18TH CONGRESS ADJOURNS 1ST REGULAR SESSION
MANILA — The first regular session of the 18th Congress adjourned yesterday
with the passage of several pieces of legislation, including measures to
help the country cope with the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, in his closing address, expressed
gratitude for the cooperation of his fellow senators and for actively
participating either physically in the session hall or virtually via
teleconferencing during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.
“I stand with the Senate in the creation of a legislative agenda that is
committed to saving lives, maintaining growth in the economy and – for as
long as the coronavirus poses a threat to the world – by unifying government
policy in anticipation for living in a new world,” Sotto said.
“Let me assure the Filipino people that the Senate is here to ensure that
government continues to serve the publicÂ’s interest. But let me also say
that as dutiful citizens, the Filipino must likewise contribute to this
endeavor,” he said.
The Senate, upon resumption of session last May 4, amended its rules to
allow plenary sessions and committee hearings to be conducted “hybrid” or
via teleconferencing after Metro Manila was placed under an extended ECQ.
Prior to the resumption of session, the chamber passed the Bayanihan to Heal
as One Act, which was signed into law last March 24.
The Senate during the hybrid plenary session also passed on third reading
Senate Bill 1541 authorizing the President, upon the recommendation of the
secretary of education, to move the start of the school year during a state
of emergency or calamity.
The measure, which seeks to amend Republic Act 7797, was intended to protect
students, teachers and non-teaching school personnel from the threat of
COVID-19, he said.
Also approved during its hybrid plenary session was Senate Bill 1354, which
aims to impose longer prison sentences and larger fines on individuals found
guilty of perjury; and Senate Bill 1318, which seeks to strengthen Republic
Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
DON’T BLAME US FOR STALLED COVID AID BILL — SENATE
MANILA — It’s not the fault of senators that they adjourned without passing
the bill expanding coverage of the Bayanihan Act as Malacañang itself did
not certify the proposed measure as urgent, Senate President Vicente Sotto
III said yesterday.
“We did pass it (Bayanihan to Recover as One Act) on second reading. No
third reading because they (Malacañang) did not certify it as urgent. Do not
put the blame on us,” Sotto said.
He lamented that the chamber waited for two days this week for Malacañang to
certify Senate Bill 1564 or the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,
which is meant to replace Republic Act 11469 that declared a state of
national emergency and granted Duterte special powers to address the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
The delay was largely caused by MalacañangÂ’s insistence on retaining some of
President Duterte’s special powers – including taking over private medical
facilities and transportation – and putting a budget cap on the various
financial aid to distressed sectors.
The “authorized powers” – including realigning funds, imposing stiffer
penalties on certain criminal acts and taking over private hospitals,
medical and health facilities, and transportation – under the Bayanihan Act,
however, were only in effect until Congress adjourned.
Sotto said the chamber was bent on passing SB 1564 so that various financial
aid to affected sectors can be extended and expanded, to include teachers,
drivers of public utility vehicles and those in the creative industry.
But he said a Malacañang certification is needed so that the Senate could
skip the three-day rule in passing the legislation on third and final
reading.
DUTERTE TO REVIEW REWORKED AYALA, PANGILINAN WATER CONTRACTS
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he would review the
renegotiated water distribution contracts of the Ayala and Pangilinan
groups.
Duterte said he was "ok" with the new Manila Water and Maynilad contracts as
long as "the people get their money back." He earlier criticized the deals
as disadvantageous to the public.
"I will be, starting tomorrow. I think the papers are here with me now, I
will review the contracts that are proposed by the government panel to the
Ayala and the Pangilinan consortium," Duterte said in a televised address.
"Ako, ok na ko, basta mabawi lang ng pera ang tao even in installments sa
ano ninyo but you have to make some amends. Nagkalma ako kasi whether I like
it or not, water is very important in our lives," he added.
The Ayala Group operates Manila Water Co while Metro Pacific Investments
Corp and DMCI Holdings Inc are in charge of Maynilad Services Inc. Manila
Water recently took in ports billionaire Enrique Razon as investor.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the President was referring to
water concessions under renegotiation, in response to a question from
ABS-CBN News.
The Philippine government refused to pay P3.4 billion to Maynilad and P7.4
billion to Manila Water as ordered by a Singapore-based Permanent Court of
Arbitration for losses incurred due to denied rate increases. Both
concessionaires waived the claims.
"Ok na lang ako but yung nawala sa tao, kung ano ang nawala sa kanila, that
has to be paid back. Whether installments over a period of years but you
have to return the money to the people," Duterte said.
"Just give us a contract that is fair and also the return of the money of
the people. Equity and fairness requires it. We should return the money," he
added.
Pangilinan and the Ayalas can agree to the contract "if it is to your
liking" but if they don't, the government will proceed with the second phase
or the filing of cases, Duterte said.
Duterte reiterated his apology to the businessmen for the "cuss words" he
uttered at them.
ANTI-TERROR BILL: BUSINESS GROUP OPPOSE IN 'STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS'
MANILA - The country's top business groups on Friday registered their
opposition to an anti-terrorism bill pending in Congress "in the strongest
possible terms," adding to growing resistance against the measure.
Threats to national security can be addressed using existing laws and
policies "and as such do not require urgent new legislation," the groups
said in a joint statement.
What the country needs at this time are policies that uplift shuttered
businesses, the jobless, children going hungry and the education system, it
said.
"We the undersigned are united in voicing our opposition in the strongest
possible terms to the enactment at this time of the Anti-Terrorism Act of
2020 (House Bill 6875)," the statement said.
"In these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, what we need is national
unity. We need to come together, united around a set of relief and recovery
measures that will help us come out of this pandemic a stronger and more
resilient nation," it added.
The anti-terrorism act is "highly divisive" and poses danger to human
rights, the groups said.
WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC, SAYS WHO IN NEW COVID-19 ADVICE
GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization Friday changed its
advice on face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying they should be
worn in places where the virus is widespread and physical distancing is
difficult.
The use of masks has been a hot topic ever since the pandemic first emerged
in China in December.
"In light of evolving evidence, WHO advises that governments should
encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread
transmission and physical distancing is difficult," said WHO chief Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In areas with community-level virus transmission, "we advise that people
aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a
medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible", he
added.
But the UN health agency stressed that facemasks alone "will not protect you
from COVID-19" -- and people suffering with the virus should not be out in
public if they can avoid it.
Three-layer facemask
The WHO also issued new guidance on the composition of non-medical fabric
masks for the general public, advising that they should consist of at least
three layers of different material.
The inner layer should be made of a water-absorbent material such as cotton,
the middle layer -- which acts as a filter -- from a material like non-woven
polypropylene, while the outer layer should be a water-resistant material
such as polyester.
The WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan stressed that putting on a
fabric mask is primarily about preventing the wearer from possibly infecting
others, rather than self-protection.
"It's an altruistic act," he said.
PHILIPPINES' COVID-19 TALLY SOARS TO 20,626
MANILA – The Philippines on Friday documented 244 new COVID-19 cases,
bringing the overall tally from the pandemic to 20,626, as the country
shifted to eased quarantine restrictions.
Of the new infections, which is the countryÂ’s lowest single-day increase in
nearly 2 weeks, 168 are "fresh cases" while 76 are considered "late cases,"
the Department of Health (DOH) said in its latest bulletin.
Fresh cases are test results released and validated in the last 3 days,
while late cases are validated and confirmed late.
Central Visayas recorded the most number of fresh cases with 127, followed
by the National Capital Region with 24. Some 17 others came from other
regions.
Out of the late cases, the National Capital Region had 24, Central Visayas
had 11 and 41 came from other regions.
The respiratory illness, caused by the novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2,
also claimed another 3 lives, latest figures showed.
The nationwide death toll stood at 987. The country has recorded an average
of 6.4 deaths daily in the past week.
AFTER PINNING BLAME ON STAFF, DUQUE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELAYED
COMPENSATION TO WORKERS
MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he is taking
responsibility for the delayed release of compensation to COVID-19 infected
healthcare workers, hours after his remarks pinning the blame to his staff
was aired on national TV.
“While I expressed disappointment towards some members of my team, I
acknowledge that this is still responsibility as SOH,” Duque wrote in a
tweet Friday noon.
This was hours after he said, in a recorded Inter-Agency Task Force on
Emerging Infectious Disease meeting aired Friday morning, that the delay is
“embarrassing.”
Replying to President Rodrigo Duterte, Duque said: “Nakakahiya talaga sir.
Namatayan na nga, tapos nagpawardi-wardi mga tao. Parang walang sense of
urgency, Sir. Yun ang talagang ang sama sama ng loob ko, Sir.”
AIRASIA PHILIPPINES TO LAY OFF 12 PCT OF WORKFORCE OVER COVID-19 LOSSES
MANILA- AirAsia Philippines said Friday it was letting go of 12 percent of
its workforce or over 200 employees, becoming the first airline to announce
layoffs following losses because of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a
prolonged travel halt around the world.
"Despite all our efforts to curb the effects of the pandemic, AirAsia has
made the difficult decision of reducing the companyÂ’s workforce, but has
done everything to keep the number of affected employees to a minimum,
totalling 12% of all Filipino Allstars," it said in a statement.
With a total 2,200 employees, the layoffs are expected to affect about 264
workers.
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MOCHA USON IN HOT SEAT FOR ALLEGEDLY LABELING ANTI-TERRORISM BILL PROTESTERS
'TERRORISTS'
MANILA — Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator
Mocha Uson is in the hot seat again for allegedly calling yesterday's
anti-terrorism bill protesters as terrorists.
In a now deleted tweet yesterday afternoon, Mocha said: "Hahahahaha galit na
galit na mga terorista nagtipon tipon na sila."
Her tweet was screenshot by netizens and it went viral, making her a top
trending Twitter topic today.
Some Twitter users believe the OWWA deputy administrator taunted hundreds
who protested in University of the Philippines yesterday for opposing the
anti-terrorism bill certified as "urgent" by President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Mocha Uson called the protesters 'mga terorista.' This further proves that
anyone can be labeled a terrorist. Literally anyone!" A Twitter user said.
"Mocha Uson called the protestors 'mga terorista' like wth ma'am!? How can
they be a terrorist? Just because they are against the Bill? At this point
we can see that everyone can be a terrorist," another user wrote.
"Mocha uson, a public official, just used 'terorista' as a blanket term for
the activists. the bill has not been signed yet, but she already misused it.
only proves that this bill can be abused and weaponized against us," another
user wrote.
It can be recalled that last month, the National Bureau of Investigation
said it is conducting probe into Uson for posting fake news.
HALOS 2,000 ESTUDYANTE SA UNIVERSITY OF BATANGAS, NAGTAPOS SA 'VIRTUAL
GRADUATION'
Nagtapos ang halos 2,000 estudyante sa kauna-unahang "virtual graduation" ng
University of Batangas nitong Biyernes.
Sa kabila ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, espesyal pa rin
ang kanilang pagtatapos ngayong taon dahil sa isinagawang virtual graduation
ang paaralan.
Ayon kay Dr. Redentor Rodriguez, executive producer ng virtual graduation,
halos dalawang libong estudyante ang nagtapos ngayong taon sa naturang
unibersidad.
Dagdag pa niya, online rin ang graduation ng mga nagtapos ng elementarya.
“The content of the livestream definitely what we see in actual graduation
is also what we have in virtual ceremony, from prayer from the graduates,
distribution of certificates what we did is we show their pictures with
their names, with guest speaker etc.”
LOOK: 'STRAWBERRY MOON' SEEN FROM RIZAL
MANILA - The onset of a penumbral lunar eclipse was seen from Morong, Rizal
on Friday night.
The celestial event is also called “strawberry moon” because of the fruit’s
harvest season in North America.
Jovelyn Mateo sent to ABS-CBN News photos she took of the "strawberry moon"
Friday night.
PAGASA said the eclipse would begin when the moon enters penumbra at 1:45
a.m. and ends at 5:04 a.m.
"A penumbra refers to a partially shaded outer region of a shadow that an
object casts. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the
faint penumbral portion of the earthÂ’s shadow," it said.
The astronomical event will also be observed in much of Europe and Asia,
Australia, Africa, and other parts of the world.
‘DESTRUCTION OF WILDLIFE HABITATS LINKED TO SPREAD OF DISEASES’
MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar called for stricter implementation of
environmental laws especially in protected areas that serve as natural
habitats for wildlife, including endangered animals that contribute
significantly to biodiversity.
The chair of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources
before the weekend warned that the continuous destruction of wildlife
habitats and biodiversity losses contribute to the spread of infectious
diseases.
“The fact that they are called protected areas should already warn people
about their importance. They are the natural habitats of wildlife, which
should not be damaged or destroyed, but protected instead, not only for the
animals’ sake but for our sake as well,” she said.
She said the destruction of natural habitats has been linked to the spread
of infectious diseases such as Ebola, human immunodeficiency virus, swine
fever and avian flu.
More than two-thirds of these diseases originate in animals, and about 70
percent come from wild animals, or what is referred to as zoonotic diseases,
she said.
Citing reports from the Wildlife Conservation Society, she said habitat loss
forces animals to move to areas populated by people, who become exposed to
the pathogens of animals that in turn spread viruses.
The group mentioned the Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia in the late 1990s.
Deforestation drove fruit bats to transfer from their natural habitat to
trees in pig farms. The pigs came into contact with bat droppings and became
infected. The pigs then infected farmers.
700 STRANDED NA RESIDENTE NG SORSOGON, MAKAKAUWI NA
Makakauwi na ngayong Sabado ang 700 na mga residente ng Sorsogon na stranded
sa Kamaynilaan, ayon kay Fr. Jose Dela Cruz ng Baclaran church.
Ayon kay Dela Cruz, kasali ang mga residente sa "Libreng Sakay: Balik
Probinsya" program ng provincial government ng Sorsogon at sa tulong na rin
ng Redemptorist priests sa Baclaran Church, Barangay Baclaran at ng opisina
ni Vice President Leni Robredo.
Sa Baclaran church sa Parañaque magtitipon-tipon ang mga stranded na mga
residente na una nang nagpagrehistro online. Kailangan din may travel pass
ang gustong makasakay ng bus.
Una nang umalis nitong Biyernes ng gabi ang mga bus pa-Albay na nag-uwi rin
ng nasa 700 katao na stranded sa Metro Manila.
Hindi puno ang mga bus para may physical distancing. Bukod sa libreng
pamasahe, may mga pagkain din na binigay sa mga pasahero.
Marami pang mga planong libreng sakay ang Bicol region dahil marami pa rin
sa mga residente ang na stranded sa Metro Manila nitong higit dalawang buwan
na lockdown.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
MARK HERRAS REVEALS HE'S ENGAGED TO ACTRESS NICOLE DONESA
MANILA--Mark Herras is engaged to actress Nicole Donesa, his girlfriend of
less than a year, the 33-year-old actor's representatives confirmed to Pep
this Friday.
It was on Instagram where Herras shared a black-and-white photo showing off
their engagement rings with the caption: "Ang mahalin ka at makasama ka
habang buhay . . . I love you itchybear."
He also tagged Donesa's Instagram account.
Herras and Donesa, a former beauty queen, first revealed their relationship
last August.
They first met on the set of the series "Bihag," which ran from April to
August 2019.Prior to Donesa, Herras dated Winwyn Marquez. They confirmed
their split back in February 2019, after three years dating.
SPORTS
PBA: NLEX PLAYERS, COACHES TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19
After San Miguel Beer, Ginebra, and Magnolia, NLEX becomes the fourth PBA
team to get their results from COVID-19 testing.
The Road Warriors all tested negative.
Players, coaches, and officials of the Road Warriors took their rapid
COVID-19 tests Thursday at the NLEX Balintawak compound.
PBA Press Corps president Gerry Ramos of website Spin first reported that
team members tested negative.
"All NLEX Road Warriors players, coaches, and staff, including utilities and
ballboys tested negative for the virus," the team said in a statement.
Aside from NLEX, Meralco also had took their COVID-19 tests earlier this
week, while the TNT KaTropa will have their turn next week.
The PBA earlier said that testing is a must as the league prepares for a
possible comeback.
Following a PBA Board meeting Wednesday, the league will implement a "no
test, no practice" scheme on all 12 teams.
INDICATORS
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time
to do the most important thing. - Brian Tracy
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