MARCOS GIVEN MORE TIME TO PREPARE FOR FORFEITURE CASE

MANILA — More time and a new chance have been given to President Marcos to defend himself in the civil forfeiture case being tried by the Sandiganbayan since 1987 over his family’s supposed ill-gotten wealth.

Marcos’ legal counsel, Manuel Plaza, said that the anti-graft court’s Second Division granted yesterday their motion to defer the start of the presentation of evidence to give them additional time to prepare for their defense.

Plaza pointed out that it was just about two weeks ago when their camp was notified of the Sandiganbayan’s resolution giving Marcos, his mother former first lady Imelda Marcos, and sisters Sen. Imee Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta, another chance to present their counter-evidence.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), represented in court by the Office of the Solicitor General, earlier moved to declare that the Marcoses “have waived their right to present evidence” on account of their failure to attend the hearing on Aug. 13, 2019, the date originally set for initial presentation of their defense.

In its resolution last June 22, the Sandiganbayan denied the PCGG’s motion, pointing out that the court cannot be too rigid with rules and technicalities if the issues involved “are impressed with serious national and public interest.”

At yesterday’s hearing, Plaza asked for a period of 60 days to prepare for the case but Second Division chairman Oscar Herrera said the period was too long.

“We assume you studied it already. Because your entry [in this case] was as early as 2020,” Herrera said.

Plaza replied that the records he had in his office “seem to be incomplete.”

“What we know, so far, are bits and pieces furnished to us by the court or the parties,” he added.

The Second Division, nonetheless, gave Marcos’ legal team about a month to prepare his defense.

The court set on Aug. 4 the pre-marking of the evidence that Marcos intends to present. A pre-trial conference was set on Aug. 5, when Plaza is expected to submit his final list of pre-marked evidence and pre-identified witnesses.

Pre-marking and pre-trial proceedings are usually done before the start of the trial proper.

Asked if Marcos will be attending the succeeding hearings for his and his family’s presentation of evidence, Plaza said: “We will have to check the rules, as you know, our client is the President. So, he has other matters to attend to. We will consult with the court.”

MARCOS MEETS ENERGY EXECS

MANILA — While vetting for his energy chief continues, President Marcos has met with department officials at Malacañang as various sectors call on his administration to mitigate the impact of successive oil price hikes.

“Sa pandaigdigang krisis ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, isa sa magiging mahalagang kasama natin sa pagtugon ay ang Kagawaran ng Enerhiya (As the world faces a crisis caused by rising oil prices, one of our important partners in responding to it is the Department of Energy),”Marcos said yesterday in a tweet.

“Masusing tinalakay ang ating mga susunod na hakbang at ang magiging direksyon ng departamento (Our next steps and the direction of the department were thoroughly discussed),” he added.

Malacañang has yet to issue a statement on the meeting.

DOLE AIMS TO REVISIT LABOR CODE, CRAFTING PLAN FOR MARCOS' TERM: CHIEF

MANILA - The Department of Labor and Employment aims to revisit the Labor Code and is crafting its plans for the duration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos' term, its chief said Friday.

There are "piecemeal amendments" in the Labor Code that do not match other provisions, according to Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

"'Di pwede na iba ang sinasabi dito (These cannot state different things)…that can be a source of friction between labor and management," he told ANC's Headstart.

"The other one which can be immediate is we are now reviewing issuances na…nagreresult ng confusion (are issuances that result in confusion) and we’ll try to simplify this for the benefit especially of our ordinary workers."

The DOLE is also "in the process of crafting a labor and employment" for the duration of Marcos' term, Laguesma said.

"There will be deliverables also but we have not fixed this. The labor and employment plan will have to be subject to consultations, dialogues with the affected sectors, labor and employer and other sectors who ight be interested," he said.

"Part of that will be engaging international organization like the International Labor Organization."

UK PM JOHNSON QUITS AFTER CABINET BLOODBATH

LONDON, United Kingdom — Boris Johnson resigned on Thursday as leader of Britain's Conservative party, triggering a prolonged race to succeed the scandal-dogged premier after an extraordinary exodus of ministers from his government.

Johnson acknowledged it was "clearly the will of the parliamentary Conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party, and therefore a new prime minister".

In a six-minute speech outside 10 Downing Street that was devoid of contrition for the many missteps that brought him down, he said he would stay on until his successor is found.

But calls built for Johnson to leave immediately, and for an acting leader to head the world's fifth-largest economy.

Conservative John Major, who was prime minister from 1990 to 1997, said Johnson's extended tenure -- and the vast powers that still go with it -- was "unwise and may be unsustainable".

The leadership election is expected to take place over the coming months. The victor will replace Johnson by the party's annual conference in early October.

But polling suggested most Britons favour his rapid exit, amid claims that Johnson is only hanging on to enjoy a wedding party with wife Carrie at his government-funded country retreat.

Johnson's tumultuous three years in office were defined by Brexit, the Covid pandemic and non-stop controversy about his reputation for mendacity.

EX-JAPAN PM ABE FEARED DEAD AFTER APPARENT SHOOTING: LOCAL MEDIA

TOKYO — Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was feared dead on Friday after apparently being shot at a campaign event in the Nara region, local media reported.

National broadcaster NHK said a man in his 40s had been arrested for attempted murder and a gun had been confiscated from him, citing police sources.

The former leader had been delivering a stump speech at an event ahead of Sunday's upper house elections when the apparent sound of gunshots was heard, NHK and the Kyodo news agency said.

"He was giving a speech and a man came from behind," a young woman at the scene told NHK.

"The first shot sounded like a toy. He didn't fall and there was a large bang. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke," she added.

"After the second shot, people surrounded him and gave him cardiac massage."

Abe, 67, collapsed and was bleeding from the neck, a source from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party told the Jiji news agency.

Neither the LDP nor local police were able to immediately confirm the reports.

NHK and Kyodo both reported Abe was taken to hospital and appeared to be in cardo-respiratory arrest -- a term used in Japan indicating no vital signs, and generally preceding a formal certification of death by a coroner.

TOLENTINO EYES RULE CHANGE ON BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE RESOURCE PERSONS

MANILA – Senator Francis Tolentino, who is expected to lead the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in the 19th Congress, is eyeing some changes to the panel’s rules, he told TeleRadyo Friday.

The lawmaker said he wants to change some rules with regards to who is allowed to testify in the body’s hearings.

“Meron po tayong binago sa rules, ito po yung…preliminary determination. Ibig sabihin po bago po isalang nang full blast, eh magkakaroon ng maliit na committee para i-determine kung meron bang substantial likelihood na dapat magproceed, merong probable cause, etc. etc.,” he said.

He stressed, however, that the committee will continue to respect the rights of its resource persons.

Tolentino also said he wants the committee to issue a referral to prosecute anyone found to have potentially broken the law in the course of their investigations in aid of legislation.

“Magkakaroon po ngayon ng referral to prosecute. Pag pinirmahan po ng chairman ng committee ng blue ribbon at inaprubahan ng Senate president, diretso na po sa husgado na po yun. Tuloy-tuloy na po yun sa husgado so mabilis po yung proseso.”

The senator said he wants the panel to have a general counsel to help with this process.

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HIGHEST SINCE FEB. 18: PHILIPPINES RECORDS 1,936 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 3 NEW DEATHS

MANILA — The Philippines on Thursday recorded 1,936 new COVID-19 cases and 3 new deaths, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

The daily tally is the highest in over 4 months or since Feb. 18, ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido said.

The number of people currently positive for the coronavirus stood at 11,370, the highest since April 26, Guido added.

The country's total confirmed COVID-19 cases climbed to 3,713,131.

Of the additional cases reported during the day, 849 are from Metro Manila, the DOH said.

PESO SLIDES TO 56.06 TO $1, WEAKEST IN ALMOST 17 YEARS

MANILA - The Philippine peso weakened further closing at P56.06 to the US dollar, just six trading days after it breached the 55 to $1 level, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines website.

The local currency has shed more than P5 in value since the start of the year. It closed at P50.999 to the dollar on January 3, the first trading day of 2022.

Thursday's close was the peso’s weakest level since September 2005.

A weak peso means the country has to pay more for its imports such as oil and food, whose prices have already shot up due to uncertainties caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla however earlier downplayed the depreciation of the peso saying this was caused by the strengthening of the US dollar.

The US Federal Reserve has been aggressively raising interest rates in a bid to tame inflation, which has reached 40-year highs in the United States. High US interest rates have made the dollar stronger against other currencies.

Medalla has said that the weak peso would benefit OFW families, exporters and BPOs who will earn more from their dollar receipts.

But Medalla also said the BSP would “participate in the market to address excessive short-term volatility.”

An analyst meanwhile has warned that the peso's rapid depreciation could further stoke inflation, which already reached an almost 4-year high of 6.1 percent in June.

3 COUNTRIES ISSUE WARNING VS. 'LUCKY ME' PRODUCTS; COMPANY ASSURES FOOD SAFETY

MANILA — Three European Union (EU) countries have warned their consumers over a popular Filipino noodles brand, due to supposed high levels of ethylene oxide, a gas commonly used as pesticide.

In separate advisories, the governments of Ireland, Malta, and France recalled several variants of Lucky Me! noodle soup and pancit canton, particularly those manufactured between 2021 and 2022.

These variants include the original, hot chili, kalamansi, and chilimansi flavors of Lucky Me! Pancit Canton, as well as Lucky Me! beef mami flavor.

"This pesticide is not authorized for use in foods sold in the EU. Although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised," the Irish government said in its advisory.

The Irish government also noted that some of the Lucky Me! products being recalled were manufactured in Thailand.

The French government also told consumers to stop consuming the products, return them to where they were bought, and even destroy them.

In a statement issued Thursday, Lucky Me manufacturer and owner Monde Nissin said that it was not adding ethylene oxide in its noodle products.

"It is a commonly used treatment in spices and seeds to control microbial growth typical in agricultural products. These materials, when processed into seasoning and sauces, may still show traces of ethylene oxide," the company said.

Monde Nissin also assured that all Lucky Me! products are registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), complying with local food safety standards and "even the US FDA standards for ethylene oxide."

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into the matter, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

DPWH TO CLOSE PARTS OF MAJOR ROADS IN METRO MANILA FOR WEEKEND REPAIRS

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways is closing sections of major roads to conduct another round of reblocking and repairs for the weekend starting 11 p.m. Friday night, July 8 until July 11.

In an advisory sent to media, the DPWH said the following roads will be impassable for the weekend:

EDSA Guadalupe Makati City SB innermost lane (bus way) from Bernardino St. going to Estrella Street

EDSA NB Quezon City along Santolan MRT Station (EDSA Carousel bus lane) after P. Tuazon flyover to Aurora tunnel (3rd lane from center island fast lane) after Aurora Blvd. to New York (3rd lane from island, intermittent section) after Kamuning/Kamias Road to JAC Liner Bus Station (beside center island)

C-5 Road Southbound (2nd lane) Makati City

Batasan Road Sinagtala Street to IBP San Mateo Road (2nd lane from plantbox)

Visayas Avenue Southbound Road 10 Elliptical Road (2nd lane from plantbox)

Visayas Avenue Northbound Elliptical Road to Central Avenue and near corner Congressional Avenue (2nd lane from sidewalk)

C-5 Road Pasig City along Pasig Blvd. Southbound near Chooks To Go Pineda & along Doña Julia Vargas infront of Sitel Bldg.

Along EDSA-Quezon City Southbound (Balingasa Creek to Oliveros Footbridge)

The affected roads will be fully passable by 5 a.m. on Monday, July 11.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

GARY VALENCIANO PRAYS FOR HIS HEALING, RESTORATION OF VOICE

MANILA -- Veteran singer-performer Gary Valenciano admitted that he is struggling with his voice and has turned to prayer for his healing.

This comes just a week before the opening of "Joseph The Dreamer," which marks his return to musical theater after 23 years.

"Lord, you know I’ve been struggling with my voice and throat for weeks now. 'Joseph The Dreamer' is in 8 days. I need your help Lord. Thank You for your faithfulness. I know You will never put me to shame. Pls come, heal, and restore my voice. In your name Jesus I pray… Amen," Valenciano tweeted.

After playing the titular role in 1999, Valenciano now takes on the character of Joseph's father, Jacob. His son, Paolo, is directing him in this year's production.

Trumpets' longest-running musical, "Joseph the Dreamer," opens on July 15 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig.

Sam Concepcion reprises his role of Joseph, with other cast members also playing the same parts they did in 2020: Audie Gemora as Jacob, Kayla Rivera as Asenath, Carlo Orosa as Pharaoh, and Bituin Escalante as Rachel.

'MARS RAVELO’S DARNA' TRAILER HITS 2 MILLION VIEWS, TRENDS ON TWITTER

MANILA -- The first full trailer of ABS-CBN's upcoming fantasy series “Mars Ravelo’s Darna,” starring Jane de Leon has garnered 2 million views since it was uploaded on Facebook on Thursday night.

As of writing, the 3-minute preview of Kapamilya's adaptation of iconic Pinoy superheroine has over 2 million views on Facebook. It is also available on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube page and has now more than 517,541. On ABS-CBN Entertainment's official Twitter account, the trailer has reached 588,000 views.

Netizens also expressed their support and excitement for the upcoming series as the hashtag #DarnaTrailer became the top trending topic on Twitter Philippines.

In the official trailer, Leonor (Iza Calzado) is seen training Narda (Jane de Leon) to prepare her as the “destined” inheritor of the mythical white meteorite, which bestows the power of Darna when swallowed.

Narda’s allies are also shown in the trailer: her brother Ding (Zaijian Jaranilla), who becomes Darna’s reliable sidekick; and a police officer named Brian (Joshua Garcia), her former high school classmate.

Darna’s snake-haired nemesis Valentina (Janella Salvador) is briefly glimpsed in her human form, Regina. Her minion serpents also make an appearance, in a hint of a bigger threat other than the invading aliens.

Darna’s nearing arrival comes three years after de Leon was introduced as the lead actress in the ABS-CBN series, which hurdled production delays primarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chito S. Roño with director Avel Sunpongco, “Mars Ravelo’s Darna” is set to premiere in August on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and iWantTFC.

SPORTS

CONVERGE DEF. NLEX, 112-108 (PBA 2022) JULY 7

Converge FiberXers (3-5) defeated NLEX Road Warriors, 112-108 to grab their third win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

David Murrell led the FiberXers with 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting along with 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist in 28 minutes of play. Tyrus Hill with another solid game of 18 points (8/9 fg, 1/1 3pts, 1/1 ft), to go with 7 rebounds and 3 assists while Taylor Browne added 15 points including five 3-pointers.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 112 – Murrell 21, Hill 18, Browne 18, Arana 11, Ahanmisi 10, Adamos 9, Tratter 8, Ambohot 7, Bulanadi 4, Racal 3, Digregorio 3, Ilagan 3, Tolomia 0, Stockton 0.

NLEX 108 – Rosales 29, Alas 23, Trollano 18, Chua 15, Oftana 12, Quinahan 4, Paniamogan 3, Fonacier 2, Magat 2, Semerad 0, Soyud 0, Ighalo 0.

Quarters: 19-15, 46-38, 77-76, 112-108.

SAN MIGUEL DEF. TNT, 115-99 (PBA 2022) JULY 7

San Miguel Beermen defeated TNT Tropang GIGA, 115-99 to claim their seventh win and grab the solo top spot in the standings in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum [Buy San Miguel Jersey]

June Mar Fajardo led the Beermen with a huge double-double of 30 points (12/19 fg, 6/10 ft) along with 16 rebounds, 3 assists and a block. Jericho Cruz finished with 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal to help SMB halts TNT's 5-game winning streak.

Simon Enciso had 16 points (6/10 fg, 4/7 3pts), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Rodney Brondial with a double-double of 12 points, game-high 18 rebounds, 1 assist and a steal for SMB's fourth straight victory.

The Scores:

SAN Miguel 115 - Fajardo 30, Cruz 30, Enciso 16, Perez 12, Brondial 12, Herndon 5, Tautuaa 5, Lassiter, Zamar 2, Canete 0, Pessumal 0, Faundo 0.

TNT 99 – K. Williams 20, Castro 17, Montalbo 12, Erram 12, M. Williams 11, Pogoy 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Tungcab 3, Alejandro 3, Khobuntin 0, Cruz 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarters: 26-22, 53-47, 83-71, 115-99.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.06

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Men of integrity, by their existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community. - John W. Gardner