DUTERTE ORDERS MILITARY TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE REPATRIATION OF PINOYS IN IRAQ, IRAN MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to prepare its aircraft and ships for the possible evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East if the tension between the United States and Iran further escalates, a Defense official said on Sunday. Duterte held an emergency meeting with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and officials of the military and police in Malacañang on Sunday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Department of Defense Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement. "The sole agenda was how to ensure the safety of our countrymen in the Middle East especially those in Iraq and Iran as the tension between the US and Iran rises," Andolong said. There are 1,600 and 6,000 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq, respectively, he said. Tensions between the US and Iran escalated after a US drone strike killed military commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday. POLICE TO GUIDE TRASLACION'S START IN HISTORIC FIRST MANILA — For the first time, policemen will take charge of jumpstarting a mammoth procession of the Black Nazarene in the capital, one of the world's biggest show of Catholic zeal, organizers said Monday. From the Quirino Grandstand to Roxas Boulevard, policemen will pull the carriage of the Black Nazarene to prevent devotees from blocking its path, said Fr. Douglas Badong, vicar of Quiapo Church, home of the 400-year-old statue of Jesus Christ. "Iyong mga kapulisan po ay nasa unahan lang ng andas para iyong mga sumasalubong na para bang humaharang sa daraanan, iyon lang po ang kanilang gustong i-prevent na mangyari — pero hindi para bakuran ang Nazareno," he told radio DZMM. "Ito rin naman po iyong unang pagkakataon na talagang full support iyong kanilang lahat ng puwersa na kapulisan. Nakakatuwa rin kasi ang hangad lang nila makatulong sa ikakaayos ng prusisyon," he added. Millions of devotees, mostly barefoot and clad in yellow or maroon, jostle every year to touch the ropes pulling the carriage of the Black Nazarene or throw white towels to wipe the statue believed to have miraculous powers. Some 5,000 to 7,000 policemen, including trainees and elite commandos, will keep watch over the mammoth procession, said Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa. "Three layers" of policemen in uniform and combat boots will guide the Traslacion's start, he added. "Sana huwag na nilang harangan sa harap," he said in a DZMM interview, addressing devotees. "Parang mahirap paniwalaan na magiging successful, but the PNP is trying its best na kung puwede, subukan lang natin," he said. CHINA RULES OUT SARS IN MYSTERY VIRAL PNEUMONIA OUTBREAK BEIJING - China on Sunday said a mysterious viral pneumonia outbreak that has affected 59 people was not the flu-like virus SARS that killed hundreds more than a decade ago. The infection was first reported last week in Wuhan, a central Chinese city with a population of over 11 million -- leading to online speculation about a resurgence of the highly contagious SARS virus. "We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, an avian flu, an adenovirus, respiratory syndrome severe acute (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said. Wuhan police on Wednesday said they had punished eight people for "publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification." The health commission said that seven of the 59 patients are seriously ill but that none have died. All are being treated in quarantine. The infection broke out between 12 and 29 December, with some of the patients employed at a seafood market in the city that has since been closed for disinfection. No obvious evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found so far, it added. "The reported link to a wholesale fish and live animal market could indicate an exposure link to animals," the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Sunday. The symptoms reported in patients were mainly fever, with a few patients having difficulty in breathing and chest radiographs showing invasive lesions on both lungs. "The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," said the WHO, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently". It said it was against imposing any travel or trade restrictions on China. SARS killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus, which infected more than 8,000 people around the world, is believed to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, according to WHO. MYSTERY PNEUMONIA: DOH SCREENS TRAVELERS FROM CHINA MANILA — The Philippine government is closely monitoring the entry of all travelers from China amid the outbreak of a mysterious viral pneumonia. Health Secretary Francis Duque III over the weekend said the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) is on alert and tightly watching travelers from all seaports and airports. “All incoming travelers, especially those manifesting fever or signs of respiratory infection, shall be checked,” he disclosed as he called on the public, particularly those with a history of travel from China, to seek immediate medical consultation if experiencing any flu-like symptoms. The health chief ordered an intensified monitoring of all travelers following reports that 44 people have been infected with a mysterious viral pneumonia in China. Citing reports from China, Duque said the mysterious disease is similar to a “viral pneumonia of unknown origin.” Duque advised the public to adopt healthy lifestyles, practice proper hand hygiene, and observe cough etiquette to prevent the transmission of respiratory infections. PCSO TO INTRODUCE NEW GAMES TO RAISE FUNDS MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is looking to introduce new games this year to raise more revenue for its charity projects and fund the Duterte administration’s universal health care (UHC) program. Royina Garma, PCSO general manager, said that aside from Lotto and Small Town Lottery (STL) games, the agency has to develop new games to generate more funds. “We need to introduce new games and find ways to produce more revenues,” Garma told reporters in a recent press briefing. Arnel Casas, PCSO assistant general manager for gaming, product development and marketing sector department, said the agency is counting on the private sector to help them come up with new games. Casas said they have streamlined the process for franchise applications for private gaming firms to submit proposals. The new games should not grab shares from the existing PCSO games such as Lotto, STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, Keno and the Scratch-It sweepstakes, according to Casas. Garma said the PCSO would continue its charity programs for the poor and provide financial support to orphanages. She said the charity agency has allotted P6.1 billion for the UHC rollout this year and the Malasakit Centers in government-run hospitals. 'GREATLY EXAGGERATED': NOYNOY CAMP BELIES REPORTS OF EX-PRESIDENT'S ILL HEALTH MANILA- Former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is "doing well" contrary to reports of his failing health, his former spokesperson said Monday. Amid rumors that Aquino was looking for a kidney donor, his former spokesperson Abigail Valte said the 59-year-old former chief executive spent the holidays with his family. "Reports of his ill-health are greatly exaggerated and mostly have no basis in truth," Valte said. She also belied rumors that Aquino underwent an operation and was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. Last December, Aquino underwent a "scheduled check-up and a routine procedure" at the Makati Medical Center, but did not disclose the specific procedure. During his time as president, Aquino was known to have been a chain smoker and dealt with rumors about the state of his health. ‘REDS’ KILL IP GROUP LEADER MANILA — Four suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas shot dead a leader of an indigenous peoples group in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on Saturday morning. Sammy Diwangan, 45, was with his son John, 9, when he was killed by alleged members of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front Malayag in Barangay Canangaan. Diwangan, head of the indigenous peoples mandatory representatives, was a vocal critic of the communist group’s recruitment activities, according to 1st Lt. Ken Cabbigat, civil military operations officer of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion. A former NPA guerrilla who recently surrendered to authorities said they planned to kill Diwangan. “When I was the commander of the NPA-Sentro De Grabidad Thunder of Guerrilla Front 6, we plotted to kill Diwangan because he hampered our mission to expand our forces in Barangay Canangaan,” the former rebel, identified as alias Cardo, was quoted telling the military. Diwangan’s son told probers he saw four armed men walking toward him and his father, prompting him to run away. He said he heard gunfire as he escaped from the scene. The boy was referred to the local social worker and development office to help him recover from trauma resulting from the incident. MAGNITUDE 5.4 QUAKE STRIKES OFF DAVAO ORIENTAL, AFTERSHOCKS POSSIBLE MANILA — A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck waters off the southern province of Davao Oriental early Monday and could spawn aftershocks, state seismologists said. The tremor struck before 3 a.m. with its epicenter located 72 kilometers southeast of Governor Generoso town, said Phivolcs. At a depth of 50 kilometers, the quake was felt at Intensity 4 or "moderately strong" shaking that is "like the passing of heavy truck" in Governor Generoso, said the agency. While the quake could trigger aftershocks, it is not expected to cause damage, added Phivolcs. ANGKAS HAS FOREIGN OWNERSHIP ISSUES – TWG MANILA — As the government and motorcycle-taxi firms continue to lock horns, the interagency technical working group (TWG) has claimed app-based firm Angkas has not met foreign ownership provisions for transportation carriers. The TWG said it only granted Angkas the “privilege” to provisionally operate as the company had not met the 60-40 percent foreign equity requirement provided for in the Constitution. “It bears repeating, and emphasizing, that Angkas is merely operating on the basis of the motorcycle taxi pilot study, a privilege being accorded by the TWG, notwithstanding the legal issues hounding Angkas and its attempt to circumvent existing transport laws, to carry out its business,” the TWG said in a statement. The Constitution limits foreign ownership for public utilities, including transportation, to 40 percent and reserves 60 percent to Filipino citizens or corporations. Citing records from the Securities and Exchange Commission, Angkas is supposedly owned 99.996 percent by Singaporean Angeline Tham. Tham was a former executive of transport network company (TNC) Grab’s own motorcycle-taxi service before it was shut down. She then founded Angkas in 2016. Indonesian ride-hailing service GoJek was earlier rejected by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board over the same issue of ownership. Aside from ownership issues, the TWG said that Angkas committed other violations such as operating outside designated areas in the pilot run, collection of surge fees, as well as safety breaches like non-wearing of authorized safety gear. NEW BRIDGE OPENED IN ILOCOS MANILA — A new two-lane bridge has been opened in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said over the weekend. The newly constructed Centennial Bongo Bridge replaced the old Bongo Bridge that traverses the Padsan River, DPWH regional director Ronnel Tan said over the weekend. “The bridge is expected to ease and cut travel time in Ilocos Norte and Abra,” Tan said. The Bongo Bridge replacement project was implemented in two phases and cost P194.5 million. #WALANGPASOK: CLASSES, GOV'T WORK IN MANILA SUSPENDED FOR BLACK NAZARENE TRASLACION MANILA - Classes and government work in the capital are suspended on Thursday, January 9 in observance of the Traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene, the city government of Manila said Monday. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the cancellation of classes in "all universities, colleges and schools" and work in the city's offices and departments, except for peace and order, public services, sanitation, traffic enforcement, and disaster risk reduction and management. Suspension of work in national government offices and private companies is left to their respective management, the Manila Public Information Office said. At least 2.5 million people are expected to participate in the procession, one of Manila's oldest Catholic traditions, but this year's Traslacion is expected to be quicker than last year's 21-hour event, officials said. DECEMBER INFLATION SEEN AT 2.1 PERCENT IN 'UPWARD NORMALIZATION': ANALYST MANILA – Inflation likely accelerated in December but still within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' 2 to 4 percent goal, an analyst said Monday. December inflation could settle at 2.1 percent as the effect of a high base from the previous year fades, said RCBC head of Economics and Industry Research Michael Ricafort. "We have the peak inflation at 6.7 percent in October 2018. It has already eased thereafter so that would result in some upward normalization in inflation," Ricafort said. A “prudent” Bangko Sentral will consider global risks when making any policy decisions this year, he said. President Rodrigo Duterte’s expected signing of the P4.1 trillion budget on Monday is a “positive catalyst” for the country’s gross domestic product growth, Ricafort said. Ricafort said the economy likely grew 6.6 to 6.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 and could grow 7 percent in the first and second quarters of 2020. AFTER PIA WURTZBACH, CATRIONA GRAY GETS HER OWN WAX FIGURE MANILA – Another Miss Universe from the Philippines gets to have her own wax figure at the popular Madame Tussauds museum. Months after the launch of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s wax figure in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, 2018 winner Catriona Gray will soon be the first Filipina to have her image immortalized in the museum’s branch in Singapore. Gray’s wax figure will be wearing a replica of her iconic lava gown by Mak Tumang. Just like Wurtzbach’s, Gray’s wax figure will be first unveiled at an event in Manila. Details, however, have yet to be announced by Madame Tussauds. “I am so excited to see the final figure and be a part of this special event! To unveil the figure in my home country with my fans watching is another dream come true,” Gray said in a statement released by Madame Tussauds on Monday, just in time for her 26th birthday. After Manila, Gray’s wax figure will be in Madame Tussauds Singapore “for a limited time,” and will then make stops at the wax museum’s branches in Bangkok and Hong Kong. “We are constantly bringing in more fun to cater to various markets, and we look forward to welcome Catriona who will be the first Filipino wax figure in Madame Tussauds Singapore. Besides her figure, Catriona also filmed something special for Madame Tussauds,” said Alex Ward, general manager of Madame Tussauds Singapore. Overall, Gray is the third Filipino personality to be handpicked by Madame Tussauds after Wurtzbach and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. ANGEL LOCSIN, TUTOK MUNA SA KASAL NGAYONG 2020 MAYNILA -- Isa sa mga inaabangan ngayong taon ang kasal ng Kapamilya actress na si Angel Locsin sa kaniyang fiancé na si Neil Arce. Matatandaan na kasama sina Angel at Neil sa mga newsmakers ng 2019 kasunod ng kanilang anunsyo sa kanilang planong pagpapakasal. Sa naging panayam kay Angel, sinabi ng aktres na ito ang kanilang tutukan ni Neil ngayong 2020. "Medyo nag-stop kami sa preparation kasi medyo nag-advance kami ng kaunti, but this year, back to wedding preparations na ulit," aniya. Idinaan na lang rin ni Angel sa biro ang mga nagpapakalat ng mga mali at negatibong balita sa kanila ni Neil. "Siguro, may mga taong nasasaktan kapag may nakikitang masaya ang tao, pero huwag po kayong mag-alala kasi dati rin akong nasa ganyang posisyon. Darating rin ang mga taong para sa inyo, magugulat na lang po kayo," pabiro niyang tugon. Pero promise na Angel na magiging aktibo pa rin siya sa kaniyang trabaho bilang artista. "Siguro kailangan ko lang magdahan-dahan kasi kailangan ko na rin mag-prepare para sa kasal. 'Yun na lang rin ang pinakiusap sa akin ng fiance ko na huwag ko siyang hayaan na mag-prepare mag-isa, so ayun lang naman," pahayag pa ng aktres. NBA SCORES JAN 4 FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Grizzlies 14-22    40    25    39    36    140 team logo Clippers 25-12    27    30    23    34    114 SCORING LEADERSJ. Crowder MEM 27 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST M. Harrell LAC 28 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Raptors 24-12    24    24    35    38    121 team logo Nets 16-18    33    19    28    22    102 SCORING LEADERS     F. VanVleet TOR 29 PTS, 4 REB, 11 AST     S. Dinwiddie BKN 23 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Jazz 23-12    33    19    24    33    109 team logo Magic 16-20    25    22    28    21    96 SCORING LEADERS     D. Mitchell UTA 32 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST     T. Ross ORL 24 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Pacers 22-14    26    34    35    16    111 team logo Hawks 8-28    43    21    32    20    116 SCORING LEADERS     D. Sabonis IND 25 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST     T. Young ATL 41 PTS, 4 REB, 8 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Thunder 20-15    34    32    25    30    121 team logo Cavaliers 10-25    27    26    26    27    106 SCORING LEADERS     D. Schroder OKC 22 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST     C. Sexton CLE 30 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Nuggets 24-11    19    36    35    24    114 team logo Wizards 11-24    31    30    34    33    128 SCORING LEADERS     J. Murray DEN 39 PTS, 1 REB, 4 AST     I. Smith WAS 32 PTS, 3 REB, 8 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Celtics 25-8    30    25    30    26    111 team logo Bulls 13-23    28    24    21    31    104 SCORING LEADERS     J. Tatum BOS 28 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST     Z. LaVine CHI 35 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Spurs 14-20    31    35    25    27    118 team logo Bucks 32-5    29    42    32    24    127 SCORING LEADERSD. DeRozan SA 26 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST G. Antetokounmpo MIL 32 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Pistons 13-23    25    31    27    28    111 team logo Warriors 9-28    23    36    21    24    104 SCORING LEADERS     D. Rose DET 22 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST     A. Burks GS 27 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST FINAL/OT     1    2    3    4    OT    T team logo Hornets 15-23    32    25    23    23    20    123 team logo Mavericks 22-13    20    24    40    19    17    120 SCORING LEADERST. Rozier CHA 29 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST L. Doncic DAL 39 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Pelicans 12-24    25    27    24    41    117 team logo Kings 13-23    26    22    32    35    115 SCORING LEADERS     L. Ball NO 24 PTS, 6 REB, 10 AST     H. Barnes SAC 30 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST