―Yes, I will run because if someone like

me is being maligned just like that, what

will happen to those who have no voice?
So ordinary Filipinos must have a

1
2 Monday October 19 2018
NEWS
Roque: Duterte’s health condition not serious
after media reports saying that the president
told his Cabinet that he is cancer-free.
Last week, Duterte missed the turnover of a
check donation from the Philippine Amuse-
ment and Gaming Corporation supposedly
scheduled on Wednesday last week, October 3.
By Line This absence strengthened rumors that he was
hospitalized.
Roque, Special Assistant to the President Bong
Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Me-
dialdea all denied that the president went to a
hospital for a surgery.

The presidential spokesman even issued a vid-

eo showing Duterte attending a joint force
command conference to prove that the presi-
dent is doing well.
However, on the same night of the conference,
Duterte confirmed that he went to the Cardinal
According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duter- Santos Medical Center for some tests.
te‘s health condition does not need to be divulged as it is ―not serious.‖
Duterte also vowed that he would inform the
Rosette Adel (philstar.com) - October 9, 2018 vulged. We will abide with the provi-
sion of the Constitution,‖ Roque said in public if he has a serious illness. Roque‘s
- 12:56pm
a Palace press briefing held amid his statement on Tuesday also came days after a
leave of absence. new Social Weather Station survey revealing
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokes- ―We take it that whatever the president
person Harry Roque on Tuesday said the pub- has is not serious for the constitutional that 45 percent of adults believe that the presi-
lic does not need to be informed of President provision to apply, so we leave it at dent has health problems while 61 per-
Rodrigo Duterte‘s health condition as it is ―not that,‖ he added. cent agree that it is a matter needed to be dis-
serious.‖
―There was no consensus to what extent infor- Roque made the statement a day after closed to the public.
mation on the president‘s health will be di-

Ultra lotto 6/58 now P1 billion

MANILA, Philippines — The betting craze contin- talagang manalo. Whoever wins this prize will be ―A day before the draw, this 60-year-old Filipino
ues for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office the first-ever PCSO billionaire,‖ Balutan said. male residing in New York bought the ticket at
(PCSO)‘s online lottery draw Ultra Lotto 6/58 after Royal Duty Free Mall in Olongapo. He got the
nobody won the top prize last Sunday, pushing the right combination of 11-16-42-47-31-37. He
jackpot to more than P1 billion in tonight‘s draw. Balutan assured the public that everyone has a fair claimed his prize in December that year,‖ Balutan
chance of winning since all lottery games are shared.The Ultra Lotto 6/58 jackpot was last won
drawn by machine. The agency implements strict in February by two bettors who shared
There was no winner in Sunday night‘s Ultra Lotto procedures when it comes to the draw, making sure P331,971,464.
6/58 draw with the winning number combination that the money or bets are really there.―Whoever
of 45-21-02-30-07-10 with a jackpot of holds the winning ticket is the winner. So sign
P954,503,164.Some 273 bettors got five of the six- your winning lottery ticket immediately and take ―Remember to place your bets on or before the
digit winning combination and won a consolation extra precautions. If you can take a photo and draw, which is every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
prize of P46,890. PCSO general manager Alexan- video of yourself with the winning ticket, do it. But Keep your ticket/s in a safe place. You might not
der Balutan said that the P1-billion jackpot is open don‘t post it publicly for security reasons,‖ empha- win the entire six digits, but you have a prize if
to anyone above 18 years old, whether Filipino or sized Balutan. you get five or three digits of the winning combi-
foreigner. nation correctly,‖ reminded Balutan. If by some
stroke of luck, you really won the jackpot, the
―I hope many bettors win so the jackpot will be winner has to bring two valid identification cards.
―Even foreigners can win the jackpot prize if they distributed… P1 billion is so big, dizzying, so then Show the winning ticket to the prize claim section
bought a ticket as long as they are 18 years old and many would be happy and with the growing jack- of the Accounting and Budget Department of the
above, which is the age requirement, and as long pot the sales are increasing… a very big help to PCSO.
the claimant has the winning ticket, he or she can our Charity Fund. Hope someone gets lucky,‖ said
take home the jackpot prize,‖ Balutan said in a Balutan.
statement. He revealed that there are reports that After the ticket has been validated, the Treasury
even foreigners in the country were buying tickets, department will issue a check indicating the
hoping to win the jackpot. So far, the biggest jackpot in the history of the amount won with the winner‘s name. The winner
PCSO was P741 million in the Grand Lotto 6/55, can then go to the Landbank of the Philippines to
won by a Filipino-American who was on vacation Creditsthe
encash to: check
TUP or he/she can open a bank ac-
―Itong P1-billion jackpot prize ay napaka-historic here in the Philippines when he placed his bet at a CSSH
count forLOBBY,
securitywith Psych Dep tarps for de-
purposes.
sa PCSO, lahat, lalo na ‗yung mga tumataya eh lotto outlet in a duty-free shopping center in Olon-
excited, ‗di na mapakali, at gustung-gusto na gapo City, Zambales on Nov. 29, 2010. pression and suicide awareness.

2
3 Monday October 19 2018
Taguiwalo warns of ‘militarization’ of
state with appointment of retiring army
chief to DSWD
Gaea Katreena Cabico (philstar.com) - Octo-
ber 9, 2018 - 11:36am
MANILA, Philippines — Former Social
Welfare head Judy Taguiwalo is opposed to
the president‘s decision to designate a mili-
tary man to lead the department, saying it
will lead to the militarization of the state.
In an interview on CNN Philippines‘ ―The
Source‖ Tuesday, Taguiwalo stressed that the
mandates and processes of the DSWD and
the military are ―diametrically opposed.‖
―DSWD, as a civilian agency, has a very
different process, mandate that a military
organization. We provide assistance to vic-
tims of armed conflict, while the military is
tasked in securing the territory of the Philip-
pines, as well as in waging war,‖ she said.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte, an-
nounced the appointment of retiring Army
chief Lieutenant General Rolando Bautista as
next social welfare secretary.
The president earlier admitted his preference
to designate military men in his Cabinet,
saying they get the job done.
But the former DSWD secretary pointed out
how can Bautista, the overall ground com-
mander of state troops during the Marawi
siege, rehabilitate the city and provide assis-
tance to the war‘s victims?
―You know we‘re talking of somebody in
active service with combat operations experi-
ence right after his retirement being placed in
a position of an agency taking care of so
many victims of armed conflict, of vulnera-
ble communities,‖ Taguiwalo said.
3
She added: ―You‘re blurring the distinction
of military‘s role as protector of the security
of the country and territory and the role of
civilian agency as the main provider of ser-
vices. You‘re going actually to the militariza-
tion of the state.‖
Taguiwalo echoed the call of Sen. Franklin
Drilon that career officials should lead the
agency.
―We‘re not talking about Lit. Gen. Bautista
per se here; we‘re talking about the principle
of civilian supremacy over the military. Why
not give it to a civilian? There are so many
qualified social workers, social development
workers who have been in the department for
so long or have been doing assistance to vul-
nerable groups or communities for the long-
est time,‖ she said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Mon-
day defended Duterte‘s decision to appoint
Bautista as head of DSWD.
―General Bautista‘s advantage is that he is a
professional and as such, he can ensure that
the DSWD does its mission. He has the trust
and confidence of the president,‖ Lorenzana
said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said it is ―not only short-
sighted, but unfair as well‖ to discriminate
retired military officers in matters of appoint-
ments to the Cabinet and other government
positions.
―What should matter is Bautista‘s character
and public service reputation, not where he‘s
coming from,‖ Lacson, former chief of the
Philippine National Police, said.
NEWS
Davao Beauty crowned
2018 Miss World Philippines
Celso de Guzman Caparas (The Philippine
Star) - October 9, 2018 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A model and VJ
from Davao City won the coveted Miss
World Philippines 2018 at the pageant‘s coro-
nation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena in
Pasay City last Sunday.
With her victory, Katarina Rodriguez, 26,
earned the right to represent the country at the
68th Miss World pageant finals slated in
Sanya, China on Dec. 8. A pre-pageant favor-
ite, Rodriguez was crowned by outgoing Miss
World Philippines Laura Lehmann and reign-
ing Miss World Manushi Chillar of India.
Rodriguez also won the Beach Beauty chal-
lenge and was adjudged Best in Evening
Gown, Miss Resorts World Manila, Miss
Cosmo Skin and Miss Blue Water Day Spa.
In the final question-and-answer portion of
the competition, the beauty and brains was
asked what she could do to change the opin-
ion of people who believe that ―beauty pag-
eants are a form of women exploitation.‖
―I‘d like to think that one should live by ex-
ample. And I actually would like to admit that
I was one of those before until I learned more
about what beauty pageants are about. One
thing I can tell you is that you may think it‘s
very competitive but it‘s not. You understand
beauty pageants when you know that it is
actually not competitive against other women.
It‘s actually competitive towards yourself.
And in a sense, it‘s all about woman empow-
erment. And you can feel that in this group of
girls, each girl knows that we are all individu-
ally beautiful,‖ she answered.
Rodriguez is a double major graduate, with
degrees in Business and Philosophy, of De La
Salle University and is an active member of
The Red Whistle, an HIV awareness advoca-
cy group. She is a former MTV Philippines
video jockey and Viva Artists talent. A sports
buff that keeps herself fit and fab, Rodriguez
is a taekwondo black belter, an indoor cycling
instructor and a long-distance runner. She has
been into ballet also for the past 11 years.
Born in Orlando, Florida, Rodriguez is no
stranger to beauty pageants.
Last year, she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas
Intercontinental and joined the 2017 Miss
Intercontinental in Egypt where she emerged
as first runner-up to Mexico‘s Veronica Salas.
She was also named Miss Intercontinental
Asia and Oceania, and placed third in Asia‘s
Next Top Model Season 2 in 2014.
4 Monday October 19 2018
OPINION
Why suppress critical thinking and the quest for
truth?
- 12:00am about martial law especially during its anni- ship.
How desperate versary month?
can both the chief To answer the oppression during martial
of the Armed Does our President really want the youth of law, we have the Bill of Rights. To remind
Forces of the Philippines and the chief of the Remember: Galileo insisted through scien- people of their right to free speech, we have
Philippine National Police be by trying to tific papers that Copernicus was right to say Art. III Sec. 4 of the Constitution. These are
uncover the alleged communist 9-plan grand that the Earth wasn‘t the center of the solar only some of the remnants of a generation
plot dubbed ―Red October‖ through prema- system. He was called a heretic, a non- who so longed for justice that when they had
turely disclosing intelligence information believer, a person who wanted to destroy it again, they made sure it would take blood
tending to suggest, directly or indirectly, that society‘s core beliefs. He was subsequently and steel to take it away again.
18 popular universities in Metro Manila are imprisoned.
being targeted for recruitment or were al-
ready infiltrated by communist insurgents. Now, the country is seeing a replay of events
Martin Luther King Jr. argued that black we thought we‘ve buried. Critical, creative,
people were no less than white people, and reflective, caring, and responsive thinking is
Are these two top brass officials as efficient that people like him weren‘t born to be being attacked. Last year we‘ve seen media
as their Commander in Chief think they are? slaves. Because the state believed otherwise, attacked, belittled, and stripped of credibil-
he was not free to voice out his opinion. His ity. The attention has now shifted to educa-
While the two chiefs were ―red-tagging‖ and ideas – human rights granted to people re- tion institutions.
trying to persuade the public on the mis- gardless of race – were too radical for the
deeds allegedly done by these educational government to handle. He was then impris- Teachers trying to make the students realize
institutions, the President was not only in the oned for protesting without a permit. how hard others fought to have democracy
hospital but was also in Hong Kong enjoying restored are now being labeled subversive.
life. If the President is the number target of Women who argued to have their right to Teaching kids the value of their rights en-
the leftist-wing and if his safety is the priori- vote recognized were called destabilizers of shrined in the Constitution has suddenly
ty at this time, then why did they even allow their households. Homemakers want to have become unconstitutional.
him to prance along the streets of Hong a say in the government? Blasphemous!
Kong, while the famous ―selfie ng Bayan‖ or Some of these suffragettes ended up in jail, Sec. 4.1, Art. XIV of the 1987 Constitution
―pambansang photobomber‖ continued to tortured for introducing another dangerous states that Section 4.(1) The State recognizes
take the President‘s family pictures and idea: women were no less than men.
share them publicly? the complementary roles of public and pri-
vate institutions in the educational system
All these dangerous ideas – scientific pro- and shall exercise reasonable supervision
Why are the AFP chief and PNP chief being gress, equal rights – ideas that now benefit and regulation of all educational institutions.
alarmists? Why are they exaggerating a dan- this society, were defended by people re-
ger and causing needless panic? Don‘t they gardless of the danger it put them in. Over-
have protocols that they must go by first Taking a look at the past, any history teacher
coming dark realities took years, decades. will tell you, is not a sign of regression or
before declaring a war against students and Progress didn‘t come in a silver platter.
educational institutions? Are there statistics unwarranted regret. Studying history is not
Now, progress is again being put to trial. about living in the past, but about making
strongly showing them how many students
of these schools have fled to the mountains sure the present is better.
and joined the ―reds‖? The madness of martial law: The Philippines
has progressed from being a country in Perhaps those who instigate that teaching
shackles for two decades with a dictator in history is contemptuous are in dire need of a
All they created was havoc! They caused the seat of power. All that‘s left to tell the
unwarranted fear unless they planned this as story of abuse, blood on the streets, sudden refresher. Or even a basic lesson on lan-
a possible precursor to declaring martial law. deaths in jail, bodies in rivers, are testimo- guage: subservience is not synonymous to
Sanamagan! The danger of reckless ―red- nies in flesh or on paper. The blood has long progress.
tagging‖ is the consequent stereotyping to been washed off the streets.
the prejudice of even the most innocent stu- Even in the face of this blatant attack, educa-
dent donning the school uniform of an iden- tional institutions must not shirk from their
tified school. If a student or group of stu- Decades later, the atrocities of martial law duty of helping the youth learn from the
dents will post on social media their personal are still being taught in school. It isn‘t so past. Education‘s role in society is trans-
dislike on the manner the government is much because we dwell too much in the formative, not regressive.
dealing with inflation, EJK, corruption, the past, unaware of the present realities that
drug problem, etc. would that be considered beset us. It‘s because we don‘t want this
an act of conspiracy with the plotters of Red generation to relive the darkness so many If it‘s so dangerous to want to educate the
October? Would this be sufficient to earn his Filipinos had to suffer from. youth, then there wouldn‘t be enough pris-
school the reputation of being a breeding ons in the world to contain all those who will
ground for activists and future insurgents? We teach the youth to protect them, the same continue to stand up for the right to be in-
How can you suppress the nation in talking way legislators crafted the 1987 Constitution formed.
to protect the country from another dictator-
4