Day: May 8, 2022

Seventy-five basketball players will try their luck to make a name in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as they threw their hats into the league’s rookie draft, the league announced on Sunday. La Salle’s sweet-shooting forward Balti Baltazar and high-flying guard Kurt Lojera were among those who formally declared for the May 15 event right on the final day of application on Saturday. The PBA initially set the draft deadline on May 2, but it was eventually moved to May 7, paving the way for the likes of Baltazar and…

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At least 10 health specialists have lost lives in Ukraine since the beginning of the war with Russia, Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko said early Sunday. At a joint press conference with the WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the capital Kyiv, Liashko said 10 health workers have been killed and 40 others wounded in the war. He said as many as 40 hospitals have been razed to the ground and 500 others stand damaged to the extent that it has become impossible to offer health services there anymore. Ukrainian…

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Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc imposed a province-wide curfew starting Sunday at 9 p.m. to Monday at 4 a.m., hours before voting starts. Executive Order 183-22 dated May 8 on the imposition of curfew further strengthens the Commission on Election’s implementation of two-day liquor ban until Monday polls. As stated in the order, the temporary curfew the night before elections is also meant to ensure security, as the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office has confirmed “reports on the presence of guns-for-hire in the province.” The election campaign ended on…

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President Rodrigo Duterte will step down from office in less than two months with landmark programs from which Filipinos will reap benefits way beyond his term. Among those is the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program” (BP2) that encourages return to the provinces, with beneficiaries armed with sustainable livelihood opportunities among other incentives. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the BP2 applicants are those who lost jobs or residing in slum areas. Jocelyn Carlom, among the recent BP2 claimants, is back in Cebu. She left Metro Manila with PHP20,000 for food…

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The Southern Police District (SPD) reported that the three campaign rallies under its jurisdiction on Saturday had no untoward incidents. UniTeam, led by Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte, held its final miting de avance in Parañaque City where the SPD dispatched 1, 556 personnel — 1,093 from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and 463 from other agencies and allied forces. At the Makati City central business district rally of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan, there were 1,139 personnel composed of 740 PNP personnel and 399…

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Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday appealed to the voters to report to proper authorities immediately any vote buying or vote selling activities in their communities. “Kung may nakita tayo na kakaiba, ireport kaagad natin. Wag kayong mangimi sa pagrereport (of election irregularity) at para maaksyunan natin ora mismo (If you see something suspicious, report it immediately. Do not hesitate to report so that authorities can act on it as soon as possible),’’Año said in a radio interview. Año said that starting May…

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A day before 67.5 million Filipino troop to polling centers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed 16 validated cases of violent election-related incidents (ERIs) across the country since the election period started on January 9 with the gun ban. In a virtual press conference on Sunday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the number was much lower than 133 in the 2016 national and 60 in the 2019 mid-term polls. Gun ban violators and confiscated firearms were likewise 50 percent lower than in the two previous elections. Overall as of…

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President Rodrigo R. Duterte is eager to resume his motorcycle-riding activities when he was still mayor in Davao City after he steps down from office in June, saying he would track down criminals like he used to. “Now that I won’t be President anymore, nobody can dictate what I do. I will go riding on a motorcycle and roam around the… And I’ll search for drug peddlers, shoot them and kill them,” he said in Bisaya in a speech during the Hugpong ng Pagbabago miting de avance on Friday night.…

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Commission on Higher Education chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera on Sunday questioned a tweet made by online news website Rappler claiming that Antonio “Tony” Esquelador Jr., a man born without legs, received a scholarship from the Office of the Vice President Leni Robredo. In a tweet dated May 6, Rappler shared photos of 30-year-old Esquelador with the Mayon volcano as backdrop and described him as “a scholar of the VP for the last five years” in its caption. Rappler said Esquelador Jr. of Barangay Puro, Legazpi City, was making…

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The Philippine Women’s National Team looks to build on its recent success as it vies in the 31st Southeast Asian Games women’s football competition starting Monday here. The Filipinas, who qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after reaching the AFC Women’s Asian Cup semifinals in India early this year, open their campaign against Cambodia at 7 p.m. in Group A on Monday at Cam Pha Stadium. Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic will have 20 players at his disposal for the tournament although two key names from…

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Presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Inday Sara Duterte capped the official campaign period with a very successful miting de avance attended by hundreds of thousands of supporters at the Solaire open grounds in Parañaque City on Saturday. The BBM-Sara’s final miting de avance erased all previous crowd estimates during the grueling 90-day campaign trail that started last February 8. In his speech, Marcos also said the people’s support for the UniTeam in the upcoming polls is a vote for unity and progress of the country.…

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The Philippine beach handball team snatched its second straight victory at the expense of Singapore, 22-19, 22-16, at Tuan Chau Island in Quang Ninh Province here on Sunday. The win was a fitting follow-up to the Filipinos’ 18-16, 18-16 upset of Thailand, which clinched silver in the 2019 Philippines Games, two days ago. Meanwhile, Andriane Drake finished fourth—and last—in the women’s 1-meter springboard of diving on Sunday afternoon, a performance that could augur well for the youngster in future Southeast Asian Games. Only 17 and a SEA Games first-timer, Drake…

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In an official ceremony at his official residence, French President Emmanuel Macron was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon for a second five-year term. Macron last month was reelected in a runoff against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen with 58.2 percent, making him France’s first president in 20 years to win a second term. The morning ceremony kicked off with Laurent Fabius, head of the Constitutional Council, officially confirming Macron’s victory, followed by the swearing in. In an inaugural address to a crowd of 450 government officials, dignitaries, and supporters – including…

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Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Ramon Fernandez praised the men’s football and handball teams for a job well done in their opening matches, victories that will uplift the confidence of Filipino athletes in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here. “Buena mano. We’re off to a good start. It’s a good sign for the entire Philippine delegation,” said Fernandez, the Team Philippines chef de mission, in a news release on Sunday. The Filipino booters were fearless in attacking Timor Leste for a 4-0 win at the start of men’s football at the…

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The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday said Senator Manny Pacquiao must not stop with just allegations of corruption in the agency. Instead, the presidential candidate must identify the corrupt officials he accused during the Commission on Elections-Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (Comelec-KBP) panel interview aired Friday. “To allege wrongdoing, unsupported by specific facts or without naming names, is tantamount to false accusation,” the DepEd said in a statement. Pacquiao said the quality of education is not improving due to corruption while DepEd funds are not properly utilized. “Hindi…

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Choose leaders who will prioritize the welfare of the nation and citizens, Malacañang enjoined the Filipino electorate on Sunday. Acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar made this remark ahead of the May 9 national and local elections. “Tomorrow, May 9, 2022, the Filipino people will exercise their right to vote. The Palace encourages all registered voters to use this occasion to choose the next set of leaders, who have the interest of the nation and the welfare of the citizens in their minds,” he said. Andanar said the…

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomes the enactment of Republic Act 11697, otherwise known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which provides for a national policy framework to develop the electric vehicle industry in the Philippines. DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte and the lawmakers for the passage of this “very significant” legislation. “With EVIDA, the Philippines is now in a stronger position to further attract hi-tech investments and create high-value jobs in the country by taking advantage of the ongoing…

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Twenty-four people, five of them wounded, were arrested in an alleged encounter between the security forces of reelectionist Mayor Isidro Pajarillaga and his rival, former Mayor Virgilio Bote, in Purok Gulod in Barangay Concepcion, General Tinio town in this province at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The names of the suspects were not immediately disclosed. In a report to the provincial headquarters, town police chief Capt. Ronan James Eblahan said five of the arrested persons who got wounded were civilian security personnel of Bote while the 19 belong to Pajarillaga. Eblahan…

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Female senators on Sunday reminded Filipinos to appreciate the effort and sacrifices of all mothers and mother figures who have devoted their lives to nurture families. Senator Risa Hontiveros said the choice to become a mother is a decision a woman should have the right to make. “Today, let’s recognize the deep love and sacrifice all these kinds of mothers and all these types of women have given us. We are enough. To all the women who choose to be mothers, salamat sa walang sawang pagmamahal (Thank you for your…

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The returning officer for the election of the sixth-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday said John Lee has been elected as the chief executive designate. The former chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government won a total of 1,416 votes, surpassing the threshold of 750 votes to win the election. Lee made a short speech after the announcement of the election results, expressing gratitude to members of the Election Committee who turned out to vote and to the Hong Kong residents. The…

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Masses will be celebrated in parishes within the Diocese of Cabanatuan here on election day for faithful to attend before casting their votes, and the churches will be open for the whole day to everyone who would want to pray after voting. In a letter, Bishop Sorfonio Bancud asked Apostolado ng Panalangin, Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, and other lay associations and religious movements (LARM) to lead in praying until the election results are out. “Lubhang napakahalaga ng gawaing politikal na ito sapagkat tayo ay nasa isang maselang yugto ng ating kasaysayan…

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Allegations of vote-buying reportedly triggered a shooting incident that left four dead in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur on Saturday morning. Charges will be filed against the two groups composed of supporters of rival mayoral candidates, according to a press briefing at the provincial capitol on Sunday attended by Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson, Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Director Col. Wilson Doromal, and Ilocos Sur provincial election supervisor Alipio Castillo. Six supporters of mayoral candidate Alrico Favis — Guillermo Unciano, Agustin Unciano, Dante Tolentino, Archie Garcia, Menelio Oliver Jr, all of…

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Wearing a long-sleeved white Barong Tagalog, slacks, and black shoes, Nicolas “Nic” Aca looks odd standing in the middle of J.R. Borja Street, one of the busiest thoroughfares here. The 53-year-old multitalented artist could be mistaken for a politician or a lawyer. On Saturday morning, Aca was carrying on his shoulder a small bamboo pole where a cooking pot hangs from one end and a discarded ballot box on the other. “Boto dili ibaligya (Don’t sell your votes),” he repeatedly told passersby while he stood under the heat of the…

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Senator Manny Pacquaio ended his campaign in his hometown General Santos City on Saturday the way he started it: Reiterating his presidency will be pro-poor. During his miting de avance, he said the country’s tax measures must be reformed to help the poor improve their living conditions. “Kaya mahal lahat ng bilihin, dahil ang taas ng taxes natin (All prices of commodities are high because of high taxes),” the 43-year-old Pacquiao said. If he wins, Pacquiao assured at least five millionaires will dare to invest in the country and will…

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They may be isolated from the outside world but 33,409 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will be part of the elections on Monday. Inmates are allowed to vote only for national positions — President, Vice President, senators, and party-list. PDL voting shall be from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral led a simulation exercise at Manila City Jail–Male Dormitory on Sunday while also directing all units to ensure zero incident and orderly casting of votes. “Siguruhin…

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