President Duterte Calls Congress to Conduct Special Session

President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 1027 calling the Congress to a special session. The President was forced to issue the said proclamation amid the squabble in the House of Representatives. House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano decided, together with his allies, for the early suspension of the budget hearing in the lower house.  The move is seen to derail the assumption of his position by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco come October 14, 2020.  The two admin allies previously forged a term-sharing agreement which was duly signed by both parties. However, Speaker Cayetano said that majority of the congressmen supports his leadership despite the President's advice to honor their agreement. 

The Lower House is now on recess and will only resume its function next month. This could badly affect the timely passage of the National Budget for 2021. The president is worried about the consequences of a delayed budget especially that the country is battling the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Proclamation #1027 directed the Congress to hold a Special Session on October 13 to October 16' 2020 to allow the resumption of the 2021 National Budget deliberations.

Let us wait and see what will happen in the next few days, particularly about the plans of Speaker Cayetano and his allies.

Here's a copy of the proclamation. Sourced from the PCOO website.

2021 Holidays and Special Non-working Days, Complete List

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently issued Presidential Proclamation 986 declaring the dates and number of holidays in the Philippines for 2021. Aside from the regular holidays and special non-working days for year 2021, more national holidays will be added for the Islamic Holidays. A separate proclamation will be issued for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha.  

Regular Holidays 2021:

New Year’s Day– January 1 (Friday)

Araw ng Kagitingan– April 9 (Friday)

Maundy Thursday– April 1

Good Friday– April 2

Labor Day– May 1 (Saturday)

Independence Day– June 12 (Saturday)

National Heroes’ Day– August 30 (Last Monday of August)

Bonifacio Day– November 30 (Tuesday)

Christmas Day– December 25 (Saturday

Rizal Day -December 30 (Thursday)

Special Non-working Days 2021:

Chinese New Year– February 12 (Friday)

Edsa People Power Anniversary– February 25 (Thursday)

Black Saturday– April 3

Ninoy Aquino Day– August 21 (Saturday)

All Saints’ Day– November 1 (Monday)

All Souls’ Day – November 2 (Tuesday)

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary– December 8 (Wednesday)

Christmas Eve – December 24 (Friday)

Last Day of the Year– December 31 (Friday)

null

5th SONA of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (SONA 2020)

Watch the full video of the 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte HERE:

Key Points of President Duterte's 2020 SONA:

COVID 19 PANDEMIC

-provided billions of pesos for social amelioration program to help affected families and workers

- have asked President Xi Jinping to let the Philippines one of its priorities once the covid 19 vaccine becomes available

SLAMS SENATOR DRILON FOR DEFENDING ABS-CBN

- accused Senator Drilon for protecting the Lopezes

ILLEGAL DRUGS

- drug dealers have intensified their activities during the pandemic and the government is doing its best to curtail these illegal activities 

INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY

- will continue to pursue his independent foreign policy. He prefer diplomatic approach in dealing with China over South China Sea claims.

EDUCATION

- no face-to-face classes if there is no vaccine

COVID Deaths of High-Profile BUCOR Inmates Suspicious

Government's key witness against Sen. Leila de Lima died of COVID19 

A recent report that there were several high-profile BUCOR inmates have died due to COVID-19 is highly suspicious. One of them is Jayvee Sebastian, who is a key witness against Senator Leila de Lima. Sebastian was cremated last Saturday at the Panteon de Dasmarinas Public Cemetery in Dasmarinas, Cavite. The death certificate showed that he died of acute myocardial infarction or heart attack related to COVID-19.

Several High-profile Chinese Inmates COVID19 Deaths

Several high-profile Chinese inmates were also among those who allegedly died of COVID-19 while inside the penitentiary. Chinese inmates Zhang Zhu Li, Jimmy Kinsing Hung, Francis Go, Jimmy Yang, Eugene Chua, and Ryan Ong were all cremated due to coronavirus infection. These people have been arrested for drug-related offenses.


The leader of Chinese inmates, Benjamin Marcelo and Amin Imam Buratong are also among the fatalities. Buratong is the operator of the shabu tiangge in Pasig City in 2009.

COVID Deaths at NBP Under Investigation 

The deaths of these inmates have raised questions about the real cause of their deaths. According to reports, an investigation is now being conducted to get the real story about this COVID-19 DEATHS. The police investigator, who declined to be named, was alarmed about how BUCOR handled the inmates' deaths. One issue is possible body-switching since they were immediately cremated. Cadavers of COVID patients must be cremated within 24 hours based on current health protocols.


The BUCOR'S silence on these COVID19 deaths has raised more questions. The inmates were convicted for drug related crimes so they have the money and connections. Some netizens said that fake-deaths could be possible. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra had ordered BuCor chief Gerald Bantag to explain the alleged deaths of high-profile prisoners at NBP.

70 Congressmen Who Voted No to ABS-CBN Franchise

ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal Rejected by 70 Congressmen

After 13 hearings, congress has decided to reject ABS-CBN's franchise renewal application. While many expect the unfavorable decision, the number of congressmen who voted against is quite a big number. Out of the 85 member of the legislative franchise committee, 70 members rejected the application and only 11 members favored the media's franchise renewal.

In its report, the committee's TWG enumerated several violations of ABS-CBN. Among them were the network's alleged failure to pay correct taxes, non-regularization of employees, issuance of PDR's, AMCARA issue, unauthorized digital services which include TV PLUS Box, and citizenship of Lopez. The findings were contained in the 40 page report by the TWG, which is available online.

Do you want to know the names of congressmen who voted against and in favor of ABS-CBN franchise renewal? Please check the list below:


70 Congressmen who voted NO to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal:

1. Rep Abraham Tolentino
2. Rep. Antonio Albano
3. Rep. Faustino Michael Dy
4. Repm Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar
5. Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado
6. Rep. Faustino Dy V
7. Rep. Dale Malapitan
8. Rep. Eric Martinez
9. Rep. Divina Grace Yu
10. Rep. Julienne Baronda
11. Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo
12. Rep. Luis Ferrer IV
13. Rep. John Marvin Nieto
14. Rep. Strike Revilla
15. Rep. Samantha Louise Alfonso
16. Rep. Rolando Valeriano
17. Rep Joaquin Chipeco Jr.
18. Rep. Eduardo Gullas
19. Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona
20. Rep Frederick Siao
21. Rep. Ian Paul Dy
22. Rep. Gil Acosta
23. Rep. Weslie Gatchalian
24. Rep. Prescious H. Castelo
25. Rep. Alyssa Sheena Tan
26. Rep. Christian Unabia
27. Rep. Raymond Mendoza
28. Rep. Jericho Nograles
29. Rep. Yedda Romualdez
30. Rep. Eric Yap
31. Rep. Claudine Bautista
32. Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu
33. Rep. Enrico Pineda
34. Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer
35. Rep. Sharon Garin
36. Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
37. Rep. Janette Garin
38. Rep. Paulo Duterte
39. Rep. J.F. Nograles (F. Hernandez)
40. Rep. Conrado III Estrella
41. Rep. Sandro Gonzales (Rep. P. Pichay)
42. Rep. Mike Defensor (Rep. R. Puno)
43. Rep. Allan Ty (Rep. A. Gonzales)
44. Rep. F. Matugas (Rep. J. Pimentel)
45. Rep. Luis Villafuerte Jr.
46. Rep. Raneo Abu
47. Rep. Dan Fernandez
48. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
49. Rep. Henry Oaminal
50. Rep. Pablo John Garcia
51. Rep. Deogracuas ‘DV’ Savellano
52. Rep. F. Datol (Rep. M. Romero)
53. Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez
54. Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla
55. Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo
56. Rep. Cristal Bagatsin
57. Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc
58. Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
59. Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy
60. Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo
61. Rep. A. Calixto (Rep. J. Lacson-Niel)
62. Rep. Wilter Palma II
63. Rep. Ma. Theresa Collante
64. Rep. Ria Christina Fariñas
65. Rep. Camille Villar
66. Rep. Roger G. Mercado
67. Rep. Sharee Ann Tan
68. Rep. Joseph Stephen Padyano
69. Rep. Bayani Fernando
70. Rep. Jose Singson Jr.

11 Lawmakers who voted YES to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal:

1. Bienvenido Abante Jr, Manila 6th District
2. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna party-list
3. Christopher De Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District
4. Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Manila 4th District
5. Gabriel Bordado Jr, Camarines Sur 3rd District
6. Jose “Ping-Ping” Tejada, North Cotabato 3rd District
7. Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th District
8. Mujiv Hataman, Basilan
9. Sol Aragones, Laguna 3rd District
10. Stella Luz Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District
11. Vilma Santos-Recto, Batangas 6th District


ABSTAINED
1. Rep. Alfredo Vargas
2. Rep. Micaela Vialogo

INHIBITED
1. Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

IATF Approves Motorcycle Backride, But What?

Starting July 10, backride in motorcycles will now be allowed in GCQ (General Community Quarantine) and MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine) areas. The IATF has yet to issue a comprehensive guideline about the new policy but already reiterated that it will only allow husband, wife, or living-in partner as backride. Other members of the family are not yet allowed even if they reside in the same home. According to Spokesperson Harry Roque, couples should present a copy of their marriage certificate or ID's for living-in partners.

While this is a positive development, netizens were dismayed about the other conditions set by the IATF. According to DILG Sec Ano, motorcycle owners should install a protective barrier that will serve as an effective protection against COVID-19 transmission. The design which was proposed by Governor Yap of Bohol was adopted by the IATF as the standard model or design. The specifications were already posted online so those interested can now have it custom-made for their specific motorcycle units.

If you are a motorcycle owner, would you install this protective barrier on your unit? Is it safe? Is aerodynamics considered in the prototype design? Is this an effective method of protection against COVID-19? Remember, they only allowed married couples or living-in partners. Do we really need more bright people in the government?

Covid-19 ECQ and GCQ Areas After May 15

The IATF on COVID-19 approved Resolution #35  outlining the specific areas to be placed under extended ECQ after May 15, 2020. Also included in the resolution, which is still subject to the approval of President Duterte, are areas and regions that will be put on GCQ or General Community Quarantine.

Meanwhile, the ECQ or GCQ will be lifted in regions that were classified as Low Risk areas.


1. Low Risk (Minimum Health Standards, no GCQ or ECQ)

a. Region I - entire
b. Region IV-B - entire
c. Region V - entire
d. Region VI - entire
e Region VIII - entire
f. Region X - entire
g. Region XII - entire
h. ARMM - entire


2. Moderate (GCQ)

a. Region II - entire
b. Region III - entire
c. Region IV-A - entire except Laguna
d. CAR - entire
e. Region VII - entire except Cebu
f. Region IX - entire
g. Region XI - entire
h. Region XIII - entire


3. High (ECQ)

a. Laguna (Region IV-A)
b. NCR
c. Cebu City (Region VII)

The entire NCR, Laguna, and Cebu City will be placed under extended ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) because of the high number of COVID-19 positive cases.