DA OFFICIAL WHO SIGNED SUGAR IMPORT ORDER RESIGNS: PALACE

MANILA — The agriculture official who authorized the signing of a sugar import order without the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has resigned from his post, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Friday.

Cruz-Angeles said Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian sent his one-page resignation on Thursday admitting his lapses. She earlier identified Sebastian as the person who signed the resolution seeking to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar.

"Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian has resigned from his post as Department of Agriculture undersecretary for operations and chief of staff to the DA Secretary currently headed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr," the Palace official said.

She said Sebastian apologized to Marcos for what happened in his letter dated on Thursday. The statement did not mention whether the President has accepted the resignation.

“I sincerely offer my apologies, Your Excellency, for my having approved Sugar Order no.4 on your behalf, and through the authority you have vested upon me…I take accountability and responsibility for its consequences,” the letter read.

“Thus, I humbly offer to be relieved of my delegated authorities and the assignments and responsibilities in my capacity as Chief of Staff and Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture," Sebastian added.

In a Facebook live video, Cruz-Angeles said Sebastian is still not safe from the possible filing of complaints.

"Hindi po siya magiging safe. The resignation only addresses the administrative aspect," she explained.

"In his resignation may admissions siya, so kung saka-sakaling mayroong criminal case ito, then those admissions can be presented as evidence for the prosecution kung saka-sakaling may criminal case," she said.

Authorities are still investigating whether other officials are liable for the unauthorized sugar imports.

MARCOS LEADERSHIP STYLE MORE SYSTEMATIC, EFFICIENT – PALACE

MANILA — President Marcos is systematic and does more planning than his predecessor, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said yesterday, describing his leadership style in the first 100 days of his administration.

“The President does very well,” said Angeles, noting that instead of focusing on his first 100 days in office, Marcos is paying attention to long-term, medium- and short-term solutions to problems of government.

“What we only see is that it took some time for people to realize his (leadership) style, which is deliberative, science-based and, you know, very professional,” she added.?

Angeles, who also held a position in the Palace in the early part of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, said: “We know that the previous administration was characterized by a lot of passion, but this President is characterized by a more systematic and efficient response.”

“He also likes to deal with institutions so the responses are institutional, hence he likes things that are planned – the organizations are well-planned; the activities are well-planned,” she said.

The press chief said the agencies are preparing their respective accomplishment reports during the first 100 days based on Marcos’ roadmap.

“We follow his roadmap. So, what he has been doing basically has been getting all of these plans, all of these assessments and then moving forward,” she said, noting that the President provides quick assessment of their work and plans.

“He always keeps tabs on all of the Cabinet secretaries and he is aware of all our activities, even pending the formal presentation of our own particular roadmaps,” Angeles added.

DMW STUDYING MORE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS FOR OFWS

MANILA — More countries have expressed their interest in hiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it is studying several possible bilateral agreements.

“[The] ease of doing busineess is really one of our strategies to create decent jobs program for OFWs so definitely more labor bilateral agreements,” DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said in a press briefing on Friday. She was referring to the department’s plan to undertake streamlining of services for migrant workers.

The department reported that they are currently in talks with countries in Eastern Europe such as Hungary as well as Croatia, which are said to have “interest in hiring thousands of OFWs.”

Ople recounted that a delegation of officials from Croatia’s private sector told her some of their considerations for hiring Filipinos are affected by religion, since Croatia is also a predominantly Roman Catholic country, and also cited observations that the Filipinos already working there are “trust-worthy and very family-oriented.”

Eastern European countries reportedly want to hire Filipinos to serve under their hotel and accommodation industries.

Meanwhile, DMW Policy and International Cooperation Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan also noted that there is still a global demand to hire more Filipino healthcare workers.

TAAL VOLCANO ACTS UP ANEW, EMITS SIGNIFICANT ’VOG’

Taal Volcano emitted plumes that rose up to 2,800 meters on Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

Five volcanic tremors and a low-level background tremor were also recorded in the past 24 hours, lasting for three to eight minutes.

Alert Level 1 was maintained over the volcano, which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and expulsions of volcanic gas could threaten areas within Taal’s permanent danger zone.

A high volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission reaching 13,572 tons was observed over the volcano Thursday.

This has produced “significant volcanic smog” or vog over the Taal Caldera.

Sulfurous stench was reported by residents of Banyaga, Agoncillo; Poblacion 5, Buso-buso, and Gulod in Laurel; and Poblacion 1 in Talisay, Batangas.

“Since the beginning of August 2022, there has been an increase in degassing activity in the form of visible upwelling of volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake, and emission of voluminous steam-rich plumes that last night rose 2,800 meters above Taal Volcano Island,” the Phivolcs said in an advisory.

Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract in severities, depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure.

People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with asthma, lung disease, and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

Phivolcs advised communities that may be affected by vog to avoid outdoor activities to limit their exposure; as well as to keep their doors and windows closed.

It also urged residents to wear a mask (ideally an N95) and to drink plenty of water to reduce throat irritation.

PHIVOLCS' RENATO SOLIDUM IS NEW DOST SECRETARY

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has tapped Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum to head the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Malacañang said on Friday.

The Palace sent Solidum his appointment papers on July 22, based on the copy of a transmittal letter. Speaking to ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, Solidum said he learned of the appointment a few days ago.

Asked what his first order is as the new head of DOST, Solidum said he would need to supervise all offices and regional units of the DOST to coordinate the efforts on science, technology, and innovation for economic development.

"Ito po ang ating titignan: kung paano tayo magpupulido at maka-partner at makatulong sa iba't ibang department ng pamahalaan upang matupad ang mga socioeconomic agenda ng ating Pangulo at siyempre ito ay para sa lahat ng Pilipino," he said.

He added that he would also focus on problems regarding disaster risk reduction and climate change, noting that DOST "has a lot to offer."

"Marami kaming ahensya na minsa'y 'di alam kung ano ang ginagawa ng marami but definitely geared towards helping mga kababayan natin," he said.

Solidum, a geologist, will replace Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, who led the agency since 2016.

DOH SEES ICU ADMISSIONS RISE BUT PH STILL LOW RISK FROM COVID-19

MANILA — The Philippines remains at low risk from the coronavirus despite a slight increase of patients admitted to intensive care units, the Department of Health said Friday.

According to DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, the country's ICU utilization rate rose to 28 percent from the previous 26 percent.

"Nationally, nananatili tayo sa low risk classification kahit meron tayong bahagyang pagtaas sa ICU admissions at sa mga severe at critical cases," she said in a press briefing.

An uptrend of ICU admissions and severe and critical cases of COVID-19 at the national level was noticed in early July, she added. The figure is almost similar to the level of hospital admissions recorded in March.

As of August 10, the country has 871 severe and critical COVID-19 cases, which translates to 9.27 percent of the total admissions.

Majority of those admitted to hospitals for COVID-19 remain asymptomatic (40.98 percent) and mild cases (40.77 percent), Vergeire said.

With an average daily attack rate of 3.51 cases per 100,000 population, the Philippines is still considered at low-risk classification, she added.

ADAR is defined as the number of infected people per 100,000 population.

But she noted the country's positivity rate increased to 18.5 percent from last week.

MMDA: 436,000 VEHICLES ON EDSA AS CLASSES START

MANILA — An overcrowded EDSA would usher in the opening of classes next week as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority expects at least 436,000 vehicles to go through the metropolis’ main highway, acting MMDA Chairman Carlo Dimayuga III said yesterday.

Around 387,000 vehicles passed through EDSA on Aug. 4 and the MMDA expects this figure to rise to at least 436,000 when face-to-face classes resume on Monday, according to Dimayuga.

The Aug. 4 figure is based on the latest traffic survey and analysis by the MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center.

Dimayuga said that the projected figure is higher than the 405,000 vehicles recorded before the start of the pandemic.

He said the number coding scheme will help address the number of vehicles. He assured commuters that it will not affect mass transport since the MMDA will ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation to deploy more buses.

He added that they will also send around 2,336 MMDA traffic enforcers to help address the traffic problem.

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GO URGING PINOY YOUTH TO TAKE SPORTS

MANILA — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated his commitment to continue pushing for grassroots sports development in the country, a way to continue fight against illegal drugs and criminality.

“I thank my fellow senators for their support and confidence in my ability to lead the Senate Committee on Sports again. This means only one thing – that we can continue my initiatives in the sports development of our country, make the field of sports an instrument in the suppression of drugs and criminality, and keep our Filipino youth away from the hands of bad vices through sports,” said Go, who was recently reelected chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.

“That’s why whenever my office distributes aid to our poor countrymen whose livelihoods are affected by the pandemic and other crises, I always give out basketball and volleyball balls to the young beneficiaries to encourage them to sharpen their skills and ability in the game they are passionate about,” he added.

An avid sports enthusiast, Go noted how the country is brimming with world-class athletes and yet-to-be-tapped talents in the field of sports, prompting him to persistently push for more measures and initiatives to nurture such potential.

“I believe that many young Filipinos in remote communities have extraordinary abilities in various sports. This is one of the reasons why I will fight in the Senate for the passage of the Philippine National Games (PNG) Act of 2022,” he said.

If passed into law, Go said the measure will ensure a more inclusive system of promoting promising Filipino athletes who possess potential in various fields of sports to be given an equal opportunity of becoming future contenders in international sporting competitions and cement the country’s status as a “sports powerhouse in Asia.”

STATE OF CALAMITY IN OCCIDENTAL MINDORO DUE TO DENGUE

MANILA — A state of calamity has been declared in the entire province of Occidental Mindoro as dengue cases continue to rise.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved during its session yesterday the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to declare a state of calamity as 10 of the 11 towns in the province recorded dengue cases. Only Looc remains dengue-free.

San Jose and Sablayan towns were placed under a state of calamity due to dengue two weeks ago.

Provincial health officer Dr. Teresa Tan said the declaration would allow the use of calamity funds to procure dengue kits and medicine, among other items, to address the surge in cases.

Occidental Mindoro recorded 2,093 cases with 11 deaths as of Aug. 8.

In Western Visayas, 50 deaths due to dengue were recorded.

Health officials said 597 new cases and four deaths were recorded from July 24 to 30.

A total of 8,647 cases were recorded since January, an increase of 543 percent compared to 1,345 during the same period last year.

In Pampanga, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. of Angeles City ordered fogging and misting in public schools to ensure the safety of students once face-to-face classes start on Aug. 22.

Sixteen of the 53 schools have finished fogging and misting operations, which started on Aug. 1.

OVER P1 ROLL BACK IN OIL PRICES NEXT WEEK

MANILA — Another rollback in fuel prices is seen next week, with possible cuts of more than P1 per liter for diesel and less than P1 per liter for gasoline.

Oil industry players said there are indications of another reduction in pump prices coming which, if implemented, will be the seventh consecutive week for diesel and second straight for gasoline.

Philippine Petroleum Companies Association founding chairman Fernando Martinez said the latest trend points to a P2.02 per liter drop in diesel and P0.59 per liter for gasoline.

Cleanfuel, meanwhile, forecasts a slightly lower reduction for diesel at P1.80 per liter and almost the same level for gasoline with a P0.60 per liter decrease.

These estimates, however, are still subject to change and small adjustments depending on the closing price for the week’s last day of trading, the sources said.

Last Tuesday, oil firms slashed prices of diesel by P2.20 per liter, gasoline by P2.10 per liter and kerosene by P2.55 per liter, reflecting the movements in the international oil market.

This resulted in year-to-date total adjustments of a net increase of P17.55 per liter for gasoline, P30.15 per liter for diesel and P24.75 per liter for kerosene, according to the Department of Energy.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

JESSY MENDIOLA, LUIS MANZANO EXPECTING FIRST CHILD

MANILA — Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano are expecting their first child together, the celebrity couple announced on Thursday.

The actress, 29, and the TV host, 41, shared the personal milestone, which they called a “new chapter,” through a vlog showing them in a chapel in scenic Benguet.

The couple had been planning for a church wedding this year when the “pleasant surprise” came along, according to Mendiola.

Mendiola and Manzano got married in February 2021 in a garden ceremony, and belatedly announced having tied the knot two months later in April.

Their goal of exchanging vows in church in 2022 had to be put on hold, because “suddenly God gave us this wonderful blessing, proving time and again that God is the master planner,” Mendiola said.

“No matter what your plans are, He has a divine plan for you, one that is definitely better than what you have imagined. His plan is always the best,” she wrote.

Mendiola and Manzno did not mention when they intend to hold their church wedding, only saying that the plan “will have to take a backseat until our bundle of joy arrives.”

“This is, by far, the best surprise we have received in our lives. Indeed, with God all things are possible,” she said.

SPORTS

MAGNOLIA DEF. TNT, 105-97 (VIDEO) AUGUST 12 | PBA SEMIS GAME 5

Magnolia Hotshots defeated TNT Tropang GIGA, 105-97 cut the series deficit to 3-2 in Game 5 of their best-of-7 semifinals of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, August 12 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Six Hotshots players finished in double figures with Mark Barroca leading the way with game-high 25 points (9/16fg, 3/4 3pts, 4/4ft) along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal to extend the series. Calvin Abueva with a solid double-double performance of 16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 33 minutes of play.

Game 6 is on Sunday, August 14 at 6:30pm.

The scores:

MAGNOLIA 105 – Barroca 25 (6reb 4ast), Sangalang 16 (7reb 2ast), Abueva 16 (10reb 5ast), Lee 16 (6reb), Jalalon 15 (3reb), Dionisio 10 (4reb 2/3 3pts), Dela Rosa 3 (2reb), Reavis 2 (2reb), Escoto 2, Wong 0.

TNT 97 – Castro 18 (6reb 5ast), Rosario 17 (2reb 2/9 3pts), Erram 16 (9reb 3ast), M Williams 13 (6ast 4reb 1/9 3pts), Pogoy 13 (3stl 2reb 2ast), Khobuntin 12 (6reb), K Williams 6 (10reb 2ast), Montalbo 2 (1ast), Reyes 0,Ganuelas-Rosser 0 (1ast).

Quarters: 28-26, 49-45, 81-73, 105-97.

SAN MIGUEL DEF. MERALCO, 89-78 (VIDEO) AUGUST 12 | PBA SEMIS GAME 5

San Miguel Beermen uses strong third quarter to beat the Meralco Bolts, 89-78 in pivotal Game 5 of their best-of-7 semifinals of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, August 12 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

CJ Perez led the Beermen with game-high 25 points (9/17fg, 2/6 3pts, 5/8ft) along with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and a steal for the SMB's commanding 3-2 series lead. Jericho Cruz with a solid game of 17 points to go with 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. June Mar Fajardo finished with a double-double performance of 12 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in 35 minutes of play.

Game 6 is on Sunday, August 14 at 4:30pm.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 89 - Perez 25 (9reb 5ast 2blk), Cruz 17 (4reb 2stl), Fajardo 12 (15reb 4ast 2blk), Enciso 10 (5stl 2reb 2ast), Tautuaa 9 (3reb), Manuel 6 (3reb), Brondial 5 (7reb), Lassiter 5, Ross 0 (2reb), Herndon 0.

MERALCO 78 – Newsome 24 (6reb 4ast), Maliksi 12 (7reb 3ast 4/7 3pts), Hodge 11 (7reb 2ast), Quinto 11 (3reb), Almazan 8 (1reb), Black 6 (11reb 4ast), Pascual 2 (3reb), Banchero 2 (1ast), Hugnatan 2, Baclao 0, Jose 0.

Quarters: 25-22, 41-44, 67-56, 89-78.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.61

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. - Albert Einstein