#PILIPINASDEBATES2022 FOR VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

 

 

 

The Commission on Elections held the second of its series of election debates, this time giving a venue to candidates running for the country’s second highest office.

 

The “#PilipinasDebates2022: The Turning Point – The Vice Presidential Debate” held at Sofitel Tent in Pasay City on March 20, 2022 was attended by 7 out of 9 vice presidential candidates.

 

Walden Bello, Partido Lakas ng Masa;

 

Rizalito David, Democratic Party of the Philippines;

 

Manny SD Lopez, Workers and Peasants' Party;

 

Dr. Willie Ong, Aksyon Demokratiko;

 

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Liberal Party;

 

Carlos Serapio, Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi - Katipunan Party (KTPNAN)

 

Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC)

 

The debate focused on the role of the Vice President as mandated by the Constitution, other significant issues like the country’s COVID-19 response, increasing oil prices and policy recommendations if they win the election.

 

Davao City Sara Duterte of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (LAKAS) and Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza failed to attend the Comelec organized debate.

 

Another Comelec debate for the vice presidential candidates, which will have a town hall format, will be held on April 23.

 

 

 

 

 

'BIG JOKE': VP BETS SLAM SARA DUTERTE'S ABSENCE IN COMELEC'S DEBATE

 

 

 

MANILA - Several vice presidential candidates criticized Sunday the absence of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the Commission on Elections' debate.

 

Duterte-Carpio's running mate, presidential aspirant former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos also skipped Comelec's debate on Saturday.

 

Partido Lakas ng Masa's candidate Walden Bello said he was "tempted to walk out" of the debate. The outburst came as he refused to answer the question what would be his policy expertise as vice president.

 

"We’re slashing one another for her benefit. The Commission on Elections should do something about this. Commissioner and chair, can you penalize these 2 people, Marcos and Duterte for not showing themselves up to the Filipino people with their programs," he said.

 

"They’re spitting in the face of the Filipinos. (Comelec commissioners and chairman) can you say something right now, tell them to show up. I'm really so pissed off that these 2 jokers are not here. Duwag sila (They're cowards). We can't show their record., they have to show up so that the Filipino people can judge. Otherwise this is a f***ing big joke."

 

The Comelec's penalty for Marcos and Duterte's absence in its debates is to ban them from an "e-rally," which Bello said was "too weak."

 

"We need to get something from these people. To penalize them like a big, huge penalty like P203 billion," Bello said, pertaining to Marcos' estate tax dues.

 

Senator Francis Pangilinan, running mate of Vice President Leni Robredo, said those seeking voters' support must show up like suitors.

 

"Wala si Mr. Marcos kagabi, wala si Sara Duterte ngayong araw. Kaming mga kandidato lumiligaw kami. Nililigawan namin ang botante. Pag lumiligaw dapat humaharap," he said.

 

"Ako may 3 anak, pag may lumiligaw saking anak, dapat humaharap. Respetuhin ang aking mga anak, respetuhin ang mga magulang. Pag di humaharap nirerespeto ba kami?"

 

Rizalito David, meantime, said he would like to know Sara Duterte's stance on various issues that he and his opponents were discussing.

 

"Nalulungkot ako dahil ang nangunguna sa survey ay di natin alam ano ang kanyang opinion tungkol dito. Kami-kami nagtatagisan ng talino dito pero paghahatian na lang namin ang 50 percent ng boto," he said.

 

"Inday Sara dumalo ka naman, gusto namin kang makamayan ka man lang."

 

 

 

 

 

EMERALD AVENUE TURNS PINK AS TENS OF THOUSANDS JOIN VP LENI CAMPAIGN RALLY

 

 

 

Emerald Avenue in Pasig City turned pink on Sunday as tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the biggest show of force yet for presidential candidate Leni Robredo and runningmate Kiko Pangilinan.

 

Various official and unofficial estimates placed Sunday's crowd at the PasigLaban rally at 80,000 to as high as 130,000.

 

In a Facebook post, Robredo thanked the thousands "who braved the heat, stood for hours, shouted, chanted, and sang with us yesterday."

 

"My heart is full Thank you to the thousands who braved the heat, stood for hours, shouted, chanted, and sang with us yesterday. Thank you, most specially, to the PASIGLABAN Organizers (our Pasig volunteers) for all the sleepless nights, for going beyond all our expectations, and all the love you poured in," she said.

 

"Thank you to our guest performers, who not only performed for free, but risked, and continue to risk, their careers because of their great love of country. Mabuhay po kayong lahat."

 

Weather bureau PAGASA said the heat index shot up to as high as 41 degrees Celsius in nearby Pasay City on Sunday.

 

Among the artists who performed during the rally were Ben&Ben, Ebe Dancel, Rivermaya, Noel Cabangon, Jolina Magdangal, and Itchyworms who changed the lyrics to their hit song "Akin Ka Na Lang" to "Leni Ka Na Lang."

 

 

 

 

 

ASKED ON CURBING CORRUPTION, VP BETS CALL FOR DIGITALIZATION, STRONGER JUDICIARY; BELLO SINGS

 

 

 

MANILA — Most of the country’s vice-presidential candidates said one corruption watchdog is not enough to keep an eye on the government.

 

Instead, candidates pitched ideas from modernizing agencies, increasing the budget of agencies to attract manpower, to having an internal government overhaul.

 

The Commission on Elections held debates for vice presidential candidates Sunday evening where aspirants were asked: Should there only be one agency focused on busting corruption within the government, just like how it is in Singapore and Hong Kong?

 

Here’s what the vice presidential bets said:

 

Rizalito David

 

Democratic Party of the Philippines vice-presidential candidate David said that the current system with multiple agencies to focus on ensuring accountability within the government is good enough.

 

However, he stressed that immorality is the main problem of the country.

 

Manny Lopez

 

Lopez, running under Labor Party Philippines, believes that it is not feasible to have one agency in charge of busting corruption in the country.

 

He said the solution to fighting corruption is through promoting good and just practices. He also pushed for heavier penalties for those found guilty of graft and corruption.

 

Dr. Willie Ong

 

Aksyon Demokratiko bet Ong focused on the Commission on Audit, suggesting that the agency’s findings be made available to the public with due process. COA reports are already actually published on its website.

 

He also put forward the idea of rotating auditors among agencies to prevent collusion.

 

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan

 

Meanwhile, Liberal Party’s Sen. Pangilinan said the government's anti-corruption agency should be the judiciary and that their budget should be doubled and they need to expedite the processing of cases.

 

"Ang problema—kulang ang budget ng hudikatura. Wala pang 2% ng kabuuang budget ng ating gobyerno," Pangilinan said.

 

Carlos Serapio

 

The vice-presidential candidate of Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi said the country's need to address corruption should be seen as part of the country's need "for a total constitutional change."

 

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III

 

Senate President Sotto of the Nationalist People's Coaltion also promoted the shift to digital and emphasized the need to streamline systems by cutting down bureaucratic red tape.

 

Bello serenades ‘Where are you?’

 

Partido Lakas ng Masa's Bello started his portion by actually singing Frank Sinatra’s "Where Are You?":

 

"This is meant specifically for Sara Duterte and Bongbong Marcos and I’ll sing Frank Sinatra, where are you? Where did you go without me? I thought you cared about me? Where are you?"

 

He continued singing with his own lyrics, hitting leading presidential and vice presidential bets Marcos and Duterte. The two skipped both of the debates organized by Comelec held this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

COMELEC TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO RULES ON CANDIDATES

 

 

 

MANILA — After the May 9 general elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will review and propose amendments to the rules governing nuisance candidates, substitution and withdrawal of candidates that some alleged have been subject to abuse.

 

Even before the polls take place, the Comelec is already thinking of making improvements in the laws in preparation for future elections, according to Commissioner George Garcia.

 

“One of the things that has to be done after (the May 9) elections is that we should review the rules on nuisance, substitution and withdrawal (of candidates). Some are saying that the (rules on) withdrawal and substitution are being abused,” Garcia said recently.

 

The commissioner noted that once they have completed their review and made recommendations on the rules, these will be submitted to Congress, which has the power to pass new laws and make amendments to existing laws.

 

“But definitely, in the end, whatever Congress says, we will just implement. We can only do what they want us to implement,” Garcia said.

 

 

 

 

 

ISKO MORENO DEFENDS MOCHA USON

 

 

 

MANILA — Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Saturday defended his newest political ally, controversial political blogger Mocha Uson, despite her role in spreading false information and online vitriol on social media.

 

Speaking to reporters before the start of the presidential debate hosted by the Commission on Elections at Sofitel Manila, Moreno was questioned if Uson faced cases in connection with her role in the massive pro-government disinformation network.

 

“If there was a case, then she would be able to answer it under the rule of law. But we need all the help we can get,” Moreno said of Uson, who gained notoriety in 2016 for calling journalists paid hacks and “presstitutes.”

 

Uson faced cases before investigating bodies for her alleged unethical conduct online.

 

Moreno said he is just happy for the latest addition to his team, which is also supported by the volunteer network Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Committee or MRRD-NECC that helped propel Duterte to the presidency.

 

 

 

 

 

EX-DOH CHIEFS, CONCON MEMBERS BACK ROBREDO

 

 

 

MANILA — Six former health secretaries and members of the 1971-1972 Constitutional Convention endorsed yesterday presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo.

 

“As our country struggles to recover from the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic, we need a leader who has demonstrated the values of integrity and caring, has governed wisely and fairly, prioritizes programs for the greater good, understands the processes of government, puts the interests of the country first and executes effectively amid the complexities of day-to-day governance,” the former health chiefs said in a statement.

 

The statement of support was signed by Alfredo Bengzon, Carmencita Reodica, Jaime Galvez Tan, Manuel Dayrit, Esperanza Cabral and Paulyn Ubial.

 

“In the area of health, Vice President Robredo has demonstrated her capability to address the people’s primary health concerns during the pandemic,” they said.

 

They said Robredo is “the foremost candidate to provide a comprehensive pandemic response platform.”

 

 

 

 

 

SPARE TIRE? NO ADDT'L POWERS NEEDED FOR VICE PRESIDENT - SOTTO, KIKO

 

 

 

MANILA - At least two vice presidential candidates said Sunday that no additional powers should be given to the country's second highest leader to disprove claims of being a "spare tire."

 

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said it was up to the winning candidate how to use their position to help the public.

 

Pangilinan cited as an example his running mate Vice President Leni Robredo who launched several COVID-19 response programs.

 

"Ako po ay naniniwala na sapat na ang Saligang Batas. Nasa Vice President na yun kung sinuman siya kung paano niya gagamitin ang position. Nakita natin yan sa kilos at sa trabaho ng ating VP Leni lalo na sa COVID response," he said during the Commission on Elections' main debate.

 

"Unang opisina na nakapagbigay ng PPEs (personal protective equipment). Samu't sari ang naging intervention ni VP Leni para tumulong at hanapan ng solusyon ang problema sa COVID: support sa frontliners, nand'yan 'yung shuttle service, e-konsulta at marami pang iba."

 

Sotto cited his tenure as Quezon City vice mayor during which he pushed for his colleagues to head municipal councils.

 

"Nilakad ko sa Kongreso, sa Local Government Code na gawing presiding officer lahat ng vice mayor upang di maging spare tire... Look at the municipal councils now they're being run by vice mayors," he said.

 

 

 

 

 

CORRUPTION IS HUMAN CONDITION, CAN'T BE STOPPED, SAYS BONGBONG MARCOS

 

 

 

MANILA — Corruption cannot be wiped out as it is a human condition, 2022 presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in a taped interview that aired Saturday.

 

“Yung corruption, talagang hindi matitigil yan dahil, as I keep reminding everyone, corruption is not a Filipino condition. It is a human condition,” Marcos said in the interview that was broadcast on PTV-4.

 

[You cannot stop corruption. Because as I keep reminding everyone, corruption is not a Filipino condition, it is a human condition.]

 

He made the statement in response to the question whether the Duterte government's anti-corruption program is among those that he will sustain if he wins this year's presidential race.

 

The interview was part of a new PTV program called “The Chatroom,” and was aired just an hour before the first Comelec-sponsored presidential debate that Marcos skipped.

 

“Meron talagang laging tao diyan na talagang hindi deretso mag-isip. Gusto talagang gumawa ng kalokohan,” said Marcos, whose family, according to the Presidential Commission on Good Government, allegedly amassed $5-$10 billion in ill-gotten wealth when his father and namesake became Philippine president.

 

He vowed there will be no “sacred cows” in his government if he is elected president in May.

 

“Kailangan mag-set ng example. Eh kami, hindi namin ginagawa 'yan. Huwag n'yong gagawin 'yan, kundi tanggal kayo. Hindi lang tanggal kayo, kundi ikukulong ka namin,” he said.

 

Marcos’ mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, was found guilty in 7 counts of graft in November 2018 for using her Cabinet position to maintain Swiss bank accounts during the Marcos regime.

 

She was sentenced to imprisonment of not less than 42 years – six to 11 years for each count of graft, but has yet to serve jail time after the Sandiganbayan allowed her to post bail pending her appeal.

 

 

 

 

 

FUEL FIRMS TO CUT PRICES FOR FIRST TIME IN 2022; DIESEL TO GO DOWN BY P11.45 PER LITER

 

 

 

MANILA - Oil firms will cut fuel prices for the first time in 2022 following price hikes which lasted for 11 weeks.

 

The following price rollback will be implemented on March 22:

 

PILIPINAS SHELL

 

• Gasoline = P5.45 per liter

 

• Kerosine = P8.55 per liter

 

• Diesel = P11.45 per liter

 

CALTEX

 

• Gasoline (platinum, silver variants) = P5.45 per liter

 

• Diesel = P11.45 per liter

 

• Kerosine = P8.55 per liter

 

SEAOIL

 

• Gasoline = P5.45 per liter

 

• Diesel = P11.45 per liter

 

• Kerosine = P8.55 per liter

 

PETRO GAZZ

 

• Diesel = P11.45 per liter

 

• Gasoline = P5.45 per liter

 

Diesel prices rose by as much as P12 last week as global benchmark prices skyrocketed due to the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine.

 

Russia is among the world's biggest oil producers.

 

The energy department earlier said the prices of diesel and gasoline were expected to go down by P12 and P6 this week.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

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PHILIPPINES RECORDS 577 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 240 NEW DEATHS

 

 

 

MANILA - The Philippines recorded 577 additional COVID-19 cases on Sunday, based on the government's tracker.

 

Of the fresh infections, 229 are from Metro Manila.

 

The country's total cases climbed to 3,674,286 of which, 45,201 are active. ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido said the number of active infections is the lowest since Jan. 5.

 

The Department of Health also logged 240 new deaths due to the disease, raising the total to 58,263

 

The positivity rate for the week of March 13 to 19 is 2.7 percent, which is lower than the 3.2 percent recorded the week earlier.

 

The DOH has stopped releasing daily COVID-19 bulletins as it seeks to "change how people perceive and how people look at the situation" two years into the pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

BSP SAYS 4 SUSPECTS NABBED FOR FAKE BANKNOTES

 

 

 

MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Monday said 4 suspects were arrested in Pampanga for counterfeiting Philippine banknotes.

 

In a statement, the BSP said it assisted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in enforcement operations in Pampanga and Tarlac that led to the arrest on Jan. 19.

 

A total of 161 counterfeit Philippine currency banknotes and 78 fake foreign banknotes were confiscated, the central bank said.

 

The 4 suspects were charged with illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit.

 

"The central bank, together with law enforcement agencies, such as the NBI, has been actively conducting joint anti-counterfeiting operations," the BSP said.

 

In the Philippines, those caught making fake bills face imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine not exceeding P2 million.

 

The BSP is encouraging the public to report any information on counterfeiting activities to the nearest police station.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

MAYMAY ENTRATA FLEXES 'AFAM' BOYFRIEND ANEW

 

 

 

MANILA — Kapamilya actress Maymay Entrata flexed her Canadian boyfriend anew on social media.

 

In her Instagram account, Maymay posted a video of her boyfriend driving.

 

"Miss you," she simply captioned the post with heart emoji.

 

Maymay first shared the photo of her boyfriend on Instagram during Valentine’s Day.

 

"Happy Birthday my Valentino," she wrote.

 

She also called out a YouTube channel for saying that her relationship with her boyfriend is fake.

 

She warned to sue the uploader if the video would not be deleted.

 

“FAKE NEWS!! Kapag di nyo po buburahin at patuloy nyo pong pag s-spread ng false information para manira ng buhay ng ibang tao, 'wag nyo na po sanang hintayin na aabot tayo sa husgado. Maraming salamat po,” Maymay wrote.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES MAR 19

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Bucks44-27       28        28        26        37        119

 

Timberwolves42-30       34        34        38        32        138

 

TARGET CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            K. Middleton MIL

 

15 PTS 7 REB 5 AST

 

            A. Edwards MIN

 

25 PTS 5 REB 4 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Mavericks43-28 24        28        28        28        108

 

Hornets36-35    35        26        41        27        129

 

SPECTRUM CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

L. Doncic DAL

 

37 PTS 4 REB 3 AST

 

M. Bridges CHA

 

23 PTS 8 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Pistons19-52     27        33        21        28        109

 

Cavaliers41-30  28        27        27        31        113

 

ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            J. Grant DET

 

40 PTS 2 REB 1 AST

 

            D. Garland CLE

 

24 PTS 1 REB 12 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Lakers30-41      36        31        32        20        119

 

Wizards30-40    26        32        35        34        127

 

CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

L. James LAL

 

38 PTS 10 REB 6 AST

 

K. Porzingis WAS

 

27 PTS 3 REB 5 AST

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone. - Hans F. Hansen