CARPIO TO ACT AS COUNSEL IN ICC CASE VS XI

MANILA — Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio will

stand as legal counsel in the case filed before the International Criminal

Court (ICC) by former Philippine officials against Chinese President Xi

Jinping and other Chinese officials over ChinaÂ’s incursions in the South

China Sea.

Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario announced yesterday that

Carpio agreed to act as counsel in the case he and former ombudsman Conchita

Carpio-Morales filed against Xi and other Chinese officials for crimes

against humanity in connection with ChinaÂ’s illegal incursions and

environmental damage in the South China Sea.

“We are submitting our response this week to the International Criminal

CourtÂ’s Prosecutor, and I am happy to announce that Justice Tony Carpio has

agreed to join our quest for justice, as our counsel in this ICC case,” Del

Rosario said during a Stratbase ADR forum.

“Justice Carpio is a legal luminary with unparalleled wisdom and expertise

in the South China Sea issue, and he will surely bolster our efforts in the

ICC,” he said.

Carpio played a key role in the PhilippinesÂ’ historic victory against China

before the Permanent Court of Arbitration and is recognized for his role as

steadfast defender of the PhilippinesÂ’ maritime rights and entitlements

under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

CarpioÂ’s anti-China stance clashed with the foreign policy of President

Duterte, who admitted in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) last

July 27 that he was “inutile” and “cannot do anything” against China’s

pursuit of territory and resources in the South China Sea despite the

Arbitral Tribunal’s 2016 ruling that invalidated its “historic rights.”

Del Rosario and Morales filed on March 13, 2019 a complaint with the Office

of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda against Xi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang

Yi and former Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua for crimes

against humanity by intentionally depriving Filipinos and other coastal

inhabitants in the South China Sea of their food, resources and livelihood.

He said they will submit a more extensive discussion that the crimes

occurred not only in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines,

but also within its territorial sea and the coast of Luzon.

“The ICC has strong basis to proceed with our case,” Del Rosario said.

“The end purpose of our ICC case is to hold Chinese President Xi Jinping and

other Chinese officials criminally liable and be penalized by imprisonment

pursuant to the ICC Statute,” Del Rosario said.

PALACE, ROBREDO SWAP BARBS OVER COVID-19 RESPONSE

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo and Malacañang continued to trade barbs

over the Duterte administrationÂ’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic more

than six months into the lockdown, one of the longest in the world.

Robredo hit anew the government’s apparent “lack of system” in dealing with

the pandemic during an online interview with broadcast journalist Howie

Severino on Tuesday night.

Malacañang, however, shrugged off yesterday RobredoÂ’s remarks, saying she

cannot be expected to say something positive about the administration as

leader of the opposition.

Severino asked the opposition leader whether she has changed her position

not to back calls for health chief Francisco DuqueÂ’s resignation despite the

controversies hounding the health chief, who chairs the Interagency Task

Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“No. I haven’t changed my mind. Our problem is so much bigger than Secretary

Duque. For me the problem really is the national government, which

apparently has no system,” she said.

Robredo maintained the country lacks a leader in responding to the pandemic.

“It seems that there is no cohesive plan… there’s no one leading. If you

look at the work being done by the agencies, as if they were working in

silos,” she said.

“Ideally, the President should be the one leading (the COVID-19 response).

But if he doesnÂ’t want that role or he is busy with other things, there is

at least one person who will do it,” she said.

“For me, the failure is the system. It’s not just Secretary Duque. So,

whether or not you remove Secretary Duque, if the system remains, the

problems will persist,” she said.

She said the country needs a whole-of-government approach to be able to

flatten the COVID-19 curve.

“It’s so frustrating when you don’t see any direction, when you see

government officials contradict each other. And I think we see this during

press conferences,” she said. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said

Robredo’s tirades against the administration are expected.“She is entitled

to her opinion. Of course, as the leader of the opposition, we donÂ’t expect

anything positive about this administration from her,” Roque told CNN

Philippines.

DUTERTE WANTS PHILHEALTH ABOLISHED OR PRIVATIZED - SOTTO

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to abolish the Philippine

Health Insurance Corp. due to alleged corruption within the state insurer,

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said Thursday.

Sotto said he was summoned to a meeting with the President Wednesday evening

where they discussed the Universal Health Care Act, the PhilHealth Law as

well as possible amendments to the Anti-Red Tape Law.

"He said he wanted PhilHealth abolished or privatized but I said it might be

better to wait a few months and see how the new admin performs,” Sotto said.

"I explained that PhilHealth is an insurance corp and not a Health entity."

Sotto was referring to former National Bureau of Investigation director

Dante Gierran who has been appointed by Duterte as the new PhilHhealth

president and chief executive officer, weeks after retired general Ricardo

Morales tendered his resignation.

While the Philhealth issue was discussed, the President did not mention the

name of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who is accused of having a hand

in the PhilHealth anomalies.

"I was ready to talk about it but he did not bring the name up," Sotto said.

The Senate on its adopted Committee of the Whole report, has recommended

that Duque, PhilHealthÂ’s ex-officio chairman of the board, be replaced by a

more competent official, and be charged criminally and administratively by

the Department of Justice.

Duterte has refused to fire Duque, saying negligence is not enough reason to

fire the health chief.

1-METER RULE ‘NOT GOSPEL TRUTH’: EXPERTS BACK PUV DISTANCING CUT

Group proposes ‘7 commandments’ for mass transport

MANILA — A group of medical experts on Thursday backed the easing of

physical distancing rules in public vehicles and proposed “7 commandments”

to keep passengers safe from the pandemic.

Former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, a member of the group, noted that

subway passengers in Japan maintain physical distancing in the platforms,

but are allowed to sit close to each other inside the trains, while they are

wearing masks and refrain from talking.

Public vehicles in the Philippines will “not [be] as congested” as Japan’s

subway, even after the distancing requirement is lowered to 0.75 meter or if

it further went down to 0.5 and 0.3 meter, he said.

“What we’re saying here, me as a medical person, is that it is possible to

go below one meter. It is not dogma, but we have to look at all the packages

in the 7 commandments for its proper implementation,” Dayrit told ANC.

“These norms are not dogma, gospel truth. Even the WHO says that these norms

have to be applied according to the context,” he added.

The “7 commandments” for the mass transport system that Dayrit’s group

recommended include the following:

1. Use anti-virus masks. Those who wear this are 6 times less likely to get

infection compared to those who donÂ’t, said Dayrit.

2. Wear face shield. This will reduce the risk of infection by as much as 3

times, he said.

3. No talking and no eating. Respiratory droplets from the mouth and nose

can spread the virus, said the former health chief.

4. Ensure adequate ventilation. Open the windows of vehicles every now and

then to dissipate the still air, where the virus might linger. For trains,

stopping at platforms and opening the door will promote airflow, he said.

5. Practice frequent disinfection. Transport authorities should ensure that

public vehicles are cleaned with bleach, which kills the virus, he said.

6. No symptomatic passengers. People who feel unwell should refrain from

using public transport, said Dayrit.

7. Observe appropriate physical distancing.

“This is not just the 1-meter social distancing which is at issue here. We

have to implement the total package,” said Dayrit. “And if we do, we will

have great potential to reduce physical distancing and follow your policy of

wanting to open up the economy.”

President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on the physical distancing policy

after members of the government's pandemic response task force failed to

reach a consensus, his spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday.

HOUSE APPROVES ESTATE AMNESTY BILL

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final

reading a bill extending the estate tax amnesty period by another two years

as a form of economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 302-member chamber approved House Bill 7068 on third reading in a 209-0

vote.

Administration lawmakers overwhelmingly approved House Bill 7068 which seeks

to amend the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019 (Republic Act 11213), providing

economic relief to individuals who lost their jobs as a result of the global

pandemic.

“We thank our colleagues for supporting the passage of this very important

measure,” House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said, noting that people

are having “extreme difficulty in paying their taxes” due to the recession

as a result of the health crisis.

Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay, who sits as chairman of the House ways and means

committee, also lauded the passage of the bill, saying the “estate tax

amnesty acknowledges the plain reality that it has become very difficult to

process papers because of Covid-19.”

THERE WONÂ’T BE ENOUGH CORONAVIRUS VACCINES FOR A RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE UNTIL

2022, WHO SCIENTIST SAYS

Do not expect there to be enough Covid-19 vaccines for life to return to

normal until 2022, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Soumya

Swaminathan predicted on Tuesday.

Swaminathan said the WHOÂ’s Covax initiative, the resource-pooling mechanism

to provide equitable vaccine access to countries with differing income

levels, would only be able to garner around hundreds of millions doses by

the middle of next year, meaning each of the some 170 countries or economies

that have joined “will have something”.

But the number of doses will be too small to change the need for social

distancing and mask wearing until production is increased and reaches the

goal of 2 billion by the end of 2021.

“The way that people are picturing it is that in January you have vaccines

for the whole world and things will start going back to normal – it is not

how it works,” she said.

“Our best assessment [for vaccine roll-out] is the middle of 2021 because at

the beginning of 2021 is when you will start seeing the results of some of

these trials.”

China, however, presented a more aggressive timeline. On Tuesday, Wu Guizhen

of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said people in

China would have access to locally developed vaccines as early as November

or December.

US President Donald Trump has also pledged there will be a vaccine soon,

raising concerns that US regulators might bow to political pressure and

issue emergency-use licences prematurely.

Swaminathan said the WHO was planning to issue guidelines on the emergency

use of vaccines next week.

“All the trials that are ongoing have follow-up for at least 12 months if

not longer,” she said. “That is the time you normally like to see to make

sure you don’t have a long-term adverse effect after the first few weeks.”

“Because it is a pandemic, it is possible that many regulators will want to

do an emergency-use listing, which is understandable, but there needs to be

some criteria around that,” she added.

“What we would like to see is efficacy, but I think more importantly what

people like to see for safety.”

She said the US Food and Drug Administration would issue emergency-use

guidelines soon.

When asked about the Chinese and US situations, Swaminathan said “national

regulators have the authority to do so in their own territories”. But she

added that they should impose a deadline for companies to provide data, and

that emergency-use licences could be revoked if the last stage of trials did

not meet requirements.

THE REST

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CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS IN PHILIPPINES CLIMB PAST 272,000

The countryÂ’s coronavirus caseload increased to 272,934 Wednesday after the

Department of Health announced more than 3,000 new cases.

The DOH logged 3,550 cases Wednesday, marking the ninth straight day that

additional cases were more than 3,000. Of the figure, 84% occurred within

the last two weeks.

RESTRICTION OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO SALNS UNCONSTITUTIONAL: EX-SENATOR

MANILA - The Office of the Ombudsman's limitation of public access to

government officials' Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN)

is unconstitutional and violative of the law, a former senator said

Thursday.

The Constitution, Republic Act 6713 or A Code of Conduct and Ethical

Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the law's implementing

rules are "very clear" that SALNs shall be available to the public,

according to the law's author former senator Joey Lina.

"I believe so. The Constitution very clearly states that the public

officials and employees are mandated to file under oath their SALNs and the

manner of disclosure shall be provided by law and we have the RA 6713," Lina

told ANC when asked if the Ombudsman's memorandum violates the Constitution.

PHILIPPINES TARGETS PRODUCTION OF 20 MILLION FACE MASKS IN 2 MONTHS

MANILA - The Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry is looking to

produce 20 million face masks in 2 months, which President Rodrigo Duterte

wants to distribute for free to the countryÂ’s poorest of the poor families.

"As we speak po, nag-uumpisa nang magdeliver 'yung initial product. Pero

siguro within 2 months hopefully makumpleto namin itong 20 million," Trade

Secretary Ramon Lopez told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

Lopez said the project would still go through bidding through the Department

of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Para ho hindi lang magiging isang supplier. Ito ang mangyayari,

hahati-hatiin sa mga barangay, consolidator na magdidistribute sa mga

community, barangay,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday instructed the DTI to consolidate

different micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as community

organizations, for the production of face masks.

PH TYCOONS' FORTUNES FALL AS PANDEMIC DISRUPTS BUSINESSES, SY SIBLINGS

RICHEST: FORBES

MANILA - The coronavirus pandemic led to a drop in the fortunes of the

Philippines' richest according to Forbes, with a total of 32 listees posting

a decline in their net worth.

"Tycoons on the 2020 Forbes Philippines Rich List saw their collective

wealth fall 22 percent to $60.6 billion as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted

the countryÂ’s economy," said Forbes.

The children of mall and banking tycoon Henry Sy took the biggest hit in

dollar terms, with their fortune down by $3.3 billion but remain the

country's richest with a net worth of $13.9 billion.

Property tycoon and former Philippine Senator Manuel Villar is the countryÂ’s

second richest man, even as his wealth fell $1.6 billion to $5 billion.

Ports magnate Enrique Razon Jr. moved up to No. 3 this year with a net worth

of $4.3 billion, down from $5.1 billion previously, it said.

Newcomers on the list are Lance Gokongwei and his siblings, who debuted at

No. 4 with a net worth of $4.1 billion. They replace their father John

Gokongwei Jr., who passed away in November 2019.

The top 10 richest in the Philippines are:

Sy siblings; US$13.9 billion

Manuel Villar; $5 billion

Enrique Razon Jr.; $4.3 billion

Lance Gokongwei & siblings; $4.1 billion

Jaime Zobel de Ayala; $3.6 billion

Andrew Tan; $2.3 billion

Lucio Tan; $2.2 billion

Ramon Ang; $2 billion

Tony Tan Caktiong; $1.9 billion

Lucio & Susan Co; $1.7 billion

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MAJOR SHORT FILM FESTIVAL IN ASIA KICKS OFF AMID PANDEMIC

TOKYO - The Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia opened Wednesday in Tokyo

with livestreaming amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Tetsuya Bessho, a Japanese actor and founder of one of Asia's largest short

film festivals, said during the opening ceremony he was glad the festival

was finally taking place after having been postponed due to the coronavirus

outbreak. The event was initially scheduled to be held in June.

"While this year, we cannot welcome guests from around the world, I would

like to connect with them online," said Bessho, who was also joined in the

ceremony by Japanese celebrities including actresses Megumi Okina and Ayame

Goriki.

Five prizes were awarded to productions including "You Need Help" directed

by Britain-based Argentinian Barbara Elbinger. The 17-minute comedy, which

won the Shibuya Diversity Award, tells the story of an elderly couple

experiencing a blip in their marriage as the husband cannot come to terms

with retirement.

Organizers say the award recognizes films that promote diversity and

inclusion, with such concepts being promoted by the ward of Shibuya in

Tokyo.

"Sleep Singing" created by Bradley Porter, a London-based writer and

director, came first in the musical short film pitch competition, a newly

created category this year.

"Rewild," co-directed by Nicholas Chin and Ernest Zacharevic, was also among

the short films that won prizes.

The festival, authorized by the Academy Awards, is showcasing around 200

short films from 112 countries and regions in Tokyo venues as well as online

through Sept. 27.

SPORTS

NBA GAMES WILL RESUME TOMORROW

James, Antetokounmpo named to All-NBA First Team

LOS ANGELES - Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and four-time

league MVP LeBron James were both unanimously chosen to the All-NBA First

Team, the league announced Wednesday.

Los Angeles Lakers forward James set the league record with his 16th All-NBA

Team selection, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan,

who all have 15.

James has 13 selections to the First Team, two to the Second Team and one to

the Third Team.

Reigning league MVP Antetokounmpo now has a total of four All-NBA

selections, including two to the First Team.

He and James both received All-NBA First Team votes on all 100 ballots to

finish with 500 points each. The voting is conducted by a group of sports

journalists from the US and Canada.

Joining James and Antetokounmpo on the All-NBA First Team were Houston

Rockets guard James Harden (474 points), Lakers forward Anthony Davis (455)

and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (416).

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.38

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure but

from hope to hope. - Samuel Johnson