TRAFFIC IN SUEZ CANAL RESUMES AFTER STRANDED SHIP REFLOATED

ISMAILIA, Egypt - Shipping traffic through Egypt's Suez Canal resumed on Monday after a giant container ship which had been blocking the busy waterway for almost a week was refloated, the canal authority said.

The 400-meter (430-yard) long Ever Given became jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal in high winds early last Tuesday, halting traffic on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.

Live footage on a local television station showed the ship surrounded by tug boats moving slowly in the center of the canal on Monday afternoon. The station, ExtraNews, said the ship was moving at a speed of 1.5 knots.

"Admiral Osama Rabie, the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), announces the resumption of maritime traffic in the Suez Canal after the Authority successfully rescues and floats the giant Panamanian container ship EVER GIVEN," a statement from the SCA said.

"She's free," an official involved in the salvage operation said.

After dredging and excavation work over the weekend, rescue workers from the SCA and a team from Dutch firm Smit Salvage had succeeded in partially refloating the ship earlier on Monday using tug boats.

The company said approximately 30,000 cubic meters of sand was dredged to refloat the 224,000-ton container ship and a total of 11 tugs and two powerful sea tugs were used to pull the ship off.

Evergreen Line, which is leasing the Ever Given, confirmed the ship had been successfully refloated and said it would be repositioned in a lake that sits between two sections of the canal and inspected for seaworthiness.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), the technical managers of the container ship, said there were no reports of pollution or cargo damage, and initial reports ruled out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding.

DUTERTE PLACES MAJORITY OF PH UNDER MGCQ AS NEW COVID-19 CASES BREAK RECORD

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said majority of the Philippines will be under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) for the whole month of April.

In a televised address, Duterte said the rest of the country will be under MGCQ from April 1 to 30, except for several areas.

Quirino will be under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from April 1 to 15, while the City of Santiago in Isabela will be under MECQ from April 1 to 30.

The following areas will be under general community quarantine:

Cordillera Administrative Region

Cagayan

Isabela

Nueva Vizcaya

Batangas

Tacloban City

Iligan City

Davao City

Lanao del Sur.

The capital region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal—which government collectively calls NCR Plus— is currently under enhanced community quarantine, the strictest lockdown classification, until April 4, subject to further review.

Duterte has yet to announce what will happen to the NCR Plus area by April 5.

ECQ reduces businesses that can operate at full capacity, and limits the capacity of public transport.

DUTERTE ALLOWS PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUY OWN COVID-19 VACCINES

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the members of the private sector can now buy COVID-19 vaccines on their own, amid an alarming spike in coronavirus infections in the country.

Duterte announced in a public briefing that he has ordered vaccine czar and National COVID-19 Task Force chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. to "sign any and all documents that would allow the private sector to import at will" COVID-19 vaccines.

"Maski magkano, ilan ang gusto nila ipasok, okay sa'kin," he said.

SOLON BLAMES DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION FOR 'REGULAR' KILLINGS OF UNIONISTS, ACTIVISTS

MANILA - Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite on Tuesday held the Duterte administration responsible for the killings of unionists and activists following the recent death of a labor leader in Laguna.

"We strongly condemn this apparently regular killings of unionists and activists. We lay the blame on this administration," he told ANC.

The killings happened after President Rodrigo Duterte on March 5 ordered state forces to kill all communist rebels, Gaite said.

"We condemn this administration for its brutality against union activists and others who have been fighting for such basic rights," he added.

Dandy Miguel, vice chair of left-leaning labor group Pamantik - Kilusang Mayo Uno, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Calamba, Laguna on Sunday.

Gaite said Miguel was a "genuine union leader" who focused on organizing young union members.

"When he was killed, he was wearing the call of the demand of the workers. Sahod, trabaho, karapatan ipaglaban (Fight for wage, work, rights) when he was shot last Sunday," the lawmaker said.

Miguel's death also came 3 weeks after 9 activists were killed in police raids across Calabarzon in what rights groups described as "Bloody Sunday."

CALIDA'S MOTIONS FOR EXTENSION DEFER SC RESOLUTION ON HALTING ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

MANILA — The Office of the Solicitor General’s motions for extension to answer the push for a temporary stop on the implementation of the anti-terrorism law have kept the Supreme Court from deliberating on the petitioners’ pleas citing urgency, documents showed.

Petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act have pressed the Supreme Court time and again to issue a temporary restraining order against the law’s enforcement even before the much-anticipated oral arguments. They have not stopped asking for this, even during the debates.

Before the oral arguments were officially suspended on February 16, Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay) again appealed to the court that petitioners and their counsels are “seriously threatened with prosecution.”

A week later, more than 20 petitioners filed a fresh plea for TRO, listing several “supervening events” such as continued red-tagging and arrests of petitioners, scrapping of the Department of National Defense and University of the Philippines accord, and continued prosecution and detention of two Aeta farmers under the law.

“To date, however, the draft Comment/Opposition remains under preparation as the OSG is still coordinating with the respondents to get a full grasp of the facts with respect to the allegations asserted by the petitioners, so as to come up with a comprehensive Comment/Opposition,” Calida said in a motion dated March 15.

Calida has asked the SC to be given until April 23 to file its comment.

PALACE SLAMS CRITICISM OF DUTERTE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY PHOTOGRAPHS

MANILA — Malacañang defended President Rodrigo Duterte over photos and a video that surfaced of his 76th birthday celebration on Sunday.

"I don’t think the President ever pretended to be poor. He has always been known as simple. That is why he did not have guests on his birthday," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday.

To recall, photos of the chief executive sharing a meal with his family at home were shared by a senator online. The same photographs showed Duterte, wearing a shirt and shorts, blowing out a candle placed on top of a cup of rice.

However, a separate video that circulated on social media later on showed that the dinner table was actually laden with food, including lechon, a type of meat usually saved for special occasions.

"Acting poor for your birthday photo ops when you're not really poor is just mocking those who truly have nothing to put on their tables for their own birthdays," Rep. Ferdinand Gaite (Bayan Muna) tweeted Sunday night.

Duterte, who once described himself as a “poor man’s child,” held the image of being a simple man living a frugal lifestyle during his campaign for the presidency.

The video also later captures the president attempting to grope one of his household helpers in her lower body, presumably in jest.

In response to widespread criticism on social media, Roque came to the president's defense, denying there was an image being portrayed and that the president was simply being authentic.

Speaking in an interview aired over ANC on Monday morning, the Malacañang spokesman blasted the president's critics for what he said was their "crab mentality."

“What kind of celebration do you want for the President? Only the immediate families and helpers were present during that celebration,” Roque said at a press briefing.

“With regard to what you refer to as groping, she has been a helper for a long time.

You know, the President can be playful and there is no malice there because Ma’am Honeylet was present,” he added, referring to Duterte’s longtime partner Cielito Avanceña.

Roque insisted that Duterte is not extravagant and that a birthday should be celebrated because it is “the most important gift from God.”

FOREIGN PARENTS OF FILIPINO CITIZENS CAN NOW ENTER THE PHILIPPINES

Foreign parents of Filipino citizens with visas may now enter the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration says Monday.

Foreign parents, however, cannot travel alone even if they have valid visas.

“If they are traveling alone, they will not be allowed entry even if they hold valid visas as the rules provide that they must be traveling with their Philippine spouse or children,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente says in a statement.

DEPED URGED TO UPHOLD WELFARE OF TEACHERS IN ‘NCR PLUS’ AMID ECQ

MANILA — A senator on Tuesday called on the Department of Education to ensure that teachers have access to COVID-19 testing and treatment as enhanced community quarantine is implemented in Metro Manila and nearby areas in an effort to arrest the unprecedented spike in cases.

"Despite the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and now that our vaccination program is beginning, we must not neglect the safety and welfare of our teachers and staff who are sacrificing to continue education in the midst of the pandemic," Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in Filipino.

"We need to reassure them that they have somewhere to run and they will receive support in case they get sick."

He recalled that DepEd last year said that its employees are covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for COVID-19 hospitalization and treatment. He also noted that the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) also provides the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program with income, medical, and other health benefits in the event of work-related sickness, injury, or death.

However, the senator said these programs must trickle down to every last teacher and non-teaching staff to boost morale.

RED-TAGGED PEASANT, LABOR LEADERS ARRESTED IN SEPARATE RAIDS

MANILA — Peasant and labor organizations reported Tuesday that two of their leaders who have been previously red-tagged, or accused of being members of the communist rebellion, have been arrested in separate operations.

Police arrested Florentino Viuya, Kilusang Mayo Uno vice chairperson for Central Luzon and national council member, and Joseph Canlas, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas vice chairperson, in separate raids Tuesday morning, the two groups said.

KMU said Canlas was arrested by virtue of a “fake warrant of arrest” in Barangay Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac, while KMP said Canlas was arrested at a peasant community in Sapang Maisac, Mexico Pampanga.

It is not yet clear what charges they were arrested for, but a staffer of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon, which Canlas also leads, told CLTV 36 that police served an arrest warrant for trespassing.

The staffer, who introduced herself as Joyce, also told the local news outlet that operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also searched their residence and found a .45-caliber pistol.

"Nagtanim pa," she said. "Ang alam lang po nun mag-mass lead talaga, magsalita para sa karapatan ng magsasaka at tulungan yung magsasakang lumalapit para sa mga kaso nila sa lupa."

She also denied that their organization is affiliated with the communist armed group New People's Army.

THE REST

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MARCH 29: 10K NEW CASES

The Department of Health records another record high of 10,018 new coronavirus cases, pushing the national caseload to 731,894.

Recoveries: 78 new; total at 603,213

Deaths: 16 new, toll at 13,186

Active cases: 115,495 or 15.8%

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: AID FOR AREAS UNDER ECQ 2.0

MANILA — To complete the Philippines’ ongoing throwback to its pandemic response last year, the government is rolling out assistance to poor families trapped under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). But they won’t get the aid until mid-April, at the very least.

Who will benefit?

On Monday, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado told reporters 22.9 million poor Filipinos in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna are set to get the aid. The number represents 80% of the low-income population in the area as estimated by the National Economic and Development Authority.

Under old rules, the government is expected to extend aid to people whenever an ECQ is enforced. This is because under an ECQ, some businesses are not allowed to operate to lessen people on going around, and thereby prevent the spread of infections. In turn, while some of their employees may use their leaves to get paid while ECQ is in effect, some people will still be out of work, and therefore not earning. This is where government assistance should come in to moderate their hardships.

How much is the aid?

Avisado said each poor resident will receive aid amounting to P1,000, which local government units may give either "in kind or in cash" once the funds are downloaded to them. The amount will not exceed P4,000 per family.

As it is, the aid to be extended this time is much smaller than the amount under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act or Bayanihan I — the old law that served as basis for the P200-billion SAP last year that gave out between P5,000 and P8,000 per household, depending on regional location.

When and where will the aid be available?

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, quoting Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, said the government is targeting the full release of aid by “mid-April.” But that does not necessarily mean that beneficiaries will get the aid by then. That only means that funds for that purpose are released from state coffers to city and municipal governments which, in turn, should reach out to poor households.

FOREIGN PARENTS OF FILIPINO CITIZENS CAN NOW ENTER THE PHILIPPINES

Foreign parents of Filipino citizens with visas may now enter the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration says Monday.

Foreign parents, however, cannot travel alone even if they have valid visas.

“If they are traveling alone, they will not be allowed entry even if they hold valid visas as the rules provide that they must be traveling with their Philippine spouse or children,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente says in a statement.

SAN JUAN STARTS COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR SENIORS, PERSONS WITH COMORBIDITIES

MANILA - Senior citizens and persons with comorbidities in San Juan are now getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as the city tackles a surge in coronavirus infections.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said they would also inoculate the remaining medical frontliners who have yet to receive the anti-coronavirus jabs.

"Today is a big day for San Juan because we will be starting our simultaneous vaccinations for A2 and A3 and the remainder of A1," he told ANC.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SHARON CUNETA TEASES NEW FILM WITH MARCO GUMABAO WITH MOVIE STILLS

MANILA – Sharon Cuneta shared to her followers a glimpse of her upcoming movie “Revirginized” which she headlines alongside Marco Gumabao.

On her Instagram on Monday, the screen veteran announced that the movie will be streaming on Vivamax in May while also posting teaser photos of the film.

The movie stills she posted seem to be shot in a beach location, which was probably in Subic where she had a story conference early this month.

“Revirginized” is Cuneta’s first project with her former mother studio, Viva Films, after 18 years.

“I cannot feign excitement! I am really excited and happy to do this movie,” she said about the movie during the story conference.

In the film, Cuneta plays a woman who discovers her awakening after many years of solitude. Rosanna Roces plays a pivotal role in the shift of Cuneta’s character.

At that time, Cuneta broke into laughter when she said in jest that she has finally fulfilled her dream to do a sexy movie.

Asked if she will be uneasy about an anticipated sexy scene with Gumabao, she retorted, “Kahit kanino, handa ako! Marami akong hidden talent. Baka si Marco pa ang magulat sa akin kapag ako ang maghubad!"

Cuneta said she is mighty proud of “Revirginized” which opens a new chapter for her as an actress.

The role also fell into her lap at a time she lost considerable weight, a fact reflected in her social media posts.

Aside from Cuneta, Gumabao and Roces, the movie will also feature Albert Martinez and comebacking actress Cristina Gonzales.

SPORTS

NBA DRAFT SET FOR JULY 29 WITH LOTTERY FOR TOP PICK JUNE 22

NEW YORK – The 2021 NBA Draft will be staged on July 29, one week after a possible seventh game of the NBA Finals, with the lottery for the top pick set for June 22.

The league announced key dates on Monday for the annual allocation of rights for top NBA newcomers in a season forced later than usual into the year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

No details were revealed about the locations for the events or that of the NBA Draft Combine, a workout session for players in front of team scouts planned from June 21-27.

The combine features five-on-five contests as well as strength and agility testing.

Teams who fail to qualify for the playoffs will be involved in a weighted lottery for the top pick on June 22, a month after the start of the NBA playoffs.

The deadline for players to make an early entry application for the NBA Draft is May 30 while the deadline to withdraw such an application is July 19.

NBA SCORES MARCH 28

FINAL/OT

           1          2          3          4          OT       T

Suns  31-14      26        23        27        14        11        101

Hornets  23-22  29        20        18        23        7          97

SCORING LEADERS

            D. Booker PHO

35 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST

            D. Graham CHA

30 PTS, 1 REB, 3 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Trail Blazers  28-18       32        36        23        31        122

Raptors  18-28  41        33        10        33        117

SCORING LEADERS

            C. McCollum POR

23 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST

            P. Siakam TOR

26 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Hawks  23-23    35        20        24        23        102

Nuggets  28-18 31        34        32        29        126

SCORING LEADERS

            T. Young ATL

21 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST

            J. Green DEN

20 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST

FINAL

           1          2          3          4          T

Magic  15-31     21        18        30        24        93

Lakers  30-17    22        22        25        27        96

SCORING LEADERS

            D. Bacon ORL

26 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST

            D. Schroder LAL

24 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.41

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The main things which seem to me important on their own account, and not merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctive happiness, and relations of friendship or affection. - Bertrand Russell