiction to indict him.
A Philippine lawyers group called on the ICC not to remove the glimmer of hope for families of drug-war victims.
“We ask the ICC not to allow itself to be swayed by the claims now being made by the Duterte administration,” the National Union of People’s Lawyers, which represents some victims’ families, said in a statement.
The Philippine justice system is “extremely slow and unavailing to the majority of poor and unrepresented victims”, it said.
SARA REJOINS HUGPONG PAGBABAGO
DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has rejoined Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), the regional political party she founded and had given up to join Lakas-Christian Democrats as its vice presidential bet.
President Duterte’s daughter had thought she had to give up HNP on concerns over possible conflict with Lakas-CMD’s by-laws.
But finding out there was none, she decided to rejoin HNP as Southern Mindanao regional party chair.
As chair of Lakas-CMD, she presided over a national council meeting the other day.
Duterte-Carpio met with the core group of the HNP yesterday afternoon and took her oath again as HNP member and as party chair.
The vice presidential candidate was sworn back into HNP by its president Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista.
“We are happy that she is back with us in the HNP. HNP is Sara Duterte. She founded the group and she is the face of HNP,” Bautista told The STAR.
Davao de Oro Gov. Tyron Uy likewise said they welcome Duterte-Carpio back into HNP.
Bautista and Uy were joined yesterday by Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang and former Davao de Oro governor Arthur Uy and Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario in welcoming Duterte-Carpio back. The group met for three hours to discuss party direction.
A possible alliance with the Partidong Masang Pilipino with former president Joseph Estrada is reportedly also in the works.
MARCOS JR. CAMP URGES COMELEC TO DISMISS CANCEL PETITION
MANILA — The camp of presidential bet Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on Friday filed its response to one of the 5 petitions before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking to block his candidacy in the 2022 polls.
In a 7-page answer, Marcos Jr., represented by legal counsel Estelito Mendoza, urged Comelec second division to dismiss the petition for cancellation of his certificate of candidacy (COC) filed by civic leaders, who accused him of material misrepresentation.
“[I]t is respectfully prayed that the petition be dismissed… A cursory reading of the petition will show that [it] is bereft of any specific allegation of a material representation required under Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code," Marcos’ answer stated.
Section 74 of Batas Pambansa 881, also known as the Omnibus Election Code, enumerates the contents of an accomplished COC.
Petitioners had asserted Marcos committed false material representation for attesting on item 22 of his COC that he has not been found liable for any offense that carries the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
In his answer, Marcos Jr. argued the CA ruling that acquitted him of non-payment of deficiency income taxes from 1982 up to 1985, and affirmed his conviction on non-filing of tax returns, bears no inference to or did not state that he has been found to have committed a crime involving moral turpitude.
Marcos Jr. argued he was previously elected to several positions in government namely, provincial governor of Ilocos Norte; member of the House of Representatives; and and member of the Senate.
Marcos Jr. said he fits all 5 qualifications for an aspirant to the top national post namely, a natural-born Filipino; registered voter; able to read and write; at least 40 years old; and a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years preceding the elections.
Marcos Jr. is also asking the Comelec to schedule face-to-face oral arguments - not a virtual hearing - where he will be represented by Mendoza, who served as solicitor general during the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s regime.
The Comelec second division, which is handling the case, set a preliminary conference for the parties on Nov. 26.
IATF OKS COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR OFWS SET TO DEPLOY
MANILA— Land-based and sea-based overseas Filipino workers set for deployment may soon be administered with COVID-19 booster shots, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced Saturday.
“IATF already decided to provide boosters to our OFWs and seafarers who are about to be deployed within 4 months,” Galvez said.
Galvez said the IATF requested the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make the necessary inclusions and amendments to rules to include migrant workers as priority for booster shots.
Government so far allows booster shots to be given those in the top priority sectors: health workers, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities.
The rest of the population may be scheduled for boosters later.
“We may include the remaining A4, A5 and the General Population starting December or next year when we've reached the threshold of more than 50% [of the population who have] received their second dose,” he said.
The A4 category covers essential workers while the A5 group includes indigents.
Galvez said government will give boosters first to those who were vaccinated starting in March.
“'Yung July 2021 vaccinees onwards, sa January na,” he said.
MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS SA MGA BATA 'DI KAILANGAN SA NGAYON— DTI CHIEF
MAYNILA— Wala pang pinal na rekomendasyon ang awtoridad hinggil sa usapin ng pagbabawal sa mga bata na pumasok sa mga mall.
Pero pananaw ni Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, hindi naman kailangan ito sa ngayon lalo't hindi naman maikonekta sa mall ang isyu ng pagkahawa sa COVID-19 na nangyari sa isang 2-taong gulang na bata.
“Hindi rin naman naikonekta o napatunayan na 'yung pagkasakit ng isang bata na 'yun ay dahil din lumabas sa mall. Hindi rin natin masisisi kaagad 'yung mall at saka isolated incident,” sabi ni Lopez.
Magugunitang napabalita ang pagiging positibo sa COVID-19 ng bata matapos umanong magpunta sa mall.
“Sa personal ko, siguro sa DTI, hindi po kailangan muna. 'Yung nangyari na 'yun isang isolated incident at hindi natin naikokonekta kaagad sa mall 'yung nangyari na iyon na sinabing nag-positive. Maraming pwedeng exposure ang bata kahit sa labas, sa transportasyon o sa community nila o doon sa loob ng bahay nila, so hindi natin pwedeng maikonek kaagad,” sabi niya.
ISKO MORENO: CHINESE SHIPS IN WEST PH SEA WILL BECOME 'UNDERWATER DECOR'
CALAUAN, Laguna - Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Friday said Chinese ships encroaching in the West Philippine Sea would be “turned into decoration under the sea” should he win the 2022 presidential race.
Domagoso gave the statement a day after the Department of Foreign Affairs said Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked Philippine supply boats in the Ayungin Shoal.
"Pagnakalawit ko sila, gagawin kong dekolores o dekorasyon yung mga barko nila sa ilalim ng dagat," Domagoso told reporters on the sidelines of his slate's "listening tour" here.
"Parang aggressive tayo? We must because it is ours... Hindi ako makikipag gera pero hindi ako magpapa-bully," he said.
He did not go into further details how he plans to stop Chinese vessels in the area.
Under a Domagoso administration, the Philippines "will continue to insist with the Hague ruling," the presidential aspirant said.
"We will continue to insist and be fearless with the Hague ruling," Domagoso said.
"In a civilized world, in a civilized time we must be guided by law and order and that includes our international partners and organizations," he said.
DUTERTE NIXES PDP-LABAN, PDDS ALLIANCE WITH LAKAS-CMD 'BECAUSE MARCOS IS THERE’
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said there will be no alliance between Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan and Lakas – Christian Muslim Democrats because of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Duterte is running for senator under PDDS, which is in an alliance with the ruling PDP-Laban. Marcos, meanwhile, is running for president under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, but his running mate is Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is mounting a vice-presidential bid under Lakas-CMD.
Asked about a possible coalition between PDP-Laban, PDDS and Lakas-CMD at a meeting of local leaders in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Duterte said partly in Filipino, “No, I cannot. Because Marcos is there.”
“I’m not impressed with him. He is a weak leader,” Duterte continued. “He’s really weak because he’s a spoiled child, only son.”
Duterte’s remarks against Marcos may indicate a souring of relations between him and the former senator’s family, who has maintained close ties with the president. This, as the chief executive is backing the presidential bid of his long-time aide turned senator, Christopher “Bong” Go.
PH CONSULATE HOPES FOR JUSTICE FOR ALLEGED VICTIMS IN QUIBOLOY SEX-TRAFFICKING CASE
LOS ANGELES - The Philippine consulate here in Los Angeles has said they are hoping for justice for alleged victims in the sex trafficking case involving Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy, as they continue to monitor the indictment.
Consul General Edgar Badajos said they are also prepared to assist Filipino citizens involved in the case, whether alleged victims or accused, since it is under the jurisdiction of the US legal system.
"As to the members, we wish that things will turn out fine for everybody but most importantly for the alleged victims, that they be given justice in the laws of the United States," Badajos said.
"It is our responsibility to provide assistance to any of the accused and the victims who are still Filipinos to extend the necessary and appropriate consular assistance and none of them have contacts us yet but we are ready to extend assistance as appropriate. Philippine nationals," he said.
The US indictment accused 9 church members and officials of the Philippine-based church of orchestrating a sex trafficking scheme, along with labor trafficking and immigration fraud charges.
The sex-trafficking operation allegedly threatened victims as young as 12 with "eternal damnation" and physical abuse if they refused to do "night duty" for the pastor, a close friend of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
Several of the defendants and alleged victims are based in Los Angeles. The neighborhood of Van Nuys is home to the church's North American headquarters which was also raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last year amid immigration fraud charges.
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MANILA CITED AS ‘MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY’ CITY
MANILA — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recognized Manila as the “most business-friendly” local government unit (LGU) during the 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Thursday.
The PCCI said the award recognizes LGUs “that have been successfully restoring and increasing the business operations in their area thru significant and sustained innovative actions, programs and policies.”
The city government said among the programs it implemented to support businesses, especially small enterprises, during the COVID-19 pandemic were the Manila Support Local campaign, the business one-stop shop and the Go Manila app.
The city government also declared a general tax amnesty to provide relief for businesses trying to stay afloat during the pandemic.
Mayor Isko Moreno thanked the PCCI for the award and said the city will remain welcoming to businesses.
IKEA PH BETS ON ‘DECLUTTERING’ TO BOOST PH SALES DURING PANDEMIC
MANILA – IKEA is betting on Filipinos who find joy in “decluttering” and beautifying their homes to boost sales of its Pasay City store during the COVID-19 pandemic, its country manager Georg Platzer said Friday.
The pandemic has an “interesting impact” on home furnishing as money allotted to travel or vacation were invested instead in making the home as "cozy" as possible, Platzer told reporters during a tour of IKEA Pasay City on Friday.
“I know there’s less money in total, less money available for consumption, but we believe also that still a big share of the available money goes into home furnishing. That’ why I’m positive of our success here,” Platzer said.
“So people, instead of going for a vacation or buying a new car, they would invest money into the home, especially for work solution, office solution, the bedroom, people really invested in a good night sleep and also storage solutions. Decluttering makes them happy,” he added.
Majority of Metro Manila’s over 13 million population were forced to stay at home in March 2020 when the pandemic hit the country. Workers shifted to remote work while students turned to online learning.
The health situation has improved since but many are still working from home.
Other local furniture and construction stores such as Wilcon Depot, as well as e-commerce sites such as Shopee, have also noted an increase in sales in home items throughout quarantine.
The world’s biggest IKEA outlet will finally open in the Philippines on Nov. 25 after months of delays partly due to the pandemic and other disasters that struck since the project started a few years ago, Platzer said.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
FRIENDSHIP OVER? VICE GANDA, BILLY CRAWFORD UNFOLLOW EACH OTHER AMID 'IT'S SHOWTIME' FIASCO
MANILA — Is it friendship over for Vice Ganda and Billy Crawford?
That was the question asked by social media users after they noticed that Vice and his former “It’s Showtime” co-host no longer follow each other on Instagram.
It can be recalled that Billy announced his network transfer to TV5 via Vice’s YouTube channel. The “Unkabogable Star” then assured Billy that they will remain a family despite his network shift.
“Maaaring lumipat siya ng bahay, pero family pa rin tayo. Kaya kahit lumipat ka ng bahay, kahit saang bahay man tayo magpunta, magkakapamilya, family kita, at mahal na mahal kita,” Vice told Billy.
“Kahit na magkatapat man 'yung mga bahay natin, family tayong dalawa, 'di ba? Magkakawayan tayo du'n sa magkakatapat nating bahay. At susuportahan natin ang isa’t isa,” he added.
All was well between the two until “It’s Showtime” director Bobet Vidanes left the noontime show to direct its TV5 rival “Lunch Out Loud" hosted by Billy.
Since then, Bobet received indirect criticism from Vice since Bobet said that he left the show not for money but for health purposes.
In last Wednesday's episode of "It's Showtime," Vice reacted during the "Madlang Pi-Poll" segment when this question was asked: "Anong ayaw mo? a. fake friends o b. fake news."
Celebrity contestant Jeff Canoy answered: “Worse, 'yung fake friends na nagbibigay pa ng fake news.”
“Ay yes! ‘Yung fake friends na nagbibigay pa ng fake news sa mga interview,” Vice agreed with Jeff.
Earlier, Vice also reacted to co-host Jugs Jugueta’s comment about fake friends.
“Wala, wala. 'Yan ‘yung mga ina-unfriend,” Jugs said.
“Tapos nagsasama-sama sila,” Vice added.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES NOV 18
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Warriors13-2 27 24 17 36 104
Cavaliers9-8 29 25 27 8 89
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
S. Curry GS
40 PTS 4 REB 6 AST
D. Garland CLE
25 PTS 1 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards10-5 19 21 30 27 97
Heat11-5 21 26 36 29 112
FTX ARENA, MIAMI, FL
SCORING LEADERS
B. Beal WAS
30 PTS 6 REB 5 AST
J. Butler MIA
32 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Clippers9-6 24 29 32 23 108
Grizzlies8-7 30 26 38 26 120
FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN
SCORING LEADERS
P. George LAC
23 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
J. Morant MEM
28 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Spurs4-11 20 33 25 12 90
Timberwolves6-9 34 32 27 22 115
TARGET CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
SCORING LEADERS
D. Vassell SA
18 PTS 4 REB 1 AST
K. Towns MIN
25 PTS 12 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
76ers9-7 24 34 29 16 103
Nuggets9-6 23 29 17 20 89
BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
SCORING LEADERS
T. Maxey PHI
22 PTS 5 REB 4 AST
N. Jokic DEN
30 PTS 10 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Raptors7-9 27 36 17 23 103
Jazz10-5 32 29 31 27 119
VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
SCORING LEADERS
G. Trent Jr. TOR
31 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
D. Mitchell UTA
20 PTS 3 REB 1 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.41
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid. - Mark Twain
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