MARCOS SIGNS SIM REGISTRATION LAW AMID PROLIFERATION OF TEXT SCAMS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Monday approved the SIM Card Registration Law, seen as a deterrent to the proliferation of text scams and text spams that have targetted many Filipinos.

Marcos signed the law, which requires SIM card or newer types of SIM (eSIM) users to present any official identification before they could use these.

The measure also aims to help law enforcement authorities "track perpetrators of crimes committed through phones," an earlier press release from the Office of the Press Secretary showed.

Under the law, public telecommunications entities (PTEs) — government or private — and direct sellers are mandated to require users to present valid IDs with a photo when acquiring SIMs.

Corporations, meanwhile, are required to present their certificate of registration as well as the duly-adopted resolution designating their duly-authorized representative, and special power of attorney for the registration of SIM of other juridical entities.

The country's privacy commission had said text scammers have already shifted to a "new modus," which already includes text aggregators for their schemes. The NPC mounted another investigation because of this, an official said.

PNP CUSTODIAL UNIT CHIEF SACKED AFTER DE LIMA HOSTAGE CRISIS

MANILA – The head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial unit has been relieved of his post following the brief hostage-taking of Senator Leila de Lima by three detainees who attempted to escape their detention facility.

“Administratively po ay ni-relieve po natin yung chief ng custodial service unit para sa ganoon po ay malaman po natin kung ano ho ba yung mga naging lapses po sa pag-implement ng security po sa custodial center natin,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. told TeleRadyo.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and forensic teams are already investigating the incident.

The country’s top cop also said they transferred De Lima to the PNP General Hospital on Sunday night to help the lawmaker rest and recover from what happened.

“Kagabi po ay nilipat po natin siya pansamantala sa PNP General Hospital para makapagpahinga po siya, habang inaayos ang kanyang facility kasi doon nga po nangyari yung insidente.”

“So medyo nililinis pa po at inaayos and naghahanap po tayo ng ibang facility doon sa loob ng custodial center na pwede po niyang paglipatan para yun pong kahit papaano, hindi po niya naaalala yung naging insidente doon sa kanyang facility po,” he added.

Azurin said he has instructed his men to conduct a physical security check of the PNP Custodial Center and to review their standard operating procedures for running it.

“We will ensure also na no material that would harm anybody would be allowed to enter na po doon sa Custodial Center dahil maaaring ito po ay nailusot po ng mga ibang mga dumadalaw po sa kanila na hindi ho natingnan ng ating mga guwardiya during inspection po,” he said.

ASG INMATES DIE IN ESCAPE TRY

Jailed former senator Leila de Lima was briefly taken hostage Sunday morning during an attempted breakout by three inmates who were shot dead by police, authorities said.

The inmates were reportedly members of the militant group Abu Sayyaf, which has been accused of kidnapping and beheading several foreigners.

The incident happened at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where De Lima has been held for more than five years with other high-profile detainees.

One police officer, PCpl. Roger Agustin, was stabbed with an improvised knife as he was serving meals to the inmates, before another officer, Police Cpl. Pat Matias, shot dead two of the inmates, Idang Susukan and Arnel Cabintoy.

The third prisoner, Feliciano Sulayao Jr., ran to de Lima’s cell and briefly held the 63-year-old ex-lawmaker hostage before he was also shot dead.

The event happened from 6:30 a.m. to 7:18 a.m., police said in a statement PCol. Mark Pespes of the PNP Special Action Force responded to the scene as Sulayao held De Lima hostage, then the SAF Tactical Response Team “saw an opportunity and neutralized the hostage taker,” Police Lt. Col. Lucio Simangan said in the report.

olice Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, the PNP spokesman, said DeLima was not hurt and that the situation inside the detention facility had “returned to normal.” An investigation was underway.

In the aftermath of the hostage taking, De Lima released a statement describing her ordeal.

After being told by Sulayao that since his two other companions were already dead, “he’s certain he would also be killed and he might just as well also kill me, I consider what happened to me as a near-death experience” if not for the timely intervention of the PNP security force, she said.

“Please also pray for the injured police officer (Agustin) who, like me, was the other but more unfortunate victim of this incident. While I have survived with only a knife mark and some considerable distress, he is still fighting for his life. Let us all pray for his quick recovery,” De Lima added.

PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin told radio station dzBB that the senator did not appear to have been the target.

“They saw her as an ideal cover. Their intention really was to escape,” he said.

MALACAÑANG ALLOWS DUTERTE APPOINTEES TO WORK UNTIL DECEMBER

MANILA — Employees and officials of the Office of the President appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte will be allowed to perform their functions until the end of the year.

"All employees and officials in the Office of the President Proper, whose issued appointments were coterminous with the previous appointing authority, shall remain in service and continue to perform their duties and functions until 31 December 2022," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a memorandum order dated Sept. 27.

The appointment extension will be in effect unless the said Duterte appointees resign from their positions, or are replaced or reappointed.

This is to avoid any disruption in government services, Bersamin said.

OP Human Resources Director Andrea Maila Ordanez thanked Bersamin for the memorandum on Monday, as it reassured them of keeping their jobs until at least after Christmas.

"It is really hard to be in that place of uncertainty, especially this coming Christmas season na hiling lang ng bawat isa sa amin ay maging happy tayo ngayong Pasko. Again, thank you very much po," Ordanez said during the flag-raising ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Monday morning.

In the same ceremony, Bersamin urged all Palace employees to "be true to your oaths of office."

LEDAC MEETS TO TACKLE PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE BILLS

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) today to discuss the status of his administration’s legislative agenda, which he presented in his maiden State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last July 25.

The priority measures the LEDAC is expected to tackle include the National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP); the Budget Modernization Bill; the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE); and the Unified System of Separation, Retirement, and Pension.

Chaired by the President, the 20-member council counts Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, seven members of the Cabinet designated by Mr. Marcos, three senators designated by the Senate President, three members of the House of Representatives designated by the Speaker, and representatives from local government units (LGUs), the youth sector, and the private sector.

In a statement, Malacanang said economic bills that are expected to be discussed include the E-Governance Act; National Land Use Act; Tax Package 3: Valuation Reform Bill; Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA), and the Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law.

In the area of national security, the LEDAC will tackle the National Defense Act; Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and National Service Training Program (NSTP); the establishment of a Medical Reserve Corps, the National Disease Prevention Management Authority, the Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the Department of Water Resources.

TRANSPORT GROUPS PRESS FOR EXCISE TAX SUSPENSION

Various transport groups on Sunday pressed for the suspension of excise tax on petroleum products in anticipation of a huge hike in fuel prices this week, with diesel seen to go up by as much as P6 per liter.

This was as Trade Union Congress of the Philippines vice president Luis Corral warned a “perfect storm” was brewing amid increasing food and power prices, as well as rising unemployment and underemployment rates.

“For us in TUCP, there appears to be a perfect storm that’s brewing…People are unable to pay for rent, utilities, food, and ordinary healthcare needs,” he said.

“The attitude of the Marcos administration should not be business as usual. They should work doubly hard, triply hard, to find solutions and undertake consultations to address these concerns immediately,” Corral said.

Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) president Ricardo Rebaño, for his part, said a three- to four-month suspension of fuel excise tax is necessary to ease the burden of soaring oil prices on drivers and transport operators.

He said it is a better choice than asking for another round of fare hike, which will pass the burden on commuters.

“We are asking for even just a few months of suspension of fuel excise tax until prices of petroleum stabilize so we can have a win-win solution,” he said.

Industry sources said the price per liter of diesel may increase by P6 up to P6.30 on Tuesday, while gasoline prices may go up by P1.10 to P1.40 per liter.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) national president Mody Floranda said aside from suspending the excise tax, the Oil Deregulation Law and TRAIN Law must be amended as well.

“The government needs to revise the provisions under the Oil Deregulation Law and the TRAIN Law—the expanded VAT and the excise tax on petroleum products – because we do not import petroleum products on a weekly or monthly basis,” Floranda said.

NANCY BINAY CALLS FOR THE LIFTING OF THE ONE HEALTH PASS (OHP)

Senator Nancy Binay calls for the lifting of the One Health Pass (OHP) amid mounting complaints from travelers over the inconvenience of the screening system.

“Dapat i-lift na natin ang One Health Pass dahil hindi na rin ito nagiging praktikal at mas nagiging inconvenient ito para sa nakararami. Mas malaking hassle sa ating mga OFW at balikbayan dahil dagdag na screening kahit quarantine-cleared at kumpleto sila sa bakuna at boosters. From the tourism lens, we might be turning away potential guests because of this added bureaucratic layer whose effectiveness isn't even guaranteed,” the senator says in a statement.

Binay, who chairs the Senate committee on tourism, adds that the Department of Tourism and other agencies "should look into simplifying the processes that visitors have to undergo as the tourism industry looks to recover from the pandemic."

NEDA: BUY LESS, PARTY SIMPLER

Government seeks to arrest high inflation as oil prices seen to go up P6/liter

Tighten your belts, control your purchases and make holiday celebrations simpler to arrest a further increase in prices of commodities as the inflation rate is seen to remain high until the end of the year, National Economic Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said.

Edillon said the elevated inflation can be addressed by lowering demand on the consumer side.

“Let us reduce our excessive purchasing. The increase in prices is due to external factors outside our control. What we can control is the demand. Let us lessen it,” she said.

She advised consumers to have simpler celebrations for the holidays even as she acknowledged it is not applicable to all Filipino families.

“This is not for everyone. We know that there are some families who go all out in preparing food during the holidays,” Edillon said.

On the supply side, the NEDA official said the government has programs to boost production.

THE REST

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PHILIPPINES RECORDS 2,097 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 34 NEW DEATHS

MANILA — The Philippines recorded 2,097 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

This raised the country's total to 3,967,861.

Thirty-four new deaths were also recorded, bringing the total number of people in the country who succumbed to the respiratory disease to 63,264.

Of the newly reported infections, 790 are from Metro Manila.

Active cases stood at 26,357, while the number of those who recovered from the illness climbed to 3,878,240.

The positivity rate from Oct. 2 to 8 is 15.6 percent, higher than the 15.1 percent recorded last week, ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido said.

POLICE SEIZE BIGGEST HAUL YET OF SHABU WORTH P6.7 BILLON

Nearly a ton of suspected shabu worth P6.7 billion was seized by police drug enforcement agents at early dawn Saturday that authorities described as the biggest drug haul in history.

The seizure of 990 kilos of shabu also resulted in the arrest of an active policeman that authorities said would be subjected to extensive questioning to find out who were his cohorts in the drug trade.

“This is probably the drug haul in the history of the Philippines,” said Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. in a press conference Sunday.

PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin said the arrested policeman was Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo.

Azurin said Mayo faces administrative and other charges.

The drugs were seized after the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) under Brig. Narciso Domingo raided a building on Jose Abad Santos Street in Tondo, Manila, at 4 a.m., arresting a certain Ney Saligumba Atadero, 50, and finding 890 kilos and 102 grams worth of shabu worth P6.7 billion.

Domingo said police found Mayo’s ID card after they searched the house of Atadero.

A follow-up operation in Quiapo led to the apprehension of Mayo of the PDEG, said Domingo. He was caught with two kilos of suspected shabu worth P13.6 million.

Azurin has ordered a full-blown investigation into Mayo and other persons that may be linked to him and illegal drugs.

OVP FOOD TRUCKS TO ADDRESS MALNUTRITION AMONG STUDENTS

The Office of the Vice President will soon deploy three food trucks in several schools nationwide to arrest malnutrition and hunger problems among students.

OVP Local Affairs and Special Programs Division chief Norman Baloro said the “Kalusugan Food Trucks” will follow a 120-day feeding program menu.

The program will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Department of Health, through the National Nutrition Council.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio is also the concurrent Education Secretary.

Baloro said the three trucks “were lent to the OVP under a usufruct agreement until 2028.”

“We target nine schools in a year, three schools each in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, considering that 120 days is prescribed by the National Nutrition Council,” he said.

The food trucks will also be used as mobile kitchens during calamities, he added.

PNP TO GIVE SECURITY TO NCR MEDIA UNDER THREAT

The National Capital Region Police Office said it will provide security to Metro Manila-based journalists who receive threats or are being harassed following the murder of veteran broadcaster Percival Mabasa.

Mabasa, 63, known to his colleagues as Percy Lapid, was the second journalist to have been killed under the current administration, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said he has tapped all district directors and station commanders of the five police districts in Metro Manila to initiate a dialogue with newspaper reporters, broadcasters, and other media practitioners “to determine imminent threats if any and address their security concerns accordingly.”

“We acknowledge the risks involved in the job of our media friends, hence we are duty-bound to protect them” Estomo said.

He said his directive was in compliance with the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety and security of all media practitioners in the country.

“The NCRPO acknowledges the essential role of our friends from the media for their fair, truthful, and timely dissemination of information as well as their contribution in cascading the PNP’s anti-criminality programs for the benefit of the general public. It is then necessary that their concerns be given attention and dealt with,” Estomo added.

Estomo likewise warned the killer of Mabasa to surrender to authorities while there is still a chance.

The police earlier announced that it has identified the suspected gunman.

Romualdez said the bounty will come from the personal contributions of House members who were disturbed by the killing that happened in Metro Manila.

“We in the House view with concern the killing of Percy Mabasa. The perpetrators and the masterminds behind this dastardly act must be brought to justice at all costs,” he said.

BIG TIME PRICE HIKES ON DIESEL, GASOLINE, KEROSENE TO TAKE EFFECT ON OCT. 11

MANILA - Prices of petroleum products, especially diesel, will increase on Oct. 11, oil firms announced on Monday.

The following changes will take effect on Tuesday:

PILIPINAS SHELL

Gasoline P1.20 per liter increase

Kerosene P3.50 per liter increase

Diesel P6.85 per liter increase

CLEANFUEL

Gasoline P1.20 per liter increase

Diesel P6.85 per liter increase

SPORTS

SAN MIGUEL DEF. RAIN OR SHINE, 113-105 (PBA) OCTOBER 9

San Miguel Beermen defeated Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 113-105 to grab their first win in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, October 9 at the PhilSports Arena.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 113 - Stone 42, Fajardo 21, Perez 13, Herndon 8, Cruz 7, Manuel 7, Enciso 6, Lassiter 6, Ross 3, Tautuaa 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 105 – Taylor Jr 20, Nambatac 19, Santillan 15, Mamuyac 13, Asistio 11, Caracut 11, Ponferada 10, Belga 3, Demusis 3, Norwood 0, Borboran 0.

Quarters: 29-24, 61-59, 85-85, 113-105.

GINEBRA DEF. BAY AREA DRAGONS, 111-93 (PBA) OCTOBER 9

Barangay Ginebra (2-1) defeated Bay Area Dragons (4-1), 111-93 to grab their second straight win in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, October 9 at the PhilSports Arena.

Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings with game-high 46 points on 17-of-26 shooting along with four 3-pointers to go with 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 38 minutes of play. Jamie Malonzo with a solid game of 17 points (6/11fg, 5/6ft) to go with 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 111 - Brownlee 46, Malonzo 17, Standhardinger 11, Pringle 10, Thomspon 8, J. Aguilar 5, Gray 5, Pessumal 3, Tenorio 2, Pinto 2, Onwubere 2, R Aguilar 0, Mariano 0.

BAY AREA 93 – Nicholson 28, Yang 15, Lam 13, Blankley 8, Liu 8, Ewing 8, Si 5, Reid 4, Zhu 2, Zheng 2, Ju 0, Liang 0, Song 0.

Quarters: 26-28,50-48, 85-66, 111-93.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Failure is a bruise, not a tattoo. - John Sinclair