800 FILIPINO WORKERS STRANDED ON ISLAND OVER DISPUTE WITH US CONTRACTOR: OPLE

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers on Friday confirmed a Washington Post report that hundreds of Filipino workers are stranded at a remote US military base on an island in the Indian Ocean due to a dispute with their employer.

DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said around 800 Filipino workers were on the Diego Garcia island over issues with their employer, major American contractor Kellogg Brown & Root.

“Stranded sila in a sense na hindi sila makapagbakasyon. Natatakot sila, 'pag nagbakasyon sila ng Pilipinas, either hindi na sila makabalik dahil hindi papayagan ng POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) dito or baka tanggalin sila trabaho,” she told TeleRadyo.

“Kasi may threat yung KBR…na isang defense contractor ng US Navy, bianabantaan yung ibang manggagawa natin doon na mag-resign na lang kayo kung magbabakasyon kayo.”

The official said they have reached out to KBR to assert that vacation leaves are part of workers’ basic rights.

Ople also noted that this is not the first time KBR has been flagged for alleged labor violations against Filipino workers.

“Yung KBR, lumalabag sa US federal law na dapat $7 an hour yung suweldo ng minimum wage. Ang pasuweldo nila ay $5.25 yata if I’m not mistaken. So yung POEA called their attention… This happened I think in 2020 pa,” she said.

According to the Washington Post report, the Houston-based contractor denied underpaying its employees. KBR added that Filipino workers are able to take military flights to Japan and Bahrain, with the cost of their onward travel to the Philippines covered by the company.

But Ople said Manila would reach out to US government officials if KBR fails to respond to the Filipinos’ complaints.

DILG RETOUCHES WAR ON DRUGS WITH ‘WHOLE NATION’ APPROACH

The Department of Interior and Local Government is set to launch a new campaign using what it described as a “whole-of-nation” approach against the trafficking of illegal substances to bring to justice the people behind the drug menace.

“We must harness the support of the grassroots, the schools, the community, the church, everyone. And that’s what we intend to do in our fight against illegal drugs,” said Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.

Abalos did not divulge the details of the campaign, but underscored that to control the spread of illegal drugs, a collective government effort must be applied to identify and cut the roots of the problem such as poverty, criminality, and other social ills.

The announcement came a few days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his administration will “refocus” the war on drugs to include the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

“The war on drugs will continue but we have to do it in a different way,” the President said in a television interview on Tuesday. “Even as we speak, there is a working group putting together (the revisions) we are trying to formulate how, what is the latest and what’s the best way for the rehabilitation.”

Mr. Marcos said the working group is looking for “the upstream of the problem, the prevention.”

PBBM OFF TO US ON SUNDAY, SET TO SPEAK AT UNGA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave for the United States on Sept. 18 for a week-long working visit, during which he will speak on the country’s efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, the rule of law, and food security, at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 20.

“We are going to expect that his speech will be relating to how the Philippines will be recovering from this pandemic, and where he intends to take this and how he will do so in cooperation with other states,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.

“The President is expected to discuss his administration’s priorities in his speech at the UN’s high-level general debate, which he is expected to deliver on Sept. 20,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Kira Azucena said.

This year’s theme of the general debate, she said, is “a watershed moment, transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”

“The public can expect the President to highlight his plans to revive the country’s recovery after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. He will likewise discuss the climate issues, challenges and solutions to address them, the role of the United Nations and how the Philippines intends to contribute to these efforts,” she added.

“The President has made it very clear from the initial discussions preparatory to this trip to New York, that it will be more than his debut on the world stage,” DFA Assistant Secretary for the Office of American Affairs (OAA) JV Chan Gonzaga said.

KICK OUT POGOS—SENATORS

Senators agreed Thursday that the country should discontinue the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program because of its social cost, including alleged involvement in criminal activities.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, for his part, also pointed out that total POGO revenues from online gambling operations plunged to P3.9 billion in 2021, from P7.2 billion in 2020.

“In fact, China has discontinued POGO. Even Cambodia. It also has a reputational risk. People will ask why are they going to the Philippines [when] it is discontinued in China? …Maybe because we are loose; we are not strict on our rules,” he said.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa said the government can kick out the POGOs if public safety is at risk due to their involvement in crimes like kidnapping, illegal detention and sex slavery.

Police records show POGOs, composed of Chinese workers, have been involved in these crimes.

“I don’t care if we have nothing to eat, I don’t care if they (POGOs) shut down operations,” Dela Rosa, a former police chief, said.

For 2022, he said, the projected income from POGOs is P32 billion—but only P3 billion has been collected to date.

Senator Grace Poe also recommended to the Senate panel to study the possibility of asking POGOs to leave.

BTA URGED TO PASS KEY LAWS, PUSH BARMM POLLS IN 2025

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to pass key legislation and to pave the way for elections in 2025.

During the ceremonial opening of the session of the BTA parliament in Cotabato City, the President said the passage of measures would benefit people in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“To deliver our commitments to the people of BARMM, I urge you to pass all the crucial legislation on fiscal policy–particularly taxation and to facilitate the conduct of the elections in the BARMM in 2025,” the President said.

“I also encourage the BTA to pass measures that will secure the welfare of the Moro people, particularly in agri fishery, health care, transportation, communication, digital infrastructure, and e-governance,” he added.

The President lauded the BTA for its gains as three of the seven priority codes, such as the administrative, civil service, and education, have already been approved. The first parliament, which served from BTA 2019 to 2022, had also enacted 31 bills and adopted 263 resolutions.

“You have already a long list of achievements starting with the approval of the Bangsamoro Transition Plan, the passage of the most important legislation such as the administrative code, the civil service code, the education code – these are cornerstones of BARMM moral self-governance,” he said.

The Chief Executive also thanked everyone who came to Bangsamoro to support the peace process and spent time, energy, and money to make this new political entity a reality.

“The diverse representation now of the BTA speaks volumes of your answer towards that call for unity, of shared responsibility, and the invitation to advocate peace and development in the Bangsamoro region,” he added.

“As we go on and we formalize the structure and institutionalize the functions of the Bangsamoro government, we will see that those efficiencies will come in and what we had celebrated today and at the very beginning of the existence of the BARMM, what we had celebrated, we will now look upon as only a glimpse of what will happen in the future,” Marcos said.

Marcos said his administration would provide “full and unwavering commitment to the peace process and to BARMM.”

BIR SAYS TAX COLLECTION EXCEEDED TARGET IN AUGUST 2022

MANILA - Tax collection for the month of August has exceeded target by 4.46 percent, the Bureau of Internal Revenue said Friday.

The agency has collected P228.938 billion (net of tax refund), higher than the goal of P219.172 billion for the month, the BIR said in a statement.

Compared to August 2021, this month's collection is higher by 23.03 percent, the agency said.

Cumulative collection of the BIR for January to August reached P1.559 trillion, also up by 12.25 percent compared to the same period last year, it said.

Economic managers have said that digitizing collection and other government processes could help improve collection that could then boost funds to support social projects and infrastructure developments, among others.

With limited fiscal space, the government must ramp up its income generation efforts to deliver services to the people.

President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr earlier said his economic agenda includes reducing debt-to-GDP ratio, among others.

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MANILA ISSUES ORDINANCE ON VOLUNTARY MASKING

MANILA — The Manila city government has approved an ordinance easing the face mask mandate by making its use voluntary outdoors.

But Mayor Honey Lacuna still reminded residents to mask up in crowded areas amid the rising cases of COVID-19 in the city.

Lacuna signed Ordinance No. 8901, which amended Ordinance 8627 that made wearing of face masks mandatory in public places in Manila.

“The voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded areas with good ventilation is hereby allowed,” the ordinance read.

Lacuna said those who are not fully vaccinated, senior citizens and immunocompromised are encouraged to wear face masks in public places and “physical distancing must be observed at all times.”

The ordinance was issued following President Marcos’ approval of the move nationwide, effective immediately, as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

She said the use of face masks indoors is still mandatory.

SUSPECT NABBED FOR SELLING SIM CARDS WITH VERIFIED GCASH ACCOUNTS: GLOBE

MANILA - A man from Caloocan City was caught selling Globe and TM SIM Cards with verified GCash accounts in an entrapment operation last Sept. 14, Globe Telecom said Friday.

In a statement, Globe said the man was busted for selling 556 pieces of SIM cards with verified GCash accounts.

The suspect buys SIM cards online at P350 and sells them for P600 per piece, the telco said. These accounts are being used by fraudsters who want to breach e-wallet limits for online gaming, among others, Globe said.

The arrest was made through the collaboration of Globe with the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the National Telecommunications Commission, it added.

“People who sell GCash-registered SIM cards enable criminality by being accessories to fraud. We will not relent in this campaign,” said GCash Chief Legal Officer Maricor Adriano.

The suspect is facing charges for the violation of Sec. 4 of the Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act which states that the misuse of devices is a cybercrime offense.

Meanwhile, GCash Chief Risk Officer Ingrid Berona assured the public that their funds and data remain "safe and secure."

KOREAN EMBASSY LAUNCHES ONLINE VISA APPOINTMENT

MANILA — The Korean embassy in Manila is no longer accepting walk-in visa applicants.

On Tuesday, the embassy launched an online system that enables travelers to schedule their appointments in visiting the embassy to submit their visa applications.

“Applicants are required to make an appointment to visit the embassy for visa application through the online platform. Without confirmation of the appointment, your visit to the embassy will be denied,” the Korean embassy said in an advisory.

The appointment system may be accessed at https://consul.mofa.go.kr/en/main.do.

The processing of visa applications may take at least five working days. Applicants are advised to ensure that their visa has been approved before booking flights to South Korea.

The embassy said applicants can also apply for a Korean tourist visa through accredited travel agencies.

MAY PERA SA DAGA: MAHIGIT 4,000 DAGA NAHULI SA MARIKINA

Umabot na sa mahigit 4,000 daga ang nahuli sa lungsod ng Marikina kasunod ng paglunsad ng “rat to cash” program sa nasabing lugar.

Ayon sa pinakahuling ulat, 4106 daga ang dinala ng mga residente ng Marikina sa City Environmental Management Office mula Miyerkoles kapalit ng pera.

Sa ilalim ng "Rat-To-Cash" program, P200 ang bayad ng lokal na pamahalaan sa mga residenteng makakapagdala sa kanila ng daga na may timbang na 150 gramo pataas.

Umabot na sa mahigit P600,000 ang ibinabayad ng lokal na pamahalaan sa ilalim ng programa na layunin ay sugpuin ang leptospirosis.

Ang leptospirosis ay isang uri ng sakit na makukuha sa ihi ng daga. Ito ay maaaring pumasok sa katawan ng tao kung siya ay may sugat at lumusong sa baha na maaaring kontaminado ng ihi ng daga. Naaapektuhan nito ang internal organs at maaaring makamatay.

Ayon kay Mayor Marcy Teodoro, mayroon na lamang tatlong kaso ng leptospirosis sa lungsod. Ito ay mas mababa kumpara noong nakaraang taon na nakapagtala ng walong kaso.

DEPED, DOH CRAFTING MASK RULES IN SCHOOLS

The Department of Education (DepEd) is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to craft new guidelines on wearing face masks in schools.

DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said on Thursday the agency would update its health protocols in schools after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the use of face masks optional in outdoor areas.

“We will consult the DOH because there are times when our learners go to open spaces. We will incorporate them into our health guidelines.

We will issue the guidelines very, very soon,” Poa said in a press conference.

Despite the easing of the outdoor mask mandate, Filipinos should still wear face masks as their “default” habit, especially in so-called high-risk areas, DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

“These are the things we would like to instill in each and every Filipino, that masking would always protect us—it is our default,” Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang remains increasingly optimistic about the Philippines’ economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

NANMADOL CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY, TO ENTER PAR FRIDAY

MANILA -- Typhoon Nanmadol has intensified while moving closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), state weather bureau PAGASA said Friday.

In its latest weather bulletin, PAGASA said Nanmadol was last seen 1,530 km east northeast of extreme northern Luzon. It has maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts of up to 170 kph. It is moving westward at 15 kph.

ABS-CBN News resident meteorologist Ariel Rojas said Nanmadol is expected to enter PAR Friday morning or noon, but will exit by nighttime.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms to MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

Flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible, PAGASA said.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country, meanwhile, may face partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

JULIA BARRETTO BREAKS SILENCE ON RUMORED BREAKUP WITH GERALD ANDERSON

MANILA — After weeks of keeping mum on rumors surrounding her relationship with actor Gerald Anderson, actress Julia Barretto has broken her silence to address their supposed breakup.

Barretto was asked about her current status with Anderson in an interview with Karen Davila, published on the news anchor’s YouTube vlog on Thursday.

“Sa news, every month, that’s the situation,” she said, referring to their alleged separation. “No, we haven’t broken up. I think that’s a sign na we’re really able to protect our relationship and keep it private.”

Barretto and Anderson’s relationship became the subject of speculation in August, when rumors romantically linking the actor with his movie co-star, Kylie Padilla, circulated on social media.

Padilla was quick to deny any romantic ties with her leading man. Anderson, meanwhile, made light of the rumors when asked for his reaction by TV host Ogie Diaz, saying that they will have to wait nine months, referring to the allegation that Padilla is pregnant.

Barretto, in her interview with Davila, said Anderson has her complete trust.

“I don’t think I’ll get into a relationship with somebody na I don’t trust. I do trust him and he shows me that every single day, there’s just no reason for me to doubt,” she said.

The “Expensive Candy” star also described their relationship as “serious,” explaining that the “sense of security” Anderson provides sets him apart from her past partners.

“His kindness has really grounded me and has really motivated me to become a better person. He’s created such a safe and healthy environment in my life. I feel good,” she said.

Asked whether they intend to get married soon, Barretto answered: “I don’t think that’s up to me. I think that’ll come at the right time. But I do feel very secure in the relationship that we have, and I’m really happy. I don’t have anything to worry about.”

SPORTS

TENNIS LEGEND FEDERER TO RETIRE AFTER LAVER CUP

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is to retire after next week’s Laver Cup after admitting on Thursday his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic career.

“The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event,” he said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.

The 41-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles has been out of action since a quarter-final loss at Wimbledon in 2021, after which he underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months.

His fellow tennis legend Serena Williams is all but certain not to play again after bowing out of the US Open in the third round this month.

Federer said that his body had effectively told him it was time to bring the curtain down.

“I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form,” he wrote.

“But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.

“I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years.

“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Wise sayings often fall on barren ground; but a kind word is never thrown away. - Sir Arthur Helps