PHILIPPINES MAKES BID FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT

MANILA—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on early Wednesday (Manila time) sought support from United Nations members for the Philippines' candidature to the Security Council.

"My country's experience in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation can enrich the work of the Security Council," Marcos said during his 20-minute speech at the 77th UN General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters.

"To this end, I appeal for the valuable support of all UN member states for the Philippines' candidature to the Security Council for the term 2027-2028."

Marcos cited the "success" of Manila's peace treaty in the southern Bangsamoro region in the Philippines to promote the country's candidacy.

"The peace that we have forged after many decades of conflict among warring factions and clansmen demonstrates that unity is possible even in the most trying circumstance," he said.

The primary responsibility of the UN Security Council, composed of 15 members, is to maintain international peace and security.

The council's five permanent members are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Current temporary members are Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates.

In January 2004, the Philippines assumed one of the elected seats in the Security Council for the term 2004-2005.

IN UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADDRESS, MARCOS SAYS RULES-BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER IMPORTANT

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday stressed the importance of a rules-based international order that adheres to the international laws when solving disputes.

Addressing world leaders during the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Marcos said that "differences should only be resolved by peaceful means" and how governments should resolve disputes through "reason and through right."

Marcos cited the Manila Declaration of 1982 and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which "provide useful guidance for our time."

"For amidst challenging global tides, an important ballast stabilizes our common vessel that is our open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice," said Marcos.

He also reiterated his foreign policy that Philippines "shall continue to be a friend to all and an enemy of none.

PH ON TRACK TOWARDS UPPER MIDDLE CLASS STATUS BY NEXT YEAR: MARCOS

The Philippines is on track to achieve upper middle-income status by 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Tuesday.

In his speech at the 77th United Nations General Assembly, the Philippine leader touted significant strides achieved by the country towards sustainable development in the past three decades despite the challenges of the pandemic and global economic upheavals.

Marcos Jr also expects the country to become moderately prosperous by 2040, with government devoting ‘steady investment in food [security], public health, education, and other social services.’

"I am confident that we will achieve this vision,” he said.

"Yet no nation stands alone. The achievement of our national ambition requires a global environment that creates conditions that allow all nations, including ours, to thrive in peace. We need the United Nations to continue to work. And we, the Philippines, are determined to be part of that solution.”

"Food is not just a trade commodity nor a livelihood. It is an existential imperative, and a moral one. It is the very basis of human security," he said.

He cited efforts of the Philippine government to attain food self-sufficiency and security include ‘providing innovative solutions and financial support to farmers and fisher-folk to adapt new technologies and connect to national and global value supply chains.’

"We look forward to forging cooperation with the UN and our partners to boost agricultural productivity and food security," he said.

Investments in education are also key, Marcos Jr said, noting the need to equip people ‘with the tools they need to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.’

“My administration is prepared to make such investments,” he said.

"There is perhaps no greater renewable resource than the creativity and innovation of our young. We understand the value of harnessing our people’s talents by creating a robust and creative economy. We will continue to work with partners in promoting this at the international level," he added.

MARCOS URGES RICH NATIONS TO FULFILL CLIMATE OBLIGATIONS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on industrialized nations to immediately cut their greenhouse gas emissions and provide financial assistance to developing countries like the Philippines as the impacts of climate change grow.

In a speech during the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time), Marcos said that “climate change is the greatest threat affecting our nations and our peoples.”

But he stressed that its effects are uneven and reflect historical injustice, with the least responsible countries such as the Philippines bearing the brunt of climate change impacts.

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts such as strong cyclones, flooding, and sea level rise.

“This injustice must be corrected, and those who need to do more must act now,” Marcos said.

ACTIVISTS YELL AT MARCOS IN PROTEST OF HIS US VISIT

NEW YORK, United States — Before drawing cheers from traders inside the New York Stock Exchange, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was yelled at by activists who protested his visit here.

A group of protesters chanted "Never again to martial law" as Marcos was entering the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to address an economic forum and to ring the closing bell, videos posted online showed.

He briefly looked at the activists without saying a word before proceeding to the NYSE trading floor.

While Marcos drew criticism outside the venue, he got praises from investors who attended the forum and who watched him ring the closing bell.

ACTIVISTS PREPARE FOR COMMEMORATION OF MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION 50 YRS AGO

MANILA — Visual artists from different groups rendered finishing touches on their pieces on Tuesday, as they prepare to commemorate former President Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of Martial Law in the country on September 21, 1972.

"Hindi dapat tayo makalimot sa madilim na nakaraan nung panahon ng batas militar," said 22-year-old Nicholas Jalea.

Nicholas, or "Nick" to his peers, is among artists who collaborated on a mural titled, "Kalahating Siglo ng Daluyong."

The mural depicts the faces of the Marcos family and those who fought the Martial Law, as well as artists who stood against the dictatorship of the late president, the father and namesake of the incumbent leader.

The art work was commissioned by the group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) as part of the commemoration of the Martial Law declaration, specifically for Wednesday's gathering at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Other groups, such as Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Karapatan, and Kalikasan, are also working on their respective pieces that will be shown to the public at the same event.

Isis Molintas of Karapatan told ABS-CBN News that the event is significant as Marcos' imposition of Martial Law remains very relevant to people like her who were not yet born during that period.

In a text message, Renato Reyes of BAYAN said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly, cannot escape the ghosts of Martial Law wherever he may be in the world.

He said justice remains elusive for the victims of his father's Martial Law imposition and for the Filipino people.

DEPORTATION OF POGO WORKERS SET, DOJ CHIEF TO MEET CHINA ENVOY

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said he will meet with the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines regarding the deportation of employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that are not licensed.

During a budget hearing Tuesday, Remulla said there were 216 previously licensed POGO companies that have stopped paying their dues.

Remulla estimated that around 40,000 employees of the POGO companies may be staying in the Philippines illegally.

He said China had protocols that needed to be followed before accepting the deportees, and that he would be meeting the Chinese ambassador to ensure that these rules were followed.

Several foreigners who were rescued during operations against unlawful POGOs in Luzon are set to be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday.

Forty-one foreign nationals who were rescued in Angeles, Pampanga over the weekend are currently at the BI’s detention facility in Taguig awaiting deportation, said BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday the crackdown on POGOs linked to illegal activities is part of the government’s efforts to preserve the country’s safe business climate, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

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DOH EYES RELAXED BORDER RESTRICTIONS FOR FOREIGN TRAVELERS

The Department of Health (DOH) is studying the possibility of recommending further easing of border restrictions due to COVID-19 for foreign travelers who wish to travel in the Philippines, an official said Tuesday.

In a press briefing Tuesday, DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) would discuss the President’s directive to further open up the economy and relax border restrictions.

At the same time, Vergeire said the Philippines has recorded an average of only three COVID-19 deaths per day this month so far, lower than the 17 fatalities daily count in August.

Vergeire said current data may still show 200 confirmed deaths per day due to delays in reporting.

“We have been transparent on this, we tell you that there are delays in our reporting of deaths because deaths are still being validated on the ground,” she said.

“Our case fatality up until now is still 1.6 percent. It never went over 2 percent. We are able to keep the deaths in our country at that minimum,” she added.

While this is low, she said, the DOH does not want any fatality due to infection.

PESO AT NEW LOW: P57.48 VS. $1

The Philippine peso sank to yet another all-time low against the US dollar, closing at P57.48 versus the greenback on Tuesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso weakened to a low of P57.50 in intraday trading, BAP data showed. The peso closed at P57.43 to a dollar last Friday.

Markets and central banks globally are anticipating another interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve to tame inflation. The Fed is set to start its two-day meeting on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), with several analysts expecting another aggressive rate hike.

Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will hold a policy-setting meeting on Thursday.

Interest rate hikes by the US Fed cause the dollar to rally, which in turn leads to the depreciation of other currencies, including the peso.

“[US] Inflation is still heading upwards. It’s very clear that the Fed will raise rates by at least 75 basis points and our expectation is that it will continue to raise rates by November, December and into next year,” Moody’s Analytics Chief APAC Economist Steven Cochrane told ANC.

“The central bank [BSP] has two things to watch for. One is controlling inflation, but then also the currency — this is where the conundrum that many central banks in the region are at — they need to manage the spread between interest rates with the US rates to try to avoid any significant capital outflows from Asia to the US,” he added.

50K GRADES 1-3 PUPILS IN NCR CAN HARDLY READ

Almost 50,000 students from Grades 1 to 3 in Metro Manila find it hard to read, a survey and assessment the Department of Education made in the National Capital Region revealed.

According to the survey the DepEd-NCR presented on Tuesday, 49,636 learners are classified as needing a “total full refresher” out of over 384,000 students from Grades 1 to 3 that took the comprehensive rapid literary assessment test before the current school year.

“We continue to look for the non-numerates, non-literates in all of our schools,” DepEd-NCR Director Wilfredo Cabral said, adding that schools already have a learning recovery and continuity plan in place.

Schools also have the LOG IN Plus framework, which stands for “loss, gaps, and gains in basic education,” apart from the good practices executed during the peak of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The regional education office also assured that it is ready for the mandated full in-person classes come November, despite the prevailing shortage of classrooms across NCR.

“We are saying that we have problems on shortage in classrooms, not necessarily in the absence of that pre-pandemic stage, but because there are schools undergoing retrofitting and major repair,” Cabral said.

Some of those schools, he said, will be completely repaired by November, but probably beyond the DepEd deadline of November 2, he said.

“But, just the same, within the year, all of us can go to full in-person classes,” Cabral added.

DSWD, PAO UNITE IN FILING CHARGES VS. FATHERS NEGLECTING CHILD SUPPORT

The Public Attorney’s Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have joined forces to go after negligent fathers who refuse to give support to their children.

PAO chief Persida Acosta and DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement to assist neglected or abandoned children of men with estranged wives, partners, and even girlfriends.

“The days of these irresponsible fathers are numbered. You shall face criminal charges,” Acosta said.

“You produce children, then you refuse to give support. What’s that? Even if you plant a plant, you have to nurture it,” she added.

PAO would help mothers of a neglected child or children file a case against their fathers, who after being warned by the DSWD would remain unresponsive, Tulfo said.

“We will not just warn these kinds of fathers, but we will help the mothers file cases,” he added.

“Once a concerned mother approaches, we will write to the (negligent) father once and twice. If he ignores us, PAO has to step into the matter,” Tulfo stressed.

Under the agreement, PAO would represent the aggrieved mothers in court.

Tulfo is encouraging single mothers to surface and seek government help.

DAVAO STUDENT DIES FROM HAZING; 8 NABBED

DAVAO CITY — Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the death of a student in this city over the weekend due to alleged hazing.

Police identified the victim as August Ceazar Saplot, fourth year student of the College of Criminal Justice Education at the University of Mindanao (UM).

Saplot was said to be a “pledgee” of the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity, Alpha Delta chapter.

Another hazing victim reportedly suffered serious injuries and remains confined in a hospital.

Jeremiah Moya, Leji Wensdy Quibuyen, John Lloyd Sumagang, Harold Joshua Flauta, John Steven Silvosa, Ramel John Gamo, Gilbert Asoy Jr. and Roseller Gaentano were arrested. It has yet to be determined if the suspects are all students of the university.

Personnel of the Mandug police station said it responded to a call that the body of a man, who was later identified as Saplot, was discovered in Purok Sto. Niño, Barangay Upper Mandug in Buhangin District on Sunday.

Police said six other suspects remain at large.

In a statement, the UM said it “strongly condemns the senseless and deplorable incident in the highest possible consternation and dismay.”

The university said it is “offering its unqualified grief” to the  families of the victims.

NO MORE FREE BUS RIDES FROM 11 PM TO 3 AM

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has allowed the collection of bus fare at the EDSA Bus Carousel from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily.

The government could no longer give free rides on the EDSA Bus Carousel for 24 hours, thus allowing the fare box system, the LTFRB said, adding there were fewer buses plying the route.

But the agency said it would issue a new order to ensure the carousel’s continuous operation, so commuters would no longer endure long queues at its terminal area.

The “Libreng Sakay” program for the EDSA Bus Carousel is only available from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. until December 2022.

The free train rides for students on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2), and PNR would be from August 22 until November 4, 2022, the Department of Transportation said.

MONSOON RAIN TO CONTINUE UNTIL THURSDAY – PAGASA

MANILA — The southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to dump rain in Metro Manila and other parts of the country until tomorrow, the state weather bureau announced yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it is monitoring a low-pressure area east of Luzon.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon and the LPA would bring rains over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region and Western Visayas.

There is a low chance that the LPA will develop into a tropical cyclone, according to PAGASA.

Classes suspended

Several local government units in Metro Manila suspended classes yesterday due to rains and flooding.

In Valenzuela, Mayor Wes Gatchalian suspended classes at all levels as a preemptive measure.

Work in government offices in Valenzuela were also suspended, except for emergency response offices.

Classes were also suspended in Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

AFTER LOS ANGELES PREMIERE, 'SLEEP WITH ME' HEADING TO NEW YORK QUEER FEST

After making its award-winning premiere in Los Angeles in July, the iWantTFC series “Sleep With Me” is set to join another film festival in the US, this time in the East Coast.

The Samantha Lee-helmed queer love story will be screened at 34th NewFest in New York City this October.

NewFest, which was founded in 1988, is said to be the “largest presenter of LGBTQ+ film & media and the largest convener of LGBTQ+ audiences” in the city.

“Happy to be part of NewFest again,” tweeted Lee, whose 2019 film “Billie & Emma” also participated in the festival.

NewFest described “Sleep With Me,” which stars Janine Gutierrez and Lovi Poe, as a “rousing romance” that “explores the many ways queerness and disability intersect.”

The six-episode title previously the Audience Award for Best Episodic at the 40th Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival in July.

“Sleep With Me” is available to stream on iWantTFC.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 57.48

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. - George Bernard Shaw