Philippine Muslim Today

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443) Martial Law, the 1972 Marawi Uprising and the 2017 Marawi Siege: What have they in common?

By Masiding Noor Yahya - Page A4

12 Pages | P20

Philippines’ First Muslim Digital Newspaper

UBJP wants elected leaders with “big hearts” for BARMM

Code of Journalist Professional and Ethical Conduct

By Ali G. Macabalang - Page A4

By Julmunir I. Jannaral. - Page A5

PRRD can appoint new BTA members under ratified bill

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resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte can revamp the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to name fresh members under the harmonized Congressional bill deferring the 2022 parliament poll and extending the BTA lifespan to 2025, according to lawmakers and legal luminaries.

This prospect, ostensibly pushed by principal proponent Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, has so far drawn acceptance from the offices of interim Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim, Senior Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, and Ministers Mohagher Iqbal and Naguib Sinarimbo, sources told the Philippine Muslim Today news.

PRRD | A2

Bicameral OKs synced bill on BTA extension

Inside > A6: POPCOM maximizes digital platforms to bridge between parents, children. > A7: BARMM showcases gratitude, sends aids to Maguindanao. > A7: CM Ebrahim explains spokesman’s ‘gratitude’ message. > A8: Saudi Crown Prince Salman to establish ties with Israel. >A9: THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE FOR 2022: Looming BBM-PRRD Team Up or BBM-SARA or SARA-BBM Tandem 2022.

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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OTABATO CITY – The bicameral body of the Senate and the House of Representatives approved today, Tuesday their harmonized bill deferring the 2022 Bangsamoro parliament election to 2025, stirring more praises from rallying quarters with confidence that an extension in the transition period of the interim regional governance is “90 percent” conclu-

HARMONIZED BILL ON BTA EXTENSION: Bicameral chairpersons Francis Tolentino and Juliet Herrera pose with member-Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and memberCongressmen Esmael Mangudadatu and Ronniee Sinsuat in a posterity photo after their conference Tuesday morning.

(Online photo)

BICAMERAL | A10

Maranaos hold ‘thanksgiving caravan’ for BTA extension MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Philippines — Amidst cheers and joy, thousands of Maranaos held motorcade around several towns in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces on Saturday, Sept. 18, to express their gratitude to national lawmakers and to President Rodrigo Duterte for having the governance of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) extended by another three years and moving the regional parliamentary elections to 2025.

Multisector groups led by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) organized what they called the Shukur Caravan, or the Caravan of Thanksgiving.

MARANAOS | A3

1 Maharlika Movement to proclaim BBM for president in a rally in Tagaytay MAHARLIKA | A3

Fatal Shooting at MSU Main campus condemned MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The fatal shooting at the main campus here of the Mindanao State University (MSU -Marawi) that killed two young Maranao students received strong condemnations from the university administration and other MSU President Habib Macaayong sectors.

In a statement, MSU President Habib W. Macaayong said, “This abominable act of violence is an assault on the Ideals that we as a civilized, Godfearing and peaceloving Muslim community live by.”

FATAL | A3

Rep. Mangudadatu confirms gubernatorial bid MANGUDADATU | A2

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Across BARMM

PRRD can appoint new BTA members under ratified bill… from Page A1

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

Rep. Mangudadatu confirms gubernatorial bid

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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ULUAN, Maguindanao – Amid influx of praises for his feats in Congress, Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu bared on Thursday his plan to seek via May 9, 2022 elections

BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Hj. Murad Ebrahim” Balawag. (File) The Senate and the House of Representatives (HoR) convened on Tuesday their bicameral body, which reconciled SB 2214 and HB 10121, and adopted largely in the approved bill the lower chamber’s provision concerning the plight of incumbent members of the 80-seat BTA appointed

by President Duterte in 2019.

Senior Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua (File) The two panels led by Senator Francis Tolentino and Rep. Juliet Marie Herrera held the bicameral conference at the Senate annex building, with the physical attendance of Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Ronald dela Rosa as well as Maguindanao Congressmen Ronnie Sinsuat and Mangudadatu. Other members participated virtually.

MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo. (File) The House panel presented later on Tuesday the bicameral report, which was swiftly ratified unanimously in plenary. The Senate panel was expected to follow suit. By then, the government printing office will “enroll” or print the bill for signing into law by President Duterte within a 10 days period. He can veto partly or wholly the bill, legislation experts said.

PRRD | A10

Rep. Mangudadatu was interviewed by the Philippine Muslim Today and two other journalists at the sidelight of the visit here of Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, who conveyed to him the “gratitude” of the Bangsamoro government officialdom’s for his role in the approval on third and final reading last Wednesday of House Bill 10121.

“Tatakbo ako at yan ang gusto ng aking mga supporters at kaibigan na ako’y babalik sa pagkagovernor sa darating na eleksyon,” the former threeterm governor said when pressed to comment on related pervasive information.

Mangudadatu is a key member of the ruling PDP-Laban party, under which he ran and won in the 2019 elections for the second Congressional district seat of Maguindanao before his three gubernatorial terms ended on June 30 of the same year.

The ruling national party has been split into two factions – one organized and presided by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and chaired by President Duterte, while another is led by Senators Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel.

The lawmaker would not say under which faction he would seek the gubernatorial seat, especially so that his rival, sitting Gov. Sangki-Mangudadatu enjoys the “equity of incumbent” under electoral and political norms.

In an earlier huddle with the PMT, Rep. Mangudadatu had mentioned having registered about six years ago a local group called Maguindanao Reform Party (MRP), which he said has been allied

with the regional United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) now ruling the new autonomous government.

On Thursday, Mangudadatu admitted an imminent uphill battle in a contest with the incumbent lady governor, wife of his cousin – incumbent Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu.

The lady governor has ostensibly developed strong alliance with majority of the Maguindanao’s 36 sitting mayors that began with the shift to her camp of first districtbased influential Mastura and Sinsuat political clans, which ignored a unity covenant forged on October 8, 2018 in Cotabato City to field a gubernatorial bet from the clan led by now Rep. Mangudadatu.

The lawmaker’s younger sibling, former Maguindanao mayors’ league president Freddie Mangudadatu ran but lost to the now sitting lady governor in the 2019 polls where the two gathered 201,565 and 256,338 votes, respectively.

The 18th Congress enacted on May 27 this year R.A. 11550 dividing this province two – Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. Rep. Mangudadatu and 1st District Rep. Ronnie Sinsuat coauthored the law that was expected to be ratified by the provincial electorates before next year’s elections. But the Commission on Elections through an en banc resolution deferred the conduct of a referendum to “four months” after the 2022 synchronized national and local elections.

Both the sitting law-

the gubernatorial post he held for three terms – a bid pitting him on a one-on-one contest with cousin-in-law and incumbent Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.

Maguindanao 2nd Dist. Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu . (File) maker and the incumbent governor belong to Maguindanao del Sur where local political pundits believed the former could easily overwhelm the latter in a one-on-one contest.

But the lawmaker on Thursday said he was unfazed by being underdog in the coming gubernatorial contest, recalling how Maguindanao voters elected him against governor against the clout of the Ampatuan clan that wielded immense over the province and the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Ampatuans lost grip of the province and ARMM as a result of the infamous Nov. 23, 2009 massacre where 58 people perished, among them 32 media workers and Mangudadatu lost his wife, two sisters, two female lawyers and other helpless supporters. Key leaders of the clan have been indicted as suspects, some of them convicted after years of court trials in Quezon City.

Mangudadatu said the provincial electors chose him on the basis

of his platform for “tapat at mapayapa” leadership.

On several occasions, the lawmaker and other elected members of his family had complained of alleged intimidations by the camp of the sitting governor.

Among others, he mentioned the recall of his police escorts and harassments on his son Board Member Jazzer “King” and nephew Buluan Mayor Babydats Mangudadatu.

The rival camp has yet to react publicly to the complaints.

The PMT, which seeks comments from the camp, tried many times but failed to get words from the lady governor or his key lieutenants via mobile numbers given by a media worker close to the reigning officials.

Provincial administrator Odjie Balayman could not be reached by call, replying only by text message today, Friday: “Let him (Rep. Mangudadatu) file first but I will ask the governor if she’s willing to be interviewed on this subject matter.”

(AGM)

Across BARMM

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

Maranaos hold ‘thanksgiving caravan’ for BTA extension

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

M

ARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Philippines — Amidst cheers and joy, thousands of Maranaos held motorcade around several towns in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces on Saturday, Sept. 18, to express their gratitude to national lawmakers and to President Rodrigo Duterte for having the governance of Bangsamoro Transition Authority UBJP is the electoral arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that was organized after it signed a peace deal with the government in 2014.

One group started the caravan in Marawi City and traveled down to Iligan City and back.

Another started in Lanao del Sur town of Malabang towards Sultan Naga Dimaporo town in Lanao del Norte and back.

Other caravans were also organized in other parts of the Bangsamoro region and in some parts of Mindanao.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed the measure resetting the regional parliamentary elections originally set for 2022 to 2025, thereby extending the life of the MILFled Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the provisional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since March 2019.

Senate Bill No. 2214 was approved last Sept. 6, and House Bill No. 10121 was passed on Sept. 15, a day after Duterte certified the urgency of the measure.

Senate urged to

adopt House version Maguindanao 2nd Dist. Rep. Esmail “ToTo” Mangudadatu urged the Senate to adopt the House version of BTA extension bill.

Mangudadatu told the Philippine Muslim Today this will hasten the bicameral harmonization process and pave the way for the entry of more competent interim regional legislators and administrators.

BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim told the media giving the BTA three more years “puts us in a better position to ensure that the provisions and agreements in the GPH (Government of the Philippines)-MILF peace process are properly implemented.”

“The extension of the transition period will allow the interim Bang-

(BTA) extended by another three years and moving the regional parliamentary elections to 2025.

Multisector groups led by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) organized what they called the Shukur Caravan, or the Caravan of Thanksgiving.

samoro Government to pour in all its efforts in establishing an institution that acknowledges the circumstances of the Bangsamoro and will provide opportunities for everyone to take part in reshaping our homeland,” he added.

“The president’s support for the measure was an act of reassuring the success of the Bangsamoro peace process,” he added.

On his part, Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo expressed their gratitude to the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing on third and final reading the said bill.

“Above all, we are grateful to our people for their overwhelming support to the leadership of the Bangsamoro Government and the extension of the BTA as demonstrated by their overwhelming participa-

tion in this simultaneous event,” Sinarimbo said on social media. “From the leadership of the party, the UBJP, we thank all of you.”

Media quoted Deputy Chief Minister Alim Ali Solaiman as saying the passage of the law that would extend the BTA would mean a lot to Bangsamoro people.

“This will mean that the lives and sacrifices of those who fought in this struggle and those who shed blood, sweat, and tears for the future generation to have a prosperous, and peaceful future in a region that is fully capable of charting its own destiny will not go down the drain,” Solaiman added.

Member of Parliament Said Shiek said the three-year transition was too short “for governmental reforms that will completely address and respond to the root causes of the problems in the Bangsamoro Region.”

“We are very grateful to President Duterte for certifying the BTA Extension bill as urgent, to the congress for fasttracking the bill and to the Bangsamoro people for their constant prayers, efforts, and untiring support,” Shiek added. (With reports from agencies)

1 Maharlika Movement to proclaim BBM for president in a rally in Tagaytay The 1 Maharlika Movement is set to proclaim former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. (BBM) as the movement’s official presidential candidate for the 2022 presidential elections at 1:00 p.m. of Sept. 28, 2021, at Midori Hotel, Clark, Pampanga.

1 Maharlika Movement Chairman Shariff Ibrahim Albani told the Philippine Muslim Today, the official proclamation is organized by the 1 Maharlika Movement National Coordinating Committee in cooperation with the Labor Party of the Philippines, World Philosophical Forum, Maharlika Leaders Forum and the 5 Pillars of Justice Association of the Philippines Inc. Earlier, the proclamation rally was announced to be held in Tagaytay City on Sept. 26, 2021, to support Marcos Jr. bid for president of the Philippines. However, the date was reset to Sept. 28 and the venue moved to Midori Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.

Albani said this is in the light of a legitimate concern of 1 Maharlika Movement inviting former Senator Marcos, Jr. to speak in an unlimited hour for him to deliver his platform of government to the Filipino people within

an eight-hour program.

The 1 Maharlika Movement chairman also emphasized that this is going to be a community event that will be covered live by a tri-media and for “BBM” to have the opportunity to interact with several leaders and organizations, including the Political League of the Philippines, Marcos Loyalists, 5 Pillars of Criminal Justice System, World Philosophical Forum Philippines, 1 Maharlika Movement and many more.

Likewise Chairman Albani also said the 1 Maharlika Movement as the lead organizer guarantees that the minimum government health’s standard, guidelines and protocol will unequivocally apply.

Albani has also given the assurance that the 1 Maharlika Movement is committed to helping BongBong Marcos in fulfilling his dream to be the next President of the Philippines and to make the Philippines great again.

Meanwhile, interested persons may contact Ms. Shermalyn S. Albani at cellphone number 639351543369 for more information and to discuss this forthcoming event further. (JIJ)

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Fatal Shooting at MSU Main campus... from page A1 P/Col. Christopher W. Panapan, head of Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office identified the victims as Omar Maruhom Zainal, 23, engineering student and Hamza Ariong Rauf, 24, physical education student of the same university.

Panapan said the victims were both natives of Baloi, Lanao del Norte.

A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) was already created to ensure fast-tracking of the investigation in bringing the perpetrators behind bars, he added.

Witnesses said the gunman casually approached the victims at a pathway near the graduate school building of the state-run university and repeatedly shot Rauf and Omar before fleeing on a motorcycle driven by a cohort at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Both victims died on the spot. Four empty shells from a cal. 40 pistol were found at the crime scene.

Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region director Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale directed the Marawi City police to immediately identify and arrest the killers of the two students, said the media.

Marawi City is the capital of Lanao del Sur, a component-province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Member of Bangsamoro Parliament Rasol Y. Mitmug Jr. has also expressed condemnation on the killing.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the killing of two students at Mindanao State University – Marawi yesterday,” Mitmug said.

“We call upon the school administration and the authorities to fully investigate this incident, to bring the perpetrators to trial and ensure that the victims’ families receive justice,” he said.

Mitmug said all should work together to bring justice to the senseless killing of the victims. “This should not be happening. We cannot allow such acts to continue and disrupt the lives of the community,” he added.

Rido Police is eyeing rido (clan feud) as reason behind the killing of the two students.

Marawi police chief LtCol. Nelson Madiwo told reporters they are exploring this as a possible motive, citing the Maranaw culture.

Madiwo said initial investigations also revealed the killing of the two students might have been triggered by a video of an unidentified Maranaw woman allegedly posted on social media by the two victims.

Vow to uncover the truth The MSU administration vowed to discover the truth and to lead the effort to bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice. “They must pay for their crime,” emphasized the MSU statement.

The MSU main administration appealed for calm and sobriety.

“While authorities go about their job of investigating the heinous crime and determining the identities of the people involved, the public is cautioned to do its part by avoiding wanton speculations that could only sow confusion and spread fear or panic,” it added. (MNY)

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Opinion Philippine Muslim Today Inc. Co. Reg. No. 2021030008913-02

DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Directors MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs

ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor AMANODING D. ESMAIL Chairman, Special Committee on Administration & Finance

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions JAHARA A. SOLAIMAN Contributing Editor FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Bureau Chief for NCR-Plus ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao & CARAGA Regions JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region & BaSulTa MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL Head of Accounts Executives for NCR Plus DISCLAIMER:

Martial Law, the 1972 Marawi Uprising and the 2017 Marawi Siege: What have they in common?

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s I agreed to the clamor for me to write a brief biographical backdrop of the father of Malaya and Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, often called by his people Bapa Malaya (Father of Malaya) and Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia), in relation to the Bangsamoro People and the Muslim Filipinos, I wish to start the story here.

Today, Sept. 21, 2021, is the 49th anniversary of the 1972 Martial Law. This is the first martial rule that the Philippines has been placed under. The second Martial Law was declared by President Duterte on May 24, 2017, a day after a group of Muslim militants or terrorists laid siege on Marawi City.

One month after the late President Marcos placed the country under Martial Law, the Maranaos responded with the Marawi Uprising of October 21, 1972.

Suod Barodi, a Marawian, called the uprisers young amateurs going to battle without rifles but bolos, and he thought then the uprising was a sham, a political maneuver that would last only for a week or less.

“Sadly,” he lamented, “this bad experience had embedded a disastrous mindset to every Marawian that the Marawi siege would only last for a week, and, hence, did not bring essentials, close their houses, and evacuate with thought of returning immediately when armed clashes subsided.”

I, myself, had the same mindset of leav-

Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management.

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

ing essentials at home thinking I would return in a couple of days when the fighting lasted.

There was then this friend of mine from the 103rd Brigade who told me this would not last more than a week.

They were wrong. I was wrong. Looking Back The siege lasted for 5 months, and upon return those essential things kept in every residence were gone. And worst, the town center of Marawi was devastated as if intentionally chosen MASIDING NOOR YAHYA for the destruction.

The Uprising was an amateur revolutionary act. But it somehow brought out many a good thing. The world had learned or confirmed there was an armed struggle for selfdetermination in this part of the continent after which so many good and a few bad things happened.

In the case of the 2017 Marawi Siege, many observers think it seemed a professional maneuver. The timing, the readiness and the methodology seemed all preset.

But what have Martial Law, the Uprising and the Siege in common? Prominent Maranao leader Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr. said it is the destruction of the Maranao city, Marawi.

MNY)

UBJP wants elected leaders with “big hearts” for BARMM

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AM SUPPOSED to focus full attention on the wake of our younger sister, who passed away Sunday in what medical workers classified as COVID-19 case under questionable circumstances, and spend time in two or more days to give myself a rest in my over four decades of uninterrupted media work. But I cannot help but write this piece to help laymen understand why the incumbent regional Bangsamoro must play a partisan role in the 2022 polls.

Under normal situation, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance need to be impartial in the coming elections where only local and national officials are to be voted – granting that the 1st election of regular BARMM Parliament members is postponed as endorsed by the just-approved Senate and House bills that are expected to be harmonized this week and enacted into law promptly I hope.

The BARMM’s interim administration, which the bills endorse for extension ending in 2025, is led by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front MILF) in pursuit of its 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the State. CAB is legally translated by the R.A. 11054, which was enacted in 2018 and ratified in 2019 to establish BARMM in placement of the 29-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM was established in 1990 by the Cory Aquino government to replace the two autonomous regions in Western and Central Mindanao, which the Marcos regime created in 1977 or so in unilateral implementation of its 1976 peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Both the autonomous entities had been

considered as a “failed experiment” of autonomy. The main reason was “insincerity” among local and national players.

Reigning MILF officials cannot afford to allow a repeat of Punchline “failed experiment in the BARMM existence.

So, it formed and registered with the Commission on Elections the political body called United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) in ALI G. MACABALANG May 2015. UBJP was originally exclusive for MILF personalities. But it now embraces non-MILF people, including key bureaucrats in the BARMM governance as well as elected local officials under its domain.

MILF Chairman Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim and front military Chief of Staff Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, both serving as BARMM interim chief minister and senior minister, respectively, lead the UBJP as chairperson and director general. Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM local government minister, serves as deputy director general of the UBJP. The UBJP leadership has moved heaven and earth to rally the calls for deferment of the 2022 parliament polls and extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to 2025. It keenly watched efforts that led to the passage of Senate Bill 2214 and House Bill 10121, and discovered what the party tagged as politicians “openly and discretely” opposed to the proposition.

MACABALANG | A11

Opinion PRESIDENTIAL CLASHES IN 2022 – Part 8 “Charity is the salt of riches.”

-Confucius “All charming people are spoiled – that’s the secret of their charm.”

-Oscar Wilde

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f Rodrio Duterte did not become President – nobody would have heard of Christopher Go, popularly known as Bongo Go, outside of Davao City. If Duterte did not become President, Bongo Go would never have become senator. As senator, he is just another intellectual pygmy in the Senate – embarrassing but looks entertaining. First, he looks like one of the dwarfs in Sleeping Beauty – charming and full of mystery.

Wherever President Duterte goes, you’ll find now Senator Bong Go always a step away from the President – smiling and looking mysterious.

President Duterte and Senator Bong Go look like the Odd Couple in the movie. If you don’t know they are macho men, you might suspect they are a married couple – inseparable. One look at them – you will discern that loving gentleness of a caring married couple.

Senator Bong Go, with the way he moves – will die for President Duterte in any day. His dedication to President Duterte is consuming and fanatical like that of Tonto to Lone Ranger and Sancho Panza to Don Quixote de la Mancha. No wonder – Duterte wants Bongo Go to be President on the theory that whatever Duterte wants Duterte gets like Lola in the famous song.

And now Senator Go: At the beginning of the Rodrigo Duterte presidency – a lot of people were wondering who is this mysterious Chinese looking man always behind President Duterte when he delivered a speech, presided over a Cabinet meeting and conducted a press conference. After a few weeks or months of his presidency, Duterte was impelled or compelled to unravel the mystery – Christopher “Bong” Go, the mystery man, is head or primary part of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and a long time billionaire, according to Presi-

dent Duterte. Wow, a multimillionaire having a billionaire for a factotum, possibly the proper word should be procurer as he is perceived to attend to all kinds of need of President Duterte – official, unofficial and personal. This really is one for the books – if not for Reply’s Believe It or Not. The push: Typical of Duterte, he made Bong Go run for the Senate, just like Bato dela Rosa.

As expected, courtesy of Social Weather Station, Pulse Asia, Mocha Uson and Alex Prieto’s band of trolls – Christopher Go aka Bong Go was elected senator.

Under normal democratic circumstances, a man like Bong Go cannot be elected senator as it would be an insult to a knowledgeable voter’s intelligence. First, at the time he ran for senator, Bong Go probably did not even know the difference between a Constitution and a statute. Neither could he have known the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement. But most certainly, he probably would have known the difference between a Chinaman and a Filipino.

Like many current senators, they are nothing but factuta, running dogs and fanatics of President Duterte – dumb driven cattle, as the poet describes men and women of this type.

Bong Go like some of his colleagues in the Senate is an insult to the Filipino intelligence – if there is such a thing.

The reputation: As procurer or factotum of President Duterte, he is publicly reputed to be the most powerful man with Duterte and his administration. Whenever supposed insoluble problems emerge, Senator Bong Go is the man to see – whether to approve a contract, to secure a favor or have an audience with President Duterte, according to knowledgeable sources and observers. Like Lola in the song – whatever Duterte wants Duterte gets, and Senator Go,

acting like his lord and master, whatever Bong Go wants, Bongo Go gets.

Just read the media news on the Commission on Audit report and listen to the hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA Committee, Senator Bong Go played a starring role in the highly questionable contract amounting to billions of pesos awarded to the company with a little more that P560,000.00 capital. No wonder, President Duterte is crazy defending the indefensible contract. At this point in time, any intelligent trial lawyer will tell you that the contract stinks of graft and corruption and plunder. It does not smell of perfume from Chanel or Burberry.

This is not the only transaction where the shadows of Senator Bong Go and President Duterte appear. In so far as government contracts are concerned, the dynamic duo is within smelling distance many a time.

The presidency: President Duterte is pushing Senator Bong Go to run for President in the May 2022 elections – with President Duterte as VicePresident.

President Duterte has done many irrational and indefensible things as President but Bongo Go and Rodrigo Duterte running in tandem is about the most irrational of them all. Why? Senator Bong Go’s On the Job Training (OJT), up to this point in time will not prepare him for competent, effective and appreciable national governance.

Why? Just look at the record of Rodrigo Duterte as President for the last five years, there is nothing there that suggests competence and rationality. So what Senator Go would have learned in his OJT with President Duterte is a lot of presidential incompetence and irrationality – and that is no way to be prepared for the presidency. (to be continued)

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

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Staff members should be careful in dealings with news sourcesparticularly those in the investment communitynot to disclose before publication the nature of the story that has the potential to affect the price of any stock. And because the timing of an investment is often crucial, no one outside the newspaper should know in advance the publication date of a story. When there is doubt about the appropriateness of a business investment, or about any possible conflict of interest, the staff member should discuss the situation with the supervising editor.

3. No staff member should write about, report on, photograph or make a news judgment about any individual related to him or her by blood or marriage or with whom the staff member has a close personal relationship.

Writing or editing a story about a friend’s business, for example, presents a conflict and should be avoided. A staff member who finds himself or herself in a situation where a conflict of interest (or the perception of such) becomes likely should consult with the supervising editor about the circumstances.

4. Employees shall not use their positions with the newspaper to get any benefit or advantage in commercial transactions or personal business for themselves, their families or acquaintances.

For example, they shall not use company connections: – To get information or a photograph for purposes other than those of the newspaper.

– To expedite personal business with, or seek special consideration from, public officials or agencies, such as the police.

– To seek for personal use information not available to the general public.

– To get free or at a reduced rate not available to the public, things like tickets, member-

ships, hotel rooms or transportation.

5. Employees shall not use the company name, reputation, phone number or stationery to imply a threat or retaliation or pres-

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL sure, to curry favor, or to seek personal gain.

III. Writing the story 1. All efforts must be exerted to make stories fair, accurate and balanced Getting the other side is a must, especially for the most sensitive and critical stories. The other side must run on the first take of the story and not any day later.

2.

Single-source stories must be avoided as a rule. There is always the imperative to get a second, third or more sources, the contending parties to an issue, the expert source, the affected party, the prominent and the obscure, in the story. We must strive at all times to ascertain the truth of our sources’ assertions.

3. Documents are required, particularly for stories alleging corruption or wrongdoing by public officials or agencies, or private individuals and corporations and groups.

4. As a rule, anonymous sources shall be discouraged, especially if they are coming from the public sector or publicly accountable agencies. But when we have to shield the identity of our source.because revealing it would put his/her job or life in danger-we must: First ascertain the truth of his/her assertions; Determine if he/she is not a polluted source or an interested or beneficial party; Describe him/her in a manner that would establish his/her expertise or right to speak on the subject.

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POPCOM maximizes digital platforms to bridge between parents, children

UBJP vows reciprocity for players in BTA extension

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ULUAN, Maguindanao – The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), an original political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) now ruling the new autonomous region, has staged simultaneous field caravans and rallies to thank lawmakers and President Duterte for the passage of bills extending the regional government transition period, pledging to return the favor via the 2022 synchronized local and national elections.

At the leg here of the region-wide thanksgiving or “shukr” caravans on Saturday, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the UBJP in its expanded form would lead mass actions of gratitude to all personalities known for consistent support to processes before, during and after the birth of the new autonomy.

Macacua, known as MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) chief of staff “Sammy Gambar or Almansoor” explained the UBJP current thrusts in a written message read for him before thousands of supporters by BARMM spokesman and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo.

“We (have) a shared gratitude towards Allah and His boundless wisdom and guidance that led us to this moment. We are thankful for recent developments in Congress regarding our people’s appeal for an extension of the transition period of the Bangsamoro regional government,” he said.

The Senate approved SB 2214 with 15-31votes on Sept. 6, while the House of Representatives passed HB 10121 on Sept. 15 with 187 unanimous votes. Both endorse the reset of the 2022 BARMM parliament election to 2025, effectively extending the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) lifespan. BTA is BARMM’s interim ruling body.

“Their (lawmakers’) efforts to help ensure just and lasting peace in the Bansamoro are much appreciated,” Macacua said, citing particularly Senator Francis Tolentino and Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who principally sponsored the bills, as well as President Duterte’s urgent certification.

Macacua said he and other UBJP key leaders came here to express “our deepest thanks to those who have always supported the peace process even before the (birth of BARMM).”

Mangudadatu, sitting then as governor, had hosted six consultative meetings here for MILF and state peace panelists since 2015. The meetings were graced separately by Macacua, Mohagher Iqbal, now deceased Ghazali Jaafar, and Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim, all sitting then as MILF top brasses.

In one of the meetings, then Gov. Mangudadatu told thousands of audience members that he wanted the peace process to “pave the way for stable peace, and encourage Bangsamoro youth to stop wielding guns in favor of pens.”

“Guns entail violent results, while pens are instruments to earn knowledge for love of God, humanity and peace,” the former governor was quoted as saying in a 2017 published article.

Saturday’s simultaneous “Sukhr” mass actions were also staged in rallies and caravans across Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces, and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan – all BARMM component areas – passing through Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces.

Invigorated UBJP Before reading Macacua’s message, Minister Sinarimbo explained that all acts of reciprocity are being led by the UBJP, which he said has been expanded by the MILF central committee to include BARMM incumbent officials and key workers, elected leaders, and proactive traditional and

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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of

he Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) continued its advocacy promoting and enhancing interactions

On September 21, POPCOM hosted a parent-teen talk webinar via Zoom, where an interactive program provided appropriate information and skills to parents, as well as gave tips on enabling their adolescent children to reach their full potential.

It also encouraged mothers and fathers to engage in open discussions, especially about topics on sex and sexuality, which are seen to help prevent incidences of pregnancy among the youth.

The webinar may be viewed via POPCOM’s official YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ lZ9jrJCjYas. Regarding the virtual webinar, Undersecretary Juan Antonio A. Perez III, MD, MPH commented that it served both as a catalyst and conduit of conversations among heads of families and their kids: “Parents, for one, were armed with valuable insights in initiating dialogues on subjects that might cause shame or embarrassment at the onset, while youngsters gained confidence in freely relating and opening up to their folks.”

“This year’s National Family Week theme is embedded in POP-

COM’s vision of a progressive nation founded on stable, comfortable and planned Filipino families, or ‘matatag, maginhawa at planadong pamilyang Pilipino,’” said POPCOM’s executive director.

“With our online platforms, we find ways to still create meaningful connections between parents or guardians and their adolescent children, especially as we spend more time indoors because of the Covid-19 contagion.”

Better communications: In-line with the celebration’s subtheme, which is “Pamilya At Teknolohiya: Magkabalikat Na Mapagtagumpayan Ang Hamon Ng Pandemya (Families and Technology: Together Triumphant over the Travails of the Pandemic),” the POPCOM chief believes similar initiatives can increase

religious leaders across the autonomous region.

The UBJP was registered with the Commission in Elections ventral office in May 2015 as an official MILF political party, said Sinarimbo.

He later told the Philippine Muslim Today news the UBJP originally involved 100,000 MILF members and now has 170,000-strong membership so far. He said he now serves as UBJP deputy director general, with Minister Macacua as director general, Chief Minister Ebrahim as chairman, and other top MILF and BARMM officials as officers.

Speaking in Maguindanao vernacular before some 30,000 supporters assembled here, Sinarimbo said the UBJP will “actively participate in political activities” starting from calls for bicameral action and enactment of the harmonized bill until the campaign and voting periods for the 2022 synchronized local and national polls.

The “sukhr” rally here was hosted by Rep. Mangudadatu, who welcomed the UBJP’s expressed appreciation, saying his “arduous role” in the passage of HB 10121 was a continuation of his long crusade for peaceful Bangsamoro.

“In like manner, we have taken note of those who

among Filipino parents and their teenagers in this year’s observance of National Family Week.

the level of communications between generations, especially at this time that the entire country is dealing with a pandemic.

“Now is the best chance for families to forge stronger ties as we are in the confines of our homes. By doing so, we eliminate barriers in intergenerational communication that can threaten our youth, such as early and unplanned pregnancies,” explained Perez. “With digital technology bridging distances and opening communication pathways unfamiliar to parents such as online-based learning, web-based knowledge platforms will give parents another means to catch up technologically that can fortify family relations.”

As it is the agency’s task to assist them in every way possible, the POPCOM chief emphasized that exemplary

families should be recognized beyond the yearly celebrations. He shared that the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), in which POPCOM has been a member since last year, will develop programs focusing on inspiring excellence within the basic units of Filipino society.

Connected, strong families: Being undersecretary for population and development or POPDEV, Perez also pointed out that the thrust of this year’s National Family Week is in sync with the government’s Ambisyon 2040 goals of Filipinos enjoying “a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life,” where families are the foundation of a “high -trust society, with a strong sense of community.”

POPCOM is a lead agency, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development as well as the NCFF, in the implementation of this year’s National Family Week from September 20 to 25, with Pasig City as host local government unit.

Proclamation No. 60 issued in 1992 promulgates the declaration of the last week of September every year as “Family Week.” (PR)

openly as well as those who secretly maneuvered to derail this process and endangered the peace process and sabotaged the implementation of the peace agreement that many of our people labored to achieve over a long period of time. We certainly know how to respond in adequate measure when the time comes,” Sinarimbo said.

In a subsequent podcast, CM Ebrahim said Sinarimbo’s message was “not a threat,” neither for a harmful manner of political intervention.

Saturday’s event here was hosted by Rep. Magundanao, who has announced bid for governor, a position he held for nine years, in a bid pitting him against incumbent Gov. Mariam SangkiMangudadatu, wife of Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu.

This province has been divided into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte under R.A. 11550 signed into law on May 27, 2021. But the Comelec in an en banc resolution deferred the conduct of a ratifying plebiscite to “four months after the 2022 elections.”

UBJP | A10

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Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

BARMM showcases gratitude, sends aids to Maguindanao

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CM Ebrahim explains spokesman’s ‘gratitude’ message

By Ali G. Macabalang

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ULUAN, Maguindanao – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officialdom steps up its continuing relief aids to calamities-affected constituents, training this time to the people of this province in a show of “gratitude” to their Congressman’s key role in the recent passage of House Bill 10121.

BARMM spokesman Naguib Sinaribo, representing Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim, came and met here on Thursday with 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu to convey their salutation alongside an initial 10,000 packs containing 10 kilos of high quality rice, 10 cans of sardines and 10 big sachets of threein-one coffee each.

A photo culled from a video clip showing BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim in a podcast with ANC’s Christian Esquerra.

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RELIEF GOODS FOR MAGUINDANAO: Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and Rep. Toto Mangudadatu look at samples of 10,000 packed relief foods the former brought Thursday to Buluan, Maguindanao for distribution initially in the second Congressional district of the province with “partnership) with the latter. Nur-Ali A. Macabalang

Sinarimbo’s ministry administers the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI) team that came here.

Separate assistance from the Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG) of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) and the Ministry of Social Services and

still reeling from frequent floods that aggravate COVID-19 adversities.

“Gratitude is an attitude of this government,” Sinarimbo said, referring to their administration’s reciprocation to people moving for an extended reign of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the BARMM interim ruling

BTA Parliament Member Toy Mangudadatu, Minister Sinarimbo, and Rep. Mangudadatu pose at foreground of the whole relief supply with Pandag Mayor Zihan Mamalinta-Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu Mayor Elizabeth Mangudadatu. Nur-Ali A. Macabalang

“We’re responding to requests for assistance in…the second district of Maguindanao (for people affected in) flooding and the health pandemic,” Sinarimbo, concurrent Local Government minister, told reporters.

Development (MSSD) were expected to supplement the aid, it was learned.

Sinarimbo said his team would also disperse today, Sept. 17 similar relief goods to Datu Salibo town, where residents were

body.

Rep. Mangudadatu is the main sponsor of HB 10121, which the House of Representative approved on Wednesday, Sept. 15, on third and final reading a day after President Duterte finally cer-

tified the urgency of the measure.

The bill proposes the deferment of the 2022 regional parliament election and the extension of the BTA lifespan to 2025.

BARMM officials led by Chief Minister Ebrahim, Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua and BTA Parliament Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong have promptly thanked the President, the House and Senate leaderships, particularly citing Rep. Mangudadatu as well as Senators Francis Tolentino and Juan Miguel Zubiri for their persistent support.

Last Sept. 6, the Senate approved on third and final its counterpart or version SB 2214 authored by Sen. Tolentino as substitute to bills earlier filed by Senators Dick Gordon and Koko Pimentel.

The House and Senate measures sought to amend a provision in R.A 11054 (BARMM charter), which fixed the BTA parliament’s first election in time with the May 9, 2022 synchronized local and national polls.

(AGM)

Mindanao Skills Training and Development Institute, Inc. For quality skills training.

LOCATED AT: MERCURY AND PLUTO STREETS, RABAGO SUBDIVISION, VILLA VERDE, IL;IGAN CITY 9200 PH Tel. 63 2290965

OTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim has echoed his administration’s elation over the approval in both chambers of Congress of separate bills deferring the 2022 regional Parliament polls and extending the lifespan of their interim ruling body to 2025, saying though that individual ministers may have their own choices of means in reciprocating.

In a recent podcast with Christian Esguerra of the ANC Ebrahim explained that his administration’s “official” message was to thank the leaderships and key members of the Senate and the House Representatives (HoR), and President Duterte for certifying the urgency of the bills legislative approval.

He took exception to Esguerra’s insinuation that Bangsamoro spokesman and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo purportedly expressed a “threat” to people who have opposed openly or discretely the move for extension in the operational period of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

Esguerra used the word “threat” at least five times and even interpreted it as to make “life miserable” for individuals or groups rejecting the bills approval.

In a Facebook post on Sept. 15, Minister Sinaribo said: “The House of Representatives will vote today on third and final reading House Bill No. 10121…after it received the certificate of necessity issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on the said measure.”

“Alhamdulillah! We thank all of those who supported this long and arduous journey. We shall forever be grateful to all of you and our people will express that gratitude during the 2022 elections,” he said.

“In like manner, we have taken note of those who openly as well as those who secretly maneuvered to derail this process and endangered the peace process and sabotaged the implementation of the peace agreement that many of our people labored to achieve over a long period of time. We certainly know how to respond in adequate measure when the time comes,” Sinarimbo added.

The Chief Minister said the message of Sinarimbo, a lawyer, was his individual expression of sentiment but it was not a “threat” or meant with harmful intent.

“I don’t think it’s a threat,” he stressed out, saying that Sinarimbo could be referring to majority Bangsamoro people’s possible option not to vote for people seeking election in local or national posts in the 2022 elections.

Ebrahim added: “Very popular ang support as far as the extension…Sa 2022 elections ay alam ng mga tao kung sino ang sumuporta at sino ang hindi…Gusto naman nila na ang BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) government (will enjoy) close (rapport with) local and national officials.”

Local political pundits have shared the Chief Minister’s explanation, saying BTA extension supporters are “very likely” inclined to shun politicians opposed to their cause.

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News

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

Saudi Crown Prince Salman to establish ties with Israel

UN chief raises alarm: 'The world must wake up!'

Muhammad Bin Salman says he admires the Jewish state and both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to own their land.

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United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres (Anadolu photo)

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ASHINGTON – United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres raised the alarm on Tuesday as world leaders convened in New York for the 76th General Assembly, telling them to "wake up" in the face of cataclysmic challenges.

Speaking as the General Debate opened, Guterres said the international community is facing "the greatest cascade of crises in our lifetimes."

"We are on the edge of an abyss and moving in the wrong direction. Our world has never been more threatened or more divided," he said. "The Covid-19 pandemic has super-sized glaring inequalities. The climate crisis is pummeling the planet. Upheaval from Afghanistan to Ethiopia to Yemen and beyond has thwarted peace. A surge of mistrust and misinformation is polarizing people and paralyzing societies. Human rights are under fire, and science is under assault.”

Guterres blasted searing inequity in vaccine access with the developed world mulling booster shots for its populations while many in developing regions are desperately searching for immunizations.

“This is a moral indictment at the state of our world. It is an obscenity. We passed the science test, but we are getting an F in ethics,” he said.

The UN chief further warned that current national climate commitments will see emissions go up 60 percent by 2030, which he said would bring a "hellscape of temperature rises of at least 2.7 degrees above pre-industrial levels" as nations remain "light years away from reaching our targets."

“Instead of humility in the face of these epic challenges we see hubris. Instead of the path of solidarity, we are on a dead-end to destruction,” he said.

The stark warning comes after the UN issued a report last week that said the commitments established in the 2015 Paris climate accord, which are largely not being met, would lead to a 16 percent increase in emissions by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. A cut of 45 percent by 2030 is needed to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century, it added.

Guterres continued to warn of the dangers posed by ongoing great power competition between China and the US, saying he fears the world is heading toward "two different sets of economic, trade, financial and technological rules; two divergent approaches in the development of artificial intelligence, and ultimately, the risk of two different military and geopolitical strategies.”

"And this is a recipe for trouble. It would be far less predictable than the Cold War,” he said.

Amid the potential global split, Guterres said the UN's powers remain too limited to address the globe's challenges and need to be updated to ensure it could adequately address them.

"Today’s multilateral system is too limited in its instruments and capacities in relation to what is needed for effective governance and managing global public goods. It is too fixed on the shortterm,” he said. (Anadolu)

ABUL – The Taliban announced on Tuesday night, September 7, 2021, the formation of Afghanistan’s caretaker government, with Mullah Hassan Akhund appointed as the acting prime minister.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may soon establish friendly ties with Israel even as Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS) says he admires the Jewish state and has no religious problems with the Jews.

This was revealed on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, by the Islamic Information citing from a book called, “MBS by Ben Hubbard.”

It said Jeffrey Goldberg from the Atlantic magazine interview Muhammad Bin Salman about the Palestine-Israel conflict. MBS replied that both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to own their land.

MBS admires Israel. “It is a big economy regardless of its size and is growing at a significantly faster rate year by year.”

MBS further praised the intelligence service agencies of Israel and its military operations.

Ben Hubbard further wrote in the book that his growing interest in Israel is to get Israel onboard

with the high technology-oriented project, NEOM. MBS criticized Palestinian Leadership Ben also confirmed that Muhammad bin Salman held off-the-book meetings in New York with the Pro-Israeli leaders.

A leak, confirmed by the book, cites that Crown Prince Salman surprised everyone by criticizing the Palestinian leadership’s role in the Palestine-Israel conflict.

He said Palestinian leadership should accept what’s on the table and shut up.

(PMT Foreign Desk with report from The Islamic Information)

Israel set to elect 1st Muslim judge for highest Court; PH has appointed 2nd Muslim to Supreme Court

Tel Aviv District Court Judge, Khaled Kabub. (The Islamic information photo)

Muslim Arabs make up about 21% of Israel’s population, but not a single Muslim Arab has been elected as a permanent judge on the Supreme Court since Israel was founded. Blogsite, The Islamic Information, said the only Muslim to ever serve on the Supreme Court was Abdel Zuabi, with a temporary term of less than a year in 1999.

The published list of candidates for the Supreme Court might change the situation after it contains the Tel Aviv District Court Judge, Khaled Kabub, the court’s deputy president and head of its economic division. He is regarded as a strong contender for the position.

The Judicial Appointments Committee will be selecting from the list at the end of November to select replacements for Justices Menachem Mazuz and Hanan Melcer, who resigned, and Justices Karra and Neal Handel who will be retiring next year. Kabub possibly will be appointed to replace the position currently filled by Karra, who is the court’s only Arab justice.

The Supreme Court had had an Arab on the bench since 2003 when an Arab Christian Justice,

Salim Joubran, was appointed in the Judicial Appointment Committee’s efforts to represent the diversity of Israeli society on the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court.

In the last Supreme Court appointments in 2017, although Kabub was a leading candidate, he lost the seat to George Karra because the three Supreme Court justices supported Karra on the committee and the four politicians. In addition, The Israel Bar Association, the justice minister, another cabinet minister, and two Knesset members were also parts of the panel.

The defeat left him very disappointed that it almost led him to resign as a judge fully. But, a committee member, Supreme Court Presiden Esther Hayut, persuaded him not to resign and promised to select him after Karra retired, say sources.

Because there is no other leading Arab candidate for the position, Kabub is expected to receive support from the two Israel Bar Association representatives and other committee members.

However, Kabub’s appointment is not assured.

Another source on the committee admitted that his prospects are excellent, but nothing has been decided regarding the candidates for the Supreme Court until this time.

Back home, the Philippines has appointed a Muslim luminary in the Supreme Court. Justice Japar Dimaampao is the second Muslim to be appointed in the highest court after Justice Abdulwahid Bidin in a span of 34 years.

While Arab Muslims comprise 21 per cent of Israel population, Muslims Filipinos comprise less than a 10 per cent of the Philippines, according to official data. (PMT Foreign Desk with The Islamic Information)

Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE FOR 2022: Looming BBM-PRRD Team Up or BBM-SARA or SARA-BBM Tandem 2022

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oday, September 24th, is barely 6 days to the Filing of Candidacy for the 2022 elections, slated on October 1-8, 2021. So far, 3 tandems had already officially declared their intention to run for President and Vice President respectively. The first to officially declare their candidacies were the tandem of Sen. Ping Lacson and Sen. Tito Sotto, for President and Vice President respectively.

The next to proclaim his candidacy for President was Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao under the banner of PDP LABAN, Pimentel Wing. As far as the PDP LABAN Cusi Wing, it had not yet officially declared its presidential and vice presidential aspirants.

This may be due to the last two minute decision of Mayor Sara Duterte, though not a member of PDP LABAN, but she may ultimately be adopted as an official candidate for President.

However, in her latest statement, she categorically stated that there must only be one Duterte running for the two top posts of the land. In other words, she would rather not run despite the huge mass support she is getting nationwide, if her father will seriously consider running for the Vice Presidency being pushed by the PDP LABAN Cusi Faction. Few days ago, President Duterte hinted that he may not run for Vice President to give way to Mayor Inday Sara.

The third tandem

that declared officially their candidacy to the two top posts in national govenment were Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso for President and Dr. Willie Ong for Vice President under the banner of the Aksyon Demokratiko Party of the late Sen. Raul Roco.

On the part of Vice President Leni Robredo, so far, she hadn't officially declared her political plan for 2022.

There is speculation that she may consider running for Governor of Camarines Sur or may run for President against BBM if it will be a one on one fight. But the way things are, a one on one fight may not happen unless those that already declared their candidacy will formally withdraw from the race.

The most awaited announcement is the official declaration of three probable candidates, namely: Bongbong Marcos or BBM, Sara Durerte and President Duterte. My prediction is if PRRD will really run for VP, since Sara does not go for a Duterte-Duterte tandem, then the most likely candidate for President of the PDP LABAN Cusi Wing will be BBM. And if PRRD will withdraw in favor of Mayor Sara, then it is almost certain that it will be a BBM-Sara tandem or vice versa. If that will happen, their team will win a sweeping victory from Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao!

If we base our analysis from the reactions of netizens, majority are

Southern Frontier

GERRY SALAPUDDIN rooting for the BBMSARA or SARA-BBM Tandem. And if Digong will really run for VP, I am sure, he would prefer BBM to be the standard bearer of their party. Sabi pa ni Sen. Imee Marcos: "Kung iyan ang mangyari, tapos na ang laban!"

WHY BBM IS THE MOST IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT? BBM is not only the son of former President Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos. He is an experienced and tested local executive as former Governor of Ilocos Norte for three consecutive terms. He was also elected as a Representative of the First District of locos Norte for two terms and as Senator of the Republic for two terms. He has sufficient experience in both executive and legislative functions.

His critics and those oppose to him are always trying to connect the martial law issues and excesses of his parents to him. But let us not forget, he is just a son but not connected to government that time. He was most of his younger years abroad for his studies.

This election is about him and his candidacy,

not about his father.

In Islam, Allah declared that "no soul shall be made to bear the sins of another."

And in our legal and judicial jurisprudence, when the person is already dead, all his crimes are considered extinguished. And it is not tranfered to his children.

That is why, even MNLF Founding Chairman Nur Misuari when asked to comment about BBM, he replied: "President Marcos was my number one enemy.

I am a Muslim. In Islam, the crime or sin of the parents is not inherited by the children.

Bongbong is a strong and effective leader.

He'll be a good president."

If elected as President, I believe BBM will prove his critics wrong.

He'll be his own man, has a mind of his own and if it's his destiny from God, as predicted

by Nostradamus, under his leadership, the Philippines will enjoy a golden age in terms of economic prosperity.

As a level headed person, BBM demonstrates patience and good manner in the way he acts and talks.

Aside from getting the well modulated tone of his father's voice when speaking, he never issue insulting words or inflammatory statement against anyone, even to the harshest critics of their family. He always reply reasonably.

That is a quality most suitable for the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

(PMT)

PH set to host hybrid world tourism summit in March 2022

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ANILA – The Philippines is set to host the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in March 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) officially announced Tuesday.

The event was supposed to be held in the Philippines in October 2021 but was moved to 2022 due to global travel restrictions.

In a presser on Monday, Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the Interagency Task Force has approved

the hosting of the event considering the stringent health and safety protocols that would be put in place before and during the summit proper.

"We will be hosting this. This would be March of 2022. So the Philippines is already chosen.

Actually, it was already approved by the IATF," she said.

Around 800 delegates composed of leaders from the largest

and most prominent international travel and tourism companies from airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and tour companies are expected to attend the event, with over 30,000 people participating virtually.

PH | A12

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Malaysian-Style Fried Udon

BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH With Maria Fhebie Ortil

Malaysian-Style Fried Udon

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ssalamu Alaykum! Jum’ah Mubarak to one and all! We are now at Volume 2 No. 15, of the Philippine Muslim Today, and this Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine features this Malaysian-Style Fried Udon.

Malaysian-Style Fried Udon – is a mix of cabbage, shrimp, and fish cake in a dark brown sauce.

Serve with cut chilies and soy sauce.

INGREDIENT 1 pack (7oz. /300 g) fresh udon 2 garlic, minced 2 tablespoon oil, lard preferred 3-5 shrimp, shelled and deveined 6-8 slices fish cakes 4-5 fresh shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms or king trumpet mushrooms, sliced into pieces 2 mini carrots, peeled and sliced into thin pieces 1/3 cups shredded cabbage or napa cabbage bird’s eye chilies, cut soy sauce SAUCE: 4 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 2 teaspoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil 3 dashes white pepper INSTRUCTIONS Rinse the udon with cold running water, drained and set aside.

Mix all the ingredients in the Sauce in a small bowl, stir to blend well. Set aside.

Prepare the soy sauce and cut chilies condiments in a small saucer.

Just add some soy sauce to the cut chilies.

Heat up a wok and add the oil (or lard). When the hot is fully heated, add the garlic and stir fry until aromatic.

Add the shrimp and fish cake and stir-fry until the shrimp is half cooked. Add the mushroom, carrot and napa cabbage and stir for a few times.

Add the udon noodles into the wok, follow by the Sauce. Stir continuously to combine all the ingredients in the wok.

Let cook for a little bit, stir a few times and make sure the udon noodles are cooked through.

Dish out and serve immediately with the cut chilies and soy sauce condiment.

MFO

A10

News

Bicameral OKs synced bill on BTA extension… from page A1 sive.

Senator Francis Tolentino and Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer jointly led the bicameral meeting at the Senate annex building as chairpersons of the higher and lower chambers, respectively, and attended physically by Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Sherwin Gatchalian alongside Reps. Ronnie Sinsuat and Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, officials said.

Other representatives to the bicameral like Senators Bong Go and Riza Hontiveros, Deputy Speakers Bernadette Herrera-Dy and Loren Legarda, and Rep. Hooky Alonto Adiong participated in virtually, it was learned.

The bicameral conference briefly deliberated SB No. 2214 and HB No. 10121 provisions, adopting substantially the House version on the plight of incumbent appointed members of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim governing body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), sources told the Philippine Muslim Today news.

Thus, Section 2 of the reconciled bill read: “During the extension of the transition period, the (BTA) shall continue as the interim government in the (BARMM); provided, however, that the President may appoint the eighty new interim members of the BTA who shall serve up to June 30, 2025 or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.”

Originally, the House bill prescribed that “upon the approval” of the harmonized bill, President Duterte shall appoint the new BTA members for a term until June 30, 2025, Rep. Sinsuat said, explaining that bilaterally agreed section makes it “optional” for the sitting

President to make new appointments in the interim ruling body.

BARMM spokesman Naguib Sinarimbo said he was promptly briefed

by Rep. Mangudadatu, principal sponsor of the House version, and described the reconciled bill as “fair.”

“We are elated that the bicameral just approved the HoR version of the law resetting the BARMM parliament election and thereby extending the period of transition. We thank the conferees for this immediate action. Now we can focus on the more important work of delivering the peace dividends to our people in the region and in the country in general,” Senarimbo to the PMT news over the phone.

The two panels are expected to immediately present the bicameral report for ratification in their respective plenary sessions, according to Beverly Ballitoc, Mangudadatu’s legislative staff, who assured to keep the Bangsamoro Press Corps updated of the harmonized bill’s ratification sessions.

After the Senate and House ratifications, the government printing office will print the revised bill in a process called “enrolling,” giving the President 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill, legislation experts said.

The offices of BTA Parliament Members Zia Alonto-Adiong, Paisalin Tago and Maisara Latiph of Lanao del Sur, and Khadafeh Mangdudadatu of Maguindanao said the bicameral conference decision today, Tuesday, indicated a “90 percent” conclusion in the legislative process for an extended BARMM transition period.

At the start of the bicameral conference, Rep. Mangudadatu delivered a brief speech recalling both excitement and dejection involved in the 10 months

of multi-sector clamor for extended transition period for the interim BARMM entity to fully build the foundation of autonomous governance and transform the combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to peaceful and productive life.

He said supportive quarters from various sectors painstakingly mustered more than a million signatures, held a series of caravans and peaceful rallies to persuade Congress and Malacañang into deferring the 2022 parliament polls and providing the interim BARMM entity three more years in its infant stage amid challenges aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There were times, too, when we felt dejected due to some movements that wish to derail the dream and promise for a stronger BARMM Regional Government. Wala kami magawa kundi harapin ang mga ito kasi normal naman talaga na may mago-oposisyon sa bawat prosesong demokratiko,” Mangudadatu said.

He thanked again President Duterte for “certifying as urgent and necessary House Bill No. 10121, which resulted to its swift passage during its third and final reading” at the lower chamber, saying the imminent BTA term extension is an added feather to his administration’s “legacy” in establishing the BARMM governance.

He said the House and Senate leaderships and their respective concerned committees deserved similar plaudits, so with BARMM officials led by Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, Ministers Abdulraof Macacua, Mohagher Iqbal, Sinarimbo, and Eduard Guerra,and BTA AttorneyGeneral Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba for inspiring lawmakers during the protracted legislative process-

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Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

Taliban ask to participate in UN General Assembly session

Taliban press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan in September, 2021 ( Haroon Sabawoon Anadolu Agency )

U

NITED NATIONS – The Taliban has sent a letter to the United Nations requesting to attend General Assembly meetings and fielded spokesman Suhail Shaheen as a candidate for UN ambassador.

Amid disputes over who will represent Afghanistan at the international body, the Taliban said in the letter addressed to the office of the UN secretary-

general that it should be represented at the UN, not by the ambassador under former President Ashraf Ghani's government.

According to UN sources contacted by Anadolu Agency, Antonio Guterres received a communication with the letterhead "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs" dated Sept. 20.

The letter was signed by "Ameer Khan Muttaqi" as "Minister of

Foreign Affairs" and requested to participate in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly from Sept. 21-27.

After countries send their candidates' names for ambassador, the candidates are approved by the UN General Assembly Credentials Committee.

Currently, UN envoy Ghulam Isaczai of the former government represents Afghanistan.

(Anadolu)

UBJP vows reciprocity for players in BTA extension… from Page A6 Maguindanao del Sur constitutes the second district composed of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Pagalungan, Mangudadatu, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis,

Talayan, and South Upi. Maguindanao del Norte comprises the first district covering the towns of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay, except Cotabato City.

Pending the ratification of the law, the provincial electorate will have to vote as usual for a single slate of governor, vice governor

and provincial board members, election officials said.

Except for Talitay town, all mayors and other elected officials in the rest of 11 municipalities in the first district have already taken mass oath-taking as UBJP members, party officials earlier heralded.

Sinarimbo said they were expecting some elected mayors in the 2nd district to join their UJBP party. (ALI G. MACABALANG)

Mindanao Skills Training and Development Institute, Inc. For quality skills training.

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Vol. II, No. 15 | Sept 24-30, 2021 (Safar 17-23, 1443)

A11

MACABALANG | from Page A4

UBJP wants elected leaders with “big hearts” for... From Page 4 In the Sept. 12 simultaneous conduct of caravans for stakeholders to thank supportive lawmakers, national and local executives, the UBJP renewed vow to showcase “gratitude” to those national and local politicians seeking election in the May 9, 2022 synchronized voting.

For politicians who “openly” opposed or “secretly maneuvered to derail this process and endangered the peace process and sabotaged the implementation of the peace agreement that many

of our people labored to achieve over a long period of time, the UBJP said it knows “how to respond in adequate measure when the time comes.”

And the “time” is the May 9, 2022 local and national polls, during which the 170,000-stong UBJP members – mostly based in Maguindanao – will have full focus to campaign for politicians they owed “grateful reciprocation.”

The call for BTA extension is desired by “majority” Bangsamoro people for BARMM to fully

deliver its mandates, they want the coming polls to produce local and national leaders who have “big hearts” for and are poised to cooperate closely with the new autonomous governance, the UBJP said.

In a nutshell, the UBJP is just preventing a repeat of the awkward “failed experiment” tag. (AGM) (Comments and reactions may be sent to this columnist via alimac.bulletin@gmail.con or via Facebook messenger.)

PRRD | from Page A2

PRRD can appoint new BTA members under ratified bill “During the extension of the transition period, the (BTA) shall continue as the interim government in the (BARMM); provided, however, that the President may appoint the eighty new interim members of the BTA who shall serve up to June 30, 2025 or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified,” Section 2 of the harmonized bill read.

The original Senate bill was silent about the appointment of BTA new members by the sitting President or the one to be elected in 2022. The House counterpart originally prescribed that “upon approval” of the law, President Duterte “shall” appoint the BTA members to serve until 2025 since he has the power to recall appointments he made in 2019.

The harmonized bill makes it optional for President Duterte to revamp and appoint fresh members

of the 80-seat BTA, the interim ruling body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), lawyers said.

Minister Sinarimbo, a lawyer, has corroborated Reps. Sinsuat and Mangudadatu’s views that the harmonized bill still reflects the desire of the common leadership of BARMM and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

The UBJP is the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is chaired by interim BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Balawag Ebrahim, as well as key officials of the regional government and some elected leaders in the autonomous region.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or R.A. 11054 (BARMM Charter) prescribes for observance

of MILF’s 41seat in the BTA, with the remaining 39 earmarked for six nominees from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the rest representing sectors including the youth, women, traditional and indigenous people’s communities.

Member of Parliament Omar Yasser Sema once told the Bangsamoro Press Corps (BPC) that the present BTA has actually 10 representatives from the MNLF, including himself.

CM Ebrahim on earlier occasions said either in election or appointment processes, the MILF’s 41 reserved seats in the BTA or regular parliament would always by observed in pursuit of the intent in the BOL and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) for by the MILF with the government in 2014.

ALI G. MACABALANG

JANNARAL | from Page A5

Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct of the Philippine Press Institute 5. We shall avoid at all times language, photographs, visuals and graphics that are racist, sexist, insensitive and disrespectful of men, women and children, the religious denominations, cultural communities, and gender and political preferences.

6. The identities and photographs of children and women who figure in the news as victims of sexual abuse (i.e. rape, incest, sexual harassment, prostitution, battering, etc.) must not be printed, and details about their personal circumstances and identities must be withheld. In the case of in-

cest victims, the identities of the accused and immediate family members must also be protected. Disclosure of the identities of victims of sexual abuse-bu’t not their photographs- may be allowed only in cases when the adult victim (above 1 8 years old) has decided to file a case in court.

7. Suspects in criminal cases must be properly described as suspects, Photographs of a police lineup of suspects must be avoided, except in cases of large public interest, and when prima facie evidence has been established

against suspects who are publicly accountable officials.

8. Documents that had been leaked by sources, especially those from the government, must be properly described as leaked documents, when used in a story. As much as possible, the source must identified.

9. We shall accord equal prominence to rejoinders, rebuttals and clarification from persons or agencies criticized in our stories.

These should run without any delays, or as promptly as possible, and should be edited only for grammar.

10.When we commit errors of fact or impression, we must acknowledge this on print, and promptly issue a clarification.

11.Misleading practices such as misrepresentation, trickery, impersonation, and the use of hidden tape recorders in newsgathering can seriously undermine a newspaper’s credibility and trustworthiness and should be avoided. An editor confronted with a decision to employ such methods should meet the following conditions: – Public importance.

The expected news story should be of such

public interest that its news value clearly outweighs the damage to trust and credibility that might result from the use of deception.

– Alternatives. The story cannot reasonably be recast to avoid the need to misrepresent, – Last resort. All other means of. getting the story must have been exhausted – Disclosure. The deceptive practices and the reasons why they were used should be disclosed on print at the time the story is published.

Advisory: No code of ethics can prejudge every situa-

tion. Common sense and good judgment are required in applying ethical principles to newspaper realities.

Individual newspapers are encouraged to augment these guidelines with locally produced codes that apply more specifically to their own situations.

Sources: The Manila Times Editorial Guidelines, Doing Ethics in Journalism; Associated Press Managing Editors Association Code of Ethics for Newspapers and their Staffs For your Comments/ Suggestions, please send an email to: julmunir1845@gmail. com

CM EBRAHIM | from Page A7

CM Ebrahim explains spokesman’s ‘gratitude’ message “After all, it is the right of every voter to elect or reject candidates in every election, which is their moment of reprisal,” a university social sciences professor told the Philippine Muslim Today news.

Senators approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2214 authored by Sen. Fran-

cis Tolentino on Sept. 6 with 15-3-1 votes. Senators Ping Lacson, Ralph Recto and Manny Pacquaio voted against, which Senator Imee Marcos who had earlier cast staunch opposition.

Last Wednesday, Sept. 15, the HoR approved on third and final reading its version or House Bill 10121, spon-

sored mainly by Maguindanao 2nd Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, with 187 votes sans dissenting or abstention vote among 200 lawmakers present physically or virtually.

In the first reading of the bill at the joint committee level, 40 members cast voted for it with three dissenting

votes cast by Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo (who voted twice for his two committees) and Sultan Kudarat Princess MangudadatuSakaluran, sister of Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu.

In past debates on the BTA extension proposal, Cotabato City

Mayor Cynthia GuianiSayadi and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan had openly campaigned against it, asserting the need for their constituents to exercise rights of suffrage in the choice of BARMM elected officials via the 2022 polls.

Maguindanao Gov. Mariam SangkiMangudadatu, wife of the Sultan Kudarat gov-

ernor, and their supporters earlier expressed support to the BTA extension via official manifestos. But unconfirmed reports said rumors reaching the media said she and her camp had changed heart and opposed the proposal discretely. The camp has yet to confirm or deny the reports publicly. (AGM)

JOB OPPORTUNITY !!!

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY, fast growing newspaper in Southern Philippines, is in need of Field Reporters and Correspondents, Editors and Advertising Associates. Email Resume to: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com

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PH set to host hybrid world tourism… from page A9 The WTTC Global Summit is widely considered the most influential event for travel and tourism professionals and stakeholders, providing opportunities for industry leaders to meet with policymakers and address the most pressing issues faced by the industry.

'Boosting MICE' The DOT is optimistic hosting this event will not only spur the country's tourism sector but also strengthen Manila's position as a competitive meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination in Asia.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the DOT, is recalibrating the country's MICE Roadmap to adapt to the challenges brought

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by the pandemic.

TPB chief operating officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said the agency has started to identify destinations that are ready, willing, and able to host MICE events under the new normal.

Aside from the traditional MICE destinations like Baguio, Cebu, Clark in Pampanga, Iloilo, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, Velasco-Allones said TPB is working with DOT-Western Visayas to prepare Boracay as a potential hub in the region.

"TPB is helping to promote, in fact, we have facilitated them to develop the Boracay roadmap for MICE. So hindi nalang talaga sya leisure. (So it's not solely for leisure)," she said in the same presser.

Among others, TPB is also hosting the 8th edition of the Philippine MICE Conference next month, where MICE professionals will tackle key issues and concerns affecting the industry.

The global travel industry has suffered a decline of 72.9 percent in international visitor arrivals in 2020.

The Philippines, on the other hand, registered a much steeper 82-percent slide from 8.26 million tourist arrivals in 2019 to just 1.48 million in 2020.

Based on its reformulated National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022, the DOT is currently looking at a recovery period of between two to four years.

(PNA)