MARCOS: US PROPOSALS FOR EDCA, DEFENSE TREATY ‘UNDER STUDY’

MANILA - The government is reviewing proposals from the United States concerning the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said on Thursday.

This, as the country seeks to find “the most useful” ways to defend its territory.

“The request --- there have been many requests and proposals from the Americans, especially under EDCA,” the President said during a chance interview in Quezon City.

“So all of that is under study now to see what is really feasible and what will be the most useful for the defense of Philippine territory,” he added.

Last month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said US is looking into building 5 additional joint military facilities in the Philippines under EDCA.

LAWMAKER SEEKS SAFEGUARDS, 'PENALTY CLAUSE' IN PROPOSED MAHARLIKA WEALTH FUND

MANILA –– A lawmaker on Thursday sought the inclusion of a penalty clause to make erring managers accountable in the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF).

During the deliberation for the proposal at the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro cited cases of nepotism and corruption in other countries' sovereign wealth funds such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is serving a 12-year prison sentence over the 1MDB scandal that allegedly saw top officials loot billions from state coffers.

Castro also flagged a provision empowering the President of the Philippines to chair the governing board of the proposed Maharlika fund.

"Dahil kayo rin po nag-decide na ilagak itong pondo natin dito sana makapaglagay tayo ng penalty clause sakaling magkapalpak ito dahil alam naman natin yung mga karanasan po diyan sa Malaysia," said the ACT Teachers party-list representative.

Castro also suggested consultations with workers whose pension fund contributions would be used.

"Ang takot po dito ay gagamitin natin as investments etong mga pera ng mga government employees at saka nitong ating mga private sector workers na medyo malaki. Alam naman natin ang investment, merong nanalo merong natatalo so we have to look at that perspective," she said.

According to Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President Wick Veloso, the agency has P1.49 trillion in assets under its management. The Social Security System, meanwhile, has P700 billion.

Castro said there were more urgent uses for the funds aside from risky investments.

CHINA AIRLINES OPENS NEW TAIPEI-CEBU DIRECT ROUTE

CEBU —The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) continues to open more direct flights to international destinations as a way to recover from the economic losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new direct route was launched at MCIA Thursday, as the inaugural flight of Taiwan's flagship carrier China Airlines arrived here from Taipei.

The flight carried 120 passengers, mostly tourists and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

According to MCIA General Manager Julius Neri, the new direct flight will help boost economy and the tourism industry especially that the airport's passenger and airline volumes have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

“It will bring in more traffic, more tourists. This is a new airline, not a returning flight from pre-pandemic so we can say that Cebu has been effectively marketed,” said Neri.

He noted that for the end of the last quarter of 2022, international arrivals at MCIA was at 40 percent, equivalent to about 1 million passengers.

“It’s a far cry from complete recovery [but] hopefully with new direct flights, we can recover faster,” added Neri.

He said MCIA is looking into full recovery by end of 2023.

“We continue to market Cebu and invite airlines to directly fly with us."

A new direct flight from Cebu to Bangkok is also expected to open in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Neri said that domestic flights at the MCIA are hitting pre-pandemic levels with several airlines resuming its routes to different destinations.

PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES ETRAVEL PLATFORM FOR INBOUND PASSENGERS

MANILA — Inbound travelers will now provide their arrival information and health declaration through the eTravel platform, Malacañang announced Thursday.

The eTravel platform — an online registration system for travelers bound for the Philippines, including returning residents — was launched to streamline the government’s entry procedures and data collection processes.

According to the Office of the Press Secretary, the health declaration checklist of the Department of Health’s Bureau of Quarantine may be accessed through etravel.gov.ph.

The portal replaces the One Health Pass website.

Passengers using the former www.onehealthpass.com.ph will be redirected to the new eTravel domain. The old domain of the One Health Pass will no longer be accessible starting December 5.

The eTravel platform will also host the electronic version of the paper arrival card that travelers must submit for immigration clearance.

Beginning December 5, the Bureau of Immigration will discontinue using the paper arrival card.

Registration on the eTravel platform is free.

PROBE FAKE BI PASSES, REMULLA ORDERS NBI

MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the alleged issuance of fake stamps at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in facilitating the departure of human trafficking victims.

“We are already investigating that. We asked the NBI to look into the matter,” Remulla told reporters yesterday.

The NBI is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Remulla said the DOJ has yet to get to the bottom of the issue.

The report submitted by the office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros serves as the basis in conducting the probe, he said.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Hontiveros presented a human trafficking victim, who disclosed that airport personnel would escort trafficked individuals and expedite their departure using fake exit stamps reportedly issued by the BI.

The witness said he had been recruited to work as a customer service representative in Thailand, but found that he would be sent to work as a cryptocurrency scammer in Myanmar.

“We will not spare anybody in the investigation even if it includes employees from the BI,” Remulla said.

The BI urged victims of human trafficking to report irregularities involving immigration personnel at the airport.

CHICKENPOX, HFMD RISING AMONG SCHOOL KIDS

MANILA — Incidence of chickenpox and other viral diseases is rising among school children, a health expert warned the public yesterday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday, pediatrician and Philippine Federation of Professional Associations vice president Dr. Benito Atienza advised parents to take the necessary precautions to protect their children against diseases that may be acquired at school.

Aside from dengue, Atienza said cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), chickenpox and respiratory infections among schoolchildren are increasing.

“Ang dapat natin pagtuunan ng pansin lalo na yong pumapasok sa mga eskwelahan ay yong pagdami ng hand, foot and mouth disease,” he said.

Atienza said HFMD is commonly mistaken as chickenpox because of the rashes. He said HFMD and chickenpox are different viral infections with similar symptoms.

It takes at least two weeks before chickenpox fully heals.

Atienza said doctors have also observed an increase in cases of shingles, a second attack on those previously infected with chickenpox.

He said shingles affect the nerves.

Children who have colds, cough and fever should stay at home to prevent infecting their schoolmates.

Atienza stressed the need for children to get vaccinated against chickenpox to avoid being infected.

THE REST

========

LUZON GRID PLACED  UNDER YELLOW ALERT ANEW

MANILA — A yellow alert was raised on the Luzon grid yesterday, the second time this week, due to forced out-ages of several power plants.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon grid under yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. as available capacity stood at 11,166 megawatts.

The peak demand reached 10,455 MW.

Five power plants went on forced outages, which derated the capacities of three others and resulted in the unavailability of 2,115 MW to the grid.

The NGCP lifted the yellow alert at around 1 p.m. as the generation capacity increased.

A yellow alert means paower reserves are not enough to cover the largest running generating unit at the time, but does not necessarily lead to outages.

On Monday, the NGCP placed the Luzon grid on yellow and red alerts due to the forced outages of six power plants while three others ran on derated capacities.

A red alert is placed over the grid when the supply-to-demand balance further worsens, which can lead to rotating power interruptions.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla had assured the public that there was no fuel supply constraints after the power plants went on forced outages.

ATENEO SHOOTER PLEADS NOT GUILTY

MANILA — After being deemed mentally fit to stand trial, Chao Tiao Yumol pleaded not guility to charges of three counts of murder, frustrated murder and car theft for the shooting rampage at the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU).

Yumol entered his plea during his arraignment at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 yesterday.

An insider said Yumol attended the proceedings via video conference from a detention facility of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The court proceeded with Yumol’s arraignment after the National Center for Mental Health submitted a report on Oct. 24 stating that he is psychologically fit to stand trial.

The arraignment was delayed twice after Yumol’s lawyer told the court that he needed to be examined by doctors as he is exhibiting symptoms of insanity.

“His lawyer asked for another postponement, but it was denied by the judge,” the source said in an interview.

Yumol shot dead former mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City, Basilan, Furigay’s executive assistant Victor Capistrano and AdMU security guard Jeneven Bandiala during a graduation ceremony on July 24.

Fruigay’s daughter, Hannah, survived the shooting.

The lawyer for the Furigay family, Quirino Esguerra, said they welcome the latest development as they can proceed with the merits of the case during trial.

Esguerra said the family patriarch, Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay, is hoping to finally get justice.

NEW ALBAY GOVERNOR, VICE GOVERNOR ASSUME POST

LEGAZPI CITY MANILA — Vice Gov. Grex Lagman took his oath as new governor of Albay yesterday.

Board member Glenda Ong-Bongao assumed office as the new vice governor.

Lagman was sworn in at the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office after supporters of disqualified governor Noel Rosal barricaded the premises of the provincial capitol, preventing entry into the office of the governor.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government  implemented a writ of execution issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, which disqualified Albay Gov. Noel Rosal for violating the 45-day public spending ban in the May elections.

Rosal was accused of distributing cash assistance to tricycle drivers and senior citizens on March 31 and April 2 last year.

Rosal’s camp had been waiting for a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, which was not issued until Lagman’s oathtaking.

Rosal’s wife, Geraldine, who was elected mayor of  Legazpi City, was disqualified by the Comelec over the same election offense.

24-HOUR FREE RIDE ON EDSA BUSWAY STARTS

MANILA — The round-the-clock free rides along the EDSA busway started yesterday and will be available for commuters until Dec. 31.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the EDSA carousel would run for 24 hours with free rides under the service contracting program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The LTFRB said an additional 100 public utility buses would be deployed to service commuters under the extended operational hours from 11:01 p.m. to 3:59 a.m.

As for normal hours, up to 650 buses will be deployed from the Monumento station up to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

The LTFRB said more commuters would benefit from the free rides during the Christmas season, as malls also extended their operating hours.

The Marcos administration extended the “libreng sakay” program to help the transport sector recover from the pandemic.

RAINY ACROSS PHILIPPINES

MANILA — It will be rainy in most parts of the country today due to the shear line or the meeting of cold northeast monsoon and easterlies or warm wind from the Pacific Ocean.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the shear line may bring heavy rain over parts of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA said the shear line would affect Apayao, Cagayan, Batanes and Quezon.

Scattered rains are also forecast over Marinduque, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Meanwhile, the easterlies will bring scattered rains over Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Northern Mindanao.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience cloudy skies with isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned the public of flooding and rain-induced landslides especially in high-risk areas.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BEA ALONZO TO DO FILM WITH JOHN LLOYD CRUZ FOR STAR CINEMA

MANILA -- Actress Bea Alonzo confirmed that she is set to do a reunion movie with John Lloyd Cruz under Star Cinema.

According to Alonzo, the much-anticipated reunion movie will be directed by filmmaker Cathy Garcia-Molina and will be handled by the same team behind their hit 2007 movie "One More Chance."

"It will be written by Carmi Raymundo and concept by Enrico Santos. So it's going to be exciting," Alonzo said in a recent media conference as she shared her future projects.

Aside from her movie with Cruz, Alonzo is also set to do a new TV series, as well as a project with director Erik Matti.

Fans of Cruz and Alonzo last saw them together on February 14, 2020 when they brought to life the indie blockbuster “That Thing Called Tadhana” through a live script reading at an outdoor venue.

It also marked Cruz’s first major public appearance in a showbiz setting since his return from a two-year hiatus.

The last time Cruz and Alonzo starred in a project was in 2015 for the Cathy Garcia-Molina-directed film “A Second Chance.”

SPORTS

HUSSEIN SAYS PADILLA 'DID A CRIMINAL ACT' AFTER ADMISSION OF CHEATING IN PACQUIAO FIGHT

MANILA — Australian Nedal "Skinny" Hussein called former boxing referee Carlos Padilla "nothing more than a criminal" when he admitted cheating to help fellow Filipino Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

"That's what he [Padilla] is. He did a criminal act. He violated and manipulated the rules. He should be accountable for what he did," Hussein said Thursday in an interview with CNN PHilippines' Sports Desk.

He also said that Padilla should be taken out of the Hall of Fame.

Pacquiao was 21 and a rising star when he went 10 rounds against Hussein for the WBC International super-bantamweight title near the Philippine capital Manila in 2000.

But in a stunning confession, Padilla -- known for refereeing the "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 -- said he helped Pacquiao secure victory by "prolonging" the standard 10-count when the Filipino was knocked down and left dazed in the fourth round.

The Australian also said that the WBC should also take action for the incident.

"The WBC should be held accountable for the fix they put on that night," said Hussein.

"I have nothing against Manny Pacquiao. I'm a big fan of Manny. I think he's done amazing for the sport. I'm not claiming that I'm the winner, that I want the decision to be reversed. Manny is a victim in this as well. All I want is for the referees and judges to be held accountable for what they do," he added

DAUGHTER OF FILIPINO REFEREE SAYS PACQUIAO CHEATING STATEMENT 'MISCONSTRUED, MISINTERPRETED'

MANILA — The daughter of now controversial referee Carlos Padilla has called the statements where his father admitted helping Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao win a fight in 2000 as "misconstrued" and "misinterpreted".

In a letter addressed to the "boxing community of the world", Suzy Padilla Tuano came to defense of the 88-year-old referee who was shoved into the center of attention after a recent interview during his induction to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

"My father is an 88 year old man who is just that — old and aging. Despite the fact that he has been living in the United States for decades, English remains his 2nd language," the letter read.

"Communications can be misconstrued and well intentioned words can be misinterpreted. The present situation is one such glaring example of what might actually have been said, (no pun intended), and what may have been taken out of context," she continued.

Padilla had said in the interview that during Pacquiao's fight against Australian Nedal Hussein back on Oct. 10, 2000 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, which he officiated, he had taken more time in giving Pacquiao the mandatory eight-count, when the Filipino boxer was knocked down during the 4th round.

Pacquiao was the clear favorite in his fight against Hussein.

He also said that he declared an ugly cut under Hussain's left eye as being caused by a punch from Pacquiao, instead of a head butt — which is crucial as gashes caused by legal blows can result in a TKO win for the fighter who dealt it if the fight gets stopped by the doctor.

This was the more damning of two admissions as Pacquiao ended up being declared winner by TKO in the 10th round after the ringside doctor deemed Hussein unfit to continue because of that cut.

Tuano jumped to his father's defense and backed up the Hall of Fame-bound referee's integrity in his work.

"My father is a decent and honorable man. He dedicated his life to boxing and boxers and cared for them and their well being, regardless of nationality or circumstance," she said.

"He refereed numerous historic fights with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and many more fighters for the entirety of his career. He has since retired and has been out of the spotlight for as long as I can remember. Oh, but he loves to talk and entertain because like any other human, he still yearns to feel relevant. I invite everyone to ask about Carlos Padilla among his peers: promoters, fighters, referees, or anyone from his era and hopefully, you will learn about my father's true character," she continued.

"He does not need controversies at this very late stage in his life."

Since the letter, who was received by the World Boxing Council (WBC), they said that they will establish a "special panel" to review the situation about Padilla.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said that he can "certainly emphatize" with the referee's daughter.

"I will personally follow the process in the meantime, the WBC will not make any futher public comments," Sulaiman said in WBC's statement.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.22

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. - Truman Capote