PAL resumes operations

By Benjamin L. Vergaram, Manila Times

Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday said it has resumed full operations at its Manila hub as the weather has improved.

PAL said flights to and from Manila will operate today, September 26, except for those previously cancelled.

"Some flights may need to be delayed or adjusted. It will take some time to restore normal schedules even after the typhoon recedes and weather improves," it said in a statement.

The flag carrier needs to reposition aircraft that were held back or diverted to other airports, and adjust schedules based on revised slots and clearances in affected airports in coordination with aviation authorities.

"PAL will keep a close watch on the weather situation at Metro Manila and the central and northern Philippines, as heavy rainfall may continue to affect certain areas. Our main concern is safety, and we may need to cancel or adjust flights if required for safety reasons related to weather conditions," it said.

PAL advised passengers who have flights to or from Manila and other affected areas to check the status of their journey by logging on to www.philippineairlines.com and click the "Flight Status" icon on the main page, and then fill in the flight number (without the "PR" or "2P" designation, just the number itself) and date of departure.

The flight's status is updated in real time.

Classes in NCR called off

By Kristina Maralit, Kaithreen Cruz, Bernadette E. Tamayo, Jomar Canlas and Aric John Sy Cua

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday approved the suspension of work and classes in several regions affected by Super Typhoon "Karding."

"The President has approved the recommendation of the NDRRMC for the suspension of work and classes due to Typhoon Karding," Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said in a text message to reporters.

Marcos is also "in constant communication" with Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos for possible evacuations, especially in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, the official added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended to the Chief Executive the suspension of work in government offices in Metro Manila, Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 5 (Bicol), Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

"The recommended suspension will prevent any untoward incidents and will ensure the safety of the general public," the agency said.

Ahead of the President's move, several cities in Metro Manila called off classes for today, September 26, because of Karding (international name: "Noru").

Storm Signal No. 4 was raised in some areas in Metro Manila on Sunday as Karding was forecast to cut across Central Luzon.

The governments of Manila, Pasig and Quezon Cities announced the suspension of classes.

Court operations in Regions 3-5, NCR suspended

The Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City and the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila also suspended classes in all levels for today.

The Supreme Court suspended court operations in Regions 3 to 5 and the National Capital Region because of Karding.

Acting Chief Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen wrote on Twitter that judges and justices in the other regions can decide whether to call off court proceedings.

Covered by the directive are Region 3 (Central Luzon), Regions 4 and 5 (Southern Luzon), and the National Capital Judicial Region.

Marcos suspends work, classes in several regions

The Senate will not hold session today because of the typhoon.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri issued the suspension of work order on Sunday through Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr.

He said the Senate will resume session on Tuesday.

Signal No. 2 raised in portions of eastern Luzon as ‘Karding’ intensifies into severe tropical storm

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

(PAGASA)

Tropical cyclone Karding (international name: Noru) intensified into a severe tropical storm, with Wind Signal No. 2 now raised over portions of eastern Luzon before Saturday noon, Sept. 24.

Karding further strengthened over the Philippine Sea, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

It has maximum sustained winds of 90 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph, previously.

“This tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify into a typhoon prior to landfall over Central or Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted in the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue), the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag), and Polillo Islands.

Signal No. 1 was raised in the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, the northern and central portions of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, the northern portion of Batangas, Camarines Norte, northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur, and the northern portion of Catanduanes.

“Winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted throughout the passage of Karding. Strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is currently in effect,” PAGASA said.

“Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” it added.

Landfall seen in Isabela-Aurora area on Sunday

Karding was last seen 660 kilometers (km) east-southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 595 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, and was moving west-southwestward at 25 kph.

Karding is projected to move west-southwestward or westward while gradually accelerating toward the east coast of Isabela or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon, Sept. 25.

“After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, the tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow late evening or Monday early morning (Sept. 25). Karding will then continue tracking westward over the West Philippine Sea for the remainder of the forecast period,” it added.

Brace for heavy to intense rains

PAGASA said light to heavy rains may begin affecting Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.

For the rest of Sunday through early Monday morning, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the northern portion of Zambales.

Moderate to intense rains may also prevail over the rest of Central Luzon, while moderate to heavy rains may affect Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Metro Manila, and the rest of Isabela and Cordillera Administrative Region.

“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.

It added that because of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over the western sections, as early as Saturday

Registration for Manila Bulletin Sketchfest 2022 Davao and Manila in full swing

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

Now in its 11th year, the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest continues to attract students, art enthusiasts of all ages and creative groups from all over the Philippines.

From having only 200 participants and held in one venue in 2011 to having over 2600 participants the last time it was physically held in 2019 in different parts of the Philippines, the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest has grown exponentially to become a nationwide activity and as the signature event of Manila Bulletin. Since its conception, the annual on-the-spot poster making competition has promoted the advocacy of art.

The last two years have proven to be challenging, but Manila Bulletin was able to adapt by going online, and by even adding a digital art category.

There will again be three categories: On-the-Spot, Digital, and Exhibition. On-the-Spot will have three sub-categories of Kiddie, Junior, and Senior. Participants may join one category only.

Participants can win as much as P50,000 worth of prizes, and round trip tickets for two to any domestic destination courtesy of AirAsia for each leg.

This year, Sketchfest is back as a physical event, and will again be in three legs nationwide: SM Seaside Cebu on Sept. 17, 2022, SM City Davao on Oct. 1, 2022, and SM Mall of Asia on Oct. 22, 2022. This year’s theme is “Saving Earth” which reemphasizes the importance of the environment and its conservation.

Registration to the event is still open and is FREE for the Davao and Manila legs. To join, just simply log on to Sketchfest 2022’s official website https://sketchfest2022.mb.com.ph/

Manila Bulletin Sketchfest 2022 would like to thank its partners, SM Seaside Cebu, SM City Davao, SM Mall of Asia, Grab, AirAsia, Casino Filipino, MG Cars, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Palacio de Memoria, and National Museum of the Philippines.

MTRCB on regulating online video streaming services

by Stephanie Bernardino, Manila Bulletin

The Movie & Television Review & Classification Board (MTRCB) recently released a statement regarding talks about them expanding their jurisdiction to include online streaming services as urged by legislators.

According to MTRCB Chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, they will weigh the pros and cons of it.

“The matter will go through the process and will be discussed by the Board. We will assess the impact of legislators’ call to expand the board’s jurisdiction to cover online streaming platforms and applications and come up with a balanced and fair position,” said Lala.

The statement also mentioned how concerned parents have been asking them to clamp down on movies, programs, and videos shown on various online streaming platforms, some of which they claim should be subjected to regulation.

However, other groups have countered the idea noting it could prompt platform creators to collect or increase subscription fees to the detriment of users.

Lala reiterated that they will balance all the concerns raised by various groups.

“I assure the public that the MTRCB shares everyone’s desire to ensure that children are not exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age.”

‘Best time to do business in PH is now’ — Marcos

NEW YORK, USA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told American investors here that the Philippines is a wise investment choice and that now is the best time to do business with the country.

Marcos said this as he graced the Philippine Economic Briefing in New York City on Thursday morning, September 22 (New York time).

In his speech, the President invited strategic investors in the United States to invest in the Philippines, citing the country’s “economic resurgence” following the Covid-19 pandemic.

'Karding' intensifies, on track to West PH Sea

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

TROPICAL Storm "Karding" has slightly intensified while it continues tracking over the West Philippine Sea, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

Senior weather specialist Raymond Ordinario of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Karding is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was estimated some 970 km east of Northern Luzon while gradually accelerating toward the east coast or Aurora, Ordinario said.

Pagasa said tropical cyclone wind signals may be hoisted as early as Friday night over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon, he said.

"Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Signal No. 3," the Pagasa weatherman added.

He said Karding is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon as a severe tropical storm.

"After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, the tropical cyclone will continue tracking over the West Philippine Sea," the Pagasa forecaster said.

Due to the southwest monsoon locally known as "habagat" partly influenced by the tropical storm, occasional rains are also possible beginning Sunday over most of Southern Luzon including Metro Manila and Visayas, especially over their western sections.

Over the next 24 hours, Pagasa said the trough of Karding and habagat will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Visayas, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Zambales and Bataan.

On one hand, Metro Manila and the rest of the country might have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the localized thunderstorms.

Biden wants lengthy discussion on South China Sea issue

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Manila Bulletin

NEW YORK, USA — United States President Joseph Biden is seeking a lengthy discussion on the South China Sea dispute and other issues that greatly concern the Philippines.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. holds a bilateral meeting with US President Joseph Biden in New York City on September 22, 2022. (Argyll Geducos)

Biden said this during his bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday morning (New York time).

In his remarks, President Biden said he has already Chinese President Xi Jinping about the issue.

“I expect we’ll discuss the South China Sea and disputes in critical global throughway,” he said.

I’ve spent a lot of time with not only the President of China but others about the international waters and how they had to be respected. And we should talk about that long,” he added.

Biden said he wanted to strengthen the Philippines and the US alliance.

“One of the things we want to talk about today is how we continue to strengthen it and work together on the things that have the greatest concern to you,” he said.

Among these issues are Covid-19 recovery, energy security, renewable energy, and human rights.

“You and I both think that’s the future we can do a lot — we can do a lot together. I’m desperately interested in making sure we do,” he said.

“I’m interested to know what’s on your mind and how we can continue to strengthen this relationship,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Biden thanked the Philippines for its stand on the war in Ukraine and how it has taken a toll on energy and food prices.

“We are working very hard to be able to do something about that,” he said.

CPP, NPA not terror groups

By Franco Jose C. Baroña , Arlie O. Calalo  and Javier Joe Ismael

(UPDATE) THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing the New People's Army (NPA) are not terrorist organizations, a Manila trial court has ruled.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 handed down the ruling last Wednesday as it dismissed a petition of the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Feb. 21, 2018, to declare the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

The DoJ filed the petition under Section 17 of the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, which requires a ruling by a regional trial court before an organization can be officially labeled as a terrorist.

In her ruling, Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar said that the group's Ten Point Program "readily shows that the CPP-NPA is organized or exists, not for the purpose of engaging in terrorism."

Magdoza-Malagar noted that the Human Security Act defines terrorism as the commission of piracy and mutiny in the high seas; rebellion or insurrection; coup d'etat; murder; kidnapping and serious illegal detention; crimes involving destruction of property "thereby sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand."

"It is not difficult to see how the CPP-NPA's resort to 'armed struggle' and the violence that necessarily accompanies the same, as the sanctioned means to achieve its purpose(s) may have earned the CPP-NPA the terrorist label," the judge said.

In determining whether the group committed "terrorist acts," the court looked at nine incidents of atrocities its members allegedly committed as testified by government witnesses. These are:

- The killings in December 2019, March 2020, July 2020, August 2020 and July 2020

- The October 2020 ambush

KUWTT: CPP, NPA not terror groups | Sept. 23, 2022

- The failed attempt to kill a teacher in October 2020

- The burning of a chapel and residential houses in May 2020

- The abduction of seven civilians in May 2019.

Magdoza-Malagar said the eyewitnesses identified the suspects only through the clothes they wore. It takes more than a certain manner or mode of clothing to establish that a person is a CPP-NPA member, she said.

Supreme Court upheld legality of martial law

"In the absence of any evidence that the official uniform of the members of the CPP-NPA consists of an all-black outfit, this court cannot give credence to the witnesses' identification," the judge said.

Magdoza-Malagar said none of the nine incidents caused "widespread and extraordinary fear and panic" among the populace.

She characterized the incidents as "pocket and sporadic occurrences" in Mindanao, specifically in Surigao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur, the judge said.

Senator Legarda wrong about Leftist rebels

She also cited the difference between terrorism and rebellion as pointed out in a 2017 Supreme Court ruling, the former being considered as larger in scope.

The Supreme Court stated that if the crime committed is for political purposes, it is rebellion.

If the primary objective is to sow and create widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among populace to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand, the crime is terrorism.

Lawyer Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon said on Thursday that the denial of the Manila court to label the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group does not count.

"It does not really matter because it is within the power of the executive branch to declare them as a terrorist group in the exercise of its police powers that is inherent to the State," Gadon told The Manila Times.

He said the President has the authority to declare the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group in exercising police powers to protect the security and integrity of the state.

"The President has access to all information and data to enable him to exercise such power," said Gadon, the lone senatorial candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan which was founded by late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"I just don't know why the petition was filed in the first place, which I find it unnecessary," he said.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said the government should drop the idea of a negotiated peace as a solution to the communist insurgency problem since the CPP-NPA has been deceiving the government all along.

"These people are only fooling us. We've been talking to them for many years and nothing happened out of it. We are sincere, but they're not. Let's not allow them to fool us further, especially now that the CPP-NPA are already on their knees because of the NTF-Elcac (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict)," dela Rosa said.

The former national police chief presided at the hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, joint with the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which he leads, as well as the Committee on Finance, to discuss Senate Bill (SB) 200 which seeks to institutionalize the NTF-Elcac by establishing the National Council to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

The NTF-Elcac was created in December 2018 by Executive Order 70 issued by then president Rodrigo Duterte.

"What are they [CPP-NPA] doing while we are talking peace with them? They are there consolidating their people, regrouping, rearming themselves, and recruitment because they're free to go around the communities. You know, enough of this for me," he told government security officials who attended the hearing.

"Let's finish the problem and we have to be serious about it. As I've said, I have retired from the service with all the scars in my body, with all the death that I have seen. Do I have to wait for my son, who just graduated from  academy, to experience the same problem that I faced when I was young, when I was a lieutenant until I retired?... We are not giving a better future for the youth if we do not finish this problem now," dela Rosa said.

Be truly poor to be truly rich

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE have to understand this point very well. We need to be truly poor so we can be truly rich in God, attaining the fullness of our dignity as God’s image and likeness, children of his, sharers of his divine life and nature. This is how we can be truly rich.

To be truly poor is to acknowledge that we depend on God for everything. To be truly poor is not about how much one has or does not have. That is a very poor description of what is to be truly poor. And that’s because one can have a lot of things and yet know that everything comes from God and is for God and for everybody else.

A truly poor person knows that he is not the absolute owner of whatever he has, even if he is entitled to the right of private ownership. He is at best only a steward tasked to make use of whatever he has to start building the kingdom of God here on earth. A truly poor person has an abiding awareness that he is only a caretaker of the goods of the earth and that he is answerable to God and to everyone for that duty.

In a certain sense, our earthly life can be described as a matter of emptying and filling. That is, emptying of our own selves, our own egos, so we can be filled with God, with love, which is what is proper to us.

In whatever we do, let’s see to it that this business of emptying and filling is the underlying law and principle that is being followed. Failing in that can only mean failing in our ultimate purpose in life, no matter how successful we may appear to be in our work or social and political life, and in the other aspects of life.

We need to adapt and develop the relevant attitude and skills so we can turn this ideal into a working lifestyle. We should not forget that Christ clearly said: ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mt 16,24) That, in a nutshell, is the biblical basis for this business of emptying and filling.

Christ himself, our way, truth and life, lived this principle perfectly by emptying himself so he can be filled with the will of his Father. 

St. Paul expressed this fact in this way: “Christ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2,5-8)

Christ’s self-emptying cannot be overemphasized. Being the son of God with whom nothing is impossible, he chose to be born poor in a manger and led an austere life all throughout. Even in his impressive moments of preaching and making miracles, he did not want to be treated as a king or some kind of celebrity.

He preached about meekness and humility and lived what he preached. “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart,” he said. (Mt 11,29) In the Last Supper, he shocked his apostles when he began to wash their feet and insisted on doing so, despite the protestation of Peter, to give an example for them to follow.

We need to be truly poor to be truly rich in God!

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com