IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD CAR SEAT LAW POSTPONED

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has deferred implementation

of Republic Act 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act as the Land

Transportation Office (LTO) finalizes enforcement guidelines for the law.

Both the DOTr and LTO yesterday agreed to postpone the enforcement of the

law amid the pandemic, to determine the age and height of the children to be

covered as well as the standard car seat and penalties to be imposed on

violators.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said at least six months

is needed for the conduct of an information campaign before enforcing the

law.

“Secretary Arthur Tugade said we must consider the current situation given

the pandemic,” Libiran said.

The DOTr said the LTO is in the process of finalizing enforcement protocols

for the law, considering that special training is needed because children

are involved.

The LTO was supposed to conduct an enforcement and communications planning

workshop on the implementation of the Child Car Seat Law on March 19, 2020

but it was canceled due to quarantine restrictions.

CHINESE EMBASSY TELLS MANILA NOT TO WORRY ABOUT COAST GUARD LICENSE TO FIRE

The Chinese embassy in Manila has defended Beijing's controversial

coastguard law as "domestic legislation" and said China would continue to

seek a negotiated resolution with the Philippines over their disputes in the

South China Sea.

"China Coast Guard is an administrative law enforcement agency. The

formulation of the coastguard law is a normal domestic legislative activity

of China," the embassy said on its Facebook account, late on Monday night.

"Enacting such a coastguard law is not unique to China, but a sovereign

right to all," the statement continued. "Many countries have enacted similar

legislation. It was the Philippine coastguard law of 2009 that established

the (Philippine Coast Guard) as an armed and uniformed service. None of

these laws have been seen as a threat of war."

The statement could be seen as Beijing's latest attempt to ease tensions

with its Southeast Asian neighbor. The two countries are locked in a

complicated territorial dispute over parts of the strategically important

South China Sea.

China's latest coastguard laws - which explicitly authorize pre-emptive

strikes against foreign vessels in waters "under China's jurisdiction" -

raised alarm in the Philippines and other countries with claims in the South

China Sea, when they came into effect on Monday.

“I love him back even more so. Tisoy kasi ‘no… But anyway, the President is

the chief architect of foreign policy, pero hindi po tayo nanghihimasok (but

we’re not meddling),” he said.

“It is clear from our answer yesterday na we said theoretically the only way

or the only forum is the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea but the decision

whether or not to go there lies with the Department of Foreign Affairs, our

Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of

the other countries. I think I was very clear that I was not intruding,” he

said.

“(With due respect), as chief architect of foreign policy… It’s very hard to

be silent on these matters. But of course, we always defer to the line

agency as far as actual policies to be implemented are concerned,” Roque

added.

Last week, former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio said that Beijing’s

rival claimants in the South China Sea could ask a UN tribunal to nullify

the law, which allows China’s coast guard to shoot foreign vessels that

violate Chinese sovereignty.

Asked for comment the other day, Roque said that a legal challenge may be

filed before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, a judicial

body established under the UNCLOS.

LOCSIN TO ROQUE: LAY OFF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MANILA — While he may speak for the President on various issues, Harry Roque

should “lay off foreign affairs” in which he has no competence, Foreign

Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said yesterday in reaction to the

presidential spokesman’s tepid response to China’s authorizing its coast

guard to fire on foreign vessels.

Roque earlier said Malacañang does not believe that China’s new Coast Guard

law has dashed hopes for a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The Palace official said the Philippines can take China anew to the

international tribunal to question the controversial law, being a party to

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

“I am not listening to Harry Roque. Love the guy but he’s not competent in

this field. We do not go back to The Hague. We might lose what we won.

Harry, lay off,” Locsin told Roque on Twitter on Monday, referring to the

2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating China’s

nine-dash line in the South China Sea. “Harry, just lay off foreign

affairs,” Locsin said in another tweet.

At a briefing at Malacañang, Roque stressed that President Duterte is the

chief architect of the country’s foreign policy, whether Locsin likes it or

not.

GALVEZ, DIZON TO CONVINCE MAGALONG TO WITHDRAW HIS RESIGNATION AS TRACING

CZAR

MANILA - Key officials of the Philippines' team in charge of COVID-19

response programs are set to meet with contact tracing czar Benjamin

Magalong to convince him to withdraw his resignation, one of them said

Tuesday.

Magalong, who submitted his resignation after attending a party in Baguio

City where health protocols were violated, is "irreplaceable," COVID-19

vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said in an interview on PTV.

"Irreplaceable po ang gaya ni Gen. Magalong. Talagang hindi namin matanggap

na magbibitiw siya," he said.

Aside from being on top of the national government's contract tracing

efforts, Magalong, the mayor of Baguio City, is also a key player in curbing

the spread of the new COVID-19 variant in the Cordillera region, said

Galvez.

"'Yung paghihirap niya bilang tracing czar, mahihirapan kung sino man ang

ide-designate namin [na kapalit]," he said.

Vince Dizon, head of the country's COVID-19 testing program, said he and

Galvez are set to meet with Magalong soon to convince the latter to stay in

the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID-19.

"Pipilitin po namin siyang kumbinsihin, na sana po ay 'wag namin siya iiwan

sa national task force dahil kailangan na kailangan po siya," Dizon said in

a televised press conference.

PH RED CROSS EYEING COVID-19 VACCINE PROCUREMENT: CHAIRMAN

MANILA - The Philippine Red Cross is eyeing to procure COVID-19 vaccines,

its chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said Wednesday.

The non-government organization will offer its assistance to government in

its national vaccination program, Gordon earlier said.

The Red Cross is already helping government in inoculating children against

measles, he said.

"Nagorder ako, kung pwede, sa malalaking kompanya tulad nitong AstraZeneca 2

million (doses), Moderna 200,000 (doses). May kakausapin kami dito sa ibang

tao," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

The Philippines is forecast to begin its COVID-19 immunization program this

month as it expects the arrival of around 1 million doses of vaccine.

Government aims to vaccinate up 70 million people against the new

coronavirus this year to achieve herd immunity.

LEONEN: SHOULDN’T SC WAIT FOR 'ACTUAL CASE' IN PETITIONS VS ANTI-TERRORISM

ACT?

MANILA — Should the Philippine Supreme Court step in even where there is no

actual case yet alleging a specific injury?

That’s the question posed by SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen to

petitioners during the start of the oral arguments on the 37 petitions filed

against the Anti-Terrorism Act Tuesday.

An actual case or controversy is a requirement for the Supreme Court’s

exercise of judicial review — a petitioner must allege an actual conflict of

legal rights, not a hypothetical dispute.

All 37 petitions have so far lodged facial challenges against the

anti-terrorism measure, which means, they are challenging the law solely

based on the language of the law and not based on claimed violations upon

its implementation.

This is generally allowed in freedom of expression of cases but should it be

applied to the Anti-Terrorism Act where there are claims of other

violations?

“Shouldn’t we wait for the actual case? Maybe the Aeta case is the actual

case, maybe Rural Missionaries is the actual case, maybe GABRIELA is the

actual case, maybe this DND Accord with the UP, I don’t know, might be the

actual case. But we have to see how government reacts,” Leonen said while

interpellating UP Constitutional Law professor Alfredo Molo III.

Molo serves as counsel for retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio,

former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, and other legal luminaries from

UP.

The Supreme Court need not wait for an actual case of a specific injury

before acting on the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act, a petitioner

said Wednesday.

Lawyer Howard Calleja, who questioned the law in a petition filed back in

July last year, said he appreciated the question raised by Associate Justice

Marvic Leonen during Tuesday's oral arguments, and that the petitioners have

prepared for a "tough battle" with the "facial challenge" they submitted

before the high court.

A facial challenge means the petitioners were challenging the law based

solely on its language and not on claimed violations upon its

implementation. Calleja said this doctrine "allows a case to be brought to

the Supreme Court basically on the vagueness and unconstitutionality on its

face."

"When it really is an affront to the bill of rights, an affront and a clear

violation of the Constitution, then we don’t have to wait for any of this to

happen," Calleja told ANC's Headstart.

THE REST

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PHILIPPINES' COVID-19 CASES CLIMB BY 1,583 TO 528,853

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 1,583 new

COVID-19 cases, or a total of 528,853 confirmed coronavirus infections in

the Philippines.

Thirteen testing laboratories failed to submit their results on time. Since

last week, the DOH has also stopped disclosing the list of areas with the

most number of new cases.

The agency recorded additional 67 COVID-related deaths and 39 recovered

patients. This is the 2nd straight day that the additional deaths are higher

than the new recoveries.

With 10,874 total fatalities and 487,611 total recoveries, the country's

active cases stood at 30,368, or 5.7 percent of the cumulative total.

'PANIC MODE': BAGUIO TOURISTS URGED TO KEEP BOOKINGS AS CITY APPEALS BAN

MANILA - Tourists who have booked their visit to Baguio this month are

advised to keep their reservation as the city asked for reconsideration from

the tourism department, an official said Wednesday.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier said he has asked the Department of Tourism

that the city be allowed to accept tourists despite its placement under

general community quarantine, which bars the entry of travelers.

The city has reached out to some 3,000 travelers to hold their bookings,

said tourism officer Aloysius Mapalo. Some of them may still proceed to

Baguio as they have essential business in the city, he added.

"We’re advising them how it’s possible they can hold it for the meantime and

then perhaps rebook or cancel for the meantime because we’re still hopeful

we can open within the same month... kasi (because) we've shown naman we

have a good system that will observe strictly protocols for entering

visitors dito (here in) Baguio," he told ABS-CBN News.

"Nakahold po muna lahat. Nirerequest namin na i-reconsider na i-rebook on

another date but we cannot tell at this time kailan pa kasi we’re still

waiting nga hopefully ng aming request."

Authorities are planning to do "another round of inspection" of around 300

hotels and accommodation given accreditation, Mapalo said.

"Nakita namin (We saw) how efficient the system is, siguro ang magbabago

lang po (maybe we'll change) how we need to remind the establishment to

strictly enforce what is already in place," he said.

Only 10 percent of the city's pre-pandemic number of tourists arrived when

it reopened in October, Mapalo said.

"Mas mahihirapan ulit dahil nga 'yung pagtanggap namin ng turista nung

October I can say na trickles pa rin ang dumadating. It was not how it used

to be," he said.

"That is why medyo nasa panic mode nga lahat (people are on panic mode) and

they are asking all of these because they are preparing also how to consider

yung kanilang (their) employees and staff."

PRICE CEILING ON CHICKEN, PORK DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY 8

MANILA — The government has moved to Feb. 8 the implementation of President

Duterte’s directive setting a 60-day price ceiling on pork and chicken

products in Metro Manila, to give hog industry players and other

stakeholders a grace period.

At a Congress hearing yesterday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said

Executive Order 124 will take effect on Monday.

EO 124 sets a mandated price cap of P270 per kilo for kasim or pork

shoulder, P300 for liempo or pork belly and P160 for a kilo of chicken as

prices of these commodities continue to soar.

“The price ceiling will be enforced on Feb. 8 by all institutions involved,”

Dar said. “It is already effective. We are just giving industry players time

to adjust.”

PASIG HEALTH AIDES TO GET 140% SALARY HIKE

MANILA — Health aides in Pasig City will be getting a 140% salary hike this

year in an effort to strengthen primary health care in the city.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced Tuesday that 314 health aides in the

city who are currently earning P5,000 a month would be receiving P547 a day

or over P12,000 a month beginning this year.

“Our health center personnel face a heavy task and their responsibilities

would only get heavier, which is why they should not be underpaid,” Sotto

said in a Facebook post.

Sotto also said that health aides who would be retiring would be getting a

separation pay for the first time, equivalent to P10,000 for every year of

service.

SALIVA TEST SAMPLING SOON IN MALLS – RED CROSS

MANILA — Saliva testing for COVID-19 will be available at major malls in

Metro Manila, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said yesterday.

The PRC signed a memorandum of agreement with SM Supermalls for the

establishment of saliva collection sites at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong

and SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said samples would still be processed in

Red Cross laboratories in Metro Manila and the malls would only serve as

specimen collection areas.

Earlier, the PRC said it was also going to talk with school administrators

and other private companies for the use of their property for saliva tests.

The Red Cross will start the rollout of saliva COVID-19 tests nationwide,

through its provincial laboratories.

“Even if vaccines arrive, testing is still important to fight COVID-19. We

are heading toward nationwide saliva RT-PCR testing to help industries and

schools open in this new normal,” Gordon said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

FIFTH PAGOTAN, DIREKTOR NI TONI GONZAGA SA 'MY SASSY GIRL'

MAYNILA -- Ibinahagi ng dating "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate at ngayon ay

isa ng direktor na si Fifth Solomon Pagotan ang saya na makatrabaho ang

hinahangaang aktres na si Toni Gonzaga.

Si Pagotan ang direktor ng inaabangang pelikula na "My Sassy Girl," ang

Philippine remake ng sikat na 2001 Korean film.

"Nakakatuwa na makatrabaho si Ate Toni. Kasi hindi ba dati pinapanood ko ang

romcom movies niya, ngayon dinidirek ko na siya. So nakakatuwa," ani Pagotan

sa "Magandang Buhay" nitong Martes.

Nagbahagi pa si Pagotan ng ilang detalye sa inaabangang pelikula.

"Twentieth anniversary niya this year so very excited kami para ihandog ito

sa lahat ng ating Kapamilya," ani Pagotan.

Pagkatapos maging bahagi ng "Pinoy Big Brother" at subukan ang pag-arte,

ipinagpatuloy ni Pagotan ang pagnanais na maging direktor.

"Noong nagteteleserye ako, movie, parang may kulang. Mas gusto ko kasi ako

'yung in control tapos medyo visionary ako, pakialamero ako sa creative

stuff. Parang hindi ako happy. So ang ginawa ko nag-master's ako sa

Australia, nag-book ako kaagad tapos nag-aral ako roon. Sobrang hirap, ang

mahal pa roon. So nag-work ako roon, nag-waiter ako, pero ang sayang

experience. Gusto ko 'yung mga ganoon kasi as a storyteller you need to

experience everything hindi ba?" kuwento ni Pagotan.

"Pagbalik ko rito nagsulat ako kasi brokenhearted ako noon. Sinulat ko 'yung

sakit at pinagkakitaan ko ang sakit. May nag-produce, pinitch ko sa friend

ko. So 'yun tuloy-tuloy na. Nag-movie ako with Alex (Gonzaga), Viva, tapos

ngayon yung 'My Sassy Girl,'" dagdag ni Pagotan.

Ani Pagotan, si Alex na matalik niyang kaibigan ang isa sa mga unang

nagtiwala sa kanya bilang direktor.

Ayon kay Pagotan, masaya siya para kay Alex na noong nakaraang buwan lang ay

inamin na kasal na siya sa politikong si Mikee Morada.

"Parang happy pill ko si Alex. Wala kasi akong masyadong friends, introvert

ako. So ang saya lang na in a way nagkaroon ako ng family, ng sister sa

kanya," ani Pagotan na naroon din mismo sa kasal ni Alex.

"Super happy ako for them kasi si Alex, ano 'yan, hopeless romantic siya.

Ang akala niya ang buhay parang pelikula (na) happy ending. I think nakamit

niya 'yon kay Mikee. Talagang nakita ko na 'yung happy ending sa kanila, na

walang ending," ani Pagotan.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES FEB 1

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Lakers 16-6    28    22    25    32    107

Hawks 10-10    25    21    30    23    99

SCORING LEADERS

    A. Davis LAL

25 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST

    T. Young ATL

25 PTS, 4 REB, 16 AST

FINAL/OT

    1    2    3    4    OT    T

Hornets 10-11    28    26    34    25    16    129

Heat 7-13    29    28    25    31    8    121

SCORING LEADERS

    M. Monk CHA

36 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST

    J. Butler MIA

25 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Kings 9-11    30    30    27    31    118

Pelicans 7-12    33    29    32    15    109

SCORING LEADERS

    D. Fox SAC

38 PTS, 4 REB, 12 AST

    B. Ingram NO

20 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Timberwolves 5-15    29    15    23    31    98

Cavaliers 10-11    29    23    24    24    100

SCORING LEADERS

    D. Russell MIN

18 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST

    C. Sexton CLE

26 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Knicks 9-13    27    28    26    21    102

Bulls 8-11    32    27    25    26    110

SCORING LEADERS

    J. Randle NY

23 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST

    L. Markkanen CHI

30 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Rockets 10-9    48    25    29    34    136

Thunder 8-11    24    30    22    30    106

SCORING LEADERS

    E. Gordon HOU

25 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST

    S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC

19 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Trail Blazers 10-9    36    20    21    29    106

Bucks 12-8    46    33    34    21    134

SCORING LEADERS

    N. Little POR

30 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST

    J. Holiday MIL

22 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Suns 11-8    22    25    30    32    109

Mavericks 8-13    22    31    29    26    108

SCORING LEADERS

    C. Paul PHO

34 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST

    L. Doncic DAL

25 PTS, 5 REB, 8 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Grizzlies 9-6    33    36    27    37    133

Spurs 11-10    31    22    30    19    102

SCORING LEADERS

    G. Dieng MEM

19 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST

    K. Johnson SA

25 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.05

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

On the whole, human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite

all the time. - George Orwell