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Quezon City is adorned with Halloween décor ahead of All Souls Day on November 2, 2024. Manny Palmero
HARRIS, TRUMP TAP CELEBRITY POWER IN MUST-WIN STATES WORLD | A4
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HOUSE HEADS TO VP: TESTIFY ON CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS USE
IN MET R MANILAO
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 247 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES OCTOBER 20, 2024
NEWS | A3
CASES AGAINST NUISANCE BETS RESOLVED NEXT MONTH—GARCIA
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By Joel E. Zurbano
RODY DENIES DRUG WAR CASH REWARD SYSTEM SAYS WILLING TO ATTEND HOUSE, SENATE HEARINGS
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ORMER President Rodrigo Duterte denied ordering the implementation of a cash reward system for every successful kill during his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
GLORIOUS SCENE. Skywatchers and photographers watch the C2023 A3, known as the Tsunchinshan comet, which remained visible on the evening of October 18 at the Mirador Jesuit Villa and Ecopark in Baguio City. The comet will again orbit the Earth in the next 80,000 years, according to astronomers. Dave Leprozo
“No cop would enter such an arrangement. They will be put behind bars. Why would they accept that kind of agreement when it will later on bring their downfall? There is no such reward system. I did not give any reward,” Duterte said in an interview with SMNI. He also belied ordering the police to murder drug suspects despite the 6,000 people killed in anti-drug operations during his term based on official records. Prosecutors of the International Criminal Court, however, estimate the death toll at between 12,000 and 30,000 “This was my direct order to them: Find them (drug suspects) and arrest them. Bring them to me. But if they fight back, and if you see your life is in danger, kill them. I would not want to see a cop dead instead of a criminal,” Duterte said. Duterte also said he is ready to attend hearings in the House Quad Committee and in the Senate on alleged drug war-related extrajudicial killings. “I would be happy to appear in both the Upper and the Lower houses of Congress,” he said. Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma earlier testified before the House Quad Committee that Duterte ordered the implementation “on a national scale” of the so-called “Davao template” that rewarded cops for every drug suspect killed. Garma revealed three modes of payment or rewards: first, for every suspect killed; second for the planned operations; and third, for the refund of operational expenses. Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido also testified that a scheme of payouts to hitmen neutralizing or killing drug suspects existed, with funds flowing from the level of Duterte’s former special adviser and now Senator Bong Go.
THE Commission on Elections will resolve all cases against those who are considered as “nuisance bets” within November to ensure the printing of ballots can proceed as scheduled in December. Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the 117 senatorial hopefuls who were excluded in the partial list of qualified bets will have the chance to argue their case. “We need to keep nuisance candidates from the ballots so the Comelec will not have problems later on and voters won’t be confused in choosing candidates,” Garcia said in a television interview on Saturday. He said those running under a name similar to that of another bet could also be declared nuisance candidates if proven their electoral bid is deliberate to cause confusion among voters. “Sometimes the wrong candidate is proclaimed the winner, especially if there is a similarity in names,” Garcia said. As this developed, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority urged candidates to avoid campaigning at cemeteries during All Saints Day and All Souls Day. MMDA chairman Romando Artes said instead of campaigning, aspirants should assist in maintaining peace and order, particularly in cemeteries, as well as participate in cleanup activities after Undas. Artes said in the era of social media, candidates who campaign at cemeteries may face backlash from netizens. Asked about the presence of banners and streamers of politicians at the entrance of cemeteries, he said it is allowed as long as the materials comply with the ordinances of local governments. Setting up tents and providing water is also permitted, provided it does not obstruct traffic or the movement of people and vehicles, Artes said.
MARCOS OFF TO JAKARTA FOR INAUGURATION OF NEW LEADERS By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left for Jakarta Saturday afternoon to attend the inauguration of Indonesia’s incoming leaders, President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka today. Malacañang said the visit was at the invitation of outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo and marked the continuation of the two nations’ diplomatic ties, whose 75th anniversary will be celebrated this year. “The President will be back in the country Monday dawn,” Presidential
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Communications Operations Secretary Cesar Chavez said. The Philippines and Indonesia, both founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have long-standing bilateral relations. Mr. Marcos made his first international trip as president to Indonesia in 2022, while Widodo visited the Philippines in early 2024, highlighting the strong relationship between the two nations. Widodo leaves office Sunday with high approval ratings thanks to strong economic growth, but his successor Prabowo has bigger ambitions, including an eye-catching $28 billion free meal plan for students.
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While Indonesia regularly enjoys about five percent annual expansion, the former general has pledged to capitalize on his predecessor’s policies to reach eight percent by tapping the nation’s huge human resources. “From prosperity, we can bring justice to all Indonesian people. We must unite to eliminate poverty and eliminate hunger, and eliminate suffering from our people,” Prabowo said in his victory speech in March. To do that, he is banking on big national projects, the archipelago’s vast natural resources and attempts to lower a poverty rate of more than nine percent.
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PADDLE BOARD RECORD. Lucy Uygongco is the first woman to cross Iloilo to Negros on a stand-up paddle board, finishing within five hours, 27 minutes and 6 second. Arnold Almacen
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