DUTERTE SAYS CHINA BOATS IN WEST PH SEA NO OBSTACLE TO COVID-19 VACCINE COOPERATION
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said a swarm of Chinese boats in the West Philippine Sea "will not be an obstacle" to Beijing and Manila's COVID-19 vaccine cooperation, despite days of strong rebukes of the incursion by his aides.
At least 3 Cabinet secretaries have expressed frustration over hundreds of Chinese vessels inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone, believed to be manned by militias, which also drew concern from Manila's ally the United States, among others.
The Philippines and China will continue to resolve the issue "through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means," Duterte said in a statement read by his spokesman Harry Roque in a press briefing.
"Whatever differences we have with China will not define our bilateral relations," read the President's statement.
"It will not be an obstacle to the overall positive trajectory of our bilateral friendly relations and our deepening cooperation on pandemic response, including vaccine cooperation and in post pandemic economic recovery."
MORE US PATROLS IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA WILL DETER CHINESE INCURSIONS - DEPUTY SPEAKER
MANILA - Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez is urging the United States to conduct more frequent freedom of navigation (FON) operations or patrols in the South China Sea to deter Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, Rodriguez noted that a US Navy carrier strike group entered the South China Sea last April 4 amid strong protests from the Philippines on the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels in Juan Felipe Reef, which is inside the Philippine 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"Two FON patrols in more than three months. They should criss-cross that area more often to challenge China’s claim over most of the South China Sea, including international waters and a large part of the Philippine EEZ,” Rodriguez said.
“They should support their statements of support for the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute with actual actions on the ground,” he added.
Rodriguez said more South China Sea crossings could deter further Chinese incursions in the Philippine EEZ and threats to other US allies in the region.
“That would also show the readiness of the United States to come to the aid of the Philippines in case of conflict as provided under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries,” he added.
SALES OF PHILIPPINE COCONUT PRODUCTS SURGE ONLINE IN US: EXPORTER
MANILA - Manufacturer and exporter Axelum Resources Corp said Wednesday the online sales of its premium coconut products in the United States were up 91 percent in 2020 due to its health-conscious market.
Axelum, which sells organic coconut products, is "vying for a bigger chunk of the American e-commerce segment," it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
Its homegrown brand Fiesta Tropicale debuted in popular e-commerce site Amazon in 2018 "to capitalize on the evolution of non-traditional means" of connecting to consumers, it said.
Axelum said some of its products including organic coconut flakes have been consistently among the Top 20 Bestsellers in the coconut flakes category with over a thousand positive reviews.
“This undertaking involved years of product incubation including extensive market research to develop the most suitable offerings that meet the taste profile and nutritional values of a thriving health-conscious retail population in the United States,” said President and Chief Operating Officer of Axelum Resources Corp Henry J. Raperoga.
AMNESTY: MEASURES VS COVID-19 LED TO NUMEROUS RIGHTS ABUSES IN PHILIPPINES
MANILA — The government’s heavy-handed approach to contain the spread of COVID-19 resulted in many human rights violations, rights watchdog Amnesty International said in its annual report.
The Philippines began imposing strict stay-at-home orders in March last year, in a bid to slow the spread COVID-19. Cases of arrests and abuses at the hands of law enforcers have been reported.
“Measures taken by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 led to numerous abuses of human rights,” Amnesty said.
It cited the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte to shoot quarantine violators dead and the controversial move of village officials in Santa Cruz, Laguna to lock up people in a dog cage for alleged curfew violations.
Amnesty also pointed out that extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations continued under the government’s “war on drugs.”
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a report released in June last year, stated the government’s heavy-handed focus on combating illegal drugs and security threats—coupled with verbal encouragement from top officials—has resulted in grave human rights violations.
OHCHR said there was “widespread and systematic killing” of thousands of alleged drug personalities and “near impunity” for drug war killings.
Latest government figures put the number of alleged drug personalities killed in Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign at 6,069 but it is significantly lower than the estimates by human rights watchdogs of as many as 27,000 killed.
“The resolution fell short of calls for stronger action to address ongoing violations in the country,” Amnesty said.
AMNESTY: MEDIA FREEDOM 'UNDULY CURTAILED' IN PHILIPPINES
MANILA — Media freedom in the Philippines was “unduly curtailed” last year, human rights advocacy group Amnesty International said in its latest report on the state of the world’s human rights.
In coming to that conclusion, Amnesty cited the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former Rappler writer/researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr., and the House of Representatives’ denial of ABS-CBN’s bid to get a fresh franchise.
“Both Rappler and ABS-CBN produced reports highlighting killings and other violations under the ‘war on drugs,’” Amnesty said in its 408-page report.
It also pointed to Ressa’s second cyber libel charge and the killing of radio broadcaster Cornelio Pepino in Dumaguete City.
The findings of Amnesty differ from the conclusions reached by the United States State Department in its annual report on the state of human rights in the Philippines.
The US State Department found that the Philippine press was able to remain free, although it acknowledged that it faced threats from the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the chief executive himself.
Duterte’s verbal attacks were the prelude to Rappler’s battery of legal cases and ABS-CBN’s shutdown courtesy of the House which is fiercely loyal and supportive to the president.
HARSH PUNISHMENTS REPRESENT 'OVERREACH' OF RULES, CHR SAYS AFTER DEATH OF CURFEW VIOLATOR
MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights said harsh punishments and fines show an overreach of quarantine rules following the death of a curfew violator in Cavite after allegedly being forced to do strenuous exercise routine.
In a statement Wednesday, CHR said it was concerned about the treatment and death of Darren Peñaredondo. He was said to be on his way to buy water and was allegedly made to do 300 rounds of a pumping exercise as punishment for violating quarantine rules on April 1.
The victim’s cousin said he and other quarantine violators were ordered to do 100 rounds of squats. But the police increased it to 300 rounds of exercise. Peñaredondo died on April 3.
“Excessive punishments and fines which are punitive in nature and disproportionate with the violation represent an overreach of the enforcement of quarantine rules and regulations,” lawyer Jacqueline De Guia, CHR spokesperson, said.
De Guia also pointed out that quarantine measures are not for peace and order but for public health and safety.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Services opened separate probes into the incident.
GUEVARRA ON IVERMECTIN: DEFENSOR SHOULD KNOW WHAT’S ALLOWED, PROHIBITED UNDER FDA LAW
MANILA — Is Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor violating the law by offering free access to an unregistered drug, which some groups are touting as a possible cure to COVID-19?
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra did not directly answer the question Tuesday, saying it is not a specific case before his office but he gave a generic answer:
“Generally speaking, it is prohibited, under the FDA law, to manufacture, import, export, sell, offer to sell, distribute, transfer, promote, advertise, etc… health products that are unregistered with the FDA,” he said in a text message to reporters.
“I am sure that as a lawmaker, Rep. Mike Defensor knows the FDA law very well and that he is very much aware of what acts are allowed and what acts are prohibited under the said law,” he said in another message.
DISTRIBUTION OF ECQ AID IN 'NCR PLUS' BEGINS - DSWD
MANILA - Distribution of pandemic assistance for nearly 23 million people affected by the hard lockdown has begun in parts of the so-called "NCR Plus," the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Wednesday.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said Manila, Parañaque and Caloocan had started initial payouts of the P1,000 financial assistance to low-income families.
"We have full trust on our local chief executives, on our local government units that they would be able to distribute the assistance to their constituents within the prescribed period," she told ANC.
Based on the joint memorandum circular issued by the Department of Budget and Management, local government units have 15 days to distribute the cash aid upon receipt notice of cash allocation.
If the enhanced community quarantine ayuda will be given in-kind, this should be completed within 30 days, she added.
The government will be giving at least P1,000 worth of aid per person but not more than P4,000 per low-income family.
THE REST
========
PASAY, SAN JUAN RECORD HIGHEST ACTIVE CASES PER 100K POPULATION
MANILA — The cities of Pasay, San Juan and Makati have the most number of active COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the National Capital Region (NCR)Plus bubble, an expert said yesterday.
Citing published statistics from the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Noel Miranda – former Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional coordinator for multi-sectoral pandemic preparedness and response – said “when reporting statistics for COVID-19 active cases, local authorities and epidemiology units get the most accurate readings of their cities in relation to others not by looking merely at the number of cases, but on a population density basis.”
Pasay tops the list at 1,122 cases per 100,000 people, equivalent to 1.12 percent of the entire city population of 417,000.
San Juan is second with 1,070 active cases per 100,000 people, which equates to 1.07 percent of the entire city population of 122,000.
Makati is in third place with 952 active cases per 100,000 people, equivalent to .95 percent of the entire city population of 583,000.
DOH SENDING 50 HEALTH WORKERS FROM VISAYAS TO METRO MANILA
MANILA - The Department of Health in Central Visayas will send Wednesday 50 health workers to augment Metro Manila's frontliners, its spokesperson said.
Hospitals in Metro Manila and Calabarzon have declared full capacity as COVID-19 cases continued to surge, prompting calls for the government to send help.
The southern region will lend its health workers for a month as its healthcare critical care utilization rate is only at 28 percent, said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche.
The medical workers' flight will leave at 3 p.m., she said.
"Sila po ay madedeploy sa iba't ibang government facilities natin," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
The region earlier this year experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases which was addressed through "good case management control," according to Loreche.
The health workers will receive basic and premium pay with their special risk allowance and other benefits, Loreche said.
They would be tested for coronavirus before returning to Central Visayas and will be tested again and isolated upon arrival, she added.
The Philippines as of Tuesday logged a record-high 382 deaths and 9,373 more coronavirus infections, bringing its total cases to 812,760.
It is expected to reach 1 million cases by end of the month, according to independent research group OCTA.
FILIPINO BILLIONAIRES GOT RICHER DESPITE CORONAVIRUS' LINGERING FALLOUT — FORBES
MANILA – Seventeen tycoons from the Philippines – led for the third straight year by “brown taipan” Manuel “Manny” B. Villar – made it to Forbes magazine’s 2021 list of wealthiest people on the planet.
Forbes, which has been counting persons with net worth of at least $1 billion for the last 35 years, announced a record-breaking roster of 2,755 billionaires, including 493 newcomers.
This was seen as unprecedented by any measure, especially in a period when the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to wreak havoc on the global economy.
Altogether, these billionaires are worth $13.1 trillion, up from $8 trillion on the 2020 list.
Still at the top of the heap is outgoing Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who has an estimated net worth of $177 billion while Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk pole-vaulted into the number two spot with an estimated wealth of $151 billion, up from No. 31 last year.
Bernard Arnault of LVMH, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg rounded up the magic five.
“It was also the first time that the combined net worth of the world’s billionaires crossed into double-digit trillions.
“The pace at which huge fortunes have been created is astonishing,” said Kerry Dolan, Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes’ Wealth.
In the Philippines, most of the tycoons were able to grow their net worth despite the prolonged pandemic.
The magazine estimated Villar’s net worth at $7.2 billion, making him the 352nd richest person in the world. His wealth grew from last year’s $5.7 billion.
Villar’s fortune comes from mass housing developer Golden Bria Holdings Inc., a former memorial park developer which is now into mass housing, property developer Vista Land & Lifescape and retail arm AllHome.
This is the complete list of billionaires from the Philippines in Forbes’ Billionaires list and their estimated wealth:
1. Manuel Villar, $7.2 billion
2. Enrique Razón Jr., $5 billion
3. Lucio Tan, $3.3 billion
4. Hans Sy, $3 billion
5. Herbert Sy, $3 billion
6. Andrew Tan, $3 billion
7. Harley Sy, $2.7 billion
8. Henry Sy Jr., $2.7 billion
9. Teresita Sy-Coson, $2.7 billion
10. Elizabeth Sy, $2.4 billion
11. Tony Tan Caktiong, $2.4 billion
12. Ramon Ang, $2.2 billion
13. Inigo Zobel, $1.4 billion
14. Lance Gokongwei, $1.2 billion
15. Roberto Ongpin, $1.2 billion
16. Ricardo Po Sr., $1.1 billion
17. Edgar Sia II, $1.1 billion
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
'YELLOW ROSE' NOW STREAMING ON NETFLIX PH
MANILA – The movie “Yellow Rose” starring Eva Noblezada, Princess Punzalan and Lea Salonga is now streaming on Netflix Philippines.
Helmed by Filipino director Diane Paragas, the film centers on a Filipina teen (Noblezada) from Texas whose country music dreams are derailed by a threat of deportation.
While it is not a true story, Paragas said “it is based on very real things that are happening to real people all over America.”
The film began its festival circuit in 2019 before its US release in October 2020. By that time, the film had already reaped 13 jury and audience awards from various festivals including acting prizes for Noblezada.
Having already been shown in the United States and in various international festivals, Paragas previously said that making it available in the Philippines is like “coming home.”
“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. As much as it is an American film, it is definitely a Filipino film. I’m just really excited for people to see it there. It’s been many, many years trying to get this thing made so this is a big moment for me to have the film come out for our Filipino people,” she said.
Noblezada and Punzalan, who play Rose and her mom, respectively, share the same sentiment.
“Proud na proud ako na mapapanood na ng ating mga kababayan finally ang pelikulang ito dahil napansin siya dito sa Amerika and sa iba’t ibang films festivals internationally. Gusto kong makita din ng ating mga kababayan kung ano ba itong pelikula na ginawa namin. Excited talaga ako na mapanood ito ng mga kapamilya ko rin diyan,” Punzalan said.
“It’s so nice to be able to make the rounds. It’s struck the hearts of people from all over the world and now it’s finally coming back to the root of it all. So yeah it’s really like coming home,” added Noblezada.
“Yellow Rose” was co-produced by ABS-CBN Global’s Cinematografo Originals, and is being distributed locally by ABS-CBN Films’ Cinexpress.
The movie first became available for streaming in the Philippines via the ABS-CBN platforms KTX.ph and iWantTFC, as well as Cignal PPV and Sky Cable PPV on January 29.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES APRIL 5
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Knicks 25-26 34 33 21 24 112
Nets 35-16 31 26 32 25 114
SCORING LEADERS
R. Barrett NY
22 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST
K. Irving BKN
40 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings 22-29 29 26 27 24 106
Timberwolves 13-38 26 29 27 34 116
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
31 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST
D. Russell MIN
25 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pistons 15-35 30 28 35 39 132
Thunder 20-30 19 28 30 31 108
SCORING LEADERS
J. Grant DET
21 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
A. Pokusevski OKC
19 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Cavaliers 18-32 28 29 43 25 125
Spurs 24-24 26 21 33 21 101
SCORING LEADERS
D. Garland CLE
37 PTS, 1 REB, 7 AST
D. DeRozan SA
20 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Jazz 38-12 25 17 27 34 103
Mavericks 28-21 27 23 37 24 111
SCORING LEADERS
M. Conley UTA
28 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST
L. Doncic DAL
31 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards 17-32 28 33 25 15 101
Raptors 20-30 19 32 24 28 103
SCORING LEADERS
R. Westbrook WAS
23 PTS, 14 REB, 11 AST
P. Siakam TOR
22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns 35-14 34 36 31 32 133
Rockets 13-37 34 26 32 38 130
SCORING LEADERS
D. Booker PHO
36 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST
C. Wood HOU
23 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 48.57
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one. - Wilhelm Stekel
Comments (0)