MARCOS TO DELIVER 1ST STATE OF NATION ADDRESS

The Filipino people are all ears this afternoon as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to unveil his plans for the country in the next 12 months during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Marcos will deliver his SONA on Monday, July 25, at the Batasang Pambansa, exactly 25 days since he took his oath as the 17th President of the Philippines.

Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez on Friday revealed that Marcos wrote his own speech for the event, with the weekend and Monday morning devoted to finishing the piece.

The chief executive also wanted his first SONA to be simple, according to House Secretary General Mark Leandro Mendoza.

More than 1,300 personalities were invited to attend the SONA, including Vice President Sara Duterte, former presidents, vice presidents, speakers, Senate presidents, diplomatic corps, justices, and members of the Marcos cabinet.

Expectations

For the general public, lawmakers, and progressive groups, much is expected from the SONA especially in a time when fuel and commodity prices continue to soar, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still linger.

Rodriguez had earlier floated that Marcos’ SONA will cover the administration’s agenda for economic recovery, resumption of face-to-face classes, and COVID-19 response.

Rodriguez also said that Marcos wants a “digitalized governance and digitalized PBBM administration.” “Rightsizing” has been another major buzzword in the first few weeks of the Marcos administration.

There are other major issues Marcos is expected – and needs – to address. The country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is among the most urgent.

The administration has also yet to expound its plans on other top issues in the country, such as the ongoing transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the country’s plans for the environment and climate change.

Marcos has also yet to explicitly say where his administration will go on the issue of his predecessor’s bloodiest legacies: the so-called “war on drugs.”

For starters, over 20,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure both the immediate area surrounding the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City, as well as Commonwealth Avenue, the road that leads to the complex.

Officials have also deployed a “mobile jail” for “rowdy” protesters, according to an article posted on the government’s official site for the SONA.

The President himself is expected to arrive at the Batasang Pambansa at 4 pm then deliver his SONA shortly after. The administration then has 30 days after SONA to submit its proposed budget for the coming year before Congress.

ZUBIRI IS NEW SENATE PRESIDENT

MANILA — It’s official: Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri is the next Senate president.

Already the acting as Senate president, Zubiri was voted in by his colleagues Monday morning at the Senate’s first session ahead of the first State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Zubiri is elected Senate President by acclamation. No other candidates for the post were nominated, and no objections to his election were raised after six different senators nominated him.

The position of Senate president, second in the presidential line of succession after the vice president, has historically gone to majority leaders in the higher chamber. And as majority leader, Zubiri has long been known as a consensus-builder who was well-versed in the ins and outs of the Senate.

Gatchalian, who also backed Zubiri for Senate Majority Leader in 2018, also nominated the latter for Senate President this time around, saying Zubiri surpassed expectations.

"Zubiri set the tone and led this chamber towards accomplishing the agenda of the people even amidst the pandemic," Gatchalian said in his lengthy praise of the young lawmaker which lasted nearly ten minutes, pointing to the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

Sen. Loren Legarda also nominated Zubiri for the Senate's top post, calling him a "dynamic and forward-looking" leader.

Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Koko Pimentel abstained from voting for the post but nevertheless congratulated Zubiri on his election as Senate President.

Senator-siblings Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano also manifested separately that they did not join the voting for Zubiri and intended to remain part of the "independent" bloc of the chamber.

MARCOS URGED TO USE LEDAC TO MAKE LEGISLATION MORE EFFICIENT

MANILA — A political science expert has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to utilize the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council to make legislation more efficient under his watch.

According to UP College of Political Science Associate Professor Jean Franco, using LEDAC "will provide or facilitate the shepherding of legislative agenda in both Houses of Congress."

LEDAC is composed of 20 members, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, and House Speaker.

According to its website, the LEDAC met 83 times during the Ramos administration, 4 times under the Joseph Estrada administration, 23 times under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, only 2 times during the Benigno Aquino III administration and only 3 times under the watch of President Rodrigo Duterte.

There was, however, a preparatory briefing for the President and selected legislators under the Duterte administration prior to the first LEDAC meeting.

Section 5 of RA 7640 said the council shall meet at least once every quarter, but may be convened by its chairman to such special meetings when necessary.

MARCOS MUST 'ASK FOR SACRIFICES' TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC, HEALTH, EDUCATION ISSUES: ANALYST

MANILA - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos is urged to "ask for sacrifices" to address the country's economy, health, and education issues, former Senator Franklin Drilon said Monday.

Marcos is set to deliver his first State of the Nation Address later Monday at the Batasang Pambansa.

"He must address inflation, the economy, health system and our education system and ask for sacrifices. He cannot make populist decisions which will harm our people in the long term. Populist decisions have no place at this point," Drilon told ANC's Headstart.

"He has a mandate of 31 million Filipinos, use that capital, popular mandate to be able to institute the needed reforms. That to me is the overarching issue we would like to see."

Marcos must address the "tightening fiscal space," Drilon said.

"When you have a very tight fiscal situation, you must make sacrifices. I don't think it’s acceptable u sacrifice the social benefits... Sacrifice BBB program. You need infrastructure to rebuild the economy that is why I'm endorsing the pronounced policy of public-private partnership concept.

Agriculture also would "inevitably enable food security and addressing the very high prices," the former senator said.

Government should review its plan for "Masagana 150" for the medium- and long-term solution but its priority for the first 100 days must be closely reviewing the "need for importation," Drilon added.

"Unpalatable as it is, you must leave open these options in importation," he said.

Meantime, Marcos is urged to sign a resolution that would again establish the educational commission, Drilon said.

The Universal Healthcare Law funding must also be reviewed, Drilon said.

"Health is an issue which must be immediately addressed. We lack health personnel. We have 90,000 nurses, by the standards set by World Health Organization, we need about 300,000," he said.

"The pandemic for the past 2 years has made matters worse as it exposed the weakness of our health system review the universal healthcare, have it funded properly... Address the Universal Healthcare funding and no. 2 address the infrastructure."

Marcos is urged to step out of his father's shadow, late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Drilon said.

"I think he should, he’s a president in his own right. He was selected by 31 million of our people. He should step out of that shadow and start asserting his own legacy, that’s the challenge to the President," he said.

CHR: PROTECT PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO PROTEST

MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reminded government forces to uphold and protect the people’s right to protest during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos today.

CHR executive director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said law enforcement officers must exercise maximum tolerance during peaceful protests.

“In accordance with existing laws and human rights standards, a peaceful dispersal must be lawful, necessary and proportionate to the purpose should it be warranted,” De Guia said in a statement.

She said observing maximum tolerance means that the use of force must be avoided and restricted to the “minimum extent necessary when handling non-violent protests.”

The CHR said water cannons must not be used and police must not carry guns during non-violent protests, in line with the prohibitions under Batas Pambansa 880.

The Quezon City government has allowed the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and other militant groups to hold protest rallies along Commonwealth Avenue. Pro-Marcos gatherings have been allowed along IBP Road.

De Guia reminded protesters to comply with the law, including getting a written permit to hold a rally.

4 SENATORS OPT OUT OF MAJORITY BLOC, TO BE MINORITY OR 'INDEPENDENT'

MANILA — Four senators on Monday refused to join the chamber's majority bloc, opting to be part of the minority or "independent" blocs to serve as fiscalizers of the administration.

Senators Risa Hontiveros, Koko Pimentel, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Pia Cayetano abstained from voting for Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate President, technically making them members of the minority bloc in accordance to prevailing rules.

However, the Cayetano siblings said they would not be part of the minority bloc either and instead would be "independent."

The Cayetanos earlier floated the idea of creating a third bloc in the Senate, similar to the "independent minority bloc" in the House of Representatives.

DOH WORKING TO OBTAIN SMALLPOX VACCINES IN FIGHT VS. MONKEYPOX

MANILA – The Department of Health is working with the World Health Organization and other development partners to obtain smallpox vaccines should the Philippines need it in the fight against monkeypox.

The WHO on Saturday declared monekypox to be a a global health emergency -- the highest alarm it can sound.

On TeleRadyo, DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that the smallpox vaccine has been authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration to be used against monkeypox.

“Ang ating issue ngayon or challenge, kakaunti po, limitado ang supplies ng monkeypox vaccine na ito kaya po tayo’y nakikipag-usap ngayon sa mga development partners natin tulad ng WHO at iba pa para kung saka-sakaling matutulungan nila tayo to access o kaya madonate-an tayo,” she said.

But if the Philippines cannot get the vaccines on time, the public will just have to protect themselves against the diseases by following the same safety measures they have been using against COVID-19.

STAFF, STUDENTS, GUESTS SUFFER FROM TRAUMA AFTER GRADUATION VIOLENCE — ATENEO

MANILA — It was supposed to be a "joyous celebration" of achievement, but graduates, faculty and their families were robbed of the occasion Sunday when an armed man open-fired at guests and security personnel at the Loyola Heights campus of Ateneo de Manila University.

In a statement, the university said students, staff and guests are "dealing with trauma from the incident."

The shooter, identified as suspect Chao Tiao Yumul, a doctor, managed to mix himself with the crowd before he attacked the apparent target, Lamitan Mayor Rose Furigay. Her daughter, Hannah, would be capping off her years of grueling law studies.

Furigay, along with her aide Victor George Capistrano and security guard Jeneven Bandiola, were killed. Hannah and a bystander, meanwhile, are recovering from injuries from the violence.

"Ateneo de Manila University extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. There is no acceptable reason for violence. We hope and pray that justice will be swiftly served," the university added.

The Ateneo, as a response to the incident, locked down the campus and activated protocols.

Yumul was afterward apprehended by Quezon City police as reports about the incident made news headlines and broke out on social media.

"The Loyola Heights campus was immediately secured," the statement added. "The University assures the community that its campuses are safe, and security protocols are now being reviewed and strengthened further."

In a post on Facebook, Marcos expressed his condolences to the families of the victims called and also called for a swift investigation into the shooting incident .

DENNIS UY'S FIRM CLARIFIES REPORT, SAYS TO 'IMMEDIATELY RESOLVE' ISSUE WITH CIAC

MANILA - Dennis Uy's listed subsidiaries on Monday said its unit Clark Global City Corp (CGCC) and the Global Gateway Development Corp (GGDC) did not fail to make repayment of any bank debt or interest.

Global Gateway Development Corp is a subsidiary of CGCC which holds the lease rights to the 177 hectares of land within the Clark Civil Aviation Complex at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

On Saturday, the Davao-based businessman's Udenna Corp confirmed receiving a notice of declaration of default from a consortium of banks led by BDO Unibank.

The declaration of default is in relation to the obligations of GGDC with Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) which are due on Wednesday, July 27, Uy's listed firms said in separate company disclosures to the stock exchange.

"To be clear, CGCC or GGFC did not fail to make any interest or principal repayments with its debt to the consortium banks," the statement said.

"Thus, in contention, CGCC replied to the consortium banks to dispute the default conclusion and clarified that, under the circumstances, there has been, in fact, no Event of Default, or at the very least, no irremediable Event of Default, under the master lease agreement on the part of CGCC or GGDC," it added.

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HIGHEST SINCE FEBRUARY: PH REPORTS 3,657 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 13 NEW DEATHS

MANILA — The Philippines on Sunday recorded 3,657 new COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

This is the highest daily tally in more than five months or since February 12, ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido said.

The number of people currently positive for the coronavirus stood at 27,116 while the country's total confirmed cases already climbed to 3,752,534.

Of the new cases, 1,327 are from Metro Manila.

The total number of COVID-19 related deaths are now at 60,683, with 13 new deaths Sunday.

Guido also said the positivity rate for the week of July 17 to 23 is at 14.1 percent, higher than the 11.9 percent in the previous week.

CENTRAL MINDANAO UPDATES

Municipal councils have placed two neighboring towns under states of calamity due to flooding.

The adjoining Datu Montawal in Maguindanao and Pikit in North Cotabato are close to the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta, a catch basin for more than a dozen rivers that spring from hinterlands in provinces around.

Flashfloods swept through dozens of barangays in both towns after the delta overflowed last week following heavy downpours.

Balumol Cadiding, Datu Montawal municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said their local government unit is now attending to the needs of evacuees.

100,000 4PS RECIPIENTS IN BICOL FACE DELISTING

LEGAZPI CITY — At least 100,000 recipients of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps across Bicol region could be delisted to accommodate newly qualified recipients, the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said over the weekend.

Earlier, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo reported that an estimated 1.3 million 4Ps beneficiaries across the country have been evaluated as no longer “very poor.”

Priscilla Saladaga, DSWD-Bicol coordinator, said that at present, the region has the most number of 4Ps beneficiaries with more than 390,000.

The delisting of beneficiaries is implemented every three years to give way to new recipients who were evaluated and assessed by DSWD’s Listahanan Program, Saladaga said.

PRICE ROLLBACK SET FOR GAS, KEROSENE, DIESEL ON JULY 26

MANILA - Oil firms on Monday slashed prices of gasoline, kerosene and diesel, which will take effect on July 26, Tuesday.

The price adjustments are as follows:

PILIPINAS SHELL

Gasoline P0.40 per liter rollback

Kerosene P1.30 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

SEAOIL

Gasoline P0.40 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

Kerosene P1.30 per liter rollback

PETRO GAZZ

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

Gasoline P0.40 per liter rollback

CLEANFUEL

Gasoline P0.40 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

SPORTS

MAGNOLIA DEF. NLEX, 98-89 (PBA 2022) JULY 24 | QUARTERFINALS GAME 1

Magnolia Hotshots defeated NLEX Road Warriors, 98-89 to grab a commanding 1-0 lead in their best-of-3 quarterfinal series of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 98 - Barroca 24, Lee 13, Abueva 13, Sangalang 12, Jalalon 10, Corpuz 10, Dela Rosa 6, Wong 5, Dionisio 3, Reavis 2, Escoto 0.

NLEX 89 – Semerad 19, Oftana 15, Trollano 15, Nieto 12, Chua 11, Quinahan 8, Paniamogan 3, Soyud 2, Varilla 2, Ighalo 2.

Quarters: 24-26, 64-47, 81-70, 98-89.

MERALCO DEF. GINEBRA, 93-82 (PBA 2022) JULY 24 | QUARTERFINALS GAME 1

Meralco Bolts defeated Barangay Ginebra, 93-82 to grab a commanding 1-0 lead in their best-of-3 quarterfinal series of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Aaron Black led the Bolts with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting including three 3-pointers along with 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Chris Newsome with a solid game of nineteen points, nine rebounds and six assists while Allein Maliksi added seventeen points, five rebounds, one assist and a steal.

Scottie Thompson paced the GinKings with a double-double of 29 points (9/17 fg, 5/12 3pts), 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Game 2 is on Friday, July 29 at 3:00pm at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Scores:

MERALCO 93 - Black 25, Newsome 19, Maliksi 17, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Almazan 5, Banchero 4, Pascual 4, Johnson 0, Hugnatan 0, Pasaol 0.

GINEBRA 82 – Thompson 29, Standhardinger 12, Chan 11, J. Aguilar 10, Pinto 8, Pringle 6, Mariano 5, Onwubere 1, David 0.

Quarters: 32-25, 53-43, 80-62, 93-82.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I do not want to live in paradise; this world is enough, so broken and so full of promise. - Pam Durban