MARCOS JR, BIDEN TO MEET ON THE SIDELINES OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SAYS PALACE

MANILA - Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is set to meet US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in the US, Malacañang confirmed Wednesday night.

In a Facebook post, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said it will be the two leaders' first meeting, although she did not provide the exact schedule.

"Inaasahang matatalakay ng dalawang world leader ang pagpapatatag ng relasyong Pilipinas-US na nasa 76 na taon na ng kooperasyon, pagpapayabong ng kalakalan, pamumuhunan sa ating bansa, at iba pang isyu na kinakaharap ng mundo," Cruz-Angeles said.

Marcos and Biden had spoken over the phone in May after the former won the presidential election.

He also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Philippine officials previously said Marcos is expected to hold bilateral meetings with some world leaders while in the US.

MARCOS MEETS WITH GLOBAL FOOD CORP CARGILL TO DISCUSS FOOD SECURITY DURING US VISIT

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with global food corporation Cargill during his visit to the US.

Marcos, who is also serving as the Agriculture chief, said food security was one of the topics discussed during the meeting.

“Had an enlightening meeting with the executives of American global food corporation, Cargill, on the 4th day of our working visit to the United States,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

“We discussed how to attain food security and self-sufficiency, and explored ways to boost agricultural productivity in the Philippines,” he added.

Food security and addressing supply chain challenges in food items are among the priorities of the Marcos administration.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Baliscan, among others, joined the chief executive during the meeting.

MARCOS CALLS FOR END TO RACISM, ASIAN HATE, PREJUDICES

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for a “fair international system” to eliminate racism and Asian hate, as he pledged to accelerate the implementation of a human rights joint program in the Philippines with the United Nations.

In his speech at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), Mr. Marcos said this system should work for the “most vulnerable” sectors in society such as the marginalized, migrants, and refugees.

“We still dream of an end to the disturbing incidents of racism, of Asian hate, of all prejudice,” Mr. Marcos said.

The Philippines-United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights, he said, is an example of a constructive approach that “puts our people, not our politics, at the center of this work.”

“It provides a model for revitalizing the structures that facilitate solidarity between the United Nations and a sovereign duty-bearer,” the President said.

The joint program seeks to affirm the country’s commitment to human rights, the importance of free democratic space for civil society, as well as the principle of international cooperation.

Filipinos ranked third among ethnicities that have become victims of hate crimes directed against Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, according to the latest report released by Stop AAPI Hate, a broad coalition that gathers data on racially motivated attacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid the string of attacks against Asian-Americans in the US, the Philippine Consulate General in New York encouraged Filipino victims, or those who have witnessed such incidents, to contact the consulate so immediate assistance can be rendered to victims.

SPEAKER HAILS SPEECH, MARKS IT TO BE HISTORIC

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said he has “never been prouder” to be a Filipino after listening to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s historic address at the 77th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday in Manila).

“I have never been prouder to stand as a Filipino in the company of world leaders. It was a great experience to see and hear our President spell out, in clear terms, what we as a people expect from the parliament of nations,” Romualdez said, referring to the reaffirmation made by President Marcos of the ideals upheld and promoted by the UN.

Romualdez said the Filipino leader’s participation at the event was a symbolic act that would play a significant role in advancing peace and stability, not only in the Southeast Asian region but in the Philippines’ sphere of influence as well.

He said Mr. Marcos’ remarks—his first on the world stage since his election last May—show “how we all need to work together to address the urgent problems plaguing the globe in this generation… That we need to act fast if we want humanity to survive.”

“The UN has long been an independent arbiter and an effective facilitator of the international dialogue between and among nations. It continues to be our country’s honor to be part of this global family of nations that has continued to remain faithful to its mission of fostering world peace,” said Romualdez, who accompanied Mr. Marcos on his visit to the US.

“President Marcos’ call for global unity resonates with each one of us who fear what the tectonic shifts in the world today may bring in the coming century. The President’s words struck a chord in every Filipino household,” the Speaker said.

“He verbalized what an average Filipino family would want to tell world leaders: Please get your acts together so that we keep families all over the world feeling safe and secure for generations to come,” Romualdez said.

“Reaffirming the principles that the UN stands for means we also reaffirm our commitment to pursue dialogue and cooperation as a peaceful means to settle conflict and disputes. And this is crucial to the peace and stability in our region,” he added.

The President delivered the Philippine national statement before members of the UN at its 77th General Assembly at its global headquarters in New York.

ENRILE SAYS PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE SOLE POWER TO DECLARE MARTIAL LAW

MANILA — Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday urged the Senate to bring back the sole power of declaring martial law to the sitting president, as the country marked the 50th anniversary of the military rule that he implemented under the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

During a Senate hearing on charter change, Enrile said seeking Congress approval to declare martial law is detrimental to the nation's interest.

He also proposed to bring back "imminent danger" among the constitutional provisions that allowed a president to place the country under military rule.

Under the 1987 constitution, martial law can only be declared when there is rebellion or insurrection. It also gave Congress a say on whether or not the declaration is necessary.

"Ibig sabihin ni [former president] Cory [Aquino], kung nandiyan na 'yong giyera, binabaril na 'yong mga sundalo ninyo, natin at saka mga pulis, saka lang ako magdedeklara ng martial law," Enrile said, referring to Marcos Sr.'s successor.

"Ang sinasabi ng 1935 Constitution at ng 1973 Constitution, 'pag nakita mo na, at natitiyak mo sa sarili mong desisyon, na ang bansa mo ay namemeligro na sasalakayin o wawasakin ng insurekto o rebelyon. Gumalaw ka na. Gamitin mo ang kamay na bakal," he said.

For Enrile, it’s time to "scrap" the 1987 Constitution. He said the 1935 Constitution should serve as model for the next charter because it has a "continuity of policies."

Marcos on Sept. 21, 1972 signed Proclamation No. 1081, which placed the country under martial law. The declaration lasted until January 1981, and the period was marred by human rights violations and massive corruption.

Enrile said Marcor Sr. had ordered him to study the powers of the chief executive.

"Seven general orders, 7 letters of instruction, plus the proclamation: Ako lang ang nag-iisang gumawa ng mga dokumentong iyon. Kaya walang puwedeng makipagdebate sa akin," Enrile told the panel.

"Ginulo nila (framers of the 1987 Constitution) 'yong martial law provision. Noong dineklara namin yung martial law simple lang. The Supreme Court cannot intervene, nobody can interfere. The power of the President was absolute," added the 98-year-old politician.

Enrile, who was the defense chief and martial law administrator of Marcos Sr., later sided with administration critics during the 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled the late dictator.

'LEARN LESSONS OF THE PAST': CONSTITUTION FRAMER REJECTS ABSOLUTE POWER FOR ONE PERSON

MANILA — One of the framers of the 1987 Constitution on Thursday rejected a proposal for the sitting president to have sole power in declaring martial law.

As an "extraordinary power," martial law shall only be imposed as an urgency "for the survival of the state", said lawyer Christian Monsod.

"Under the 1973 Constitution, walang checks and balance. Kung gusto lang ng presidente, he has absolute right to declare martial law, which he (dictator Ferdinand Marcos) did," he told ANC's "Rundown."

"We should learn 'yung lessons of the past on what happened when you put absolute power in the hands of one person. That cannot happen in a democracy," he added.

The Philippines on Wednesday marked 50 years since Marcos Sr. placed the country under military rule.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, chief implementer of the Marcos martial law, urged the Senate to bring back the sole power of declaring military rule to the sitting president.

MANILA COURT JUNKS DOJ'S PLEA TO DECLARE CPP-NPA AS TERRORISTS

MANILA — The Manila court has dismissed the government’s proscription petition against the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army under the now-repealed Human Security Act of 2007.

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Presiding Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar dismissed the petition filed by the Department of Justice that asked the court to declare the CPP and its armed wing, NPA, as terrorist groups under Section 17 of Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007 in April 2018.

The HSA has since been repealed by the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, under which the CPP-NPA are “designated” as terrorists.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the instant Petition is hereby dismissed,” the ruling dated September 21 read.

The court looked into the CPP’s Ten Point Program or “Plan of Action” to determine whether the group is organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism. Among these plans by the CPP are to overthrow US forces, as well as establish a people’s democratic state and a coalition government.

Under the HSA, terrorism is defined as the commission of piracy and mutiny in high seas; rebellion or insurrection; coup d’etat; murder; kidnapping and serious illegal detention; crimes involving destruction of property “thereby sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand.”

But the court said: “A perusal of the foregoing Program, consisting of lofty ideals readily shows that the CPP-NPA is organized or exists, not for the purpose engaging in terrorism.”

The court also said that “it is not difficult to see” how the CPP-NPA’s armed struggle and the violence that accompanies it to achieve its purpose may have earned the organizations the terrorist label. But the court said: “[W]hile ‘armed struggle’ with the ‘violence’ that necessarily accompanies it, is indubitably the approved ‘means’ achieve the CCP-NPA’s purpose, ‘means’ is not synonymous with ‘purpose.’”

SARA DUTERTE TO ATTEND ABE’S STATE FUNERAL

MANILA — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte is set to fly to Japan next week to attend the state funeral for the late former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe scheduled on Sept. 27.

Duterte said she confirmed her attendance at Abe’s funeral during her meeting with Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa yesterday.

In a statement, Duterte said that during the state funeral, she will be handing to the Japanese government letters of condolences from her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as well as from President Marcos.

Abe once visited then president Duterte in his house in Davao City. The longest-serving prime minister of Japan until his resignation in 2020 was assassinated last month while delivering a speech at a campaign rally in Nara City. He was 67.

Meanwhile, the Vice President also expressed to Koshikawa the Philippines’ gratitude to the Japanese government for being the country’s top partner in terms of development, investment and trade from 2002 to 2021 and for being the top contributor for the Build Build Build program of her father’s administration.

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DOH REPORTS 1,886 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 37 DEATHS

MANILA — The Philippines recorded 1,886 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

This raised the country's total to 3,927,120.

Thirty-seven new deaths were also recorded, raising the total number of people in the country who succumbed to the respiratory disease to 62,657.

Active cases stood at 27,284, while those who recovered from the illness now reached 3,837,179.

Of the newly reported infections, 931 are from Metro Manila.

The positivity rate from Sept. 18 to 20 is at 14.5 percent, ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido said.

From Sept. 12 to 18, the country recorded an average of 2,101 daily infections, which is 4 percent lower compared to the previous week.

LTFRB TO OPEN 50 MORE NCR ROUTES

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will open around 50 additional routes in Metro Manila to put more public utility vehicles on the road.

It also clarified that the collection of bus fares at the Carousel from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily was not a new regulation but a policy implemented since 2021, LTFRB board member and lawyer Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes said at a public briefing on Wednesday.

“In our previous meetings, to my knowledge, we will open around 50 additional routes. If possible, we will release it this week,” Paras-Leynes said.

The LTFRB official said the agency is also studying a proposal to extend the validity of the franchise of PUV operators and drivers who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as waive their penalties.

PESO PLUMMETS TO NEW RECORD LOW 58 TO $1

MANILA — The peso tumbled further to hit a new record low of 58 to $1 after weakening by 52 centavos from Tuesday’s close of 57.48, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).

The local currency opened at an intraday high of 57.7 and steadily lost steam to close at an intraday low of 58. Trading volume went up by 8.7 percent to $1.05 billion from Tuesday’s $967 million.

China Bank chief economist Domini Velasquez said the peso reached a new all-time low as markets are anticipating another giant hike by the US Federal Reserve.

Velasquez said market expectations are currently at another 75-basis-point interest rate increase by the US Fed and some are even betting on as much as 100 basis points.

She said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is widely anticipated to deliver another 50-basis-point hike in its rate-setting meeting today.

10 NPA REBELS SURRENDER TO NCRPO

MANILA — Ten members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to police in Quezon City yesterday.

The rebels turned over their arms to National Capital Region Police Office director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo in a ceremony at a covered court in Barangay Payatas.

The event coincided with the observance of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.

The rebels were identified through their aliases as Roger, Primero, Velyn, Darrio, Bunso, Beng, Jomari, Junjun, Janjan and Roy.

One of the rebels, Jomari, is reportedly a member of the NPA’s special partisan unit, which is in charge of the assassination of government officials.

The rebels surrendered their weapons, including a 5.56-caliber rifle, two shotguns, two .38-caliber revolvers, mortar rounds and explosives.

Estomo said the rebels’ surrender is an accomplishment of the government to end armed conflict in the country.

The rebel returnees took their oath of allegiance to the government.

COMELEC READY FOR ORMOC PLEBISCITE

MANILA — Preparations are underway for a plebiscite in Ormoc, Leyte to ratify the merger of 28 barangays to three and renaming of another.

Under Resolution 110796, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) scheduled the plebiscite on Oct. 8.

The plebiscite period, including the campaign and information drive and gun ban, are set from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15.

A technical working group of the Ormoc city government held a dialogue with Comelec-Eastern Visayas director Jose Nick Mendros recently to clarify issues regarding the plebiscite.

On Jan. 19, 2021, the Ormoc city council approved the merger of Barangays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 17, 23 and 27 to be known as Barangay South; Barangays 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 25 and 28 to be known as Barangay East, and Barangays 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 26 to be known as Barangay West.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'KUYA, TAMA NA!': CLAUDINE BARRETTO CALLS OUT DENNIS PADILLA

MANILA — Actress Claudine Barretto defended niece Julia following the word war between her and dad Dennis Padilla.

In a now deleted post on Instagram, Claudine asked Dennis to stop releasing a statement against her niece on social media.

“Kuya, tama na!” Claudine wrote.

“Tumigil ka na please! Sumusobra ka na! Maawa ka sa mga bata. Please stop! Mag-usap tayo,” she added.

Claudine's post came after Dennis reacted on Julia's interview with broadcaster Karen Davila.

“I’ll be very honest. We have not spoken and it's because there’s just so much fear inside me now if I’m being open. I’m just really scared,” Julia said.

“Because over the years, it’s a cycle of making up and getting hurt. I want to huminga muna from that cycle. I don’t know. Maybe in God’s time, may ways mag-meet kami in the middle without getting hurt again," she added.

Dennis then took to his Instagram account to call out Julia. He, however, deleted his post.

“Nung malakas pa ako kumita at maliit pa kyo... Kanino ba naubos lahat? Sa inyo... Kasi gusto ko maginhawa ang buhay nyo,” he said.

“Ako ang dapat takbuhan mo julia.... I defended you pero nagalit pa kayo sa akin... Sobra kayo... Ano etong mga kwento mo kay karen??” he added.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 58.00

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

In my youth, I stressed freedom, and in my old age I stress order. I have made the great discovery that liberty is a product of order.  - Will Durant