CHINA'S 10-DASH LINE? MARCOS JR SAYS PHILIPPINES WILL 'RESPOND'

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday said the Philippines would respond to China on its new "standard map" that encroached over the country's territory in the South China Sea, that several countries already protested.

In a chance interview, Marcos said Philippines "has not changed its approach" on the country's territory in the resource-rich South China Sea, even as other nations continue to aggressively stake their claims in the area.

"It is other countries around us that have changed their approach. We have received the news that the 9-dash line have been extended to the 10-dash line," the President told reporters.

"These are the, we have to respond to these and we will but again these are operational details I prefer not to talk about," he added.

When asked if the Philippines would upscale its response in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos said he was also banking on the support of the international community "because we have stayed true to the rules-based international law especially the UNCLOS."

It was also important to remain consistent with its strategy.

"I think puts us in very solid ground in terms of our claims for territorial sovereignty, for maritime territory," he said.

"This has been validated and supported by many, many countries around the world. We should strengthen that and I believe that again is a very big help to the Philippines in continuing to defend our maritime borders," he said.

PHILIPPINE MAP ON DISPUTED WATERS TO BE GIVEN MORE CREDENCE: MARITIME EXPERT

MANILA — A possible map on the disputed South China Sea issued by the Philippines would be given more credence by the international community compared to a sweeping new Chinese map released recently, a maritime expert said Friday.

"In our case, if we issue a map, it is not going to be only self-serving, but rather it is actually going to be supported by the South China Sea arbitration. It is going to be supported by the international law," maritime expert Jay Batongbacal told ANC’s "Headstart."

"So in that sense, it will have a much greater credibility and power than this self-serving Chinese map because we would simply be implementing an established judgment by an authoritative international tribunal," he said.

The Philippines on Thursday filed a diplomatic protest against the new map that showed China's extended territorial claims, including parts of the West Philippine Sea.

The map featured a 10-dashed line, which was previously a nine-dashed line, that supposedly shows China's boundaries in the waterway, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Batongbacal said that the new China map "doesn't necessarily bind other countries" because "everyone knows already by now that China has this excessive, expansive claim that is contrary to international law."

"This latest move will now be seen as just another self-serving action to assert its claim," he added.

'IT SENDS A WRONG MESSAGE': FARMERS' GROUP WARY ABOUT MARCOS JR'S CAP ON RICE PRICES

MANILA — A farmers' group has raised concerns about President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s order to implement price ceilings on two rice varieties, which has already caused a decrease in palay prices, putting farmers at a disadvantage.

The order, signed by Marcos, also the Philippines' agriculture secretary, mandates price ceilings of P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice to control rising rice prices. It is set to take effect on September 5, 2023.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) expressed worry about the order, citing reports of a P3 per kilogram decrease in palay prices in Pampanga and Sultan Kudarat. Raul Montemayor, FFF's national manager, stated that the price of palay would further decrease at a time when increased production and farmer encouragement are needed.

Montemayor noted that the order has already affected how traders calculate the purchase prices for palay harvests, based on the lower price ceiling, further disadvantaging farmers.

As of Friday, the Department of Agriculture reported that imported commercial rice prices ranged from P43 to P65 per kilo, while local rice was retailed at P42 to P65 per kilo in Metro Manila. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual clarified that premium rice varieties were not covered by the order, which only applied to regular-milled and well-milled rice types.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. criticized the order, stating that it would not work as rice prices were influenced by supply and demand dynamics.

SIGNAL NO. 1 UP IN BATANES AMID #HANNAPH — PAGASA

MANILA — State weather bureau PAGASA on Saturday morning hoisted Signal No. 1 in Batanes due to Typhoon Hanna, as the storm accelerated and continued to move westward to the waters east of Taiwan.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Hanna was last spotted 455 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 160 kph.

It is moving west northwest at 15 kph, based on the advisory.

No other areas in the country were under a tropical cyclone wind signal aside from Batanes.

"Hanna is now forecast to move west northwestward or westward while intensifying until it makes landfall along the east coast of southern Taiwan between late Sunday or early Monday," PAGASA said.

The country's 8th storm this year may exit the country's area of monitoring by Monday morning or afternoon. It was also forecast to weaken afterwards "due to land interaction and increasingly unfavorable environment."

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or the habagat is being boosted by Hanna and 2 other storms outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). These are super typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) and Kirogi.

The habagat may continue bringing heavy rains to the western part of Luzon in the next 3 days, said the weather bureau.

VIOLATORS OF RICE PRICE CEILING TO FACE PENALTIES: DTI

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry on Friday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order to put a cap on rice prices was already in effect and warned retailers they could be penalized if they violate this.

Marcos signed on Thursday an executive order that mandates a price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45 per kilo.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the order was immediately effective upon its publication in the Official Gazette, and the price cap must already be enforced in markets.

"Puwede silang magbenta nang mas mababa pero nilalagyan natin ng ceiling para maiwasan iyong nangyayaring manipulasyon sa merkado ‘no, na kahit na mayroong supply, tumataas ang presyo," he said in a televised briefing.

"Nakita natin kasi, nitong mga nakaraang araw, biglang sumipa iyong taas. Iyong mga nakaraang araw o linggo, steady lang at may kaunting pagtaas, tapos biglang sumipa ‘no nitong mga nakaraang few days," he added.

The trade chief clarified that some premium rice varieties were not covered by the order which only applies to regular-milled and well-milled types.

"Mayroon tayong mga premium varieties na hindi covered ng price act. At sisiguraduhin din natin na hindi nami-mislabel iyong subject, iyong type ng rice na regular-milled rice o well-milled rice, hindi nadi-dislabel na premium type," Pascual said.

He said his agency and the agriculture department will monitor the rice prices regularly, including the possible mislabels. Marcos, Jr. earlier said the justice department would also be part of the monitoring team, especially in Metro Manila markets.

Those who violate the price ceiling, he warned, could face penalties under the Price Act, such as imprisonment of less than a year and a fine of P5,000 but not more than P1 million.

Relevant government agencies and the Interior Department are currently coordinating with retailers who already bought rice at a higher price before the EO took effect.

COURT TELLS AGENCIES TO REPORT ON, ASSESS MANILA BAY RECLAMATIONS

The Supreme Court has ordered government agencies to submit a report on Manila Bay's ongoing land reclamation projects and assess their environmental impact. This order is part of a continuing mandamus issued in 2008, directing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other agencies to clean up and preserve Manila Bay.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) stated that it would comply with the Supreme Court's order and regularly submits project reports to the Court.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended reclamation projects in Manila Bay pending a review of their economic, environmental, and social impacts.

The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on the suspended reclamation projects' issue, with parties required to provide information on pollution benchmarks, government strategies for Manila Bay's cleanup, realistic targets for the next five years, and ongoing reclamations' environmental impact by September 30, 2023.

Various government agencies, including the Metro Manila Development Authority, DENR, and others, are involved in the compliance efforts under the continuing mandamus, monitored by the Manila Bay Advisory Committee established by the Supreme Court in 2009.

DEPED WON'T BAN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN CLASSROOMS

Time to deck the halls, Kapamilya.

The Department of Education will not ban Christmas decorations in public school classrooms as long as these are not permanent, a DepEd spokesman said Friday.

"Wala naman po 'yun problema kasi hindi naman po 'yun permanent. Of course, they can decorate their classrooms," Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

"Pwede silang mag decorate as long as simple lang. Ang ayaw lang po natin talaga permanently nasa walls."

Vice-President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier ordered public schools to remove visual aids, crucifixes, pictures of national heroes and even past and present presidents from classroom walls.

The DepEd spokesman earlier said visual aids can still be used but only during the time of the lesson.

Poa, meanwhile, warned against holding contests for best Christmas decorations in classrooms, saying it is usually the teachers who do the extra work.

"Ayaw natin naaabala at gumagastos ang teachers para diyan sa contest," he said.

He also reminded the public that classes from kindergarten to Grade 12 in public school are automatically suspended once Signal No. 1 or an orange rainfall warning is hoisted.

"Hindi na kailangan maghintay ng anunsyo ng LGU," he said.

THE REST

========

DICT SAYS TRACING ORGANIZED SYNDICATES BEHIND TEXT SCAMMERS

MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Saturday said they are already tracing organized syndicates using pre-registered SIMs to scam people, amid questions how this schemes continue.

Lawmakers earlier told the agency to explain the proliferation of text scams despite the presence of SIM Registration Law.

For his part, DICT Secretary Ivan Uy said syndicates have bought pre-registered SIMs from individuals who were "willing" to sell these, even if SIMs have their names.

Each SIM may cost at least P500, the official said, warning the public from participating in selling their SIMs.

"Ang ibang [nagbebenta], nagpapa-rehistro ng 10 SIM cards sa pangalan nila. Ang hindi siguro nila alam, kapag naghabla tayo dahil ginamit ang mga SIM cards sa panloloko, kasama sila sa habla ng criminal case," Uy said over Teleradyo 630.

"Mas mahal pa ang babayaran nila sa abugado kaysa sa kikitain nila sa SIM cards na 'yan na binebenta nila," he added.

So far, authorities were already able to apprehend "many" syndicates involved in this type of fraud, the latest of which involved 6 individuals operating on 25,000 pre-registered SIMs in Pasay City.

Uy warned about the magnitude of these syndicates, noting they were "very well-funded" since criminals supposedly finance these scams.

"Sinabi ko na noon noong nagsi-SIM card registration tayo, na itong mga sindikato ay malaki... at highly-technical," said Uy over Teleradyo Serbisyo.

"Ang estimate ng pulis noong nakumpiska ang SIM cards na may load na e-wallet. Ang estimate nila, aabot ng P1 billion," he added.

Over 118 million subscribers have completed the SIM registration, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said earlier this week.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, an attached agency of the DICT, for its part already urged the public to report text scams so authorities could identify the source of the message.

TEXT SCAMS HAVE SHIFTED TO ONLINE APPS, GLOBE WARNS

MANILA — Mobile giant Globe Telecom Inc. has warned that digital fraud is thriving in messaging channels and from overseas numbers, both of which are not covered by the regulations of SIM registration.

Globe will send representatives to the Sept. 5 hearing of the Senate on the proliferation of text scams and the reported use of SIMs for illegal operations.

Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said that cases of online fraud, particularly text scams, remain prevalent in spaces unregulated by SIM registration.

For instance, Castelo said malicious players send out their messaging scams through over-the-top apps. Messaging apps like Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp may be accessed by anyone, even by individuals whose mobile numbers are unregistered with their telco provider.

Likewise, Castelo said criminal groups shifted to the use of foreign SIMs in reaching out to their targets. With this, they can contact their potential victims without getting tracked by authorities, as the mobile number used falls outside the scope of the SIM Registration Act.

“We are ready to work with the Senate in responding to the prevalence of spam and scam SMS, with fraudsters circumventing the SIM Registration Act with new ways to bait potential victims,” Castelo said.

Globe, for its part, is raising its cybersecurity walls to ensure the safety and security of everyone in its subscriber base.

For the first semester, Globe blocked around 2.2 billion messages that were found to be linked in the spread of scam attempts.

PALAWAN DECLARED INSURGENCY-FREE

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday declared Palawan province insurgency-free as he directed concerned government agencies to follow through with the reintegration of former rebels, noting that steady support is needed for lasting peace.

The President also local authorities and stakeholders of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which now counts the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines as its latest member, for their part in peace efforts.

“This milestone that we celebrate today epitomizes your commitment to putting an end to the decades-long insurgency in the area through the provision of national reintegration programs for former rebels and promotion of the island’s peace and security,” he said in Puerto Princesa City, coinciding with the start of the National Peace Consciousness Month.

He encouraged the public to sustain peace in the region through the effective delivery of government services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.

Mr. Marcos also expressed confidence in revitalizing tourism and investments in Palawan.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

IYAH MINA THRILLED TO WORK WITH SCREEN VETERANS IN 'POON'

MANILA -- Transgender actress Iyah Mina admitted getting starstruck while working with screen veterans Janice de Belen and Jaclyn Jose in the upcoming horror film "Poon."

"Hanggang ngayon hindi namin naiisip na mapupunta kami sa ganitong sitwasyon kaya nakakakilig. Ako, tulala lang ako kapag nakikita ko sila, kasi pinapanood mo lang dati ngayon nakakasama mo na," Mina said on Thursday's episode of "Magandang Buhay."

"Siyempre kailangang gawin mo ang trabaho mo, makipagsabayan. Kakalimutan mo muna 'yung fangirling. Actually sila mismo 'yung nagsasabi na kaya mo 'yan. Nag-e-encourage sila. Hindi ka matatakot kasi nga tutulungan ka pa nila," she added.

Directed by Adolf Alix Jr., "Poon" also stars Ara Mina, Ronaldo Valdez, Gina Pareño, Allen Dizon, among others.

"Grabe lungs!! Mga icons! Grabe kilig ko sobra… Mga best actress and best actor…. So nakahanay ba ako Charot!!!!! Yung nagkagulatan pa kami ni Ms. @jaclynjose kasi magkasama kami ulit hahaha," Mina captioned her post when the project was announced in June.

Mina made history in Philippine cinema as the first transgender to win a best actress award in the 2018 Cinema One Originals film festival entry “Mamu: And a Mother Too,” where she played an ageing sex worker and adoptive mother.

SPORTS

ONE LAST PUSH FOR GILAS

MANILA — Amid growing frustrations and backlash from knowledgeable and demanding supporters, Gilas Pilipinas makes its final stand in the FIBA World Cup at home.

One last shot at winning the small battles. Last chance to regain goodwill from a proud, basketball-crazy nation shattered by their string of heartbreakers the past eight days.

This fight for Filipino pride takes place tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, interestingly against China (1-3), an old rival in Asian hoops and representatives of a country the Philippines is currently at odds with over the West Philippine Sea.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes said Jordan Clarkson and the rest of the troops fully understand what’s on the line in the 8 p.m. encounter with Team Dragon.

“We’re playing for flag and country and we’re doing this as really our way to serve the country, the Philippines,” said Reyes.

“It’s more than just about a ballgame or just a win, but it’s something larger. Hopefully, we end on a winning note, leave a lasting impression.”

In spite of the home court advantage, it’s been a rough ride for Gilas. In all their assignments so far, the Nationals and their hordes of fans watched helplessly as first-round opponents Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy and South Sudan, their opening classification phase foe, savored the spoils of battle.

The numbing losses sent the winless Filipinos out of the Asian derby for direct qualification to the Paris Olympics and likely even the race for seats to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

“There’s really no bearing, except for pride, to fight for the country, for service, which is exactly why we’re all here in the first place. No matter how difficult this job is, we’re here, we’re doing it and hopefully we can come in and play our best on Saturday,” he said.

The game had much bearing for the Dragons, who are still in play for Asia’s Olympic seat, thanks to their 83-76 breakthrough over Angola Thursday.

“They’re our rivals and they have a win in the bag. It’s our last game so we have to put everything out there to get that victory,” said Gilas center/forward AJ Edu. “We’re just going to fight, show some heart and try to get them.”

Reyes is hoping to replicate the magical ending in the 2014 WC in Spain, where Gilas averted a shutout and defeated Senegal in its final bow, 81-79, in overtime.

“We faced Senegal in our last game with no chance to advance. Same situation now but we’ll try to put everything together for one last push,” he said.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.59

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We are a way for the cosmos to know itself. - Carl Sagan, Cosmos