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Ni Gwyneth Morales LARAWAN MULA SA: GMA News Dahil sa bangayan nina Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Senador Manny Pacquiao, nagbago na umano ang relasyon ng dalawa, ayon sa Palasyo nitong Martes.  "I think it’s rather obvious that the relationship between the President and Sen. Pacquiao is not cordial as it was," aniya Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Nang tanungin kung posible pa ring suportahan ng pangulo si Pacquaio sa darating na eleksyon, sinabi ni Roque na, "Hindi naman po definitely because in the realm of politics… anything is possible." Noong Lunes, hinamon ni Duterte ang senador na pangalanan ang mga korap na opisyal at ahensya sa pamahalaan pagkatapos sabihin ni Pacquiao na "tatlong beses" mas korap ang kasalukuyang administrasyon. "If you fail to do that, I will campaign against you because you are not doing your duty. Do it, because if not I will just tell the people, do not vote for Pacquiao because he is a liar," pagbabanta ng p...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PCOO With one year before leaving Malacañang, President Rodrigo Duterte has fulfilled most of his promises that he campaigned to Filipinos as the country’s highest official, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Citing a study from Pulse Asia, Roque said Duterte’s performance has satisfied most Filipinos as he supposedly stood firm on his promise to address the country’s problem on illegal drugs. Interviewed over state media PTV-4, Roque said: “The details will be delivered by the President in his last State of the Nation address [next month], but needless to say marami po tayong nakamit doon sa mga pinangako ni Presidente, lalung-lalo na doon sa laban sa pinagbabawal na droga.” He added: “It (priority) hasn’t changed, it is still ensuring that every Filipino is vaccinated [against COVID-19] and his continuing campaign against corruption and prohibited drugs.” The Palace official also commended the chief executive for the enactment of Free College Educati...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Manila Bulletin "Sa akin po, absent po siguro si Senator Pacquiao nung nagprisinta yung mga Cabinet secretaries, or kung hindi siya absent he may have been preoccupied with something else.” This was what Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had to say as he questioned the timing of the corruption allegations posed by Senator Manny Pacquiao against the Department of Health (DOH) even if the agency itself reported during a Senate committee hearing. "Nandun nga po siya nung naghi-hearing ang Senado at kung meron siyang mga tanong na ibinato kay [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque nung mga pagkakataon na 'yun," Roque said during a briefing over state media PTV-4. Pacquiao’s allegations against the DOH came after President Rodrigo Duterte challenged him on Monday night to name government agencies and officials involved in corruption activities. Duterte added if Pacquiao fails to do so, he will campaign against the senator in the 2022 national el...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: ABS-CBN News For House Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez, President Rodrigo Duterte is the “strongest” possible candidate for vice president in the 2022 national elections. Romualdez made the statement after Duterte said during his weekly night address that he is expressing his openness to run as vice president. “It’s not at all a bad idea. If there’s a space for me there, maybe,” Duterte said in his weekly public address aired Monday night. The House leader also said that he is keeping his options open for next year. “For me, President Duterte is the strongest potential vice presidential candidate next year. While I am keeping my options open, it is not a good decision to run against the President,” he said. “I believe President Duterte is very much qualified and capable to run for vice president. He remains very popular five years after his election as the sixteenth president of the Philippines,” he added. Moreover, Romualdez backed Duterte by saying the...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Associated Press Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday accepted the challenge posed by President Rodrigo Duterte to name officials and agencies that are involved in alleged corruption in government and will start to probe the Department of Health’s (DOH) purchase of COVID-19 medical equipment. "Tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Salamat po at binigyan nyo kami  ng pagkakataon na tumulong sa inyo at bigyan kayo ng mga impormasyon para kampanya kontra korapsyon,” Pacquiao said in a statement. “Magsimula tayo sa DOH. Silipin at busisiin natin lahat ng mga binili mula sa rapid test kits, PPE , masks at iba pa. Handa ka ba Sec. Francisco Duque na ipakita ang kabuuan ng iyong ginagastos? Saan napunta ang pera na inutang natin para sa pandemya?” he added. He also told Duterte that he is neither “liar” nor “corupt: “Mawalang galang po mahal na Pangulo, ngunit hindi ako sinungaling. May mga naging pagkakamali ako sa buhay na aking itinuwid at itinam...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PCOO Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte wants his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to run for presidency in the 2022 national elections. “Sinabi niya na gusto niya i-endorso si Inday Sara pero kung ayaw talaga (The President did say he wanted to endorse Inday Sara, but if she won’t run), let us see who has the numbers: Senator Pacquiao, Mayor Isko (Moreno), former Senator Bongbong Marcos,” Roque said when pressed what are the reasons of fallout between Duterte and Senator Manny Pacquiao. He added: “Di nakaantay si Senator Pacquiao.” Moreover, when asked to clarify his statement as Duterte earlier said he dissuaded his daughter to run as president, Roque said the former wanted the latter to run. “Sinabi niya, gusto n'ya ring tumakbo si Mayor Sara pero ayaw ni Mayor Sara,” he said. The Palace official, however, did not answer queries on whether Duterte will oust Pacquiao from the ruling party Partido ...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PCOO President Rodrigo Duterte challenged Senator Manny Pacquiao to name officials and government agencies that are involved in corruption activities. In his weekly Talk to the People program, Duterte made the challenge after Pacquiao recently claimed that his administration was more corrupt than the administration of his predecessors. "I'm challenging him. Ituro mo ang opisina na corrupt at ako na ang bahala. Within one week may gawin ako. Maglista ka, Pacquiao, na sinasabi mong two times kaming corrupt. Ilista mo ‘yung mga tao at opisina at dapat nilista mo na noon at ibigay mo sa akin," he said. If the senator did not prove that such accusations are true, Duterte said he will campaign against the latter due to not performing his duties. "If you fail to do that, I will campaign against you because you are not doing your duty. Do it, because if not I will just tell the people, do not vote for Pacquiao because he is a liar," the chief ex...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Rappler President Rodrigo Duterte seems to be endorsing his chief legal counsel, Attorney Salvador Panelo, to run as a senator in the 2022 national elections. In his address on Monday night, Duterte praised Panelo for his intellect and good work ethic. Recognizing Panelo to report before the members of the Cabinet, Duterte said: “Now I’m sure that Atty. Panelo, Senator Panelo or Atty. Sec Panelo pala, my favorite candidate for senator. Tatakbo ka ba? Sabihin mo na para malaman ng tao. Mukha atang tatakbo.” Panelo then responded: “Siguro lalakad na lang tayo papunta Senado para hindi tayo madapa. Lakad na lang, hindi takbo.” The presidential legal counsel has been joining virtually during Duterte’s Talk to the People program giving “legal” recommendations to the President in a bid to prevent quarantine violations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from joining the weekly national address, Panelo is also running a daily “COUNTERPOINT” documentary in which he is ex...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PCOO Malacañang said Monday the proposal seeking to provide firearms to individuals helping in campaigns against criminality needs to be studied. “There is not a policy yet. I’m sure it will be subjected to full staff work pero meanwhile may riyalidad na habang tumutulong ang mga volunteers, may banta rin sa kanilang buhay,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media briefing. “He’s [President Rodrigo Duterte] open to the idea pero wala pa naman finality,” he added. Citing remarks from Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar, Roque said volunteers have rights to defend themselves from imminent dangers. But, Roque said such are speculative to be discussed as no policy being approved. “Let’s not waste time speculating. But for now, it’s speculative,” he said.’ The proposal came after Duterte said the volunteers could make “citizen’s arrest” in time a crime was committed, as they are the “force multipliers” that can ““help enfor...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PCOO Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte’s no-show at former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s funeral is possibly meant to avoid overcrowding. During a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that after a meeting in the Palace, Duterte had intended to go to the Heritage Memorial Park but learned that the ashes were brought to the former’s ancestral residence in Times Street, Quezon City. “Hindi ko na po alam kung bakit. It could be because it’s pandemic and we’re trying to limit the numbers and of course the presence of the President would encourage crowds,” he said. “He wanted to go but he was informed that the urn of the former president had already been moved to the private residence in Times. So hindi na po nakapunta doon si Presidente,” Roque added. Moreover, Roque said the chief executive expressed his condolences by having a conversation with the Aquino family. The President also signed a proclamation declaring June 24 until J...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PCOO For Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, it is “baseless” to declare that the Philippines will be the last country in Asia to attain COVID-19 herd immunity. Speaking in a media forum, Duque chided the “self-proclaimed experts” over a report released by United Kingdom-based think tank Pantheon Macroeconomics that the country will be the last in the continent for such target. “There is no basis for that statement of the self-proclaimed experts. I don’t know where they are coming from,” Duque said in a press conference. He noted the targeted daily number of 500,000 administered vaccine doses which is achievable in only 140 days. “I think they should review their math or their calculator probably doesn’t have good batteries. Now, if we are targeting 70 million Filipinos, you divide that by 500,000 jabs so you will be able to accomplish it in 140 days, it will be exactly 70 million for the first dose,” Duque said. “And the second dose, you probably need about ...

Ni Gwyneth Morales LARAWAN MULA SA: PCOO Iginiit ni Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo na pinapayagan umano ng 1987 Konstitusyon ang kautusan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na hulihin ang mga taong ayaw magpabakuna laban sa COVID-19. "Drastic times demand for drastic measures. The Constitution has given sufficient authority to the government to manage the crisis as it work vigorously towards achieving herd immunity," ani Panelo sa isang pahayag nitong Miyerkoles. Binanggit niya ang Artikulo 2, Seksiyon 4, 5 at 15 ng Konstitusyon na nagsasabing tungkulin ng gobyerno ang paglingkuran at protektahan ang bayan; mahalaga sa demokrasya ang pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan, pagprotekta sa buhay, at pagtataguyod ng kabutihang panlahat; at protektahan ang karapatan ng mga tao sa kalusugan. Dahil dito, sinasabi ni Panelo na hindi na raw umano kailangan pang maglabas ng panibagong batas para maisakatuparan ang pag-uutos ng pangulo, kontra sa pahayag ni Presidential Spokespe...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer The policy mandating the use of face shields outdoors is based on science and not on business interests, Malacañang insisted Thursday. “I don’t know of any 'raket' involving face shields. I understand that wearing one could be difficult; I wear glasses, and when I wear a face shield they fog up, but we have to believe the science,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media presser. Roque also claimed that a study released by Lancet Journal, which was widely known in the field of medicine, found that face shields provide another layer of protection against coronavirus disease transmission. “Lancet published a study showing wearing a face shield helps in reducing COVID-19 infection. Suma total, with face shield, face mask, at [social] distancing, 97% talaga ang protection,” Roque said. On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte declared during his weekly address that face shields are still required to be worn outdoors, week...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images Malacañang on Thursday expressed its condolences to the family of former President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III and paid tribute to his service for the country. Aquino, who was fondly known as “PNoy” and for initiating the “Daang Matuwid” anti-corruption campaign, passed away "peacefully in his sleep" at 6:30 in the morning due to renal disease secondary to diabetes. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque started his regular briefing by asking for a moment of silence for Aquino’s “untimely demise.” “We commiserate and condole with the family and loved ones of former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as we extended our condolences on his untimely demise,” he said. “We are grateful for the former President for his contribution and services to the country. We ask our people to offer a prayer for the eternal repose of the former chief executive. Rest in peace, Mr. President,” he added. Moreover, Roque said it depends o...

By Kaela Patricia Gabriel PHOTO: PCOO The Palace on Monday reiterated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel associated with the killing of an allegedly armed teenager in Laguna are just 'bad eggs' who "constitute the exception rather than the rule". Amid the recent PNP controversy regarding the death of 16-year-old Johndy Maglinte, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque assured the public that the PNP will look further into the incident while the policemen who violate the law will be on their own as President Rodrigo Duterte does not tolerate such actions. "There's 240,000 PNP personnel. Siguro kung mayroong mga bugok, they constitute the exception rather than the rule," Roque said in a press briefing.  Furthermore, Roque defended the PNP through saying there are 'bad eggs' or rotten members in any organization and the PNP is still "professional" despite the repeated events of killings under the President Rodrigo Duterte...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: OVP “Bayanihan” instead of threatening arrest should be used to motivate people who are still hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Senator Panfilo Lacson said. In a press statement, Lacson made the remark in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat during his late-night address that Filipinos who do not want to get vaccines will be arrested. (READ:  Duterte warns of arrest for those who are hesitant to get vaccinated ) “We should get vaccinated not so much due to the fear of being arrested if we refuse, but because we have the Bayanihan spirit,” he said. “We want to do our part to protect those around us, we want to do our part to achieve herd immunity, and we want to do our part to finally end the threat posed by the pandemic on our health and on our economy,” he added. Lacson said the government should be “restraint” and “transparent” to save available resources. “For government, this means being transparent and exercising restraint in spend...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: One News "Harry is okay, but sometimes, his mouth runs faster than his brain...instead of trying to look for ways to help out, he is blaming us. What kind of person are you?" Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas posed this question to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque after the latter blamed Ilonggos for the surge of COVID-19 cases. In a television interview, Treñas has called on the government to provide COVID-19 medical equipment in order to avoid overwhelming the city’s healthcare capacity. "That's why I am asking for equipment. When are they going to prioritize Iloilo? What hurts is that with cases rising, we're still the ones at fault. What is that? It isn't right,” he said. In a press briefing on Monday, Roque said people violating minimum health and safety standards should be attributed to the surge of infections. (READ:  Palace: COVID-19 surge due to complacency ) “I can assure Mayor Treñas that, unfortunately, pagdating po sa p...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: OVP The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is “very much willing” to expand its “Vaccine Express” program in Visayas and Mindanao in order to gain access for COVID-19 vaccination. “@RepRufus We are very much willing. Will ask our team to coordinate with yours” Robredo said in response to the statement of Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez. Rodriguez said the vaccination program must be directed in “areas of concern” in a bid to arrest the surge of COVID-19 infections. He also cited the data released by independent research group UP-OCTA Research that several localities in Visayas and Mindanao are now placed as “areas of concern.” “The vice president should include cities in Mindanao and Visayas such as Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo where COVID-19 cases are increasing, instead of Manila, which has already given so much vaccines to its residents,” Rodriguez said in his statement. The lawmaker aired the statement after Robredo’s initiative was launched toge...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Philippine Star President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong statements against the International Criminal Court (ICC) are justified as the Philippines is a sovereign country, said Malacañang. In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after Duterte slammed the ICC anew for its requests to probe the controversial anti-drug campaign, which has believed that the administration has committed crimes against humanity due number of individuals killed during operations. “It’s ‘BS’ (bullshit), because in the first place, we are a sovereign country, kung mayroong dapat mag-imbestiga at maglitis kay Presidente,” he said. Outgoing ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on June 15 requested an authority to look into the alleged human rights violations that have been committed during the drug war. Around 12,000 to 30,000 individuals were killed during the campaign, according to Bensouda. While government data shows there are 6,117 individuals have been kille...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: EduSentro The errors detected in self-learning modules that are used for modular distance learning modality have already been “resolved,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones. During a press conference marking the 123rd anniversary of the Department of Education (DepEd), Briones made the statement in response to Vice President Leni Robredo as she maintained that the errors are being addressed and undertaken by the agency. “We thank Vice President Robredo for her comments but we assure her that this happened several months ago, this has been already attended, and action has already been undertaken,” Briones said. During her Sunday radio program, Robredo called on DepEd that the errors can be avoided if there is a “proper system” in place. Meanwhile, a committee hearing last week revealed a vulgar word detected in a learning module issued by the department. Moreover, Briones said the vulgar incident happened last February and was addressed. “Now, in light of a...