Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Friday, December 3, 2021.

READ: Go: I quit for Duterte's sake

SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go appealed to his supporters for understanding following his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, saying his decision was in the best interest of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family. Go filed his candidacy for president as the standard bearer of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan after Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa withdrew as the presidential bet of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, the ruling party. He said he will continue to serve the people in his capacity as senator. He said he still has "mixed feelings" about leaving behind his supporters who have devoted considerable time and effort for him, but his mind is made up. Go said he will support the presidential candidate who can continue the programs and reforms that the current administration has begun. He also expressed faith in the people's ability to elect leaders who will effectively serve them.

READ: Sara Duterte sees unity after Go's withdrawal

Meanwhile, Davao City mayor and vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio sees unity among administration supporters now that Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go has dropped out of the presidential race. The daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte said that since launching her vice presidential bid, she has called for unity among the supporters of the administration of her father. Go announced his withdrawal on Tuesday saying that his family was against his presidential candidacy. The ruling PDP-Laban on Wednesday said that since substitution is no longer allowed, its option is to adopt candidates of other parties.

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READ: Vaccination blitz extended until today

THE government has extended the three-day national inoculation drive against Covid-19 until today, December 3. National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) spokesman Restituto Padilla said Thursday that aside from the extension, another mass immunization drive has been scheduled for December 15 to 17. Padilla encouraged Filipinos to take advantage of the vaccination drive extension. The Bayanihan, Bakunahan drive, which kicked off on November 29, aims to administer 9 million doses. The initial target of 15 million doses was downgraded because syringes for BioNTech vaccines and other ancillary supplies were not delivered on time. Around 5.1 million individuals were jabbed on the first two days of the program.

READ: Booster shots available for all adults

ALL fully-vaccinated Filipino adults can receive booster shots starting today, December 3. In an advisory to reporters on Thursday, the Department of Health (DoH) said individuals who received their primary series of vaccines may receive a booster dose regardless of the vaccines administered in the first two doses. Those who received Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna may receive the same brand as a booster or choose a different one. Persons jabbed with the Sputnik V vaccine will receive a heterologous booster of AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna, while those who had been inoculated with the single-dose Janssen vaccine may receive a booster dose three months after their shot.

READ: DILG: No permit, no political gathering

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday reminded political parties, organizations and other groups that special gatherings will only be allowed if permitted by the local government unit (LGU). Health protocols should always be strictly observed, the department added. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año appealed to political parties and their supporters nationwide to wait for the campaign period before holding political rallies. He warned that such gatherings could turn into super-spreader events if minimum health standards are not followed.

BUSINESS: Peso to end 2021 weaker – analysts

Over to business, the peso will likely end the year weaker compared to 2020 given recovering import demand, analysts said. After closing November at P50.39 to the dollar, analysts expect the peso to close out 2021 at P49-50:$1. It had ended at P48.02:$1 during the last trading day of 2020, the currency's best finish in over four years.

SPORTS: Juico: I did not 'trick' Obiena's coach

Topping sports, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico denied the allegation of Vitaly Petrov, EJ Obiena's Ukrainian coach, that he was misled into incriminating Obiena with regards to the alleged failure of the Filipino Olympian pole vaulter in paying his monthly salary. Juico also contradicted Petrov's latest statement that he never complained nor initiated a conversation with Juico with regards to his compensation. The Patafa chief reiterated on Thursday that it was Petrov, with the help of World Athletics vice president Sergey Bubka, who raised the issue of Obiena's failure in paying the Ukrainian coach his monthly stipend.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Ruben Torres are today's front page columnists. Tiglao talks about the views of late former US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Philippine history, while Torres talks about the conundrum surrounding Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.

Today's editorial tackles about the concerns over rain in Greenland. 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 Friday ahead.