BLACK NAZARENE BACK AT QUIAPO CHURCH; 'RECORD-BREAKING' TRASLACION ENDS EARLIER THAN USUAL MANILA - The Black Nazarene procession ended just before 9 p.m. Thursday as the image was returned more than 16 hours since the annual Traslacion started amid tighter security and stricter regulations. By police estimates, some 3.3 million people joined the procession, with more than 530,000 gathered at Plaza Miranda and Quiapo Church, the culmination of one of the country's biggest religious events. The Black Nazarene was returned to the church at 8:46 p.m., the Manila Public Information Office said - nearly five hours earlier than the end of the procession last year. A thick wall of blue-clad police officers lined Plaza Miranda, the entrance to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, as the revered image of Jesus Christ inched its way to the parish- the first time such level of security was seen at the annual procession. But before it could, the andas or carriage seemed carried away by the wave of people jostling to reach and touch the image- a feat considered by devotees as a bearer of miracles. In a statement, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno called the event "record-breaking" as the Traslacion took a shorter time than usual. Black Nazarene processions in previous years had taken more than 20 hours. "Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa milyon-milyong deboto, sa Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, sa mga vendor, sa mga kapulisan, at sa lahat ng city at national government agencies na nakiisa para maging matagumpay ang prusisyong ito!" the mayor said. New security measures police and the city government introduced had disappointed some devotees, but Moreno promised even more changes next year to speed up the procession. As of this posting, there has been no report of serious incidents as authorities have recorded only minor injuries. MANILA HAULS 330 TONS OF TRASH AFTER TRASLACION 2020 MANILA - The 16-hour procession of the image of the Black Nazarene generated 68 truckloads of garbage, the Manila city government said Friday. About 330 tons of trash were collected along the procession's route this year, 57 tons lower than last year's 387.4 tons of Traslacion garbage haul, Manila Department of Public Services chief Kenneth Amurao said. The "faster pace" of the country's largest religious procession this year and the implementation of the "zero vendor" policy along the Traslacion's route led to the decrease of trash during the event, Amurao said in a statement. "Continuous calls of the City Mayor for everyone to cooperate in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness" and apprehensions of violators of the city's anti-littering law over the holidays also discouraged people from throwing garbage in improper places, he said. The bulk of the Traslacion trash - mostly food packs and plastics - were collected from the Quiapo area, he said. PNP TO ASSESS COMPLAINTS VS TRASLACION COPS MANILA - Complaints against policemen who manned a mammoth procession of a black image of Jesus Christ in downtown Manila "will be assessed", the officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police said Friday. Thursday's Traslacion, which transports the 400-year-old Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church, ended earlier than usual after policemen took charge of the procession's start, instead of just securing its perimeter like in recent years. Some devotees, however, claimed policemen shoved them. Jun Veneracion, a journalist covering the event, also said southern Metro Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan snatched his phone and deleted his video of a scuffle between lawmen and devotees. "All of these thing will be assessed. If there is a need to investigate then we will investigate," PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa told radio DZMM. Gamboa, however, said he was "leaving everything" to the Metro Manila police, which had "powers to take the appropriate disciplinary measures" and submit recommendations to him. Officers should practice "maximum tolerance" towards devotees, he said. "Pero kung andoon ka mismo, siyempre tao rin naman ang mga kapulisan kaya nagkakaroon ng mga ganoong actuation," he added. EVACUATION OF PINOYS FROM IRAQ A GO EVEN AS TENSIONS SIMMER DOWN - CIMATU MANILA - The repatriation of Filipinos from Iraq will continue even as the United States and Iran have called it even following missile strikes there, a member of President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet overseeing the evacuation said Thursday. Iran earlier said it had concluded its "proportionate" retaliation against the US after launching 22 ballistic missiles against Iraqi bases that hosted American and foreign troops on Wednesday. The attack was a calibrated response to the killing of a top Iranian general in a US air strike on Jan. 3. "This is the time to get out while there are no military operations," Philippine Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu told reporters before leaving for Qatar, from where he would oversee evacuation efforts. "Sometimes there are some instances of a very surprise missile attack and they have the option to press the trigger and while we just anticipate things. We have to be ready in case there are incidents," added Cimatu, a former military chief and special envoy to the Middle East who in 2004 secured the release of a Filipino hostage in Iraq. Fresh missile attacks, however, will automatically prompt the closure of Iraq's main airport in Baghdad. In this scenario, Filipinos will be evacuated by bus to neighboring Erbil, capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, or Amman, Jordan, said Cimatu. Filipinos can only stay for 3 days in transit points before they have to fly elsewhere, arrangements for which were made with Philippine airline companies, said Cimatu. Analysts predict violent instability will keep blighting Iraq. ANGAT CAN MEET HOUSEHOLD DEMAND THROUGHOUT SUMMER: OFFICIAL MANILA -- Angat Dam can meet household demand for water in the Philippine capital through summer, until the onset of the wet season in June, the state agency overseeing the reservoir said Friday. Despite the "improved" water level at Angat, it cannot fully cover the irrigation needs of farmers in Central Luzon, National Water Resources Board Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said. "Sa tingin naman po natin kaya natin ito i-maintain ito hanggang summer po bago umabot ang panahon ng tag-ulan," he told DZMM radio. Rains brought by Typhoon Ursula (Phanfone) in December increased the water level at Angat. Due to the increase in water level, allocation for Metro Manila's households will be adjusted to 42 cubic meters per second (cms) from the current 40 cms. This, however, is still below the normal 46 cms. Water for irrigation meanwhile will be doubled to 20 cms from 10 cms, David said. "Patuloy pa rin po ang ating panawagan na gamitin ng tama ang tubig at magtipid po tayo para hindi naman masyado makaapekto itong kakulangan." he said. Angat Dam's declining level last year prompted a water shortage in Metro Manila that brought misery to thousands of households. US SENATE OKS RESOLUTION VS DE LIMA JAILERS MANILA - The United States Senate has approved a resolution seeking sanctions against Philippine officials involved in the detention of Sen. Leila de Lima and in extrajudicial killings in the conduct of the Duterte administration's war on drugs. Senate Resolution 142, authored by Sen. Edward Markey (Massachusetts), calls on US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions against concerned Philippine officials pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The resolution, passed yesterday, calls on the Philippine government to drop all charges against De Lima, remove restrictions on her personal and work conditions and allow her to fully discharge her legislative mandate, especially as chair of the Senate committee on social justice. It also calls on the US president to ensure that US security assistance provided to the Philippine National Police (PNP) is fully consistent with the human rights conditions mandated in section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The government was also urged to recognize the importance of human rights defenders and their work and allow them to operate freely without fear of reprisal. The government, the resolution stated, should guarantee freedom of the press and drop all charges against Rappler and its CEO Maria Ressa. The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act allows the US government to impose sanctions on foreign government officials implicated in human rights abuses in any part of the world. DOTR BUDGET CUT BY P63 BILLION MANILA - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is the biggest loser in the P4.1-trillion national budget signed by President Duterte last Monday after getting a P63-billion cut. The 2020 General Appropriations Bill passed by both the House and Senate reflected the P146-billion budget of DOTr as proposed by the executive branch. But during bicameral conference, lawmakers decided to slice the department's budget by P63.189 billion, based on its committee report obtained by The STAR. The bulk of the cut - P61.283 billion - was taken from the office of the secretary. The bicam, however, augmented the budget of DOTr-attached agencies by P16.540 billion. Of the agencies under the department, the Philippine Coast Guard got an increase of P3.9 billion in its P11.293-billion budget. The Maritime Industry Authority and Civil Aeronautics Board likewise received additional budgets of P50 million and P20 million, respectively. In total, the department gets a net decrease of P46.649 billion in its 2020 budget, which dropped from the originally proposed P146.044 billion budget to P99.395 billion. This Duterte-approved budget, however, is still bigger than the agency's P67.67-billion budget in 2019. DUTERTE SIGNS SALARY LAW FOR 1.4 MILLION GOVERNMENT WORKERS MANILA - About 1.4 million government workers are expected to benefit from the Salary Standardization Law 5, which was signed by President Duterte on Wednesday evening. Duterte himself will have an eight percent salary increase this year based on the salary adjustments under the new law. The 74-year-old Duterte, who publicly complained that his salary is not enough to support his two families, enjoys Salary Grade 33, the compensation of the president of the Philippines as the highest position in the government. During the last tranche of the implementation of the SSL 4 in 2019, Duterte supposedly got an increase of almost P102,000 in his monthly salary. From P298,083 a month, Duterte's salary increased to P399,739 last year. Under the new law, the President gets an eight percent increase of about P31,979 per month and will get P431,718 a month when the final tranche is implemented. The SSL 5 also covers public school teachers and nurses. Upon full implementation, the law said basic salaries would increase by a weighted average of 23.24 percent by 2023. The law said employees under Salary Grades 10 to 15 would be granted the highest increase ranging from 20 to 30 percent, while those under SG 25 to 33 would have the lowest increase of eight percent. The vice president, Senate president, House speaker and chief justice enjoy SG 32 while senators, congressmen, associate justices of the Supreme Court and the chairman of constitutional commission are under SG 31. Government workers under SG 1 to 10 would get an increased pay from 17.5 percent to 20.5 percent over four years. Director Gerald Janda of the Department of Budget and Development said the law takes effect Jan. 1 this year. ZAMBOANGA CITY: MARTIAL LAW LIFTED BUT 'NO ID, NO ENTRY' POLICY TO REMAIN ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Zamboanga City peace and order council will keep the city's 'no ID, no entry' policy in implementing heightened security after martial law in Mindanao lapsed at the start of the year. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the council on Thursday approved retaining the policy as a measure against potential terror threats. The military's Western Mindanao Command earlier said its intelligence units have stepped up their monitoring of Islamic State-linked local terror groups that might launch sympathy attacks over the death of Iranian general Qasem Suleimani in a US drone strike in Iraq. "The CPOC approved a resolution maintaining the 'No ID, No Entry' policy invoking the state of lawlessness in Mindanao and pursuant to Section 16 of the Constitution," Salazar said. Capt. Edwin Duco, spokesman of the Zamboanga City Police Office, said the ID policy was implemented in support of security measures adopted by the ZCPO, Joint Task Force Zamboanga and the other law enforcement agencies during the martial law period from 2017 to 2019. Duco said police and military assessments showed security threats continue to exist, which require proactive measures. MAJOR AFP SHAKEUP SEEN WITH 2 COMMANDERS' RETIREMENT MANILA - A major shakeup in the leadership of the military looms with the scheduled retirement of the Air Force commander next week and the Navy chief early next month. Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez is bowing out of the service on his 56th birthday next Friday while Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad will retire on Feb. 3, his 56th birthday. Aside from the two key military posts that would be rendered vacant, the key posts of the Davao-based Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) are still vacant following the designation of Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. as new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief and Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay as new Army chief. Santos used to command Eastmincom while Gapay was formerly commander of the Lucena City-based Solcom. At least eight senior Air Force officers are in the running for Briguez's post, including AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria, Air Force vice commander Maj. Gen. Peiagio Valenzuela, Air Logistics Command chief Maj. Gen. Allen Paredes and Air Education and Training Command chief Maj. Gen. Ferdinand Cartuiano. All the contenders are members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988. OVERWEIGHT COPS TOLD: LOSE WEIGHT OR RISK BEING PASSED OVER FOR PROMOTION MANILA - Overweight policemen who fail to improve their physique could be disqualified for promotion, the Philippine National Police's officer-in-charge warned Friday. Around 54 percent of policemen have a normal body mass index, while 36 percent are overweight and 9 percent are obese, said PNP OIC Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa. Overweight policemen will be barred from taking specialization and career courses, which are prerequisites for some plum posts and promotions, he said. "Magiging effect n'yan is (its effect will be the) possibility of non-promotion," he told radio DZMM. "Paano ka makakahabol ng kriminal kung ganyang malaki ka?" he added. Many policemen experience health problems after retiring from the service, noted Gamboa. "Very demanding ang trabaho ng kapulisan. 'Pag hindi healthy ang lifestyle mo during the service... magsa-suffer ka," he said. Even Metro Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas promised to "do something about his weight," Gamboa mentioned. 'IPINAGLABAN KO SIYA': LIZA SOBERANO SEES FIRST LOVE ENRIQUE GIL AS HER LAST MANILA - "Ipinaglaban ko siya." These were the words of Liza Soberano on Thursday as she revealed for the first time that she went against her father's wishes when she entered her now-five-year relationship with Enrique Gil. Soberano, 22, made the candid admission during a press conference for "Make It With You," her fourth primetime series with Gil since 2014's "Forevermore." It was during the filming of their breakthrough drama when Soberano and Gils' onscreen partnership translated into real life. The beginning of their romance came up when the two were asked what they consider to be the "craziest" thing they have done to "make it with each other," after the series' title. "I think the craziest thing I wouldn't have expected myself to do is. Siyempre, 17 lang ako noong naging kami, so ipinaglaban ko 'yung relationship namin," Soberano said, prompting shrieks from fans who attended the media launch. "Kasi bawal pa ako magka-boyfriend noon, kaya lang matigas 'yung ulo ko," she added, laughing. Soberano recalled having a conversation with her father, John Castillo Soberano, where she managed to convince him to allow the relationship. "Sabi ko sa daddy ko: 'Masaya ako. Kung gusto mo ako maging masaya, papayagan mo ako.'" Half a decade since, Soberano has held on to that source of happiness - they celebrated their fifth anniversary in October 2019. The actress believes her first relationship will be her last, as she and Gil confirmed having talked about marriage. "Yes, po, I really believe so, 100%, in my heart," Gil said, when asked whether he sees himself with Soberano at the altar. Soberano added she would not think twice about saying "yes" when Gil does propose to her formally. "Siyempre, you can never say that you're fully ready or prepared for that big question, pero, no doubt, I will say 'yes,'" she said. NBA SCORES JAN 8 FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Spurs 16-20    34    31    34    30    129 team logo Celtics 25-10    22    25    36    31    114 SCORING LEADERSD. DeRozan SA 30 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST G. Hayward BOS 18 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST FINAL/OT     1    2    3    4    OT    T team logo Raptors 25-13    29    31    22    18    12    112 team logo Hornets 15-25    31    24    26    19    10    110 SCORING LEADERST. Davis TOR 23 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST T. Rozier CHA 27 PTS, 0 REB, 3 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Wizards 12-25    23    29    20    17    89 team logo Magic 18-20    32    37    28    26    123 SCORING LEADERS     T. Brown Jr. WAS 18 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST     N. Vucevic ORL 29 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Heat 27-10    31    31    38    22    122 team logo Pacers 23-15    23    26    23    36    108 SCORING LEADERST. Herro MIA 19 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST D. Sabonis IND 27 PTS, 14 REB, 6 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Nuggets 26-11    27    29    30    21    107 team logo Mavericks 23-14    32    27    30    17    106 SCORING LEADERSN. Jokic DEN 33 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST L. Doncic DAL 27 PTS, 9 REB, 10 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Rockets 25-11    45    32    22    23    122 team logo Hawks 8-30    29    33    23    30    115 SCORING LEADERSJ. Harden HOU 41 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST T. Young ATL 42 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Bulls 13-25    21    27    27    33    108 team logo Pelicans 13-25    23    25    44    31    123 SCORING LEADERS     Z. LaVine CHI 32 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST     B. Ingram NO 29 PTS, 8 REB, 11 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Knicks 10-28    29    24    16    35    104 team logo Jazz 25-12    39    33    23    33    128 SCORING LEADERS     F. Ntilikina NY 16 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST     B. Bogdanovic UTA 20 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST FINAL     1    2    3    4    T team logo Bucks 33-6    19    28    34    26    107 team logo Warriors 9-30    19    20    33    26    98 SCORING LEADERSG. Antetokounmpo MIL 30 PTS, 13 REB, 4 AST A. Burks GS 19 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST