DUTERTE BACKS OUT OF SENATE RACE
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has backed out from the Senate race, formally withdrawing on Tuesday his candidacy for senator in the 2022 elections.
Duterte personally filed his statement of withdrawal with the Commission on Elections, accompanied by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, as seen in a photo posted by the poll body’s spokesperson James Jimenez.
The president's withdrawal from the Senate race came just hours after he was endorsed by his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, for senator and after his long-time aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, officially withdrew his candidacy for president.
With Duterte dropping his Senate bid after the November 15 deadline for the substitution of candidates who withdrew, no one from the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, which he ran under, can substitute for him.
However, Duterte can still substitute for a candidate with the same surname until midday of Election Day if they die or get disqualified.
Duterte had vacillated on his political plans for 2022, with him first toying with the idea of running for vice president to evade legal suits after his term as president, then announcing that he was retiring from politics, and then filing his candidacy for senator.
PHILIPPINES RAISES ECONOMIC GROWTH TARGET FOR 2021
MANILA — The Philippines has upgraded its economic growth targets for this year as the economy further reopens, the country’s economic ministers said on Tuesday.
Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to expand by 5.0% to 5.5% in 2021, from the previous estimate of 4.0% to 5.0% this year, the Development Budget Coordination Committee said in a statement.
PHILIPPINES TO END YEAR UNDER ALERT LEVEL 2 VS COVID-19
MANILA — The Philippines will remain under Alert Level 2 until December 31 despite a continued decline in new cases due to the looming threat of the potentially more infectious Omicron coronavirus variant.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who is the spokesperson of the government’s pandemic task force, mad the announcement on Wednesday.
The Department of Health earlier Wednesday said it would be better to be prudent and maintain the alert level against COVID-19."We are still very hesitant to give that kind of easing of restrictions into Alert Level 1 because of the threat of the Omicron variant," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told CNN Philippines’ "The Source."
"So for now, we will stay in Alert Level 2 so that there would still be restrictions and we can still prevent the spread if ever that Omicron is here already, of this variant among our communities," Vergeire, who is DOH spokesperson, added.
ICC URGED TO PROCEED WITH 'DRUG WAR' PROBE TO NOT FURTHER DELAY JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS
MANILA — The International Criminal Court must proceed with its full probe into alleged crimes against humanity committed in the context of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs” to not further delay the service of justice to victims, the Human Rights Watch said.
HRW Asia director Brad Adams said the Philippine government’s request to defer ICC investigation is "a transparent delaying tactic to protect officials responsible for mass killings."
"The ICC prosecutor should seek to resume its official investigation so that justice for victims isn’t further delayed," he added.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, in a document dated November 18, said they will temporarily suspend its investigation into the Philippines as it "assesses the scope and effect" of the government’s request for deferral that cited the Department of Justice-led probe into "war on drugs" operations that resulted in death.
Under the Rome Statute, a State may inform the ICC of probes into acts that may fall under the crimes being investigated by the criminal court.
Khan, in a statement issued six days later, explained that while the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor has temporarily suspended the investigation, it will continue its analysis on information it has on hand and it may also look into any new information they may receive from third parties.
Pursuant to ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence, Khan also said they will request the Philippines to “provide substantiating information” on investigations it cited in its request.
DUTERTE ORDERS DILG: PREPARE DRUG WAR REPORT
MANILA — President Duterte has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to prepare a report on the war on drugs even as he maintained that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the case.
During a meeting of the government’s pandemic task force on Monday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said anti-narcotics operations against suspected drug traffickers continued despite the pandemic.
Año said a total of 940 stings were conducted from Dec. 5 to 11, which resulted in the arrest of 1,253 suspects and confiscation of about P72.87 million worth of drugs.
Duterte asked Año if the government could make an inventory of drugs seized during his presidency.
“It’s intended to apprise the human rights advocates. Maybe when the time comes, we can show to the ICC the reasons why we are not, why I am not going to bow down to their jurisdiction, because they would see the enormity of the problem of shabu in the country,” the President said.
Año vowed to produce the drug war report.
Police have confiscated an estimated P79 billion to P80 billion worth of shabu, according to Año.
“I will come up with a detailed report in our next meeting, Mr. President,” the DILG chief said.
NAVY COMMISSIONS EX-SOUTH KOREAN LANDING CRAFT INTO PHILIPPINE FLEET
MANILA — A former South Korean navy ship has joined the Philippine Fleet and was commissioned as the BRP Mamanwa (LC294) this month, the Philippine Navy said.
The Mamanwa, a Landing Craft Utility, can transport equipment, vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers, the navy also said. The boat is named after the Mamanwa indigenous people of Agusan del Norte and is now part of the Sealift Amphibious Force.
"Today, as we commission to the service the BRP Mamanwa, let us be reminded that this is a season of transition for us. We are undergoing a shift for a reason, and that reason is because we want to transform into the kind of organization that we aspire to be: a naval defense force that Filipinos can truly be proud of, now and in the years to come," Vice Adm. Adelius Bordado, navy flag officer in command, said in his remarks at the christening and commissioning.
The Mamanwa has a maiden crew of 10 Navy personnel, augmentation from other ships in the Sealift Amphibious Force and from the fleet's maintenance repair team. Cdr. Lyvanjake Cabiente is its first commanding officer.
The Mamanwa was among the donations that South Korea sent the Philippines in 2014 and went through refurbishing before joining the Philippine Fleet.
In 2019, the Philippine Navy commissioned another former South Korean navy ship — a Pohang-class corvette — as the BRP Conrado Yap.
The navy has also since acquired two missile-capable frigates, BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna, from Korea.
SOUTH CHINA SEA CODE OF CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS ‘WENT NOWHERE,’ LOCSIN ADMITS
MANILA — Negotiations for a binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea “went nowhere,” even with the Philippines as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. admitted yesterday.
In a statement he delivered during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom, Locsin said he opposed “the exclusion of any outside power from the South China Sea.”
China claimed that the progress in the COC consultations showed that Beijing and ASEAN countries have the capability, wisdom and willingness to reach consensus and formulate regional rules, and any external interference like the United States should be excluded as it is “not a party to the South China Sea issue.”
China’s more aggressive approach to its unlawful claims in the South China Sea has directly challenged the global rules-based order.
“These worrying developments underscore the urgency and importance of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The Philippines, in its role as then Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, is proud to have helped lead the process and build consensus,” Locsin said.
“But negotiations for the Code of Conduct, even in our watch, went nowhere. I opposed the exclusion of any outside power from the South China Sea. That would create a semi-legal sphere of influence repugnant to the comity of all nations,” he added.
The country’s top diplomat also aired concern over recent incidents in South China Sea.
DUQUE-LOCSIN RIFT REACHES DUTERTE – PALACE
MANILA — The infighting between two Cabinet members on the alleged botched 50-million syringe deal has reached President Duterte, Malacañang said yesterday.
Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the matter was not discussed during Duterte’s weekly meeting with members of his Cabinet and the government’s pandemic task force.
“But this matter has reached the Office of the President and you can expect, we will have updates and will also clarify all this next time,” Nograles said at a media briefing.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III were trading barbs after Locsin said the Department of Health (DOH) “dropped the ball” on a 50-million syringe procurement deal.
Duque on Monday said Locsin’s allegation is a “lie.”
Locsin lashed back at Duque and said, “Don’t ever, Duque, ever, question my motives.”
Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country has a sufficient supply of syringes.
“We just want to let our countrymen know, there is really no issue with our syringes,” Vergeire said at a Palace press briefing.
“We have enough supply of syringes that we need for COVID-19 vaccination,” she added.
PACQUIAO HOLDS OWN VERSION OF 'TALK TO THE PEOPLE' IN MATI, DAVAO
MANILA - Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao continued his week-long sortie in Davao province, which on Tuesday night, was highlighted by his own version of ‘Talk to the People’ followed by cash aid distribution.
Meeting more than 5,000 locals of Mati who flocked to the city’s Cultural Center, Pacquiao took the opportunity to again list down his platform of government which includes giving free houses to all indigent families in the Philippines, jailing corrupt government officials, reviving the economy and bringing more employment opportunities to the people.
The occasion also allowed the people to directly ask Pacquiao for help.
A housewife narrated in tears the plight of her husband who still cannot return from Saudi Arabia due to his expired visa.
Pacquiao responded by immediately instructing his staff to get the details of the wife so his office can do the mediation for her husband’s return to the country.
A person with disability also raised the issue of lack of opportunities for them.
Pacquiao has promised to give them opportunities and his intention to give them, including senior citizens, a monthly allowance if possible.
The senator meantime underlined the so-called “equality” being promised by many candidates during the campaign which in truth he said, is not happening, especially between Christians and Muslims.
“Ang totoong equality ay 'yung halimbawa, kung may palengke for Christians, meron ding palengke para sa Muslims…Ang totoong equality ay 'yung kung may school for Christians, dapat meron ding school for Muslims,” Pacquiao told the applauding crowd using the Visayan dialect.
He ended his visit in Mati with a courtesy visit to Bishop Abel Apigo at the St. John of the Cross Clergy House in Central Mati.
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166 PROFESSIONALS JOIN PNP AS COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has hired 166 professionals as commissioned officers.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos administered the oath-taking and donning of ranks to the officers at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday.
Carlos called on the new PNP officers to uphold the people’s welfare over their personal interest.
“Be the embodiment of honor, accountability and integrity because as a public officers, we owe it to them and to the country,” Carlos said.
The officers, who were hired under the PNP’s lateral entry program, are composed of three technical officers and 163 line officers.
MARCOS URGES INCREASE IN DIALYSIS CENTERS
MANILA — Presidential aspirant and former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged the government to increase state-run dialysis centers in the provinces to allow more Filipinos to access the “essential service.”
Some patients have to travel to other towns to avail themselves of the service, Marcos said.
Marcos said he pities patients who have to travel long distances and spend a lot. Such money could have been spent for medicines or vitamins instead of other expenses like transportation or rental in a place near the dialysis center.
“We need to build more dialysis centers in the provinces so they don’t have to travel far,” he added.?Should he win the presidency next year, Marcos said he would push for a task force that would coordinate with local government units and other agencies in ensuring free dialysis treatment for patients to ease their burden.
Citing data from the University of the Philippines, Marcos said at least one person dies of kidney failure every hour and that almost 35,000 Filipinos are undergoing dialysis.
ODETTE INTENSIFYING, NEARING TYPHOON LEVEL; MORE PROVINCES UNDER SIGNAL NO. 1
The strength of severe tropical storm Odette is nearing typhoon category, PAGASA said in its early Wednesday morning bulletin.
Odette was last estimated to be at 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 135 kph.
It is moving west northwestward at 25 kph, with strong winds extending outwards up to 330 km from the center.
From Wednesday to Thursday morning, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands due to the trough and the outermost rain bands of Odette.
From Thursday to Friday, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains may prevail over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Cebu, while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may be experienced over Leyte, the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Siquijor, and the rest of Caraga.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also expected over Bicol Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and the rest of Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
PAGASA warned that under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.
Odette is expected to make landfall over the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas Thursday afternoon or evening.
It is also expected to further intensify within 12 hours and may reach peak intensity of 155 kph before making landfall.
PAGASA added it expected up to 2 more storms to enter the PAR before the year ends
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
BTS MEMBER V BREAKS 2 GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS
Kim Tae-hyung, also known as V of the popular K-pop boy band BTS, has broken two world records with his social media account.
On photo-sharing app Instagram on Tuesday, Guinness World Records announced that V broke the record for the fastest time to reach 1 million followers on Instagram, which he did in 43 minutes.
He also holds the record for the fastest time to reach 10 million followers on Instagram.
According to the post, BTS fans, collectively known as ARMY, "led to V's followers jumping up to 10 million after just 4 hours 52 minutes."
Guinness said the fastest time to reach 1 million followers on Instagram often changes hands as new celebrities join the social media platform.
Former holders of the title include Rupert Grint, Jennifer Aniston and Taeil Moon of the group NCT.
BTS will be featured in a double-page spread in the Guinness World Records 2022 book, which will detail all their record-breaking achievements.
Last September, it was announced that BTS entered Guinness World Records 2022 Hall of Fame.
The popular group BTS, composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, has 56.9 million followers on Instagram, the highest count for any group, and 42.2 million followers on microblogging site Twitter, the most for a Korean account.
It was only last December 6 when the seven Korean superstars joined Instagram.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES DEC 13
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Warriors22-5 25 22 33 22 102
Pacers12-17 29 26 29 16 100
GAINBRIDGE FIELDHOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
SCORING LEADERS
S. Curry GS
26 PTS 6 REB 6 AST
D. Sabonis IND
30 PTS 11 REB
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat16-12 25 19 29 21 94
Cavaliers17-12 23 32 23 27 105
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
P. Tucker MIA
23 PTS 9 REB 5 AST
K. Love CLE
23 PTS 9 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings11-17 22 23 24 32 101
Raptors13-14 30 40 23 31 124
SCOTIABANK ARENA, TORONTO, ON
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
29 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
C. Boucher TOR
17 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets9-18 28 30 30 44 132
Hawks13-14 38 31 32 25 126
STATE FARM ARENA, ATLANTA, GA
SCORING LEADERS
E. Gordon HOU
32 PTS 3 REB 3 AST
T. Young ATL
41 PTS 4 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bucks18-11 30 20 24 29 103
Celtics14-14 21 30 34 32 117
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
G. Antetokounmpo MIL
20 PTS 8 REB 3 AST
J. Tatum BOS
42 PTS 5 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
76ers15-13 30 26 19 16 91
Grizzlies17-11 37 31 33 25 126
FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN
SCORING LEADERS
T. Maxey PHI
23 PTS 7 AST
D. Brooks MEM
23 PTS 6 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets15-14 20 23 26 27 96
Mavericks14-13 37 33 21 29 120
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS, TX
SCORING LEADERS
K. Oubre Jr. CHA
20 PTS 3 REB 4 AST
K. Porzingis DAL
24 PTS 13 REB
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards15-13 22 19 29 37 107
Nuggets14-13 29 30 32 22 113
BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
SCORING LEADERS
D. Bertans WAS
21 PTS 5 REB
N. Jokic DEN
28 PTS 19 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns21-5 21 23 25 26 95
Clippers16-12 27 29 23 32 111
STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
C. Johnson PHO
17 PTS 6 REB 1 AST
M. Morris LAC
24 PTS 11 REB 1 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.35
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear. - Oscar Wilde
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