Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (October 11-17, 2021)

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October 11-17, 2021

Inday Sara, ayaw ng tumakbo!

D

AVAO CITY – Sa kabila ng panawagang tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo sa susunod halalan, tuluyan na itong tinangihan ni Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

Sa kanyang Facebook hindi kailangan ang po- sa bayan at humingi rin post, sinabi ni Inday na sisyon upang makatulong Continue on page 2

Governors back Go’s vice presidential bid President Rodrigo Duterte poses with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio, and Senator Bong Go in this file photo taken in Japan. (PCOO)

Prelate unconvinced by Duterte's retirement

A presidential photo taken in December 2019 shows Filipino leader Rodrigo Duterte kneeling in prayer with Senator Bong Go. (Simeon Celi)

A BISHOP has reacted with disbelief to President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he is retiring from politics.

Bishop Arturo Bastes said Duterte’s “constant” desire to be in power would make him retract his retirement and run for another government position, whether at national or local level. “I do not believe that declaration of retiring from politics. It is a bluff,” Bastes told Continue on page 5

‘Leni for President,’ kasado na!

MAYNILA – Handa na umano si Vice President Leni Robredo na sumabak sa pagka-Pangulo sa susunod na halalan matapos itong mag-deklara ng kanyang kandidatura.

Bumuhos ang suporta

Vice President Leni Robredo

ARMM

kay Robredo mula sa ibatibang sektor, kabilang ang simbahan at mga civic groups, ngunit bumaha rin ang black propaganda laban sa kanya mula sa mga grupo ng trolls na identified kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Bong Continue on page 2

Eastern Mindanao

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go in the capital town of Jolo during the January 22, 2021 inauguration of a Malasakit Center.

A second Malasakit Center was also inaugurated in September this year. (Alberto Alcain) At least 45 provincial governors are now supporting the vice presidential bid of

President Rodrigo Duterte’s former aide, Senator Bong Go in next year’s elec-

tions, according to the ruling party PDP-Laban.

Continue on page 6

Duterte, uuwi na ng Davao; depensa kontra ICC paghahandaan MATAPOS SINDAKIN at pagbantaan ni Pangulong Duterte ang International Criminal Court (ICC) dahil sa patuloy nitong imbestigasyon sa di-umano’y extrajudicial killings sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrastyon, paghahandaan Continue on page 3

Fatou Bensouda

Zambo hospitals struggle with Covid cases, lack of oxygen supplies PRIVATE AND government hospitals here are now facing a shortage in

Western Mindanao

oxygen supply following the surge in Covid-19 cases in the past months.

Cebu

The Private Hospitals Association (PHAP) Continue on page 5

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

October 11-17, 2021

Inday Sara, ayaw ng tumakbo!

Continued from page 1 ito ng paumanhi sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa kanya.

Ito ang pahayag ni Inday: “Masakit din para sa aking damdamin na sana’y magpaubaya sa mga kaibigan na hindi ko maibigay

ang gusto ninyo. Gusto ko po sana tapusin muna ang huli kong termino sa Mayor bago ako manungkulan sa ibang position. Madami sa inyo ang nasasaktan, sumama ang loob at nawalan ng pag-asa pero puwede pa rin tayo magtulungan

para sa ating bayan, di kailangan ng position, di kailangan ng tayo ay Pangulo upang makatulong. Gawin natin ang pagtulong sa kapwa sa araw-araw natin na pamumuhay. Maraming Salamat po.”

“Maraming salamat po

‘Leni for President,’ kasado na!

Continued from page 1 bong Marcos na aspirante rin sa pagka-Pangulo.

Narito ang ilang bahagi ng pahayag ni Robredo sa kanyang kandidatura: “Puno ng taimtim na pagninilay ang mga nakaraang araw. Salamat sa lahat ng nagparating ng suporta, sumabay sa dasal, at umunawa sa pinagdaanan kong discernment process ukol sa halalan ng 2022.

Sa prosesong ito, walang naging lugar ang ego o pansarili kong interes.

Mabigat na responsibilidad ang pagka-Pangulo, at hindi ito puwedeng ibase sa ambisyon o sa paguudyok ng iba. Pagdating sa pamumuno, iisa lang dapat ang konsiderasyon: Ano ba ang pinakamabuti para sa bansa natin?”

Lalong matimbang ang tanong na ito dahil sa napakalaking hamon ng pandemya. Ang dami nang namatay. Marami sa atin, ginawa na ang lahat na puwedeng gawin para lang mailigtas ang mahal sa buhay; para makahanap ng pambili ng pagkain; para maitawid ang sarili sa kinabukasan. Mahaba ang daang tinahak natin para makarating sa araw na ito. Hindi ko binalak tumakbo. Iniisip ko nang bumalik na lang sa probinsya namin, kung saan marami rin ang umaasa sa aking tumulong magpanday ng pagbabago.

Nitong mga nakaraang linggo, nakipagpulong tayo sa iba't ibang mga personalidad. Nilinaw ko sa kanila: Handa akong magbigay-daan at tumulong na lang. May alok din silang sumanib na lang ako bilang kandidato, o bilang bahagi ng kanilang administrasyon sakaling manalo sila. Ang tugon ko, hindi ito tungkol sa posisyon; hindi tayo nakikipag-usap para makipagtransaksyon. Ang pinakamahalaga, magkai-

sa kami—sa prinsipyo, sa pangarap para sa bansa, at sa landas na dapat tahakin tungo sa katuparan ng mga ito. Nilinaw ko rin: Buhay at kinabukasan ng Pilipino ang pinag-uusapan natin ngayon. Pinipilahan ang mga ospital, dumadaing ang mga health workers, at nagugutom ang mga nawalan ng trabaho. Samantala, bilyon-bilyong piso ang inilagay sa mga kuwestiyonableng kontrata habang milyon-milyong Pilipino ang naghihikahos.

Alam na nating lahat ito: Kaya maraming nagugutom, naghihirap, at namamatay, dahil sariling interes at hindi kapakanan ng Pilipino ang number one priority ng mga nasa poder. Ang kawalan ng maayos na pamamahala ang ugat ng ating maraming mga problema, at ito ang kailangang wakasan.

At kung gusto nating tunay na makalaya sa ganitong situwasyon, hindi lang apelyido ng mga nasa poder ‘yung dapat palitan; 'yung korupsyon, 'yung incompetence, 'yung kawalan ng malasakit, kailangang palitan ng matino at mahusay na pamumuno. Handa dapat tayong iwaksi nang buong-buo ang mga agenda, ang mga interes, ang mismong mga tao at klase ng pulitika na sanhi ng pinagdaraanan ng bansa natin ngayon. Kung hindi ka lilinya nang malinaw; kung makikipagkompromiso ka; kung hindi mo man lang kayang sabihin [na] mali ang mali—na kaninong panig ka ba talaga?”

Dagdag pa nito: “Buong-buo ang loob ko ngayon: Kailangan nating palayain ang sarili mula sa kasalukuyang situwasyon.

Lalaban ako; lalaban tayo.

Inihahain ko ang aking sarili bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa halalan ng 2022. Malinaw

sa lahat ang hamon na kinakaharap natin. Nakita na nating lahat ang pagsisinungaling at panggigipit na kayang gawin ng iba para maabot ang mga layunin nila. Nasa kanila ang pera, makinarya, isang buong istrukturang kayang magpalaganap ng anumang kuwentong gusto nilang palabasin. Pero hindi kayang tabunan ng kahit na anong ingay ang katotohanan: Kung parehong uri ng pamamahala at pareho ang pagkatao ng mga magwawagi sa araw ng halalan, wala tayong aasahang pagbabago.

Dito tayo pupusisyon.

'Yung pagod; 'yung pakiramdam na parang wala kang kalaban-laban, na parang nagawa mo na ang lahat pero kulang pa rin; 'yung pagnanasang makaraos ng taumbayan, bibigyan natin ng bago at positibong anyo; gagawin natin itong paninindigan, gagawin nating enerhiya. Tatalunin natin ang luma at bulok na klase ng pulitika. Ibabalik natin sa kamay ng karaniwang Pilipino ang kakayahang magdala ng pagbabago.

Heto ako ngayon, humahakbang.

Ipaglalaban ko kayo hanggang dulo. Itataya ko ang lahat; ibubuhos ko ang lahat na kayang ibuhos. Sama-sama tayong tumaya sa laban na ito. Buong bansa tayong tumungo sa isang kinabukasang mas patas at mas makatao; kung saan ang bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong umasenso; kung saan ang lakas ng bawat isa ay nagiging nagkakaisang lakas ng lahat—lakas na dadaig sa anumang krisis, anumang hamon, lakas na magiging simula ng ating kolektibong pagbangon.

Buong-buo ang tiwala ko: Magtatagumpay tayo.

Buong-buo pa rin ang pananalig ko sa Diyos at sambayanang Pilipino.”

(Mindanao Examiner)

sa inyong suporta. Salamat at kahit anong mangyari kampante akong andiyan kayo. Salamat po sa kakaibang tiwalang ipinapakita niyo. Isang karangalan po ito na malaki para sa akin ang inyong suporta at lubos na tiwala.”

Ngunit sa kabila ng kanyang pahayag, marami pa rin ang naniniwalang political strategy lamang ito matapos sabihin ng kanyang amang si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte na

tatakbo si Carpio bilang presidente at running mate ng dating alalay nitong si Senador Bong Go. Hindi naman agad mabatid kung may kinalaman ba ang desisyon ni Inday sa kandidatura ni Bongbong Marcos sa pagka-Pangulo sa ilalim ng Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. Si Marcos ay anak ng dating presidente at diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos.

Naunang sinabi ng

kapatid nitong si Davao City Vice Mayor Baste Duterte na himalang magbago ang isipan ng kanyang Ate. Naghain na si Inday ng kandidatura bilang mayor – ang ikatlo at huling termino nito. “Nangyari na ‘'yung nangyari. Kung saan siya masaya, kung mas comportable siya sa re-election, kung ano ang gusto ng kapatid ko, doon tayo, doon ako,” ani Baste.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Tausugs laud Tans’ re-election bid

SULU – Tausugs have lauded the re-election bid of Governor Sakur Tan who filed his candidacy with the Commission on Elections for next year’s polls.

Aside from the Tan patriarch, his sons Vice Governor Toto Tan and Rep. Samier Tan are also seeking re-election and so is Rep. Shernee Tan. The Tans are known philanthropists and well-respected not only in the southern province of Sulu, but in Mindanao; and are close political allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Tan’s supporters welcomed their re-election bid, saying the politicians have brought massive development projects in the province despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Municipal mayors also filed their re-election bid and renewed their strong support for the Tans.

Provincial employees also thanked the Tans for putting the safety and welfare of the public among their top priorities.

Sulu’s dramatic transformation from a sleepy

and war-torn province to what it is now is largely attributed to the elder Tan and his sons. Their peace and development efforts and support from the national government, especially Duterte, has propelled Sulu’s economy the past six years.

The peace and order situation remains generally peaceful, although the presence of a few foreign militants and their violent campaign briefly had disturbed the tranquillity of the capital town of Jolo last year. But the town quickly rose from the shadow of violence and is now one of the busiest in Sulu.

The Tans’ style of

leadership and their legacies are what the locals are proud of and truly Tausug, according to Abubakre Sulaiman, one of their supporters.

“Maganda na ang Sulu ngayon at ibang-iba na. Marami na ang may negosyo at mas peaceful kami noon at lahat (ng) ito ay nagsimula dahil naging gubnol (governor) si Sakur. Yun mga anak rin niya (ay) magagaling lahat, si Vice (governor) Toto at si (Representative) Samier, pati si (Maimbung Mayor) Shihla (Hayudini) at si Kah Shernee (Representative of Kusug Tausug partylist). Pati si Kah Indah (First Lady Nurinisah Tan),” he said.

“Matulungin silang lahat at simple lang kaya gusto namin sila dito sa Sulu at wala ng iba, sila lang. Masaya kami ngayon at maganda na yun mga lugar namin, lalo na yun Jolo at Maimbung, parang Maynila na ngayon dahil maraming ilaw at maganda talaga,” he added. (Mindanao Examiner)

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October 11-17, 2021

Duterte, uuwi na ng Davao; depensa kontra ICC paghahandaan

TESDA, AirAsia enter into partnership to train cabin crew

AirAsia Philippines cabin crew and pilots (Photo: Steve Dailisan) WITH TRAVEL restrictions implemented in many areas here and abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic, airline crew are among the most affected.

But with the assistance from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), employees of AirAsia Philippines will now have a chance to upskill themselves with various skills and livelihood training.

“Many employees, especially the cabin crew, have nothing to do (because of travel restrictions). Skills and livelihood training will be provided to them by TESDA,” said AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan.

This was also confirmed by TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña who told the Philippine News Agency that an agreement between TESDA and AirAsia has been drafted. “The partnership aims to provide skills training and skills development to AirAsia's active and inactive (under furlough) workers and their immediate family members, and other qualified beneficiaries,” he said.

Once the memorandum of agreement is approved, it will be cascaded to all concerned TESDA regional offices that will implement the training. “It shall (serve as guidance) and will be part of the basis in the implementation of the skills training in the

concerned regional offices. The number of trainees shall be based on the number of beneficiaries to be endorsed by AirAsia,” Lapeña said.

Lapeña, however, noted that the provision of scholarship grants to qualified employees and beneficiaries shall be subject to the availability of funds and rules and regulations on TESDA's scholarship programs.

There are many courses and programs that the beneficiaries can choose from. Among these are Entrepreneurship, Bread and Pastry Production, Managing Personal Finances, Getting Business Online, Language courses.

They can also avail of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) courses such as SMART Android Mobile Apps Development for Beginners, and SMART Technopreneurship 101; Android 4.0 Programming in Java; Web Development using HTML5 and CS3.

Those interested in electronics may enroll in Computer System Servicing NC, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC, and Solar Night Light Assembly.

According to Lapeña, AirAsia approached TESDA for a possible partnership and discussed possible areas of collaboration.

Dailisan said the airline company also plans to train those who are inter-

ested in the aviation industry. “We will also be working with TESDA in developing and providing short courses to individuals or organizations interested in learning aviation standards, and new and emerging skills in the sector,” he said.

AirAsia said it is eyeing to develop and register courses such as Basic Cabin Crew Training, Introduction to Aircraft Maintenance, Food Preparation, Personality Development, among others. The duration of these courses may be 100 to 150 hours.

“Though final details have yet to be finalized, TESDA and AirAsia Philippines have formed a technical working committee to determine the viability of each course, number of participants, and qualifications if needed,” Dailisan explained.

He said TESDA and AirAsia Philippines are expected to launch the program this month.

AirAsia Philippines, according to Dailisan, is also gearing for travel recovery. In December, it will start servicing international routes such as Taiwan and Singapore. He said the move aims to help the overseas workers to come back to the Philippines for the holidays. The airline also announced that it will start flying to Dumaguete City and Roxas City by the first quarter of 2022. (Maria Cristina Arayata)

Continued from page 1 na umano nito ngayon ang kanyang depensa.

Ginawa ni Duterte ang pahayag matapos nitong i-anunsyo ang kanyang pagreretiro sa pulitika.

Hindi na ito tatakbo sa pagka-bise presidente matapos na lumabas sa surveys ang pagbagsak ng popularity ratings nito.

Ngunit sa kabila nito ay tinulak naman ni Duterte ang kanyang dating alalay na si Senador Bong Go na tumakbo sa pagka-bise presidente at ang anak nitong si Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio ang running mate sa pagka-presidente.

“Simple lang, ayaw nila (mga Pilipino) ako maglaro pa ng pulitika.

Gusto nila umuwi na ako sa Davao at maghintay ako sa maraming si, dada nang dada diyan ng kaso.

Hintayin ko kayo. I will prepare for my defense na ‘yung ICC na 'yan pati 'yung anong ano...huwag lang kayong magsinungaling. Kung totoo lang, tutal may record naman.

Huwag kayong mag-imbento na 'yung namatay ng malaria diyan pati icha-charge ninyo sa akin.

Kalokohan na 'yan. Hindi na justice ang hinahanap ninyo niyan. Ibigay ko sa inyo. Hindi ko kayo tinatakot. Huwag lang ninyo akong dayain sa ebidensya. At sabi ko naman sa --- before I forget, maraming mga pulis diyan, pati opisyal, they are scared baka ano daw ang mangyari sa akin,” ani Duterte.

“Sabi ko, ang tigas ng ulo ninyo. Hindi ba sinabi ko, anything na ginawa ninyo in the prosecution of the drug war for as long as you obey the law, I will protect you, akin ‘yan, akin, hindi inyo. Ako ang sasagot niyan at kung may magkulong man, ako na ang magpakulong. Pagpasok ko sa presuhan sa umaga, sa gabi paalis, dalhin ninyo ako doon sa likod at umuwi na ako sa bahay. Alang-alang… Sino bang gagong magpakulong ng ano? Iyong ICC, ang kaharap ko puro mga puti, mga putang ina ‘yan.

Pilipino ako, hindi ako international body. May sarili kaming judicial system dito. Huwag kayong makialam. At saka sinabi ko, you never acquire jurisdiction over my person.

Iyan talaga ang totoo maski anong baliktarin ninyo.

Maski ‘yang ICC, maski 'yang dito. Kung i-base mo, ‘yung bisa ninyo diyan lang sa ‘yung... wala ‘yan,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

Ibinibintang ng mga human rights groups ang mga pamamaslang ng mga hinihinalang drug users at pushers sa “war on

drugs” ni Duterte.

Naunang sinabi ni Duterte na hindi ito makikipag-cooperate sa ICC at makikipaglaban ito upang masalba ang sarili sa mga kaso.

“Alam mo kung gusto talaga ninyo akong...It’s over my dead body. Makuha ninyo ako, dalhin ninyo ako doon sa Netherlands patay. You will have a carcass. Hindi ako pupunta doon buhay, mga ulol.

Pero ‘'pag nakita ko kayo dito, na unahan ko na kayo. Mga letse kayo,” ani Duterte.

“Ito namang Human Rights...ipalagay na natin totoo ‘yang sinabi ng human rights, putang ina, sinong nakinabang diyan?

Ako? Ako ang nakinabang?

Pamilya ko? Nakinabang sila diyan sa putang inang mga patay na ‘yan? Sino?

Sinong nakinabang? Kayo, ang anak ninyo, ang bayan natin ang nakinabang,” panunumbat pa ng Pangulo.

Sinabi ni Duterte na nalalagay umano sa alanganin ang buhay niya at ng kanyang pamilya dahil sa kanyang kampanya kontra droga dahil posibleng gumanti ang mga nasa likod nito. Siya umano ang nahihirapan ngayon, ngunit ang nakikinabang naman daw ay ang publiko.

“Sino nalagay sa alanganin? Ako, pamilya ko, ‘yung buhay nila, gaganti ‘yang mga yawa na ‘yan.

Eh hindi naman ako milyonaryo na may isa akong squad diyan sa likod nagbantay. Ako pa ang napo-problema ngayon, puta, ako. Ang nakinabang kayo, kayo mga Pilipino sa totoo lang,” wika pa ni Duterte.

Pati ang Estados Unidos ay dinamay na rin ng Pangulo at tila ipinapahiwatig nito na huwag maki-alam sa mga kasong ibinibintang sa kanya.

Ipinaalala pa ni Duterte sa Amerika na marami rin itong human rights abuses at maging sa ibat-ibang panig ng mundo “I'd like to say something about the, itong State Department. Be careful.

Be careful of what you are planning or doing there because you yourself, your country is guilty also of so many violations of human rights. Kung ma-address ninyo ‘yung mga historical kagaya namin dito; ‘yung historical injustice committed against the Moro people. Kaya nga kami nakikipag-areglo,” paliwanag pa ng Pangulo.

Dapat rin umano ilabas ng Amerika ang listahan ng mga human rights victims nito. “Walang listahan sa mga kriminal.

Walang pinapakita nitong mga ganito. Bakit hindi

niya ipakita ito? Anong ginagawa sa tao ng mundo? At ‘'yung mga listahan sa mga pinatay, bakit listahan lang sa pinatay ng mga kriminal? Sagutin nga ninyo ako diyan,” dagdag pa ni Duterte.

Pinatutsadaan naman ni Senadora Leila De Lima ang mga sinabi ni Duterte at sinabing nitong baluktot ang pagiisip o wala sa tamang katinuan ang Pangulo. “Duterte thinks that his drug war is beneficial to the people when it is the very reason for their pain, suffering and trauma. Pinatayan ka na, gusto pa magpasalamat ka. What a twisted mind!” ani De Lima.

“Duterte and his family benefited from all these senseless killings in the country, not the Filipinos, and definitely not those innocent victims whose lives were lost, as well as the thousands of poor widows and orphans whose dreams were shattered, in this bloody and murderous war on drugs,” dagdag pa ni De Lima sa kanyang mga akusasyon laban kay Duterte.

Umapela rin si De Lima sa publiko na huwag maniwala sa mga pinagsasabi ni Duterte na ngayon umano ay takot na takot sa imbestigasyon ng ICC. “This reality should be more than enough to remind us to not allow Duterte to brainwash anyone into believing that his drug war is good for us and that we should tolerate all these violence, because we should not, and we should never. Kahit ano pang sabihin ni Duterte, hindi na kailanman maibabalik ang libo-libong buhay na pinaslang ng drug war - mga inosente at walang kamuwang-muwang na mga bata at walang kalaban-labang maralita,” wika pa ni De Lima.

Nitong nakaraang Hunyo, sinabi ni ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda na hiniling nito ang isang “full-blown investigation” sa mga alegasyon ng pamamaslang laban kay Duterte at iba pang mga sangkot dito.

Matatandaang tumiwalag ang Pilipinas sa Rome Statute noong Marso 2018 matapos na maglunsad ang ICC ng preliminary examination sa mga krimen na may kinalaman sa war on drugs ni Duterte noong Pebrero 8, 2018. Ang Rome Statute ay ang founding treaty ng ICC sa United Nations na kung saan ay kabilang ang bansa. Ang ICC ay nasa Netherlands at itinatag ito noong 2002. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

October 11-17, 2021

Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Task Force Covid-19, and Jolo Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Radyo Pilipinas Jolo, Eloiza Mohammad)

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October 11-17, 2021

Zambo hospitals struggle with Covid cases, lack of oxygen supplies Oxygen supply is running out in Zamboanga City due to the surge in Covid-19 cases. ( Ciudad Medical Zamboanga )

Prelate unconvinced by Duterte's retirement Continued from page 1 the United Catholic Asian News.

“He still wants to be the power behind the throne - to support (Bongbong) Marcos, who wants to be president, and his own daughter (Sara), who has a similar ambition. He is so drunk with political power that he cannot retire from it sincerely even if he can no longer run for office. Of course, he faces prosecution by the International Court of Justice (over the bloody war on drugs). Hence, he will always need political power, even vicariously,” added the bishop, who is currently a Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines regional representative of south Luzon and member

of Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate and Episcopal Commission on Liturgy.

Duterte declared he is retiring from politics after accompanying long-time ally and lawmaker Bong Go to file his certificate of candidacy for vice president in Manila on October 2.

He told a press conference that he would not participate in next year’s presidential election to obey the “overwhelming sentiment” of the Filipino people. “My future candidacy (for vice president) is being opposed because my critics say it is a violation of the constitution.

More than that, the overwhelming sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not

qualified,” Duterte said.

“Now, I'd like to address myself to the entire nation. The universal sentiment of the Filipino has been reflected in the different surveys and in many forums caucuses and meetings to discuss what should I do in my life. The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino is that I am not qualified and it would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution,” he added.

Duterte was referring to a recent survey conducted by Social Weather Stations showing 60% of Filipinos believed Duterte would violate the constitution if he ran for the vice presidency. (Joseph Peter Calleja, UCAN)

Continued from page 1 and the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) said the spike in the number of infections also resulted in the shortage of hospital beds and doctors have appealed to residents to strictly follow the health protocols.

Zamboanga City now has over 2,000 active Covid-19 cases and the number continues to rise despite efforts of the local government to control the spread of the deadly respiratory virus.

PHAP President Dr. Marites Maxino said private hospitals have temporarily frozen the admission of Covid-19 patients requiring oxygen because of the shortage of supply.

“This is our present situation. I would like to appeal to everyone, please continue practicing the minimum health standards,” Maxino said.

Dr. Afdal Kunting, ZCMC chief, also echoed Maxino’s appeal and called on the public not to be complacent and to comply with the health and quarantine protocols.

“The Covid-19 situation now is more serious than before. More people are getting sick, their health condition is worsening and that’s why we are appealing to everybody to comply with the minimum health standards, to wear face masks in public places or to stay at home,” he said.

Kunting said medical frontliners are now overwhelmed with severe Covid-19 cases, adding, the ZCMC has opened additional wards to accommodate the surge of patients.

The ZCMS has renewed its contract for 12,000 cylinders with an oxygen supplier which gets the supply in Cebu and due to the shortage, it can only deliver 100 cylinders every week.

Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, said the local government is helping and facilitating the delivery of oxygen supply from Cebu and even Manila to replenish stocks in Zamboanga. “But what makes

the situation difficult is that oxygen suppliers are also serving other provinces where Covid-19 cases are also soaring,” she said.

The lack of oxygen supply in Zamboanga has belied reports made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to President Rodrigo Duterte that the shortage of supply in the country has been addressed. “Sa ngayon po ay mukhang wala na tayong naririnig na mga reklamo sa mga ospital sa buong bansa dahil sapat na ‘yung supply ng ating oxygen,” said Lorenzana, the chairman of the national Covid-19 task force.

Dr. Rolando Enrique Domingo, of the Food and Drug Administration, said there are at least 120 licensed manufacturers which supply hospitals across the country.

According to the Zamboanga City Health Office, the following villages have the highest number active Covid-19 cases: Tetuan, Tumaga, and Santa Maria recorded over 100 cases; and under 100 are Putik, Guiwan, Calarian, Talon-Talon, Ayala, San Roque, Tugbungan, Pasonanca, Divisoria, Canelar, Mercedes, Baliwasan, Lunzuran, San Jose Gusu, Vitali, Malagutay and Culianan.

And with the spike in Covid-19 cases, the local government said the Sunday lockdown will continue until October 31 allowing public and government offices, including business owners to disinfect their establishments.

Despite the increasing number of active Covid-19 cases, the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has prolonged the General Community Quarantine classification of Zamboanga until the end of the month.

The spike in infections in the community are largely blamed to the Delta variant of the Covid-19 and the complacency of residents who continue to violate public health protocols despite repeated

warnings from the local government and the City Health Office.

City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite also noted that Covid-19 has already affected even the younger population with deadly consequences. “We are now seeing the younger population also getting infected. We have compared our data from last year (when the original virus was detected) with the present situation, now we have under 15-years old who died from Covid.

We have to strictly follow the minimum health standards. Let us protect ourselves, keep our family and our loved ones especially children and our senior citizens protected.

Please take care,” Miravite said.

One doctor, who asked not to be named, said the Covid-19 wards at the Zamboanga City Medical Center are full. He said even some doctors have been infected with the virus after being exposed to relatives or family members of patients in nonCovid wards.

“The (Covid-19) wards are full and even doctors are getting sick and some of them who have comorbidities are now undergoing dialysis. They got the virus from watchers of patients in non-Covid wards.

You know, patients being admitted undergo Covid testing, but now their watchers who turned out to be positive for Covid, although asymptomatic, spread the virus to some doctors and maybe other people at the hospital,” he told the Zamboanga Post last month.

“This is a very dangerous time. Health authorities should have placed Zamboanga City under Enhanced Community Quarantine to immediately address the spike in Covid-19 cases which is largely blamed on the Delta variant (of the new Coronavirus). Now is the time to declare ECQ,” he added.

The Delta variant was first detected in India, but quickly spread in more than 130 countries. (Zamboanga Post)

6

The Mindanao Examiner

October 11-17, 2021

Governors back Go’s vice presidential bid

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan poses with President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go, Vice Governor Toto Tan and Dr. Fahra Omar, the Chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office; and another official at the Jolo airport during the January 22, 2021 inauguration of a Malasakit Center. A second Malasakit Center was also inaugurated in September this year. (Alberto Alcain) Continued from page 1 Duterte was earlier endorsed by his own political party to run for vice president so he can continue what he started when he won the presidency in 2016, but announced that he is retiring when his term ends, and he pushed Go to run for vice president.

He also said that his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio will be Go’s running mate for the presidency.

PDP-Laban said the following governors are supporting Go: Sakur Tan (Sulu); Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar); Edwin Ong (Northern Samar); Michael Tan (Western Samar); Dominic Petilla (Leyte); Damian Mercado (Southern Leyte); Roger Espina (Biliran); Dax Cua (Quirino); Jim Salliman (Basilan); Jose Alvarez (Palawan); Zaldy Villa (Siquijor); Imelda Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte); Edgar Tallado (Camarines Norte); Migz Villafuerte (Camarines Sur); Jose Riano (Romblon); Dale Corvera (Agusan del Norte); Jun Ebdane (Zambales); Bonz Dolor (Oriental Mindoro); Nancy Catamco (Cotabato province); Arthur Yap (Bohol province); Wilter Palma (Zamboanga Sibugay); Melchor Diclas (Benguet); Roberto Uy (Zamboanga del Norte); Oyie Umali (Nueva Ecija); Gwen Garcia (Cebu); Noel Degamo (Negros Oriental); Jurdin Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin); Presby Velasco (Marinduque).

And Gerardo Noveras (Aurora Province); Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III (La Union); Maria Jocelyn Valera Bernos (Abra); Hernilando Mandanas (Batangas); Bonz Dolor (Oriental Mindoro); Al Francis Bichara (Albay); Jose Riano (Romblon); Joven Miraflores (Aklan); Ayik Pimentel (Surigao del Sur); Victor Yu (Zamboanga del Sur); Joseph Cua (Catanduanes); Bonifacio Lacwasan (Mountain Province); Eleanor Beg-

tang (Apayao); Susan Yap (Tarlac); Rodito Albano III (Isabela); Amado Espino III (Pangasinan) and Frank Matugas (Surigao del Norte).

They also released a joint statement hailing Go’s “wide and valuable” insights on both local and national governance, as well as his offered solutions for pressing issues in the country.

“We, provincial governors, crossing party lines, support the candidacy for vice president of Senator Bong Go and vow to campaign tirelessly for his election to the country’s

and corruption. “These are some of the problems we continue to face as local officials, despite the administration’s gains in stamping out such nefarious activities,” the governors said.

They also expressed confidence that Go would ensure that the country’s economic development would further improve and more job opportunities would be offered to Filipinos through the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

They likewise noted that with only over two

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RODIL YBANEZ Governor Sakur Tan bows to President Rodrigo Duterte as he welcomes him and Senator Bong Go during a visit to Sulu province. Tan is a close political ally of the President and one of 45 governors supporting Go's vice presidential bid. second highest elective position,” the statement reads.

Go, they said, is ready to take on the challenge as the second highest official in the country if the lawmaker wins in the elections. “Such experience has prepared him adequately for elective public office - as senator and hopefully as vice president. Having come from the ranks of local public servants, we have no doubt that Bong Go understands the issues we face 24/7 in our respective provinces,” the statement further said.

They believed that Go, if elected vice president, would continue Duterte’s programs, including the relentless efforts to fight illegal drugs, criminality

years of being a senator, Go has been able to institutionalize the Malasakit Center, a project that he and Duterte started even before Go joined the Senate, by being a principal author of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The governors also lauded Go for making affordable healthcare accessible to Filipinos through the Malasakit Center, a onestop shop for medical and financial assistance for the sick.

“There are now at least 138 Malasakit Centers in public hospitals throughout the country. These centers serve hundreds of sick poor Filipinos every day,” the statement said.

(Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Mindanao Examiner)

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October 11-17, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

Sulu Pictures in the News

7

8

The Mindanao Examiner

October 11-17, 2021

Across : 1. Bed boards 6. Fishing pole 9. Interrogate 12. Principle 13. “___ Got You Under My Skin” 14. Actress ___ West 15. Speaks to 17. Storage box 18. Globe 19. Groom’s vow (2 wds.)

20. Again 23. Mild expletive 25. Shad delicacy 26. Not indoors 29. Dancer’s skirt 31. Feel regret 32. Impoverished 33. Libel’s kin 35. GI’s hangout 36. Reporter ___ Lane 37. Girls 40. Greek letter 42. Walk leisurely 44. Earl Grey, e.g.

45. Wetted 49. Picnic intruder 50. Circle section 51. Soap ___ 52. Opposite of NNW 53. Grant’s rival 54. Water vapor Down : 1. Bus depot (abbr.)

2. Directed 3. Moreover 4. Brief 5. Stairs 6. ___ and shine!

7. Like some library books 8. Sahara, e.g.

9. Enterprising 10. Remarked 11. Gambling game 16. Quiet!

20. Fine ___ 21. Umpire’s call 22. Strike back 24. Cleopatra’s snake

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26. “Days of ___ Lives” 27. Medicine quantity 28. God of love 30. Numero ___ 31. Renovate 34. Gloomy 37. ___ Gatos 38. Choir singers 39. Snoozed 40. School groups (abbr.)

41. Roosters’ mates 43. Asian staple 46. Born as 47. Pitcher’s stat 48. Beaver’s creation

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Answer to last week:

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The Mindanao Examiner

October 11-17, 2021

FEATURE: Before PNA, there was Philippine News Service

The Philippine News Agency newsroom in Quezon City.

THE PRIVATE news outfit Philippine News Service (PNS) was the country's first news agency, organized on October 1, 1950, but it had to close down and ceased operations after martial law was declared.

“The Handbook of Journalism” by former Manila Times executive editor Jose Luna Castro said PNS was organized as a news-gathering cooperative by the publishers of the major dailies The Manila Times-Mirror-Taliba, Manila Chronicle, Manila Bulletin, Philippines Herald, Evening News, Bagong Buhay, and Fookien Times.

Its main function then was to supply daily news and photos from the provinces to the newspapers.

Radio and television stations also used PNS stories for a fixed monthly fee or subscription.

Major foreign news agencies, such as the Associated Press, United Press International, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse and a few private entities were among the subscribers.

Through the old mail system, using stamps and envelopes, PNS also maintained a news exchange agreement with other wire agencies -- Antara of Indonesia, Bernama of Malaysia, Kyodo of Japan, Yonhap of South Korea, Central News Agency of Taiwan, and Tass News Agency of the former Soviet Union, to name a few.

When President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in September 1972, PNS stopped its 24hour daily operation since its major clients -- newspapers, radio, and TV stations -- were padlocked

and guarded by government troops.

At the time of its closure, PNS had some 120 news correspondents from 70 provinces and 60 cities. There was no actual order to close down, but PNS discontinued its daily operations on the second floor of the National Press Club (NPC) building in Intramuros, Manila. Baldomero Olivera, Osmundo Abad Santos, Romeo Abundo, and Oscar Rojo served as PNS general managers during its nearly 23-year run.

Birth of PNA When Marcos allowed a handful of newspapers and broadcast outfits to reopen, a group of former newspaper editors asked then Department of Public Information Secretary Francisco Tatad to explore the possibility of opening a government news agency by acquiring the World War II-vintage teletype machines and other equipment of the PNS. The persistence of the editors to once again set up an even more dynamic wire news agency bore fruit when PNS was allowed to reopen under a new name, the PNA, as the government’s official news outfit.

Negotiations for the acquisition of the PNS equipment were done by a group of former newspapermen from Tatad’s office, including then Bureau of National and Foreign Information (BNFI) Director Lorenzo Cruz and Press Undersecretary Amante Bigornia, both deceased now.

The amount paid by the government for the old PNS teletype machines,

typewriters, mimeographing machines, a photo darkroom, and cameras was used to pay the delayed salaries of the PNS staff in Manila from September to December 1972.

Jose Pavia, the late former executive editor of the defunct Philippines Herald, was the first general manager of the PNA. He headed its initial 11-member staff, together with the late Renato Tiangco, also formerly of the Herald and a foreign news agency wireman, as managing editor and Severino Samonte, a holdover from the PNS, as national and provincial news editor.

PNA was created under a Special Department Order issued by Tatad. It was placed under the BNFI, its first mother bureau that provided its funds.

Launched on March 1, 1973, as the national government’s official news agency, PNA initially used the editorial offices vacated by the PNS at the NPC building.

At the outset, four PNA correspondents were assigned to cover four Philippine Constabulary (PC) zones in Camp Olivas in Pampanga; Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna; Cebu; and Davao. PC was the predecessor to the Philippine National Police, which was launched in 1991.

Currently, PNA is a division of the News and Information Bureau, which is headed by Director Gigie R. Arcilla. The agency is now under the direct supervision of Secretary Martin Andanar, of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

(Severino Samonte)

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HEALTH

8 Kakaibang Tips Para Alagaan Ang Puso Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

B

ukod sa pangkaraniwang payo para alagaan ang puso, tulad ng pagkain ng tama at pag-ehersisyo, mayroon ding kakaibang payo para matulungan ang ating puso at buong katawan. Alamin natin ito: 1. Magsipilyo at mag-floss – Ayon sa pagsusuri, ang pagsisipilyo at paggamit ng dental floss (iyung sinulid na panlinis sa pagitan ng ngipin) ay nagpapahaba ng 3 taon sa ating buhay. May mga mikrobiyo ang bibig na posibleng pumasok sa dugo at tamaan ang puso. Dahil dito, magsipilyo ng 3 beses sa isang araw at mag-floss ng 1 beses sa isang araw.

2. Mag-alaga ng aso – May mga pagsusuri na nagsasabi na ang mga pasyenteng may alagang aso sa bahay ay mas humahaba ang buhay.

Mas nakaka-recover din sila sa heart attack. Ito’y

dahil nagbibigay ng pagmamahal ang aso.

3. Tumawa ng 15 minutos sa isang araw – Ang pagtawa ay nagbibigay ng saya at sigla sa katawan. May mga endorphins na inilalabas ang katawan kapag tayo’y masaya. Lumalakas pa ang ating immune system.

4. Kumain ng saging – Ang saging ay may potassium para sa normal na pagtibok ng puso. May tryptophan din na nagpapasaya sa atin. Ang saging ay walang taba, kolesterol at asin na nakasasama sa puso. Kung ikaw ay umiinom ng gamot para sa puso o sa altapresyon, kumain ng 2 saging arawaraw.

5. Mag-relax at matulog – Ang pagtulog ng 7-8 oras bawat gabi ay nakapagpapalakas ng ating katawan. Kapag ika’y pagod sa trabaho, umupo sa tabi, ipikit ang mata at mag-relax ng mga 10 minuto. Maya-maya ay lalakas ka na.

6. Huwag magalit –

Ang pagiging laging galit at mainitin ang ulo ay nakasasama sa puso. Tataas din ang iyong presyon at baka ika’y ma-stroke o heart attack. Kung mapapansin ninyo, ang mga taong laging galit ay mas nagkakasakit sa puso.

7. Magkaroon ng mabuting kaibigan – Kapag marami kang kaibigan, makatutulong ito sa panahon na ika’y may problema. Ayon sa pagsusuri, halos 90% ng stress ay matatanggal sa pakikipagusap sa isang maunawain na kaibigan.

8. Maging “in-love” – Kapag may minamahal ka sa buhay, sumasaya at sumisigla ang iyong katawan. Ayon kay Dr. David Demko, halos 7 taon ang ihahaba ng buhay ng mga taong may minamahal sa buhay.

At siyempre, ang pagdarasal at pagtulong sa kapwa ay may benepisyo din para sa atin at para sa ibang tao. Ingatan ang inyong puso!

10

The Mindanao Examiner

October 11-17, 2021

October 11-17, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

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October 11-17, 2021

DFA puts up additional passport hub in Cebu

T

O EASE the backlog of passport applications, the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA has opened one temporary offsite passport service hub in Cebu City and four others – Davao in Mindanao; Fairview in Quezon City; Manila City and Lipa City in Batangas.

DFA Assistant Secretary another two weeks before we authority to receive in the abSenen Mangalile said they are are able to overhaul the entire sence of the applicant. now targeting to clear the more suspended application back"Sa mga hindi nakasagot than 20,000 passport applica- log," Mangalile said, adding, sa aming e-mail o tawag, tignan tion backlog by the end of the the DFA is also addressing the sa passport tracking system ang month. Mangalile said out of issues besetting the release and inyong pangalan dahil maaaring the 696,412 passport applica- delivery of passports. available na ang inyong passport tions from July 9 to October 2, Some 184,935 passports for pick-up,” Mangalile said. the DFA has transmitted 93% were printed last August, but Amid complaints of late deand 4% are still being verified some 4,000 passports remain liveries, the DFA is now planning while 3% are suspended due to undelivered, Mangalile said. to tap the courier firm LBC and errors in the forms submitted Last month, at least 223,238 two other companies to delivby the applicants. passports were released, but er the passports door-to-door.

“Realistically speaking, about 13,000 were undelivered Compared to the four million if we won't be able to make due to issues with addresses or passports released in 2019, the it by October, that will take the recipient's lack of a letter of DFA was only able to process

Cebu-Cordova bridge main span now connected

The Cebu-Cordova Bridge. (Photo: CCLEX) CEBU CITY – The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) has reached a major construction milestone 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.

Stitching the remaining gap unites the deck of Tower

ARMM

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 Covid-19 pandemic.

CCLEX’s main contractor is Cebu Link Joint Venture composed of Spanish-based firm, Acciona Construccion S.A., and Filipino companies First Balfour and DM Consunji Inc. CCLEC also engaged COWI A/S of Denmark with the Philippines’ DCCD Engineering Corp. as its technical advisor and Norconsult, a Norweigan consultancy firm, as the project’s independent consultant.

CCLEX, which will be the third link to Mactan Island from Cordova to Cebu through Cebu City’s South Road Properties, has a design speed of 80 kilometers per hour and a navigational clearance or height of 51 meters to allow large vessels to pass underneath the bridge.

Not only is CCLEX seen to reduce traffic and make traveling more convenient but also spur trade activities and open greater economic opportunities for Cebu and the rest of the Visayas region. (Carlo Lorenzana and John Rey Saavedra)

Eastern Mindanao

about 1.7 million in 2020 due to the restrictions posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DFA maintained that passport applications normally adhere to the turn-around time of 12 days from the date of biometrics capture. It said delayed applications were caused by applicants’ errors in the names or dates of birth in the online application form, which required manual correction.

Over 26,000 such applications were received by the DFA since July, which was trimmed down to 17,000 despite a spike in Covid-19 cases among its

ranks. The DFA urged the public to ensure accuracy with their personal information and said that applicants with errors on their forms are now required to return for another appointment.

For overseas Filipino workers urgently requiring passport issuance, the DFA said they are able to access its Courtesy Lane facility by requesting appointments through e-mail. From September alone, the Passport Courtesy Lane received 4,892 e-mail requests and was able to act on 4,097 of them.

Also between 01 August and September, the DFA said it

received 80,470 other e-mails from the public and responded to 58,246 of them despite having limited personnel.

The DFA assured the public that passport appointment slots for October to December 2021 have not yet been loaded while it makes adjustments to the system to secure it against enterprising groups or individuals who sell passport slots on social media. Passport appointment slots are free and may only be booked online using the DFA’s official website. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Cebu Examiner)

DSWD releases P1.5billion anti-poverty funds CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has allocated P1.5 billion in additional funds for poverty alleviation projects in partnership with local governments in the region.

DSWD Regional Director Rebecca Geamala said the fund will cover 97 municipalities across Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor with a total of 2,201 villages.

She said the DSWD will continue to empower communities by providing access to basic social services and participation in various projects through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive

Western Mindanao

and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) financing program.

The funds provide towns with different interventions such as prevention, response, recovery and rehabilitation type of sub-projects in response to the effects of health crisis, according to Geamala, adding the local governments will be divided into two groups which will implement the propoor projects until 2023.

Geamala said KALAHI-CIDSS gives emphasis on the developmental part of the community especially the barangays through participatory activities. She said local government officials are made to

Cebu

understand their roles as well as the framework that backs up the program’s features.

DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Shalaine Marie Lucero, cited the importance of community development, noting that municipal orientation has given local officials a clear path and guide on how to implement KALAHI-CIDSS projects. “With the signed memorandum of agreement, we hope that all of you will look at it as a beacon of hope for our community and will remind us of our mandate in encouraging local participation,” she said. (John Rey Saavedra)

Manila