PTV TO DISCIPLINE SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM OVER 'ERRONEOUS' #DUTERTEPALPAK TWEET

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — State-run broadcaster People’s Television said Wednesday it will sanction members of its social media team who were behind an “erroneous” tweet which used the hashtag #DutertePalpak.

 

“The management will certainly institute disciplinary actions against members of the social media team who are behind the erroneous posting,” PTV said in a statement. The publicly-funded network did not specifically say what sanctions would be meted out.

 

PTV said the hashtag, which was used to criticize the Duterte administration’s pandemic response, was included in the tweet due to “predictive systems in the text entry phase and a failure to adequately review and screen the message that actually got posted.”

 

“PTV New Media deeply regrets the error and take (sic) full responsibility for the oversight,” it said further.

 

The verified Twitter account of PTV shared Tuesday an article on President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the government to provide free masks to the public with this caption: “President Rodrigo R. #dutertepalpak BTS reiterated his order to provide free masks for the public especially to those who cannot buy their own.”

 

The hashtag was among the top trends on Twitter Philippines the same night the tweet was posted.

 

 

 

 

 

PNP VOWS INVESTIGATIONS INTO LAWYER KILLINGS, STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WITH IBP

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — The national police vowed Wednesday to "promptly and thoroughly" investigate the still-mounting cases of lawyer killings that have swept the country since the start of the Duterte administration.

 

In a statement sent to reporters, the Philippine National Police committed to expedite the investigation and give preferential attention to incidents and cases of violence against lawyers, prosecutors, and magistrates "to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable and that justice is swiftly served."

 

This comes after top officials of the PNP and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines met Tuesday over the increase of murders of lawyers in the Philippines.

 

"The PNP leadership does not sanction or tolerate the use of unnecessary/unreasonable force; illegal/questionable methods, or abuse of authority in pursuing its mandate to enforce the law and maintain peace and order; It shall hold accountable and discipline any police officer or employee who acts in violation of the Constitution, law, or regulations," the two groups said in a joint statement.

 

"Lawyer-killings shall be investigated promptly and thoroughly with the suspects subsequently identified, prosecuted, and penalized."

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES AIMS FOR 450,000 DAILY VACCINATIONS BY APRIL: DOH

 

 

 

MANILA - The Philippines aims to vaccinate daily some 450,000 of its citizens against COVID-19 by next month, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Wednesday.

 

Following the inoculation of healthcare workers, indigent senior citizens are next in line as they are most vulnerable to severe to critical COVID-19, according to Duque.

 

"We're looking at 4,500 vaccination sites with each site vaccinating 100 individuals. So we’re looking at 450,000 vaccinees per day...as soon as the vaccines have come. Mga ganon (around), April," he told ANC's Headstart.

 

Government earlier said it expects to finish inoculating some 1.7 million healthworkers against the coronavirus this month. Some 215,997 medical frontliners have so far been vaccinated, Duque said.

 

The Philippines has so far received more than 1.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for its health workers. Of this figure, 600,000 were CoronaVac jabs and 500,000 doses were from AstraZeneca.

 

Another 900,000 AstraZeneca jabs are set to arrive this month and 1.4 million more doses of Sinovac are set to arrive by the first week of April, Duque said.

 

 

 

 

 

BLOODY SUNDAY AFTERMATH: SC ‘CONSIDERS’ REQUIRING BODY CAMERAS IN SERVICE OF WARRANTS

 

 

 

MANILA — Amid the “furor” surrounding the deaths of 9 activists on “Bloody Sunday,” Supreme Court magistrates on Tuesday said they are considering a proposal requiring law enforcers to wear body cameras to prevent abuses in the service of warrants.

 

“The Court today considered a proposal to require the use of body cameras for law enforcers who will execute warrants to be issued by the trial courts. A Resolution will be drafted which will be further considered soonest,” Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said in a statement.

 

Sources from the high court said SC justices had a “long conversation” about the issue during their weekly en banc session.

 

The proposal was “unilateral” or based on the initiative of some justices, meaning, there were no parties who filed any requests regarding the proposed measure.

 

 

 

 

 

SC JUNKS PETITION VS ICC WITHDRAWAL

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) unanimously dismissed the petitions that questioned President Duterte’s decision to unilaterally withdraw the Philippines’ membership from the International Criminal Court (ICC), for being moot and academic.

 

In a statement issued yesterday, SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said the SC justices dismissed the petition filed by six senators led by Senator Francis Pangilinan under G.R. no 238875, and the petition filed by the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) led by former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Loretta Ann Rosales.

 

Respondents in the petition were former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, then United Nations (UN) Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, who were represented by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) led by Jose Calida.

 

The High Court’s decision, penned by SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, was made known two years after the country’s withdrawal of its membership from the ICC took effect on March 17, 2019, making the Philippines the second country to leave the Hague-based tribunal.

 

The SC held two oral arguments on the issue last Aug. 28 and Sept. 4, 2018.

 

“In a unanimous decision penned by Justice Leonen, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition questioning the unilateral withdrawal for being moot and academic,” said Hosaka.

 

 

 

 

 

SIX OTHER DISEASES KILLED MORE FILIPINOS THAN COVID-19

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — Coronavirus is deadly, but it was not the top disease that killed Filipinos last year.

 

Six other diseases led COVID-19 as the primary cause of death of more people last year, while the number of registered deaths resulting from also increased year-on-year. This is partly a reflection of the strain the local health systems is placed on by the unprecedented pandemic.

 

“The lack of clinic check-ups, the lack of attendance of doctors because they too cannot go to work created right now a scenario in which cardiovascular disorders are increasing,” said Anthony Leachon, an infectious disease doctor and former adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

 

Ischaemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death for second year in a row, with 99,680 people losing their lives last year. Mortality from the disease went up 2.3% year-on-year, and represented 17.3% of total loss of life because of a disease last year.

 

Neoplasms or tumors as well as cerebrovascular diseases were ranked second and third, respectively, although deaths from these diseases declined by 9.3% and 6% from year-ago levels.

 

Deaths due to diabetes mellitus however rose 7.8% to 37,265 last year, enough to put the disease as the fourth top killer of Filipinos from fifth in 2019. At sixth place, deaths from hypertensive diseases also jumped 6.3% to 29,511 last year, when most Filipinos were forced to become stationary at their homes.

 

COVID-19-related registered deaths only came in seventh at 27,967, prompting the Coalition of People’s Right to Health to lament what it said is the “covidization” of healthcare. The non-government organization argued that while coronavirus remains a serious concern, other diseases should not be sidelined.

 

 

 

 

 

MINORS BARRED FROM DOMESTIC TRAVEL, SAYS NTF SPOX

 

 

 

MANILA - Minors will be prohibited from travelling domestically in a bid to curb virus spread, an official said Wednesday.

 

Only those aged 18 to 65 will be allowed to travel, said National Task Force spokesperson Ret. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

 

"Walang paghihigpit sa domestic movement maliban po sa mga bata. Meron na pong anunsiyo na paghihigpit po at ibabalik po natin ang pagbabawal sa lahat ng 17 years old and below. At ganun din po sa 65 years old and above," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

 

"'Di muna pahihintulutan na sila ay bumiyahe sa panahon ng paghihigpit na ito para bumaba ang bilang (ng mga kaso)."

 

Metro Manila mayors have restricted minors from going outside beginning Wednesday as COVID-19 cases continued to rise in the capital region.

 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO JULY LEVEL: COVID-19 CASES PEAK ANEW, INFECTION CLUSTERS IN HOUSEHOLDS, WORKPLACES

 

 

 

MANILA — Philippines' COVID-19 infections is at its peak anew, the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said, noting the rise of clustered infections from households and workplaces.

 

New COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has reached the same peak level in July last year, DOH said.

 

“Yesterday it is now at the same peak,” But Dr. Alethea de Guzman, OIC Director III of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, said during a media briefing. “Kung gaano karami yung nagiging pinakamataas na nagkakasakit ng July, now it’s the same peak.”

 

In the past days, the Philippines has been logging 4,000 to more than 5,000 additional cases daily. As of Tuesday, Philippines has recorded a total of 631,320 COVID-19 cases.

 

De Guzman said that for the first two weeks of March, the increase was 2.5 times higher than January.

 

She said that while majority of the infections are happening at home, there is also an increasing percentage of workplace clusters.

 

A graph shown by the health official showed incidence rates in cities with and without variants. Those with the more transmissible variants first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa showed a higher attack rate or infection rate per 100,000 of the population.

 

“Oo nakakacontribute talaga yung variants of concern sa mabilis na pagtaas ng kaso natin…(Pero) kahit wala tayong nakikita pang variant of concern sa maraming lugar sa Pilipinas talagang may pagtaas ng kaso dito,” De Guzman explained.

 

 

 

 

 

GLOBE SECURES 495 NEW PERMITS TO BUILD TELCO TOWERS NATIONWIDE

 

 

 

MANILA - Globe Telecom said Wednesday it has secured 495 permits to build telco towers in the January to February period as local governments act on requests swiftly.

 

It secured 253 permits in January and another 242 permits the next month, Globe Telecom said in a statement.

 

For 2021, the telco said it planned to install at least 2,000 new towers.

 

Most permits secured were from North Luzon with 164, followed by NCR with 118, Visayas with 78, Mindanao with 71 and South Luzon with 64 permits, Globe said.

 

“More and more local government units are now realizing the value and importance of connectivity especially for people who work from home and for children doing online learning," said Globe senior vice president for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group Joel Agustin.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

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NTF: NO FOREIGNERS, NON-OFW FILIPINOS INTO THE PHILIPPINES FROM MARCH 20 TO APRIL 19

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force Against COVID-19 is restricting travel into the Philippines from March 20 to April 19 in response to rising COVID-19 cases in recent days.

 

According to a memorandum circular signed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the country will suspend the entry of foreigners and "Returning Overseas Filipinos who are non-OFWs" except for the following:

 

•           Holders of 9(C) visas (seafarers)

 

•           Medical repatriation and their escorts endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

 

•           Distressed ROFs endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs

 

•           Emergency and humanitarian cases

 

The NTF memo cites the 5,404 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Monday and Department of Health data showing cases of the B.1.1.7 variant—18 out of 59—and the B1.351 variant—1 of 32 cases—among ROFs.

 

One case of the P.1 variant, a variant of the virus first detected in the Philippines, has also been confirmed in an ROF from Brazil, the memo said.

 

 

 

 

 

MORE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS GO ON COVID-19 QUARANTINE

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — Five members of President Duterte’s Cabinet are now on self-imposed quarantine after either testing positive for COVID-19 infection or having close contact with those who had tested positive.

 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, chair of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, confirmed yesterday that he was among those who have to self-isolate. He said he was in close contact with Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) director Dr. Dominador Chiong about a week ago.

 

“He became symptomatic with fever and cough. Today is the 6th day since exposed to him. I reckon I was not infected,” Lorenzana told The STAR.

 

Also under quarantine are vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, deputy testing czar Vince Dizon and Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.

 

Earlier, presidential spokesman Harry Roque admitted that he tested positive for COVID-19 and has now gone on self-isolation. He said he would continue working since he remains asymptomatic.

 

 

 

 

 

MANDALUYONG JUDGE RED-TAGGED AFTER FREEING TWO ACTIVISTS

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — A Mandaluyong judge, who recently ordered the release of two activists, is the latest to be tagged as supporter of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

 

Rep. Ferdinand Gaite (Bayan Muna party-list) posted on his Twitter account a tarpauling bearing the face of Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio.

 

The tarpaulin, seen in Shaw Boulevard corner EDSA, supposedly came from the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front of the Philippines-New People’s Army, thanking the judge for ordering the release of journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago.

 

“The Courts are under attack! After [Philippine National Police’s] attempt to profile [human rights] lawyers, we’re now seeing harassment vs. judges who exposed their flawed searches!” Gaite said.

 

“Even Judicial Independence is now being labeled as Terrorism. Another reason why the Terror Law must be junked,” the minority lawmaker added.

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES' ONLINE CAFE TAKES OFF TO DELIVER SIGNATURE ARROZ CALDO TO HOMES

 

 

 

MANILA -- Philippine Airlines has launched its online food shop, offering its famous arroz caldo, on its 80th anniversary as the air carrier tries to weather the drop in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Fly PAL Cafe opened on Instagram on March 16, offering its arroz caldo kit for P690. The package comes with a bowl of porridge good for 2-3 persons, signature toppings like salted egg, garlic and calamansi, as well as 2 pairs of wooden spoons and bowls.

 

Orders are placed by sending a message through Fly PAL's Instagram account.

 

"We'll message you right back for your order and deliver details," according to FlyPAL Cafe.

 

The payment may be settled upon the package's delivery.

 

PAL's decision to sell its arroz caldo, a famous staple in its Mabuhay Lounge, comes shortly after the airline laid off a third of its workforce or some 2,300 workers as travel restrictions and uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to weigh down flights.

 

The flag carrier earlier said it currently operates less than 30 percent of its pre-pandemic number of weekly flights.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

VETERAN ACTRESS LAURA HERMOSA, MOTHER OF TESSIE TOMAS, DIES AT 92

 

 

 

MANILA — Pioneering radio voice talent and veteran actress Laura Hermosa died of renal failure Tuesday at her home in Makati City.

 

“She died peacefully in her sleep at 7:45 a.m.,” her daughter, actress Tessie Tomas, told ABS-CBN News.

 

Hermosa passed on a month weeks after she recovered from COVID-19 infection.

 

A three-day wake and memorial will be held at Arlington Memorial Chapels Quezon City starting Wednesday to be followed by her burial this Saturday at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

 

“She was an excellent mother to all of us, five boys and one girl, ako," said Tomas. “At age 10, around 1960, she made me her protégée, teaching me voice acting, kaya alam ko ang tawang mayaman, tawang mahirap at tawang hostess.”

 

Bibeth Orteza, head writer of Hermosa’s late '80s TV show, “Hapi House!” credits Hermosa for the success of Tomas’ career. “Kasi nga she taught her the rudiments of voice acting and styling.”

 

Orteza also cited Hermosa, a fellow Waray, as a calming presence on the set of “Hapi House!” that starred Tito Sotto, Helen Gamboa, Sandy Andolong, Aga Muhlach and the late Isabel Granada.

 

Hermosa made her mark as a radio talent beginning in the mid-1950s in the show “Krisalis” with the late great director Susana de Guzman and veteran radio artist Tina Loy mentoring her. Aside from voice acting, she became a director and character actress in such films as “Broken Marriage” and “Nagbabagang Luha”; and TV shows like “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES MARCH 15

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Bucks  25-14            32        37        36        28        133

 

Rs.Wizards  14-24         23        32        34        33        122

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            G. Antetokounmpo MIL

 

31 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST

 

            B. Beal WAS

 

37 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Kings  15-24 37        30        29        20        116

 

Rs.Hornets  20-18         32        29        30        31        122

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            D. Fox SAC

 

29 PTS, 4 REB, 8 AST

 

            T. Rozier CHA

 

26 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Spurs  20-16            24        36        35        14        109

 

Rs.Pistons  10-29          24        26        25        24        99

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            D. Murray SA

 

19 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST

 

            J. Jackson DET

 

15 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Knicks  20-20           30        25        29        28        112

 

Rs.Nets  27-13  35        32        29        21        117

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            J. Randle NY

 

33 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST

 

            K. Irving BKN

 

34 PTS, 1 REB, 4 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Clippers  26-15         31        24        30        24        109

 

Rs.Mavericks  20-18      23        27        28        21        99

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            K. Leonard LAC

 

22 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST

 

            L. Doncic DAL

 

25 PTS, 10 REB, 16 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Pacers  17-21          32        24        35        15        106

 

Rs.Nuggets  23-16        32        33        22        34        121

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            M. Brogdon IND

 

24 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST

 

            N. Jokic DEN

 

32 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Grizzlies  17-19        25        27        25        22        99

 

Rs.Suns  26-12 24        36        36        26        122

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            J. Valanciunas MEM

 

24 PTS, 17 REB, 0 AST

 

            D. Booker PHO

 

27 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

           1          2          3          4          T

 

Rs.Lakers  26-13           29        36        28        35        128

 

Rs.Warriors  20-20        26        24        23        24        97

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            M. Harrell LAL

 

27 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST

 

            S. Curry GS

 

27 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST

 

 

 

 

 

INDICATORS

 

 

 

FOREX $1 = P 48.63

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

A good reputation is better than fame. - Louis Dudek