Sunday, October 31, 2021

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

Covid-19 deaths drop to 128

Posted: 31 Oct 2021 01:46 AM PDT

A DAY after the Philippines reported the highest number of deaths due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at 423, the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, October 31, 2021, saw just over 120 individuals who succumbed to the disease.

In its case bulletin Sunday, the DOH reported 128 new deaths, increasing the country's death toll to 43,172. The case fatality rate stood at 1.55 percent.

The DOH also listed 3,410 new Covid-19 cases, which brought the total nationwide tally to 2,787,276.

The positivity rate of the country was at 7.2 percent out of the 46,450 tests conducted on October 29.

The health department also reported 5,825 recoveries or 96.8 percent, raising the total recoveries to 2,698,871.

Active cases remained at 45,233 or 1.6 percent of the Covid-19 cases in the country.

Of the active cases, 73.6 percent were mild, 11.8 percent were moderate, 6.8 percent were severe, 4.9 percent were asymptomatic, and 2.9 percent were critical. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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DOLE: Observe pay rules for Nov. 1, no premium for Nov. 2

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 10:46 PM PDT

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers in the private sector on Sunday, October 31, to observe the mandatory pay rules set for the special non-working holiday on November 1, which is for the commemoration of the All Saints' Day.

DOLE Acting Secretary Ana Dione said that according to Labor Advisory 19-2021, there is no additional pay mandated for November 2 (All Souls' Day), which is a special working day.

"Despite the crippling impact of the Covid-19 on the economy and businesses, the labor department reminds the employers in the private sector to comply with their legal obligation in providing proper wages to their workers for the declared holidays," said Dione.

For November 1, the DOLE said that if the employee did not work, the "no work, no pay" principle shall apply, unless there is a company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on the said day.

For work done during the special day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work, and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on the said day for overtime work.

If an employee works on a special day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work, and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on the said day for overtime work.

On the other hand, for November 2, DOLE said that when a worker reports for duty, the employee is entitled to receive only his/her daily wage.

It said that no premium is required since November 2 is considered only as an ordinary working day.

To note, Proclamation 1107 declared November 1 as a special non-working holiday for the commemoration of the All Saints' Day, while November 2 is a special working holiday for the observance of All Souls' Day. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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Comelec, F2 sign 2022 elections transport deal

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 10:37 PM PDT

AMID the uproar caused by the awarding of the project to a company linked to Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed the contract with F2 Logistics Philippines for the transport of election equipment, supplies, and paraphernalia to be used in the May 2022 polls.

In a copy of its contract posted on its website, the Comelec and F2 agreed to the terms of the P535,999,998 deal last October 29.

"For and in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties herein agree as follows," stated the contract.

Under the deal, the deployment of election supplies in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon costs P106 million, while the budget for the deployment in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol Region is P123 million.

The allocation for the shipment in Visayas regions is P120,999,999, while a budget of P185,999,999 has been set for Mindanao regions.

The deal provides that F2 will be tasked to deploy and bring back the vote counting machines (VCM) and peripherals, for roadshow, field tests, mock elections, training, final testing and sealing, and election purposes; consolidation/canvassing system (CCS) machines and peripherals; transmission equipment/device and peripherals; VCM external batteries and accessories; generator sets (gensets), optional; and other election equipment and paraphernalia.

F2 is also tasked to deploy the official ballots, ballot boxes, other accountable forms and supplies, non-accountable forms and supplies, training materials provided by Comelec, Election Day Computerized Voters' Lists, Posted Computerized Voters' Lists, Computerized Voters' List Supplies, and other election paraphernalia.

To recall, the Comelec-Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) declared F2 as the lowest calculated bidder for the project back in August 24.

Subsequently, the Comelec en banc issued the Notice of Award to F2 last September 15.

This came despite questions on why the multi-million-peso contract was awarded to a firm related to the businessman known for his close relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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Bishop on vote buying: Bets, voters equally accountable

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 10:32 PM PDT

NOT only are politicians accountable for buying votes, but also voters who are selling their votes.

This was the reminder of Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, who said that political candidates and voters are both liable for possibly committing an election offense.

"In cases of vote buying, both the politician and the voters are accountable since they sell votes," said Bacani in a radio interview.

He pointed out, however, that politicians are more liable since they are the ones that initiate such acts.

"The politician is more accountable because they are the ones that make the offer," said Bacani.

The retired prelate said voters selling their votes should not make another mistake by actually voting for the candidate who gave them money.

"If they already made a mistake of accepting money for their vote, they shouldn't vote for that candidate. No person is obliged to fulfill an immoral contract," he said.

Bacani's statement came after presidential aspirant, Vice President Leni Robredo, advised voters to take the money offered by politicians during the campaign period but still vote according to their conscience.

Robredo's statement was immediately rebuked by the Commission on Elections, which pointed out that vote buying is an election offense.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is considered an election offense for any person to give, offer, or promise money or anything of value in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.

The law also prohibits the act of any person, group, or community to solicit or receive money or anything of value in exchange of voting for or against any candidate.

An election offense carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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Police warn public vs fake peso bills

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 09:33 PM PDT

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar warned the public against the proliferation of fake peso bills especially as the election season nears.

Eleazar issued the warning on Friday, October 29, 2021, following the arrest of two persons during separate operations in Cebu City for possession of 500 and 1,000 peso bills.

"I would reiterate the advice of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BEP) to the public to be wary of fake money and familiarize themselves with the security features of genuine peso bills to avoid spreading of fake bank notes," he said.

"Maaaring kulong ang sapitin ng sinomang magtatangkang gumamit ng pekeng pera sa anumang transaksyon. Agad ninyong idulog sa pinakamalapit na police station o kaya'y i-report sa ating PNP E-Sumbong platforms kung kayo ay nabiktima o napasahan ng counterfeit na pera para agad ay magawan namin ng kaukulang aksyon at mahuli ang gumagawa nito," he added.

(Those using fake money in whatever transactions may be imprisoned. You report immediately to the nearest police station or via the PNP E-Sumbong platforms if you happen to be a victim or received counterfeit money so we can act on it immediately.)

On October 25, Ivan Noval Luardo, 35, was arrested in an entrapment operation for possession and control of 52 pieces of 1,000 fake peso bills and 70 pieces of 500 fake peso bills, amounting to a total of P87,000.

A similar police operation was also conducted on October 19 against Joseph Mercado Salas, 36, who yielded a total amount of P24,000 in 1,000 and 500 denominations.

"I commend the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) headed by PMGen. (Police Major General) Albert Ignatius Ferro for the successful operation that led to the arrest of two people behind the proliferation of fake peso bills in Cebu. Mga ordinaryo nating mga kababayan ang kalimiting biktima ng mga kriminal na ito kaya titiyakin natin na pagsisihan ng dalwang ito ang kanilang ginawa (The ordinary people are the usual victims of these criminals, that's why we will make sure that they will regret what they did)," said Eleazar.

"Hindi dapat mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga taong ito lalo na ngayong papalapit na ang kapaskuhan kaya pinapaalalahan din natin ang ating mga kababayan na mag-isip-isip sa pagtanggap ng pera mula sa mga kandidatong bibili ng inyong mga boto dahil baka mabudol lang kayo," he added.

(They should not be given a chance to victimize the public especially that Christmas season is near, so we also advise the public to think first before accepting money, especially from political candidates who will buy votes.)

Ferro said the operation, which they coordinated with the BSP, stemmed from reports received by the CIDG that counterfeit money is being readied for use for the upcoming national and local elections.

BSP agents revealed that the seized bills were found to be fake after they failed to show any of the security features of a real banknote.

Eleazar directed the CIDG to further investigate the operation of the arrested suspects and to identify and arrest their financiers and other cohorts.

Luardo and Salas were charged at the City Prosecutor's Office with violation of Article 168 (Illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit) in relation to Article 166 of the Revised Penal Code.

"I also instructed the CIDG and other unit commanders to step up intelligence gathering and operations, in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to ensure that those who benefit from these modus will not be given opportunity to victimize our kababayan," said Eleazar.

"Magpapatuloy ang aming kampanya upang mapigilan ang mga ganitong ilegal na gawain na magiging balakid sa ating hangaring magkaroon ng malinis, maayos, at mapayapang halalan sa susunod na taon," he added.

(Our campaign will continue to prevent this kind of modus and to ensure clean and honest elections in 2022.) (SunStar Philippines)

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PNP chief orders probe into Davao journalist killing

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 08:46 PM PDT

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar ordered on Sunday, October 31, 2021, a thorough investigation on the killing of a journalist in Davao del Sur on Saturday, October 30.

Eleazar said the PNP is coordinating with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to swiftly resolve and identify the suspects behind the death of Orlando "Dondon" Dinoy.

"Ipinapaabot ko ang taus-pusong pakikiramay sa mga naulila at kasamahan ni Orlando Dinoy at bilang aksyon ay inatasan ko na ang RD, PRO-11 na tutukan ang kasong ito upang mapanagot kung sino man ang may gawa ng krimeng ito," said Eleazar.

(I express my condolences to the family of Orlando Dinoy, and in response, I tasked the Police Regional Office-Davao director to look into this case and punish whoever is responsible for the crime.)

"We will look into all the possible angles on this case and we are also asking the help of our kababayan to provide us with any information that could lead to the resolution of this case... Bilang isang demokrasyang bansa, hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mga ganitong uri ng karahasan dahil maliwanag na ito ay pag-atake sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag na ginagarantiya sa ating Saligang Batas (As a democratic country, this is not acceptable as this kind of violence is a clear attack on the freedom of the press, which is guaranteed in our Constitution)," he added.

Dinoy, a reporter for Newsline Philippines in Davao City and a volunteer anchor of the Energy FM in Digos City, was gunned down at close range by unidentified gunmen in his rented apartment in Bansalan on October 30.

He was also a former correspondent of SunStar Superbalita Davao.

Eleazar also vowed to protect all members of the media from any form of attack and harassment as he urged them to immediately report to authorities if they are under threat. (SunStar Philippines)

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Police units on heightened alert after NPA leader’s death

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 08:28 PM PDT

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday October 31, put all police units on heightened alert over possible retaliation attacks of the New People's Army (NPA) following the death of its top leader Jorge Madlos.

"The PNP is one with our brothers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in curbing the lawless activities and atrocities of the communist rebels that bring fear and terror to our communities. The entire PNP hails this successful operation as a big blow to the CPP/NPA/NDF (National Democratic Front of the Philippines," Eleazar said.

"Kasabay nito, ipinag-utos ko sa ating kapulisan na mas maging alerto sa posibleng retaliatory attacks ng mga rebelde upang ipaghiganti ang pagkamatay ng isa sa kanilang matataas na pinuno. Tinitiyak ko sa publiko na hindi namin ito hahayaan. Patuloy ang pakikipagugnayan namin sa AFP upang siguruhin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan," he added.

(Along with this, I ordered the police units to be on alert for possible retaliatory attacks of the rebels, who may avenge the death of their top leader. I assure you that we will not let it happen. We are coordinating with the AFP to ensure the public's safety.)

Madlos and another communist rebel were killed in a gunfight with soldiers in the mountains of Impasugong, Bukidnon on Saturday morning, October 30, 2021.

Eleazar said may Madlos's death serves as a warning to remaining communist rebels that the government will not stop its efforts to finish the armed movement.

He urged the rebels to surrender to authorities and mend their ways.

"Nawa'y magsilbing eye-opener ito sa ating mga natitirang kababayang rebelde na hindi sagot ang pag-alsa at karahasan sa mga suliranin sa ating lipunan. Ang kailangan ay ang ating pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan bilang isang lahi, at bilang mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa ating Inang Bayan," Eleazar said.

(This may serve as an eye-opener to rebels that revolting and violence are not answers to problems in our society. What is needed is our unity as Filipinos who love our country.)

"Matagal na at patuloy ang ating pagkukumbinsi sa ating mga rebeldeng kababayan na magbalik-loob na sa pamahalaan at sa katunayan ay makailang beses na ipinaabot ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ang kagustuhang maipagamot si Ginoong Madlos matapos malaman na meron siyang iniindang problema sa kalusugan," he added.

(We have been convincing the rebels to return to the fold of the law and in fact, the Armed Forces of the Philippines have expressed several times their willingness to have Mr. Madlos treated after learning that he has health problems.)

Madlos was the commander and spokesperson of the NPA's national operations command and spokesperson of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao who has standing criminal charges for murder, multiple murders with double frustrated murder, robbery with double homicide and damage to properties. (SunStar Philippines)

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Military commends neutralization of NPA top leader

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 08:12 PM PDT

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, October 31, commended the troops of the 403rd Brigade of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division for the neutralization of a Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) leader in Bukidnon.

The AFP leadership said the death of Jorge Madlos, also known as "Ka Oris," is a "major blow" to the communist group in Mindanao.

It said it will "usher eventual peace in the region."

"The AFP calls on the remaining leaders and members of the communist armed movement, who have been misled to this senseless cause, to surrender and return to the fold of law and eventually join the path towards peace and development in our country," the AFP said in a statement.

Madlos was killed in a clash between government troops and NPA rebels around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 30, in a mountainous area in Barangay Dumalaguing in Impasugong town, Bukidnon.

Another rebel was killed during the firefight.

The clash happened after the military launched an operation in the area after receiving report that the terrorist group was conducting teach-ins and indoctrination in the said community.

Recovered from the site were an M14 rifle, one KG9 rifle, ammunition, various war materials and assorted belongings.

The military said Madlos was the commander and spokesperson of the NPA's national operations command and spokesperson of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao who has standing criminal charges for murder, multiple murders with double frustrated murder, robbery with double homicide and damage to properties.

It said Madlos was "directly and indirectly" responsible for the death of soldiers and civilians for decades, as he perpetuated a violent armed struggle that struck terror to communities.

"His death will deter the activities and plans by the NPA for he can no longer direct the communist terrorists' violent actions against our people," the AFP said. (SunStar Philippines)

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PH sees highest Covid-19 deaths in a day

Posted: 30 Oct 2021 01:49 AM PDT

THE Philippines on Saturday, October 30, 2021, reported the highest number of deaths due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in a single day since the start of the pandemic at over 400.

The Department of Health's (DOH's) 4 p.m. case bulletin showed that there were 423 deaths on Saturday.

The previous highest number of deaths in a day was on April 9, 2021, where 401 patients died.

"(There were) 373 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries (and) were reclassified as deaths after final validation," the DOH said.

The health department said 43,044 have so far succumbed to the disease, with a case fatality rate of 1.55 percent.

The DOH also reported 4,008 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, bringing the cumulative Covid-19 case count in the country to 2,783,896.

The positivity rate of the country was at 7.8 percent out of the 50,776 tests conducted on October 28.

The DOH also announced 6,887 new recoveries, increasing the total to 2,693,162. This meant that 96.7 percent of the Covid-19 patients in the country have been able to recover.

The number of active Covid-19 cases went up to 47,690, or 1.7 percent of the total cases.

Of the active cases, 74.4 percent were mild, 11.2 percent were moderate, 6.5 percent were severe, 5.1 percent were asymptomatic, and 2.7 percent were critical. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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