Duterte: Face shields are out, but face masks are forever

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Manila Bulletin

President Duterte said he has approved the recommendation to lift the mandatory wearing of face shields in almost all areas in the country but said face masks will forever remain while the coronavirus (COVID-19) is still around.

Duterte made the statement after Malacañang issued an order that limits the use of face shields to areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Alert Level 5, granular lockdown, and medical and quarantine facilities.

In his pre-recorded address on Monday evening, November 15, Duterte said that the public can now do away with face shields but not with face masks.

“Ang desisyon ko is, okay tanggalin na ninyo yung shield. Pwede na ninyong (My decision is okay, you can now remove your shields), you dispense the shield but not the mask,” he said.

“Yung mask will forever remain and it will be part of our day-to-day safety measures kasi matagal pa itong virus na nasa hangin lang (because the virus which is airborne will be here for a long time),” he added.

According to the President, while the COVID-19 positivity rate in the country continues to come down, it was up to the people to make sure it will stay that way.

"It’s up to us to take care na ‘di tataas uli (that our cases will not increase again),” Duterte said.

“You have to obey what the government will tell you to do because it’s for the good of the country and for you. Sumunod lang kayo (Just obey),” he added.

Based on a Palace order signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the following guidelines on the use of face shields are to take effect immediately:

For areas under Alert Level 5 and granular lockdowns, the use of face shields in community settings shall be mandatory

For areas under Alert Level 4, local government units (LGUs) and private establishments are given the discretion to mandate the use of face shields

For areas under Alert Levels 3, 2, and 1, the use of face shields shall be voluntary

Meanwhile, as the government is yet to fully implement the Alert Levels System nationwide, LGUs that are not yet under the new pandemic response system shall have the discretion to mandate the use of face shields except in areas under ECQ and those under granular lockdown where it shall remain mandatory.

Regardless of community quarantine classifications, the use of face shields will remain mandatory in medical and quarantine facility settings. Medical workers are also still required to use face shields in healthcare settings.

In June, President Duterte said he preferred that people only be required to wear face shields in hospitals but eventually decided to keep it due to the Delta variant.

In September, Duterte finally lifted the mandatory requirement on the use of face shields outdoors, except in closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings.

Duterte promises to hike teachers' pay

By: Alexis Romero (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday vowed to increase the pay of teachers this year — days after his administration was criticized for allegedly red-tagging members of a teachers' group.

Duterte said he prioritized soldiers in the pay increase because of the risks they are facing. 

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"I was talking to (Budget Secretary Benjamin) Diokno at the year-end to find out how things could be (afforded). I told him I prioritized soldiers because I know what will happen," Duterte said during the groundbreaking of the Gregorio National High School in Bukan, Bulacan.

“Kayo ang isusunod ko this year (You will be next this year)," he added. 

Duterte said he was ready to talk to representatives of teachers' groups in Malacañan to discuss the pay hike.   

Duterte home for the holidays

By: Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)

DAVAO CITY

President Duterte, as he usually does, is expected to follow his tradition of spending Christmas with his family, especially with his children and grandchildren, here in Davao City.

The President has 10 grandchildren with his children – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and sons Paolo and Sebastian – with his first wife Elizabeth Zimmerman.


Duterte also has a child, named Veronica or Kitty, with his partner Cielito Avanceña, who is also based in Davao City.

The President arrived here last night for the Christmas weekend. He is also scheduled to bring holiday cheer to government troops as well as the sick children in a hospital in Davao City.


Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday that indeed the President will spend the holidays with his family.

The President usually hosts a Christmas party for the residents at his old house in Barangay Bangkal when he was still mayor of Davao City.

But when he became President in 2016, Duterte could no longer attend the event for security reasons, although the annual gift-giving still continues.

But what the President also wants to do is make sure he has the time to visit the sick children, especially those afflicted with cancer and are confined at the Southern Philippines Medical Centre (SPMC).

“Doon mo makikita ang kanyang (There you can see his) compassion. He sheds tears every time,” Panelo said of the President’s visit to sick children.

The  President also spent Christmas here last year comforting the families of the victims who perished in the fire that gutted a mall in Davao.

Duterte stayed with the families of the victims as he was also the one who announced the predicament of the 38 call center agents who died in the fire that razed the NCCC Mall along Maa Road here on Christmas last year.

Duterte Boasts Anti-Corruption Drive: 30 fired so far!

By Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin

SEOUL — At least 30 government officials have been fired by President Duterte as part of his intensified anti-corruption campaign so far.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul in South Korea on June 3, 2018. (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)

Addressing the Filipino community in South Korea last Sunday, the President said he has removed officials involved in certain irregularities including excessive foreign travels.

Duterte said he was hurt that many of these sacked officials convinced him to run in the last presidential elections.

“To date, I have fired almost lahat kilala ko and sadly, ito ‘yung mga tao nag-udyok sa akin — nandoon ako sa Davao, pinupuntahan ako, pinepeste ako [To date, I have fired almost everyone I know and sadly, these were the people who convince me to run. I was in Davao then and they went there and pestered me],” Duterte said in his remarks.

“So to date, I have fired about 30,” he said.

“I’m fighting corruption. You know that. Pati sila. Sinabi ko talaga sa kanila na even a whiff [Even them. I told them even a whiff],” he said about his presidential appointees.

Duterte admitted that he has dismissed some government officials for engaging in more than 10 foreign trips.

He said one official traveled 21 times abroad, including trips to China, Canada, and Brazil. He did not identify the person.

“What have you achieved? You’ve wasted money. Lahat ng nag-travel more than 10, tinanggal ko sa gobyerno [I removed in government those who traveled more than 10 times],” he said.

“What made you think that itong pera ng Pilipinas iyo [What made you think the money of the Philippines is yours?]” he added.

Duterte said he has already imposed some travel restrictions for government officials to prevent abuse of public funds. He said they must now get his permission before they could travel abroad.

“Now I have this instruction, walang travel. Before you go — except the, ‘yung gaya ng Foreign Secretary hindi mo na… Others, clear it with me. Gusto kong malaman na paano mo gastusin ‘yung kwarta [Now I have this instructor, no travel. Before you go, except the likes of the Foreign Secretary, others clear it with me. I want to know how you will spend the money],” he said.

Among the former officials recently removed from office are Customs Deputy Commissioner Noel Patrick Prudente, Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado and Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino.

Duterte said Jurado committed a mistake when he issued a legal opinion allowing the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) to issue gambling permits outside its area of jurisdiction. He insisted that APECO had no authority like the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) that issues gambling permits across the country.

“He interpreted the law beyond its normal proportion by farming out — nagbigay rin siya ng lisensya using the mother franchise. Eh para rin siyang PAGCOR [by giving licenses using the mother franchise. You’re just like PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation],” he said.

Apart from the APECO controversy, Duterte slammed Jurado over the proposed 75-year lease contract for a foreign firm in Nayong Pilipino.

“Although it was not in the contract, in its final form, but to suggest na 75 years is totally stupid,” he said.

“Ilang presidente magdaan kung ganun 75 years? Parang ibinigay mo na ‘yung isang kumpanya, isang tao. 25 years, renewable 25 years. But 75 years — talagang… Lumayas kayo dito [How many presidents will pass in 75 years? It’s like you’ve given one company to one person. Twenty years, then renewable for 25 years. But 75 years? You better leave],” he added.

Pacquiao wants Duterte at ringside

President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of Sen. Manny Pacquiao during a courtesy call at Malacañan in December 2016.

The STAR, File

Pacquiao wants Duterte at ringside for Matthysse fight

18SHARES101

Abac Cordero (philstar.com) - April 18, 2018 - 8:02pm

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao wants President Duterte to be at ringside when the Filipino boxing icon challenges Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“If the President is not busy,” said Pacquiao in Wednesday’s press conference at the City of Dreams.

No sitting President has ever come to watch Pacquiao fight overseas, and Duterte, his close friend, could be the first.

“I want to invite him,” said Pacquiao.

The line was drawn heading to the July 15 title clash in Malaysia when Matthysse, who’s in the biggest fight of his career, said Pacquiao’s “time is over.”

But Pacquiao is not to be carried away, and in his business suit accorded the champion from Argentina a warm welcome.

During the customary staredown, in front of all the cameras, Pacquiao smiled at Matthysse.

Face to face, they sized each other up, with the WBA belt in between them. They shook hands afterwards.

On Thursday night, they will board the same plane that will take them to Kuala Lumpur for another press conference scheduled on Friday.

Then on Saturday, they fly back to Manila, and go separate ways. The next time they meet again will be on fight week.

Matthysse arrived in Manila Wednesday morning, joined by his manager and promoter, Mario Arano, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez and PR director Ramiro Gonzalez.

“It was good. It was nice. It was a long trip obviously but it was nice. It’s the normal. I’m a little tired. But we were comfortable,” said Matthysse of the journey that took over 30 hours.

Matthysse said he knows little about the Philippines but came to the press conference in Barong.

“Out of respect,” he said.

“I don’t know too much about the Philippines. I know it’s a beautiful country. And the people have been so nice to me since I got here,” added Matthysse.

It was the first time, too, that he met Pacquiao face to face.

“I’ve seen many of his fights on TV. But I’ve never met him in person,” he said.

They're just getting to know each other.

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/04/18/1807206/pacquiao-wants-duterte-ringside-matthysse-fight#By6DoGUTokj7SVcx.99

European Union Invites Duterte to Brussels, Belgium

By Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 25, 2018 - 12:00am

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President Duterte welcomes to Malacañang the other day Nobel Peace laureate and former Poland president Lech Walesa. Duterte said he sought advice, which he did not specify, from the Polish democracy icon.

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union has formally invited President Duterte to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM12) in Brussels, Belgium in October, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said yesterday.

At the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Jessen, head of the EU delegation to the Philippines, said the formal invitation was sent on Tuesday.

“They just sent the invitation to the President. We don’t have a reply yet,” Jessen said.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

ASEM12 will be hosted by the EU on Oct. 18 to 19, 2018. The ASEM is an Asian-European political dialogue forum to enhance relations and various forms of cooperation among its partners.

The ambassador said a visit by Duterte, who has not been to Europe, would be welcome and an opportunity to “develop an understanding of Europe.”

“He’s not been to Europe, and I think he’s actually never been to Europe, and when you think about the importance of the EU-Philippine relationship, it is probably starting to be noticeable that we haven’t had a visit from him,” Jessen said.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

“I would very much like him to go there and maybe also to develop his understanding of Europe and what we’re doing in Europe. We are not spending all our time criticizing the Philippines,” he added.

Europe, he said, is itself going through a major change.

The ambassador believes that when Duterte goes to Europe and immerses in discussions, “he will come back with a more positive understanding” of the EU.

Duterte had lashed out at the EU repeatedly for raising human rights concerns over his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.

He had accused the EU of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs.

Last October, Duterte threatened to expel EU envoys within 24 hours, saying Europe was plotting to get the Philippines ejected from the United Nations.

Philippines presides over UN rights meet

Meanwhile, the Philippines has presided over the United Nations’ meeting as vice president of the Human Rights Council that is reviewing the human rights records of Botswana.

Ambassador Evan Garcia is representing the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) in the Human Rights Council (HRC) bureau, the leadership body of the UNHRC.

Garcia said the Philippines’ election “strongly affirms the high regard and trust in (its) leadership in the field of human rights by the UN member states.”

The election of the Philippines as one of five members of the HRC bureau formalized and confirmed the unanimous decision of the APG that nominated Garcia to the position. He was elected by consensus of the 47 member states of the UNHRC during the Organizational Meeting of the Council held last Jan. 10.

“I am very grateful and honored for this opportunity that the international community has given to the Philippines,” Garcia said.

“This development is consistent with the Philippines’ long-standing policy of active engagement in the field of human rights, in general, and at the UNHRC, in particular.”

Philippines' Duterte rebounds with 'excellent' trust score ...

... in new survey

Spokesman said survey showed the public recognised Duterte was exercising political will to address security and crime problems

Image Credit: AFP

Rodrigo Duterte

Published: 18:36 January 12, 2018

Reuters

 

Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust rating bounced back to “excellent” in December from “very high” three months before, with four of every five adult Filipinos giving him the highest score in a survey that focused on his personality.

Duterte’s trust rating in pollster Social Weather Station’s (SWS) quarterly surveys had been “excellent” from the time he took power in June 2016 until June last year, before it dipped in the third quarter, raising questions about whether he might be starting to lose his almost rock-star appeal.

Although that rating was still high, the size of the fall — 18 points — was notable for a former southern mayor who is regarded by millions of working class Filipinos as the best hope for long overdue change after a succession of Manila-centric leaders who failed to deliver.

But Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the latest survey showed the public recognised that Duterte was exercising political will to address security and crime problems and ensure sustained economic growth.

“He has promoted the rule of law against the threats of terrorism and, of course, he is winning the war against drugs,” he told reporters, referring to Duterte’s signature and deadly anti-narcotics campaign.

The firebrand leader has also been enjoying majority approval and trust ratings from surveys done by another pollster, Pulse Asia, despite drawing international criticisms for his abusive public comments and a war on drugs that has killed thousands of Filipinos.

The SWS survey, conducted from December 8 to 16 using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents, found 83 per cent of adult Filipinos with “much trust” in him.

SWS said public satisfaction with Duterte’s performance was also high with a score of 58 in December, improving from 48 in the previous quart

Philippine President Duterte fires MARINA chief ....

... for 'excessive' foreign trips

By Kristine Joy Patag (philstar.com) | Updated January 4, 2018 

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Passengers disembark from the MV Lady of Love of Medallion Transport Inc. in this file photo. MARINA supervises maritime transportation in the country. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:16 p.m.) — After days of vague hints, the Palace announced Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte has fired another government official due to "excessive foreign trips."

 

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in a press conference on Thursday, said that Duterte terminated the services of Maritime Industry Authority administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro III for making too many trips abroad.

 

MARINA is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and is mandated to "adopt and implement a practicable and coordinated Maritime Industry Development Program." Thee authority also supervises and regulates the organizational management, ownership, and operations of all water transport utilities and other maritime enterprises.

 

Roque said that Duterte ordered an investigation into Amaro after MARINA employees complained that the agency head took 11 foreign trips in 2017.

 

He said that Department of Transportation records showed Amaro went on six trips in 2016 and 18 trips in 2017.

 

Amaro's firing comes less than a month after Presidential Commission on Urban Poor chairman Terry Ridon and his fellow commissioners were terminated for going on junkets and for not meeting regularly. 

Ridon has said the seven trips abroad he were approved by government and were part of his job.

 

"And if seven foreign travel[s were] deemed excessive by the president, 24 travels [are] definitely excessive by the president's standards," Roque said.

 

The Presidential spokesperson also stressed that the latest firing is indicative of Duterte's resolve to eradicate corruption in government.

 

"They should live a modest life, that they should be true to their calling, and that they should avoid unnecessary trips," he said.

 

The Palace, on Wednesday, issued a memorandum regulating foreign trips.

 

Under the guidelines, foreign trips will only be allowed if: 

 

• the purpose of the trip is strictly within the mandate of the requesting government official or personnel
• the projected expenses for the trip are not excessive
• and the trip is expected to bring substantial benefit to the country