GROUP 6 Boats arrive Bongbong

presents negative
Senators welcome
2021 budget
Lacsina, Kenneth Clive safely at
Lopez, Andrie Ayungin test for cocaine extension
Bonus, Bianca Page 3 Page 3 Page 4

NEWS ALL OVER THE PHILIPPINES

THE
ABC 6 News
Wednesday, May 19, 2022 PRICE P20

PNP drug war Privacy body goes

finale: No more after spam
Tokhang By Louella Desiderio

The National Privacy Commission

Philippine National (NPC) has summoned the data
Police chief Gen. protection officers of
Dionardo Carlos telecommunications firms, e-
said “Oplan Double commerce players and banks to
Barrel Finale,” discuss steps to address the surge in
which would last spam text messages. In a statement
until President yesterday, the NPC said it summoned
Duterte steps down the data protection officers of Globe
from office next Telecom Inc., Dito Telecommunity
year, would not be Corp., Lazada, Shopee as well as
“much” of a change several banks. Page 3
from the
government’s
current anti-drug
campaign. Page 2
First week of face-to-
face pilot COVID-free
Francisca By Romina Cabrera
Susano, Phl
No COVID infections were recorded in
super the first week of the "fairly successful
centenarian, pilot resumption of in person classes in
the country, the Department of
dies at the age Education (DepEd) reported yesterday.

of 124
Page 4

BACOLOD CITY – Super centenarian Francisca “Lola Iska” Susano of Barangay Oringao,
Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, passed away on Nov. 22, her family said. She was 124.
Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco said Lola Iska was the oldest person in Negros Occidental and
the Philippines. Page 2
 ABC 6 News Page 2

PNP drug war finale: Privacy body

No more Tokhang goes after spam
"We summoned them to detail
The Philippine National their correct and future
Police (PNP) will scrap measures to combat smishing.
“Oplan Tokhang” or the Ultimately, we want to secure
government’s flagship their commitment and focus on
knock-and-plead crackdown fighting these fraudulent
on drug suspects as the practices so we can best
Duterte administration strategize how to block these
comes to a close. messages and protect our data
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo subjects," Privacy
Carlos said instead of Commissioner Raymund Liboro
appearing at the doorsteps of said.
supposed drug suspects and Liboro said the NPC's initial
effecting arrest, police would findings showed that the
be focusing on community- smishing activities are run by a
based approaches intended to global crime ring and not by a
reintegrate drug dependents group that has gained
into society. unauthorized access to contact
“We will not do that. We will assign police officers in tracing forms, which was what
barangays who will coordinate with local officials (and) was earlier suspected/
take care of those who surrender to the program and
make them productive members of the society,” Carlos
told “The Chiefs” aired over Cignal TV’s One News on First week of
M Monday night, Nov. 22.
Carlos said “Oplan He said the PNP would continue
face-to-face pilot
Double Barrel Finale,”
which would last until
the programs of former PNP
chiefs except for Tokhang, a play
COVID-free
Duterte steps down from on the words “toktok” or knock
office next year, would and “hangyo” or plead. Tokhang The DepEd started pilot face-to-
not be “much” of a has been criticized by local and face classes in 100 public
change from the international human rights schools on Nov. 15 and 18
government’s current groups for supposed summary private schools on Monday.
anti-drug campaign. killings.
Earlier, three public schools in
Zambales postponed the
reopening of in-person classes
Francisca Susano, Phl super after some teachers tested
positive in an antigen test
centenarian, dies at the age mandated by the local
of 124 government
The schools were able to resume
Zayco said her official declaration as the oldest person in the classes in the middle of the week
world at 1244 years old is currently being validated by Guinness after confirmation RT-PCR test
World Records. “Lola Iska will always remain as our
inspiration and pride,” he added. Relative Marlene Susano said showed the teachers were
the Philippines’ oldest woman, who marked her 124th birthday negative for virus.
on Sept. 11, died in her sleep.
 ABC 6 News Page 3

Privacy
body goes
after spam
"If our initial findings
prove true, that
personal information
and data are being
exploited by criminals
abroad, then this also
becomes a matter of
national security,
which should compel
the government,
private sector and
advocate groups to
work hand in hand and
Boats arrive safely at
take urgent and
concrete actions", he Ayungin
said. The military said the Two Filipino civilian boats were
resupply boats safely able to reach the grounded BRP
First week of arrived at BRP Sierra Sierra Madre and unloaded their
Madre but a source, cargo of food and other provisions
face-to-face speaking on condition of for the remote Marine garrison at
anonymity, said a Ayungin Shoal without being
pilot COVID- Chinese vessel kept watch challenged by Chinese coast guard,
free and even did a menacing Western Command chief Vice
maneuver from a distance Admiral Ramil Roberto Enriquez
Education Secretary of around 200 yards. said on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
Leonor Briones said
the pilot resumption of “The resupply boats safely arrived at BRP Sierra Madre at
face-to-face classes was 11:00 a.m. No untoward incident,” Enriquez told reporters. But
fairly successful. a source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a Chinese
vessel kept watch and even did a menacing maneuver from a
Briones said education distance of around 200 yards.
officials received
feedback that teachers
and learners faced
challenges in the in- Bongbong presents negative test for
person classes. cocaine
Issues such as funding, Former senator Ferdinand In a statement, Marcos said he
particularly for health “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has took the drug test in a hospital
essentials, and compliance presented a negative test last Monday and submitted the
with health and safety result for cocaine, taking on negative results to the Philippine
protocols were among the the challenge for presidential Drug Enforcement Agency
challenges that teachers (PDEA), National Bureau of
and students face during candidates to undergo drug
tests after President Duterte Investigation (NBI) and
the pilot resumption of Philippine National Police (PNP)
face-to-face classes was accused one of them of being
a cocaine user. yesterday.
finally successful.

Senators welcome
2021 budget
extension
MANILA, Philippines —
The Senate is expected to
approve a bill extending
the validity of the 2021
national budget to allow
continued disbursements
of funds for vital projects
that were not completed
due to the pandemic.
Sen. Sonny Angara, who
chairs the Senate
committee on finance that
is drafting the proposed
P5.024-trillion national
budget for 2022, backed
the move of the House of
Representatives to approve
a counterpart measure to
extend this year’s General
Appropriations Act.
ABC 6 News
By Paolo Romero
“We personally support
the extension and
hopefully our colleagues
in the Senate will, too,
because of the extended
lockdowns, budget and
project implementation
has been less efficient and
smooth and rather than
the funds reverting back
to the national treasury,”
Angara said.
He said it would be better
for the country’s economic
recovery if Congress were
to extend the effectivity of
the 2021 budget to allow
concerned authorities to
implement projects and
fund programs which
might have been delayed
during the year for one
reason or another.
Page 4
‘There are things I
have to do before
retiring’: Duterte
MANILA – President Rodrigo
Duterte on Monday said he ditched
his plan to retire from politics after
his term ends in June next year
because there are still goals he
wants to achieve.
“There are just things that I have
to do before retiring. But not really
staying for something na (that) it’s
no longer our time,” Duterte said
in a speech in General Santos City.
Duterte said it does not really
matter if his administration was
remembered for their
accomplishments because it is their
job to serve the country and
people.
“We do not really care if we are
remembered or not. That’s
something na (that’s) irrelevant
kasi (because) as I have said
trabaho namin ‘yan (it’s our job)
and we are just doing what we are
supposed to do,” he said.
 THE 20
ABC 6 News •5 22

THE PARK REMAINS A FLAGSHIP OF

FREEDOM AND COURAGE

RIZAL PARK
The Rizal Monument, located in the 58-hectare
Rizal Park, has special significance for Filipinos. The
monument is essentially a memorial to the sacrifice of
a wonderful man who, despite being wrongfully
accused, saw his destiny as a magnificent chance to
devote his life for his sorrowful, cherished nation,
despite the fact that the privilege was not his alone.

Its history dates back to 1820, when the Paseo de

Luneta was created on the site of the ancient
Bagumbayan. During Spanish control, particularly in
the nineteenth century, the park was the location of
multiple public executions, the most noteworthy of
which were those of Rizal and the GomBurZa (Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora) priests. The proclamation of
Philippine independence from the United States in
1946 and the EDSA Revolution in 1986 were both held
here.

The Rizal Monument, where his bones are interred and commemorated by a bronze and granite monument, is
the park's most notable feature. Declared a national park as Luneta National Park in 1955, it was renamed Rizal
Park in 1967 in honor of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal.

To summarize, The National Parks Development Committee now manages, develops, and administers Rizal
Park. Rizal Park is one of the tourist spots in the Philippines that represents the country's freedom and
togetherness.

UAAP SEASON 84 OPENS AT

MARCH 26
The UAAP season 84 opens on March 26 and the opening
ceremony is set at the Mall of Asia Arena. There will be changes
in schedule, however fans and the press are not allowed to go on
their venue since they are strictly observing health and safety
protocols.
 20
22 •6 EDITORIAL
FACE-TO-FACE CLASS EXPANSION IS
CRITICAL IN AVOIDING A LEARNING CRISIS
The Philippines was one of the
last countries to resume face-to-
face learning in mid November
2021, or 21 months after the
government declared a national
health emergency following the
COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
"We are happy to see our learners
inside our classrooms," declared
the Department of Education

Reopening of schools is predicated on passing the

UNICEF has backed the DepEd's
School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT). In its latest report,
strategy for school reopenings that are
progressive, voluntary, and safe. In April DepEd’s regional directors submitted a list of 6,686 schools
2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) nationwide that have passed the qualifications
published a research that found school
closures might reduce children' future PH COMMUNISTS REBELS DENOUNCED
earnings by up to $1.25 trillion. Amid the THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
protracted lockdown, educators have also
flagged the urgency of upgrading learner Philippine communist rebels Monday denounced the
competencies in reading, arithmetic, and European Union (EU) for classifying their group as a
science where Filipino students are terrorist organization, saying this would happen hamper
lagging behind their fellow ASEAN youth. possible peace talks and increase attacks on their
A two-month trial program in lower- members by government security forces.
risk areas was halted in the middle due to
an outbreak of illness in Metro Manila.
This was attributable to the highly JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL AMENDING
transmissible Omicron form, which
quickly spread to the neighboring
THE CONSTITUTION
regions, which are the most densely At the risk of being accused of sour-graping, Senator
inhabited and have the highest Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday called for the
concentration of commercial facilities and abolition of the Judicial and Bar Council by amending the
manufacturers. Constitution and slashing its budget next year
The DepEd announced on Feb. 2 that
President Duterte has approved the
"progressive expansion phase" of limited NIDA BLANCA MURDER: DOJ
face-to-face classes in 304 schools in INDICTMENT OF THREE PEOPLE
Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central The Department of Justice yesterday recommended the
Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and Eastern indictment of three people, including a former Armed
Visayas, now that the contagion has Force general, in the four-year-old murder of Nida Blanca
decreased significantly and the overall based on the testimony of the three new witnesses.
risk assessment has been deescalated to
Alert Level 2
 SCIENCE •7 20
22

SCIMATECH: HELD AT THE NCBA SCHOOL

On September 16th, the Subject Areas of Science, Math, and Technology (SCIMATECH) came
together to review and apply classroom learning. Grades1-4, Grades5-8, and Grades 9-12 were the
three groups assigned to the various grade levels. Each group completed the exercises in order, but
at the same time. The students participated in activities that took place outside of the classroom and
were extensions of classroom teachings..

(1) Investigatory project presentation (Eureka),
(2) Robotics, (3) Science Magic, (4) Climate
Change Documentaries, (5) Amazing Race
(SciMaTech Rush), and (6) ESiphagsanayan were
among the day's events. The Theatre hosted the
finest investigative projects from grades 5 to 8,
while the Auditorium hosted the greatest research,
business plans, and investigative projects from
grades 9 to 12.
In Chemistry, Black Snake, Turning Water
into Wine or Blood, Lava Lam, Blue Bottle, and
Elephant Toothpaste were among the Science
Magic activities. Static Electricity, Oobleck,
Balloons, Inertia, and Matchstick Magic were
among the physics activities. The activities were
facilitated by grade 11 students.
Reduce Plastic: Make the Earth Fantastic, a
climate change documentary, was shown to
the kids, and the Technology activity centered
on Robotics, in which the students
demonstrated their creativity and
collaboration by designing and building an
object out of building block toys. Koobits,
Dem Bones, Power Station, Craft Making,
Word Processor, Angry Birds, Tangrams,
Sudoku, Go Grow and Glow, Measure it Up,
Bounce it Out, and Planets in Order were
among the activities accessible at
SCIMATECH Rush.
The different grade levels were separated
into two sections for the e-Siphagsanayan
quiz bee: grades 1-6 and grades 7-12.

The winners of the afternoon games were announced at the Theatre at the end of the day.
Teachers of science, math, and technology are thankful to the whole NCBA community for another
successful celebration of systematic facts and truths, patternseeking and problem-solving, and
science application.

LETRAN, SAN BEDA BANNER

PGMA: SEAG PROUD
PREDICTION
We are on our way to becoming not
only a sports power, but an
economic power as well. This was
the proud prediction made by
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
last night, basking in the glory of
seeing the Philippines bag the
overall championship in just
concluded 23rd Southeast Asian
Games in Manila.
NCAA SEASON OPENER
The National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) brings back
men's basketball for the first time
since the pandemic to kick off the
much-anticipated Season 97 on
March 26 at La Salle Greenhills. At
3:30 p.m., reigning champion
Letran takes on host St. Benilde. At
7:05 p.m., San Beda's redemption
tour against Lyceum will begin.
 20
22 •8 NEWS
BBM WILL PASS DQ PETITIONS
The Presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will win in all petitions filed to
cancel his Certificate of Candidacy due to the "political doctrine" that the people should decide and
not the courts.
This is the statement of Atty. In an
interview with the ANC, Tony La Via,
former dean of the Ateneo School of
Government, said the court cannot disqualify
the leading candidate who receives huge
support from voters. rt from voters.
La Viña also believes that the Comelec,
as well as the Supreme Court, will probably
let the people decide the fate of Marcos Jr. in
the coming election and not in court. The
lawyer added that it is taught in law schools,
specifically in disqualification cases in
elections.
Another legal argument that is also often used in the courts is the qualification of a president,
which is clearly stated in our Constitution.

It will be recalled that a growing number of legal experts are saying that Marcos Jr. is qualified to
run, along with the view that if not, they have no legal basis. Recently, Atty. Emmanuel Samonte
Tipon, a U.S.-based attorney and former dean of Northwestern University College of Law, said the
petitions were filed against Marcos Jr., allegedly for lack of basis and evidence.

Even Ateneo Law professor and former DOJ Sec. Alberto Agra said the petitions against the former
senator are unlikely to move forward due to the weak case. UST College of Law Dean Nilo Divina
had the same opinion when he said that the case would not work because there is no legal basis.

ISKO MORENO TOUTS

MANILA AS MOST
COMPETITIVE CITY
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday touted the city’s top spot in the
2020 rankings of Highly Urbanized Cities under the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index. The
city of Manila bested 32 other local government units with an overall as of 65.9782, according to a
statement from Moreno’s camp.
The city also topped in efficiency and infrastructure pillars with a score of 20.5491 and 15.0476,
respectively. Moreno said the city was able to achieve the rankings despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index is an annual ranking drawn up by the National
Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees, with the assistance of the
United States Agency for International Development.