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20 Mayo, 2025 Martes

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Congratulations to new set of interim officers of Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches, Inc.-Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries, Inc -moderator Dr. Enrico San Pedro Phd; Executive Secretary Jorge Lopez, Treasurer Rev. Nestor Sadim, Public Relation Officer Rev. Manuel Soliman

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Stronger collaboration eyed to eradicate gambling addiction

By J.Lo

“Gaming has inherent social risks, but with right safeguards and collaboration among all sectors, we can ensure safety and well-being of our players,” Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). chairman Alejandro Tengco said at the second International Conference on Responsible Gambling and Addiction in Quezon City gambling addiction should be mitigated through stronger collaboration among industry stakeholders.

State gaming regulator and operator, he said, has responsible gaming program allowing self- or family-initiated player exclusion and regulation of gaming advertisements, as well as partnerships with rehabilitation centers.

Meanwhile, PAGCOR has warned against fraudulent gaming certifications requiring cash deposits from customers.

Lucky 7 Bingo Corp. is reportedly engaging in contract agreements with people under guise of offering “guidance and support to potentially earn P50,000 through Lucky 7 bet lottery platform.”

Bettors were required to make upfront cash deposit of P3,000 as part of bogus agreement.

Lucky 7 Bingo is currently operating with legitimate electronic games venue license.

PAGCOR clarified license is fake offshore gaming license, considering that all Philippine offshore gaming operators have been banned since 2024.

“While Lucky 7 Bingo Corp. is legitimate licensee for e-games venue operations as of end-April, it does not hold any valid offshore gaming license,” PAGCOR said.

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Headlines

Bills of patients sponsored by losing bets worried hospitals

By Nidz Godino

“They are worried since not all of ‘sponsors’ won in the last elections,” Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) president Jose de Grano said citing political sponsorship issues following recent elections, private hospitals raised concern over more than P7 billion worth of unpaid medical services rendered under government’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

PHAPI questioned whether its members would still be compensated, given that some patients were endorsed by political candidates who failed to secure seats in May 12 polls.

De Grano said around 40 percent of PHAPI’s 1,200 member hospitals have pending claims, with total receivables exceeding P7 billion.

Seventeen private hospitals in Batangas alone are reportedly owed some P400 million, while many hospitals across Visayas and Mindanao face similar problems.
PHAPI called on Department of Health (DOH) to expedite release of payments to hospitals that provided services under MAIFIP.
“Now that elections are over, our private hospitals who cater to MAIFIP funds by DOH are appealing for immediate payment of these services already given to patients through their MAIFIP program,” said de Grano.
He underscored that services were delivered in good faith and should not be compromised by political outcome of those who endorsed patients.

“We hope that this availment made through our politicians and government officials will be released at once to enable hospitals to recover whatever benefits they have advanced to our indigent patients,” de Grano said.

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19 Mayo, 2025 Lunes

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Grade 13, fake news- DepEd

By J.Lo

“Warning to public…fake news is Facebook post about alleged additional Grade 13 in Senior High School for SY 2025-2026,” Department of Education (DepEd) said on Facebook,viral social media post purportedly announcing addition of Grade 13 to Senior High School in the coming school year.

“DepEd once again reminds public to be cautious and analytical against misinformation,” it said.

Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said government is spending P4 billion to create 16,000 new teaching positions for coming school year in bid to boost manpower in public educational institutions.

In statement, Pangandaman said she has approved creation of 16,000 teaching positions in public schools.

This will require P4.19 billion in budget allocation covering first tranche of 20,000 teaching positions targeted for 2025.

Fund will come from Department of Education’s (DepEd) built-in budget under 2025 General Appropriations Act, specifically earmarked for hiring new school personnel.

Of targeted new positions, 15,343 will cover Teacher I posts with salary grade 11 or at least P27,000 monthly.

Another 500 positions are for special education teachers with salary grade 14 or roughly P33,800 monthly. Remaining 157 posts are meant for special science teachers with salary grade 13 or P31,300

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19 Mayo, 2025 Lunes

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Headlines

Pulong considers House speakership

By Nidz Godino

“I told Congressman Pulong, I said to him, maybe you want to run for speaker…he didn’t answer … maybe he’s also thinking about his chances being far-fetched,” Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said less than a week after elections, she has asked her brother, Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City, 1st District), to seek either House speakership or minority leadership at the House of Representatives.

However, Sara said her brother has not responded to either suggestion.

Sara said she proposed alternate move for her brother: “If you don’t win speaker, then take minority leadership…but he hasn’t given answer yet… so I guess he’s still thinking about it.”

The vice president said she has no other preferred candidates for House speaker or Senate president and that no one has approached her seeking endorsement for either position.

She added that Paolo’s only comment was to advise her not to get into conflicts since she had just attended church mass.

Sara’s remarks about House speakership come amid speculation of possible House leadership shakeup in the 20th Congress. This has been denied by allies of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, said he still has numbers to retain supermajority in the lower chamber.

House Deputy Speaker Rep. Jay-Jay Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District) said 240 House members have already signed manifesto of support for Romualdez. “And that number keeps climbing,” he added.

Rift between Duterte and Marcos-Romualdez clan intensified in 2023 after Romualdez led effort to slash her office’s confidential funds.

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18 Mayo, 2025 Linggo

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P20/kilo rice now available in CSJDM, Bulacan

By J.Lo

First to benefit from rollout of P20-per-kilo rice in Bulacan are people belonging to vulnerable sectors in City of San Jose Del Monte.

Low -cost rice was offered by Kadiwa Center in Barangay Minuyan Proper on Friday. It is expected to be available on weekly basis or every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Kadiwa outlet, managed by the city agriculture office, also sells vegetables, canned goods and other basic commodities at affordable prices.

The P20-per-kilo rice program of the government is limited only to vulnerable groups such as low-income families, senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities, who may purchase five to 10 kilos per week.

Low -cost rice was sourced from warehouse of National Food Authority (NFA) in Valenzuela City.

As this developed, Rhona Talens, acting manager of NFA-Bulacan, said agency has started milling its palay stocks.

Talens said initial of 300,000 bags of palay would be milled by four private rice millers.

Millers will be paid in kind or with rice by-products like rice husk.

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18 Mayo, 2025 Linggo

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Capucao, Pope’s 1st Pinoy appointee is bishop of Infanta

By J.Lo

Designating Fr. Dave Dean Capucao bishop of Prelature of Infanta in Quezon province is Pope Leo XIV ‘s first appointment for Philippines,

Capucao, 59, will be fourth bishop of Infanta, replacing retired Bishop Bernardino Cortez, who served prelature from January 2015.

The pope accepted resignation of Cortez, turned 75 years old in July 2024.

Upon reaching age of 75 years, bishops are required to offer their resignation as provided under Ecclesiae Sanctae or 1966 apostolic letter of Pope Paul VI.

Capucao was ordained priest on Oct. 3, 1994. He was immediately appointed founding pastor of village parish in Aurora province, where he served for six years.

Capucao was sent to Netherlands in 2000 to study at Catholic University of Nijmegen, now Radboud University, where he obtained master’s degree in intercultural and interreligious theology.

He holds doctorate degree in sacred theology, he obtained from Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

From 2002 to 2006, Capucao worked as junior researcher at university’s theology faculty, where he wrote thesis on religion and ethnocentrism. He defended his dissertation in 2009.

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17 Mayo, 2025 Sabado

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‘Mamimiss kita Inay’, Maymay mourns passing of mom Lorna

By Cynthia Montojo

“Mamimiss kita Inay, mamimiss ko ang taong nagmahal at habang buhay mamahalin ako ng buo,sa’yo ko natutunan ang magmahal nang walang kapalit at habang buhay dala dala ko lahat ng natutunan ko mula sayo.”

Singer-actress Maymay Entrata is mourning the passing of her mother Lorna, who died after two-year battle with cancer.

Maymay confirmed her mother’s passing on social media, posting on Instagram video she took of them walking together in Japan.

In post’s caption, Maymay penned letter to Lorna, calling it great honor to call her her mother and praised Lorna for braving challenges and sacrifices to raise their family.

“Maraming salamat sa iniwan mong kayamanan Inay,..kayamanang hindi galing sa lupa pero kayamanang galing sa pagmahahal ng walang katumbas…mahal na mahal kita Inay ko at wala akong pinagsisihan sa lahat ng sakrpisyo kong makita ka lang maging masaya lagi…hanggang sa muli nating pagkikita mahal kong Inay,” she continued.

The singer-actress then told public to hug and cherish their loved ones while they were still alive.

“O, paramdam nyo kung gaano n’yo sila kamahal, at huwag n’yong sayangin ang kahit isang araw na hindi ipinakikita po ‘yon…sapagkat darating ang araw na ang mga yakap ay alaala na lang, at ang mga salitang hindi nasabi ay magiging bigat sa puso…huwag kayong maghintay ng huli bago magsimulang magmahal nang buo,” Maymay ended.

Maymay revealed Lorna’s cancer diagnosis last month and had been flying frequently to Japan, where her mother was based, to look after her.

She is also looking after her grandmother in Cagayan de Oro currently undergoing dialysis.

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17 Mayo, 2025 Sabado

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2025 elections final senatorial ranking

By J.Lo

SENATOR

1^st

Go, Bong Go (PDPLBN)

26,912,697

Votes

2^nd

Aquino, Bam (KNP)

20,895,171

Votes

3^rd

Dela Rosa, Bato (PDPLBN)

20,595,325

Votes

4^th

Tulfo, Erwin (LAKAS)

17,065,384

Votes

5^th

Pangilinan, Kiko (LP)

15,290,525

Votes

6^th

Marcoleta, Rodante (IND)

15,140,342

Votes

7^th

Lacson, Ping (IND)

15,064,155

Votes

8^th

Sotto, Tito (NPC)

14,795,376

Votes

9^th

Cayetano, Pia (NP)

14,519,660

Votes

10^th

Villar, Camille (NP)

13,578,736

Votes

11^th

Lapid, Lito (NPC)

13,333,028

Votes

12^th

Marcos, Imee R. (NP)

13,258,708

Votes

Incumbent Sen. Bong Go has emerged as top senatorial bet with over 27 million votes, Commission on Elections (Comelec) has completed its official tally of senatorial race.

In its signed National Certificate of Canvass for May 12 elections, Comelec ranked all 66 senatorial candidates and listed number of votes each received and their percentage from the total number of votes.

Former senator Bam Aquino placed second overall with 20,971,899 votes, closely followed by Sen. Bato Dela Rosa with 20,773,946 votes nearly 200,000 difference.

Top 20 senators based on Comelec’s official results are the following:

Senatorial Race Results – Top 20 (National Certificate of Canvass, May 12, 2025)

Rank	Candidate	Party	Percent	Votes
1	GO, BONG GO	PDPLBN	6.33%	27,121,073
2	AQUINO, BAM	KNP	4.89%	20,971,899
3	DELA ROSA, BATO	PDPLBN	4.85%	20,773,946
4	TULFO, ERWIN	LAKAS	4.00%	17,118,881
5	PANGILINAN, KIKO	LP	3.58%	15,343,229
6	MARCOLETA, RODANTE	IND	3.56%	15,250,723
7	LACSON, PING	IND	3.53%	15,106,111
8	SOTTO, TITO	NPC	3.46%	14,832,996
9	CAYETANO, PIA	NP	3.40%	14,573,430
10	VILLAR, CAMILLE	NP	3.19%	13,651,274
11	LAPID, LITO	NPC	3.13%	13,394,102
12	MARCOS, IMEE	NP	3.11%	13,339,227
13	TULFO, BEN BITAG	IND	2.82%	12,090,090
14	REVILLA, RAMON, JR.	LAKAS	2.81%	12,027,845
15	BINAY, ABBY	NPC	2.76%	11,808,645
16	ABALOS, BENHUR	PFP	2.70%	11,580,520
17	BONDOC, JIMMY	PDPLBN	2.48%	10,615,538
18	PACQUIAO, MANNY PACMAN	PFP	2.43%	10,397,133
19	SALVADOR, PHILLIP IPE	PDPLBN	2.39%	10,241,491
20	BOSITA, COLONEL	IND	2.29%	9,805,903

Rest of the senatorial bets placed with the following vote counts and rankings:

Senatorial Race Results – Rank 21 to 66 (National Certificate of Canvass, May 12, 2025)

Rank	Candidate	Party	Percent	Votes
21	MENDOZA, HEIDI	IND	2.04%	8,759,732
22	REVILLAME, WILLIE WIL	IND	2.00%	8,568,924
23	RODRIGUEZ, ATTY. VIC	IND	1.97%	8,450,668
24	LAMBINO, RAUL	PDPLBN	1.96%	8,383,593
25	TOLENTINO, FRANCIS TOL	PFP	1.80%	7,702,550
26	HINLO, JAYVEE	PDPLBN	1.74%	7,471,704
27	ONG, DOC WILLIE	AKSYON	1.72%	7,371,944
28	HONASAN, GRINGO	RP	1.56%	6,700,772
29	ESPIRITU, LUKE	PLM	1.51%	6,481,413
30	MATA, DOC MARIETES	IND	1.35%	5,789,181
31	QUIBOLOY, APOLLO	IND	1.33%	5,719,041
32	CASIÑO, TEDDY	MKBYN	1.08%	4,648,271
33	BROSAS, ARLENE	MKBYN	1.01%	4,343,773
34	DE GUZMAN, KA LEODY	PLM	0.97%	4,136,899
35	RAMOS, DANILO	MKBYN	0.95%	4,091,257
36	QUERUBIN, ARIEL PORFIRIO	NP	0.92%	3,950,051
37	MAZA, LIZA	MKBYN	0.92%	3,927,784
38	MATULA, ATTY. SONNY	WPP	0.90%	3,865,792
39	ARAMBULO, RONNEL	MKBYN	0.90%	3,846,216
40	CASTRO, TEACHER FRANCE	MKBYN	0.86%	3,670,972
41	DE ALBAN, ATTORNEY ANGELO	IND	0.60%	2,556,983
42	BALLON, ROBERTO	IND	0.56%	2,389,647
43	MARQUEZ, NORMAN	IND	0.27%	1,150,095
44	MARTINEZ, ERIC	IND	0.24%	1,032,201
45	GONZALES, NORBERTO	PDSP	0.23%	990,091
46	ANDAMO, NARS ALYN	MKBYN	0.19%	829,084
47	CAPUYAN, ALLEN	PPP	0.19%	816,437
48	ARELLANO, ERNESTO	KTPNAN	0.19%	801,677
49	ADONIS, JEROME	MKBYN	0.18%	779,868
50	DORINGO, NANAY MIMI	MKBYN	0.17%	744,508
51	ESCOBAL, ARNEL	PM	0.17%	731,453
52	MONTEMAYOR, JOEY	IND	0.16%	671,818
53	AMAD, WILSON	IND	0.14%	618,943
54	VALBUENA, MAR MANIBELA	IND	0.14%	611,432
55	D’ANGELO, DAVID	BUNYOG	0.14%	607,642
56	LEE, MANOY WILBERT	AKSYON	0.14%	587,098
57	GAMBOA, MARC LOUIE	IND	0.13%	571,637
58	LIDASAN, AMIRAH	MKBYN	0.13%	564,948
59	FLORANDA, MODY PISTON	MKBYN	0.13%	554,385
60	SAHIDULLA, NUR-ANA	IND	0.11%	476,855
61	TAPADO, MICHAEL BONGBONG	PM	0.11%	460,662
62	JOSE, RELLY JR.	KBL	0.11%	458,383
63	OLIVAR, JOSE JESSIE	IND	0.10%	448,794
64	MUSTAPHA, SUBAIR	WPP	0.10%	414,027
65	CABONEGRO, ROY	DPP	0.09%	383,534
66	VERCELES, LEANDRO	IND	0.07%	310,562

National Board of Canvassers canvassed 175 certificates of canvass (COCs), including those from overseas. They processed 58 on Tuesday, the first day of canvassing; 101 on Wednesday; and 16 on Thursday.

Poll body said released tally remains subject to auditing, but it has set proclamation of winning senatoriables on Saturday (May 17) afternoon.

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16 Mayo, 2025 Biyernes

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Bato credits victory to ‘protest’ votes

By Nidz Godino

“Wrong move, wrong political move… we showed our resentment for what they did to Tatay Digong on the ballot,” Sen. Ronald dela Rosa in his imminent return to Senate for second term, credited his strong showing in midterm polls to “protest” votes fueled by public anger over arrest and detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague.

Dela Rosa said election results reflect public dismay over what he called political misstep by the administration.

He added that he and fellow Duterte ally Sen. Bong Go currently leading senatorial race are grateful for support.

However, Dela Rosa struck conciliatory tone, saying he is open to working with the administration bloc in Senate, despite political tensions.

“To all winners, I hope and pray that if possible, let us stop bickering,” he said.

He further framed past clashes as reactions to Palace’s actions against their group: “we’re just reacting in order to survive.”

Asked about the implications of the Dela Rosa downplayed the administration’s influence to incoming Senate composition on looming impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio,

“They don’t control things… when it comes to Senate, moves are different… we’re like 24 independent republics,” he said.

Hearing about his landslide win as mayor of Davao City, detained older Duterte could not contain his excitement, his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman said.

“As person totally innocent until proven otherwise, there should be no impediment under law preventing him from exercising or assuming any civic right,” Kaufman said.

It remains unclear what will be the process for Duterte during oath taking, as well as possible work arrangements should he remain in detention when his term begins on June 30.

Despite hailing from one of the most entrenched political families in the country, Vice President Sara Duterte favors anti-political dynasty law, adding she would be most credible person to write law regulating these.

“Precisely, that’s why I’m the biggest and possess solid credibility to speak about political dynasties because I come from political dynasty,” she told reporters in Davao City after casting her vote on Monday.

Her remarks come amid continued public criticism over dominance of political families in Philippine politics ,her own included.

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16 Mayo, 2025 Biyernes

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Headlines

Winning senators to be proclaimed May 17

By Nidz Godino

“If that happens, this will be fastest in our history that we are able to proclaim winning senatorial candidates, and then party-list winners,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said “so hopefully our canvassing will continue as scheduled today.”

Winners of 2025 senatorial race may be proclaimed by Saturday (May 17) as long as remaining certificates of canvass are transmitted on time, according to Comelec.

Garcia said poll body hopes to complete canvassing of 16 remaining COCs today.

If all goes according to plan, Garcia said they would be able to proclaim winning senatorial candidates by Saturday afternoon, with winning party-lists to follow on Monday.

Poll body has processed 159 out of 175 COCs as of Thursday, second day of its canvassing. Midterm polls were held on Monday, May 12.

All COCs from local polling posts have already been received as of Wednesday, Garcia said, but three COCs overseas are still pending transmission.

Garcia explained precinct in Moscow still needs to send their results to Qatar, while Milan needs to transmit theirs through Kuwait due to technical issues.

Garcia said they are coordinating with embassies and consulates to ensure all remaining COCs were sent by 3 in the afternoon Thursday.

Elections on Monday saw turnout of more than 55 million at least 81.65% of all registered voters. This is highest voter turnout so far for midterm election in Comelec’s history.

Polls held halfway into Marcos administration will determine 12 new senators and over 300 new lawmakers at House of Representatives, alongside local government positions.

Election day itself was marred by technical issues and delays across multiple voting precincts.

National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), accredited citizens’ arm of Comelec, documented several issues during election day, including malfunctioning vote-counting machines (VCMs), overcrowding and breaches in ballot secrecy.

NAMFREL observers reported approximately one-fourth of volunteers witnessed problems with automated vote-counting machines, including printing jams, machines erroneously flagging properly filled ballots as invalid and ballots being rejected due to stray marks or folds.