Friday, November 26, 2021
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
SM City Grand Central in Caloocan set to open on Nov. 26
SM Prime Holdings said Wednesday its latest mall SM City Grand Central is set to open on Nov. 26 in Caloocan City.
With 6 levels of retail space, it will add 116,000 sqm of gross floor area (GFA) to the company's mall portfolio, the Sy-led group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
SM City Grand Central is located in Caloocan with connections to various transportation terminals such as the LRT 1 through the Monumento Station.
"As the economy starts to re-open given the improving COVID-19 condition in major key areas in the Philippines, primarily here in Metro Manila we are pleased to welcome customers to our newest mall, SM City Grand Central," SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said in a statement.
The group said it would implement safety protocols for comfortable shopping and dining experience.
It will house 700 parking slots, and an indoor park, among others.
"As when this pandemic started, SM will continue to support the government's COVID-19 response program so that we can all look forward to a better and brighter year ahead," Lim said.
The retail sector, particularly malls, was among those hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as mobility restrictions significantly reduced foot traffic.
Mallgoers are slowly returning to malls, including children, after Metro Manila's restriction was eased to Alert Level 2.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/24/21/sm-city-grand-central-in-caloocan-set-to-open-on-nov-26
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
10 aspirants file COC as substitutes for nat’l posts
By Ferdinand Patinio
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte as well as Senator Christopher “Bong” Go were among the 10 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) as substitutes for national positions in the May 2022 polls.
Based on the data released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, a total of 22 individuals withdrew the COCs they filed during the filing of COC from Oct. 1 to 8.
Duterte decided to file COC to run for senator, replacing replaced Mona Liza Visorde under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) during the final day of filing of statements of withdrawal and substitution at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday.
Sara opted to withdraw her COC for third term bid as Davao City mayor and filed another COC for the position of vice president, replacing Lyle Uy under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).
Go, on the other hand, dropped his vice presidential bid and filed COC for president, replacing Grepor Belgica of PDDS.
Other aspirants for president who filed statements of withdrawal include Anna Capella Velasco of Lakas-CMD and Orlando de Guzman of Partido ng Masang Pilipino.
Aside from Sara, Walden Bello also filed a statement of substitution, replacing vice presidential candidate Raquel Castillo of Partido Lakas ng Masa.
Others who filed their statements of withdrawal for vice president are Bienvenido Lorque of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino; Joel Sison of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan; and Benedicto Jose of PDDS.
For senator, Antonio Valdez also withdrew and was substituted by Antonio Parlade Jr. under Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino; Manuel de Castro Jr., who was the first to file the statement of withdrawal on October 13, was substituted by Joseph Peter Sison for Aksyon Demokratiko; Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar under Partido para Sa Demokratikong Reporma (PDR) replaced Paolo Redemptus de Andres; Ramon Mitra of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino replaced Jesus Durian Jr.; People’s Reform Party Herminio Harry Roque Jr. filed COC as substitute of Paolo Mario Martelino; and Joseph Ross Jocson of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino replacing Loreto Tenolete Jr.
The senatorial aspirants who also withdrew their COCs include Marianito Roque Jr., Christopher Cruz, Ricky Formiento, and Catherine Cruz of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino; and Darwin Logronio of Philippine Green Republican Party.
In a press briefing on Monday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said those who would like to withdraw may still do so.
“After this day, they can still withdraw. Withdrawal is a matter of right. You can withdraw at any time. The issue is whether you can be replaced or substituted,” he said after the filing of statements of withdrawal and substitution ended at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.
“After this date, you can only be substituted if withdrawal is involuntary, which means death or disqualification. You cannot be substituted if you voluntarily withdrew,” he added.
Jimenez, however, said in case of death or disqualification, the replacement has to have the same surname as the one that is being replaced.
“If you were involuntarily withdrawn, meaning you died or were disqualified, you can be replaced by someone of your last name. No longer necessary to be a partymate or relative, as long as you have the same last name. That's the prevailing rule on substitution now,” he added.
He said the final list of the qualified candidates for next year’s polls is expected to be released next month.
2 LPAs spotted; ITCZ to bring rain showers across PH
By Ma. Cristina Arayata
Two low pressure area (LPA) were spotted embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) that is expected to bring rain showers over most parts of the country, the weather bureau said Tuesday.
In its 4 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said one of the LPAs was located inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), about 335 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
"It has a slim chance to develop into a tropical cyclone, as it is considered as a shallow LPA," weather forecaster Benison Estareja said.
The other LPA was last tracked 1,500 km. east of Mindanao, outside PAR.
Estareja said it has a slim chance to develop into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours. It is expected to enter PAR by Wednesday, increasing the chance to develop into a tropical cyclone as it nears the landmass.
"Somewhere along the ITCZ or over the Sulu Sea, an LPA may also develop," he added.
The ITCZ will cause scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
The shear line and the northeast monsoon will also bring rains over Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Aurora and Quezon. On the other hand, the northeast monsoon will bring isolated light rains over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over northern Luzon.
Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.
Duterte names Nograles as acting Palace spokesperson
By Lade Jean Kabagani
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday named Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles as acting presidential spokesperson, replacing Harry Roque who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the 2022 national and local elections.
"So kung maaari ikaw na lang sana ang acting [spokesperson] na muna (if you could be acting spokesperson for a while) until we find a [replacement]. I do not want to burden you with so much, alam ko 'yung paperwork dadaan sayo eh (I know the paperwork pass through you)," Duterte told Nograles during his prerecorded “Talk to the People” aired late Monday night.
Nograles, a lawyer, once served as spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and is currently the head of the Task Force on Zero Hunger, a government’s campaign to fight hunger.
Citing Roque's decision to seek a Senate seat, Duterte said the law stated that any government officials are automatically resigned after filing their COC before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
"Alam mo once you file a certificate of candidacy, automatic iyan – out ka sa gobyerno (You know, you are automatically out of the government once you filed a COC). No order or formal ritual is needed, except that when you file – at that moment you ceased to be a government employee," Duterte said.
Roque bid goodbye as presidential spokesperson and IATF-EID spokesman during his last Palace press briefing on Monday before heading to the Comelec to file his COC on the final day of filing of statements for withdrawal and substitution.
Roque, a former congress representative, is running for senator under the People’s Reform Party, substituting Paolo Mario Martelino.
Monday, November 15, 2021
How to comply with Covid-19 filming guidelines in the new normal
By Liza Diño-Seguerra
On June 7, 2020, Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, and I, as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO, signed with immediate effectivity the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2020-001 on the Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During Covid-19 Pandemic.
The DOH-FDCP-DOLE JAO outlined sector-specific guidelines for companies, producers, and workers as the film and audiovisual industry resumes operations within various levels of community quarantine. The Order also prescribes the necessary prevention, detection, and rapid response measures in the absence of a vaccine or definitive cure for Covid -19.
The Order covers all film and audiovisual companies; workers regardless of employment status (including contractors and freelancers); all contents (including motion picture, film, television, animation, and advertising); all stages of production (including pre-production, principal photography, and post-production); all venues of production (including locations, production and animation studios, workplaces, production sites, and post-production facilities); and all others concerned with the conduct of film and audiovisual production shoots in all stages.
The JAO’s guidelines also provide for the Safe Filming Program that will be implemented by the FDCP in partnership with the DoH and DoLE to centralize the submission of requirements, monitoring, and coordination with stakeholders. Aside from ensuring the strict compliance of industry stakeholders to the JAO, the Safe Filming Program will provide information on working safely in the Philippines by creating a resource website with the guidelines, systems, forms, documents, issuances, updates, and best practices from international film commissions.
The guidelines call for the compliance of producers and employers with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and DoH minimum health standards for Covid-19 mitigation by increasing the physical and mental resilience of workers, stopping transmission, decreasing contact rate, and reducing the duration of infectiousness.
The mandatory control measures that promote the safety and health of workers are as follows:
• Reduce. Limit the number of workers and create alternative work arrangements. A maximum of 50 individuals will be allowed in production sites. Those who can work from home are urged to do so as only essential workers are permitted to go to workplaces and production sites. No visitors will be allowed.
• Modify. Necessary revisions of scripts and production executions must be done. Producers and employers must consider reviewing and revising scripts, creative executions, and production schedules to allow for the safety measures to be implemented in production sites and workplaces.
• Distance. Maintain physical distancing. Workers and other authorized individuals must observe social distancing measures. The specified distance varies between 1 to 2 meters as there will be controlled spaces that employ strict safety measures (1 meter), uncontrolled spaces where there is an expectation for workers to interact with external spaces and people (2 meters), and even close contact spaces for tasks that entail person-to-person contact (e.g., hair and makeup, and intimate scenes) which would need additional control measures.
• Install. Employ engineering controls for limiting physical contact and hygiene. There must be hand washing stations, footbath mats in all entrances, and physical barriers in common areas. The sanitation of workplaces and production and shooting sites, as well as the disinfection of equipment, wardrobe, props, and vehicles, must be done regularly. There must also be a designated Covid -19 isolation area in locations and workplaces for all stages of production.
• Enforce. Effective implementation of the JAO through Administrative controls. Producers and employers must disseminate all Covid-19-related information and health and safety protocols to workers and must plan their work and productions to comply with the requirements of the JAO. Safety orientations must be conducted before the resumption of production work.
• Protect. Proper use of PPE. Workers must wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) like surgical masks, face shields, and gloves at all times. They should use alcohol or hand sanitizer religiously, on top of washing their hands properly. Producers and employers must provide ample amounts of PPE and alcohol or hand sanitizer.
To ensure compliance with the minimum standards of the JAO and the occupational safety and health (OSH) of workers, an OSH Officer must be present in workplaces and production sites at all times.
Moreover, even with the mandatory control measures in place, there are still specific control measures that will need the cooperation of workers, producers, and employers for the successful implementation of the JAO.
For monitoring and contact tracing if needed, among the important forms that the Order has set forth include the following:
1. Project Registration Form (for all projects) – The Production Registration Form may be filled out and sent online to safefilming@fdcp.ph. The form, which contains specific details of the planned production shoot, must be submitted to the FDCP at least seven days before the first day of the shoot.
2. Covid-19 Health Declaration Forms (for all workers) – All workers must fill out the Covid-19 Health Declaration Form for reporting on their medical status and known and unknown contact with the novel coronavirus. As a preventive measure to mitigate the risk of an outbreak in the workplace, workers must provide their contact details, describe their recent travel history, list people they have come into contact with, and check off any symptoms they may be experiencing. This must be submitted to the workers’ respective production prior to the start of the production shoot or to the workplace before returning to work and will be kept as a record pursuant to the Data Privacy Act.
3. Health and Safety Commitment Declaration Form (for all producers) – This form is for production companies to manifest their compliance with Republic Act 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act and JAO No. 2020-001. This also spells out their commitment to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all workers. This must be submitted to the FDCP prior to the start of the production shoot.
The Covid-19 Health Declaration Forms will help determine those with underlying health conditions as they are discouraged from working on production sites along with pregnant women and senior citizens. Such vulnerable population groups have a higher risk of contracting Covid-19; that is why producers and employers are enjoined to develop alternative work arrangements for them with no diminution in benefits or talent fees.
Workers must abide by the guidelines implemented in production shoots and workplaces as their compliance will affect the health and safety of not just their colleagues but their loved ones as well.
Health Secretary Duque noted, “These minimum health and safety protocols will ensure that our workers in the film and audiovisual industry are protected. Furthermore, by implementing these guidelines, we likewise ensure that this protection extends to their families and communities.”
The comprehensive guidelines of the JAO, with 13 Annexes so far, were drafted by the DoH, FDCP, and DoLE in consultation with professional guilds and stakeholders. These guidelines create specific health and safety protocols that promote and prioritize the safety of our workers with the threat of the virus still looming above us. It will be effective for the duration of the pandemic and due to evolving circumstances, terms and protocols will be updated or revised based on the most recent evidence.
As the film and audiovisual industry is part of the country’s hardest-hit business sector due to Covid-19, it is empowering that our lead government agencies have joined forces with the FDCP in alleviating the woeful situation of the industry. We thank the DOH and DOLE for their all-out support for the film and audiovisual industry in transitioning to the new normal of performing works while ensuring a safe environment amidst the pandemic.
(UPDATED, as of March 3, 2021) The ABS-CBN daily primetime drama series such as FPJ's Ang Probinsyano starring Coco Martin and Make It with You starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano which aired at 6:30 and 7 p.m. after TV Patrol and before weekly shows, at the same time when Make It with You was canceled with an incomplete, unfinished story as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ABS-CBN shutdown and franchise denial.
For the first three weeks of Make It with You's return, a 10-episode recap will be aired for burning off before the new episodes are released beginning March 6, 2023.
The first season runs from January 13 to March 13, 2020, and February 13, 2023, to February 9, 2024, while the second season runs from February 12, 2024.
According to the network's press releases, "Kick-starting the line-up for ABS-CBN Primetime Bida is the return of Make it with You with a recap and fresh episodes to ring in Valentine's Month. Make it with You is the high-rating soap top-billed by Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano."
Instead of MIWY, Huwag Kang Mangamba starring Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Kyle Echarri and Francine Diaz comes at 7 p.m. after Ang Probinsyano.
I hope I can go back to lock-in taping of 'Make It With You' because I can't accept that this drama series has been canceled. Because it's hard to accept the viewers and it's sad. Hopefully, they can go back to taping in Croatia because there isn't much COVID-19.
After "HKM" / "MIWY", at 7:30 p.m. is Marry Me, Marry You starring Janine Gutierrez and Paulo Avelino.
Sabi ni Ricky Calderon "Kailan kaya matatapos ang Huwag Kang Mangamba? Para maparusahan na si Deborah at mga kasama niyang masasama ang ginagawa."
"paabutin naman natin kahit kalahati ng Ang Probinsyano."
Ian Veneracion was originally cast to play the role of Elias, but he backed out of this show because of scheduling conflicts for the upcoming new season. Christopher De Leon took over the role of Elias.
Marry Me, Marry You moved to the new timeslot replacing HKM and Viral Scandal comes at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Transcript of interview of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III with Cely Bueno and Raoul Esperas of DWIZ
Q: Maaari po bang malaman kung ano ang inyong pangunahin na tututukan sa pagbabalik ng session sa Senado?
SP Sotto: Siguradong yung mga naka-pending na period of amendments like yung Public Services Act at saka yung Foreign Investments Act, tapos yung mga naka-pending na bicam report. May mga ilan na kailangan iratify ng bicam. Yun siguro, and then of course, we expect the budget to be reported out by Sen. Angara, the chairman of the Committee on Finance. Ang mangyayari doon, malamang magtatawag kami ng caucus either Monday or Tuesday para lang mapagusapan yung agenda sapagkat bilang na bilang yung linggo hangang December 16. So, kailangan linawin naming mabuti yung mga scheduling ng mga interpellations ng budget at saka ng passage niya.
Q: So, kapag naisponsoran na ni Sen. Angara yung proposed 2022 budget sa plenary, magkakaroon po ba ulit nung nakasanayan na na marathon hearing, yung Monday afternoon? Talagang budget lang po ang inyong tututukan?
SP Sotto: Oo, magiging Monday to Thursday yun, baka kung kakailanganing Friday, pati Friday, pero morning and afternoon. Yan ang mangyayari doon, usually. So, medyo gipit ito, dapat ay naguumpisa na kami ng interpellations nung first week pa lang. Bali delayed ng isang linggo, kasi yun yung napagkasunduang schedule, after ng SONA, nung aming mga leaders sa majority. So, expected ko, Monday to Thursday, siguradong morning and afternoon, ewan ko yung Friday kung papayag yung iba or kakailanganin. Iba yung papayag at saka kakailanganin eh.
Q: So, papakiusapan ninyo yung ibang tumatakbo na, busy na pag-iikot na Thursday at Friday, hangga't maaari, eh wala muna na pag-iikot sa iba't-ibang lugar?
SP Sotto: Bahala sila kung ayaw nilang pumasok, problema nila yun. Hindi ko pakikialaman yung pag-iikot nila sapagkat hindi pa naman campaign period eh. Meron naman tayong campaign period na tinatawag, which is February 6. After February 6, campaign period na yun, naka break na kami noon hanggang sa after elections, so bakit kailangan ngayon umikot? Ngayon, kung gusto mong umikot ngayon, okay lang, may mga imbita-imbitasyon din naman kami. Kaya lang, basta hindi makakasagabal sa trabaho mo. Trabaho muna ang mahalaga. Sa bagay, okay lang yun, para nakikita ng mga kababayan natin kung sino ang nagtatrabaho at hindi. The best na kampanya is magtrabaho ka.
Q: Ito na po yung last budget under the Duterte administration, at sakali pong pagpalain kayo ni Sen. Ping Lacson sa 2022 election, kayo na po ang magpapatupad ng mga programa at project under the 2022 budget doon sa second half of the year. So, dahil po dito, Titiyakin ninyo na itong proposed 2022 budget, eh talagang tama yung mga programa at proyekto na paglalaanan ng pondo?
SP Sotto: Correct. Dapat yung recovery program madiin, pagkatapos yung tamang pag-gamit at pag-gastos para hindi nagkakaroon ng mga unused, at para hindi rin nagkakaroon ng mga mapapagbintangan na maling gamit, maling pag-gamit, di ba? Kailangan talaga yun, lalo na kung... pero talaga kung sino man yung umupo sa second half ng 2022, kung ano yung mga napasa namin, yun na yun eh, walang magagawa yun. Ang susi ngayon diyan, ay yung budget sa 2023, kung sino man yung mananalo sa 2022, hopefully, kami ni Sen. Lacson yun, eh pagdating sa budget, at saka si Sen. Lacson ang may hawak, yung National Expenditure Program, makakaasa yung mga kababayan natin na manggagaling sa baba ang pangangailangan, hindi nasa taas pagkatapos, (unclear) yung mga kababayan natin, pati yung mga local government (unclear), lalong hindi magiging ganoon. Siguradong ayun na, yung budget reform advocacy niya, ay manggagaling sa baba. Ang tanong, sa barangay, ano ang kailangan ninyo? Yun ang ilalagay natin sa National Expenditure Program. Ganoon, bottom up. Galing sa baba. Galing sa zero. Hindi yung (unclear) style nung nakaraan na ilang presidente na yan, yung style, ewan ko kung bakit ganoon yung mga economic managers nila. Mahirap magbintang, pero bibigyan ka ng ceiling, pagkatapos yan ha? Magsubmit kayo ng mga project ninyo, heto ceiling ninyo, ganyan. Hindi effective eh. Ang nangyayari pareho ngayon, maraming mga local officials ngayon, hindi mo ba napapansin, maraming tahimik? Hindi sila nagdedeklara kung kanino sila? Eh paano, hinihintay nila yung NEFLR eh. Yung for later release. Hinihintay nila yung budget nila.
Q: Maraming inipit na mga budget.
SP Sotto: Yun na nga, kasi nga yung policy of mendicancy na nakabaon na sa atin ng Napakatagal nang panahon. Dapat alisin yun, tigilan na yung Imperial Manila na yan. Tigilan na yung national government lang ang nakakaalam at may hawak ng pondo. Kailangan nasa mga kababayan natin. Ganoon yung makikita. Gusto namin sana, sa 2022 budget, ganoon na.
Q: Sa 2023? O sa 2022?
SP Sotto: Hindi, sa 2022 pa lang. Kung ano yung pwedeng gawin na kaagad para yung economic recovery natin, di ba, maayos at tama yung magiging paggamit nila.
Q: So, doon sa tinatawag na bottom-up, mula sa baba, dito, matitiyak natin uunlad na yung mga nasa countryside? Yung mga dating napapabayaan, yung mga poorest of the poor, yung mga... hindi na mapapabayaan, mabibigyan sila ng budget sa pangangailangan nila para umunlad ang komunidad nila?
SP Sotto: Correct, at saka naka diretso na sa kanila yung budget, hindi nag (unclear) doon sa mga nakaupo sa Malacañang.
Q: Maiba naman ako. Kung sakaling manalo kayo, isa sa mga tututukan ninyo, itong laban kontra illegal na droga. Isa sa mga senatoriables, si Raffy Tulfo, ang sabi niya, itong war on drugs ng administration is a failure. Ano ang masasabi ninyo doon?
SP Sotto: Well, failure in prevention and rehabilitation siguro, pero pagdating sa enforcement, maraming gains na nagawa yung administrasyon ni President Duterte pagdating sa enforcement. Sa prosecution there is much to be desired siguro dahil marami pa ring dismissed cases eh. Pero kasi, it has to have a wholistic approach. Alam mo, nung huli kaming magusap ni President Duterte, sinabi ko sa kanya. Sabi ko, kung ako papalain na maupo diyan, ako, di ko kailangan bigyan ng trabaho, pag vice-president ka, alam mo ang gagawin, marami kang magagawa. Hindi mo kailangan ang bigyan ka ng trabaho. For example, yung issue ng illegal drugs and drug abuse, concentratan mo yung drug abuse, which is prevention and rehabilitation. Siguro, kaya siguro nakapagsalita si Raffy ng ganoon, kasi ineexpect niya na dapat nga kailangan wholistic yung approach katulad nung sinasabi ko. I was successful in Quezon City eh. So, kung successful ako sa Quezon City, I can do it nationwide. Hindi ka pwedeng magyabang na ganito ang gagawin mo, ganito, ganyan-ganyan, tapos duon sa city mo, hindi mo magawa, di ba? Hindi mo magawa sa maliit, paano mo gagawin nationwide, di ba?
Q: Kabilang sa mga pinakamainit na balita ngayon ay yung paglabas ninyo ng warrant of arrest kay Christopher Lao. Ano po ang latest dito?
SP Sotto: Ministerial sa akin yun as Senate President. Merong request ng any committee on any let's say subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, or contempt charge, therefore automatically may warrant of arrest kung merong request ang committee. Kung walang nag-oobject, kailangan pipirmahan ng Presidente yun.
Q: Ano po ang balita, nasa bansa pa ba itong si Lao o nakalabas na?
SP Sotto: Hindi ko alam eh, pero wala akong balita so far. Bahala na muna yung OSAA, meron naman silang mga strategy. Eh kasi nagkamali kami kay Dargani eh. Dapat, bago nag motion for contempt, dapat nadeploy na. Alam naman namin kung nasaan sila noon, eh biglang nawala.
Q: Eh dito kay Lao, ilang araw nang hindi nag-aattend ho ng hearing so hindi natin alam kung nasaan na rin ito.
SP Sotto: Oo, eh meron talagang mga ganoon, mga bina-balewala ang Constitution eh, yun ang batas ng Pilipinas eh. Congress is an equal branch of government. Siguro bina-balewala nila.
Q: Dito sa pagbaba na ng Covid cases, latest kahapon, 2,000, isinailalim daw ho agad sa Alert Level 2 yung NCR. Kumporme po ba kayo na immediately ibinaba na tayo, talagang pwede na, or dapat maghintay-hinay muna?
SP Sotto: Basta, panalangin ko, magtuloy na sana yung pagbaba or ma-maintain na sa below 1,000, 1,000 or below. Yung whether kumporme ako or hindi, wala namang sinunod ang IATF sa mga rekomendasyon namin eh. Noon pa, sinasabi ko na, yung face shield walang pakinabang yan, tayo lang ang gumagamit sa buong mundo, ipinilit nila. Pagkatapos malalaman namin na napakaraming binili nila Lao, di ba? Doon sa PS-DBM. Kaya kung tatanungin ako tungkol sa mga diskarte ngayon nila, eh diskarte nila yun, bahala sila, hindi naman kami pinakikinggan eh.
Q: Kagaya nito, akala ko nagkaroon ng commitment doon sa inyong panawagan na parang dagdag gastos lang at tayo lang ang gumagamit ng face shield, pero hindi rin naman napagbigyan ano po?
SP Sotto: Wala, oo. Tapos ngayon, biglang naisip na nila, baka nauubos na kasi yung nabili.
Q: Yung gawin ng mandatory itong vaccination, mismong Department of Health ang nagsabing kinoconsider nila na gawing mandatory, uubra po ba yun?
SP Sotto: Last time I heard we are still a democracy. Kung ayaw ng kababayan natin. Ako, payag ako sa akin, eh nagpa immunization ako, di ba? Nagpa vaccine ako. Meron tayong mga kababayan na ayaw, bakit mo pipilitin? Parang... hindi... sa America nga, ganoon, all parts of the world, I don't know if there is a country that says mandatory.
Q: So, pwede po ba yun, pag sabihing mandatory... kinakailangan ng legislation?
SP Sotto: Hindi ko masabi, hindi ko kasi gustong pagusapan yan. Anyway, siguro, ang tanong, o, mandatory ano ang gagawin ninyo kung ayaw? Ipasagot natin yan sa hearing namin, ano ang gagawin ninyo pag ayaw, ikukulong ninyo? Eh punong-puno nga yung Bilibid eh. Punong-puno nga yung BJMP, ano ang gagawin ninyo ngayon? I-etsa-pwera ninyo sila? Hindi sila pwedeng pumasok sa ganito, hindi sila pwede sa ganyan, hindi pwedeng ganoon, gagawin ninyo? Oh, di wala na yung civil rights natin, freedom of whatever.
Q: So, pwedeng ma-question yun just in case?
SP Sotto: Sigurado, siguradong maku-kwestiyon yun. Pinaka magandang diskarte, information-dissemination.
Q: To convince?
SP Sotto: To convince, hindi ba? Ang daming pamamaraan na pwede. Sina Sen. Villar nga, ang daming pakulo sa Las Piñas, ang daming nagpapa-vaccine. Hindi ba? Strategy yan. Ang Quezon City, wala ring problema eh. Magaling sila Mayor Belmonte eh. Ang daming nagpapa-vaccine, wala namang problema, wala namang umaangal doon sa may ayaw, pero maganda ang information-dissemination drive.
Q: Kayo po, yung swab test at antigen, wala bang plano na dapat ito, ibigay na ng libre?
SP Sotto: Dapat talaga yun, libre. Dapat yung inubos na pera doon sa kung kanino-kaninong kumpaniya ng China, dapat doon din binuhos, diyan sa PCR, swab, antigen, ganoon, kaya libre dapat yan. Isang kababayan natin, kinakabahan, uubo-ubo, punta kaagad sa barangay, icheck, di ba? Libre dapat. Kaya ayaw nung iba, P3,000 eh. Pinaka mura na yung kina Janette Garin, P1,000, P1,500 ba yun?
Q: Hindi syempre gagastos ang tao, lalo na sa panahon ngayon.
SP Sotto: Oo, isipin mo yun, tatlong libo? Aba, ang bigat noon. Yung limang daan, ang bigat sa kababayan natin, tatlong libo pa?
Q: Yung makukuha mo in one hour, bente-mil?
SP Sotto: Ang alam ko, P8,500, pupuntahan ka sa bahay mo tapos within 12 hours, malalaman mo, yun ang alam kong... meron pa palang ganyan, hindi ko narinig yan.
Q: Pinatigil nga yun. In fairness naman, narinig ko na pinatigil ng IATF. Katabi lang ng airport, doon sila nag ooperate eh.
SP Sotto: Baka hindi nga accurate yun.
Q: Kaya pinatigil kasi nag reklamo yung mga OFW, mga umaalis na pasahero na napaka mahal.
Q: Ngayon po ay November 6, so ilang araw na lang, ilang linggo na lang, deadline na for substitution. Kayo ba, may nakikita pa na magiging pagbabago dito sa mga maglalaban-laban sa 2022 elections pagsapit ng November 15?
SP Sotto: Siguro. Baka marami pa yan, kaya pag may mga nagtatanong sa akin, ini-interview ako, alam mo naman marami tayong kaibigan na gusto tayong interviewhin, nandiyan si Karen Davila, nandiyan si Cheryl Cosim, nandiyan si Pinky Webb, lahat sinasabi ko, tutal mga kaibigan ko naman yang mga ama nila, sinasabi ko na ano eh, after November 15 pag tinanong ninyo ako tungkol sa pulitika, alam na natin kung sino-sino yung tumatakbo, kung sino yung ano, di ba? Sa ngayon kasi, pag pinagusapan ang pulitika, walang kasiguraduhan eh. Mula nung July hanggang ngayon, kami lang ni Sen. Lacson ang may kasiguraduhan eh. Kami lang yung desidido, kami rin yung nagsabi nang maaga eh. At kami rin yung nakahanda eh. Yung iba, hinihintay pa natin, mga placeholder eh.
Q: Pwede pang magkaroon ng substitution.
SP Sotto: Oo, mahirap magpa interview tungkol sa pulitika.
Q: So hindi pa ninyo masasabi sa amin yung possible surprise senatorial candidate under your slate?
SP Sotto: After November 13.
Q: 13?
SP Sotto: Eh November 13 siya pwede eh. Nadulas ako.
Q: November 13 pa siya magre-retire sa kanyang position?
SP Sotto: I refuse to answer.
Q: Hypothetical question po. Kung tutuloy si Mayor Inday Sara sa pagka bise-presidente, ano ang magiging plano ninyo, tutuloy pa rin ba kayo? Sabi nila perfect tandem yung Bongbong Marcos at Sara Duterte.
SP Sotto: Hindi namin iniintindi kasi. Sabi ko nga, July pa nung mag desisyon kami ni Sen. Lacson, di ba, umikot muna kami ng ilang... sa mga local officials. Mula noon, we don't really care who else is running. Basta kami, nag meet kami sa taong bayan, ang programa namin eto, eto pinaka tingin naming pinaka pag-asang magiging takbo ng bansa natin, kaming dalawa. Hindi namin iniintindi kung sino ang tumatakbo, kahit magpalitan pa sila, basta yung programa namin ang importante sa amin, at kami, ino-offer na min sa tao. Pag ayaw ng mga kababayan natin, eh pasensiya, di ba? Pwede naman kaming mag retire eh. Pag nagustuhan, ay, makaka-asa sila na siguradong-sigurado trabaho nito dahil ito pa lang ito maaga pa lang, desidido na. Hindi ito, ika nga, nanghuhula or nangangapa eh. So, it does not matter. It does not matter kung sino yung tumatakbong presidente, sinong tumatakbong bise-presidente, does not matter to us. We will keep on campaigning, and we will keep on ika nga eh telling the people what we stand for, what we have done, and what they can look forward to, ganoon.
Q: Sa mga survey, consistent na kayo ang nangunguna sa mga vice-presidentiable. Malaking challenge po ba yun kung paano ninyo ireretain hanggang sa araw ng elections?
SP Sotto: Iba-iba naman yung mga survey eh. Syempre, pagka meron kang percentages na nakukuha, and then we Always try to use the survey as a guide. Pinaka importante kasi, maraming kung anu-anong survey na lumilitaw eh. With due respect to some of them, I don't know how they do it eh. Ang alam ko lang, Pulse Asia at SWS eh, at saka yung kina Junie Laylo, yun lang ang alam kong patterned, alam ko kung paano ginagawa, alam ko rin kung paano ine-eksplika yung mga surveys nila, paano nila kinukuha. So, doon ako nagbe-base. Yung nakikita kong survey nila, yun ang ginagamit naming guide. Yung mga survey na internet, meron sa isang grupo, mga ganoon, actually, di ko na binabasa eh.
Q: Nabanggit na ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson last week na pagdating sa inyong senatorial candidate, parang magkakaroon kayo ng purging, parang iwa-one-on-one ninyo, dahil hindi uubrang more than twelve ang inyong kandidato. So, parang ang inyong pipillin at ireretain ay yung susuportahan lang ay yung Lacson-Sotto tandem.
SP Sotto: Oo, may plano kaming ganoon, kakausapin namin sila at pag talagang nakarinig tayo ng alam natin na ang endorsement nila or talagang gusto nila, ay pareho ng programa namin, eh yun yung talagang ipupursige natin. Katulad ni, kahapon, sa Cavite, si Raffy, di ba? Dineklara niya na si Sen. Lacson ang presidential candidate niya.
Q: So, pasok na siya.
SP Sotto: Oo, pagka ganoon, oo.
Q: So ngayon, gagawin pa po ba yung pakikipag one-on-one ninyo sa mga nasa listahan ninyo?
SP Sotto: Malamang. Baka unahin ko muna yung aming anim na NPC. (Unclear), NPC, anim eh. So, upo muna kami, tapos yung aming mga leadership din ng NPC, plano namin, after November 15 uupo na kami at paguusapan din namin yan kasi napakalawak namin, ang hirap kontakin eh, 1,800 ang mga miyembro, 1,834 ang huli kong count ang miyembro ng NPC, na incumbent officials, ha? Hindi mga member lang. Yung mga member, nasa libo rin yun, pero hindi incumbent. Ang incumbent, 1,800. Fifty-four congressmen, daan-daan na mga mayor, daan-daan ang vice-mayor, mga konsehal, walong governor, tatlong senador, mabigat ang consultation eh, pero kailangan unified as much as possible, so, we will find out very soon.
Q: Kapag nag start na young kampanya sa February, is there a need na mag leave po kayo bilang Senate President o wala naman pong ganoong pangangailangan?
SP Sotto: Hindi siguro. Baka mahirap pa nga pag bigla kaming magkaroon ng pagpapalitan sapagkat medyo madidistrungka yung mga opisina. Pagka mangyari yun, malamang magpapalitan din ng committee, di ba? So, palagay ko, kung saka-sakali lang... di naman makakaabala kasi ano na, tried and tested naman ako as a Senate President nila. So, kahit na naka break kami, sa February 6 naka break kami, kahit itong mga naka break na ito, eh pumapasok din ako, di ba? Eh nakakapagtaka naman siguro kung biglang maisipan namin na eh kasi tumatakbo ito, palitan natin, ano? Yun bang ipapalit natin, papasok din? Eh nakabakasyon din. Kaya lang hindi mapapabayaan yung mga papeles doon, mabigat eh. Bawat opisina ng mga senador, ako ang pumipirma eh. Yung mga opisina nung iba't-ibang departamento, ako din ang pumipirma eh. So, hindi pwedeng pabayaan.
Q: At kaya ninyo yun, kahit na kampanya, yung ganoong obligasyon magagampanan ninyo kahit magkakampanya kayo.
SP Sotto: Oo, 23 years ko nang experience, malapit nang mag 24 years, ang experience ko sa Senado eh. Ang pinagdaanan ko, siyam na Senate Presidents. Nakita ko yung the best and the brightest, nakita ko rin yung may mga mali. Kaya alam ko kung ano dapat ang sundin ko.
Q: Wala naman kayong naririnig na nag a-attempt na papalitan?
SP Sotto: Wala naman, awa ng Diyos, wala naman akong naririnig. Kung meron man, magsasabi naman kaagad sa akin yung mga yun. Magkakaibigan naman kami, wala naman kaming... ni isa sa twenty-three senators, ano, wala akong ni-isa na alam na magtatago sa akin kung may galit or naiinis eh. Naguusap-usap naman kami Nung minsan ngang nagkasagutan kami ni Sen. Villar, nung gabi, magkausap kami sa telepono. Di ba na-Youtube nung minsan yun? Wala, ganoon lang yun, masyadong mahaba na yung experience ko diyan. You have to master not only the rules and parliamentary procedures, but you have to master the art of compromise. Experience ang dala-dala natin, kaya malakas ang loob namin ni Sen. Lacson i-offer yung sarili namin sa mga kababayan natin, kasi alam namin, hindi kami mapapahiya pagka pinagtiwalaan nila kami.
http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2021/1106_sotto1.asp
Former Maguindanao representative Didagen Dilangalen passes away
Former Maguindanao lawmaker Didagen “Digs” Dilangalen passed away on Saturday morning, his family announced.
News about the former lawmaker's death was announced by his daughter Bai Donna Dilangalen on her Facebook page.
"My father has already passed away at around 8:38 in the morning... We sincerely ask for your prayers in this trying time," his daughter shared on Facebook.
No other details about Dilangalen's death were disclosed.
Dilangalen served as the lawmaker representing the 1st district of Maguindanao for three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004. He was also the lone representative of Shariff Kabunsuan in the 14th Congress from 2007 up to 2010.
In 2016, Dilangalen was legal counsel to former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the canvassing of votes for president and vice president in Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers.
He also became a spokesperson for deposed president Joseph Estrada in 2004.
Dilangalen ran but lost his senatorial bid in 2004.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/06/21/former-maguindanao-lawmaker-dilangalen-passes-away
5 patay sa pamamaril, pagsabog sa Camarines Sur
Lima ang patay matapos paulanan ng bala ang dalawang bahay sa Barangay Tarusanan sa Milaor, Camarines Sur, Biyernes ng hapon.
Kinilala ang mga nasawi na sina Romeo de Leon, 72-anyos, dalawa nitong apo na edad 6 at 4, kapitbahay niyang si Samuel Cobilla, 21, at isang 7-taong gulang na bata.
Isa pang menor de edad ang nasugatan sa insidente.
Ayon kay Capt. Rosalinda Moises, hepe ng Milaor Municipal Police Station, nasa loob ng bahay ang mga biktima nang biglang dumating ang suspek at pinagbabaril ang mga ito gamit ang isang M16.
Unang pinasok ang bahay ng pamilya De Leon at sinunod ang kapitbahay kung saan may hinagis pang granada.
Patuloy na pinaghahanap pa ang suspek na ayon sa pulisya ay kaanak ng mga biktima.
Alitan sa lupa ang tinitingnang motibo ng suspek sa krimen, ayon sa pulisya.
- Ulat ni Karren Canon
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/06/21/5-patay-sa-pamamaril-pagsabog-sa-camarines-sur