CONGRESS URGED TO ENACT MARITIME BASELINES BILL

MANILA — A lawmaker on Tuesday urged Congress to finally pass a bill delineating the country’s maritime boundaries, including its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) made the appeal in the wake of the reported agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia on rules on how to delimit their overlapping territorial boundaries. The agreement was an offshoot of the visit to Jakarta of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month.

For Rodriguez, such a law would serve as the framework for negotiations on territorial limits between and among nations claiming islets and maritime areas in the South China Sea.

“The projected talks between the Philippines and our neighbor Indonesia should prompt Congress to now approve a maritime zones bill,” Rodriguez said in a statement sent to reporters. “It will also be our weapon in enforcing our laws, exploring resources and protecting our fishermen in these areas."

To recall, the Mindanao lawmaker earlier filed Bill No. 2467 or "An Act declaring the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines" in the last Congress. The House passed it but the Senate sat on it until it eventually languished in the legislative mill.

SPEAKER ROMUALDEZ VOWS HOUSE PASSAGE OF 30 PALACE PRIORITY BILLS

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Monday assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the House of Representatives would quickly pass 30 vital measures for job creation, health, and economic recovery to protect the country’s most vulnerable people.

Romualdez was referring to 30 out of the 32 bills approved or listed during Monday’s meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as its common legislative agenda (CLA).

It was the first time Mr. Marcos convened the LEDAC.

“The House and the Senate will give these measures utmost priority. President Marcos clearly spelled out a roadmap of governance in the next six years for economic recovery, with agriculture as the major engine for growth and employment,” Romualdez, who attended the LEDAC meeting in Malacañang, said.

Also adopted as the 31st and 32nd measures during LEDAC were The SIM Registration Act which was signed into law by President Marcos after Monday’s LEDAC meeting and The Postponement of Barangay & SK Elections, which was awaiting the Chief Executive’s signature as of press time Monday.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Monday assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the House of Representatives would quickly pass 30 vital measures for job creation, health, and economic recovery to protect the country’s most vulnerable people.

Romualdez was referring to 30 out of the 32 bills approved or listed during Monday’s meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as its common legislative agenda (CLA).

It was the first time Mr. Marcos convened the LEDAC.

“The House and the Senate will give these measures utmost priority. President Marcos clearly spelled out a roadmap of governance in the next six years for economic recovery, with agriculture as the major engine for growth and employment,” Romualdez, who attended the LEDAC meeting in Malacañang, said.

Also adopted as the 31st and 32nd measures during LEDAC were The SIM Registration Act which was signed into law by President Marcos after Monday’s LEDAC meeting and The Postponement of Barangay & SK Elections, which was awaiting the Chief Executive’s signature as of press time Monday.

OVER 20 MILLION NATIONAL IDS PRINTED, 16.7 MILLION DELIVERED: PSA

MANILA - Out of 21.6 million printed national ID cards, 16.7 million have already been delivered, an official of the agency in charge said Tuesday, as many Filipinos complain about waiting to receive their physical IDs.

Philippine Statistics Authority officer-in-charge Deputy National Statistician Fred Sollesta said the Philippine Statistics Authority will soon issue digital copies in printed PDF form so that citizens can use their credentials.

A downloadable mobile version of the national ID will soon be rolled out either by the end of the year or the first quarter of 2023, Sollesta told Teleradyo.

"Masyadong napakabilis ng registration natin and then yung backend process natin hindi siya gaano kabilis mag scale up considering may mga procurement tayo at tsaka yung procurement process stringent ang requirement natin," he said.

"Yung commitment ng PSA to issue 50 million credentials ay tinapatan namin ng pag issue in a form of digital ID …yung pag issue ng PDF copy. By yearend baka ito na yung mobile ID na pwede nila i-receive through their mobile phone or mga first quarter of 2023," he added.

Printed or downloaded national IDs will be considered as valid, he said, adding that it is designed to be as secure as the physical cards.

"May QR code yan, secure and safe yung ePhilID just like the physical card," he said.

So far, 73.8 million Filipinos have completed the step registration or the biometric details collection.

Sollesta said the PSA aims to release 50 million national IDs before the end of 2022 and to distribute 92 million ID credentials by the middle of 2023.

FOR FILIPINOS, FAKE NEWS IS A PROBLEM THEY BLAME ON SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS

MANILA — Nearly nine out of 10 Filipinos believe that fake news is a problem in the country which a small majority of them blame on social media influencers, bloggers and vloggers.

A new survey by private pollster Pulse Asia released Tuesday revealed that 86% of Filipino adults say that false news or fake news is a problem, while only 14% say otherwise.

According to the poll, 58% of Filipinos see social media influencers, bloggers and vloggers as peddlers of fake news about government and politics, followed by journalists at 40%, national politicians at 37% and local politicians at 30%.

Filipinos said the top sources of fake news about the government and politics come from the internet or television which is statistically tied at 68% and 67%, respectively. Radio comes in far third with 32% viewing it as a source of misinformation.

Filipinos are split as to whether they are sure that the political news they consume is real, with 44% saying they are certain that what they read is not fake, while another 44% say they are unsure.

Still, 55% said they are confident of Filipinos’ ability to discern whether the political news they encounter is truthful and only 7% say otherwise.

The survey was conducted from September 17 to 21, using face-to-face interviews. It was based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above.

REMULLA: PROSECUTION OF EJK PERPETRATORS AMONG DOJ PRIORITIES

MANILA - Justice Secretary Crispin "Boying" Remulla on Monday said prosecuting those involved in extra-judicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is among the Department of Justice’s priorities.

Remullla made this statement as the United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed some of the Philippines’ pressing issues during the 3919th meeting of the 136th Session of the international body.

“Forty-six police officers were charged in court from the 302 cases which were referred to the National Bureau of Investigation for case built up from the past drug operations; 222 police officers were found administratively liable and suspended from the service,” he said.

Remulla said the Department of Justice “strengthened witness protection program to encourage civil society organizations, witnesses and families of victims to come forward.”

He also said that the Bureau of Corrections is continually addressing the issue of overcrowding in their facilities.

According to the Justice Secretary, “the biggest chunk of the department's budget is earmarked” for decongesting the cells.

“New Bilibid Prison houses 17,000 maximum security prisoners in a jail built for only 5,000 people. We are now reforming the system and we have budgeted P4 billion to relocate the maximum security prison to the island Mindoro,” he explained.

Pending the completion of the project, Remulla reported they have released 371 inmates with 300 coming from New Bilibid Prison.

He added that they will free 5,000 more prisoners by June 2023.

COMELEC EN BANC AFFIRMS FIRST DIVISION'S JUNKING OF DQ CASE VS MARCOS

The Commission on Elections en banc has affirmed the Comelec First Division’s Resolution of April 20, 2022 that denied a petition seeking the perpetual disqualification of then candidate Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. from running for any elective position or from pursuing his candidacy as President in the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections.

Promulgated on October 10, 2022, the Comelec en banc resolution junked the motion for reconsideration filed by the petitioners and upheld the First Division’s finding that “failure to file an income tax return is not a crime involving moral turpitude.”

The en banc said the petitioners did not raise new matters or issues that would convince it to consider the motion.

The resolution was signed by Commissioners Soccoro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino and Rey Bulay. Chairman George Garcia inhibited and took no part, saying the respondent Marcos was a former client.

In a text message to reporters, Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said, “As clearly discussed in this decision denying the MR, the en banc denied the same for having no basis to declare that the ‘bases and reasoning of the First Division are clearly insufficient to justify the Resolution and are contrary to law’.”

“This is already a ruling of the en banc on the MR. If ever they (petitioners) want to appeal this, they need to go the SC and file a petition for review on certiorari, either under Rule 64 or 65.”

The petitioners included Margarita Salonga Salandanan, Crisanto Ducusin Palabay, Mario Flores Ben, Danilo Austria Consumido, Gil Fernando Derilo, Raoul Hafalla Tividad, and Nida Mallare Gatchallan, and Nomer Calulot Kuan.

PNP CUSTODIAL CHIEF SACKED, POLICY REVAMP EYED AFTER HOSTAGE-TAKING

The head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center has been relieved after a detainee briefly took former Senator Leila de Lima hostage in a foiled escape attempt Sunday, PNP chief Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Monday.

At a press conference, Azurin said the relief of facility commander Lt. Colo. Patrick Ramillano was a standard operating procedure.

The PNP said three prisoners—alleged Abu Sayyaf Group members Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr.—stabbed Police Cpl. Roger Agustin who was serving their food.

Cabintoy and Susukan were shot dead by a police officer while Sulayao was able to run and take De Lima hostage.

In her sworn statement, De Lima said Sulayao told her about their complaints, including being fed pork, which Muslims are not allowed to eat.

Headquarters Support Service Director Police Col. Mark Pespes, who shot and killed Sulayao, denied the allegation. He was awarded a medal for heroism.

PHILIPPINES IN CHINA'S TOURISM BLACKLIST OVER POGOS, ZUBIRI SAYS

MANILA — China has placed the Philippines on a tourism blacklist over the continued operations of offshore gaming operators in the country, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday, citing information from Beijing’s envoy to Manila.

Zubiri said during a Senate inquiry on the costs and benefits of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) that Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian disclosed this to him in a meeting with other senators on Monday.

“Ambassador Huang said that the Philippines now is part of a blacklist of tourist sites because they do not know if the tourist going there will be joining POGO operations and they do not know if their nationals who go to the Philippines will be safe from illegal activities done by the Triad, by the syndicates operating POGO,” Zubiri said.

Reporters have asked the Chinese Embassy in Manila for clarification on Zubiri’s statement. This story will be updated once it responds.

China’s culture and tourism ministry has referred to the existence of a tourism blacklist at least three times since it was first announced in August 2020. This was when it said it will impose travel restrictions on specific areas that were “endangering the personal and property safety of Chinese citizens.” This blacklist has yet to be made public.

China is among the top sources of tourist arrivals to the Philippines, with Chinese residents accounting for 1,257,962 arrivals in 2019, according to data from the Department of Tourism. Arrivals from China dropped to 22,236 this year.

CHR INVESTIGATES ASSAULT ON RADIO BROADCASTER IN ILOILO

MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights said Tuesday it has begun its own investigation into the physical assault against a radio broadcaster in Iloilo City.

Flo Hervias, hosts of the blocktime program “Banwa Binag-binaga” in DYRI Radio Mindanao Network, was mauled by masked men on October 7 after leaving his workplace in the city’s La Paz district.

Hervias sustained lacerations on his nose, mouth, and near his eyes. The perpetrators fled the scene.

CHR condemned the attack which took place days after the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid in Las Piñas. Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa, was known for his stinging criticisms of the administrations of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

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DOH SAYS PH LOGGED 14,333 COVID-19 CASES, 256 DEATHS ON OCT. 3-9

MANILA — The Philippines recorded 14,333 additional COVID-19 cases in the past week, the Department of Health said Monday.

From Oct. 3 to 9, an average of 2,048 daily infections were recorded in the country, which is 10 percent lower compared to the previous week, according to the health department's latest bulletin.

Of the new infections during the week, five or 0.04 percent were severe and critical.

As of Sunday, 669 or 9.2 percent of COVID-19 admissions were in severe and critical condition, the DOH said.

At least 614 or 24.3 percent of 2,524 intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients were occupied. The non-ICU bed utilization rate was at 27.2 percent.

P170/KG ONIONS? 'WALANG GANYANG PRESYO DITO'

Why are red onions being sold for P170 -P200 per kilo in Metro Manila when it is only being sold for P130 in Nueva Ecija?

This is the question of Luchie Cena, manager of Valiant Cooperative in Nueva Ecija, who is in charge of onion supply in some parts of the province.

Speaking to TeleRadyo, Cena said her cooperative recently sold red onions out of cold storage at P3,000 per bag, or about P120-130/kg of red onions.

"Walang ganyang presyo dito sa amin...Hindi umaabot ng P130, minsan P120. Ang sibuyas talaga kung mataas sa may Kamaynilaan ay marahil dahil sa maraming handling at sa binabagsakan na," she said.

"Ang katotohanan ay patuloy naman ang unload namin sa cold storages...Pag matagal na sa cold storage masisira naman," she added.

The Department of Trade and Industry issued Monday a suggested retail price of P170/kg of red onions, saying the current P200/kg price is too high.

DA Spokesperson Kristine Evangelista noted red onions were only priced at P140/kg last month.

Cena said farmers in Nueva Ecija have started planting white onions, which will be harvested around the last week of December.

'MAYMAY' KEEPS STRENGTH; LANDFALL SEEN ON WEDNESDAY

MANILA — Tropical Depression Maymay kept its strength while moving over the Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.

Maymay — the country’s 13th tropical cyclone this year — was last seen 285 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.

The tropical depression was packing peak winds of 45 kilometers an hour and gusts of up to 55 kph. It was heading southwest slowly.

The weather agency hoisted TCWS No. 1 over the following areas:

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Extreme northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Some of these areas were ravaged by Super Typhoon Karding last month.

What to expect

Strong winds — or strong breeze to near gale strength — may be experienced in any of the areas where TCWS No. 1 is currently in effect.

Occasional gusts associated with the enhanced northeasterly surface wind flow and its convergence with Maymay’s circulation are expected in Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in the next 24 hours.

PAGASA said residents of Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes and Apayao will experience moderate to heavy with at times intense rains until Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will affect Aurora, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ilocos Norte.

Weather forecasters issued marine gale warning over the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon.

Moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3 meters) are also expected over the western seaboard of Central Luzon, which may be risky for those using small sea vessels.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BARON GEISLER FILM RANKS NO. 1 ON NETFLIX IN PH

MANILA — “Doll House,” the drama film starring Baron Geisler and child actress Althea Ruedas, is the top movie title in the Philippines on Netflix three days after its release on the platform.

The Marla Ancheta-helmed film remained the No. 1 movie locally as of Monday night, as seen on Netflix’s home page and in a screenshot from producer MAVX Productions.

“Pinahirapan tayo ni Halle Berry pero the Filipino audience has spoken again and again and again!” MAVX Productions said, referring to the Hollywood actress’ film “Kidnap,” which also released this week.

“Taos puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nanood ng aming pelikula, the Filipino audience is worth risking and you fuel our passion! You are the best audience in the world! Maraming salamat po!” the group added.

On Instagram, Geisler has been sharing posts from friends and followers tagging him in “Doll House’s” strong debut on Netflix, including praise for his and his co-stars’ performance.

“Doll House” follows the story of Rustin (Geisler), a band member who turns his back on his rock-star lifestyle to reconnect with his past in Rotterdam, Netherlands. There, he ends up caring for a girl (Ruedas) as a day job, which sets him on a journey towards redemption.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 59.00

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. - Neale Donald Walsch