Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, October 4, 2021.
READ: 'Isko' files CoC
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso will formalize his bid for the presidency as he files his certificate of candidacy (CoC) today, October 4. Domagoso and his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, are expected to arrive at the Commission on Elections' (Comelec's) CoC registration site at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City before noon. The advisory released by his campaign team stated that Domagoso chose October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, to file his CoC. Domagoso's late mother, Rosario, named him after the saint whose life centered on serving the poor and oppressed. He is the second notable presidential bet to file his CoC. Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao submitted his CoC last Friday, the first filing day.
READ: 4 more Senate bets formalize candidacies
FOUR senatorial hopefuls filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) on Sunday. Officially joining the fray were former senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Samira Gutoc, Najar "Jinggoy Adang" Salih and Luz "Lala Ganda" Aquino. Estrada is a candidate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, the party of his father, former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada. He was first elected senator in 2004 and served for two terms until 2016. Estrada said that in his 12 years as senator, he had authored around 600 bills. A day earlier, his half-brother, Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, also filed his CoC for senator. Estrada hopes both he and JV can win a seat.
READ: Gatchalian wants quarantine restrictions eased further
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday urged authorities to consider further easing quarantine restrictions so that more businesses could reopen. Gatchalian made the appeal following the government's decision to pilot-test the resumption of in-person classes in low-risk and Covid 19-free areas. He asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to consider relaxing restrictions since working parents will be more productive to focus on work with the reopening of classes.
READ: PNP chief to bets: Keep off drugs
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar warned candidates against colluding with illegal drugs syndicates to secure funds and boost their chances in next year's elections. Eleazar issued the warning on Saturday over "the possibility of illegal drugs syndicates financing the campaign of some candidates in exchange for protection" once they are elected, citing past cases where some local officials got arrested for their involvement in illegal drugs.
READ: Robredo's decision known this week
VICE President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo will decide this week if she will run for president, her spokesman said on Sunday, after President Rodrigo Duterte declared he was retiring from politics. Robredo, a vocal critic of Duterte's controversial drug war, would likely be the only opposition candidate in a crowded field in the May 2022 elections. Her spokesman, Barry Gutierrez, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) she has not yet accepted the opposition coalition's nomination and will announce her decision before the filing deadline on October 8. Gutierrez, called for patience and understanding.
READ: Duterte legacy caravan launched
Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte launched a caravan aimed at trumpeting the administration's accomplishments that provide better services to the Filipino people. The campaign that centers around the theme of "Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery," was launched in all 17 regions across the country on September 30. It was led by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police. In a video message, Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go recognized the different government agencies and local officials for the support they extended to advance the Duterte administration's goal of bringing the government closer to the people.
BUSINESS: Analysts see Sept inflation at 5.1%
Over to business, headline inflation likely inched up in September due to higher food and oil prices, and electricity rates, analysts polled by The Manila Times said. Projections for the month ranged from 5.0 to 5.2 percent with a 5.1 percent average, faster than the 4.9 percent recorded in August. Inflation in September last year settled at 2.4 percent. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier forecast inflation to settle within the 4.8 to 5.6 percent range. Official September inflation data will be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on October 5. Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan said inflation likely hit 5.2 percent last month.
SPORTS: Saso falters in second round of ShopRite Classic
In sports, after a strong 4-under 67 in the first round, Filipino golf sensation Yuka Saso faltered in the second of the ShopRite LPGA Classic 2021 on Sunday, October 3 (Philippine time) at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club - Bay Course in New Jersey. Saso had quite a rough course for the day as she carded 1-under 70 for a total of 5-under 137, dropping from 11th place to joint 16th with one more round left in the tournament.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Dan Steinbock and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today's front page columnists. Steinbock names four US tech companies under antitrust scrutiny, while Fr. Aquino asks when should a Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth be available.
Today's editorial believes Senate Bill 2339, which is a bill on vaping, was deceptively portrayed. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe week ahead.