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VOL. XXXVI • NO. 197 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 THURSDAY, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
LONGEST CHRISTMAS SEASON STARTS.
As the 'Ber-months begin, lantern makers start producing colorful parols sold at P60 each at the Central market in Manila. Danny Pata
Cebu City eases mask use
Lifts mandatory policy but DOH bucks move, DILG asks it be deferred By Vince Lopez and Willie Casas
C
EBU City Mayor Michael Rama on Wednesday signed an executive order lifting the mandatory face mask policy in outdoor and open spaces in the Visayas metropolis amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rama signed Executive Order No. 5, masks in the "Queen City of the South" which states the use and wearing of face has been declared “non-obligatory.”
Instead, the order says face mask usage will be taken individually as a measure of “self-preservation and protection under the principle of shared responsibility and mutual respect.” This developed as the Philippines logged 1,558 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, the lowest daily tally since July 12, the Department of Health said. While the Palace said it respects the Next page
SC also puts on hold payment of NCAP fines PWDs, seniors not exempt from number coding THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday said senior citizens and persons with disabilities are no longer exempted from the expanded number-coding scheme. “The exemption was removed because we now have window hours,” MMDA Next page
By Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano MOTORISTS who were tagged by the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) before the Supreme Court stopped it with a temporary restraining order (TRO) should wait for the case to be resolved before paying any fines, a Court spokesman said Wednesday. The statement, issued by SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka, contradicted the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announcement that those who were apprehended before the TRO was issued on Aug. 30 would still be
subject to penalties. “For those apprehended prior to the issuance of the temporary restraining order (TRO) against NCAP, let us wait for the action of the SC in the main decision or even future order, if any,” Hosaka said in a text message to reporters. “I assure the public that our Justices are aware of these concerns and they will be studying them very carefully,” he added. In the resolution containing the TRO, which is immediately executory, the Court ordered that “any apprehensions through the NCAP programs and ordinances related thereto shall be prohibited until further orders from the Court.” Next page
DBM: Nothing irregular in unprogrammed funds THERE are no irregularities in the P588.1 billion in unprogrammed funds included in the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Wednesday. In a press conference, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained the unprogrammed funds were "actually itemized," explaining that the money can be used for "emergency" situations. "The projects included [in the unprogrammed appropriations are those
we do not expect to be implemented, just like those projects that we had at the height of the pandemic," Pangandaman said. This was after some lawmakers, led by Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto, asked the DBM to explain the P588.1 billion in unprogrammed appropriations under the proposed 2023 national budget. The DBM, in a separate statement, said the unprogrammed funds are "standby appropriations" that will be used for "some unexpected expenses; Next page
CA okays envoys to US, UN; grills DFA chief By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vince Lopez
Philippines’ envoys to the United States and the United Nations, but deferred the appointment of Foreign Affairs Secretary THE Commission on Appointments (CA) Enrique Manalo. During the CA’s plenary session, the gave their nod to the nominations of the
'RARE LEADER.' In this
file photo taken on October 31, 2009, former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev attends a commemorative event in Berlin. Gorbachev, the last surviving Cold War leader who helped bring US-Soviet relations out of a deep freeze, has died in Moscow at age 91. AFP
Super Typhoon 'Henry' in PAR, to skirt land By Rio N. Araja WEATHER
205 kilometers per hour before graduSUPER typhoon ally weakening, and Henry (international is not expected to hit name: Hinnamnor) entered the Philippine land, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geoarea of responsibility on Wednesday after- physical and Astronomical Services Adnoon, the state weather bureau said. ministration (PAGASA) said. Henry may reach a peak intensity of Next page
committee on foreign affairs chaired by Senator Jinggoy Estrada approved the nomination of Jose Manuel Romualdez, a relative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as ambassador to the United States. Next page
GARLIC IN SHORT SUPPLY, TOO.
After admitting there is a supply shortage in yellow onions and salt, the Department of Agriculture said the country is short of about 63,000 metric tons of garlic. Norman Cruz
Gorbachev, 91: Hailed for role in contributors in prexy, VP races out ending Cold War ByTop Vito Barcelo
MIKHAIL Gorbachev, who changed the course of history by triggering the demise of the Soviet Union and was one of the great figures of the 20th century, has died in Moscow aged 91. His death was announced by Russian news agencies, which said Gorbachev had died at a central hospital in Moscow "after Next page a serious and long illness."
ANTON Lagdameo is the top contributor to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s presidential campaign, spending P247.324 million, according to the Chief Executive’s Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE) released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday. Lagdameo, the current Special Assis-
PDP APPOINTS PADILLA ACTING EXECUTIVE VP
HOUSE HONORS OBIENA FOR POLE VAULT WIN
Sen. Robin Padilla
NEWS / A4
EJ Obiena
NEWS / A4
tant to the President, gave nearly 40 percent to Mr. Marcos’ declared P624 million in campaign contributions in his successful bid for the presidency following the May 9 elections. A total of 67 donors, 20 of which gave Mr. Marcos at least P10 million each either in cash or in kind, were listed in the SOCE submitted to the Comelec. Next page
FILIPINA DOCTOR GETS R. MAGSAYSAY AWARD
Dr. Bernadette Madrid
NEWS / A3