WHO MISSION TO CHINA FAILS TO FIND ANIMAL SOURCE OF CORONAVIRUS

WUHAN - The WHO mission to China to uncover the origins of the coronavirus

has failed to identify the animal source, scientists said Tuesday.

Experts believe the disease -- which has gone on to kill more than 2.3

million people worldwide -- originated in bats and could have been

transmitted to humans via another mammal.

While transmission from animals was the likely route, so far "the reservoir

hosts remain to be identified," Liang Wannian, head of the China team, told

reporters.

He added that studies showed the virus "can be carried long-distance on cold

chain products," appearing to nudge towards the possible importation of the

virus -- a theory that has abounded in China in recent months.

He also said there was "no indication" the sickness was in circulation in

Wuhan before December 2019 when the first official cases have been recorded.

WHO foreign expert Ben Embarak, who was based in the WHO's Beijing office

for two years from 2009, backed up the assertion saying there was no

evidence of "large outbreaks in Wuhan" before then.

Reports from Wuhan said the team spent around an hour at the market and four

hours at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and met with scientists there

included China’s leading bat coronavirus expert, Shi Zhengli, who has been

researching bat coronaviruses in the lab. There was no evidence that

SARS-CoV-2 was being studied at any of the city’s labs, the team said.

Mr. Embarek’s comments suggested transmission through an intermediate host

was the most likely scenario and the evidence pointed “towards natural

reservoirs of the virus” considering similar viruses in the bat population.

DUTERTE RANT PROMPTS HOUSE ALLY TO CALL TO RESTART PROBE INTO ‘CONDONED’

LOPEZ LOANS

Colleagues point out committee hearing already set

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte’s fresh tirade against the Lopez family

and TV network ABS-CBN prompted one of his allies in the House of

Representatives to call on the chamber’s leadership to restart the probe

into the loans of the Lopez Group of Companies allegedly condoned by

state-run Development Bank of the Philippines.

This, even if the DBP already denied that it condoned or wrote off soured

loans of the Lopez Group of Companies back in the early 2000s.

“What we’ll do in Congress regarding this investigation will affect our

reputation, our integrity, our duties and responsibilities,” Rep. Michael

Defensor (Anakalusugan party-list) said partly in Filipino during the

House’s plenary session on Tuesday. “The committee on good government has to

pursue the investigation until its final conclusion.”

But it turned out that there was no need for him to call for hearings to

resume as the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability

has already scheduled a hearing on the matter on February 17.

Rep. Michael Aglipay (DIWA party-list), panel chair, said that resource

persons were just given a month to gather documents that the committee asked

them for. The panel last conducted a hearing on January 18.

'Out of order'

This prompted some lawmakers to point out that Defensor’s speech was out of

order, as it pertained to matters still being deliberated by a House

committee.

“It is not right that he is using his time here in plenary to discuss things

that are up for investigation in the committee on good government,” Deputy

Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy (BH party-list) said partly in Filipino.

Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza (Buhay party-list) backed this up and quipped

partly in Filipino, “What is the right of Congressman Defensor to stand up

and question what is happening in the committee? Did we change our rules?”

Rep. Kit Belmonte (Quezon City) then moved to strike from the records parts

of Defensor’s speech that referred to matters still being discussed by the

panel.

“I presume that he was carried away in tackling matters that were already

subject matter to a committee deliberation,” Belmonte said.

But Defensor objected to the motion, warning the chamber that deleting his

speech would mean that it is “fighting the objective and intent of the

president.”

He eventually relented and allowed the House to strike off portions of his

speech after being told that only parts of his statement would be deleted

from the records.

The House of Representatives is dominated by Duterte allies but is part of a

separate branch of government.

NEW MILITARY CHIEF SAYS TO BOOST SEA PATROLS OVER 'ALARMING' CHINA COAST

GUARD LAW

MANILA — The new chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on

Tuesday he would increase patrols in contested waters due an "alarming"

China law that lets it coast guard fire at foreign vessels and tear down

structures built by other countries.

Filipinos only seek to earn a livelihood when they sail out to Philippine

waters which China claims, said AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito

Sobejana.

"It's very alarming po iyon. I should say it's a very irresponsible

statement," he said of the new China law.

"As part of our mandate to protect the people, i-increase po natin ang ating

(we will increase our) visibility through the deployment of more naval

assets," Sobejana said in a public briefing.

He quickly clarified that the deployment would be sent out "not to wage war

against China, but to secure our people."

The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest over the China coast guard

law.

Malacañang said China's laws must follow obligations under the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which only allows the use of force

in "well-defined exceptions" like self-defense and authorization from the UN

Security Council.

"Iyong paggamit ng dahas ay (The use of force is) generally prohibited,"

said Palace spokesman Harry Roque, a lawyer who taught international law in

the University of the Philippines.

CARPIO: WAIT FOR CHINA TO USE COAST GUARD LAW BEFORE GOING TO UN TRIBUNAL

MANILA — Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on

Wednesday suggested waiting for China to commit a violation as Foreign

Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. refuses to raise its new coast guard

law before a United Nations-backed tribunal.

Locsin earlier declared that he will not raise the China coast guard issue

before the international tribunal as it would "reopen" the Philippines'

arbitral award.

Carpio, however, clarified that doing so will not reopen that arbitral

ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive claims over the South China Sea,

including the West Philippine Sea.

"If China fires on a Philippine vessel in the West Philippine Sea that's the

time we go to a [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea] tribunal," Carpio told

CNN Philippines' "The Source."

The retired magistrate added that Locsin effectively agreed to this when he

vowed that he will do more in case of another incident with the Chinese

coast guard.

While there is no new incident yet between the Chinese coast guard and

Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, Carpio said the Philippines

should prepare.

According to Carpio, China is more likely to apply the new aw against

Vietnam and Malaysia before the Philippines.

"We should wait for a violation... This will make our case stronger. We will

not only be speculating, we will actually be basing our action on an actual

case, actual controversy," he said in the same interview.

2 US CARRIER GROUPS CONDUCT EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

Two US carrier groups conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea on

Tuesday, days after a US warship sailed near Chinese-controlled islands in

the disputed waters, as China denounced the United States for damaging peace

and stability.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Nimitz Carrier Strike

Group "conducted a multitude of exercises aimed at increasing

interoperability between assets as well as command and control

capabilities", the US Navy said, marking the first dual carrier operations

in the busy waterway since July 2020.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the frequent

moves by US warships and aircraft into the South China Sea in a "show of

force" was not conducive to regional peace and stability.

"China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard national

sovereignty and security and work with countries in the region to firmly

safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea," he said.

The exercise comes days after China condemned the sailing of the destroyer,

the USS John S. McCain, near the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands in what

the United States calls a freedom of navigation operation - the first such

mission by the US navy since President Joe Biden took office.

PHILIPPINES SETS 2023 TARGET TO FINISH COVID-19 VACCINATION ROLLOUT

MANILA - The Philippines is aiming to complete its COVID-19 vaccination

program by 2023, a health official said Wednesday, amid global competition

of the highly sought-after coronavirus shots.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the government had until

2023 to inoculate its targeted population in case vaccine deliveries would

be delayed.

"That's why we indicated in our plan for this vaccine deployment program

that it's going to be until 2023 so that we have that wide margin if in case

the delivery will not be on time," she said in an interview on ANC.

"We are eyeing that we can be able to reduce this (number of COVID-19 cases)

or have good outcomes based on these vaccines hopefully by 2022, earlier

than the 2023 target date," she added.

The country is expected to launch its COVID-19 immunization next week as

some 117,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech jabs may arrive on Feb. 13

LORENZANA, NEW PENTAGON CHIEF TALK VFA, SOUTH CHINA SEA

MANILA — Top defense officials of the Philippines and the United States

discussed the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the South China Sea in an

introductory phone call.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III

discussed priority bilateral defense issues for both countries, Pentagon

Press Secretary John Kirby said.

Austin reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the decades-long alliance

between the two countries, as well as to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and

VFA.

"The Secretaries discussed the importance of enhancing the Armed Forces of

the Philippines’ capabilities and increasing interoperability between our

two militaries through a variety of bilateral security cooperation

activities," Kirby said.

They also talked about regional security challenges such as the South China

Sea, counterterrorism and maritime security.

PNP INSTRUCTED TO SECURE ARRIVING COVID-19 VACCINES

MANILA — Cops under the national police were reminded Wednesday to escort

and secure the arriving coronavirus doses as the government gears up for its

national vaccination program.

Interior Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece Jr., a member of the Task Group

Supply Chain and Logistics, said in a statement that the PNP is expected to

be a constant presence in accordance with the national government’s

vaccination plan, "primarily to secure and protect the COVID-19 vaccines and

the team that will be administering them."

He also said that according to the Philippine National Deployment and

Vaccination Plan, local officials such as barangay captains and barangay

safety officers such as barangay tanods are also called, together with the

PNP, to aid in the vaccination, calling the injection doses "precious as

gold."

“The national vaccination program aims to save lives and will put an end to

this pandemic. We direct the PNP to be in close coordination with the LGUs

so that these vaccines are secured and protected,” he said.

THE REST

========

COVID-19 CASES IN PH TOP 540,000; FATALITY RATE HIGHEST IN 6 MONTHS

MANILA — The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has reached

540,227 after the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 1,235 new

coronavirus infections.

The newly reported cases, which do not include data from 8 laboratories, is

the lowest since January 28, according to the ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team.

The DOH also reported 65 new COVID-related deaths or a total of 11,296

fatalities. This is the 11th straight day that additional deaths counted

more than 50.

The case fatality rate has gone up to 2.09%, the highest since July 31 last

year, the ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team said.

LAWMAKERS MULL PENALTIES FOR LACK OF FACE MASKS IN PRIVATE VEHICLES

MANILA — House lawmakers on Wednesday mulled possible sanctions to impose on

motorists found not wearing face masks in their vehicles when driving with

passengers.

To recall, February 5, the transportation and health departments in a joint

statement clarified that motorists need not wear face masks if they are

driving a private vehicle alone. However, if they are driving with

passengers, the rule is still mandatory regardless if they are from the same

household.

The policy drew flak from motorists in recent days who have questioned why

members of the same household are being required to wear face masks when in

a vehicle when they are not required to mask up at home.

At Wednesday's hearing of the House Committee on Transportation, lawmakers

were of the consensus that penalties were needed to boost the public's

consciousness of the importance of wearing face masks amid the coronavirus

pandemic. They were, however, unable to agree on what such a sanction might

be.

'INCOMPETENT': POE HITS TRANSPORT OFFICIALS OVER CAR SEAT LAW, PMVICS

MANILA - Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday called transport officials

"incompetent" following the implementation of costly measures requiring car

seats for children and vehicle inspection operated by private firms.

The Senate committee on public services, which Poe chairs, earlier

recommended the suspension of private motor vehicle inspection operations,

which began in October.

"What are they focusing on when we’re supposed to be on the same page,

helping each other to alleviate the hardships of our countrymen especially

at this time," Poe told ANC's Headstart.

"I don't know if they’re out of touch, if they’re incompetent or they simply

don’t care."

The Child Car Seat Law has good intentions but its enforcement during the

pandemic is "bothersome," said Poe.

"The rollout at this time, it seems like the lack of regard for the cost of

it for the public is what’s quite sad and bothersome," she said.

The Department of Transportation is supposed to conduct a study on car

restraints for children's safety but they have yet to do so, she added.

"If they still don’t do it in a couple of months, the Senate and Congress

will probably have to hire our own consultants to suggest to us what need to

be done," she said.

"It will take a toll on the budget we will allot to the DOTr because they

seem to not have been able to roll out what their responsibilities and

obligations are to the public."

The DOTr earlier said it supports the deferment of the Car Seat Law's

enforcement.

The senator also criticized the mandatory wearing of face masks in private

vehicles, even among family members.

"I can understand carpooling when you’re with individuals (from) different

households and also public utility vehicles but not in your private cars.

This is an avenue for corruption because you can be apprehended and even if

you’re with your family they can fine you," she said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'MINDANAO' FAILS TO MAKE THE CUT AT 93RD OSCARS

MANILA - The war drama “Mindanao” is out of the Oscars race.

This, after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on

Wednesday (Manila time) the shortlists in nine categories for the 93rd

Academy Awards. The Philippine entry was not included in the list of

international feature films that made the cut.

Directed by Brillante Mendoza, “Mindanao” stars Judy Ann Santos and Allen

Dizon, who both won acting prizes at the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival for

their performances in the movie. The film likewise took home the 2019 MMFF

best picture award, among other trophies.

In the movie, Santos portrays Saima, a Muslim mother caring for her daughter

with cancer. Dizon, on the other hand, plays the the soldier-husband of

Saima.

“Mindanao” also touches on the armed conflict in parts of the island,

intercut with an animated retelling of the Mindanao folklore of warrior

brothers Rajah and Sulayman.

Ahead of its MMFF debut, “Mindanao” already made waves internationally, with

screenings from Busan to Tokyo and another best actress win for Santos in

Cairo.

Out of the many movies from 93 countries which were eligible in the

International Feature Film category at the Oscars, only 15 entries were

chosen to advance to the next round of voting.

These are the following, as listed in alphabetical order by country:

Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Quo Vadis, Aida?”

Chile, “The Mole Agent”

Czech Republic, “Charlatan”

Denmark, “Another Round”

France, “Two of Us”

Guatemala, “La Llorona”

Hong Kong, “Better Days”

Iran, “Sun Children”

Ivory Coast, “Night of the Kings”

Mexico, “I’m No Longer Here”

Norway, “Hope”

Romania, “Collective”

Russia, “Dear Comrades!”

Taiwan, “A Sun”

Tunisia, “The Man Who Sold His Skin”

Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards will be announced on March 15. This

year’s Oscars will be held on April 25.

SPORTS

BOXING: PACQUIAO BEGINS TRAINING - BUT FOR WHOM?

MANILA -- Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao announced on Wednesday that he has

begun training, but has yet to identify his upcoming opponent.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the "Pacman" posted on his official Twitter

account that training camp "has begun."

"I'm ready to get back in the ring and to further add to my legacy in the

sport of boxing," he also said.

The Philippine senator then teased that "big news (is) coming soon," before

tagging his management agency, Paradigm Sports, and its chief executive

Audie Attar.

Attar, who recently warned legal action against 'false representatives' of

the "Pacman," tweeted: "Let's go Champ! We stay focused. Watch this space."

Pacquiao has been linked to a fight against mixed martial arts superstar

Conor McGregor, who is also represented by Paradigm Sports. Those talks

sputtered, however, when the Irishman lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

Since then, Pacquiao has been reportedly set for a showdown against

up-and-coming American star Ryan Garcia, an interim lightweight champion who

is 20 years younger than the Filipino legend.

Pacquiao has also named unbeaten Americans Errol Spence and Terence Crawford

as possible opponents for his return fight.

He has not fought since July 2019, when he claimed a split decision victory

over Keith Thurman to become the oldest welterweight champion in history.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.04

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Tact is the art of recognizing when to be big and when not to belittle. -

Bill Copeland