DUTERTE BLASTS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ANEW, SAYS COUNTRY BENEFITS FROM KILLED DRUG SUSPECTS

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lashed out against human rights groups anew, and said the country benefits from his war on drugs.

A visibly agitated Duterte once again vented out his anger at human rights groups as he presented details of the recent anti-drug operations conducted by the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

By the end of his presentation, which showed some drug suspects killed in the operations, Duterte said he does not benefit from the death of these suspects.

"Pakinggan ninyo ako. Palagay na nating totoo 'yang sinabi ng human rights. P*t*ng*n* sinong nakinabang niyan, ako? Ako ang nakinabang? Pamilya ko? Nakinabang sila diyan sa mga p*t*ng*n*ng mga patay na 'yan? Sino? Sinong nakinabang?" he said.

He then said that it is the Filipino people who benefit from the death of drug suspects, while he and his family's safety is compromised.

"Kayo, ang anak ninyo, ang bayan natin ang nakinabang. Sino ang nalagay sa alanganin? Ako, pamilya ko, 'yung buhay nila, gaganti 'yang mga yawa na 'yan. Eh hindi naman ako milyonaryo na may isa akong squad sa likod diyan, magbantay. Ako pa ang nagpoproblema ngayon. Ako," Duterte said.

"Ang nakinabang, kayo, kayo mga Pilipino. Sa totoo lang," he added.

Among those reported by Duterte was the P500 million drug bust in Bulacan, wherein the suspected shabu were hidden inside tea bags.

Duterte, likewise, reiterated his refusal to submit to the inquiry of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged human rights violations associated with the war on drugs.

"Over my dead body, makuha ninyo ako, dalhin niyo ako sa Netherlands, patay... Hindi ako pupunta doon nang buhay, mga ulol. Pero 'pag nakita ko kayo dito, unahan ko na kayo," he said in the earlier part of his presentation.

A former chief prosecutor of the ICC has requested a full-blown inquiry into the alleged crimes against humanity under Duterte's drug war.

Duterte refuses to submit to the ICC inquiry. In 2019, he withdrew the Philippines from the court after it launched a preliminary examination into the war on drugs.

US VACCINE DONATIONS HELP INOCULATE VFA FROM ABROGATION

MANILA — COVID-19 vaccine donations from the United States played a crucial part in the decision to restore the Visiting Forces Agreement, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

Duterte had previously threatened to go through with scrapping the decades-old agreement without concessions from the US like vaccine deliveries or some form of payment.

“We did a 'give and take'. So we thank them, and I made a concession. I conceded the continuance of the Visiting Forces Agreement in gratitude,” Duterte said in a taped meeting that was aired Monday night.

The chief executive made the statement ahead of the delivery of three million Moderna vaccine doses—a donation from Washington—on Tuesday. Duterte is expected to welcome the arrival of the vaccine donation.

Last month, the US delivered more than 3.2 million one-shot Johnson & Johnson jabs to the Philippines.

“I’d like to thank the president of the United States, [Joe] Biden, the government and the people of America for not forgetting us. Do not forget us because we share the same outlook in geopolitics, especially in Southeast Asia,” Duterte, who announced in 2016 a "separation" from the US and the Philippines' alignment with China and Russia in a "triumvirate… against the world", said.

UNA SUSPENDS TALKS, PREPS FOR 2022 POLLS AMID PANDEMIC THREAT

MANILA — The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party, led by Sen. Nancy Binay, said Tuesday that it is pushing back talks on the 2022 national elections amid the pandemic and rising COVID-19 infections in the country.

In a statement, UNA said it has decided to put talks on alliances, coalitions and other political activities on hold, citing the continuing pandemic and its impact on the economy, and the “unfolding of another wave of infections brought by new variants that may likely compromise public health and cripple healthcare institutions.”

UNA said putting elections talk on the table is "cold and insensitive." It added that politics is aggravating a public health issue and hampering the country’s response to the pandemic.

“For this reason, UNA has decided to suspend all talks in connection with the 2022 National Elections until further notice so that the Party can help and focus well in fighting the pandemic,” it added.

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay, party chairman, already announced that he will run for senator under the slate of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who are gunning for presidential and vice presidential posts, respectively.

Lacson and Sotto have also pushed back the official announcement of their 2022 candidacies because of the rise in COVID-19 cases.

8 P.M. TO 4 A.M. CURFEW IN METRO MANILA FROM AUGUST 6

MANILA — The National Capital Region will be under an 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew when the Enhanced Community Quarantine starts on August 6, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said Monday.

Abalos, in a virtual briefing at the Palace, said Metro Manila mayors voted unanimously on this.

"Starting August 6, the curfew will be 8 p.m. up to 4 a.m.,” Abalos said partly in Filipino.

He also clarified that approval from the the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is not necessary since

this kind of regulation is within the power of mayors."

Abalos also explained that enforcement of a liquor ban will be up to the discretion of each mayor.

“When it comes to liquor ban, we are giving the discretion to each [local government unit]. So far, there are LGUs saying they will not implement liquor ban,” he said, adding that they are collating information on this.

MERALCO TO SUSPEND DISCONNECTION IN AREAS UNDER ECQ, MECQ

MANILA - Meralco will be suspending disconnection activities in Laguna from August 1 to 15 and the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 6 to 20, the power distributor said on Tuesday.

The company said this was after the government placed NCR on ECQ from August 6 to 20 and Laguna on MECQ from August 1 to 15.

“Given the current situation, we continue to take into consideration the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times. Thus, we will again suspend all disconnection activities in NCR and Laguna to help ease the burden of our customers with the needed relief and additional time to settle their bills,” said Ferdinand Geluz, Meralco first vice president.

Meralco said its will "continue to be very considerate" with customers in areas under GCQ.

The company said it will also continue vital operations such as meter reading.

MANILA CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS AS CITY PREPARES FOR 24/7 VACCINATION

MANILA — The local government of Manila is gearing up for the rollout out of 24/7 vaccination program and has called on volunteers to augment manpower, its Public Information Office announced Monday.

In a statement, the Manila PIO said Mayor Isko Moreno announced that the city is set to start its 24/7 operations of vaccination in the coming weeks.

“Waiting for night shift volunteers and the vaccine, will take advantage of [enhance community quarantine] status in the coming days,” Moreno, in a separate message, told reporters.

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QUEZON CITY LOCKS DOWN 25 AREAS

MANILA — Portions of at least 25 barangays in Quezon City have been placed under special concern lockdown due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

In an advisory issued on Sunday, the local government said the following areas would be under a 14-day lockdown: Luke street in Hobart Subdivision 2, Quirino Highway in Barangay Gulod, ROTC Hunters, Cluster 7 in Barangay Tatalon, G. Araneta Avenue in Barangay Santol, GKHSIA in Tandang Sora, Alex Apartelle in Barangay Talipapa, Ilang-Ilang street in Batasan Hills, Davao street in Barangay Alicia, Aguenda street in Bahay Toro, Esteban Abada in Loyola Heights and Emerald Lane in Barangay Culiat.

Ipo street in Salvacion, Mang David street in Baesa, Ocampo and Fatima streets in UP Diliman, Labo street in San Isidro Labrador, Domingo street in Holy Spirit, Temple Drive in Ugong Norte, Bagong Buhay street in Sto. Niño and Manansala street in Krus na Ligas were locked down.

The Ave Maria Convent in Pasong Putik, Tabigo street along Commonwealth as well as four areas at Shelter Homes in Batasan Hills and six areas along Dela Cruz street in Barangay Krus na Ligas were also placed on lockdown.

“The city government will provide food packs and essential kits to affected families. They will be subjected to swab tests during the 14-day quarantine,” city hall said.

ILOILO CITY PLACED UNDER HARD LOCKDOWN UNTIL AUGUST 8

MANILA—Heightened restrictions will be in place until Sunday, August 8 in Iloilo City, even as the city remained under enhanced community quarantine, to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, its mayor said on Tuesday.

Except for returning overseas Filipino workers, people are not allowed to travel to Iloilo City, except to work, to access medical needs, or to get vaccinated, according to an executive order signed by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

A total liquor ban has also been put in place, and only selected industries have been allowed to operate at full capacity.

In an interview on ANC’s “Rundown,” Treñas said that although the number of COVID-19 cases has started to go down, the healthcare utilization rate remained a concern.

Treñas noted that about 70% of hospital beds, intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and isolation beds in the city were occupied by patients from nearby areas, while only 30% are occupied by patients from the city.

“It’s because the patients come 30% from the city and 70% from the province. You know, I just discovered that all the hospitals in the province are Level 1, so they do not have ICU beds. So much so that all severe and moderate cases are being sent to Iloilo, unfortunately,” he said.

The mayor said hospitals in Iloilo are having a hard time increasing the number of beds allotted for COVID-19 patients, as PhilHealth have not reimbursed their expenses.

QUARANTINE PASSES BACK IN VALENZUELA

MANILA — New quarantine passes will be distributed to households in Valenzuela City during the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) , Mayor Rex Gatchalian announced yesterday.

Barangay officials will deliver the quarantine passes to every household for free, Gatchalian said on Facebook.

The quarantine pass should be used by the head of the family when going out to buy food and other essentials, according to Gatchalian.

He reminded residents to still bring their QR code passes generated by the city’s contact tracing app ValTrace, which will be required before entering business establishments.

PHILIPPINE BAGS SIX MEDALS IN INTERNATIONAL MATH OLYMPIAD

MANILA — Six Filipino students won four silver and two bronze medals at the 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held virtually from July 14 to 24.

Winning the silver medals were Immanuel Josiah Balete of St. Stephen’s High School, Raphael Dylan Dalida of Philippine Science High School main campus, Steven Reyes of Saint Jude Catholic School and Bryce Ainsley Sanchez of Grace Christian College.

Sarji Elijah Bona of De La Salle University Senior High School and Vincent de la Cruz of Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science received the bronze medals.

The IMO is regarded as the toughest and most prestigious mathematics contest in the world.

The Philippine team was led by Christian Paul Chan Shio and Raymond Joseph Fadri in behalf of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines.

The team ranked 23rd out of 107 countries, a jump from 2020 when the Philippines landed in 43rd place.

Hosted by Russia, the 62nd IMO was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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CEBU CITY SEEKING MORE HEALTH WORKERS, AS VIRUS CASES SOAR: ACTING MAYOR

MANILA — Cebu City needs more health workers to deal with rising COVID-19 cases, acting mayor Michael Rama said on Tuesday, as three hospitals in the city were now full.

"Nananawagan ako as acting mayor mismo sa whole island of Cebu kasi marami pa namang nurses at medical staff na hindi nagtatrabaho na," Rama told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo, without identifying which hospitals have reached their capacity.

"Let them go out and bring their sense of volunteerism para di na tayo nagwo-worry (so we don't have to worry) on counting dead people."

The city will be opening its field hospitals in the "days to come" to reduce the number of virus patients in medical facilities, Rama said.

"We’ll be doing it sa'ming malaking sports complex that will be bringing (in) asymptomatic, mild and perhaps moderate para ang mga ospital natin ma-reduce ang pagka-overwhelmed," he added.

Dr. Helen Madamba, chief implementer of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center COVID-19 Health Facility, said Cebu was experiencing a virus resurgence amid the presence of the highly contagious Delta variant.

"I think it's safe to say there is a surge because the current number of COVID-positive patients has surpassed the number during the second wave. So, there is a surge," she said in a mix of Filipino and English.

VSMMC currently has 144 coronavirus-positive patients, of which many are severe and critical cases. The tally includes 13 asymptomatic and 28 mild cases.

Most of the patients, Madamba said, are unvaccinated against the respiratory disease.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SHARON CUNETA RETURNS TO PH: 'I'M HOME!'

MANILA – Sharon Cuneta has returned to the Philippines after staying in the United States for over two months.

Across her social media pages, the screen veteran shared that she came back to the Philippines on August 1 and is currently in quarantine.

“Arrived back home in Manila very quietly at 4 something in the morning on August 1. Am now in my 10-day quarantine. Same building as our home, but in the other half where the hotel is. I cannot even see high up to our balcony where I wished yesterday that I would be able to even just see my babies and Kiko waving at me,” she wrote in the caption.

Although she is happy to be back, Cuneta said she is “going through so much” that she asked her followers to continuously pray for her.

“Kahit talaga anong tino ng pamumuhay mo, magkakaroon ka pa rin ng problema. Pero mabait ang Panginoon and He has never let me down, and so I have lifted everything up to Him and I trust in Him completely. Lilipas din lahat ito,” she said.

To end her post, Cuneta shared the welcome banners her children made for her as well as the sweet note her husband, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan gave her.

“Itong nasa pictures na ito po ang sumalubong sa akin pagpasok ko sa hotel room ko pagdating ko from the airport! Pampasaya talaga ng puso,” she said.

Now that she’s back, Cuneta said she is looking forward to get back to work soon. She is also excited for her fans to finally see her movie “Revirginized” which will become available on August 6.

It was in early May when Cuneta flew to US on a personal trip without her family, saying she “needs to breathe.”

To this day, Cuneta has not shared the reason why she decided to fly out and stay in the US for a while.

SPORTS

PBA SUSPENDS GAMES AMID RISE IN COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT CASES

MANILA – The PBA announced it is temporarily suspending games of its ongoing 46th season starting Wednesday because of the heightened quarantine level in Metro Manila in response to the “unwanted rise of COVID-19 Delta variant infections.”

In a statement Tuesday, the league said it supports the government’s decision to place the National Capital Region under General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions from July 30 to August 5. NCR will be under the much stricter Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 6 to August 20.

The PBA earlier bared its intention to hold games in Lipa, Batangas to ride out the ECQ, a plan currently pending approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF).

OLYMPICS: PAALAM ASSURED OF BRONZE AFTER HUGE UPSET OVER UZBEK CHAMP

Carlo Paalam is now assured of a bronze medal in men's flyweight after a stunning upset over Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan, the reigning Olympic champion, in their quarterfinal bout on Tuesday at the Kokugikan Arena.

Paalam was a huge underdog against Zoirov, the gold medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2019 world champion.

But the 23-year-old Paalam, the youngest member of the Philippine boxing team in Tokyo, showed no fear of the champion and showed great aggression to take the opening round. He kept pouring it on in round two, where the bout was stopped with 1:16 to go after both fighters sustained cuts.

Both Paalam and Zoirov were checked by the ringside doctor, and the referee opted to put a stop to the contest. Paalam was ahead in the judges' scorecards at the time of the contest, with four judges scoring it 20-18 in the Filipino's favor and another judge having it tied, 19-all.

An emotional Paalam fell to his knees when the fight was stopped, while his foe left the ring as soon as the decision was announced.

"Magaling talaga eh, magaling, mabilis din. At saka, nautakan ko rin lang talaga siya. Ayun talaga, talino at tiwala sa sarili at sa Panginoon talaga po. Siya po ang nagbigay ng panalong ito po," Paalam told Paolo del Rosario of Cignal TV, after ousting one of the favorites in the competition.

Paalam told reporters that he was aware of the gap in experience between him and Zoirov, but never lost faith in himself and in his coaches

"He's the best opponent," Paalam said. "I'm so happy I'm a bronze medalist."

Asked about his hopes for a gold medal, the boxer said: "I'll do my best."

Paalam's bronze medal assures the Philippines of its largest medal haul in a single Olympic Games.

Paalam now moves on to the semifinals of the flyweight tournament, where he faces hometown bet Tanaka Ryomei, who won his quarterfinal via split decision against Colombia's Yuberjen Martinez Rivas, also on Tuesday morning.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned. – Buddha