Duterte set to fly to China on Wednesday for 3-day working visit
Robie de Guzman • August 27, 2019	• 958
President Rodrigo Duterte (Presidential Photos / FILE)
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to fly to China on August 28 (Wednesday) for a three-day working visit.
Duterte, accompanied by select members of his Cabinet and other government officials, will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 29 and discuss a wide range of issues, the Malacañang said.
The president's visit to Beijing will be his fifth trip to China, and his meeting with Xi will be his eighth.
The Palace said the Duterte is expected to exchange views with XI on accelerating the pace of cooperation in terms of concrete projects and issues of mutual interests.
As reported earlier, Duterte is also expected to raise during his visit the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal's ruling favoring the Philippines. The President said he favors joint exploration with China in the contested territory.
Aside from the bilateral meeting with Xi, part of the president's itinerary in China will focus on the accomplishments and shared goal of the Philippines and China under the two nations' comprehensive strategic cooperation.
The two leaders will also witness the signing of a number of cooperative bilateral documents and memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at increasing the breadth and depth of Philippine-China cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre said during a pre-departure briefing last August 23 that the agreements include those in education, science and technology, and economic and social development.
While in Beijing, the President will also attend a business forum arranged by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
He will then travel to Guangzhou on August 31 to personally cheer for Gilas Pilipinas as it competes at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Malacañang said that while in Guangdong, Duterte will receive a courtesy call from Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan. They are expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation, increase trade and investment, and deepen the friendship between the people of Guangdong and the Philippines.
The members of the government's economic and security clusters will join President Duterte during his trip to China.
Duterte is expected to return home on September 1. (RRD with details from Correspondent Rosalie Coz)
TAGS China, Rodrigo Duterte, Xi Jinping
Defense chief on martial law rumors amid rising COVID-19 cases: Fake news
Robie de Guzman • January 7, 2022
MANILA, Philippines – Department of National Defense (DND) chief Delfin Lorenzana has denied rumors circulating on social media that the government will declare martial law or a total lockdown to address the rapidly growing new COVID-19 cases.
In a statement, Lorenzana said there is no compelling reason for President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law.
"Not true. Fake news. Definitely out of the picture. There is no compelling reason to declare martial law," he said.
Rumors that Duterte will impose a total lockdown, barring everyone from going out of their homes to address the coronavirus surge have circulated on social media at the start of the week.
This week, the Philippines saw a rapid increase in the number of new infections, with 17,220 additional cases recorded on Thursday.
The sharp increase in the country's COVID cases is believed to be caused by the local transmission of Omicron and Delta variants.
But Lorenzana pointed out that the latest tally is lower than the over 26,000 recorded in 2021.
He added that while highly transmissible, the Omicron variant is seen to be less aggressive than the Delta variant.
"The highest we had was 26,000+ last year. Today we have 17,220. This variant while more transmissible is less virulent than delta. Less people get seriously sick," he said.
Due to rising cases, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and 14 other areas in the country have been placed under COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
President Rodrigo Duterte have also directed local officials to restrict the movement of unvaccinated persons in a bid to protect them from contracting the virus.
Lorenzana, who also chairs the National Task Force against COVID-19, said the Inter-Agency Task Force is still evaluating on the possibility of implementing stricter measures to combat the COVID-19 surge. (with details from Correspondent Lea Ylagan)
TAGS covid, COVID-19 surge, Fake News, Martial Law, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte orders barangay officials to restrict movement of unvaccinated persons
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has directed barangay officials to limit the mobility of persons who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 amid rising cases in the country.
During his pre-taped public briefing aired late Thursday, Duterte told barangay officials to advise unvaccinated residents to just stay at home to avoid contracting the disease, especially its highly transmissible variants.
"I'm now giving orders to the barangay captains to look for those persons who are not vaccinated and just would request them or order them, if you may, to stay put," he said.
"If he refuses, he goes out of the house and goes around in the community or maybe wherever magpunta, he can be restrained," he added.
Being persons in authority, Duterte said barangay captains have the power to arrest "recalcitrant" persons if they are unvaccinated and refuse to be restrained or escorted to their homes, he argued.
At the same time, village chiefs can also mobilize civilians to help them with the subjugation of people who haven't received COVID-19 shot from leaving their homes and loitering outdoors.
"Give them the task officially probably written and that converts their status from being a civilian but also a person in authority called upon to assist the persons in authority," he said.
"They now become agents of a person in authority. That is my position," he added.
The president, however, clarified that he was issuing the order as part of his responsibility to ensure public safety and well-being.
He also pointed out that unvaccinated people will not be immediately imprisoned, and persons in authority will have to talk to them about the dangers of leaving their homes.
"I hate to say this word pero — these words: being the President, ultimately I am responsible for the safety and well-being of every Filipino and that is why my orders are to restrain them," he said.
"Hindi naman kaagad arestuhin. Paki-usap lang, eh sir hindi ka nagpabakuna then you put everybody in jeopardy. You go out, you get contaminated, dalhin mo. Ngayon, por pamilya, por bahay ang contamination," he added.
Meanwhile, Duterte ordered the police to arrest and detain for investigation individuals involved in the illegal trade of COVID-19 drugs in the black market.
"I would insist for the police to arrest them and detain them for investigation. If it's a serious offense, that will go about 34 hours of detention and in that time, you can investigate," he said.
The president said that nobody will be spared, stressing that his order also covers agents and sellers or sales representatives, and even owners of medical infrastructures.
"Sabihin nila even it's a matter of violation, 'wala kami, 'yung aming mga staff lang.' Do not give me that s***. Hulihin ninyo at ikulong ninyo," he said.
The unregulated sale of COVID-19 drugs is a serious offense because it victimizes those who need the medicine but cannot afford to buy due to very steep prices.
Duterte also asked the Department of Justice to assign fiscals who could conduct summary investigation and inquest of those involved in the prohibited trade. He also wants the police to investigate their areas of responsibility and to "solve the problem."
TAGS covid, Covid-19, mobility restrictions, Omicron variant, Rodrigo Duterte, unvaccinated persons
Duterte signs law penalizing practice of child marriage
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law prohibiting the practice of child marriage and imposing penalties for violations thereof.
Duterte signed the Republic Act (RA) 11596 on December 10 and a copy of the document was released by the Malacañang on Thursday, January 6.
"The State affirms that marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of capacitated parties, and child betrothal and marriage shall have no legal effect," the law stated.
"Pursuant to these policies, the State thus views child marriage as a practice constituting child abuse because it debases, degraded and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of children," it added.
The law defines child marriage as any union entered into where one or both parties are below 18 years old or of legal age but unable to fully take care and protect oneself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination due to physical or mental disability or condition.
The law states that any person who causes, fixes, facilitates, or arranges a child marriage "shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than P40,000."
Should the violator be an ascendant, parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, or guardian of the child, the penalty shall be prision mayor in its maximum period, a fine of not less than P50,000, and perpetual loss of parental authority.
If the perpetrator is a public officer, he or she shall be dismissed from the service and may be perpetually disqualified from holding office, at the discretion of the courts, the law said.
An adult partner who cohabits with a child outside wedlock shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than P50,000.
Prision mayor carries a prison term of 6 years and 1 day to 12 years.
The law also states that any person who produces or tamper documents for the purpose of misrepresenting the age of a child to facilitate marriage or evade liability shall be liable under the law.
The law mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to lead its implementation and create programs that will address the prevalence of child marriage, and provide appropriate services, including legal, health, temporary shelter.
It also directs government agencies to create an enabling social environment where the practice of child marriage shall not thrive.
"In the pursuit of this policy, the State shall abolish all traditional and cultural practices and structures that perpetuate discrimination, abuse, and exploitation of children such as the practice of child marriage," the law stated.
"Further the State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall therefore protect and promote their empowerment. This entails the abolition of the unequal structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality," it added.
TAGS child marriage, Philippines, Republic Act 11596, Rodrigo Duterte