SENATORS Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go on Saturday withdrew their certificates of candidacy (COC) for president and vice president respectively under the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (Cusi Wing).
"It is a party decision," Dela Rosa said before filing his certificate of withdrawal before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Dela Rosa and Go were accompanied by President Rodriog Duterte.
Other officials who joined the President were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
Dela Rosa has indicated his willingness to drop out of the race should the president's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Caprio, decide to run for the country's top post in the upcoming elections.
Duterte-Carpio however, on Saturday filed her CoC for vice president under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Decmocrats (Lakas-CMD) party as its substitute candidate.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has filed for substitution as one of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats’ (Lakas-CMD) of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo alleged “placeholders” withdrew her Certificate of Candidacy (COC), formalizing the mayor’s vice presidential bid, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Duterte-Carpio before the filing, has not minced her words in dousing earlier speculations that she will run for national post. These rumors finally ended as she substituted for Lyle Fernando Uy who filed her COC for Vice President on Oct. 8 who was reportedly a “placeholder” for the Davao mayor. They were represented by Atty. Charo Munsayac
The decision came a day before the deadline of filing for withdrawals and substitution before the Comelec on Nov. 15. After that, only involuntary substitution will be allowed. In Resolution No. 10717, the Comelec said an aspirant from a duly registered political party or coalition, who dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause after the last day for the filing of COCs, may be substituted by an aspirant belonging to, and nominated by, the same political party or coalition.
The poll body said a substitute for an aspirant/candidate, who died or was disqualified by final judgment, may file a COC up to mid-day of Election Day.
Comelec Education and Information Department Director Elaiza Sabile-David has earlier explained that for Duterte-Carpio to be able to substitute for someone, she has to be a party-mate of the one who withdrew his or her filed COC.
According to Sabile-David, it is possible for a person who belongs to a different political party to change their current party affiliation the next day in order to substitute for someone the following day.
“Hindi po problema na ang isang kandidato ay kabilang sa kunyari partido A and then ang gusto niyang isubstitute na kandidato na nag withdraw ay kabilang sa Partido B (It’s not a problem if an aspiring candidate will switch from Party A to Party B to substitute a candidate from that party who withdrew their COC),” Sabile-David explained.
“Hindi po yun hadlang para siya po ay mag substitute ang kailangan lang po magkaroon siya ng nomination from partido B para po masubstitute niya yung kandidatong nag-withdraw doon (It’s not a hindrance for someone to substitute if they belong to Party A for they just need a nomination from Party B to substitute for the aspiring candidate),” she added.
She further mentioned that as long as there is a nomination from a party and that the person was acknowledged such as Duterte-Carpio as a member of the party, she may substitute for the candidate Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez has also explained that she is qualified to substitute but not under Hugpong ng Pagbabago which is also a political party but regional.
In a series of political moves over the week, Duterte-Carpio first withdrew her candidacy as re-electionist mayor of Davao City, before her resignation from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional political party in Mindanao which she formed in 2018.
On Thursday, Nov. 11, Duterte-Carpio was sworn in as new member of the Lakas-CMD by its president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez at the Revilla Farm in Silang, Cavite and was witnessed by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who was hosting the wedding of her daughter at the time.
Sabile-David has reminded that after an aspiring candidate has successfully substituted for someone, it is still not final and that petitions may still be filed against them.
MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Ramon Ang is open to proposals to put Petron Corp. back to government control, which some lawmakers see as among the solutions to high local pump prices.
During a hearing at the House of Representatives on Monday, Ang, president and CEO of Petron, said the government can make an offer “anytime” if it’s really interested in buying back the oil giant.
“Any time, it could be loaned to the Philippine government, they could buy it with over five years to pay. I swear, if the government is looking to buy Petron, they should prepare now,” Ang told legislators in Filipino.
“Just tell me, I will sell it immediately. Tell them to make the valuation immediately, no more nitpicking. Last year, we lost P18 billion. You can check that,” he added.
House lawmakers met on Monday to tackle proposals to address stubbornly high oil prices that’s fanning inflation, which could derail the Philippines’ delicate recovery from the pandemic. Some suggestions include suspending excise taxes on petroleum products and amending the Ramos-era Oil Deregulation Law.
But last month, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate renewed his call to pass House Bill 244 or the proposed Petron Renationalization Act, which has been pending with the House Committee on Energy since July 2019. Zarate is among the principal authors of the bill.
Under the bill, state-owned Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) would buy a majority stake or 51% of subscribed stocks of Petron upon the first year of its effectivity, if ever the measure is signed into law. PNOC should reacquire 100% full ownership of the company within a period of four years.
PNOC acquired Esso Philippines — Petron’s old name — at the height of the first oil crisis in 1973 and renamed it Petrophil Corp. In 1994, PNOC and Saudi Aramco signed a stock purchase agreement that gave the latter 40% ownership in Petron. In the same year, 20% of PNOC shares were sold in what was dubbed as the “mother of all initial public offerings (IPOs)” in the Philippines.
Ang's San Miguel Corp. started managing Petron in 2009.
Oil that Petron purchases only lands in one port, at their refinery in Bataan. There, Petron produces 180,000 barrels daily and supplies 30% of the Philippines' total fuel requirements. Petron registered a 18.60% share in the local market, as of end-June 2021, according to data from the Department of Energy.
In 2020, Petron reported a net loss of P11.4 billion, a turnaround from the preceding year’s P2.3 billion net income, after pandemic restrictions pushed down oil prices amid weak demand from locked-down consumers. Earnings have since recovered amid rallying oil prices as curbs were eased.
Shares in Petron gained 1.86% on Monday to close at P3.83 apiece
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet––The provincial board on Monday (Nov. 8) declared lawyer Ana Maria Paz Rafael, former assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, as persona non grata (unwelcome) in Benguet after the recent armed takeover of the power utility serving the province and Baguio City.
Voting 13 in favor and one abstention, the provincial board issued a resolution for the declaration.
Vice Gov. Johnny Waguis said Rafael lied when she told the board during the Nov. 3 session that she arrived at the headquarters of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) in South Drive around 7 a.m. during the takeover on Oct. 18
Waguis said video footage with time stamps showed that Rafael was at the compound as early as 5 a.m.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) had designated Rafael as manager of Beneco to replace Melchor Licoben.
Licoben, who assumed the leadership of Beneco by succession last year, was slapped a 90-day preventive suspension by the NEA, along with Beneco’s board president and six directors, who voted to reject Rafael’s appointment due to her alleged ineligibility.
Lawyer Omar Mayo, legal officer of NEA, designated by the regulator as Beneco “caretaker,” had also been declared persona non grata in Benguet last week.
Mayo reportedly led the forcible takeover of the Beneco office backed by NEA-deputized policemen.
During the provincial board session last week, Rafael was asked why she should not be declared persona non grata, to which she replied: “up to you to decide.”
The board also asked her if she could give way and respect the public clamor, Rafael said: “I just want to work … unless and until my appointment is annulled, I need to work as the general manager.”
In an interview last week, Board Member Juan Nazaro said they did not initially include Rafael in the persona non grata declaration saying they still had to verify her statement that she was not present during the armed takeover.
This was the Chief Executive’s comeback on Wednesday, Nov. 3 , against Senator Richard Gordon and the rest of the senators who have continued to hold hearings via the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the alleged anomalies in the administration’s procurement of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) supplies in 2020.
Speaking in his pre-recorded “Talk to the People” public briefing, Duterte took exception to the claims of certain senators that he has been “lawyering” for officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which served as a major contractor in the government’s procurement activities last year.
“Wag po kayong magpadala dyan sa mga intriga na ako raw abugado, ako raw ano…Alam mo sa totoo lang Gordon, pati [Senator Franklin] Drilon, hindi ako aabot sa presidency, from my mayorship to the presidency, kung corrupt ako kagaya ninyo…Kung tumatanggap ako ng mga…p*t*ng-*n*…ng mga campaign funds dyan sa mga tao na alam ninyo na gumagawa ng kalokohan kasama yung mga miyembro ng Congress (Do not believe in their intrigues that I’m the lawyer, I’m this…You know what Gordon and Drilon, the truth is, I would not have made it to the presidency, from my mayorship to the presidency, had I been corrupt like you…had I been taking campaign funds from people who do dubious things along with members of Congress),” Duterte said.
Gordon chairs the Blue Ribbon panel, while Drilon is the Senate Minority Leader.
“Kayo dyan ang merong butas. Wala kayong makuha sa amin (You are the ones who have misdeeds. You won’t find any with us). It’s not in my system, about corruption and money. Ibang bagay siguro, masabi mo meron akong…pero hindi sa pera (Maybe about other things, you can say that I have…but not with money),” the President said.
Poltical pundits refer to the Senate as the chamber of “presidentiables”, given how close they are to the Palace in terms of hierchary and stature. Then-Davao City Mayor Duterte somewhat upended this notion when he won the presidential race via landslide in 2016.
“But my personal life, well there are some, those who would like to criticize me. And as a public official I would have to accept the criticisms.
“Pero kung yung sinasabi niyo, ako yung abugado, ako ay…lumang tugtugin na yan. Alam mo sa totoo lang sabi ko, I would not be President Duterte kung corrupt ako kagaya ninyo (But if you’re saying that I’m lawyering for people…that’s already an old tune, like what I said, I would not be President Duterte if I were corrupt like you),” Duterte said.
The Chief Executive reiterated the Commission on Audit’s (COA) findings that it saw no instance of overprincing in the medical supply deals. He said procurement rules under the Bayanihan law were also properly followed.
Duterte has said in the past that he doesn’t care what happens to Pharmally and its executives during the Senate investigation.
Gordon, as per Dutere’s claims, owes the government some P86 million stemming from the disallowed funds he failed to account for during his time as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman
Today at Connect 2021, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced Meta, which brings together our apps and technologies under one new company brand. Meta’s focus will be to bring the metaverse to life and help people connect, find communities and grow businesses.
The metaverse will feel like a hybrid of today’s online social experiences, sometimes expanded into three dimensions or projected into the physical world. It will let you share immersive experiences with other people even when you can’t be together — and do things together you couldn’t do in the physical world. It’s the next evolution in a long line of social technologies, and it’s ushering in a new chapter for our company. Mark shared more about this vision in a founder’s letter.
Our annual Connect conference brings together augmented and virtual reality developers, content creators, marketers and others to celebrate the industry’s momentum and growth. This year’s virtual event explored what experiences in the metaverse could feel like over the next decade — from social connection, to entertainment, gaming, fitness, work, education and commerce. We also announced new tools to help people build for the metaverse, including Presence Platform, which will enable new mixed reality experiences on Quest 2, and a $150-million investment in immersive learning to train the next generation of creators.
You can watch the full Connect keynote and learn more about how the metaverse will unlock new opportunities at meta.com. You can also learn more about our work over the past several months to develop the Meta brand on our design blog. Read all our news in the posts below:
Connect 2021: Our Vision for the Metaverse
Horizon Home, the Future of Work, Presence Platform, and More
Project Aria Update
How VR Is Changing the Way We Collaborate and Get Things Done
Gaming News
‘Blade & Sorcery: Nomad’ Is Coming to Oculus Quest
Spark AR Roundup
Spark AR Certification & Professional Course Preview
Our corporate structure is not changing, however, how we report on our financials will. Starting with our results for the fourth quarter of 2021, we plan to report on two operating segments: Family of Apps and Reality Labs. We also intend to start trading under the new stock ticker we have reserved, MVRS, on December 1. Today’s announcement does not affect how we use or share data.
See also: Building the Metaverse Responsibly, Expanding Horizon: New Funding to Support Creators, Introducing Our New Company Brand (2019)
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.
IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – Justice has been served after the death of Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the commander and spokesperson of the National Operations Command (NOC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Sitio Gabunan, Impasugong, Bukidnon on Oct. 30.
For decades, the 74-year-old Madlos led terroristic activities, especially in Mindanao, and was recorded as the most wanted NPA commander in the country.
He faced multiple criminal cases such as robbery with double homicide, damage to properties, murder, and frustrated murder that involved countless innocent civilians, including indigenous peoples (IP) members, Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) members, and soldiers.
“Sa pagpanguna ni Ka Oris sa una, ang mga lumad nailad nga mokuyog kanila, duna pay namatay apil nga tribal leaders nga matud pa dunay kalapasan kanila ug naa usab mga equipment nga ilang gipang sunog. Isip IPMR sa syudad sa Malaybalay nagatuo ako nga nakab-ot na namo ang hustisya sa iyang kamatayon (Headed by Ka Oris before, the IPs were deceived to join them, there were tribal leaders killed because of alleged violations against them, and there were many equipment burned. I believe that we have already received justice after his death),” Datu Renato Sumbongan, the IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Malaybalay City, said in a news release of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) on Sunday.
Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr,, 8IB commander, also said in the vernacular that IP members, soldiers, and the CAA have long been waiting for justice.
Salvador H. Laurel was Cory Aquino's vice-president and running mate in the 1986 snap elections. Laurel wrote Aquino on August 13, 1988 to signify his intention to leave her administration. The letter below is featured in the book by Cecilio T. Arillo "Greed and Betrayal". This also appeared in the opinion section of February 19, 2014 issue of the Manila Standard Today newspaper.
Republic of the Philippines
Office of the Vice-President
Executive House, Manila
August 13, 1988
Dear President Aquino:
I write at a time of deep anguish for our people. And so I shall not burden you with undue sentiment. I shall go straight to the point.
You and I were called by Providence to serve at a turning point in our history. Our call to service was unique. We had sought our people’s vote in an election, but they gave us something more in a bloodless revolution that was to astound the world. At EDSA, we forged a covenant with God, country and people.
Kahimyang Project website discusses Why Leni should initiate a Definitive Inquiry on Her Husbands Death. This can be read through the webpage link below:
The ruling in the case between China and the Philippines over competing claims in the South China Sea will strain relations between Manila and Beijing, but it’ll also impact Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as threatening ASEAN unity.
Looking back in the future, observers of the escalating tensions in the South China Sea will point to 2012 as the pivotal year for the maritime boundary disputes between China and Taiwan and five Southeast Asian states in the South China Sea. That was the year that China coercively gained control of Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines, and for the first time, ASEAN foreign ministers failed to issue a joint statement at the end of their meeting due to disuniting disagreements over whether the South China Sea should even be mentioned.
Now the dispute, which will soon be ruled on by the United Nations Arbitration Panel under the Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) threatens to not only exacerbate tensions between Manila and Beijing, but could also cause collateral benefit and damage to the other countries with competing maritime boundary and territorial claims.
Before the 2012 setbacks, the Aquino administration showed no signs of moving beyond the Philippines’ approach of being the loudest and most persistent voice in ASEAN for the Association to take a stronger line on these disputes and China’s actions in the South China Sea.
MANILA, Philippines — Talent manager Annabelle Rama went on a Twitter barrage, defending presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao against his former aide Jayke Joson.
In a series of tweets on Twitter today, Annabelle claimed how Jayke abused Manny financially.
“Lahat ng makapal ang mukha lahat ng mga sinungaling nangamatay na. Meron pang dalawa ang natira. Parehong mukhang pera. Ang nag interview at yung isa nagpa interview. Baka akala ng dalawang (Tangingot) kapal ng mukha masisira nila ang taong takot sa Diyos, matulungin,” Annabelle said.
Breaking News: Five senators on Oct. 25 filed a bill seeking to amend the Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code by removing withdrawal as a basis of a candidate’s substitution. 🎀👉🚽
In October 25 Senate Budget of Department of Transportation DOTr. Senator Drilon asked the DOTr on impact projects in the Ports of the country. He was silenced by Sec Art Tugade and DOTr who reported the 400+ Port constructions, Rehabilitations, and development throughout the country.
Senator Drilon halted the presentation not to present all 400+ as he want all those with impact to big regions only. Well I cannot understand with that statement, aren't all port impacting materially the regions on a greater scale? or he just want to stop the humiliation in asking No port developments to the DOTr.
From the Business Mirror report:
The Filipino people have benefitted from the efforts of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to achieve seamless maritime transport interconnectivity.
This was the assessment made by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade in a speech he gave during the PPA’s 47th Founding Anniversary celebration at the PPA Corporate Building.
CEBU CITY – The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) reached a major construction milestone on Tuesday with the final main bridge piece now cast, cementing a feat that is more than three years in the making.
The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) and its subsidiary, Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC), wrapped up the construction on the main bridge deck with a special joint concreting rites covering the remaining two-meter gap.
“We are finally at the tail end of the construction of our CCLEX project and I, together with my colleagues, share the incredible pride in this milestone achievement,” said MPTC president Rodrigo Franco, who is in Cebu to witness the activity.
Stitching the remaining gap unites the deck of Tower 2 with that of Tower 1, a symbolic achievement of finally linking the quaint town of Cordova in Mactan Island to the highly urbanized Cebu City in the mainland. The main bridge deck hovers 51 meters above the Mactan Channel.
“After today’s main bridge deck connection, we look forward to another milestone and that is opening CCLEX to the public in the first quarter of 2022. We can’t wait to see Cebuanos enjoy the ultimate expressway experience afforded by using this bridge,” said Allan Alfon, CCLEC president and general manager.
The 8.5-kilometer CCLEX will be using a fully electronic toll collection system once opened to motorists.
MPTC and CCLEC thanked the hundreds of skilled foreign and local workers behind the construction of the main bridge who defied some work challenges. Among these are working at heights in the middle of the Mactan Channel with live marine traffic and following stringent health and safety protocols because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Panoorin kung ano ang nasa loob ng Bus ni inday Sara.
Ang Bus na inihanda ng mga supporter ni Inday Sara para sa pangangampanya ay inihanda na. Ready to roll and ride for campaign in 2022 Election. If the Mayor decides to run by substitution on or before the Nov 15 deadline, these buses will roll the streets for Inday Sara support for Presidential bid.
Over the weekend Inday Sara and Bongbong Marcos meet in Cebu for a birthday celebration of a common friend and were in the talks for possible alliances. The netizens and supporters of BBM Sara or Sara-BBM are very happy with this developments.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Presidential candidate, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio met in a private event in Cebu City.
Photos of the two political figures circulated on Saturday morning, fueling rumors of a possible alliance or even a political tandem in the national elections.
In a Facebook post, Duterte-Carpio confirmed that she indeed met BBM or Bongbong Marcos in a private gathering in the home of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez in a private subdivision in Barangay Banilad.
“Confirmed po na nagkita kami ngayon lang ni Presidential aspirant at former Senator BBM sa masayang pagdiriwang ng birthday ni Cong. Yedda, maybahay ni House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez sa Cebu,” said Duterte-Carpio.
(It is confirmed that President aspirant and former Senator BBM met during the happy birthday celebration of Cong. Yedda, wife of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez in Cebu.)
It is not clear what they were talking about, but witnesses including Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama confirmed that the meeting of the Duterte-Carpio and Marcos was amicable.
Rama met with the presidential daughter along with other city officials such as Councilor Raymond Garcia, City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr., and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) Chairman Jose Daluz, III, at around 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Rama said that the meeting was long set as he wanted to meet Duterte-Carpio to talk about things.
He said they talked about policies and politics but he refused to divulge any details.
“We had that meeting, that was already pre-set two weeks ago. She was already telling me that she was coming over. It was only discussions only, talking about politics. Nothing to be brought to the public para way (so that there won’t be any) pre-empting what transpired,” said Rama.
The acting mayor also talked with Marcos during the birthday of Congressman Romualdez about politics but he did not reveal if he already expressed his support to the presidentiable.
Maria Ressa of Rappler was ecstatic to get an online interview with a BBC guy named Stephen Sackur. She expected in the interview to be praised, pitied and hailed as a new martyr journalist in the world. She looked like little girl crying for help to a big brother. Only to be slapped on her face for telling lies in 24 minute interview.
For me, all mainstream media and its joirnalists are but puppets of international oligarchs. This includes Maria Ressa of Rappler. But this BBC guy named Stephen Sackur suprised me in the most pleasant way. He is among those very few who still can see what is true and what is not. What is right and what is wrong. He put Ressa on a hot seat and taught her Journalism 101: Get the facts, understand the facts and narrate the facts! No more, no less.
The interview started with Ressa's facial expression showing a poor little girl getting bullied by Philippine President Duterte. She was ready to narrate her "story" on how she valliantly and heroically fought the "tyrant" all in the name of "truth" and "democracy". And that freedom of expression is dead in the Philippines.
The First Slap!
Stephen Sackur listened like a sympathetic big brother. Until he heard something not right. He stopped Ressa on her narratives. He told her straight that it is not true freedom of expression is dead on the Philippines because there are still plenty of media companies operatng in the Philippines and even Rappler continues to publish online to this day!
Ressa took the slap well. She bobbed and weaved and she survived. But her facial expression showed her confidence being shaken. Her real smile slightly getting sour. She was given the chance to continue and instantly back to narrating her "pitiful" story.
Second Slap!
Stephen Sackur of BBC continued to listen to Maria Ressa's narrative like a big brother. Loving yet tough, soft but fair. Ressa wasted no time to paint Rodrigo Duterte as an evil man who killed thousands of poor Filipino using the BBC flatform. Duterte is evil. Duterte is heartless. Duterte is a monster.
The remark of Senator Gordon "Until Kingdom Come" regarding the question as to when will the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing end triggered Malacanang to issue Memorandum to prohibit Secretaries of the Executive Government Department to attend future Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing.
The members of the Senate Blue Ribbon argued this is unconstitutional and assert separation and equality between branches of government.
Atty Ferdinand Topacio counsel of Pharmally executive Lincon Ong expresses his experience during meeting with client Linconn Ong at the Senate. Atty Topacio express dismay over Sgt-at-arms instructing him to leave the premises.
Tinatanong ni Pres Du30 kay Gordon kung sino si HILMARCS na siyang contractor sa pag construct ng Senate building. Ito rin daw aniya ang contractor ng Makati Bldg at Iloilo Convention Center sa siyang ini-imbestigahan noon ng senado dahil sa kurapsiyon
Nagtatanong si Senator Kiko Pangilinan sa isang pagdinig sa Senado kaugnay sa pag procure ng PS DBM ng mga Covid19 supplies. Aniya ni Kiko kay former Usec Lao "Kelan ba ang effectivity ng batas"
