CONGRESS TO CANVASS VOTES FOR PRESIDENT, VP TODAY

MANILA — The Senate and House of Representatives are set to resume session today, more than three months after the national campaign period began and two weeks after the national and local elections.

As mandated in the 1987 Constitution, both houses of Congress will also hold a joint session at the House plenary hall for purposes of convening itself as a National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) that will tabulate the votes for the winning president and vice president in the May 9 polls.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the canvassing will start tomorrow unless the Supreme Court (SC) issues a temporary restraining order (TRO) following a petition filed against the canvassing of votes and proclamation of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The House leader, along with outgoing Senate President Tito Sotto, also revealed that the proclamation for the two winners will most likely be done either this Friday, May 27 or Saturday, May 28, well before Congress adjourns sine die on June 3.

House secretary general Mark Llandro Mendoza said the canvassing will start on May 24 and last until May 27 where the winning presidential candidates in the recent May 9 elections might be proclaimed.

Mendoza discussed the issues with his Senate counterpart, Myra Marie Villarica.

Among the issues discussed earlier was the transfer of ballot boxes containing the certificates of canvass and election returns from the Senate to the House on May 23.

It was agreed upon that the consolidation and canvassing system machine would be transferred from the House Legislative-Executive Lounge to the Plenary Hall on May 24 before the joint session.

Mendoza said on May 24, the canvassing will begin at 2 p.m. while from May 25 to 27, the canvassing is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Under Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, the Senate President should open all the certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House in a joint public session not later than 30 days after election day.

AT LEAST 7 KILLED IN QUEZON FERRY FIRE

MANILA — At least 7 people died while 105 were rescued when a ferry caught fire near the coast of Real, Quezon early Monday, officials said.

The blaze ripped through the Mercraft 2 as it carried 124 passengers from Polillo Island to Real in Quezon province at around 6 a.m.

Among those who were killed were 5 women and 2 men, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a latest advisory. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

According to PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilio, the ferry was approximately 500 yards from the port of Real when the fire broke out.

Photos of the incident showed passengers holding on to floating objects while the blaze engulfed the ferry, from which thick black smoke billowed. Another vessel also immediately came to rescue panicked passengers who leapt into water.

At least 6 passengers have been brought to hospital, Balilio earlier said.

"Ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay tuloy po 'yung rescue operations hanggang ma-account natin lahat ng pasahero," he told TeleRadyo.

The ferry left the port of Polilio Island at 5 a.m. with 124 passengers listed on the manifest.

At least 40 passengers were plucked to safety by a passing ferry when the fire broke out.

"Nakita ko ang isang malaking usok na nanggagaling sa kaniya," said Captain Brunette Azagra of MV Au Calucin, a passenger vessel that was 500 meters from the Mercraft when the fire broke out.

"Sumunod ay ang paglaki ng apoy at ang sumunod kong nakita ay ang pagtatalunan ng mga pasahero," he told TeleRadyo.

Azagra said they have also found 2 people dead.

The cause of the blaze was still unclear.

MARCOS MUST FIND NEW SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS: LAWMAKER

MANILA - Presidential frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. must find a new source of funds for his economic stimulus package as he cannot rely on the 2022 national budget, a lawmaker said Monday.

Ninety-percent of the national budget has been released to agencies, including the budget for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, said Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman.

The House of Representatives is eyeing postponing the upcoming local polls in December to save funds for the stimulus bill, according to Marcos' cousin Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

"I am informed this has also been comprehensively released to the Comelec. We have to check with Comelec how much has been spent so far in the preparation of the village and youth elections," Lagman told ANC's Headstart.

"The democratic process in the village and youth elections should not be compromised. There is also a need to give a new mandate to overstaying barangay captains and overaged youth leaders."

However, there are "some assets of government that can be disposed of," the lawmaker said.

"I used to say the military corps camps should also be disposed and that can amount to more than a billion... The state colleges and universities have so many unused lands which can be disposed of by the government," he said.

"Possibly if lenders would be willing to lend the new administration, we can have some foreign grants and loans to be sourced. Definitely, the 2022 budget will not give any relief to the new administration, including the Comelec fund of P8.4 billion," he said.

BOYING REMULLA TAPPED AS NEXT JUSTICE SECRETARY

MANILA - Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla on Monday confirmed that he has been tapped as the next Justice Secretary of presumptive President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"I’ve accepted it. It’s an honor… It’s a very rare opportunity given to lawyers like us," Remulla told reporters in a virtual interview.

"Marami kaming naging conversation ni incoming President Marcos during the campaign… At that time, I had no idea I was being considered… The other specific things, we will talk about it later kasi maraming mali sa ating Justice system na dapat itama natin, iwasto natin," he added.

"Kaya nagkakaroon ng problema sa bayan, kaya nagkakaroon ng pag-aalsa, hindi naman dahil sa poverty but because of injustice."

Asked if his appointment is linked to the 1.12 million votes Cavite delivered for Marcos, he said: "I don’t know. I didn’t apply for it. I was called for it."

"Tumakbo ako para maglingkod bilang representante, pero kapag tinawag ka ng pangulo, paano ka tatanggi kung ang iyong bayan ay maraming problema na puwede mong matulungan na iayos?" he said.

"Do your duty as a citizen. We have to make our nation-state a better nation-state."

Remulla said he has enjoyed a close relationship with Marcos Jr. since 2007, when they were both members of the House of Representatives.

"Marami na kaming pinagsamahan in the past. We were together from 2007 to 2010 in the House... We would always have conversations talaga," he said.

"I had 2 or 3 chances to travel with him... Parang he was hinting to me already, kahit wala pa yung boto, na he wanted me there."

US CDC OPENS NEW COUNTRY OFFICE IN PHILIPPINES

MANILA — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) opened this month a new country office in the Philippines to advance increased health security in Asia, the US Embassy in Manila said.

Through its new office in Manila, the CDC will strengthen and expand its existing cooperation with the Department of Health to prevent and control diseases, and strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response. The CDC is the public health agency of the United States.

“With the opening of the US CDC Philippines country office, we are further reinforcing the long-standing health and human services partnership between our two countries and our work together to build a healthier world,” said Loyce Pace, assistance secretary for global affairs of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Dr. Romel Lacson will serve as the CDC’s first country director for the Philippines. He will implement CDC-supported health programs and lead the agency’s peer-to-peer relationship with the DOH.

“In this new era, partnership is more essential than ever. We must be willing to take on challenges together and create opportunities together. This is why the launch of this office and our work together is so important,” Lacson said.

The CDC will also provide the DOH with technical assistance and support services to intensify the country’s HIV and tuberculosis prevention, treatment and care efforts, and to slow the twin epidemics. In the last four years, the Philippines experienced the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Southeast Asia/Pacific region, with a sevenfold increase in newly-diagnosed cases from 2010 to 2018.

The DOH and the HHS also signed a memorandum of understanding on increasing collaboration between the Philippines and the US on public health emergency and response, prevention and control of vaccine-preventable and communicable disease, and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

The DOH is pushing for the creation of the country’s own CDC, which will be tasked to develop and maintain an integrated surveillance system of diseases, injuries, and disabilities.

COMELEC EYES CHARGES OVER DUMPING OF TRAINING BALLOTS

MANILA – The Commission on Elections said it is eyeing the filing of charges against those involved in the dumping of training ballots at a site in Amadeo, Cavite.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia had said on Sunday that the training ballots were used for the training of teachers as well as final testing and sealing process ahead of the actual voting day. Training ballots used by teachers during their preparation are not collected by the Comelec anymore.

Envelopes used during the election day were also found among the training ballots in Cavite, he said.

Garcia said the trash seems to have been mistakenly picked up by employees of logistics provider F2 Logistics when they picked up the vote-counting machines after the polls.

The official said they are investigating how the ballots ended up in Cavite, when the vote-counting machines were headed for Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“’Yan po yung hinihintay namin na report mula po sa F2 Logistics at kinakilangan nilang maipaliwanag sa amin. In fact po, may picture din kami ng mismong, yung mismong mga nagbuhat na taga-F2 atsaka yung guwardiya nung mismong kinukuha nila yan dyan sa Rizal Elementary School sa Tondo Manila,” he said.

Garcia said they are now investigating the chain of custody or those who handled the transport of the ballots.

“Dito po yung chain of custody, kahit pa sinabi mong basura na ito…’yan po ay dapat i-account ng mga taong involved sa pagha-handle at paghahawak ng mga gamit na ‘yan,” he told TeleRadyo.

“Kahit po yung mismong kumolekta at yung mismong nagdala doon sa Cavite titingnan po natin ang liability kasi po, yung mga ganyang klaseng mga pagkakataon, at pangyayari, ‘yan po’y magki-create na naman ng duda, na bakit may ganito, may ganyan,” he explained.

“Definitely po fafile-an po namin ng kaso kung talagang may liability ang sinuman na in charge dyan sa tinatawag na chain of custody.”

Garcia also assured the public that all ballots used during the election were properly accounted for.

“Lahat po ng mga balota na ginamit nung araw ng eleksyon, original ballots especially yung mga nahulog sa machine at nasa loob ng ballot box, fully accounted po, mula sa City Treasurer’s Office ng Maynila, wala pong nawawala, wala pong kulang, walang sobra whatsoever, eksakto pong nareceive ng City Treasurer’s Office ng Manila.”

DOST ENDS STUDY OF IVERMECTIN FOR COVID-19: CHIEF

MANILA - The Department of Science and Technology has scrapped its clinical trial on the use of antiparasitic drug ivermectin for COVID-19, its chief said Monday.

The study found it difficult to get ethics clearance and the Department of Health has decided to use the nearly P48-million fund on other matters, said DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.

"Ang pinakafinal decision namin ang recommendation ng Department of Health kasi sila rin naman ang nagrekomenda ng trials. Sila rin naman ang nagrecommend na itiigil ang trials at isave na lang ang almost P48 million for other purposes," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

There was also no new information available internationally on ivermectin, Dela Peña said.

"Ang grupo na binuo for our trial ay member din ng international network at 'yun nga ang kanilang sinasabi, wala pang dumadating na anything that is clear na may benefits sa ivermectin," he said.

Few patients were able to participate, while suppliers of ivermectin refused to join the study when they were informed of its purpose, Dela Peña said.

"Nahirapan kami kumuha ng supplier ng gamot. 'Pag nalaman nilang gagamitin sa trial ay umaatras sila. Natatakot siguro sila ang effect ay makasira ang market," he said.

THE REST

========

PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS 191 NEW COVID-19 CASES, NO NEW DEATHS

MANILA - The Philippines recorded 191 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, data from the Department of Health showed.

The number of active cases is 2,252. Of the fresh infections, 55 are from Metro Manila.

The country's total cases has climbed to 3,688,941.

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.

Data from the Department of Health showed the number of deaths at 60,455, with no new death recorded Sunday. The total recoveries also reached 3,626,234.

3,335 GUN BAN VIOLATORS ARRESTED

MANILA — The number of people arrested for violating the election gun ban has reached 3,335.

In a report released yesterday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said 3,127 law enforcement operations have been conducted since the gun ban was implemented on Jan. 9.

The PNP said 3,201 are civilians, 61 security guards, 25 police personnel, 22 military personnel and 26 from other sectors.

The PNP said 1,197 of those arrested are from Metro Manila, 362 in Calabarzon, 342 in Central Visayas, 306 in Central Luzon and 195 in Western Visayas.

Among those apprehended on Thursday was tricycle driver Danilo de Guzman, 65, in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

Police have seized 2,585 firearms, 1,069 bladed weapons, 133 explosives and 16,330 bullets.

The gun ban will be implemented until the end of the election period on June 8.

COMELEC READY FOR LANAO DEL SUR SPECIAL POLLS

MANILA — Two days before the holding of the special elections in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given assurance that the situation in the town’s 12 barangays is under control.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia yesterday said the poll body’s partners – the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – have been securing the area to ensure peaceful and orderly elections tomorrow.

“So far, the situation in the area is controlled. We will ensure that the people would vote in the precincts,” Garcia said. “The AFP, PNP and PCG, all these forces were there since last week.”

The special elections will be conducted tomorrow in the villages of Baguiangun, Datumanong, Gadongan, Guiarong, Metadicop, Malaganding, Mindamunag, Pagalamatan, Paigoday-pimbataan, Riantaran, Tangcal and Wago.

Of the province’s 685,643 registered voters, 11,557 are from the town proper of Tubaran and only 6,921 are from the 12 barangays.

“For these special elections, we brought contingency paraphernalia just in case, and these included vote counting machines,” the Comelec said.

DOLOMITE BEACH REOPENING MOVED TO JUNE 3

MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has moved the reopening of the Manila Baywalk dolomite beach from May 20 to June 3.

Environment Undersecretary for policy, planning and international affairs Jonas Leones said last week they postponed the reopening of the dolomite beach for two more weeks as some infrastructure in the area have yet to be finished.

“We are still ironing out some matters such as the budget for the maintenance of the area,” Leones said. “The crushed dolomite has the tendency to harden after some time so kailangan din ayusin paminsan-minsan.”

The DENR still needs to conduct a cleanup near the US embassy in Manila, he said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'KILIG': CATRIONA GIDDY OVER FINALLY SHARING STAGE WITH BOYFRIEND SAM MILBY

MANILA – Catriona Gray felt giddy to share photos of her and her boyfriend, actor Sam Milby, after holding a show in Calgary, Canada.

On Instagram, Gray said it felt nice to finally share the stage with Milby since they got together.

“Kilig to be sharing the stage for the first time with panda @samuelmilby for our #OneMagicalNightTour. Calgary your energy was something else,” she said.

After staging a show in Calgary, the couple will be heading to Edmonton for the third leg of their Canadian tour.

Joining Gray and Milby in their concert tour are Rayver Cruz and Marcelito Pomoy.

The "One Magical Night 2022 Canada Tour" have three legs: first in Vancouver last May 20, in Calgary on May 21, and in Edmonton on May 22.

It is Gray and Milby's first stage collaboration since confirming their romance.

Aside from being a beauty queen, Gray is a music graduate who has released a number of singles since her Miss Universe win, including her advocacy song “We’re In This Together.”

Milby, dubbed local showbiz’s “Rockoustic Heartthrob,” has four albums to his name, with hits like “Hindi Kita Iiwan” and “Only You.”

SPORTS

NBA SCORES MAY 21

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

1 Heat2-1         39        23        25        22        109

2 Celtics1-2       18        29        25        31        103

GAME 3: MIA LEADS 2-1, TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA

SCORING LEADERS

B. Adebayo MIA

31 PTS 10 REB 6 AST

J. Brown BOS

40 PTS 9 REB 1 AST

SEA GAMES: PHILIPPINES LANDS 4TH OVERALL, AS HOST VIETNAM DOMINATES

Despite stop-and-go preparations in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino athletes finished the 31st Southeast Asian Games with one of their most productive showings away from their home country.

Thanks to the Gilas women’s basketball squad and a late push by boxers Ian Clark Bautista, Rogen Ladon, and Olympic medalist Eumir Marcial, the country scooped up four more gold medals on Sunday to end up with 51 gold medals and more than 200 overall in these Games.

Late on Sunday, a Muay Thai gold medal was credited to the Philippines after organizers sided with the sport’s national federation protesting the result of the 57kg men’s event.

Phillip Delarmino was thus awarded first place – the country’s 52nd gold overall – while Vietnam’s Nguyen Doan Long was relegated to runner-up.

As far as collecting mints goes, that’s good for fourth place overall, behind host Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, which finished in that order.

Singapore and Malaysia round out the Top 6.

Since the 2003 Games held also in Vietnam – when the event expanded to 11 countries with the inclusion of Timor Leste – this is the best result by the Philippines in a SEA Games that it did not host.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future, making it predictable and reliable to the extent that this is humanly possible. - Hannah Arendt