CABSEC NOGRALES: Magandang tanghali po sa ating mga kababayan at sa mga miyembro ng Malacañang Press Corps.

Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for designating as spokesperson for the IATF during our 149th meeting kaya mapapadalas na talaga ang pakikipag-usap natin sa mga miyembro ng media. This is just one more hat among many that I must wear. And while this means one more task to juggle, I assure everyone that I will continue to discharge all my duties to the best of my abilities and will try my best to work harmoniously and professionally with our partners in the media.

Gagawin ko ang makakaya ko para masagot ang mga katanungan ninyo. Pero sana sa mga unang araw ko bilang spokesperson, medyo paumanhin lang po habang nag-a-adjust po kami. I say “kami” kasi hindi lang po ako ang naninibago kung hindi ang staff ng OCS at OPS – the unsung workhorses of this whole operation.

Now please allow me to begin today’s briefing with several important matters involving the two latest resolutions of the IATF. First, we would like to clarify some matters with regard to the use of face shields. As we announced last Tuesday, the use of face shield is now voluntary in areas under Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3. So hindi na po required ito sa lugar ninyo kung Alert Level 3 o mas mababa. However, in IATF Resolution # 149, we clarified that the voluntary use of face shields for areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3 is, and I quote: “Without prejudice to employers still requiring their use for their employees or workers and/or customers in their respective premises.”

Kaya puwede pong i-require ng mga employers ang mga empleyado nila mag-face shield sa kanilang workplaces at puwede rin pong i-require ng private establishments ang mga customers nila na mag-face shield, that is within their discretion po.

In the same resolution, the IATF also outlined the new onsite capacities for agencies and instrumentalities of government – sa gobyerno po ito. They are as follows: Forty percent minimum sa ilalim ng Alert Level 4; sixty percent minimum sa ilalim ng Alert Level 3; at 80% minimum sa ilalim ng Alert Level 2.

Kaugnay nito, tinaasan din ng IATF ang public transport capacity para magkaroon ng sapat na masasakyan. To this end, the resolution states that the Department of Transportation may proportionally increase public transport capacity to complement the increase of onsite capacities in government offices.

Meanwhile, we would like to clarify that except in cases when all the onsite employees or workers of an establishment are required under the alert level system guidelines to be fully vaccinated, all partially vaccinated employees in the public and private sector tasked to onsite work need not undergo regular RT-PCR testing at their own expense as long as their second dose is not yet due.

Ang employer ang magsasabi kung gaano kadalas ang RT-PCR testing para sa mga empleyado na hindi pa fully vaccinated na nasa onsite, and this should be done at least once every two weeks – at least once every two weeks.

With regard to vaccination certificates issued by other nations: Upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs, we shall now accept and recognize the National COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates of Austria, Kazakhstan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal and intrazonal movement.

In light of this and similar announcements, the IATF reiterates that the Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation One-Stop Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration have been directed to recognize only the proofs of vaccination that have been approved by the IATF.

Sa usaping bakuna naman: Nagpahayag ng buong suporta ang IATF sa National Vaccination Days o ang Bayanihan Bakunahan na gagawin mula ng 29 ng Nobyembre hanggang a -uno ng Disyembre. Ang Bayanihan Bakunahan ay whole of nation at whole of society approach kaya naman lahat ng member agencies ay inatasang ibigay ang buo nilang suporta sa simultaneous vaccination rollout. Bukod pa rito, hinihikayat ang lahat ng healthcare workers na nasa pamahalaan na makilahok sa National Vaccination Days.

Mamaya ay makakasama natin si DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya para sa iba pang mga detalye ng programang ito.

Next, we would like to announce another initiative intended to spur our tourism promotion efforts. One of the items we approved in the agenda yesterday was the conduct of the Philippine Motorcycle Tourism Program kick-off ride and hybrid pre-ride webinar of the Department of Tourism and its Tourism Promotions Board. We reiterate that the conduct of this project is within the agency’s mandate. Kailangan lamang nilang sumunod sa IATF guidelines on the nationwide implementation of alert level systems for COVID-19 response.

To complement our DOT’s efforts to promote Philippine tourism for fully vaccinated individuals coming from green list countries, territories and jurisdictions, they shall be, meaning to say, tourists shall be allowed entry in the country subject to the guidelines as may be finalized and approved by the IATF basta mula sa green list.

And speaking of guidelines, the following interim testing and quarantine protocols of international arriving passengers were approved yesterday and will be implemented beginning November 22, 2021. They are as follows:

For fully vaccinated Filipinos coming from green list countries who have not taken an RT-PCR tests 72 hours prior to their departure, they must undergo facility-based quarantine with on arrival RT-PCR testing until the release of their negative results. After this, the individual is enjoined to self-monitoring until the 14th day of their arrival with the date of arrival being the first day.
If a fully vaccinated Filipino has taken a negative test within 72 hours prior to the departure from a green list country, no facility-based quarantine and no on arrival RT-PCR test will be required.

Pumunta naman po tayo sa mga fully vaccinated foreigners coming from green list:

A negative RT-PCR test shall be required to be taken within 72 hours prior to departure; and upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on arrival RT-PCR test will be further required. But the passenger is enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the 14th day, again, with the first day being the date of arrival.
Meanwhile, for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated and those vaccinated but failed to comply with the above test before travel requirements, facility-based quarantine will be required until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day, after which they are enjoined to self-monitor until the 14th day of their arrival from a green list country.
All passengers whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through non-green list jurisdictions shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to the said country, territory or jurisdiction if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry by its immigration authorities.

Pumunta naman po tayo sa yellow list:

For fully vaccinated individuals coming from yellow list countries, a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the country will be required. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a third day RT-PCR test with the date of arrival considered the first day. Upon release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine after which they are enjoined to self-monitor up to the 14th day from date of arrival.

• On the other hand, fully vaccinated individuals from “Yellow List” nations without a negative pre-departure test shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine with a fifth day RT-PCR test with the date of arrival considered the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine after which they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the tenth day from date of arrival from a Yellow List country.
• Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated are to undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh day with the date of arrival being the first day. So, seventh day ‘no. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, individual shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day from date of arrival.

Sa “Red List” naman:

• Sa Red List, inbound international travel of all persons regardless of vaccination status coming from or who have been to Red List territory, within the last 14 days prior to arrival to any port of the Philippines, shall not be allowed. Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation and Bayanihan flights may be allowed entry subject to a 10-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival.
• Passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through Red List nation shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said country/territory/jurisdiction or if they stay on/if they stayed in the airport the entirety of their layover and were not cleared by its Immigration authorities. Upon arrival in the Philippines, passengers who merely transited through a Red List nation shall comply with existing testing and quarantine protocols.
• Testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow – ito, importante ito, ulitin natin – Testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocols of the parent or guardian they are travelling with regardless of the minor’s vaccination status and country of origin.

Sa usaping bakuna, dumating kaninang umaga, November 19, ang 1,306,000 doses ng Moderna vaccine na binili ng pamahalaan. Inaasahan naman mamayang hapon na darating ang 2,805,000 doses ng government-procured na Sputnik V at 5,000 doses ng Sputnik Light. Mamayang gabi rin ay inaasahang darating ang 609,570 doses ng Pfizer vaccine. Samantala, dumating naman kagabi ang unang 609,570 doses ng Pfizer vaccine. Noong Miyerkules naman, dumating ang 3,530,400 doses ng Sinovac vaccine na binili ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Asian Development Bank at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Samantala, nasa halos 74 million ang total vaccines administered sa buong Pilipinas as of November 18, 2021 ayon sa National COVID-19 Dashboard. Sa bilang na ito, nasa 42.77% or almost 33 million ang fully vaccinated, habang ang Metro Manila higit 100% or 10.1 million na ang nakatanggap ng first dose samantalang 93.41% or higit 9.1 million ang fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 update:

Nasa 1,297 ang mga bagong kaso ayon sa November 18, 2021 datos ng DOH. Nasa 97.5% naman ang porsiyento ng gumaling. Ibig sabihin, nasa mahigit 2.7 million ang gumaling habang nasa 1.65% naman po ang ating fatality rate. Malungkot naming ire-report, kahapon ay mayroong 305 ang binawian ng buhay dahil sa COVID-19.

Below 40% pa rin po ang ating hospital care utilization rate.

On other matters: The President attended yesterday the simultaneous inauguration of two port projects in the Port of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, as well as port projects in the ports of Calapan, Puerto Galera, Bulalacao, Mansalay, Bansud and Roxas.

The President thanked the Department of Transportation, as well as the Philippine Ports Authority for their work on the eight sea ports under the Build Build Build Program.

Also, on other matters, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and constituents of Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella who died this morning at the age of 70. We pray that perpetual light shine upon Mayor Labella and that he may rest in peace.

Dito po nagtatapos ang aking statement and presentation but before turning over the floor to Usec. Malaya, allow me to just stress something for our kababayans.

Base sa report ko ukol sa pagdating ng mga bakuna, suma total in the span of the last three days including today, a total of 8,250,970 vaccine doses arrived in the country. Uulitin ko po, in a span of the last three days, 8,250,970 vaccine doses. Kaya sa mga kababayan natin na hindi pa po nagpapabakuna, inuulit po natin na huwag na pong mag-alangan at magpabakuna na po tayo. Nandiyan na po ang mga bakuna, millions of Filipinos have now been vaccinated and COVID-19 cases have steadily declined. So, clearly, these vaccines po are working and keeping us all safe.

Sa mga hindi pa bakunado dahil sila ay nagri-research pa po tungkol sa bakuna, pakiusap lang po, pumunta po tayo sa mga website ng mga kilala at respetadong institusyon o ahensiya. Hindi lang po para sa inyo ang bakuna, ito ay para sa inyong pamilya at para sa inyong bayan. If we want to reopen our economy so more of our countrymen can resume their jobs, we need to get our jabs.

Maraming salamat po. I now turn you over to Usec. Jonathan Malaya via Zoom para kumustahin ang preparasyon para sa National Vaccination Days

DILG USEC. MALAYA: Maraming salamat po, CabSec. Nograles for this opportunity for the Department of Interior and Local Government para magbigay po ng update sa ating Bayanihan, Bakunahan which is the National Vaccination Day which you mentioned a few minutes ago.

So, nananawagan po ang national government, particular ang Department of Interior and Local Government sa ating mga kababayan na buhayin po natin ang spirit of bayanihan at tulungan tayo dito sa ating massive drive to jab 15 million Filipino dito nga po sa ating paparating na Bayanihan, Bakunahan National Vaccination Days. Inaanyayahan po natin ang bawat Filipino na maging bayani at makiisa dito sa programang ito. Para po sa mga hindi pa nababakunahan, magparehistro na po tayo sa pinakamalapit na LGUs sa inyong lugar.

Sa mga bakunado na po, mag-volunteer po tayo sa ating mga LGU dahil nangangailangan po tayo ng mga vaccinators, nangangailangan po tayo ng mga data encoders at kung anu-ano pa.

Sa mga healthcare workers, tayo po ay magpa-booster shot na dahil ito po ay nasimulan na. At sa mga may-ari ng kumpanya sa pribadong sektor, siguruhin po natin na 100% ng ating mga empleyado ay kailangan bakunado. At kung sila po ay bakunado na, makipag-ugnayan din po tayo sa ating local government unit at mag-volunteer po tayo ng ating mga empleyado para tumulong dito sa ating National Vaccination Day.

Tungkol po sa ating paghahanda sa National Vaccination Day, tayo po ay nasa preparatory phase at ang National Vaccination Operations Center po ay binabalangkas na ang target bawat LGU. So magkakaroon po tayo ng target bawat LGU kung ano ‘yung kailangan nilang kontribusyon sa vaccination sa ating tatlong araw na vaccination day. Nakalagay po diyan sa target na ‘yan ang numero ng mga doses, ang numero ng mga vaccination teams at mga vaccination sites na kailangan buksan.

At kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa Department of Education dahil ang mga eskuwelahan po ay gagamitin din natin na vaccination sites para dito sa malaki nating programa. Sa ngayon po ang Department of Health ay nag-iinspeksiyon na sa mga iba’t ibang vaccination sites and they are currently evaluating the capacities of the local government units para nga po dito sa ating malaking programa.

We mobilized other government agencies and stakeholders at iyong atin pong Armed Forces of the Philippines at PNP, BJMP, BFP will deploy additional personnel. Iyon pong AFP sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas or GIDA areas at iyon naman pong ating kapulisan, BJMP, BFP ay gagamitin po natin iyong kanilang medical corps para magbakuna. Iyon pong ating mga kapulisan of course will continue to provide security para sa ating mga vaccination sites.

On the part of the DILG, maglalabas po kami in the next few days ng isang memorandum circular para sa lahat ng LGUs para po masiguro na sapat ang manpower and vaccination sites so that the LGUs can meet their daily targets. Sisiguraduhin din po ng DILG na ang logistical needs ng ating pagbabakuna ay ating makukuha.

Alam po natin na kailangan natin nang maraming data encoders and on the part of the DILG, we will mobilize our Sangguniang Kabataan – iyon pong mga miyembro ng SK ay gagamitin natin bilang encoders and we will coordinate very closely with the local government units para ang mga SK ay ma-mobilize natin para sa Bayanihan Bakunahan.

Gagamitin din po natin ang mga teachers mula sa DepEd bilang encoders sa araw na ‘to dahil sa milyun-milyon po ang mababakunahan, kailangan mabilis din ang pag-encode ng kanilang vaccination data para maisama sa line list at para maipasok sila sa VaxCertPH digital certificate program ng ating pamahalaan.

Mayroon din po tayong mga additional encoders mula sa DOLE sa kanilang government internship program.

So moving forward, CabSec Karlo Nograles, sir, gagawa po tayo ng mga social mobilization activities para po marami ang mga kababayan nating magpabakuna sa tatlong araw na Bayanihan Bakunahan: Una po, we will be conducting a series of townhall meetings sa mga barangay kasama ang mga medical societies and allied health societies para hikayatin pa ang mayroong vaccine hesitancy or vaccine preference na magpabakuna na.

Pangalawa, mayroon po tayong dinevelop together with the Department of Health and our partners from the private sector, Task Force D3 ng mga collaterals kasama po ang mga radio ads at mga posters and streamers na puwede po nating gamitin at mga materyales na puwedeng gamitin para sa mga rekurida para mahikayat ang ating mga kababayang magpabakuna. Ito pong mga posters and tarpaulins ay templated – ibig pong sabihin that can be adjusted to the needs of the local government unit concerned.

Finally, humihingi din po kami ng tulong sa mga LGUs na palakasin iyong ating incentive program para sa ating mga kababayan. Ito pong incentive program, ito po ‘yung mga raffle, ito po ‘yung mga bigas o kaya naman cash na ating binibigay sa ating mga kababayang ayaw sanang magpabakuna ngunit through the incentive program ay sana ay mahikayat natin na magpabakuna.

So iyon lamang po, CabSec Karlo Nograles, ang ating latest updates sa paghahanda natin para sa Bayanihan Bakunahan – ang ating National Vaccination Day. Maraming salamat po!

CABSEC NOGRALES: Maraming, maraming salamat Usec. Malaya at kami po ay nakikiusap sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan, sa public/private sector, mga kapwa nating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno na suportahan natin itong national vaccination days. Hindi lamang po ito whole-of-government kung hindi whole-of-nation at whole-of-society, kailangan nating magtulungan para maabot natin ang target natin na 5 million vaccines administered per day for the next three days noong national vaccination days po natin.

Gusto ko lang din pong linawin ‘no na doon sa red list countries na nabanggit ko kanina, habang niri-require iyong ten-day facility-based quarantine for travelers coming from red list countries, there is an RT-PCR test on the 7th day with day 1 being the date of arrival.

So let’s now go to Usec. Rocky para sa mga katanungan mula sa mga kaibigan natin sa media.

USEC. IGNACIO: Yes. Good afternoon, CabSec Nograles at kay Undersecretary Malaya.

First question po mula kay Consuelo Marquez ng GMA News: Palace reaction daw po on Senator Pacquiao’s earlier statement as he criticized the 5-trillion proposed 2022 budget of the Duterte government. He claimed that the budget could be used for corruption, Pacquiao said the statement in a courtesy call daw po in Bulacan.

CABSEC NOGRALES: Ang budget ngayon ay nasa Senado na po at kasalukuyan ay dinidebate po ‘yan nila sa Senado. So it’s with the Senate now at alam ko pagkatapos niyan may bicam pa ‘yan so magdyu-join pa iyong Senado pati ang House of Representatives para lalo pang suriin ang budget. So it is now with the Senate so alam na po ng mga senators kung anong kailangang gawin at ano ang mandato nila tungkol po sa budget.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Second po mula kay Henry Uri ng DZRH: Is the government or DOH considering breaking down the number of unvaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated in the daily reported deaths due to COVID? This can be a good daily reminder of the effectiveness of vaccination and might help address vaccine hesitancy.

CABSEC NOGRALES: Opo. Ilan din po ‘yan sa mga tinitingnan ng ating mga health experts, ng DOH, ng inyong IATF ‘no. At base sa mga pagsusuri namin ng data, talagang nakikita namin na most of those in hospitals, pati ang severe at critical cases ay iyon pong mga unvaccinated. At tama po iyon, these will be some of the new metrics na tinitingnan natin and ‘pag na-finalize na po natin ang mga new metrics na po ‘yan na ipapalabas po namin mula sa IATF.

USEC. IGNACIO: Question from Pia Gutierrez ng ABS-CBN: May we get daw po details on the meeting between President Duterte and Secretary Vince Dizon in Malacañang this—kahapon siguro po ito? Will the President allow him to stay in the Cabinet amid reports that Secretary Dizon is supposedly helping out with Mayor Isko Moreno’s campaign?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Si Secretary Vince Dizon ay miyembro pa rin ‘no ng administrasyong ito, nakatutok siya sa vaccination at ito’y kaniyang kinumpirma din kahapon. Pero wala pong naganap na meeting, itong ‘di umanong meeting between Secretary Vince Dizon and the President kamakailan gaya ng sinasabi ng… iyong katanungan. Wala pong naganap na meeting. But Secretary Vince Dizon remains to be a member of the Duterte administration.

Maraming salamat, Usec. Rocky. So we’ll now go to questions from—well, first, kay Triciah Terada ng CNN Philippines.

TRICIAH TERADA/CNN PHILIPPINES: Hi! Good afternoon, Secretary Karlo. Sir, doon lang po sa speech ni Pangulo last night. He did mention during the NTF-ELCAC event na mayroon presidential candidate who’s using cocaine. Sir, first, sino po ‘yung tinutukoy ng Presidente? Ano iyong basis of the President’s claim? And considering that he knows about this, may order po ba to investigate that particular aspirant? Iba-block po ba ng Malacañang iyong kaniyang candidacy?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Well, si Pangulo siyempre has access to many sources including mga intel reports. On naming the said individual, we will leave it to the sound judgment of the President.

So nasa discretion na po ng Pangulo kung papangalanan ba niya at kung kailan; kung magdidesisyon ba siya na pangalanan iyong indibidwal na ‘yan.

TRICIAH TERADA/CNN PHILIPPINES: Sir, are there efforts to investigate this particular aspirant and iba-block po ba ng Palasyo iyong candidacy niya?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Alam ninyo iyong ating mga law enforcement agencies especially iyong mga drug enforcement agencies natin, siyempre alam naman po nila ang kanilang mandato. So whatever social status at kung sino man ang mga—may nakukuha mang mga intel reports, alam na po ng ating mga law enforcement agencies kung anong dapat gawin.

TRICIAH TERADA/CNN PHILIPPINES: Bakit po, sir, hindi pa sila nahuhuli hanggang ngayon? And we just got a reaction from Senator Leila de Lima, she posted this online, iyong tungkol pa rin po doon. Sabi niya: “While unnamed, it’s pretty obvious who he is referring to. Kung ganoon dapat pala siya ang pinakulong, hindi ako. Hindi ba kasama ang cocaine sa drug war?” do you have any reaction to that?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Siyempre kasama ang cocaine sa drug war, lahat naman ng mga illegal drugs kasama ‘yan sa drug war. So let’s leave it to the sound judgment na lang ni Pangulo kung kailan niya papangalanan if ever ‘no. Kasi siyempre as one heading all of our enforcement agencies ‘no in the Executive branch, siyempre may mga ginagawa silang mga procedures na kailangan nating sundin.

Pagdating kasi sa droga, medyo very technical ‘no ang nasa batas at kailangang sundin nating lahat ang mga proseso at procedures pagdating po sa—in any investigation and even in enforcement, even in arrest and seizure, lahat po ‘yan, kailangang sundin natin para hindi rin po tayo ma-technical pagdating ng pagsama ng kaso.

TRICIAH TERADA/CNN PHILIPPINES: So, sir, just a bit of clarification. Ibig sabihin, sir, ongoing iyong investigation dito sa particular aspirant and even doon, sir, sa group na tinutukoy ni Presidente na from Davao and Manila?

CABSEC NOGRALES: I’m sure if these are coming from intel reports mula sa ating mga drug enforcement agencies, then it is safe to assume na if may investigation, then they’re already doing everything in their power to catch whoever perpetrators at kung sino man ang lumalabag sa batas.

TRICIAH TERADA/CNN PHILIPPINES: Sir, on another topic, iyong Metro Manila Mayors say that they’re deferring to the IATF na on guidelines kung ipagbabawal po or hindi iyong mga unvaccinated minors sa mall. Napag-usapan po ba ‘to ng IATF at ano po ‘yung napagdesisyunan?

CABSEC NOGRALES: It’s something siguro na dapat pag-usapan between the mayors, sa MMDA, with the DILG. Ang latest ‘di ba may pakiusap lang si Pangulo but right now the—may pakiusap si Pangulo so we will see kung ano ‘yung magiging developments niyan ‘no.

Ang napag-usapan kahapon was iyong sa face shields ‘no but with regard to iyong sa … the order of the President na asking mga LGUs to consider passing an ordinance, we will leave it to the DILG sa kanilang pakikipag-usap sa iba’t ibang mga LGUs – hindi lamang sa Metro Manila.

TRICIAH TERADA/CNN PHILIPPINES: All right. Thank you very much, Sec. Karlo.

CABSEC NOGRALES: Salamat po. Usec. Rocky, may ibang katanungan pa?

USEC. IGNACIO: Yes. Secretary Nograles, tanong mula kay Leila Salaverria ng Inquirer: Why give employers and businesses the option to require face shields in Alert Levels 1 to 3? Won’t this just create confusion?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Naalala ninyo iyong last press briefing po natin, may nagtanong po tungkol diyan that’s why we had to clarify sa IATF kung ano ba. Kasi there are two trains of thought dito eh – user discretion ba or discretion ng establisyimento?

So ang napagkasunduan ng IATF is discretion ng establisyimento. Ang isang example diyan iyong sinasabi pagdating sa construction site ‘no – example ‘no, require ng hard hat. So ganoon din po ‘yung prinsipyo pagdating sa discretion ng establishments – for safety and security ng people in the establishments kasama na iyong mga employees, kasama na iyong mga customers – nasa discretion po ng establisyimento.

USEC. IGNACIO: Second question po niya: Aside from filing a diplomatic protest, what else if any is the government going to do about China’s use of water cannons on Philippine boats? How will the President use his friendship with China to address this issue?

CABSEC NOGRALES: We will continue to assert our sovereignty and our sovereign rights, our jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal and all other territories within our jurisdiction including our EEZ. So we standby the swift actions of the Department of Foreign Affairs and we are confident that the DFA will do whatever is necessary.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Ang third question po niya: What will the administration do to ensure that supplies and crew get to reach the detachment in Ayungin Shoal? Is it an option for the government to abandon that detachment to avoid confrontation with China?

SEC. NOGRALES: Walang abandonment na mangyayari diyan, patuloy pa rin at itutuloy namin at gagawin namin ang lahat at ang nararapat para makakarating ang mga supplies doon para sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino na nandoon.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Ang question pa rin ni Leila: May we get the Palace comment on the report that sex trafficking charges were filed in the US against the President’s friend and adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy? What is the Malacañang position on this issue? Similar question with Jo Montemayor ng Malaya, Llanesca Panti ng GMA News online at ni Kyle Atienza ng Business World.

SEC. NOGRALES: Yes. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is a private individual and I am sure he is capable on getting the proper legal advice.

USEC. IGNACIO: Thank you, Sec.

SEC. NOGRALES: Maraming salamat. We will now go to Pia Gutierrez of ABS-CBN.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Yes, sir, good afternoon. So, Sec. Karlo, please correct me if I am wrong: So, fully vaccinated foreigners from green list countries are now allowed to enter the country subject to IATF protocols, tama?

SEC.NOGRALES: Tama po. This is in line with the tourism efforts na ginagawa natin, which is also being done by other countries. Our neighboring countries are already opening their shores, and tayo din naman, we are confident to open up our shores for tourist, basta galing lang po sa green list.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So, tama to say, sir, that these also include foreign tourist? Could you tell us how the IATF came up with the decision at gaano po kalaki iyong possibility that the IATF will soon allow the entry of foreign tourist from yellow list countries naman?

SEC.NOGRALES: Step by step po tayo diyan. Uunahin muna natin iyong green list and we came to a decision, dahil nga po this is a calibrated reopening of our economy, malaking bagay po para sa ating economic growth and development and the rebound of our economy ang tourism sector. At dahil green list naman po iyan, ibig sabihin nasa green list sila dahil mataas ang vaccination rate po nila doon sa green list country. Tayo rin naman po tumataas ang vaccination rate natin dito sa bansang Pilipinas, bumababa na rin po iyong mga na-infect ng COVID and nakita naman ninyo, we are really trying to boost up our economy some more. Kaya sa second quarter, noong third quarter, pataas nang pataas ang ating GDP growth, we hope to be able to do the same sa fourth quarter po natin.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: All right, sir. Sir, on the national vaccination days, may decision na po ba kung idi-declare as holidays iyong November 29 and December 1?

SEC.NOGRALES: Ang alam ko magiging special working days po siya.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, last question na lang po. Kasi there have been a lot of criticisms by netizens and political opponents over the President’s revelation nga po na a cocaine user is running for president. They were saying that if the President already has credible information on that all along, then why then that the government file charges against that person? And isn’t this a clear example that the war on drugs targets only the poor?

SEC.NOGRALES: Hindi naman po. In one of my reports to the President sa mga Talk to the People niya, binanggit po namin doon lahat ng mga high value targets na nakasuhan na, nahuli na natin at arrested na and being prosecuted. So, hindi po ito ano, wala po tayong sinasanto dito, walang pinipiling social status. Lahat po iyan basta sangkot sa droga ay kakasuhan natin, huhulihin natin, ipo-prosecute po natin.

Now, with regard doon sa isang individual na nabanggit nga kahapon ay let’s leave it to the President ‘no and his judgment kung papangalanan ba niya, and if so, kung kailan niya papangalanan.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Yes, sir. But do we expect the President to order the filing of charges against that particular candidate if he is really serious against his war on drugs?

SEC. NOGRALES: As I earlier said, lahat ng mga enforcement agencies natin ay mandated naman na walang pinipili iyan, walang pinipili na indibidwal or lahat po iyan, basta lumabag sa batas, basta mayroon pong basis and kung kailangang i-enforce ang law, we will enforce it na walang pinipili.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, if I may, last question na lang po. Kasi sinabi rin ni President kahapon that his frustrations over how the Pharmally probe is being conducted is one of the reasons why he is running for senator. So can you tell us why that is a good enough reason for people to vote him for senator especially when his political opponents are attacking and questioning not only his motives for running but they are also doubting if the President could make for a good senator?

SEC. NOGRALES: Hindi lang naman po iyan iyong reason ng pagtakbo ng ating Pangulo. Siyempre dito po sa Malacañang, mayroon din po tayong mga priority bills still pending in congress and I am sure, that if the President, when the President wins as senator, this will be the same priority bills na isusulong niya sa Senado.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, could you tell us iyong legislative agenda ni President?

SEC. NOGRALES: We are very transparent sa mga legislative agenda, and right now, mayroon tayong mga ginagawang LEDAC regularly. So mayroon tayong mga timelines dapat diyan. But even during the LEDAC meetings, aminado naman na hindi makakayanan ng Senado at ng Kamara de Representantes na ipasa ang lahat na nandoon sa ating legislative agenda. Pangalawa, every State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Duterte ay very transparent siya sa kaniyang legislative agenda. And records will bear us out, nandoon naman po nakalista sa sinasabi niya sa State of the Nation Address iyong kanyang priority bills. Salamat po.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Okay. Maraming salamat po, Sec. Karlo.

SEC. NOGRALES: We will go back to Usec. Rocky.

USEC. IGNACIO: Yes, Secretary. I-follow up ko lang po iyong tanong ni MJ Blancaflor of Daily Tribune. Although may mga nabanggit na rin po kayo tungkol dito: Why did the President refuse to identify the presidential aspirants allegedly involved in drugs when he had named narco-politicians in the past? What makes this presidential aspirant special? Is it because this candidate comes from a prominent family? Similar question po iyan with Kris Jose ng Remate, Llanesca Panti ng GMA News at Ivan Mayrina ng GMA News.

SEC. NOGRALES: Let’s just wait for the President. Hintayin po natin kung kailan niya papangalanan, if ever papangalanan ba niya. Nasa discretion po iyan ng ating Pangulo dahil siyempre it’s up to his wise and sound judgment, if it calls for the naming of the person siyempre at hindi rin po natin alam na mayroon na pong mga ginagawa ang ating mga enforcement agencies.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. May follow up question lang po diyan si Karen Lema ng Reuters, kung gaano na niya katagal alam [garbled].

SEC. NOGRALES: Opo, kung gaano niya katagal—okay, there is a technical glitch. Pero again, let’s await the President’s say [on the issue]. Maraming mga public engagements naka-line up for the President ‘no in the coming days, weeks and months to come. So, perhaps abangan na lang po natin. Perhaps in one of those public engagements ay mas i-reveal pa ni Pangulo, if ever.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Follow up question naman po ni Kris Jose: Base po sa naging pahayag ng Pangulo, tama ba na tawaging adik o durugista ang presidential aspirant na ito?

SEC. NOGRALES: Depende sa ano, tingnan natin kung anong nasa laman ng mga intel reports. But again, because these are intel reports that only the President has exclusive access to, hintayin po natin si Pangulo to continue if ever iyong pagsasalita niya tungkol po diyan.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Medyo humihina po iyong—

SEC. NOGRALES: So, again habang we are waiting for you, Usec. Rocky, just again reminders to the public na kahit na tumataas ang bilang ng mga vaccines arriving at tumataas po iyong bilang ng mga bakunado ay kailangan pong ipagpatuloy ang ating pagsunod sa mga minimum public health standards.

So, back to you, Usec. Rocky.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo.

SEC. NOGRALES: Nawawala si Usec. Rocky. So, we will go now to Maricel Halili of TV 5.

MARICEL HALILI/TV 5: Hi, sir! Magandang hapon po.

SEC. NOGRALES: Good afternoon, Maricel Halili.

MARICEL HALILI/TV 5: Sir, follow up lang po doon sa isyu kay Pastor Quiboloy. I understand you already said that he is a private individual. But he is also the spiritual adviser of President Duterte. Doesn’t it put his integrity as spiritual adviser in question?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Alam mo, Maricel, pagdating po sa mga personal relationships ni Pangulo, hayaan na lang po natin na magsalita si Pangulo tungkol po diyan.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Pero, sir, siya pa rin po ba—will he remain as the spiritual adviser of the President?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Again, we’ll wait for the President’s statement regarding that ‘no kasi bago pa lang itong development na ito. Hayaan na lang po natin na magsalita si Pangulo tungkol po diyan.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: But will there be an effort from the government’s side, sir, to at least look into this issue on sex trafficking?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Kapag sex trafficking naman, that issue, you know, the government has been very constant in its efforts against trafficking in general especially sex trafficking, lahat po iyan, the DOJ and the whole task force against trafficking naka-full force po iyan; ginagawa nila ang dapat at nararapat. And in fact, we have been receiving accolades also from the international community tungkol po sa mga efforts natin against trafficking.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Sir, balikan lang po ako doon sa presidential aspirant who is allegedly using cocaine. Will Malacañang challenge all presidential aspirants to undergo drug test just so to belie this accusation from the President?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Alam ninyo in previous elections, there’s always been that clamor ‘no from people, from the public, and in fact, there have been attempts to also include that as one of the requirements for candidates. Be that as it may, I don’t see bakit hindi mag… this election will be different – magkakaroon na naman ng clamor for that.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Pero, sir, on the part of Malacañang, will there be a challenge for them to undergo drug test?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Well, that has always been ano ‘di ba…there was always an attempt, but there was always question na hindi siya kasama sa mga requirements, so it’s purely voluntary.

But like I said, there’s always been that clamor and it’s really up to the candidates to show that they’ve taken the test and that they’ve cleared the drug test. So ang nangyayari, every election parang ano na lang, voluntary na lamang iyan at ginagawa ng kandidato based on his discretion na lamang po.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Sir, pardon me for asking this, I understand that it’s the discretion of the President whether to name this particular presidential aspirant or not. But since its political season, can we consider this as a political attack on the part of the President? Is he somehow threatened with the ratings of this particular presidential aspirant?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Ay, speculative na po iyan, hindi natin alam. Hindi pa nga natin alam kung sino iyon. Hintayin muna siguro natin kung pangalanan siya.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Okay. Sir, last na lang. Can I go to Usec. Malaya?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Usec. Malaya?

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Opo. Sir, follow up lang po tungkol doon sa question kanina ni Trish about the guidelines for the minor because I understand, DILG is in charge with communicating to LGUs. Ano na po iyong update? Mayroon na po bang napagkasunduan na guidelines?

DILG USEC. MALAYA: As mentioned by CabSec Nograles, there was a meeting of the Metro Manila Council yesterday. Kasi if you look at the IATF regulations, age restriction is really the call of the local government unit. Kaya nga ang Pangulo ay nagkaroon ng panawagan sa mga LGUs na magrepaso ng mga ordinansa about limiting minors in malls. But in the meeting yesterday of the Metro Manila Council, they passed a resolution which is Resolution # 21-29 wherein they endorsed the mobility restrictions on minors below 12 to the IATF. So kumbaga, wala pong naging desisyon ang mga Metro Manila mayors – at least for NCR ito ‘no, the rest of the country is another matter – at least for NCR.

So I think what will happen is this will be again be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the IATF. So in the meantime, status quo muna po tayo. Walang pagbabago sa mga polisiya precisely because walang napagkasunduan sa Metro Manila Council, and instead they endorsed the matter to the IATF.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: All right. Maraming salamat po, Usec. Malaya and Secretary Nograles. Thank you.

CABSEC NOGRALES: Maraming, maraming salamat. Let’s go back to Usec. Rocky. But before the questions of Usec. Rocky, I’d just like to clarify specific to the CNN’s breaking news post on allowing entry of fully vaccinated tourist from green list countries beginning November 22. Iyong date po na November 22, that refers po to the effectivity ng rules on interim testing and quarantine protocols doon sa sinasabi kong green, yellow at red list.

Iyong opening to tourist, wala pa po tayong set date diyan kasi mayroon po tayong pina-finalize – konti na lamang – doon sa guidelines for tourists coming from green list.

So iyong date po na November 22, hindi pa po iyan final for tourists coming from green list countries, that is something that … konting adjustment, konting finalization na lamang ng guidelines namin for tourists coming from green list. At ilalabas po ng IATF iyong guidelines na iyan and we will announce the dates immediately for tourists, again, for tourists.

Usec. Rocky?

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Secretary Nograles, pasensiya naputol ako kanina. Pero i-follow up ko na rin po iyong question diyan ni Marichu Villanueva ng Philippine Star: Please clarify daw po on foreign tourists from green list will no longer be required to undergo quarantine provided na fully vaccinated and undergo RT-PCR?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Yes, can we flash that in the screen para maliwanag ‘no. Iyan, for fully vaccinated foreigners coming from green list: Negative RT-PCR test required within 72 hours prior to departure. And upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on arrival RT-PCR test necessary basta mag-self—and then mag-self monitor na lang.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Secretary, basahin ko na lang din iyong ibang mga tanong ng kasamahan natin—kasi naputol po ako kanina, pasensiya na. Basahin ko na lang po baka may maidagdag kayo.

Mula kay MJ Blancaflor ng Daily Tribune: Following the President’s accusation, is it safe to say that law enforcers will go after one presidential aspirant using cocaine as part of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs? Similar question po iyan with Jo Montemayor ng Malaya.

CABSEC NOGRALES: Yes, ang sagot ko po, gaya ng sinabi ko kanina, ang law enforcement agencies natin very clear po ang mandate. At wala pong pinipili iyan, kung sino ka man, anuman ang social status mo o social rank mo, if ever, whatever, basta may paglabag sa batas ay dapat hulihin, dapat i-prosecute agad.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Ang tanong pa rin po ni MJ, hindi ko lang po alam kung nasagot ninyo na ito: Will the Palace call on presidential candidates to undergo drug test? Similar question po iyan with Kris Jose ng Remate/Remate Online.

CABSEC NOGRALES: Opo, nasagot ko na po kanina. There have been attempts ‘no to include it as one of the requirements but hindi puwedeng ma-expand so nagiging purely voluntary na lamang iyan, ang pag-drug test ng mga kandidato.

But sa experience natin, every campaign season, every election ay there’s always been that clamor at naging voluntary na nga lang for the candidates to show the public that they are drug-free or that they passed the drug test.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Secretary Nograles, may clarification lang po si Triciah Terada ng CNN Philippines: Ibig sabihin po ba technically, hindi pa po allowed for now ang foreign tourists from green list countries? Ia-announce pa lang po ba kung kailan puwede?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Ganito ang nangyari, sa IATF kasi, may mga guidelines na but there’s just a few things that we need to tweak. But the reason why we are announcing it is because we are putting the entire world in advance notice that we will eventually open up our shores to tourists coming from green list countries. Madali na lang, konti na lamang po ang ina-adjust namin doon sa pag-finalize namin ng guidelines for tourists coming from green list countries. Konting adjustment na lang.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. From Llanesca Panti ng GMA News Online: Is the President endorsing Mayor Sara’s vice-presidential bid for 2022?

CABSEC NOGRALES: Like I said a while ago, marami pong mga naka-schedule na public engagements si Pangulong Duterte, at bigyan natin siya ng pagkakataon na siya na po mismo ang magsasalita tungkol po diyan at sa iba pang mga bagay.

USEC. IGNACIO: Second question po niya: Do you agree with China’s justification that Philippine vessels were attacked with water cannon due to trespassing when Ayungin Shoal is within our exclusive economic zone, why and why not?

SEC. NOGRALES: We stand firmly by the statements of our Department of Foreign Affairs. Naka-issue na po ang DFA ng statement tungkol po diyan and DFA has swiftly acted on that and continues to act according to its mandate.

USEC. IGNACIO: Mikhail Flores ng Agence France-Presse: Will the Philippine Government cooperate with US authorities for any extradition request? Regarding po ito kay Pastor Quiboloy. Similar question with Maki Pulido ng GMA News, ni Kyle Atienza ng Business World at ni Johnna Villaviray-Giolagon ng Asahi Manila.

SEC. NOGRALES: While I can say na these are all speculative, ang bansang Pilipinas naman po ay laging nagko-cooperate ‘no pagdating sa extradition or processes of extradition. So, we will cooperate if magkaroon man ng ganiyan, whether kung sino man iyan, magko-cooperate po ang Pilipinas.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Is the PNP planning daw po to arrest the Pastor on account of the charges in the US?

SEC. NOGRALES: Again, these are medyo speculative na ‘no ang mga katanungan. So, hintayin na lang po natin na dumaan sa proseso.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. What is the status daw po of the relationship between President Duterte and Pastor Quiboloy? Is he still the President’s spiritual adviser?

SEC. NOGRALES: Kagaya ng nabanggit ko kanina with regard to mga personal relationships ni Pangulo with other people, dahil ito po ay personal relationship ay hayaan na lang po natin si Pangulo na magsalita tungkol diyan.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. May follow-up lang po si Cecil ng AFP: If Philippine Government will request the extradition of Pastor Quiboloy?

SEC. NOGRALES: Nasagot na po iyan, Usec. Rocky.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Iyong tanong naman po ni Ivan Mayrina ng GMA News about the Presidential candidate sa alleged cocaine user, nasagot ninyo na rin po. Tanong po niya na susunod: Secretary Joey Concepcion is pushing for an even shortened two-day quarantine for foreign inbound passengers for Christmas. May we know the status of this proposal in the IATF? Also, when can we expect to see the guidelines on allowing international tourists from green lane countries as announced by Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat?

SEC. NOGRALES: Opo. So, with regard doon kay Mr. Concepcion, kaka-announce ko lang po noong Red, Yellow and Green List, iyong ating protocols at guidelines tungkol po sa mga international travelers. So, that’s the latest mula sa IATF.

At kagaya ng sinabi ko, may kaunti lang naman po kaming pina-finalize na lamang sa guidelines for tourists coming from Green List countries, kaunti na lamang po iyon.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Pasensiya na, talagang nagfo-follow-up po sila ng question. Question ni Cecil ng AFP: Has there been a request for extradition of Pastor Quiboloy and will Philippine comply?

SEC. NOGRALES: Not that I know of.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. From Jopel Pelenio ng DWIZ for Usec. Malaya: Nakapag-issue na po ang DILG this week ng show cause order laban po sa mga LGU na bigong makamit ang kanilang inoculation target at vaccine wastage?

DILG USEC. MALAYA: Unang-una po, gumanda na po ang performance ng ating mga local government units. since dumami po ang ating supply they were able to ramped up their vaccination and they’re now preparing for the National Vaccination Day.

So, binabalangkas pa po ng DILG together with the Department of Health iyong mga parameters when we say na underperforming ang isang local government unit kasi it’s not really easy to make that kind of judgment especially kung ang titingnan mo lang iyong numero and you do not know exactly the facts on the ground. So, ito ay pinag-aaralan pa po namin as of now if indeed mayroon tayong show cause order na ii-issue insofar as this is concerned.

Ngunit doon po sa backlog ng mga encoding, doon po natin nakita na maraming mga LGUs ang maraming backlog sa pag-encode ng mga data and on that note, si Secretary Año po ay nagbigay na ng kautusan na ayusin na ang listahan. So, it’s possible po na in the next few weeks ay maglalabas ang DILG ng show cause order laban doon sa mga LGUs who have been underperforming in encoding their line list and submitting those line list to the Vaccination Operations Reporting System of the NVOC dahil kailangan nga po nating maayos iyong datos.

So, please standby for further announcement from the DILG in that regard.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Thank you, Usec. Malaya.

For CabSec. Nograles, tanong pa rin po ni Jopel Pelenio: Napag-usapan na po ba ng PDP-Laban kung sino ang opisyal na susuportahang kandidato sa pagka-presidente at bise presidente?

SEC. NOGRALES: Sa pagka-presidente, sigurado po si Senator Bong Go para sa PDP-Laban dahil may alliance po ang PDP with the PDDS. Pagka-bise presidente, alam ko mayroong gaganapin na national council meeting ang PDP-Laban, so, hintayin na lang po natin.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Tanong ni Celerina Monte ng NHK, nasagot ninyo na Secretary Nograles about doon sa Green List para sa foreign tourist. Iyong tanong naman ni Alvin Baltazar ng Radyo Pilipinas, nasagot ninyo na rin, iyong desisyon po sa kung holiday ang November 29 hanggang December 1st.

May tanong po si Marichu Villanueva ng Philippine Star: Because of Secretary Lorenza, who turned out COVID asymptomatic after his Poland trip when he attended Senate Budget hearing, the Senate budget deliberations were delayed by four days and are now considering to ask for special sessions. Is the President at least considering to call for a special session of Congress to ensure passage of 2022 Budget since a Cabinet member caused delay?

SEC. NOGRALES: As I know it, ang sinabi po ng Senado na they are confident na maipapasa nila ang budget on time. So, abangan na lang po siguro muna natin but as far as we know, iyong assurance ng Senado na ipapasa nila ang budget on time.

And as I know it, doon sa November 29 and December 1, special working days po.

USEC. IGNACIO: Thank you very much, Secretary Nograles. Thank you, Usec. Malaya.

SEC. NOGRALES: Maraming, maraming salamat, Usec. Rocky at Usec. Malaya.

Mga kababayan, sa kabila ng maraming hamon at tagumpay, nananatili ang pangangailangan para sa pinagkaisang adhikain para sa paghilom at pagbangon ng bayan. Hanggang ngayon nananatili ang ating panawagan: Kailangan nating magtulungan.

Maraming salamat po. Ingat po lagi. God bless!

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News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center