DUTERTE, ROBREDO PAY TRIBUTE TO FILIPINO WORKERS ON LABOR DAY

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday gave tributes to Filipino workers in celebration of Labor Day.

In separate statements, both Duterte and Robredo recognize the worker's major role in shaping Philippine society.

"Our people have been known worldwide for the great passion, integrity and professionalism they demonstrate in everything that they do. These qualities have not only brought economic gains to our country, but have also been a source of immense pride and encouragement among our people," Duterte said.

"In this day, we are given the chance to celebrate all the triumphs and progress that the labor movement has accomplished over the years. We are likewise reminded to overcome the challenges by recognizing the rights of our workers and reassessing the systems that may hinder their growth and development," he added.

Duterte said that in the remaining days of his term, his administration will "remain committed to providing people with opportunities they need to realize their full potential."

Robredo, for her part, said that the Filipino worker's dignity does not only depend on their ability to make ends meet daily.

"Alalahanin natin na sinumang naghahanapbuhay nang buong puso at katapatan ay nakaambag hindi lang sa ekonomiya, kundi pati sa pag abot ng mga pangarap, pagpapatibay ng kapayapaan at katatagan sa mga komunidad, at pagpapalakas ng mga nasa laylayan," she said.

"Sa pagdiriwang natin sa ating mga manggagawa, sabay-sabay tayong humakbang patungo sa isang mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Malaya sa gutom, karahasan, at katiwalian; walang Pilipinong naiiwan," she said.

Supporters of Robredo held a "people's rally" at the Araneta Coliseum both in celebration of Labor Day and in support of her presidential bid.

COMELEC SAYS NO MORE HOURS-LONG GLITCHES IN UPCOMING POLLS

MANILA - The Commission on Election said Monday it "can guarantee" that there will be no more hours-long glitches in the upcoming elections.

The 7-hour glitch in the 2019 midterm elections was caused by a bottleneck in incoming data from several precincts, according to Comelec commissioner George Garcia.

"We can guarantee, and there's a guarantee from our steering committee head Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, that indeed this 7-hour glitch will no longer happen," he told ANC's Headstart.

"We were able to determine the reason. 'Yung transparency servers, sa Tagalog po natin, nabulunan sa sobrang daming pumapasok na data."

The Comelec had also presented to the media the transparency servers which will be live-streamed beginning Monday, Garcia said.

The official canvass of the presidential and vice-presidential race will begin on May 23 when Congress resumes its session, according to the Comelec commissioner.

The poll body could proclaim mayors as early as May 9, while winning governors, vice governors and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan could be known by May 10, Garcia said.

The Comelec can canvas results of partylists, congressmen, and senators on May 16 at the latest, Garcia added.

ON LABOR DAY, WORKERS' GROUPS LAMENT 'DISCRIMINATORY, INADEQUATE' MINIMUM WAGE

MANILA — The prevailing minimum wages in the Philippines are not enough to provide Filipino families with decent meals and are discriminatory, labor groups said Sunday as the country marked Labor Day.

In an interview with ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, the Federation of Free Workers said it supported proposals for the implementation of a P750 national minimum wage, describing the current system — where the base pay varies per region — as discriminatory.

"'Yong pong panukalang batas na magdadagdag ng minimum wage, gagawing P750 [sa buong Pilipinas] suportado po namin 'yan," said FFW Vice President for Media Affairs Julius Cainglet.

The FFW is backing the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo, whom Cainglet said acknowledges the inequity of the differing minimum wages per region.

"Ang malinaw, may pagkilala siya na may diskriminasyon sa mga sahod kasi, halimbawa, karpintero ka sa Maynila at karpintero ka sa Tarlac. Dahil taga-Maynila ka, makakakuha ka ng P600 pero dahil taga-Tarlac ka, mas maliit," Cainglet said.

The current daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is P537.

"Parehong trabaho ang ginawa natin sa parehong oras na ginugol... Yet, just because of where we live... mag-iiba ang sahod," said Cainglet, adding that the scheme should be "corrected" and "made equal."

Since March, labor groups have been filing petitions to hike the minimum wages in the country amid the increase in prices of basic goods.

The FFW has filed petitions in various wage boards for hikes ranging from P75 to P100, said Cainglet.

On Sunday, FFW and other labor groups supporting Robredo — such as NAGKAISA Labor Coalition and Sentro — are set to hold a rally in Quezon City to commemorate Labor Day.

The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) is also calling on the government to increase the minimum wages, which it said are below the poverty threshold.

DUTERTE WANTS PHILHEALTH CHIEF BACK IN NBI

MANILA — President Duterte has asked Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) chief Dante Gierran to return to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Gierran, a lawyer and a certified public accountant, was the first NBI chief under the Duterte administration.

“Gierran used to be the NBI chief. Go back there... I am sure you will be replaced,” Duterte said.

“There are intramurals in your PhilHealth. If I were you, I’d go back to the NBI and work like hell to fight drugs and COVID included,” he said in Filipino.

It was, however, unclear if Duterte was serious when he said he wanted Gierran to return to the NBI.

Gierran stepped down from the bureau in February 2020 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.

SHIPPING INDUSTRY PUSHES TO RESCUE REMAINING SEAFARERS TRAPPED IN UKRAINE

LONDON— Just under 500 seafarers remain stuck onboard 109 ships at Ukrainian ports – skeleton crews who were left on board to enable their crew mates to be evacuated amid the conflict with Russia, shipping officials said on Friday.

Those remaining should be allowed safe passage out too, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) association said.

Two seafarers have been killed and six merchant vessels have been hit by projectiles – which sank two of them – around Ukraine’s coast since the start of Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24.

Ships and crews also face multiple perils such as floating mines.

Around 1,500 merchant sailors have been safely evacuated from stranded vessels via humanitarian corridors on land and at sea over the past six weeks, according to data gathered by the ICS in conjunction with UN shipping agency the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Referring to skeleton crews left behind, Natalie Shaw of the ICS said “the escape route out of ‘the apocalypse’ must be open to these seafarers as well”.

Separately, the IMO said its maritime safety committee had adopted a resolution this week “to take necessary immediate actions” in setting up a safe maritime corridor in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to enable the stranded ships to sail “without threat of attack”.

The biggest cluster of vessels that have been unable to sail – some 25 ships – are stranded in the port city of Mykolaiv.

Five ships are stuck at the port of Mariupol, which has seen some of the worst destruction in the war.

The ICS data pinpointed the location of 99 vessels, with the remaining 10 unaccounted for as their tracking transponders were switched off.

Most of the 109 stranded vessels were either bulk carriers or general cargo vessels and other ships include oil tankers, the ICS data showed.

PEOPLE WITH COVID SYMPTOMS CAN VOTE AT ISOLATION POLLING PRECINCTS: COMELEC

MANILA - Persons who turn out to have COVID-19 symptoms on May 9 can still vote at isolation polling precincts, the Commission on Elections said Monday.

Active voters with face masks may vote on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to Comelec commissioner George Garcia.

The temperature of voters will be checked at the entrance of the school or poll precinct and if they exhibit symptoms or a high temperature, they will be directed to vote in an isolated polling precinct, Garcia said.

"Di po kailangan ng RT-PCR, rapid antigen test. Di po kailangan ng vaccination card. Kahit wala pong face shield. Face mask lang po okay na," he told ANC's Headstart.

"Instead of them voting in the regular precinct, they'll be voting in isolation voting precincts," he added when asked about voters with virus symptoms.

"We cannot bring the ballots to them. For whatever reason nakalabas sila, then we will allow them to vote, we have no choice. It’s their constitutional right," he said.

ANOTHER WITNESS RETRACTS DRUG ACCUSATIONS VS DE LIMA

MANILA — A former National Bureau of Investigation official and a key witness against detained Sen. Leila de Lima has retracted his allegations against the senator and has accused former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II of coercing him.

Rafael Ragos, former deputy director for intelligence of the NBI and officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Corrections, executed an affidavit on Saturday, belying his previous claims that he personally delivered P5 million to Ronnie Dayan, De Lima’s then-bodyguard, at her residence in Parañaque City in November and December 2012.

De Lima was Justice secretary at that time and the money was supposedly for the 2013 elections. She did not, however, run for senator in 2013.

“I now hereby declare and make known to the whole world that there is no truth whatsoever to any of these affidavits or House and court testimonies, or any other statement made in the media or other investigatory proceedings, including the Senate and the DOJ, on the delivery of monies to Sec. Leila De Lima or Ronnie Dayan in whatever amount,” he said.

Based on his earlier affidavits and testimonies, Ragos claimed the money he supposedly delivered to De Lima allegedly came from an unknown caller whom he would subsequently name as convicted drug lord Peter Co.

Another Bilibid inmate, Hans Tan, supposedly told him it was De Lima’s share in the drug trade.

But in his affidavit Saturday, Ragos said none of these happened.

"As far as I know and based on my professional relationship with Secretary de Lima, she is incapable of doing anything illegal, much less engage in the illegal drug trade or accept money from Bilibid inmates," his affidavit read.

ISKO MORENO SAYS STILL HOPING FOR INC ENDORSEMENT

MANILA— Manila City Mayor and presidential hopeful Isko Moreno said he is still gunning for the endorsement of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, saying the block-voting religious group will definitely boost his bid to become the next president of the country.

"Every vote of yours is important... Every single vote when you add up is a lot. So, all kinds of help is needed,” Moreno told reporters in Filipino in a chance interview in Lingayen, Pangasinan when asked about whether he was still hoping for the endorsement of the powerful church group.

Asked if any of the INC leadership already talked to him and the Aksyon Demokratiko candidates, Moreno responded in the negative, adding that it's the candidate who should be approaching the church leaders.

“No, we go there. For me, as a matter of fact, I always ask for the help of Iglesia ni Kristo. I always write. I ask for the help of our brethren in the Church, the general manager. Everyone I ask for help because I need help. But for now, let's work together. What is our common denominator first,” Moreno pointed out.

He added that "usually they don't answer, they will tell you when."

BSP SAYS CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY 'EXPERIMENTAL', NOT YET FULL-BLOWN

MANILA - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Monday said its central bank digital currency (CBDC) project would be an "experiment" and not yet a full-blown implementation.

In an interview with ANC, Diokno also clarified that, unlike cryptocurrency assets, CBDCs are issued by the central banks.

During the pilot, set to begin in the fourth quarter, the BSP will test the use of CBDCs for wholesale transactions with select banks limited to the Philippines.

"We are going to do this on an experimental basis which will start in the fourth quarter of this year. We will experiment with some large financial institutions limited in the Philippines," Diokno said.

"We need to learn to walk before we run so that’s the purpose of this pilot, not a full-blown implementation of CBDC," he added.

During the pilot, the BSP will consult with its peers to assess the impact of CBDCs, Diokno said.

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PHILIPPINES LOGS 253 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 56 NEW DEATHS

MANILA - The Philippines recorded 253 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, data from the Department of Health showed.

The number of active cases is 5,967, the lowest in more than two years, or since April 24, 2020, according to ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido.

Of the fresh infections, 96 are from Metro Manila.

The country's total cases has climbed to 3,685,895. The first confirmed coronavirus infection in the Philippines was reported on January 30, 2020, involving a Chinese woman who arrived from Wuhan City, China were the disease is believed to have first emerged.

The Department of Health logged 56 new deaths due to the disease, raising the total to 60,397.

The DOH said Monday that the country recorded over 1,400 new COVID-19 infections from April 18 to 24, or around 209 average daily cases.

This is 12 percent lower compared to the previous week.

EIGHT PEOPLE KILLED IN UP DILIMAN FIRE

MANILA - Eight people died, including six children, when a fire ripped through a poor community inside the University of the Philippines Diliman campus on Monday and destroyed 80 houses, a fire official said.

Another three people were injured in the blaze which started around 5:00 am (2100 GMT) on the second floor of a house in a crowded, informal settlement at UP Village a inside the sprawling campus of the University of the Philippines.

It took nearly two hours to extinguish the inferno, Senior Fire Officer Greg Bichayda told AFP.

An investigation into the cause was under way.

EID’L FITR HOLIDAY ON MAY 3, PALACE ANNOUNCES

MANILA — Eid’l Fitr will be observed as national holiday on Tuesday, May 3, Malacañang announced Sunday night.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in an advisory sent to the media, said that the declaration of the May 3 holiday will soon be made.

No memorandum was immediately made available as the Muslim community, schools, businesses and the workforce awaited the announcement.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, in a letter to the Office of the President dated April 18, recommended that the Eid’l Fitr holiday be set on May 3. The office received it the next day, April 19, but no declaration was made in the days that followed.

The Muslim commission and the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta earlier agreed to recommend May 3 as the date of Eid'l Fitr to be announced as a national holiday, with the 30th day of Ramadan falling on May 2

180,000 DRIVERS GET FUEL SUBSIDY

MANILA — At least 180,000 beneficiaries of the government’s fuel subsidy program for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators have received cash assistance, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said over the weekend.

The number represents around 68.18 percent of the 264,000 PUV drivers and operators who qualified for the program, which aims to ease the burden of those in the public transport sector due to rising prices of fuel and basic commodities.

“We hope to finish the distribution of cash aid by the second week of May,” LTFRB executive director Ma. Kristina Cassion said in an interview on dzBB.

Each beneficiary is entitled to receive P6,500 in fuel subsidy.

Cassion said the fuel subsidies for about 27,777 delivery riders are also being processed by the LTFRB.

The agency earlier suspended the fuel subsidy payout due to the election ban on public spending.

The transport regulator resumed the cash payout after the LTFRB got clearanace from the Commission on Elections.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SHARON SPEAKS ON FRIENDSHIP WITH BONGBONG, SARA BUT URGES VOTERS TO ELECT LENI-KIKO

MANILA – Sharon Cuneta became emotional as she spoke about her friendship with presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. even as she urged voters to elect his chief rival Vice President Leni Robredo to the presidency.

During the campaign rally of her husband, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and Robredo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Thursday night, Cuneta talked about Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio, both of whom are now her husband’s political rivals.

“Among the Marcos children, I would consider Bongbong the closest I had become to. Si BBM hindi ko iniwan. Hindi ko siya iniwan that whole time. Hindi nangangahulugang agree ako sa mga nalaman ko na unti-unti namulat ang mata ko dahil kilala ko ang pamilya personally. Hindi naman ganoong ka-close. Pero kilala ko sila… I did not leave Bongbong during all those years after People Power. He was my friend,” she said.

As for Duterte, Cuneta disclosed: “I met Sara when she was nine years old. Ever since she was nine years old, she has been a Sharonian. And Sara has been like my sister… Sara is my friend. She was like my sister. I hope after elections… I hope we can still be friends.”

Cuneta said she considered President Duterte her “Tatay” but she became disillusioned after one of the President’s speeches.

“When Tatay … once I saw on Youtube … he said who is this stupid God? Para akong binuhusan nang kumukulong tubig at me-yelong tubig ng sabay. Kasi kapag Diyos na ang kinalaban mo, sino pa ang Diyos mo?”

Cuneta stated that she does not want to make this mistake again.

She also made an appeal to parents who are voting in the coming elections.

“Do you want your children, your grandchildren and your grandchildren’s children and so on and so forth – all the generations to come, to say, ‘My lola or my mother or my father or my lolo voted for the right leaders when they could?’”

Cuneta also told the audience that there was still time to convince other voters to “find the truth.”

“You’re young, you’re smart, you’re woke, you know fake news, you know what’s real. You know how to find out the truth. It is so easy in this day and age. Do your research. Convince those na hindi pa namumulat ang mata na ito dapat ang gobyerno natin. Ipaglaban natin ito.”

Cuneta also declared her husband was the only one who can serve the Filipino people with Robredo completely and wholeheartedly with the same dreams and goals.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

As you get older, you either get better at telling yourself the truth or at lying to yourself. - Dale Moffitt