CHINA PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES FOUND RIDDLED WITH SECRETIVE CONDITIONS
MANILA — Contracts for three China-funded projects under the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program were found riddled with highly secretive conditions that give Beijing undue advantage in debt settlement.
The Kaliwa Dam Project, Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, and technical assistance for the Philippine National Railway (PNR) South Long Haul Project were among the 100 Chinese contracts worth $36.3 billion analyzed by researchers and found to contain grossly disadvantageous provisions against 24 developing economies.
These "Build, Build, Build" projects were cumulatively worth $493.08 million.
The findings were contained in an 85-page report drawn up by AidData, a research unit at the William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, together with the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Center for Global Development and the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Specific projects were listed on a data set accompanying the report.
While the Philippines overall is minimally leveraged to China — only 0.002% of state debt last year came from Beijing — overall liabilities have increased over the past year due to pandemic costs, and liabilities from already-signed China loans are only adding to the burden.
None of the 3 projects named in the report is completed, hit by construction delays not only emanating from the health crisis, but also opposition from grassroots and those worried about President Rodrigo Duterte’s cozying up to China. Five years into this however, there are little economic gains to dangle, and the persistent threat of a debt trap— no matter how unlikely— is consistently re-surfacing.
Sought for comment, Ernesto Pernia, Duterte's former socioeconomic planning secretary under whom the contracts were signed, said his office "did to the extent we could" to ensure projects were above-board. But as to financing, the finance department had "the last say." Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III did not respond to request for comment.
BE HUMBLE, POPE TELLS PRIESTS AS HE BEGINS SERVICES LEADING TO EASTER
VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis urged priests to be humble like Jesus as he began three busy days leading to Easter — all scaled down because of the coronavius pandemic — with a Holy Thursday Mass.
Holy Thursday is the day Christians commemorate the day Jesus instituted the priesthood. The pope, leader of the 1.3 billion Roman Catholic Church, said the Mass of the Chrism in a secondary part of St. Peter's Basilica for about 200 people instead of the nearly 10,000 in the past.
It is the second consecutive Easter season under COVID-19 restrictions. The Vatican follows guidelines from Italy, which has seen a resurgence in infections and deaths.
Francis, 84, blessed oils for Church sacraments and led cardinals, bishops and about 75 priests in renewing their vows.
In his homily, Francis asked priests to be humble, reminding them that Jesus went about caring for sinners and outcasts disregarding the "scorn in the self-righteous" of the critics of his times.
Francis has delegated a cardinal to lead the second Holy Thursday event in the evening.
Francis is due to preside at two services on Good Friday, the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion and two on Holy Saturday. On Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian liturgical calendar, he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message.
CHINA VACCINE MAKER SINOVAC SAYS DOUBLES PRODUCTION CAPACITY
BEIJING, China — Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac said Friday a third production line for its COVID-19 vaccine has been put into use, doubling its annual capacity of the jabs to two billion doses.
Its CoronaVac is one of four domestic vaccines given conditional approval by Chinese authorities, which helps rush emergency drugs to market.
On Wednesday, experts from the World Health Organization said an interim analysis of clinical trial data from two Chinese vaccines, including Sinovac's product, showed they demonstrated "safety and good efficacy", although more data is still needed.
"Over 200 million doses of CoronaVac have been delivered to over 20 countries, including China," said Sinovac in its latest statement.
Although Sinovac's jab has been approved by domestic regulators, it has yet to receive authorisation by what the WHO considers "a stringent regulatory authority", noted the UN health agency's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
Sinovac is among Chinese firms to have submitted data in applications for the WHO's emergency use listing, which opens the door for the jabs to join the global Covax program, which aims to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
PANDEMIC SHARPENS INEQUALITIES AND COULD FUEL UNREST, WARNS IMF
WASHINGTON — The coronavirus pandemic has worsened long-standing inequalities around the world, which left unaddressed could undermine economic stability and lead to unrest, the IMF warned on Thursday.
Poorest families have been hit particularly hard, and the damage to education could last for years, the International Monetary Fund said in a report released ahead of next week's Spring meetings.
The findings show that the warnings fund economists sounded last year have come to pass.
"COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated preexisting inequalities in incomes and access to basic public services, such as health care and vaccination, both within and across countries," the report said.
"Disruptions to education threaten social mobility by leaving long-lasting effects on children and youth, especially those from poorer households."
Increasing reliance on digital work and schooling worsen the impact, making it harder for low-skilled workers to find jobs.
"Against this backdrop, societies may experience rising polarization, erosion of trust in government, or social unrest," the IMF said.
'LUGAW' LENI 'NON-ESSENTIAL'? VP CAMP SAYS DILG'S DENSING 'PABIGAT'
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo's camp on Thursday said an interior department official who called her "lugaw" and "non-essential" was a "burden" to the country's battle with a surge of COVID-19 infections.
Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III earlier Thursday was quoted as saying that he called the Vice President "Lugaw" as a jest. However, he said he was "serious" in calling her "non-essential."
Densing "epitomizes the admin's COVID response," said the Vice President's spokesman Barry Gutierrez.
"With cases rising, hospitals full, & millions struggling, instead of doing real work he makes 'jokes,' plays politics, & bashes someone who's actually doing the job they're supposed to," he said on Twitter.
"Di lang ito 'non-essential.' Ito ay pabigat,
Densing first called Robredo "lugaw" or rice porridge in an interview on Wednesday. A news outfit was supposed to ask him about a viral video where a woman who appeared to be a barangay official blocked a rider from delivering lugaw, claiming the meal was non-essential.
"Tama iyong sinabi niya, non-essential si lugaw. Pero kung sinabi niya, essential ang lugaw, tama 'yon. Ang lugaw. Pero si lugaw ang binanggit niya. Non-essential talaga 'yon sa paningin namin," he said in a One News interview.
Critics often call Robredo "lugaw", in reference to the rice porridge that her team would at times bring to calamity survivors.
PHILIPPINES, 25 OTHER COUNTRIES ADDED TO IRELAND’S MANDATORY QUARANTINE LIST
DUBLIN—The Irish government on Thursday added 26 countries to a list of states subject to mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival because of the coronavirus, but did not include additional countries from the European Union or the United States.
According to a report in the Irish Independent newspaper, the government had been advised by the Chief Medical Officer to add 43 countries including the United States, France, Germany and Italy to a list of jurisdictions subject to 12-day hotel quarantine on arrival.
A decision regarding "additional states will be considered in advance of the next Government meeting" said the Minister for Health and the Minister for Foreign Affairs in a joint statement.
The states added on Thursday were: Albania, Andorra, Aruba, Bahrain, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Ethiopia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Serbia, Somalia and Wallis and Futuna Islands.
RUSSIA REGISTERS 'WORLD'S FIRST' COVID-19 VACCINE FOR ANIMALS
MOSCOW, Russia — Russia announced Wednesday it had registered what it said was the world's first coronavirus vaccine for animals, describing the step as important for disrupting virus mutations.
It said mass production of the vaccine could begin in April.
The agriculture oversight agency Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement that the vaccine called Carnivak-Cov had been tested since October on dogs, cats, mink, foxes and other animals and was proven to be effective.
"All test animals that were vaccinated developed antibodies to coronavirus in 100 percent of cases," said Konstantin Savenkov, deputy head of Rosselkhoznadzor.
THE REST
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PHILIPPINES LOGS 8,920 NEW COVID-19 CASES; 138,948 ACTIVE CASES HIGHEST SINCE START OF PANDEMIC
MANILA — The Philippines recorded 8,920 additional COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the country's total cases to 756,199, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
This is the 6th highest daily tally of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.
The DOH also reported 138,948 active cases, a new record-high. This is the 3rd straight day that the number of active COVID-19 cases hit a record-high.
Seven laboratories failed to submit their results, the DOH said.
There are only 6 new COVID-19 related deaths reported, raising the total fatalities to 13,303. Meanwhile, total recoveries went up by 205 to 603,948.
DILG TO INVESTIGATE OVEREAGER ENFORCERS, REMIND THEM FOOD DELIVERIES ARE OK
MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government will be investigating reports of aggressive barangay enforcers blocking food delivery riders working during curfew hours, it disclosed Thursday.
This comes after reports came out over Holy Week of food delivery-related incidents involving overzealous enforcers seemingly unaware of the very rules they were deployed to implement.
"Yes, we are [investigating] and we continue to reiterate to all LGUs the need to let food deliveries pass through checkpoints," DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told Philstar.com in a text message.
"We have exerted every effort to cascade to the PNP and to force multipliers like barangay tanods the [Enhanced Community Quarantine] protocols as well as the instruction that food delivery should be allowed entry because these are essential items. Every day, we make that announcement."
Malacañang has clarified that all food deliveries are allowed and must remain unhampered.
ALERT LEVEL 2 STILL UP IN TAAL VOLCANO; 269 QUAKES RECORDED IN 24 HOURS
MANILA—Taal Volcano recorded 269 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Friday.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, state volcanologists maintained the danger level of the volcano at Alert Level 2 out of a possible 5, which means it was experiencing "increased unrest".
"Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island," the Phivolcs said.
Of the volcanic earthquakes, 219 were episodes of volcanic tremor with a duration of 1 to 37 minutes, 49 were low-frequency volcanic quakes, and 1 was a volcano-tectonic earthquake.
The Phivolcs advised that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, and occupancy and boating on Taal Lake remained strictly prohibited.
Towns surrounding the lake have been advised to continuously assess and strengthen their preparedness in case of renewed unrest.
NORTHERN SAMAR ON ALERT AFTER REPORTING 1ST ASF CASE
TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial task force on African swine fever in Northern Samar is on alert for unusual swine deaths after reporting its first ASF case in Lope de Vega town on Tuesday.
Provincial veterinarian Jose Luis Acompañado, vice chairman of the ASF task force in the province, said they would continue blood sample collection within seven kilometers of the affected area in Barangay Bonifacio.
“Active surveillance is crucial in determining the extent of ASF outbreak in Lope De Vega to prevent further spread of the virus,” Acompañado said.
He said animal quarantine checkpoints were put up in strategic areas, adding that disinfection of hog farms would continue.
Authorities said 200 pigs within the 500-meter radius of the first confirmed case would be culled.
Northern Samar is the second province in Eastern Visayas affected by ASF.
Leyte recorded its first case in Abuyog town on Jan. 14.
Eleven other areas in Leyte – Javier, Dulag, La Paz, Burauen, MacArthur, Palo, Pastrana, Tanauan, Tacloban City, Mayorga and Jaro – were hit by the swine disease.
Around 16,000 pigs were depopulated in Leyte in the past two months.
Investigation showed that ASF could have been transmitted to local farms through an infected boar used for natural mating.
Swill feeding was also blamed for the spread of the disease.
GINGER CHICKEN SOUP WARS: SOUTH KOREANS UPSET ANEW AFTER CHINA CLAIMS SAMGYETANG AS ITS OWN
MANILA — After the kimchi row last year, a Chinese search engine raised the brows of some Koreans over its description of samgyetang (ginger chicken soup).
In an article published in Koreatimes.co.kr on Tuesday, it said that the Chinese search engine Baidu described samgyetang as "a chicken soup dish originating from Guangdong province in China that was later introduced to Korea".
The article quoted the Rural Development Administration, which is under South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, by clarifying the definition prescribed by the agency.
It said that Koreans have been making soup with chicken since "at least the Joseon era", a dynastic era that spanned five centuries from 1392 to 1897.
Wealthy Koreans enjoyed chicken soup with ginger powder during the country's Japanese colonial period (1910 to 1945). It later became more popular among ordinary people in the 1960s.
The Korea Times article also reported that Prof. Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University had sent a complaint letter to Baidu regarding the matter. The professor had similarly filed a complaint over the kimchi row last year.
"Baidu has stirred up a controversy by distorting history with Samgyetang, as it did with Kimchi recently… so I immediately sent an email to Baidu saying, 'China doesn't even use the Harmonized System (HS) ? or international names and numbers designated for traded products ? for Samgyetang, while Korea classifies the food with the number, 1602.32.1010," the professor was quoted by Korea Times.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
‘HATE IS A VIRUS’: ANGEL LOCSIN SPEAKS UP VS ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE
MANILA — Actress Angel Locsin is the latest celebrity to speak out against the growing cases of anti-Asian violence, saying, “Hate is a virus.”
Wearing a mask with the statement written on its front, Locsin wrote on Instagram a message addressed to “my fellow Filipinos and to everyone of Asian descent who are experiencing cowardly attacks and racial slurs.”
“I may not be the one experiencing this, but I stand with you,” she said.
“Anti-Asian racism or any acts of hate against a human being is like a virus that can easily spread anywhere if not stopped. So, no matter how frightening, stand and speak up against this pointless hatred—instead of shrugging it off—because this will not go away on its own. Let’s help each other,” Locsin wrote.
The “Iba ‘Yan” star’s statement came amid the uproar over the violent attack on a 65-year-old Filipino-American woman on a street near Times Square in New York, United States — the latest in an alarming increase of anti-Asian hate crimes in the country.
The man behind the assault has since been arrested.
“To the many Filipinos living abroad in the hopes of providing a better future for their loved ones, please stay safe,” Locsin said. “Look out for each other, maybe try to learn self defense, report to proper authorities. Fighting hate with hate and violence will never stop this vicious cycle.”
The New York incident involving the Filipino elderly was part of a surge in hate crimes reported against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former US President Donald Trump often referred to the novel coronavirus as the “China virus” and the “China plague.”
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MARCH 31
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Trail Blazers 29-18 31 20 36 37 124
Pistons 13-34 33 19 27 22 101
SCORING LEADERS
D. Lillard POR
33 PTS, 4 REB, 10 AST
J. Grant DET
30 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat 24-24 23 20 22 27 92
Pacers 21-25 28 17 22 20 87
SCORING LEADERS
D. Robinson MIA
20 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST
M. Turner IND
15 PTS, 6 REB, 0 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Mavericks 25-21 30 34 26 23 113
Celtics 23-25 25 20 28 35 108
SCORING LEADERS
L. Doncic DAL
36 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST
J. Tatum BOS
25 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets 13-34 42 26 19 21 108
Nets 33-15 29 28 29 34 120
SCORING LEADERS
K. Porter HOU
20 PTS, 2 REB, 6 AST
K. Irving BKN
31 PTS, 6 REB, 12 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Raptors 18-30 32 35 22 14 103
Thunder 20-27 30 29 28 26 113
SCORING LEADERS
G. Trent Jr. TOR
31 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST
S. Mykhailiuk OKC
22 PTS, 9 REB, 0 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Jazz 36-11 29 28 18 36 111
Grizzlies 22-23 28 21 27 31 107
SCORING LEADERS
M. Conley UTA
26 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST
J. Morant MEM
36 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Knicks 24-24 26 25 30 20 101
Timberwolves 12-36 19 31 20 32 102
SCORING LEADERS
J. Randle NY
26 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST
A. Edwards MIN
24 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings 22-26 27 26 29 24 106
Spurs 24-21 33 36 28 23 120
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
20 PTS, 0 REB, 4 AST
D. DeRozan SA
26 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bucks 30-17 24 33 32 23 112
Lakers 30-18 30 19 26 22 97
SCORING LEADERS
J. Holiday MIL
28 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST
M. Harrell LAL
19 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bulls 19-27 37 21 28 30 116
Suns 33-14 39 28 27 27 121
SCORING LEADERS
N. Vucevic CHI
24 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST
D. Booker PHO
45 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 48.53
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. - Francis Bacon
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