COMELEC WORKING TO RESOLVE CASES VS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS BY DECEMBER 15
MANILA - The Commission on Elections looks to resolve the pending cases against presidential aspirants by December 15, its spokesperson said Monday.
The Comelec is also "pretty confident" it will be able to release the final list of candidates for the 2022 elections this week, "hopefully on the 15th, but give or take a few days," said Director James Jimenez.
"There is an effort to resolve these cases expeditiously. I wouldn’t go so far as to say December 15 is a hard deadline, but that is the expectation that we’ve set for ourselves. So yes, they are really working to meet it. In fact, we expect that we will in fact meet it," Jimenez told ANC's Headstart.
He said concerns raised by former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod regarding the repercussions should the poll body delay its verdict particularly on the cases against former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., make sense, and the agency is indeed working with timeliness in mind.
"I would have hoped that a former chairman would understand that the commission is working on this with full knowledge of the consequences of the timing of the result, of the outcome. The Comelec is working on these petitions, the Comelec will make a ruling in the proper time," he said.
Nine petitions are pending against Marcos, who is running for president. These include separate petitions for the cancelation of his certificate of candidacy, for his disqualification from the race, and to declare him a nuisance candidate.
The Comelec director explained that if the eventual winner's COC is canceled after the elections, one possibility is the second-place winner making a case to assume the position, arguing that the votes received by the candidate should have been considered stray.
On the disqualification case, if it is resolved after the elections, the "constitutionally designated successor" would have to ascend to the position because the election results would have to stay, said Jimenez.
Another difference between the two is if resolved before election day, substitution can be done in case of the disqualified candidate, but not in the one whose COC is canceled.
A petition for nuisance candidate, which he said is "unlikely to drag until election day," would yield almost the same effect as the cancelation COC, where it would result in the candidacy being treated as not filed.
PETITION TO POSTPONE ELECTIONS TO 2025 'UNLIKELY TO PROSPER' - COMELEC SPOX
MANILA - The petition seeking to postpone national elections to 2025 is unlikely to prosper, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez said Monday.
A group calling itself Coalition for Life and Democracy (NCLD) cited the COVID-19 pandemic in its petition before the Comelec, arguing that situation demands continued observance of health protocols on prohibition on social gatherings and overcrowding.
Jimenez said while the Comelec has the authority to suspend the conduct of elections, "the petition itself, just on the surface of it, seems unlikely to prosper."
"One of the things that works against it is the fact that it’s asking for the elections to be postponed all the way to 2025, basically saying that we’re gonna go against the Constitution and just not hold elections this year. That would be unconstitutional," he told ANC's Headstart.
The Comelec can only suspend elections "for brief periods and only when the conditions for free and fair elections do not exist," he said.
"I think those particular criteria do not exist right now, so I don’t see any justification for granting this sort of petition," he said.
Should Comelec favor the NCLD's petition, the extension of Duterte's term as president will only be a "consequent effect," Buan said.
The lawyer also clarified that they are not supporting any aspirant, stressing that the NCLD was an "apolitical" group.
LAWYER DENIES SEEKING DUTERTE TERM EXTENSION IN POLL POSTPONEMENT PLEA
MANILA — A lawyer whose coalition is seeking the postponement of next year's polls denied Monday that his group's petition was intended to keep President Rodrigo Duterte in office.
The Coalition for Life and Democracy (NCLD) last Friday asked the Commission on Elections to delay the May 9, 2022 national and local elections, citing the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a Teleradyo interview, NCLD legal counsel Francisco Buan Jr. rejected speculation that his group's appeal was meant to extend President Rodrigo Duterte's term.
Buan once served a spokesperson for the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee. He also said "some members" of the pro-Duterte group believed in the NCLD's advocacy.
"This is altogether different. Ang aming layunin dito ay proteksiyunan ang buhay ng tao (our objective here is to protect people's lives)," Buan said, referring to the petition.
DFA CHIEF’S ALLEGATION DOH ‘DROPPED THE BALL’ IN SYRINGE PROCUREMENT ‘VERY UNFAIR’: DUQUE
MANILA - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday said it was “very unfair” of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to accuse the Department of Health (DOH) of “dropping the ball” in the procurement of syringes for the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccination program.
Locsin earlier tweeted that the DOH had “dropped the ball again” in its COVID-19 response, this time for losing the opportunity to obtain 50 million syringes.
“His allegation is very unfair. There is no basis,” Duque told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.
“How can he say we dropped the ball when the company backed out?” he said.
The DOH chief said foreign firm Procurenet initially wanted to participate in the bidding of 50 million pieces of 0.5 ml auto disable syringes, but “backed out” after confirming with the agency that the approved budget for the contract is pegged at P119.5 million.
This means that the Philippines will buy each syringe for about P2 or around USD 4 cents.
The company asked if they “can bid higher than the stated budget” as they cannot “accommodate that quantity with that pricing,” Duque said, citing official correspondence from Procurenet.
“It would be illegal to adjust the price set by the Bids and Awards Committee just because a bidder can’t work with that price,” the Health secretary said.
“Adjusting the price in favor of a bidder would be clear graft,” he said.
In a separate tweet, Locsin criticized the DOH's budget for the syringes, saying "4.7 cents a syringe is hallucinatory."
"No one on the planet makes special PFIZER LOW DEAD VOLUME SYRINGES that cheap; 7 cents is the absolute lowest. UNICEF pays double. Make all purchases public," Locsin said.
"I don't expect anyone of them to listen to me; but now I know not to waste my time with them and embarrass myself that way," he said.
PHILHEALTH OWES ILOILO HOSPITAL UP TO P93 MILLION
MANILA — The head of a private hospital in Iloilo City said Monday the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) still owed it some P93 million, part of a larger issue of unpaid claims that has prompted several hospitals to cut ties with the state health insurer.
"We still have a balance of about P93 million... this is cumulative amount which started since 2018," said Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center President and CEO Danilo Encarnacion.
In 2018, PhilHealth owed the hospital some P136 million but the insurer was able to gradually pay, Encarnacion said.
"Pero malaki pa rin ang balance na natira kasi 'di naman, it's not being honored, ang lahat ng mga claim," he said.
Encarnacion said the PhilHealth returns many claims to his hospital, often with unclear reasons.
"Hindi maganda 'yong mga evaluation, mga explanation [ng PhilHealth]. Kadalasan hindi namin alam talaga kung bakit kasi wala kami masyadong communication na makuha sa kanila dahil hindi naman puwedeng mag-direkta sa kanila. Ang gusto nila through email... eh ang hirap-hirap noon," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
PHILIPPINES RANKS 23RD AMONG 63 STATES IN CLIMATE INDEX
MANILA, — The Philippines ranked 23rd in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2022, Malacañang has announced.
“The Philippines is a new entrant to the Climate Change Performance Index and immediately our country ranked 23rd in climate protection performance,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in a recent press briefing.
The CCPI tracks the performance of 63 countries and the European Union on greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy use and climate policy.
The Philippines is one of three new entrants in this year’s CCPI, published by the Bonn-based non-profit Germanwatch.
In the four main CCPI categories, the Philippines rated low in climate policy, medium in renewable energy, and high in emissions and energy use.
In April, the Philippines submitted its first nationally determined contribution (NDC), which sets a 75-percent emission reduction and avoidance by 2030, as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
DOJ: LET COURT DECIDE ON DE LIMA’S REQUEST
MANILA, — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday it is up to the court to decide on the request of detained Sen. Leila de Lima to record campaign materials from her detention cell at the Philippine National Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
De Lima is seeking reelection in 2022.
Guevarra said Department of Justice prosecutors were merely performing their duty when they opposed De Lima’s request.
“The prosecutors discharged their duty professionally and without regard to the status of the accused,” he said. “Let’s leave it to the court to rule on the issue. We trust that the court will apply existing rules concerning persons under detention fairly and uniformly.”
De Lima is facing criminal charges before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.
She had asked the court to allow her campaign team to take her photos and video inside her detention cell from Dec. 27 to 30.
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PHILIPPINES REPORTS 402 NEW COVID-19 CASES
MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 402 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the country’s total to 2,836,592.
The Department of Health also reported 509 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 2,775,057.
This means that the country has a total of 11,255 active cases as of 4 p.m. Sunday. This was the lowest number of active cases since May 28, 2020.
The 1.2 percent positivity rate is the second lowest since data became available in April 2020.
One hundred eighty four new deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the country’s death toll from the disease to 50,280.
PNP: ALMOST 1 MILLION QUARANTINE VIOLATORS WARNED FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER
MANILA, — With Christmas approaching, the Philippine National Police recorded over 880,000 quarantine or curfew violators around the country, it said in its latest enforcement tally Sunday morning.
From the period of November 5 to December 11, the PNP warned 130,596 violators of minimum public health standards in Metro Manila and fined 53,099 others.
In Metro Manila, 654 quarantine control checkpoints remain hoisted. In the country, there are still 7,064.
The PNP, in its latest update, also recorded zero critical zones and zero granular lockdown areas in Metro Manila.
However, there are about 41 areas under granular lockdown nationwide, affecting 42 families or 106 individuals.
25,902 COPS GET PROMOTION
MANILA, — The Philippine National Police has promoted 25,902 police officers, the PNP reported on Saturday.
The PNP said the officers were promoted under the 2nd Level Uniformed Personnel Regular and 4th Quarter Police Lieutenant Colonel promotion programs.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos on Friday administered the oath of office of 150 newly promoted police officers at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Oathtaking ceremonies were also held in other police regional offices and national support units.
Carlos urged the police officers to view their promotion as a motivation to better serve the public.
MORENO DENIES NEGLECTING DUTIES AS MANILA MAYOR
MANILA, — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday denied that he is neglecting his duties as the city’s chief executive because of his presidential bid.
Moreno said he trusts his vice mayor, Honey Lacuna, to manage the city’s affairs while he tours the country ahead of the May 2022 elections.
Outside Metro Manila, Moreno and his slate have visited the provinces of Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac and Zambales, months before the official start of the campaign in February next year.
Lacuna is running for mayor in 2022.
In his Facebook live address on Friday, Moreno thanked his constituents for complying with health protocols and getting vaccinated.
Moreno said the number of COVID-19 cases in Manila dropped to below 100 in the past week.
The city had 87 active cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, with only two new infections. This is the seventh straight day that Manila logged below 100 cases, according to the city’s public information office.
LPA FORECAST TO ENTER PAR BECOMES TROPICAL DEPRESSION: PAGASA
MANILA — The low pressure area spotted off Mindanao and forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in a few days has become a tropical depression and could intensify into a typhoon, PAGASA said before Sunday noon.
The tropical depression was estimated at 2,095 kilometers east of Mindanao, outside of the PAR, at around 10 a.m., PAGASA said in its latest bulletin.
It has maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
"The tropical depression is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category within the next 24 hours," said PAGASA.
PAGASA said the cyclone is expected to enter the PAR on Tuesday, after which it will be assigned the local name "Odette."
"By Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, the tropical cyclone will begin to move westward and may make landfall over Eastern Visayas-Caraga area," it said.
"Due to favorable environmental conditions, the tropical cyclone will likely continue to intensify and may reach typhoon category by Tuesday evening or Wednesday early morning," it added.
PAGASA said it was likely for tropical storm signals to be hoisted over provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
INDIA WINS MISS UNIVERSE; PH FINISHES IN TOP 5
The new Miss Universe is...India!!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/DTiOKzTHl4 — Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned the 70th Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel on Sunday (Monday morning in the Philippines), making her the third titleholder during the pandemic after Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa and Andrea Meza of Mexico.
Her runners-up include Nadia Ferreira of Paraguay and Lalela Mswane of South Africa.
During the Final Word round of the competition, the Top 3 candidates were asked: "What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?"
Sandhu, considered a frontrunner in the competition, answered: "I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique, that's what makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourselves with others and let's talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. I think this is what you need to understand."
"Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that's why I'm standing here today."
The Philippines' representative, Beatrice Gomez, finished in the Top 5 of the pageant.
During the question and answer round, Gomez was asked by Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere: "Given the ever-changing COVID situation, what is your opinion on mandating a universal vaccine passport?"
To which she replied: "I believe that public health is everyone's responsibility, and to mandate inoculation is necessary. If mandating vaccine passports would help us in regulating the rollout of vaccines and mitigate the situation of the pandemic today, then I would agree on mandating the necessary passport of vaccination."
SPORTS
PBA DECEMBER 12
SAN MIGUEL DEF. NORTHPORT, 91-88
San Miguel Beermen defeated NorthPort Batang Pier, 91-88 to claim their first win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Import Brandon Brown led the Beermen with a double-double game of 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting including two 3-pointers along with 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and a block. June Mar Fajardo finished the game with 15 points (6/11 FG, 3/4 FT), 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks while CJ Perez added 15 points (7/12 FG, 1/3 3PT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 34 minutes of play.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 91 - Brown 24, Fajardo 15, Perez 15, Lassiter 12, Manuel 10, Pessumal 9, Romeo 6, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0.
NORTHPORT 88 - Bolick 24, Santos 23, Malonzo 22, Slaughter 10, Taha 4, Grey 2, Ferrer 2, Balanza 1, Elorde 0, Doliguez 0, Rike 0.
Quarters: 26-9, 49-31, 72-58, 91-88
GINEBRA DEF. ALASKA, 80-77
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel defeated Alaska Aces, 80-77 to claim their first win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with a double-double of 28 points on 11-of-24 shooting including two 3-pointers and 4/4 in the freethrow line along with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Japeth Aguilar finished the game with 11 points (5/10 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assists and a steal while Christian Standhardinger added 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 80 - Brownlee 28, J. Aguilar 11, Thompson 9, Standhardinger 8, Pringle 7, Tenorio 6, Tolentino 5, Salado 2, Caperal 2, Onwubere 2, Chan 0.
ALASKA 77 - Ashaolu 19, Herndon 12, Ahanmisi 10, Teng 10, Taha 9, Brondial 4, Tratter 3, Adamos 3, Racal 3, Digregorio 2, Tolomia 2, Stockton 0.
Quarters: 14-18, 34-38, 56-59, 80-77
NBA SCORES DEC 11
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Magic5-22 30 14 31 29 104
Clippers15-12 23 26 29 28 106
STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
C. Anthony ORL
23 PTS 6 REB 2 AST
R. Jackson LAC
25 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Jazz19-7 28 22 31 42 123
Wizards15-12 24 27 18 29 98
CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC
SCORING LEADERS
D. Mitchell UTA
28 PTS 4 AST
B. Beal WAS
21 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bulls17-10 25 27 18 22 92
Heat16-11 39 26 21 32 118
FTX ARENA, MIAMI, FL
SCORING LEADERS
Z. LaVine CHI
33 PTS 7 REB 4 AST
D. Robinson MIA
26 PTS 1 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets8-18 29 18 30 29 106
Grizzlies16-11 40 23 23 27 113
FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN
SCORING LEADERS
C. Wood HOU
22 PTS 11 REB 3 AST
D. Brooks MEM
25 PTS 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings11-16 23 29 26 25 103
Cavaliers16-12 36 45 20 16 117
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
B. Hield SAC
21 PTS 5 REB
I. Okoro CLE
20 PTS 4 REB 3 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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