MARCOS JR BLASTS 'PERSISTENT, UNLAWFUL THREATS' IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday (Monday in Manila) spoke out against "persistent, unlawful threats" in the West Philippine Sea, including dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese Coast Guard in the country's exclusive economic zone.

Speaking at the roundtable briefing at the Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) in Hawaii on the last day of his US visit, Marcos talked about the challenge of securing the peace in the West Philippine Sea.

"Tensions in the West Philippine Sea are growing, with persistent unlawful threats and challenges against Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over our exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, actions that violate obligations under international law," he said.

He said regular routine and resupply missions at Ayungin Shoal are subjected to "coercive tactics and dangerous maneuvers" of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, "putting the lives of our people at risk and challenging the rule of law."

He also noted "rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and militarization of reclaimed features in the South China Sea."

Marcos said the Philippines will continue to insist on the preservation of the sovereignty and integrity of the country. "I've said it before and I will say it again, the Philippines will not give a single square inch of our territory," he said.

The President's speech came following his visit Sunday morning at the headquarters of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

The Command oversees all US military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes 36 nations, 14 time zones and more than 50% of the global population.

He said that during his visit, he and USINDOPACOM Chief Commander Admiral John Aquilino "had a very productive and useful exchange on regional developments in the critical role of the Philippine-US alliance to promote peace."

MARCOS: 'WE DON'T WANT VP SARA DUTERTE TO BE IMPEACHED'

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed rumors of seeking the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that they don't want her to be impeached. He denied any cracks in the UniTeam alliance, stating that impeachment discussions stem from a desire to overturn election results. Marcos praised Duterte's work at the Department of Education, highlighting a good personal relationship. Despite their differences, he emphasized the strength of their friendship. Duterte had earlier mentioned alleged impeachment moves, which Speaker Martin Romualdez denied. Addressing supposed rifts within the UniTeam coalition, Marcos asserted its strengthening, with more parties joining, consolidating their unity.

3-DAY TRANSPORT STRIKE BEGINS, LTFRB SAYS TRAFFIC NORMAL

A three-day nationwide transport strike began with reports of reduced public utility vehicle volume on some Metro Manila routes. Passengers on Commonwealth Avenue, a major road, experienced longer waits for jeepneys, particularly those headed to Cubao. Students noted increased difficulty in finding transportation, with wait times stretching from 5-10 minutes to 30-40 minutes during rush hours. Despite these observations, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) downplayed the strike's impact, citing normal traffic and passenger turnout. The LTFRB issued special permits for 12 routes targeted by the PISTON transport group, and local governments provided free rides. The agency warned of show cause orders and potential franchise suspensions for jeepney drivers or operators attempting to harass or block other vehicles during the strike.

LTFRB OPTIMISTIC DIALOGUE WITH PISTON WILL END STRIKE

MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is hopeful that a dialogue with transport group PISTON will resolve the ongoing strike against the potential phaseout of traditional jeepneys. LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III is optimistic about reaching an agreement during the discussion. He emphasizes that the replacement of traditional jeepneys is a long-term plan, approximately two to three years away. The government has prepared 250 vehicles to assist stranded commuters during the strike. Guadiz is confident that the strike will conclude on Monday, highlighting the adverse impact on jeepney drivers' income if the strike persists.

The main point of contention is the government's program to replace jeepneys with new vehicles costing up to P2.5 million, requiring drivers to form corporations or cooperatives for new transport franchises. PISTON considers franchise consolidation as a phaseout, vowing to continue the strike. Guadiz defends franchise consolidation as a step towards fleet modernization, which aims to enhance the transport system by eliminating the boundary system and ensuring fixed salaries for drivers within cooperatives. PISTON criticizes the scheme, stating that it turns the simple livelihood of ordinary Filipinos into a large business venture.

MINDANAO QUAKE DEATH TOLL RISES TO 9

MANILA — The death toll from last week's strong Mindanao earthquake rose to 9 on Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

The 6.8-magnitude quake that struck off Sarangani mid-afternoon on Friday caused part of a shopping mall ceiling to collapse, triggered power cuts, and sent people fleeing into the streets.

Authorities earlier said some of the fatalities included a mother and her 7-year-old child in Glan, Sarangani, and another person killed by a falling steel structure in the same town.

In General Santos City, a woman was crushed to death by falling debris from a mall, while a couple died after they were pinned under a collapsing concrete wall.

An elderly man was killed by a large rock that rolled down a hill near his house in neighboring Davao Occidental province.

The NDRRMC said the quake injured 15 others and affected nearly 12,900 people.

It damaged around 800 houses and at least 118 schools, government facilities, and private buildings.

The government has distributed around P11.6 million in assistance, the NDRRMC said in its 8 a.m. report.

NUMBER CODING SCHEME LIFTED ON NOVEMBER 20 DUE TO TRANSPORT STRIKE

MANILA — The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspended the number coding scheme for Monday, the traffic authority announced on Sunday.

The number coding has been lifted due to the transport strike which will start on Monday, November 20, and might last until November 23, according to the transport group PISTON.

“Paalala: planuhin ang biyahe. Kung hindi ito gaanong importante, mas mainam na ipagpaliban muna ito. Inaasahan ang mas mabigat na daloy ng trapiko dahil sa pansamantalang suspensiyon ng number coding scheme bukas,” the MMDA said in their advisory.

CYBERCRIMINALS CAN USE AI FOR SCAMS, MORE POTENT MALWARE: TREND MICRO

MANILA - Cybercriminals are exploiting generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for faster and more sophisticated malware production, along with new scams, warns cybersecurity firm Trend Micro. Vincenzo Ciancaglini, a Senior Threat Researcher at Trend Micro, highlighted the potential use of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, to create polymorphic malware that can alter appearance and behavior to evade detection. The ease of bypassing security controls due to the "naivety" of generative AI poses a significant threat. Additionally, AI-powered tools facilitate voice cloning and deepfakes, leading to novel scams. Experts emphasize the need for cybersecurity professionals to stay ahead of evolving threats.

MALAYSIAN, 11 PINOYS CAUGHT ‘RENTING OUT’ 50,000 SIM CARDS

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Malaysian and 11 Filipinos for allegedly “renting out” SIM cards with verified GCash accounts, the NBI announced yesterday.

In a series of operations in Quezon City, Manila and Parañaque from Nov. 9 to 10, the NBI’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested Lau Wen Xiang and 11 Filipinos.

Aside from the 50,000 SIM cards, the bureau also confiscated 13 desktop computers, 40 GSM modems or text blasters, 57 cell phones and a laptop.

The operations started with information about people on Facebook looking for GCash account holders with a P500,000 limit who are willing to have their accounts rented.

Account holders were offered P2,000 as payment and an additional P2,000 for succeeding months as rental fee for their accounts to be used for load in casinos.

The suspects were charged before the city prosecutor’s office with violating Republic Act 8494 or the Access Devices Act of 1998, RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 for computer-related forgery and RA 11934 or the SIM Card Registration Act of 2020.

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OIL PRICES SLASHED FOR 4TH STRAIGHT WEEK

MANILA -- Oil prices are rolling back anew on Tuesday.

Petroleum companies on Monday announced the following rollbacks effective November 21:

PILIPINAS SHELL, SEAOIL (effective 6 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.75/L (decrease)

Kerosene - P0.60/L (decrease)

Diesel - P0.65/L (decrease)

CLEANFUEL (effective 12:01 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.75/L (decrease)

Diesel - P0.65/L (decrease)

CALTEX (effective 12:01 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.75/L (decrease)

Kerosene - P0.60/L (decrease)

Diesel - P0.65/L (decrease)

A Department of Energy (DOE) official earlier said pump prices may decrease as global supply may outpace demand until the second quarter of 2024.

QUAKE-HIT SARANGANI NEEDS RELIEF GOODS, SAYS OFFICIAL

Sarangani in Davao Occidental, the epicenter of a recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake, sustained minimal damage but requires relief goods, according to the local disaster official. While the situation is calm, residents are still fearful. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office found 86 houses with minor damage and 12 partially damaged school buildings. One classroom in Angel Olarte Elementary School is recommended for demolition. Many residents are occupied with repairing their homes, preventing them from returning to their livelihoods. The need for relief goods is crucial as residents, dealing with house repairs, cannot engage in work or fishing due to lingering fears. Sarangani, part of the Sarangani Group of Islands, has a population of 24,000 and is the farthest island in Eastern Mindanao.

FIRST TRANSGENDER BARANGAY CHAIR ELECTED IN SAMPALOC

MANILA — The Manila city council commended the historic election of Marvin "Ella" Santiago, a transgender woman, as the barangay chairperson of Barangay 410 Zone 42 in Sampaloc. Santiago's victory on Oct. 30 reflects the open-mindedness of Manileños, challenging stereotypes about the fitness of LGBT community members to lead a barangay. Manila District 4 Councilor Joel Villanueva, known for the "Manila LGBTQI Protection Ordinance of 2020," filed a resolution congratulating Santiago. Another councilor, Don Juan Bagatsing, praised Santiago's past contributions, mentioning her use of personal funds to improve the sewerage and septic tank in a basketball court when she served as a barangay kagawad or councilor. Santiago expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment in a Facebook post.

TAGUIG, PARAÑAQUE OFFER FREE RIDES VS STRIKE

MANILA — The city governments of Taguig and Parañaque will deploy vehicles to give free rides to commuters who will be affected by the three-day nationwide transport strike, which starts today.

Members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide will hold the transport strike to protest the government’s jeepney modernization program.

“The city government is ready to provide free rides in routes affected by the transport strike from Nov. 20 to 22,” the Taguig City government said.

It added that those who have questions or need assistance may call the Command Center at 87893200 or go to the city assistance desk in their hubs or stations.

Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez announced the deployment of vehicles to assist commuters stranded during the strike.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government yesterday said there will be no city-wide suspension of classes due to the planned transport strike this week.

Students who encounter difficulties due to the transport strike will be excused from face-to-face classes and will shift to asynchronous modes of learning, the local government said in an advisory.

The city said it will also deploy free rides for affected school personnel.

BENGUET TEMPERATURE DROPS TO 11.3C, COLDEST SO FAR THIS AMIHAN SEASON

MANILA — Temperatures on Monday morning continued to drop in many parts of Luzon, with La Trinidad, Benguet recording 11.3 degrees Celsius — the coldest so far this Amihan season.

Baguio City saw its temperatures plunge to 13.4 degrees Celsius, while Basco, Batanes logged 17.8 degrees Celsius. Laoag City and Tanay, Rizal both reported 19.5 degrees Celsius.

The chilly weather was also felt in the capital region, with Metro Manila recording its lowest temperature so far during the current Amihan season at 22.4 degrees Celsius.

People could experience cold mornings when there is no cloud and the wind has been calm for the past night until dawn.

SHEAR LINE TO DAMPEN CENTRAL PH, AMIHAN TO BRING NIPPY WEATHER IN NORTHERN LUZON

The shear line - where the cool Amihan and warm Pacific winds meet - will continue to affect the central part of the country Monday, the state weather bureau said.

It will bring scattered rains in Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga. Flooding and landslides remain a threat in these areas especially those which have been soaked for the past several days.

The northeast monsoon or Amihan will also continue to bring nippy conditions, especially in Northern Luzon. The temperature in Baguio City Sunday early morning dipped to 14.0°C -- the city's lowest this Amihan season so far.

Amihan will bring light rains in Cagayan Valley, Apayao, and Quezon.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience generally fair weather with cool mornings and evenings. Isolated light rains are also possible but thunderstorms are unlikely.

Gale warning is also in effect over the seaboards of Ilocos provinces, Cagayan Valley, Aurora, northern Quezon, northern and eastern Bicol, Northern and Eastern Samar, and Kalayaan Islands due to big waves generated by the Amihan.

Hot weather will prevail over the rest of Mindanao with possible isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms that could last up to an hour or two.

Meanwhile, the low pressure area off Surigao del Norte dissipated Sunday afternoon.

PAGASA weather forecaster Robert Badrina says that they are not monitoring new weather disturbance and that it is less likely for a storm to form this week.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SHEYNNIS PALACIOS OF NICARAGUA WINS MISS UNIVERSE 2023, FIRST FOR HER COUNTRY

MANILA — Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios secured her country's first-ever Miss Universe crown at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador. The trilingual model, TV host, and community developer triumphed in a fiercely competitive event, answering the final question about living a year in another woman's shoes by choosing British author and women's rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft.

Anntonia Porsild from Thailand emerged as the first runner-up, a half-Danish model who previously won Miss Supranational 2019. The second runner-up was Moraya Wilson from Australia. The Top 5 also featured Puerto Rico's Karla Guilfú and Colombia's Camila Avella, the first mother to reach this stage in Miss Universe history.

Despite strong competition, the Philippines' Michelle Dee made it to the Top 10, marking the country's return to the semifinals after a 12-year streak. This Miss Universe was the first in Central America since 2003 and the first in El Salvador since 1975.

STAR MAGIC ANNOUNCES UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2024

MANILA -- ABS-CBN's talent management arm Star Magic promises to bring more exciting and star-studded events this 2024.

During the Star Magical Christmas 2023 on Sunday, Star Magic announced its upcoming events for next year through a video presentation.

First on the list is "the most fairytale event of the year," the Star Magical Prom.

The summer of 2024 will also be hotter and sexier as Star Magic: Hot Summer returns for its second year.

Star Magic will also continue to pay tribute to mothers at the "Star MAMAGic Day."

The much-awaited celebrity sports fest returns with the 2024 All Star Games, while the Star Magic Shooting Stars are also set to play in arenas across the country and even abroad.

And, before the year is over, the brightest stars will align once again to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at the Star Magical Christmas 2024.

The Star Magic also announced the upcoming projects that will be headlined by its artists.

Actor Joshua Garcia will lead the star-studded cast of the romantic comedy "Fruit Cake."

Some 18 Gen-Z Star Magic artists will audition for three veteran directors for five main roles in a new YouTube digital series "Zoomers," the search for the next Gen-Z stars.

There will also be a teen slasher digital movie "Deadline."

Star Magic artists will continue to explore the theater scene with Teatro Kapamilya.

There will also be series of live events and shows, including a concert which will feature favorite Star Magic love teams.

For the first time, there will also be a Star Magic Dance Festival and a Star Magic Music Festival.

The most talented artists and singers of Star Magic will also come together to celebrate the country's top composers in the Star Magic Maestro Concert Series.

Star Magic musicians will also gather for performances in bars around the Philippines in Pulsuhan.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON NOV 18, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Knicks

8-5

30        31        28        33        122

Hornets

3-9

19        31        30        28        108

Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Brunson NY PG

32 PTS , 3 REB , 8 AST

L. Ball CHA PG

34 PTS , 5 REB , 9 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Timberwolves

9-3

27        32        26        36        121

Pelicans

6-7

35        29        31        25        120

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Towns MIN C

29 PTS , 6 REB , 8 AST

B. Ingram NO SF

30 PTS , 7 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Mavericks

9-4

34        24        40        27        125

Bucks

9-4

33        27        29        43        132

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Irving DAL PG

39 PTS , 4 REB , 6 AST

G. Antetokounmpo MIL PF

40 PTS , 14 REB , 7 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

3-9

26        25        36        33        120

Spurs

3-10

35        33        26        14        108

Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Jackson Jr. MEM PF

27 PTS , 5 REB

K. Johnson SA SF

22 PTS , 3 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Heat

8-5

26        24        26        21        97

Bulls

5-9

14        26        28        34        102

United Center, Chicago, IL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Butler MIA SF

25 PTS , 3 REB , 2 AST

D. DeRozan CHI SG

23 PTS , 4 REB , 4 AST

Final/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

Thunder

9-4

33        18        34        32        13        130

Warriors

6-8

31        30        26        30        6          123

Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC SG

40 PTS , 6 REB , 6 AST

A. Wiggins GS SF

31 PTS , 1 REB , 3 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious. - Oscar Wilde