73% of soldiers vaccinated – AFP
73% of soldiers vaccinated – AFPMANILA, Philippines — Nearly three-fourths of the 140,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now fully inoculated against COVID-19, the AFP surgeon general said the other day. During the AFP command conference last Friday, AFP Surgeon General Col. Fatima Claire Navarro said 73 percent of the military’s troops have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “We are expected to reach as much as 93 to 96 percent this October and November,” Navarro said. Everyone is performing well, which brings us closer and closer towards the successful accomplishment of our various timelines, particularly to defeat all threat groups by June 2022,” AFP chief General Jose Faustino Jr. said. I enjoin everyone to offer their full energy to finish the CTG and other threat groups before June 2022,” Faustino added.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
Government pushes institutional registration for national ID
Government pushes institutional registration for national IDA sample of the Philippine National ID, now a valid proof of identity. MANILA, Philippines — The government continues its institutional registration to ensure that more Filipinos get access to the national ID system. The institutional registration strategy aims to accommodate the formal sector by ensuring that the working population from both government and private institutions have a safe and convenient national ID registration. As part of the institutional registration strategy, PSA continues its close coordination with government agencies and private businesses for the PhilSys registration of their staff, employees, customers and clients. Further, institutional registration is also being implemented at subdivisions, villages, and condominiums in select areas.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace PrizeI was in the midst of writing my column for Sunday, which I write two days ahead, when I heard the breaking news that Maria Ressa was the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021. This is the official announcement I read: “The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2021 Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dimitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”The one thing I will emphasize is that a Nobel Prize is the most prestigious international award. A Nobel Prize is much more than an Olympic gold medal. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually along with prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine and Literature. Almost all Nobel Peace Prizes have been controversial.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
CHR chief Gascon succumbs to COVID-19
CHR chief Gascon succumbs to COVID-19MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon passed away early yesterday due to COVID-19. Appointed by former president Benigno Aquino III to the CHR in 2015, Gascon was a political activist whose work focused on human rights, democracy and governance. Gascon was Aquino’s undersecretary for political affairs until 2014, when he was appointed as member of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board established to process the reparation of victims of human rights violations during the dictatorship. Human rights lawyer and former SC spokesman Theodore Te described Gascon as a giant for human rights who stood his ground, held fast and took the fight to the enemy. Human rights group Karapatan noted how Gascon stood with them and other human rights defenders in their calls for justice.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
Nothing can stop Han So Hee in Netflix’s My Name
Nothing can stop Han So Hee in Netflix’s My NameFrom The World of the Married, the highest-rated cable drama in Korean TV history, where she first rose to fame playing a sultry and audacious mistress, Han So Hee now enters the world of action — and without any hesitation. One of K-drama’s fastest-rising stars Han So Hee plays a woman who can’t be stopped in her quest to avenge her father’s death in Netflix’s My Name. Director Kim Jin Min, best-known for megging Netflix’s dark high school drama Extracurricular, said, “This is the story of someone seeking revenge. So Hee said, “I would describe the action in My Name as that of risking their lives. Asked why people should watch her series, she said, “You must have seen a lot of action genre pieces.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
What calm people do
We need to be calm to function well. Calm people embark on practices and disciplines that keep them calm. Calm people infuse positive thought regularlyThe wandering brain needs a little help by consciously filtering the barrage of information that seeks to occupy our mind space. Calm people censor negative self-talk. Somebody says: “Never in the history of calming down has anyone calmed down by being told to “Calm Down!”” Perhaps these practices would be more effective.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
‘Maring, Nando to merge into severe tropical storm’
‘Maring, Nando to merge into severe tropical storm’The storm packed winds of 845 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 105 kph. MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Maring and Tropical Depression Nando may merge into a severe tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. The storm packed winds of 845 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 105 kph. PAGASA said both Maring and Nando were embedded within the larger circulation of a monsoon depression. “The resulting merger cyclone is forecast to continue intensifying within the forecast period and may reach severe tropical storm category within 36 hours,” it said.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
Lacson to pursue zero-budgeting system to help communities
Lacson to pursue zero-budgeting system to help communitiesLacson said the system would give government agencies some degree of flexibility when spending taxpayers’ money. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday vowed to pursue a zero-based budgeting system in the government if he wins the presidential race in 2022. Lacson said the system would give government agencies some degree of flexibility when spending taxpayers’ money. Lacson, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer, said reforming the national budget process would redound to the development of remote villages and municipalities. When you impose a budget ceiling, the planning will be done in haste.
Source:Philippine Star
October 09, 2021 15:56 UTC
KUWTT: Sara: 'No substitution' in May 2022 elections | Oct. 10, 2021
THERE will be "no substitution," Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said, after she refused to be swayed by her supporters' clamor for her to run for president in the 2022 national elections. Declining cases mean 'better' Christmas – DoHThe Department of Health (DoH) on Saturday said the declining number of Covid-19 cases could mean a "better Christmas" for Filipinos. CHR chief Gascon succumbs to Covid-19COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Martin "Chito" Gascon has succumbed to Covid-19, CHR spokesman Jacqueline Ann de Guia confirmed on Saturday. BUSINESS: Digital banking to double in 2026Over to business, digital-only banking penetration in the Philippines is expected to double in the next five years, according to a survey. Finder.com's Digital Banking Adoption Report said 18 percent of Filipinos presently have a digital bank account, with another 18 percent planning to acquire one within the next five years.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 15:45 UTC
'Don't use vaccination as political weapon'
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. VACCINE czar Carlito Galvez Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to unite and not use the government's vaccination program against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as a "political weapon," especially when the campaign period begins for the May 2022 elections. Huwag muna silang magkaroon ng tinatawag na (Get rid of) political inclination and do not use this vaccination as a political weapon," said Galvez, who is also the chief implementer of the National Task Force Against Covid-19. "We have seen here in Rizal and other areas in Bulacan that once there is unity among the municipality and the governors, the vaccination is fast. The campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senator and party-list groups is set from Feb. 8 to May 7, 2022.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 15:33 UTC
Declining cases mean 'better' Christmas – DoH
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. The Department of Health (DoH) on Saturday said the declining number of Covid-19 cases could mean a "better Christmas" for Filipinos. Daily average cases also decreased from 3,627 cases per day to 2,140, while the one-week growth rate also decreased from -17 percent to -41 percent. Despite the reductions, the daily attack rate per 100,000 population remains high at 15.32 cases, while intensive care unit utilization rate remains at 71 percent. She said that hospital and intensive care unit utilization remains high in these areas as well as in the Caraga Region.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 15:33 UTC
Naomie Harris stars in new Michael Kors collection video
The new Michael Kors satchel bag is worn by actress Naomie Harris in the ‘No time to die’ James Bond movie. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOMICHAEL Kors is pleased to unveil a new campaign video to celebrate the launch of the exclusive MKC x 007 capsule collection and the release of the 25th Bond film, "No Time To Die." Shot in Milan and directed by Brando de Sica, the video stars Naomie Harris, a BAFTA and Academy Award nominee, playing the role of pivotal character Moneypenny. The video culminates with the reveal of the new Michael Kors Collection Bond Bancroft satchel, the same bag Moneypenny carries in 'No Time To Die.' All three pieces from the capsule collection will be available to shop in select Michael Kors stores around the world, on MichaelKors.com and on the franchise's official online store, 007Store.com.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 15:33 UTC
Show cause orders sent to 516 BoC staff
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero. Photo from Bureau of Customs PH FB PageTHE Bureau of Customs (BoC), in line with its anti-corruption campaign, has issued show-cause orders against 516 employees who were linked to corruption and other forms of irregularities. The show cause orders, issued from January to September 2021, led to the dismissal, suspension, relief and reshuffling of errant customs employees. Three customs employees were also dismissed, 12 were suspended, six were reprimanded and another six were relieved, while 543 were reshuffled or transferred to various offices and ports due to irregular and unlawful activities. Guerrero, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, made a bargain with President Duterte to reform the bureau.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 15:09 UTC
Go credits medical frontliners in Covid war
AFTER attending the launch of the 142nd Malasakit Center at Valenzuela Medical Center on Thursday, Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go visited the existing Malasakit Center in Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital to ensure continued operations and to help patients in need of medical assistance amid the health crisis. Go thanked all the Malasakit Center employees and medical frontliners for the service they have rendered throughout the pandemic, especially in saving and protecting lives of the most vulnerable sectors of society. Republic Act 11463, or the "Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, "authored and sponsored by Go, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2019. There are now 142 Malasakit Centers in the country since the program was initiated by Go in February 2018, with the latest opened on the same day at the Valenzuela Medical Center. More than 3 million have benefited so far from the services of the Malasakit Center.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 14:48 UTC
DPWH fails to open Binondo-Intramuros bridge this year
Binondo-Intramuros Bridge projectFOR the third time this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has again failed in its promise to open to the motoring public the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge. The P3.29-billion China-funded project is being implemented by the DPWH-Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) headed by Undersecretary Emil Sadain. It is supposed to be completed and opened to motorists in December, just in time for the holiday rush. According to Sadain, the ongoing construction of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project could possibly be opened to the motoring public in the first quarter of 2022. The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge will carry extra traffic of around 30,000 vehicles per day and will also help extend the life of existing Jones, Delpan and MacArthur Bridges by decongesting traffic.
Source:Manila Times
October 09, 2021 14:48 UTC