September 13, 2020
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Baybayin News is a monthly publication of RDS Publishing
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www.baybayin.ca
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Vol. 1 No. 6
Roque on Pemberton’s pardon:
Left: Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque. Photo from PCOO. Right: Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton’s mugshot. Photo courtesy of Panay News.
‘Trust the President’s decision’ Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, Jr put to rest issues surrounding the grant of absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to Joseph Scott Pemberton, saying that it is best to trust the President’s decision. “Magtiwala po tayo sa wisdom ng ating Presidente sa kaniyang mga desisyon sa mga bagay-bagay na tanging Presidente lang ang
pupwedeng mag-desisyon,” said Secretary Roque in his press briefing on September 10. When asked for his personal opinion regarding the absolute pardon granted to Pemberton who was imprisoned for the killing of Jennifer Laude, Secretary Roque said that he believes that the President has the nation’s higher interest in mind when he made the decision.
“Higher interest is saving lives by having vaccine to fight this pandemic,” said Sec Roque, stressing that this is his personal opinion. Roque believes that the grant of absolute pardon to Pemberton could be part of the President’s desire to ensure that a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available to Filipinos. The Presidential Spokesperson also underscored that despite some
differences in their opinions on certain matters, he and the President have the same stand when it comes to having an independent foreign policy. He added that the President might be thinking of the country’s relationship with the United States, particularly at this time of pandemic, when he made the decision. “Gaya ng aking sinabi, ang tingin cont’d on P9, Trust the President’s
Toronto’s COVID-19 voluntary
Inside Story
isolation centre officially opens
Mikee Morada visits Alex Gonzaga’s family, P12
Toronto’s first COVID-19 voluntary isolation site has officially opened on September 12. The centre provides a safe, comfortable place to self-isolate, primarily for people with COVID-19 infection. A stay at the centre will be offered by Toronto Public Health case managers and the decision to accept a stay at the centre is entirely voluntary. People can also qualify to stay if they are at significant risk of COVID-19 infection from someone living in their home. Toronto Public Health staff will identify those who qualify for a stay through the case and contact management process based on the individual’s needs. The risk of COVID-19 spread is high in residential settings. Risk increases further when a large number
of people occupy a shared home space. The ability to effectively self-isolate can be complicated for people living in situations including multi-generational homes, homes with multiple people or people living together in small spaces. The centre is modelled on similar sites in other major cities where the challenge of successful self-isolation is complicated by high density residential settings. People who choose to stay at the centre will receive their own room, meals and daily contact with Toronto Public Health to help guide them through the 14-day isolation period required of people diagnosed with COVID-19. The centre will provide accommodation for up to 140 people in a low-density area, providing a quiet and private setting. The centre is operated by Toronto Public Health,
which secured the site through an exclusive use agreement for an unoccupied hotel building in Toronto. The centre is one of the City of Toronto’s actions to manage COVID19 resurgence through the fall and winter. At the beginning of July, Toronto’s Board of Health unanimously approved a recommendation by Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, to pursue funding and operational requirements. The Centre is fully funded by the Federal Government. On Friday, Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Mayor John Tory announced $13.9 million in funding over 12 months from the Government of Canada for Toronto Public Health to establish this voluntary self-isolation centre. ● City of Toronto
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