ADDITIONAL 38,400 DOSES OF ASTRAZENECA VACCINES ARRIVE IN MANILA

MANILA - An additional 38,400 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from British-Swedish drug firm AstraZeneca arrived in Manila Sunday night.

The second batch of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility arrived at 6:43 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Health officials, Sec. Carlito Galvez and COVID-19 testing czar Vince Dizon, along with Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal, and representatives of the World Health Organization and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) welcomed the vaccines from Amsterdam.

The vaccines will be transported to the Department of Health cold storage facility in Marikina City.

This is the third batch of donated vaccines to arrive in Manila.

'BLOODBATH DAY': DEATHS, ARRESTS REPORTED IN POLICE RAIDS IN CALABARZON

MANILA — Police raids that swept across four provinces in Calabarzon on Sunday left nine activists dead, a "bloodbath" that groups condemned days after President Rodrigo Duterte told state forces to shoot right away suspected armed rebels in encounters.

Philstar.com was told by Calabarzon police that operations in the region yielded the said number of casualties, or six reported killed in Rizal, two in Batangas and one in Cavite.

The labor group Pamantik said activist leader Emmanuel Asuncion of BAYAN-Cavite was shot in a raid at the Workers' Assistance Center in Dasmariñas, while the couple Chai and Ariel Evangelista were killed in a similar operation in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Both were said to have been staff members of the group Umalpas Ka, and their 10-year-old child was also reportedly taken into custody but has since escaped.

In Rizal, only two out of the six killed had been identified so far: Makmak Bacasno and Michael Dasigao, who were part of the urban poor organization SIKKAD in Montalban.

PLt.Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, a spokesperson for the Calabarzon PNP, said six were also arrested while nine remain at-large. The figure matches that of groups' report that three in Laguna were nabbed — two labor leaders and a human rights worker.

They were identified as Steve Mendoza, executive vice president of the group Olalia, or the Organized Labor Association in Line Industries and Agriculture, Mags Camoral, BAYAN-Laguna spokesperson, as well as Nimfa Lanzanas, a paralegal aide to political prisioners of the group Kapatid in Southern Tagalog.

The arrests were made after search warrants were issued on March 2 on alleged illegal possession of explosives — a charge that groups have long said is usual to file against activists.

It was signed by First Vice Executive Judge Jose Lorenzo dela Rosa of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 4.

Gaoiran could not specifically say if the 24 search warrants which turned out as the basis for the raids were all signed by Dela Rosa. But when asked to describe how it resulted in deaths, he said an "armed encounter" took place.

'BLOODY SUNDAY': RIGHTS GROUPS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION INTO KILLINGS OF ACTIVISTS

MANILA - Human rights groups called on the Philippine government to investigate what they said was the use of "lethal force" during police raids on Sunday that left at least nine activists dead.

"These raids appear to be part of a coordinated plan by the authorities to raid, arrest, and even kill activists in their homes and offices," Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson said in a statement.

These incidents, he said, were "clearly part of the government's increasingly brutal counter-insurgency campaign."

"The fundamental problem is (that) this campaign no longer makes any distinction between armed rebels and noncombatant activists, labor leaders, and rights defenders."

The United Nations has warned in a report that "red-tagging", or labeling people and groups as communists or terrorists, and incitement to violence have been rife in the Southeast Asian nation.

"The Philippine government should act now to investigate the use of lethal force in these raids, stop the mayhem and killings that has gone hand in hand with the practice of red-tagging," Robertson said.

Sunday's raids, which human rights group Karapatan condemned, came two days after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police and military to "kill" communist rebels and "ignore human rights".

"Nothing could be more apt than calling this day a ‘Bloody Sunday,’" Karapatan's Cristina Palabay said.

CHEAT SHEET: PETITIONERS ARGUE FOR THE NULLIFICATION OF ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

MANILA — In four hours-long debates, seven noted lawyers stood as oralists for the 37 petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and addressed questions by Supreme Court magistrates on their legal challenges.

The first day of debates started on February 2, and continued in the succeeding Tuesdays, except on March 2, which was suspended due to COVID-19 threat. Solicitor General Jose Calida, on March 9, will finally present the government’s defense of the anti-terrorism law.

In the past four sessions, 14 SC justices interpellated the seven oralists. It is unclear why Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting did not pose questions to the petitioners, although this is a choice given to magistrates.

Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang was the first to ask questions. Traditionally, the member-in-charge of the case is first to interpellate parties.

Among the issues discussed in the past four sessions are leeway for the government to address “new” crime of terrorism, discretion to Congress to legislate, overbroad powers of the Anti-Terrorism Council and whether an actual case is present.

HOUSE BACKS DUTERTE’S AMNESTY GRANT TO REBELS

MANILA — The House of Representatives leadership, under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, gave assurance yesterday of the swift adoption of four resolutions granting amnesty to four rebel groups, in support of President Duterte and the country’s peace and stability.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said he, along with Velasco and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list), filed the resolutions that were jointly referred to the House committees on justice and national defense last week.

“We are one with President Rody Duterte’s efforts to attain peace and reconciliation in the country,” the Leyte congressman said, referring to House Concurrent Resolutions 12, 13, 14 and 15.

All of the resolutions support the grant of amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), respectively.

FOLLOW PRIORITY LIST IN VACCINATION – ROBREDO

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday urged authorities to ensure those listed as priority groups for the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program would get inoculated first.

She also called on Filipinos to remain vigilant, despite the arrival of the initial batch of donated COVID-19 vaccines, amid the rise in cases in the past days particularly in the National Capital Region.

“It’s really better to wait until we are prioritized because there are essential workers who have higher risk of exposure than us, so we have to follow that (priority list),” Robredo said in her weekly program over dzXL.

DOLE: NO NEED FOR OFWS TO GET VACCINATED

MANILA — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before departing for their jobs abroad, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello said the department has not made any recommendation to make mandatatory COVID-19 vaccination for departing OFWs.

“There has been no decision to recommend to the Inter-Agency Task Force that all deployed OFWs need to be vaccinated,” Bello said in a mix of Filipino and English in a virtual briefing Wednesday.

According to Bello, a DOLE representative merely requested the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to provide vaccinations for Filipino household service workers (HSWs) and other workers to be deployed in their country.

“So it is not a condition. It is a suggestion, and the reaction is looking positive there,” Bello noted.

UK PARLIAMENTARIANS JOIN CALL FOR DE LIMA’S RELEASE

MANILA — Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima has gained the support of lawmakers from the United Kingdom who joined the call for her release after four years in detention.

In a statement yesterday, De Lima’s camp said 27 members of the UK Parliament wrote a letter to Philippine Ambassador to United Kingdom Antonio Lagdameo on March 1, seeking her release from detention.

Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed confidence that De Lima would be cleared of the drug charges against her.

“You will be vindicated, you will be reunited with your family and you will be able to serve our countrymen,” Robredo said in a statement released by De Lima’s office.

De Lima marked her fourth year in detention on Feb. 24. She has been detained on drug charges since 2017.

According to Robredo, De Lima is not alone in her fight as there are many Filipinos who are willing to defend her.

“I am here together with our countrymen who believe in you and in justice sending you the message: you are not alone, Senator De Lima,” Robredo said. “We have always been with you since Day 1, and we will always be with you until the end, together we will overcome this.”

Robredo said De Lima inspires people to be braver and more resolute in fighting causes bigger than themselves, adding that “her fight is the fight of every Filipino.”

Last month, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court acquitted De Lima in one of her three drug cases.

SENATOR WANTS PROBE INTO 'SAGOT FOR SALE' SCHEME, WARNS STUDENTS WILL BEAR BRUNT OF PRACTICE

MANILA — A senator on Monday called on the Department of Education to investigate reports of what he called the sagot (answers) for sale scheme, where parents hire someone else to answer their children's self-learning modules.

In a statement issued early Monday morning, Sen. Win Gatchalian warned parents engaging in this practice that it would only be their children who would bear the brunt of the aftereffects as their learning and development would be compromised.

Gatchalian cited an earlier report by the Teachers' Dignity Coalition which suggested that struggling parents hire someone else — some of whom they find online — to answer their children's modules.

"Please don't do that because the children are the victims in this. We do not help them to learn by doing this," Gatchalian said.

The senator in his statement added that the Senate Basic Education Committee, which he chairs, has scheduled another hearing on the methodology of assessing learners' performance.

According to the Department of Education, 99.1% of the more than 14 million public school learners passed the first quarter, a figure that excluded data from Metro Manila, Region 7, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

However, the senator pointed out that the scenario in Valenzuela is different and more consistent with the low national achievement scores.

"Among Grade 8 learners, the average is about 48% across different subjects. In Grade 9, the average across different subjects is 51%, and 55% among Grade 10 learners, way below the passing rate of 75%," the senator said.

DILG REPORTS INCREASED VACCINE CONFIDENCE AFTER LOCAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS

The Department of the Interior and Local Government found improving vaccine confidence in numerous localities after town hall meetings were conducted by local governments across the country, it disclosed Sunday.

In a statement, interior spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said that there was an increasing trend of participants "who are highly likely to get the vaccines" after attending town hall sessions on the coronavirus vaccine conducted by the DILG and the Department of Health where comparative data of entry and exit polls were gathered.

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PH LOGS MORE THAN 3,000 NEW COVID-19 CASES BRINGING TALLY TO OVER 594,000

MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 3,276 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 594,412.

This marked the 3rd straight day of more than 3,000 cases--the first time it happened since September 18-20 last year.

The Department of Health also reported 10,516 new recoveries pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 545,853.

This meant that the country has a total of 36,043 active cases as of 4 p.m. Sunday.

Fifty one more deaths were reported from the illness, bringing COVID-19’s death toll in the Philippines to 12,516.

COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS RISE IN METRO MANILA, CAGAYAN VALLEY, CENTRAL VISAYAS: DOH

MANILA - There is an increase of COVID-19 admissions in hospitals in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas, a health official said Monday, adding that capacity of public and private medical facilities in these areas are still under "moderate-risk" level.

"Nakaaalarm kasi tumataas na rin ang active cases. Alam natin once tumaas ang active cases, tataas na rin ang rate of admission, and of course 'yung nangangailangan ng intensive care unit atsaka ventilators," treatment czar Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

The country's hospitals last year declared full capacity as coronavirus cases surged, prompting healthcare workers to appeal to government for a timeout.

The rise in cases might be due to the country's economy reopening, the public becoming "relaxed" in observing health protocols, and the entry of new coronavirus variants, Vega said.

"Itong pagsurge natin ngayon, may possibility talaga na pumapasok na ang variants. Kailangan i-maximize o enhance mo na talaga ang health standards," he said.

"Kung di natin ayusin to at di magbago ang ating behavior, mahihirapan, matatalo tayo sa transmission ng virus. Ito na ang race between vaccination and infection so kailangan natin matalo ang transmission."

The treatment czar stressed the importance of biosurveillance and called on hospitals to implement again last year's protocols such as referring mild cases to isolation facilities.

"Kung nagrelax na tayo sa travel restriction, ang pinakaimportante talaga 'yung biosurveillance, lalo sa mga taong bumabalik sa probinsiya na may symptoms o direct contact sa positive cases para ma-isolate for the remaining 14 days," he said.

METRO MAYORS TIGHTEN RESTRICTIONS

Curfew, quarantine pass reimposed

MANILA — Mayors in Metro Manila have decided to tighten community quarantine restrictions in a bid to contain the rising cases of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region.

In Caloocan, residents are again required to use quarantine passes to go to the market and comply with a 10 p.m.-4 a.m. curfew.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan discussed with the barangay captains on Saturday the new quarantine guidelines, according to the city government’s public information office.

Joel Bacolod, chairman of Barangay Bagong Silang, took to Facebook to alert residents about the curfew and the use of quarantine passes.

Those going to and from work are exempted from the curfew.

COMELEC SETS SPECIAL REGISTRATION FOR WOMEN

MANILA — Special registration activities are set for Filipino women here and abroad starting today in celebration of National Women’s Month.

In an advisory, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the special registration on March 8-10 for Filipino women abroad. On March 9-11, similar registration activities are also set for Filipino women and girls nationwide.

“A three-day special voter registration (is set) for women and girls in Offices of the Election Officers nationwide for local registration, and all Philippine posts and embassies abroad and Philippine Satellite Offices in DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration), Marina (Maritime Industry Authority), and Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila for registration of overseas voters,” the Comelec’s Gender and Development Office (GAD) stated.

It said the official 2021 National Women’s Month celebration tarpaulin will be displayed in all poll offices nationwide and the five satellite offices for overseas registration in the Philippines.

“Purple Friday” has also been declared in which all Comelec employees must wear purple on all Fridays of March.

Comelec-GAD’s Facebook page will bear a banner to be followed by the recorded video speeches of the three women commissioners — Rowena Guanzon, Socorro Inting and Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio.

Comelec will also participate in the online advocacies of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

GERALD, JULIA APPEAR IN FIRST PUBLIC EVENT TOGETHER AFTER ACTOR'S TELL-ALL INTERVIEW

MANILA – Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto on Saturday finally made their first public appearance together since the actor shared the real score between them.

Based on a post by the Department of Transportation on Facebook, the two spearheaded a relief operation in Barangay San Agustin in Iba, Zambales on Saturday to mark Anderson’s 32nd birthday. The latter holds a Lieutenant Commander rank in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“With the generous participation of the World Vision Philippines and actress, Julia Barretto, a total of 300 Aeta families residing at the Lupang Pangako Resettlement Area in Barangay San Agustin received basic commodities such as rice, canned goods, instant noodles, biscuits, coffee, chocolate drink, and hygiene supplies during said initiative,” the post said.

As seen in the photos, both Barretto and Anderson were wearing a Philippine Coast Guard shirt as they give away relief packs to local residents.

"Nagpapasalamat ako kasi kasama ko kayo sa birthday ko. Sana nakapagbigay ng kaunting saya sa inyo ang pagbisita namin dito. Hiling ko rin na maging 'partner' kami ng komunidad na ito sa mga susunod pang pagkakataon," Anderson said, as quoted in the same Facebook post.

In mid-2019, Anderson was at the center of controversy after his breakup with actress Bea Alonzo.

He was later romantically linked with Barretto, his co-star in the Japan-set romantic drama "Between Maybes." At that time, both denied being more than friends.

Anderson acknowledged in a one-on-one interview with host Boy Abunda that was broadcast Friday that currently he is happy with Barretto.

In tell-all interview, Gerald Anderson admits he’s happy with Julia Barretto

Abunda asked Anderson if Barretto is currently a source of happiness for Anderson, to which the former "Pinoy Big Brother" teen housemate answered affirmatively.

“Very happy. It’s a yes,” said Anderson, who appeared to heave a sigh of relief.

Barretto has yet to speak up about the matter following Anderson’s revelation.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe