NEARLY 40 PEOPLE KILLED IN MYANMAR AS SECURITY FORCES QUELL ANTI-COUP PROTESTS: UN ENVOY
"It's a massacre", says protester
Thirty-eight people were killed in Myanmar on Wednesday as the military quelled protests in several towns and cities, the United Nations said, the most violent day since demonstrations against last month's military coup first broke out.
Police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds with little warning, witnesses said.
The bloodshed occurred one day after neighboring countries had called for restraint in the aftermath of the military's overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
"It's horrific, it's a massacre. No words can describe the situation and our feelings," youth activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi told Reuters via a messaging app.
The dead included four children, an aid agency said. Hundreds of protesters were arrested, local media reported.
"Today it was the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the 1st of February. We had today — only today — 38 people died. We have now more than over 50 people died since the coup started, and many are wounded," United Nations special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, said in New York.
DUTERTE GETS HIS NATIONAL ID
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has received his national ID card, photos from Malacañang showed on Thursday, even as some officials face a graft complaint for the project.
In photos shared to reporters, Duterte can be seen getting his ID from National Economic and Development Authority Acting Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua.
Authorities hope the Philippine Identification System ID would boost public service delivery, reduce corruption, and curtail bureaucratic red tape.
Duterte in 2018 signed into law the PhilSys Act that mandated the government to create a single official identification card for all citizens and foreign residents that would serve as a de facto national identification number.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is mandated to lead the ID system, with support from a policy board chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority and composed of various government agencies.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno and other officials are accused of graft and violating the Government Procurement Act for allegedly awarding the P1.75-billion supply contract for the nationals ID without public bidding.
"Naninindigan po tayo sa integridad ni Governor Diokno," Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said in January.
"At alam naman natin na karapatan ng kahit sinong magsampa ng kaso. Pero kampante po kami at nagtitiwala na magbibigay-linaw po si Governor Diokno sa issue na ito," he told reporters in an online briefing.
'MISHANDLED': EX-PH ENVOY TO BRAZIL HURT BY DISMISSAL, SAYS SHE REGRETTED HER BEHAVIOR
MANILA - The Philippines' former ambassador to Brazil caught maltreating her helper said Wednesday she was denied due process and her case was "railroaded" as she lamented her dismissal from service.
Disclosing her plan to "obtain an unbiased judgement" from the courts, former Ambassador Marichu Mauro, in a statement, said, "I wish the (Department of Foreign Affairs) determined whether my behavior was merely a severe lapse in judgment especially under the stress of managing an Embassy with the threat of the pandemic."
"My case was even mishandled. There were heavy deficiencies committed by the DFA Hearing Panel," she said, adding, "I wish the DFA had considered the letters of support from overseas Filipinos attesting that I am not the cruel person depicted in those uncontextualized videos."
On Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he has approved the dismissal of Mauro from the Philippine Foreign Service, and the recommended accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification of holding public office and bar from taking civil service examination.
Aside from being deeply saddened to learn about her dismissal through media reports, Mauro said it "pains" her that the penalty was recommended and imposed "despite the explanation and contextualization of what actually transpired."
"I completely regret the incidents in the videos and the shame it has brought upon the Department of Foreign Affairs... I want to reassure the public that I have made amends and have deeply regretted my behavior," she said.
"I have asked my kasambahay's forgiveness, which she has given."
ROBREDO: I HAVEN’T BEEN INOCULATED YET
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday she has not been inoculated against COVID-19, and called out those spreading falsehoods in social media that she already had her jab.
Robredo made the clarification after a supposed photo of her receiving the vaccine went viral online.
“This is ridiculously funny. Hindi po ako yan (That’s not me),” Robredo said in a post on Facebook.
“I don’t want to dignify this, but there are a lot of people sending me screenshots. If you’re not busy, please report this (to Facebook as fake news),” she said in Filipino.
Earlier, Robredo had expressed willingness to be among the first to be vaccinated to encourage Filipinos to be immunized against COVID-19.
However, she said she understood the government’s priority to inoculate health care workers first.
Sass Rogando Sasot, a known administration supporter, shared the photo Robredo was referring to on her Facebook page. Most comments in the post were critical of the Vice President.
Sasot, however, said the woman in the photo was not Robredo.
The Vice President said she was told the woman in the picture was Flordeliza Grana, a pediatric surgeon at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City.
ROBREDO RESPONDS TO DUTERTE’S TIRADE
Meanwhile, the opposition leader said President Duterte’s latest tirade against her was unpresidential.
Duterte recently said that she is trying to be relevant by egging him to get inoculated with the China-made Sinovac vaccine.
“You seem to have an angel face, but a devilish mind,” he said of Robredo in a televised speech last Monday.
Interviewed in the online program “The Mangahas Interviews” yesterday, Robredo responded: “My first impression was as if the one talking was not a president. Second, he is too peevish.”
She said the President should allow people to make suggestions.
Duterte had opted to chide Robredo, saying: “Now if you really want to do something, get your basket (and) shop for vaccines. I’ll give you money, buy it immediately and return to the Philippines and give it to the doctors.”
But the Vice President said the issue is more than just handing her cash to purchase vaccines. “It’s not as easy as giving me money and I’ll buy,” she said.
BILL SEEKING PROSECUTION OF ‘DRUG PROTECTORS’ OK’D
MANILA — Lawmakers have passed a measure giving more teeth to the country’s anti-drug law to strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs.
In plenary session on Tuesday night, 189 congressmen voted to approve on third and final reading House Bill 7814, which seeks to amend key provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Eleven congressmen voted against the bill, while nine abstained.
The measure, authored by House committee on dangerous drugs chairman Ace Barbers, introduces legal presumptions against personalities who could be considered coddlers or protectors and financiers of drug suspects or syndicates; importers, exporters and manufacturers of dangerous drugs and consenting lessors of properties being used as laboratories or drug dens.
“We are giving our law enforcers a potent legal tool to run after coddlers and protectors of the drug trade or the so-called ‘big fish,’ which critics of the drug war have been looking for. Our enforcers are having a hard time prosecuting these coddlers and protectors, so this is our answer,” Barbers told The STAR yesterday.
PH ECONOMY SEEN GROWING 9.6% THIS YEAR DESPITE DELAYED VACCINATION PROGRAM
S&P Global Ratings flags high inflation as key risk for PH economic recovery
MANILA - The Philippine economic recovery post-COVID is expected to start off with a near 10 percent rebound in GDP growth this year, but there are few roadblocks to growth.
According to credit ratings agency S&P Global Ratings, there are still "relatively broad COVID-19 epidemic in the Philippines which itself can, and will also have and continue to, have a cooling impact on economic activity."
"That is part of the story too though but perhaps not as large a component as the containment measures themselves," said Andrew Wood, Director for Sovereign ratings at S&P Global.
Vincent Conti, Senior Economist for Asia-Pacific at S&P, said prolonged lockdowns and high inflation would also be a serious downside risk.
“If restrictions are in place much longer than what we are currently seeing, that does put a big dampener on the growth prospects of the economy. The other risk that would compound this, would be currently the inflation that Andrew mentioned," Conti explained.
"They are supply side in the sense they are driven by food pretty much, pork and vegetables, and they are transitory. But they do weigh on the disposable income that is left for households to spend on other types of consumption at a time when things are already very difficult," he said.
Wood noted the inflation in the Philippines is actually quite high compared to other countries.
“There are inflationary concerns all around the world at the moment, and these are at time roiling financial markets, and if we look at this chart, we are seeing a bit of an interesting trend around the world where some indices are starting to pick up. But perhaps the most notable uptick here amongst these peers, is really that line for the Philippines," he said.
S&P Global still expects the Philippine economy to do well this year.
"The good news is we see a strong recovery kicking off in 2021. In terms of how our forecasts are shaping up, we are looking at 9.6 percent growth this year. I think it is very clear that it's almost a mirror image of the contraction we had last year, of just over 9.5 percent," Wood said.
POPE LEADING RITES FOR 500 YEARS OF PHILIPPINE CHRISTIANITY
MANILA — Pope Francis will lead the Filipino community in Italy in celebrating 500 years since the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced yesterday.
In an article, the CBCP said that Fr. Ricky Gente of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Rome disclosed that the celebration of the Philippines’ 500 years of Christianity will be highlighted with a mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica at 10 a.m. on March 14.
Gente said that only a limited number of people will be allowed to attend the mass physically inside the basilica due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said it will be livestreamed from the Vatican to reach Filipinos worldwide.
“Join us in Rome to pray, praise and thank God for his gift of the Christian faith,” Gente said.
He said former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, will be present during the mass along with Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, the pope’s vicar of Rome.
Gente said the Catholic faithful can receive blessings from Pope Francis as he will also lead the traditional Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square at noon shortly after his mass at Vatican Square.
The Philippines will be celebrating 500 years of Christianity, CBCP said, with most dioceses launching the year-long commemoration on April 4, Easter Sunday.
VACCINATION VS MEASLES, POLIO, RUBELLA EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY: DOH
MANILA - The government will extend its immunization drive against measles, rubella, and polio until Sunday, March 7, in a bid to achieve herd immunity, an official said Thursday.
The DOH will continue its inoculation campaign in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and the entire Visayas until Sunday, said Dr. Kim Patrick Tejano, manager of the health department's National Immunization Program manager.
Only 80 percent of children in these areas have been vaccinated so far, he said. At least 95 percent is needed to achieve herd immunity, he added.
"Hinihikayat pa rin natin ang mga magulang ng mga bata na dalhin (sila) sa mga centers at fixed post ng ating pagbabakuna," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
"Sinisigurado ng ating local health offices at maging ang DOH na ligtas po at inoobserbahan ang minimum public health standards sa mga lugar na ito."
THE REST
========
ADD'L 1,783 COVID-19 CASES LOGGED IN PH; TOTAL CLIMBS PAST 582,000
MANILA - After recording over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases daily in the past week, the Philippines on Wednesday reported 1,783 fresh coronavirus infections, pushing the country's total to 582,223.
The day's tally though does not include data from 7 laboratories that failed to submit results on time.
The country, which started its COVID-19 vaccine rollout last Monday, has been reporting more than 2,000 daily infections since Feb. 25, as the Department of Health (DOH) raised its guard after the detection of the more transmissible COVID-19 variants in some areas, including the capital region.
Recoveries increased by 330, the DOH said. The virus also claimed 20 more lives in the country.
With 534,778 total recoveries and 12,389 total fatalities, the country has 35,056 active infections, or 6 percent of the cumulative total cases.
Some 94.8 percent of those still infected with the coronavirus are experiencing mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. A total of 2.2 percent are in critical condition, while another 2.2 percent are experiencing severe symptoms.
PHIVOLCS RAISES ALERT LEVEL 1 OVER MT. PINATUBO
MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology hoisted Alert Level 1 over Mount Pinatubo due to persistent seismic activity, indicating that there is “low-level unrest” at the volcano.
Phivolcs said the unrest may be related to tectonic processes beneath the volcano and that no imminent eruption is foreseen.
Despite this, it said that entry into the Pinatubo crater area must be conducted with extreme caution and should be avoided if possible.
State volcanologists and seismologists also called on communities and local governments near the volcano to always be prepared for quakes and volcanic hazards.
State volcanologists and seismologists said that 1,722 imperceptible earthquakes were detected beneath Pinatubo since January 20.
HOUSE OKS BILLBOARD DISPLAY BAN DURING TYPHOONS
MANILA — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Tuesday night a bill seeking to ban the display of commercial billboards during typhoons.
A total of 205 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 7174 or the proposed Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act in a bid to mitigate the risk of billboard-related incidents during typhoons.
Authored by Quezon City fifth district Rep. Alfred Vargas, the bill seeks to take down all outdoor advertising materials within 12 hours after an announcement by the state weather bureau of a typhoon signal or any other significant weather disturbance.
The ban will be in effect for the duration of the typhoon.
Tarpaulin-based billboards shall be taken down while electronic-based billboards shall be switched off during this period.
Violators face fines of not less than P300,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than a year.
MANILA MAYOR APPROVES FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES IN 4 MEDICAL SCHOOLS
MANILA — Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday allowed four medical schools to resume limited in-person classes and clerkships for health-related programs.
Per Manila's public information office, the following colleges will be allowed to hold some face-to-face classes:
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Medicine
Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts and Sciences
Chinese General Hospital Colleges
Manila Theological College - College of Medicine
"What is the goal here? To produce doctors, nurses, midwives and all others allowed [by] CHED to conduct face-to-face classes," Moreno is quoted as saying during a meeting with representatives from the four schools.
"If we can produce that next year, then at least we can continue strengthen our medical professionals [who are] handling the situation," he added, referring to the lingering coronavirus pandemic.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
JOHN LLOYD CRUZ CHOOSES TO BE HAPPY AMID ELLEN ADARNA, DEREK RAMSAY ROMANCE
MANILA — On-leave Kapamilya actor John Lloyd Cruz chose to be happy amid reports of the relationship between ex-girlfriend Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay.
In his verified Facebook page, John Lloyd posted a photo of him with his new clean look.
“Choose to be happy,” the actor captioned the post.
Facebook users commented their praises to John Lloyd’s post.
“Looks good. That's shows a person is happy and contented with life that God has offered,” Roschel Emor commented.
“You deserve to be happy because you're a good man," Jenelyn Prandas commented.
John Lloyd’s ex-girlfriend Ellen, whom he has a son, Elias, recently admitted that she’s in a relationship with Derek.
"May relasyon kami, oo," Derek said in a report by Philippine Entertainment Portal.
Derek said that they really enjoy each other’s company and they feel a spark with each other.
"Uhm, tama ka, may spark talaga. Sobrang laking spark. We just really are enjoying each other’s company. Sobra. Like, walang dull moment,” he said.
John Lloyd, meanwhile, is busy filming his comeback movie “Servando Magdamag” written by Ricky Lee and directed by Lav Diaz.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MARCH 2
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies 16-15 35 36 25 29 125
Wizards 13-20 33 23 22 33 111
SCORING LEADERS
J. Morant MEM
35 PTS, 5 REB, 10 AST
B. Beal WAS
23 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hawks 15-20 23 21 19 31 94
Heat 17-18 17 20 29 14 80
SCORING LEADERS
T. Young ATL
18 PTS, 3 REB, 10 AST
D. Robinson MIA
14 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Clippers 24-13 32 31 26 23 112
Celtics 18-17 35 27 26 29 117
SCORING LEADERS
P. George LAC
32 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
K. Walker BOS
25 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Knicks 18-18 23 24 21 25 93
Spurs 18-13 25 26 36 32 119
SCORING LEADERS
I. Quickley NY
26 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
T. Lyles SA
18 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nuggets 20-15 37 27 35 29 128
Bucks 21-14 23 27 30 17 97
SCORING LEADERS
N. Jokic DEN
37 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST
G. Antetokounmpo MIL
27 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns 23-11 29 31 26 28 114
Lakers 24-12 21 32 30 21 104
SCORING LEADERS
D. Saric PHO
21 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
L. James LAL
38 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 48.48
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
He who is too busy doing good finds no time to be good. - Rabindranath Tagore
Comments (0)