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By Lance Arevada PHOTO: ABS-CBN News After months of a contentious selection process, opposition coalition group 1Sambayan formally endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo as their presidential candidate for the 2022 Elections in a bid to unite all forces and groups against President Duterte and his anointed successor in the next year’s polls. "1Sambayan is pleased to announce to the nation that it has reached a decision to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo as its presidential candidate for the May 2022 elections," 1Sambayan Lead Convenor and former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said in a press briefing on Thursday. Following a “rigorous process” of consulting its chapters and partners with three million members in total, Carpio said that Robredo was chosen based on their criteria of “integrity, competence, track record, patriotism, vision for our country and winnability.” "We therefore ask VP Leni to accept our endorsement to lead the Filipino people in these d...

Ni Winlei Kim Castro Naitakas ng San Miguel Beermen ang 100-95 win kontra sa Northport Batang Pier habang sinilat naman ng Magnolia Hotshots  ang Rain or Shine Elastopainters sa Playoffs, 96-86, sa 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinals kanina sa DHVSU Gym, Bacolor, Pampanga. Hindi binigo ni CJ Perez ang Beermen matapos niyang pangunahan ang kanyang koponan tangan ang 21 puntos, apat na rebounds, dalawang assists, at 6/12 field goals para sipain ang Batang Pier palabas ng Playoffs. PHOTO: PBA Photo Bureau "Yung panalo na to, importante to samin kasi matagal na hindi nakakarating ng semis ang San Miguel," ani Perez. Sa kabilang banda, binuhat naman ni  Calvin "The Beast" Abueva ang Hotshots matapos magtala ng 20 puntos, 19 boards, at 6/11 Field Goals at tuluyang maka-abante sa semifinals ng liga.  PHOTO: PBA Photo Bureau "Always focus lang kami, ang goal namin is itong win sa quarters," ayon kay Abueva. Samantala, magtatapat ang top-seeded Talk n' Text T...

By Zamantha Pacariem PHOTO: ABS-CBN News Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque emphasized last Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to speak up against critics and corruption allegations until there is no sufficient evidence to support the claims. The statement is in response to the ongoing investigation, led by Senator Richard Gordon, of the alleged overpriced medical materials bought by the government last 2020. “Importante kasi sagutin ‘yung mga binabatong mga paratang na may corruption daw sa pagbili ng personal protective equipment at face shields,” said Roque.  According to Roque, until the allegations are not proven, the administration will continue answering the claims since the truth must come out.  “Inuulit ng mga senador na mayroon daw anomalya, karapatan din naman ng ehekutibo na ulit ulitin na walang overpriced at walang anomalya,” added Roque. Meanwhile, in his recent speech Duterte accused Gordon of corruption in the Philippine Red Cross where h...

Ni Roland Andam Jr. PHOTO: Business Mirror Umarangkada sa pinakahuling pampanguluhang sarbey si Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio habang naungusan naman sa pagka-bise presidente ang kanyang amang si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ni Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III para sa 2022 eleksiyon. Bagamat una na ring sinabi ni Duterte-Carpio na hindi siya tatakbo sa pagka-presidente makaraang tanggapin ng kanyang ama ang nominasyon ng Cusi-led faction ng Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), ang alkalde pa rin ang nanguna sa pag-aaral ng Pulse Asia na inilabas nitong Miyerkoles, Setyembre 29. Narito ang pagkakasunod-sunod ng presidentiables kaakibat ang karampatang porsyento na kanilang nakuha mula sa sarbey: • Duterte, Sara "Inday" - 20% • Marcos, Ferdinand "Bongbong  - 15% • Domagoso, Francisco "Isko Moreno" - 13% • Pacquiao, Emmanuel "Manny" - 12% • Poe, Grace - 9% • Robredo Maria Leonor "Leni" - 8% • Lacson, Pa...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: SPIN PH Perlas Pilipinas' chances of notching their first win remained dim as they absorbed its third straight blowout, this time in the hands of Chinese Taipei 52-93, at the 2021 FIBA Asia Women's Cup in Amman, Jordan Wednesday evening (Thursday midnight in Manila). Lin Wen-yu took charge in the showdown of Group B's winless squads, chugging in 19 markers on top of her four rebounds. Cheng I-Hsiu and Liu Hsi-Yeh combined for 27, with the latter going 4-for-9 from rainbow distance. Cheng also fished out seven rebounds and 3 assists for the victory. Coach Pat Aquino's wards went toe-to-toe in the first 20 minutes as they only trailed by 15, 45-30, when Chinese Taipei started dropping their long range missiles to break the game wide open. Chinese Taipei scorched hot from deep, knocking down 15 of their 41 attempts as against Perlas PH's 2-for-14. Turnovers also put the Filipinas in bad shape, turning it 26 times that led to 31 turnover poin...

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor PHOTO: ABS-CBN News MANILA, Philippines — As the government raced to protect more people against more contagious coronavirus variants, the Department of Health (DOH) pronounced Wednesday that it is eyeing to start the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination program to children aged 12 to 17 on October 15 and will be piloted in Metro Manila.  Since Metro Manila has shown good vaccination progress, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said that the inoculation of minors will start in the region.  "Ang target natin ay masimulan ito sa Oct. 15. Uumpisahan natin sa National Capital Region kasi maganda-ganda na ‘yong kanilang coverage ng kanilang vaccination, lalong-lalo na ‘yong kanilang A2 (senior citizens)," Cabotaje said in a Laging Handa public briefing. "Pagkatapos ng dalawang linggo, ito ‘yong tinatawag na test run, ay dadalhin na natin sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. Uumpisahan ang pagbabakuna sa may comorbities," added the health undersecretary. Cabo...

By Jennylou Canon PHOTO: World Health Organization “The Philippines faces a perfect storm.” This was how Bloomberg had described the country’s COVID-19 response after ranking last among 53 countries in their COVID-19 Resilience Report for the month of September. “The Philippines faces a perfect storm in that it’s grappling with the more ferocious delta variant at the same time as it works with an inadequate testing regime and sees disruptions to its economy and people’s livelihoods as the pandemic continues to rage,” Bloomberg said.  Based on Bloomberg’s 12 data points on COVID-19 containment, the Philippines scored poorly on the metrics of reopening the country’s economy. The Philippines also had one of the lowest vaccination rates despite having one of the strictest lockdowns, and had the second-worst positive test rate of 27 percent. Alongside Philippines in the bottom rankings are Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam placing 49th until 52nd respectively. Meanwhile, Irelan...

Ni Axell Swen Lumiguen Sa bisa ng game-winning layup ni Calvin Oftana, nalampasan ng NLEX Road Warriors ang twice-to-beat disadvantage kontra Meralco Bolts para sa 81-80 panalo, habang tuluyan nang diniskaril ng Talk n Text Tropang Giga ang Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, 84-71, upang umabante sa semis ng PBA Philippine Cup, sa DHVSU Gym, Bacolor, Pampanga, kanina.  PHOTO: PBA Photo Bureau Sa unang laro, lamang ang Bolts ng 80-79, nang maibuslo ni Oftana ang layup matapos ang inbound pass mula kay Jericho Cruz, may 6.1 segundo na lamang ang nalalabi.  Sinubukan ng Bolts na umiskor pa pabalik ngunit nadepensahan na ni JR Quiñahan ang desperation trey ni Cliff Hodge para nakawin ang panalo. Pinangunahan ni Anthony Semerad ang opensa ng NLEX tangan ang 23 puntos, habang may sargong 13 at 12 puntos sina Don Trollano at Oftana.  Sa panig ng Meralco, naglista si Allein Maliksi ng 16 marka, habang nalimitahan sa pito at anim na puntos ang duo nina Chris Newsome at Hodge.  PHOTO: ...

By Addison Pascua PHOTO: ABS-CBN News After receiving greenlight from President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine government is set to start the COVID-19 vaccination drive for the general public, including teenagers in October, Malacañang announced on Tuesday. According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte gave the approval following a recommendation from vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. as the country continues to receive enough supply of coronavirus vaccines to inoculate more individuals. “Ang good news po inaprubahan na po ni Presidente ang pagpapabakuna sa general population simula po ng buwan ng Oktubre,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed during a press briefing. Along with this, Roque also urged parents to have their children aged 12-17 registered for COVID-19 vaccination. “At magsisimula na rin po ang ating pagbabakuna ng ating mga kabataan pero ang ating hinihikayat ngayon ay magpa-masterlisting na po ang mga magulang ng mga kabataan. Inaasahan rin po na...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: FIBA Manila - Perlas Pilipinas suffered a second mauling in the hands of world no. 3 Australia, 120-56 in Day 2 of the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup preliminaries at the Prince Hamza Court in Amman, Jordan Tuesday night (early midnight PHL). Coach Patrick Aquino's girls showed vast improvements after absorbing mighty China's 143-52 bamboozling the previous night. The girls showed grit and resistance against the Opals of coach Paul Goriss in the opening period, managing a 12-point gap right after, 32-20. But a morale-shrinking 15-0 assault in the early part of second quarter put Perlas off their footing, allowing the Australians control the rest of the match, 64-33. "To be honest, when we go into the game, we don't focus on the accolades of who we're facing. We just focus on the goal which is to win, and to focus on what we're doing as a team," Camille Clarin said. Janine Pontejos led the squad this time with her 13-point output...

Ni Cherry Babia PHOTO: PCOO Inihayag ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte na huwag munang asahan na malapit nang magbalik sa normal ang pamumuhay ng bansa bunsod ng pandemya sa kanyang public statement, Setyembre 22.  "We will not be able to return to the old norm. Mga ano pa siguro two to three years. Pero ‘pag ang mga tao mag — nandiyan ang bakuna, magpabakuna na kaagad. At least ma-minimize na and we can achieve the herd immunity, which is a long shot. But we can attain it with the help of the people and if God helps us, we can have a steady supply of vaccines," ayon kay Pangulong Duterte. "Early in the first maybe first or second quarter of year '23, 2023, baka, tulong ng Diyos," dagdag ng pangulo. Una na ring sinabi ni Carlito Galvez Jr., Chief Implementer ng National Task Force on COVID-19, na maaaring makakita ng pag-asa ang bansa na bumalik sa normal sa taong 2023. Iginiit din ng pangulo na ang pagbabakuna lamang ang tanging solusyon laban sa COVID-19. ...

Ni Lynxter Gybriel Leaño PHOTO: SENATE PRIB Sobra pa raw sa Martial Law kung maituturing ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang naging utos ng Senado na ipakulong si Linconn Ong, direktor ng Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation matapos tila iwasan ni Ong ang mga tanong ukol sa mga naging anomalya ng kanyang kumpanya. Ayon ito sa weekly briefing ng pangulo na kung saan tinuligsa niya ang mga senador kung bakit ginagamit ang salitang "kulong" bilang panakot sa mga taong iniimbestigahan sa senado. “I thought the people in the Philippines don’t like martial law. Now look at what the Senate has done. It is just more than martial law,” pahayag pa ni Duterte. Iginiit pa ng presidente na mas mabuti pa raw ang martial law dahil dadalhin ka nito sa military court at doon ay may pagkakataong makapagpaliwanag ng mabuti. Dahil dito, nagtataka na siya kung ano naging opinyon ng Human Rights tungkol sa sa pangyayaring ito. “I want to hear what the human rights [advocates] will say. The Constitut...

By Monica Chloe Condrillon PHOTO: PCOO Nagbabadya si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na gawing mandatory ang pagpapabakuna at gamitin ang police power ng estado bilang pagpipilit sa sino mang tatanggi sa kabila ng mga pakiusap na inilatag ng gobyerno. Nabanggit din niya ang paggamit ng awtoridad doon sa mga taong aayaw dahil sa kanilang paniniwala at relihiyon sa kanyang Talk to the People noong Lunes. “I do not want to advance this theory, but under the police power of the state, everybody can be compelled to be vaccinated. Not because we do not believe in your theory or belief, or your religion, but because you are a carrier and a danger to society,” wika ng pangulo. Pinuna rin niya na karaniwan ngang hiwalay ang simbahan at estado ngunit sa kasalukuyang banta ng COVID-19, maaaring kailangan ang police power para puwersahin ang mga ito. “Hahawaan mo kapwa tao mo, patayin mo, and maybe it would affect a large number of our people, then you are already a danger to society, and therefore I sa...

Ni Xhiela Mie Cruz PHOTO: YouTube Binulabog ng rumaragasang tubig na may kasamang putik ang masaya na sanang piknik at paliligo sa Tinubdan Falls sa Catmon, Cebu ng isang grupo na naging sanhi ng pagkamatay ng isa sa mga kasamahan ng mga ito at pagkawala rin ng mag-ina. Ayon sa bidyo na kinuhanan ni Carlos Dolendo, nagtangka pang iligtas ng isa sa mga kasamahan nila ang menor de edad na si Kent Jude Monterola, 17-anyos, subalit nabigo rin ang mga ito dahil hindi na nakayanan ng binata ang lakas ng agos ng tubig. Nakita ang labi ni Monterola ilang oras lamang ang nakalipas matapos mangyari ang trahedya habang patuloy namang pinaghahanap ng pulisya ang mag-inang nawawala pa rin sa kasalukuyan. Kinilala namang sina Jacel Alastra, 32, at anak niyang si Princess, 7, ang dalawang kasama ng grupo na tinangay rin ng rumaragasang tubig. Base pa sa ulat ng GMA News, sa Barangay Tabili, Catmon nangyari ang kakila-kilabot na trahedyang ikinasawi ng nasabing mga biktima. Dagdag pa rito, marahil dah...

By Andreah Dianne Cartagena PHOTO: Rappler Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines will not stand a chance against China when a war breaks out in obtaining the West Philippine Sea. In an online news forum on Friday, September 24, he said that the criticized policy engagement of the Duterte administration is the “right way to go” since Philippines cannot afford to go to war with China while enforcing sovereignty on the territory. “May nagsasabi bumili tayo ng patrol boats, ‘yung mga jets, para kung sakali mapalaban tayo. Bakit natin iisipin ‘yun kung mapalaban tayo, tapos ang gyerang ‘yan wala pang isang linggo tapos na yan. Talo na tayo, wag na natin isipin ‘yun,” Marcos said. He also said that the Philippines should see “different levels” in approaching China. “I don’t think the Chinese want to go to war with us. Certainly, we don’t want to go to war with China,” he added. Bongbong Marcos expressed that Filipino fishermen should be given the chance to ...

Ni Christian Vidad PHOTO: FIBA Nagmistulang bangungot ang pasimulang biyahe ng Gilas Pilipinas team sa FIBA Women’s Asia Cup makaraang lumasap ng 52-143 kabiguan kontra China ng Group B sa Prince Hamza Hall, Amman, Jordan, kagabi.  Inabuso ng 6’1 average height na mga Chinese ang maliliit na Filipina kasabay ng kawalan ng center star na Jack Animam, matapos humakot ng 68 points sa loob ng paint, sapat upang buksan ng matikas ang kampanyang maihiganti ang last edition runner up finish.  Bumida sa world no. 7 na China ang bench player na si Liwei Yang nang rumatsada ng 21-markers katuwang ang pinagsamang puwersa nina Li Yueru at WNBA player na Han Xu para sa kabuuang 35.  Pinatunayan din ng Olympian team na China na hindi lang sila dominante sa ilalim matapos pumakyaw ng 12 out of 22 three points shot na sinundan pa ng solidong depensa bitbit ang 55 rebounds at 17 steals.  Sa kabilang banda, inangkluhan naman ni Afril Bernardino ang opensiba ng bansa nang tumikada ng 1...

By Chanyel Fritz Tome Want to take a break from urbanities or while on a trip to Bicol? Laguna has some great falls and eye-catching nature and wonders on the highland town of Majayjay – quite like Tagaytay if it was a quaint little town. Majayjay is a 4th class municipality forming Laguna's southeastern border with Quezon Province that was established in 1591, it is a town that sits near Mt. Banahaw in Laguna's interior, far away from Laguna de Bay or the cities in the western part of the province. Relatively untouched by Manila's rapid urbanization, it is home to some of the province's most treasured wonders. Majayjay may ring a bell to some of the Filipino travelers. After all, it is a gateway to Lucban, Quezon where the famed Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is located. However, the town has so much more to offer that one might find it worth looking into. Before proceeding however, let's address the elephant in the room. Majayjay is pronounced Ma-HAI-hai ; it is not pronou...