PHILIPPINES FILES DIPLOMATIC PROTEST OVER REPORTS 220 CHINESE VESSELS IN WEST PH SEA

MANILA - The Philippines is lodging a diplomatic protest against China over reports that more than 200 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels were sighted moored in the West Philippine Sea, the country's foreign minister said on Sunday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he has already talked to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon about the issue, and had "fired off" a diplomatic protest Sunday night.

"I got the coordinates, so to speak. And relayed to my legal artillery, “Fire at will.” Shell should be flying at first light. I don’t usually announce maneuvers but it seems everybody is baring his chest," he said in another post on Twitter.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it has dispatched troops to validate the reported sighting of the Chinese vessels.

In a statement, AFP Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the AFP has received the report of the Philippine Coast Guard about the Chinese ships.

The AFP Western Command has also dispatched Air Force and Navy assets to "conduct air and maritime sovereignty patrols to further validate the report."

"Appropriate reports were made and forwarded to other agencies of government through the General Headquarters of such monitored number of CMM. These reports are made bases of filing appropriate actions not limited to filing diplomatic protests," Arevalo said.

"The AFP will not renege from our commitment to protect and defend our maritime interest within the bounds of the law," he added.

In a separate statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed "grave concern" on the presence of said Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

"This is a clear provocative action of militarizing the area. These are territories well within Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf (CS) where Filipinos have the sole right to resources under international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling," he said.

He also called on the Chinese to stop the incursion and "immediately recall these boats violating our maritime rights and encroaching into our sovereign territory."

"We are committed to uphold our sovereign rights over the WPS," Lorenzana added.

Lorenzana said the Department of National Defense (DND) is coordinating with the PCG, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs for the appropriate action to be taken "in the context of protecting the welfare of our Filipino fishermen, our maritime resources, and maintaining peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea."

SENATORS HIT PROPOSED PRIVATE SECTOR VACCINE PROCUREMENT BAN

MANILA — The plan of the Department of Health (DOH) to bar infant milk manufacturers, sugary beverage makers and other private firms from procuring COVID-19 vaccines for their workers is illegal, unauthorized and exposes officials to criminal charges, lawmakers warned yesterday.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed alarm over the DOH’s plan – either in the form of a department order or the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act or Republic Act 11525 – to block select firms from procuring their own vaccines.

“I am deeply disturbed by this report. If indeed such a draft administrative order exists, that is a clear violation of the COVID-19 Vaccination Act of 2021. Such a policy is discriminatory and morally unacceptable. The DOH does not have the authority to do that,” Drilon said in a statement.

“Who is playing God here once more? Please stop playing God. This is not the time for politics and selfish agenda. It is our moral responsibility to share the vaccine,” he added.

Drilon warned Health Secretary Francisco Duque III that he will call for a Senate investigation if the latter insists on banning private entities from taking part in the vaccination program.

He said RA 11525 allows private companies to procure vaccines in cooperation with the DOH, because it recognizes the role of private entities in arresting the pandemic through their efforts to inoculate their workforce.

“Our economic workers risk their lives daily. It is our responsibility to protect them too,” he said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also slammed the plan, saying the practice of “legislating by IRR is a bad habit by bureaucrats who imagine themselves as the third chamber of Congress.”

He said the two phrases in the draft section of the IRR will sabotage the public-private vaccination partnership.

“So this can be read that a pharmaceutical company that plans to procure vaccines, half of which it shall donate to the government, cannot do so simply because it has breastmilk substitutes in its product catalog? Also, will an airline company with an interlocking directorship with a tobacco company be likewise banned under that provision?” Recto said.

HOUSE URGED: DROP CHA-CHA, FOCUS ON VACCINE ROLLOUT

MANILA — With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the House of Representatives leadership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco should just “drop” its move to amend the 1987 Constitution, and focus instead on the immunization of the general public.

“To increase vaccine acceptance, legislators should initiate or join information campaigns in their districts to persuade would-be vaccinees that the vaccines are safe, and are necessary to eventually contain the pandemic,” Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said over the weekend.

He said it would be best if the super majority coalition “do their part in helping the Duterte administration implement its inoculation program,” especially in the wake of the “serious surge in COVID-19 caseload.”

According to Villafuerte, the vaccine rollout should be the House leadership’s “number one priority concern right now,” where no less than the Speaker placed the entire Batasang Pambansa complex on a four-day lockdown due to the spike in coronavirus cases.

“Travel bans, curfews and checkpoints are back; the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) has shuttered driving schools, gaming arcades and museums, and reduced the capacities of restaurants, cafes and DOT (Department of Tourism)-accredited establishments; churches are back to 30 percent capacity,” he said.

“And the DOH (Department of Health) is considering sending patients to Southern and Central Luzon hospitals amid the swelling COVID-19 bed occupancy rate of hospital ICUs (intensive care units) in Metro Manila,” Villafuerte said.

PH HOSPITALS SEEK 'REINFORCEMENT' AS COVID-19 CASES SURGE

MANILA - A group of hospitals on Monday sought "reinforcement" from government as medical facilities in Metro Manila have been overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Hospitals in Metro Manila are projected to reach full capacity by Holy Week if the government fails to slow down COVID-19 transmission, independent research group OCTA earlier said.

Jaime Almora, president of the Philippine Hospital Association, said several big hospitals are at a "critical" level with more than 70 percent of their COVID-19 beds utilized.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in a separate Teleradyo interview, said doctors and health experts asked for a "timeout" for 2 weeks.

"Hindi ho timeout ang solusyon po, reinforcement po," Almora told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo. "We are requesting na reinforcement sana manggaling sa agencies na health-related po."

"Pagod na po ang mga nurses. Kulang na kulang po ang nurses. Ang reinforcement manggagaling sa ibang agency, military atsaka pulis kasi karamihan sa mga nurses namin nasa kanila na kasi malaki ang suweldo doon."

GOV'T 'OPEN' TO HIRE MORE HEALTH WORKERS, EYES INCREASING COVID-19 BED CAPACITY

MANILA - The government is considering an increase in COVID-19 bed allocations in state-run hospitals and augment the number of health workers nationwide due to the surge of virus cases, the country's treatment czar said Monday.

Several Metro Manila hospitals earlier declared full capacity as coronavirus cases continued to rise in the capital region, home to a tenth of the country's population.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said the number of cases was "worrying" and "an indicator that we might have problems in terms of overwhelming our systems capacity."

"What we would like to do is... government hospitals need to allocate more from 30 percent to 50 percent. They have to put elective cases on the backburner," he told ANC's Headstart.

"We are doing as much as we can in terms of physically expanding bed allocation for COVID, and making sure there are more isolation centers and TTMFs (temporary treatment and monitoring facilities)," he told ANC's Headstart.

Government is also prepared to augment the number of health workers in hospitals nationwide, Vega added.

PRIORITIZE INOCULATION OF METRO MANILA, CALABARZON RESIDENTS AMID SURGE: OCTA

MANILA - Prioritizing inoculation in Metro Manila and nearby areas where there are rising cases of COVID-19 may help lower the virus infection rate, OCTA Research Group said Sunday.

Government earlier said it aims to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve herd immunity.

“I-priority ang NCR (National Capital Region), kasi we’re undergoing a surge here. Medyo malayo pa pero possible kayanin this year kung i-prioritize and Calabarzon, 'andito trade capital and economic center eh, pag nakontrol natin NCR, makokontrol natin pandemic sa buong Philippines,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said.

Local chief executives should also be among the prioritized frontliners, added former Philippine Medical Association President Dr. Leo Olarte.

NON-FRONTLINERS JUMPED COVID-19 VACCINATION QUEUE: OFFICIAL

MANILA - A "number" of non-frontliners have jumped the country's COVID-19 vaccination queue, an official said Monday.

The Philippines earlier this month began its immunization program against COVID-19, prioritizing healthworkers who battle the disease in the frontlines.

Treatment czar and Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, however, said there are reports of non-health workers jumping the vaccination line.

"We’ve had reports of this. Although we've been saying this can’t be because we have a prioritized vaccination in terms of health workers. This has been observed. The numbers are very insignificant but we do see a number jumping the queue," he told ANC's Headstart.

"I'm not so sure of the specifics but I'm aware there are, who really are jumping the queue."

When asked about possible penalties, Vega said he leaves it to government's vaccine cluster.

The country has so far inoculated "below 50 percent" of its healthworkers nationwide, according to Vega.

COVID-19 TIMEOUT: DOT OKAYS STAYCATIONS AS METRO MANILA, NEARBY AREAS FORM BUBBLE

MANILA - Tourists from Metro Manila and the 4 nearby provinces within its bubble may rebook without fees their planned vacations for the Holy Week, the Department of Tourism said Monday.

Staycation with age restrictions is also allowed within the capital region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, said Tourism Secretary Bernadette-Romulo Puyat.

Those aged below 15 and above 65 are prohibited from staycations, she added.

"Nakausap ko na ang lahat ng airlines, sinabi naman nila pwede mag-rebook nang walang penalty, ang hotel and restaurant associations, pwede magrebook nang walang penalty," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

Romulo-Puyat said doctors and health experts had advised the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 to restrict movement in the virus epicenter and nearby provinces for2 weeks as virus cases surged.

"Humingi ang mga doktor kung puwede timeout muna. Nakakalungkot pero syempre kailangan mapagbigyan ang mga doktor," she said.

"Sabi naman nila 2 weeks lang pero nakakalungkot kasi bumubuwelo na tayo, Holy Week madaming aalis."

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PAL BANS DOMESTIC 'LEISURE TRAVELERS' TO AND FROM MANILA IN COMPLIANCE WITH GOV'T GUIDELINES

MANILA - Philippine Airlines on Monday reminded the public that domestic leisure passengers won't be allowed to travel to and from Metro Manila, in compliance with the most recent government guidelines.

The ban for leisure travelers is in effect from March 22 to April 4, the Inter-Agency Task Force against infectious diseases (IATF) has said.

"As such, passengers traveling for leisure will not be allowed on PAL domestic flights to/from Manila from March 22 to April 4," the flag carrier said.

Affected travelers can opt to convert ticket to a travel voucher with a 10 percent bonus and valid for up to 2 years, avail of unlimited rebooking until December or refund tickets, PAL said.

Those who are in domestic destinations who wish to return home are free to do so, the airline said.

Authoried individuals will also be accepted on PAL flights providing that they have secured necessary requirements from LGUs, it said.

Over the weekend, President Rodrigo Duterte approved a measure placing Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under General Community Quarantine as confirmed COVID-19 cases rise.

IN LAST FLAG CEREMONY, CHIEF JUSTICE PERALTA BIDS GOOD BYE AFTER 34 YEARS IN JUDICIARY

MANILA — Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta is set to officially hang his judicial robes on Friday, at a time when lawyers are pinning their hopes for protection against continued attacks to the Supreme Court.

Addressing his colleagues for the last time on Monday morning, Peralta said he is filled with gratitude, with a mix of melancholy, noting that it has been a year since they observed the traditional flag raising ceremony with the rest of the SC employees.

“In a few days, I will be retiring from the Supreme Court after working for the past half a century, 34 years of which were spent serving the Judiciary while I look forward to a slower pace of life with my family… I cannot help but feel a tinge of sadness as I will be leaving the realm of public service and my beloved Supreme Court which has been my second home for the past 12 years,” he said.

Peralta admitted that the past year has been difficult due to the public health crisis, as the SC crafted policies to protect the well-being of its officers and employees but court users as well.

“To this end, I can say with confidence that we, the members and officials of the Supreme Court, have done everything within our authority to address all judicial concerns and protect everyone's well being, to the best of our abilities. We have proven that with our determination and willingness to adopt innovations, this pandemic is not and will never be an obstacle in the fulfillment of our own duties as public servants,” he said.

KARAPATAN PARALEGAL ARRESTED IN CAGAYAN DE ORO

MANILA — Police in Cagayan de Oro arrested Karapatan-Caraga paralegal Renalyn Tejero on Sunday, making her the latest activist and rights defender nabbed by security forces.

This was confirmed to Philstar.com by Police Maj. Evan Viñas, spokesperson for the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, in a phone call after Karapatan first reported that Tejero was taken away early Sunday morning "by suspected elements of the Philippine National Police."

According to Viñas, personnel of the Philippine National Police and the military served a warrant for Tejero's arrest in connection with murder and attempted murder charges.

The paralegal was apprehended at 5:30 a.m. in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

According to a spot report obtained by Philstar.com, Tejero was arrested "for murder with no bail recommended and multiple attempted murder ... with bail recommended of P120,000.00."

The same report refers to Tejero as a "member of KT/KH Regional United Front RWAC."

"We have to respect the decision of the court...we won't speak for them, we only served the warrant of arrest. She has a right to explain too," Viñas said in a mix of Filipino and English when asked for the basis for labeling Tejero a communist rebel.

"It was a legitimate police operation," he also said, though no details on the supposed murder cases were provided.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

PIA WURTZBACH IS FIRST MISS UNIVERSE WINNER TO JOIN ARAB FASHION WEEK

MANILA -- Pia Wurtzbach continues to make history six years after winning the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.

The beauty queen, host, and actress is the first Miss Universe titleholder to take part in Arab Fashion Week. Dubai-based agency Yugen PR made the announcement over the weekend as it now represents Wurtzbach in the Middle East region.

In a statement posted on its Instagram page, Yugen PR said Wurtzbach will open Arab Fashion Week on March 24, wearing an avant-garde creation by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One of Amato Couture.

The fashion event will run virtually until March 28 given the pandemic.

"We are thrilled to officially announce our exclusive partnership deal with Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach here in the Middle East market. We look forward to all wonderful projects lined up for her in this part of the world where there are 4 million Filipinos as well as millions of beauty pageant fans from this part of the world," Yugen PR managing director Ian Borromeo said.

"Pia is also known for her love of travel, beauty and fashion and we are excited to create contents for brands as she has a powerful voice for her community and loyal followers." he added.

Wurtzbach, for her part, said: "The Middle East market is very close to my heart as I have been traveling to that part of the world. I am totally in love with the people and its culture. I am excited to see what I can do to connect and hopefully influence my community through all the works and activities lined up for me for the rest of the year."

Last December, Wurtzbach was named Woman of the Year by the Dubai-based luxury magazine Xpedition.

A month later, Xpedition released nine covers featuring Wurtzbach, with the magazine calling it their biggest project so far.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES MARCH 20

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Hawks  22-20   28        24        22        25        99

Lakers  28-14   25        28        12        29        94

Highlights: Hawks at Lakers

1:41

SCORING LEADERS

            J. Collins ATL

27 PTS, 16 REB, 0 AST

            M. Harrell LAL

23 PTS, 11 REB, 1 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Kings  17-25    21        31        28        25        105

76ers  29-13    42        31        33        23        129

SCORING LEADERS

            B. Hield SAC

25 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST

            T. Harris PHI

29 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Warriors  22-21 24        27        28        24        103

Grizzlies  19-20            28        21        33        29        111

SCORING LEADERS

            J. Poole GS

26 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST

            D. Brooks MEM

19 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Spurs  22-17    33        17        34        29        113

Bucks  27-14    26        31        31        32        120

SCORING LEADERS

            L. Walker IV SA

31 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST

            G. Antetokounmpo MIL

26 PTS, 8 REB, 15 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Hornets  20-21 21        23        32        22        98

Clippers  27-16 37        29        32        27        125

SCORING LEADERS

            M. Bridges CHA

21 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST

            P. George LAC

21 PTS, 5 REB, 10 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about. - Charles Kingsley