DUTERTE EXITS MALACAÑANG, SKIPS MARCOS INAUGURATION

MANILA — Rodrigo Duterte stepped out of Malacañang on Thursday morning for the last time as the 16th President of the Philippines.

Following a meeting with his successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Duterte received his departure honors at the Malacañang Palace Grounds before his term officially ended.

Duterte, however, did not attend the inauguration of Marcos.

Outgoing Cabinet members were chanting "Duterte" as the outgoing president shook their hands for the last time as chief executive.

Duterte will return to his hometown Davao City after leaving Malacañang, which has been his home in Manila for the past six years.

Outgoing National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Duterte will take a commercial flight to his hometown.

MARCOS INAUGURATION 'GENERALLY PEACEFUL,' METRO MANILA POLICE SAY

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s inauguration ceremony was "generally peaceful" with zero major incidents, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Thursday.

NCRPO regional director MGen. Felipe Natividad said this was due to the "early preparation and intensified implementation of the security plan by police, military troops, and members of the Philippine forces."

"Everyone’s effort is highly appreciated and every role is significant in the success of this historic event," he said.

Natividad noted that throughout the rites, poice officers distributed meals to attendees at the designated freedom parks, including Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, "regardless of what group or organizations they represent."

The attendees, the NCRPO said, "gathered together and showed the spirit of unity," a reference to Marcos' campaign message.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said that about 15,000 personnel will be deployed to secure Marcos' inauguration.

A gun ban was also implemented throughout Metro Manila as an extra security measure. It will be in effect until July 2.

CHINA'S XI CONGRATULATES MARCOS ON PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

MANILA — Chinese president Xi Jinping congratulated his new Philippine counterpart Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. after the latter's presidential inauguration on Thursday.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Xi sent Marcos a congratulatory letter, wherein he recalled the "important consensus" they reached "on upholding good-neighborly friendship" of their two countries "and joining hands for common development."

"Xi said he is ready to work with Marcos to chart the course for the development of bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, and continue to write a great chapter of the China-Philippines friendship and cooperation for the new era, so as to benefit the two countries and their people," the embassy said in a statement.

After winning the presidential elections last May, Marcos had a phone conversation with Xi, during which the latter regarded the former as "a builder, supporter, and promoter of" the two countries' friendship.

Marcos is widely expected to follow his predecessor's diplomatic approach of balancing a strong alliance with the United States and economic ties with China.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan was Xi's special representative at Marcos' inauguration.

DUTERTE SIGNS EXPANDED ANTI-TRAFFICKING LAW

MANILA — Before stepping down as president, Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022. Signed on June 23, the law amends RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The law makes “internet intermediaries” who “knowingly or by gross negligence allow their internet infrastructure to be used for the purpose of promoting trafficking in persons” accountable.

It also holds accountable “financial intermediaries” including banks and credit card companies and money transfer or remittance centers, who knowingly or by gross negligence allow their services, online platform and applications, among others, to be used for promoting trafficking.

The measure also prohibits the production, printing, and distribution of tampered or fake passports and birth certificates used in trafficking in persons.

It also mandates law enforcement agencies to immediately initiate an investigation and counter-trafficking intelligence gathering motu proprio or within 10 days upon receipt of statements, reports, or affidavits from victims of trafficking, migrant workers, or their families, internet intermediaries, and other persons who have personal knowledge or information about possible violations of this act including the private sector.

It also directs law enforcement officers to track, intercept, view, monitor, conduct surveillance, listen to, and record using any type of electronic or intercepting devices, any communications, information, or messages, a person charged with, suspected, or reasonably believed to have committed violations upon a written order from the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Under RA 11862, a written order from the RTC will not be required when the victim is a child and the offense involves the use of computer systems and digital platforms.

“Any person who has personal knowledge of the commission of any offense under this Act such as the trafficked person, parents, spouse, siblings, children, legal guardian, officer or social worker or representative of a licensed child-caring institution, officer, or social worker of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation, officers, barangay chairperson, or at least three concerned citizens where the violation occurred, may file a complaint under this Act,” it said.

MARCOS VOWS ‘COMPREHENSIVE’ INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IN CONTINUATION OF DUTERTE'S ‘BUILD, BUILD, BUILD’

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed in his inaugural address that he will be presenting a “comprehensive infrastructure plan” that would build on the flagship infrastructure program of his predecessor former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will continue to build, I will complete on schedule the projects that have been started. I am not interested in taking credit. I want to build on the success that’s already happening,” Marcos said Thursday after he took his oath at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

No further details on his infrastructure plan were laid out, except that it will be inclusive as he promised that “no part of our country will be neglected” and that “progress will be made wherever there are Filipinos.”

In his speech, Marcos praised Duterte for building “more and better than all the succeeding administrations” after his father, the late despot Ferdinand Marcos Sr. whose more than two-decade rule saw many infrastructure projects but at the cost of loans that bloated the national debt.

Public works undersecretary Emil Sadain said in April ahead of the elections that the next president will inherit 88 infrastructure projects in Duterte's “Build, Build, Build” program that are in the “advanced stage.”

Broken down, 60 of the 88 projects that will be passed on to the next administration consist of hard infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, airports, seaports, dams and railways.

MARCOS STICKS TO 'UNITY' AS TERM STARTS, SALUTES WORKERS AS PLANS REMAIN UNDETAILED

MANILA — A promise to rid the country of drugs and criminality in three to six months catapulted former President Rodrigo Duterte to the Malacañang from the Southern city of Davao. His successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., also made a broad campaign vow: Unity.

The promise, as vague and all-encompassing as analysts have said, may be argued as something Marcos’ UniTeam realized: His rise to power—more than 30 years after his late father’s ouster—saw prominent and political families come together to support one tandem that secured a historic majority votes of more than 31 million, respectively.

As early as 6 a.m., supporters started flocking to the Intramuros Golf Course despite a threat of rain from the gloomy skies. But just as VIPs—who were expected to have been more than a thousand—stated arriving, supporters clad in red were allowed to get nearer the stage and stand behind the barricades, and the weather improved.

Speaking before his supporters, Marcos marveled at his call for unity that "started to resonate with you, it did so because it echoed your yearnings, mirrored your sentiments, and expressed your hopes for your family, for the country, and for a better future.”

But right after stressing about unity, the president took a swipe at his rivals, accusing them of “politics of division” while claiming to have similar plans as they did.

“By your vote, you rejected the politics of division. I offended none of my rivals in this campaign. I listened instead to what they were saying and I saw little incompatibility with my own ideas about jobs, fair wages, personal safety, and national strength and unending want in a land of plenty.”

Marcos then went on to discuss proposals for the administration in broad strokes, but went back to hitting at his rivals in the middle of his 24-minute speech. He said he did not talk much in the campaign and did not bother rebutting his rivals, and instead searched for solutions.

Marcos vowed he will bare plans at the joint session of Congress in July when he is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address, or SONA.

“I did not lecture you, who has the biggest stake in our success. And the forthcoming State of the Nation will tell you exactly how we shall get this done,” he added.

MARCOS VOWS TO FIX FLAWS IN PANDEMIC RESPONSE

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed Thursday that he will fix the shortcomings in the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as he begins his term as the country’s 17th chief executive.

Marcos will face the mammoth tasks of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and bouncing back from its devastating effects as he succeeds former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“There were shortcomings in the COVID response. We will fix them out in the open. No more secrets in public health,” Marcos said in his inaugural speech delivered at the National Museum in Manila. How he plans to do that remains unclear.

Marcos has yet to appoint a health secretary. In a message to reporters Thursday, the Department of Health said it is awaiting further advice and instructions from the Office of the Executive Secretary on who would be the agency's officer-in-charge.

'Not unprepared, understaffed'

The president promised that the Philippines will not be “caught unprepared, under-equipped, and understaffed” to fight the next pandemic.

Marcos inherits a public health crisis that has so far left over three million people infected and at least 60,000 killed since 2020.

The Philippines is once again seeing an increase in cases, driven by the presence of fast-spreading variants with immune escape characteristics, increased mobility, and waning vaccine immunity.

The COVID-19 pandemic also exposed and widened cracks in the country’s healthcare system including barriers to accessing healthcare services such as affordable testing and treatment, and the grim situation of medical workers who are overworked but underpaid.

“Our nurses are the best in the world… They are out there because we cannot pay them for the same risk and workload that we have back here,” Marcos said.

“There will be changes starting tomorrow. I am confident because I have an [Toots] Ople in my Cabinet,” he added.

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OCTA RESEARCH: POSITIVITY RATES UP IN METRO MANILA, TEN OTHER PLACES

MANILA — The COVID-19 positivity rate, which measures the percentage of all tests that turn out positive, has increased in 11 areas around the country, independent pandemic monitor the OCTA Research group said on Friday.

The World Health Organization's benchmark for re-opening the economy is at five percent, which eight of the regions listed had already breached.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David disclosed these numbers in a tweet Friday morning.

"Positivity rates in select regions. NCR positivity rate increased to 7.5%. Cavite positivity rate up to 13.2%. Let us all stay safe," he said.

Cavite: from 5.9% on June 25 to 13.2% on June 29

Rizal: 11.9% to 9.7%

Laguna: 7.6% to 8.8%

Pampanga: 5.9% to 7.7%

Metro Manila: 6% to 7.5%

Iloilo: 5.7% to 6.9%

Batangas: 5.6% to 6.6%

Benguet: 3.2% to 6.0%

In an earlier tweet, OCTA Research said that on June 30, the National Capital Region recorded 672 cases, followed by Cavite at 85 new cases, Iloilo at 70, and Laguna at 47.

David also said he hopes that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will "push for healthcare reforms and Build, Build, Build of the healthcare infrastructure."

CAYETANO SAYS TO FILE BILL FOR P10,000 AYUDA

MANILA — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said he would file a bill seeking P10,000 in direct cash aid for all Filipino families.

Speaking at the oath-taking of locally-elected officials in his hometown Taguig, Cayetano said the ayuda required the support of Malacañang and both houses of Congress.

“Sa mga nangba-bash sa 10k ayuda, kung kaya ko lang silang bigyan ng tag-10,000, binigay ko na sa kanila. Pero sa katotohanan ito’y isang legislative proposal,” he said.

Recently, a video of a man asking Cayetano for P10,000 while the latter was shopping at mall went viral on social media.

WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE

Cayetano in February 2021 told media that he filed a House bill that sought the distribution of P10,000 to every Filipino family, or P1,500 per member, whichever is higher.

The cash aid was meant to help families start their own small businesses or revive those that have closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the bill failed to pass Congress as part of the Bayanihan 3 COVID-19 aid package. The financial aid program proposed by the bill was also excluded from the P5 trillion 2022 national budget.

Cayetano has asked newly-elected Taguig Representatives Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. and Amparo "Pammy" Zamora to file counterparts of the ayuda bill at the Lower House.

TROOPS KILL ABU SAYYAF BANDIT IN SULU ENCOUNTER

MANILA—A reported member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group was killed in an encounter between the military and extremists in Sulu on Thursday, authorities said.

According to the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, security forces conducted a "strike operation" in Barangay Lumbaan Mahaba, Parang town at 2 a.m.

They identified Gan Salahudin, an extremist under ASG sub-leader Apah Salah, as the casualty on the bandits' side.

"While clearing the encounter site, troops recovered the enemy cadaver, one 5.56mm M16 rifle, and one M203 Grenade Launcher. After the documentation, the dead body of the slain ASG member was handed over to his relatives," Wesmincom said in a statement.

The military command said security forces have encountered an "undetermined number" of ASG members in Barangay Buanza in Indanan, Sulu.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION DOMENG LIKELY TO DEVELOP INTO TROPICAL STORM, SAYS PAGASA

MANILA—Tropical depression Domeng is expected to reach tropical storm category within Friday, the state weather bureau said.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin on Friday, PAGASA said Domeng was sighted at 950 km east of extreme northern Luzon at 4 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and 70 kph gusts.

In the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon enhanced by Domeng and severe tropical storm Chaba (formerly Caloy) will bring monsoon rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon, it said.

It will also bring "occasionally gusty conditions reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength over extreme northern Luzon, the northern and western portions of Luzon, and the western portion of Visayas," the agency added.

"Under the influence of Tropical Depression Domeng and Severe Tropical Storm Chaba and the prevailing southwest monsoon, a Gale Warning remains in effect over the western seaboards of Luzon," PAGASA said.

Domeng is projected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning or afternoon.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LOOK: CELEBS GLAM UP FOR MARCOS INAUGURATION

MANILA — Some showbiz personalities dressed their best Thursday as they attended the inauguration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Actress-singer Toni Gonzaga, a staunch supporter of Marcos who was tapped to sing the Philippine national anthem, wore a white Filipiniana by in-demand designer Mark Bumgarner.

Gonzaga’s husband, filmmaker Paul Soriano, meanwhile sported a barong by Avel Bacudio. Soriano, who was a creative consultant for the event, is a nephew of Marcos’ wife, Liza Araneta Marcos. (The First Lady is a cousin of Soriano’s father.)

Actress Bianca Manalo, wearing a red Filipiniana, accompanied her partner, Sen. Win Gatchalian. A photo shared by the lawmaker also included former actress and Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado, with the latter’s husband, movie star Sen. Bong Revilla.

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz was also a guest at the inauguration, alongside her actress-daughter Isabelle Daza. They wore creations by Vania Romoff and Ramon Esteban, respectively.

Marcos took his oath at the National Museum in Manila.

SPORTS

BLACKWATER DEF. MERALCO, 90-89 (PBA 2022) JUNE 30

Baser Amer drained the game-winning jumper as Blackwater Bossing (4-1) beat the Meralco Bolts (3-3), 90-89 to grab their fourth win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ato Ular led the Bossing with a double-double game of career-high 19 points (7/13 fg, 2/3 3pts, 3/3 ft) along with 15 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Veteran guard Jvee Casio with solid game of 19 points (7/11 fg, 5/9 3pts), 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Rey Suerte added 15 points while Yousef Taha with an all-around game of 8 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. Baser Amer had 6 points in 3-of-11 shooting including the game winner to extend Blackwater's winning streak to three.

The Scores:

BLACKWATER 90 - Ular 19, Casio 19, Suerte 15, McCarthy 12, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Taha 8, Amer 6, Ebona 2, Sena 1, Melton 0, Escoto 0, Ayonayon 0, Publico 0.

MERALCO 89 - Newsome 23, Quinto 18, Banchero 14, Almazan 12, Hodge 6, Caram 6, Baclao 5, Hugnatan 2, Pasaol 2, Jose 1, Black 0.

Quarters: 18-30, 43-46, 70-69, 90-89.

NLEX DEF. PHOENIX, 114-108 IN OT (PBA 2022) JUNE 30

NLEX Road Warriors (4-2) defeated Phoenix Super LPG (2-5), 114-108 in overtime to grab their fourth win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

NLEX 114 - Oftana 22, Quinahan 21, Alas 18, Trollano 17, Chua 12, Rosales 9, Miranda 5, Semerad 4, Ighalo 2, Soyud 2, Paniamogan 2, Fonacier 0.

PHOENIX 108 - Wright 19, Tio 18, Anthony 17, Muyang 17, Jazul 12, Mocon 8, Manganti 4, Garcia 4, Pascual 4, Rios 3, Robles 2, Porter 0, Lalata 0.

Quarters: 23-7, 47-43, 72-70, 103-103, 114-108.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 54.97

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The ultimate decision about what is accepted as right and wrong will be made not by individual human wisdom but by the disappearance of the groups that have adhered to the wrong beliefs. - F.A. Hayek