Manila Standard - 2019 August 27 - Tuesday

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Refund eyed to fight dengue By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Richard Gordon wants to turn the Philippines into the world’s “Dengue Fortress” by establishing the most advanced research and development program for dengue with funds from the P1.2-billion refund for the unused Dengvaxia vials.

He said the country can be the “beacon of hope” amid the dark moment posed by the dengue epidemic that has taken the Philippines and other countries in its grip. He said testing facilities for dengue specialists can also be built in anticipation of the next dengue epidemic, Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 194 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody skips Heroes’ rites: ‘He needs rest’ By MJ Blancaflor

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE.

President Rodrigo Duterte skips Monday’s National Heroes’ Day celebration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani—a former aide says he was indisposed—but has called on Filipinos “to reflect on our history and honor the brave souls who courageously fought for our freedom and the democratic ideals upon which our nation was founded.”

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte skipped the National Heroes’ Day celebration that he was supposed to lead at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Monday because he was not feeling well. Senator Christopher Go, Duterte’s former aide, said the President was “indisposed” and “needs to rest.” He said Duterte stayed up until 4:30 a.m. so he had to skip the event at Taguig City. Go also said the Chief Executive met with Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari over the weekend. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano led the 8 a.m. rites in Taguig City on Duterte’s behalf. Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo allayed fears that the President is sick after he was not seen in public for a week. Duterte was just busy with paperwork and private meetings, Panelo said. Go also assured the public that there is nothing to worry about the President’s health. Next page

Du30 stops Sanchez release Swine flu impact minimal—Sagip; Villar: Don’t panic

‘Rapist-killer doesn’t qualify for jail-term cut’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta

ONLY a small part of the hog industry has been hit by a still unidentified sickness that some fear is African Swine Flu or ASF, an industry association said Monday. In an interview with GMA News, Rosendo so, chairman of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikutura (Sinag) said only 0.002 percent of the stock of the hog industry has been affected. As more hog deaths were reported in several areas across the country, three barangays have been declared as quarantine zones after some 100 pigs died in the area. While the Department of Agriculture (DA) has said nothing of the suspected diseases, Taiwan has already placed the Philippines on its list of areas with high risk of ASF. The DA has sent blood samples from Next page

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) to block the release of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez.

CONTRACTUALIZATION CRY. Protesters belonging to the Kilusang Mayo Uno stage a protest rally at Mendiola in Manila in celebration of National Heroes Day while urging the government to stop contractualization and urging it to give more jobs to workers. Norman Cruz

PH eases up on ships’ crossings By MJ Blancaflor ONLY foreign warships passing through the Philippines’ territorial waters are required to seek permission from the government, the Palace said Monday. Commercial ships are excluded from President Rodrigo Duterte’s Aug. 20 order, his spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “The President said the merchant ships don’t need to inform us, only the warships, the gray ships, Panelo said in a television interview. And days before Duterte’s scheduled trip to Beijing, Panelo said the Philippines had a better relationship with China than during the previous administration.

WEATHER

From LPA to TD

By Rio N. Araja A LOW-PRESSURE area east of Virac, Catanduanes, developed into a tropical depression named “Jenny” on Monday, and as of 4 p.m. its center was estimated 670 kilometers east of Virac. Next page

“It’s much better than previously because we used to have a cold war with them. The previous administration didn’t want to deal with them,” Panelo said. “At least, now we’re dealing with them,” he said. Duterte’s order on the warships came after the military reported several unannounced passage of Chinese vessels within the country’s exclusive economic zone, including in the Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal in the Spratlys and in Sibutu Islands near Tawi-Tawi. The government has fired off diplomatic protests against China for its maritime conduct, which defense officials see as a threat to national security. Next page

Duterte reviewed Republic Act 10592 and found that Sanchez was not covered by the law reducing jail terms on the basis of good behavior since it excludes those who were convicted of heinous crimes, Senator Christopher Go said Monday. “He told BuCor chief (Nicanor) Faeldo Next page

Comfort women’s marker unveiled

HISTORICAL REMINDER. Women’s groups—Lila Pilipina, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran—unveil Sunday a new marker at the Baclaran Church in the metropolis to honor Filipino comfort women described as “the victims of military sexual slavery and violence during World War II. Contributed Photo

WOMEN’S groups have unveiled a new marker dedicated to Filipino comfort women on Sunday at Baclaran Church to honor “the victims of military sexual slavery and violence during the Second World War.” The ceremony, according to Kyodo News, was led by Lila Pilipina and the Gabriela Women’s Party as well as the non-government organization Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran. A 2-meter high bronze statue of a

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Otter: Silky mammal on endangered list

Indonesia picks new capital

OVER 100 countries voted Sunday to ban the trade in the smooth-coated otter and placed it on the CITES most endangered list. The proposal was adopted by 102 votes in favour, 15 against and 11

THE proposed location near the regional cities of Balikpapan and Samarinda—is in the geographical center of the Southeast Asian archipelago and an area where the government already owns some 180,000 hectares (445,000 acres) of land, he added. Next page

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