DUTERTE CALLS PHILIPPINE ARBITRAL VICTORY VS CHINA A PIECE OF 'PAPER' THAT LED TO NOTHING
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday likened Manila's arbitral victory that invalidated China's sweeping claims to the West Philippine Sea to a piece of "paper", which he said led to nothing.
Duterte said the administration of his predecessor Benigno Aquino Jr. pursued the arbitral case against Beijing after a standoff in the resource-rich waterway.
"Nag-file sila ng kaso, nanalo tayo. ‘Yang papel sa totoong buhay between nation, ‘yang papel ‘yan, wala ‘yan. Kung sino iyong tigas, United States, Britain ‘pag ginusto nila—" he said in a taped speech, without finishing his sentence.
The 2012 standoff erupted at Scarborough Shoal, a small ring of reefs that lies about 230 kilometers from the Philippines and 650 kilometers from the nearest Chinese landmass.
A United Nations-backed court ruled in favor of Manila and junked Beijing's claim to about 90 percent of the South China Sea, within which is the smaller West Philippine Sea.
But Duterte said Philippine ships were already gone from the area, while Chinese ships remained, when he assumed the presidency.
"Tapos sabi nila itong papel sa kaso nanalo tayo, i-pursue mo. Pinursue ko, walang nangyari," Duterte said. "Actually sa usapang bugoy, sabihin ko sa ‘yo, bigay mo sa akin, sabihin ko, ‘P***** *** papel lang ‘yan, itatapon ko ‘yan sa wastebasket.'"
ABOUT 200 SHIPS STILL MOORED AT WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, GEO-ANALYST SAYS
MANILA - Around 200 ships are still moored at West Philippine Sea, a geospatial intelligence firm bared Thursday, which the company said were likely the same fleet that were monitored over Julian Felipe Reef in March.
As of May 3, some 7 ships were only spotted over Julian Felipe Reef or Whitsun Reef, Simularity cofounder and CEO Liz Derr told ANC.
Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs or Union Banks, a group of features under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan.
Another 150 ships were also located about 9 nautical miles over Hughes Reef, which is part of the Union Banks, she added.
Derr said some 50 ships were also monitored over Gaven Reef, located about 3 nautical miles from the country's exclusive economic zone.
"We're looking at about 200 ships. We don't have the flags for the ships at this point but they look very much [like] the ones we saw at Whitsun Reef. They are still in the Philippine EEZ," she said.
"Almost all of them are moored. They don't move... Just like they were at Whitsun Reef," she added.
Derr did not specify where the vessels originated from but said the ships were similar to those spotted in Julian Felipe Reef, which were from China.
The American software company, which uses artificial intelligence software and human geospatial intelligence analysts, monitored the supposed incursions since last year.
The Philippine Coast Guard continues to deploy its ships and air assets over the West Philippine Sea after it turned away 7 Chinese vessels in Sabina Shoal, its spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said Thursday.
"'Yong ating mga eroplano nagde-deploy din po kami. Naga-alternate po kasama po ang eroplano ng Philippine Navy at Philippine Air Force, may schedule po kaming sinusunod diyan," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
PHILIPPINES TO RETURN SINOPHARM VACCINES TO CHINA AFTER DUTERTE APOLOGIZES FOR GETTING JAB
MANILA — Frustrated by criticism of his vaccination with a COVID-19 jab not yet approved for the public, President Rodrigo Duterte is now asking China to take back its donation of 1,000 vaccines developed by Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd.
Duterte was inoculated with a Sinopharm jab administered by Health Secretary Duque III on Monday night. The surprise vaccination came after months of urging that Duterte get his jab in public to boost confidence in vaccines.
But Duterte opted to receive a vaccine covered by a special permit and not yet available to the rest of the country. The country's Food and Drug Administration has not even begun processing Sinopharm's emergency use application due to lacking documents.
"So we are sorry. You are right, we are wrong," the president said during a public address aired Wednesday night, addressing critics.
However, he caveated his apology, saying partially in Filipino: "[W]hat was injected to me...it’s a decision of my doctor and, all things said, this is my life."
Due to the controversy surrounding Sinopharm's vaccines, Duterte said he asked China to stop donating the jabs and withdraw the 1,000 doses that are already here. "I told them just give us Sinovac that is being used by all," he said in Filipino.
'DUTERTE SENDING WRONG MESSAGE TO ALREADY VACCINE-HESITANT PUBLIC'
The COVID-19 Action Network (CAN), a civil society network, on Wednesday night said that Duterte's vaccination with an unapproved vaccine "sends the wrong message to the already vaccine hesitant public."
"Transparency is essential to build vaccination trust in our citizens so we can reach herd immunity," CAN said.
If Duterte wanted to boost public trust, the network said, he should have used a vaccine with emergency use approval from local regulators and available to the rest of Filipinos.
"President Duterte, as chief executive, should have a greater moral imperative to abide by vaccine protocols," the network added.
"How can we trust the president to lead us in fighting the COVID-19 crisis when he himself does not follow the rules? The rules and regulations enforced by our government become meaningless if they are subject to political accommodation, and can be so easily bent by those in power."
UNEMPLOYMENT EASES IN MARCH; 3.44 MILLION FILIPINOS JOBLESS
MANILA - Unemployment eased in March to 7.1 percent compared to the previous month, the state statistics bureau said on Thursday
The unemployment level is equivalent to 3.44 million jobless Filipinos for the month, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
Joblessness in February was at 8.8 percent with 4.2 million unemployed Filipinos, slightly higher compared to the 8.7 percent level in January.
Labor force participation rate is at 65 percent, equivalent to 48.77 million for the month of March, still higher compared to 47.34 million or 63.5 percent in February, data showed.
The survey was conducted from March 8 to March 27 before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed in the NCR Plus areas last March 29, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a virtual briefing.
The Philippines recorded the "worst" unemployment rate in 2020 at 10.4 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PSA earlier said.
Figures from the labor department as of December 2020 showed about 5 million Filipinos lost their jobs due to the health crisis.
During the pre-SONA economic forum, Chua said all jobs lost during the 2020 lockdown have been restored, with more opportunities being offered.
However, the Asian Development Bank said that despite employment going back to the pre-pandemic levels, jobs generated are of lower quality. The lender also raised concerns on skills mismatch.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government plans to provide jobs to 3.5 million Filipinos to reinvigorate the economy. Chua also said the economy could still catch up to its growth target of 7.5 percent this year.
DOST: IVERMECTIN CLINICAL TRIALS TO BEGIN IN JUNE; P22M COMMITTED TO PROJECT
Ivermectin trials to run for 8 months
MANILA—The Philippines has committed at least P22 million to conduct an 8-month clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of ivermectin against COVID-19.
According to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Fortunato dela Peña, the Department of Health will cover the costs of the trials.
Dr. Aileen Wang of the UP-PGH Department of Medicine will lead the panel that will handle the trial to run from June to January 2022.
Dela Peña said the veterinary anti-parasitic drug will be tested for efficacy, safety, and effect on 1,200 asymptomatic and non-severe Filipino coronavirus patients, who are at least 18 years old.
"Karamihan po ng pasyente natin talaga ay itong asymptomatic and non-severe," he explained in a taped public briefing on Wednesday.
Dela Peña said the DOST is coordinating with Sen. Richard Gordon and the Philippine Red Cross for facilities to hold the ivermecin trials.
Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the DOST's research arm, earlier said the focus will be on Metro Manila as it has the most number of infections and would be easier to follow up on participants.
The department would finish its trial whether or not the Food and Drug Administration has allowed human use of the veterinary drug, he added.
The FDA has so far allowed only 5 hospitals to use ivermectin as an investigational drug to treat COVID-19.
DEL ROSARIO HITS BACK AT DUTERTE FOR JETSKI PROMISE
MANILA — Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario hit back at President Duterte over his remarks that he did not promise to retake the West Philippine Sea and pressure China.
“With due respect, Mr. President, whether or not you promised to retake the West Philippine Sea and pressure China, it is the duty of the President under the Constitution to protect what is ours and our fellow Filipinos are relying on the President to do so,” Del Rosario said in a statement.
He urged Duterte “not to trade our lands and waters for prospects of money given by China” and to instead enforce the arbitral award.
Del Rosario reminded Duterte that during the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal stand-off, the Chinese did not withdraw its forces – a breach of the US-brokered agreement urging ships from both sides to leave the area.
“We withdrew while Beijing did not. Until now, China refuses to withdraw its vessels to the prejudice of the Filipino people,” he said.
“On the comment made by the President that he will punch me when he sees me, may we convey that we wish him well and may he uphold his sworn duty to the Filipino people,” Del Rosario said.
DOH: FIVE ARRIVALS FROM INDIA TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
MANILA — The Department of Health on Thursday said five passengers with a travel history to India have tested positive for COVID-19.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a previous interview on Wednesday said six passengers were infected with the novel coronavirus.
In a release on Thursday, DOH citing data from the Bureau of Quarantine, said 149 passengers with travel history to India arrived in the country from April 1 to 30, before the two-week travel ban was enforced.
Of these, 129 are returning Filipinos while 20 are foreign nationals. “All of these passengers were quarantined upon arrival and tested on the 6th or 7th day,” the DOH added.
Five of them tested positive on RT-PCR test while 137 tested negative. Of those who were infected with the novel coronavirus, one is still in isolation while disposition of the four is currently being verified, said DOH.
“Samples from these positive cases are currently being determined if they are adequate for sequencing. The test results of the [seven] remaining travelers are currently being verified,” it added.
The travel restrictions are imposed over the threat posed by the B.1.617 variant, which was first detected in India.
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‘ALL PINOYS TO GET P2,000 AYUDA UNDER BAYANIHAN 3’
MANILA — All 110 million Filipinos will receive “ayuda” or cash aid of P2,000 each under the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act or Bayanihan 3 law being deliberated in Congress.
The all-inclusive cash aid will cover the rich, the poor and those in the middle class and will be distributed in two tranches under the P405.6-billion measure, its proponents said.
Reps. Sharon Garin and Stella Quimbo, both economists and members of the technical working group that drafted the consolidated Bayanihan 3 bill, said this proposed fourth ayuda program seeks to provide equitable distribution of financial assistance across social classes.
“Everyone’s affected by this pandemic – poor Filipinos, rich Filipinos, and especially those in the middle class who were not covered by previous ayuda... So this ayuda will be for everybody,” Garin said on Tuesday night’s episode of “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News.
The AAMBIS-OWA party-list representative said the bill also includes programs to boost existing social services, including financial support for displaced workers and families in areas under strict lockdowns.
Also on The Chiefs, Quimbo explained that the all-inclusive ayuda system will address loopholes in the three previous versions of the social amelioration program (SAP).
PNP: OVER 44,000 HELD FOR VIOLATING CURFEW
MANILA — Over 44,000 people in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus have been arrested for violating curfew hours, the Philippine National Police(PNP) said yesterday.
Data from the PNP showed that 44,250 people were apprehended for ignoring curfew hours imposed in the NCR and nearby provinces.
The PNP said 35,145 of the violators were nabbed in Metro Manila.
Cavite posted the second highest number of violators with 5,668 followed byRizal, 1,530; Laguna, 1,128, and Bulacan, 779.
The national government has imposed a unified curfew in the NCR Plus as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
A total of 27,763 violators were released after receiving first-time offender warning while 14,904 were fined based on local ordinances. The rest rendered community service, the PNP said.
LAPU-LAPU TO REOPEN TO FOREIGN TOURISTS
CEBU — Foreign tourists who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to their arrival can visit Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.
Mayor Junard Chan said the city is ”well-prepared” to accept foreign tourists again.
Chan cited Resolution 113 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which allows foreigners to enter the country provided they have a valid visa and pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited hotel or facility.
He said vaccinated foreigners, who have not undergone swab tests prior to their visit, would be tested upon arrival.
Chan said the reopening of the city to foreigners was approved during previous meetings with tourism officials and other stakeholders.
PNP TALLIES 158 NEW COVID-19 CASES, ONE DEATH
MANILA — The Philippine National Police tallied 158 new COVID-19 cases among PNP personnel bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 20, 769 while another police officer died on Tuesday.
In a statement, Police Gen. Debold Sinas, outgoing PNP chief, announced the death of a 31-year-old police corporal assigned in Nueva Ecija, marking the 57th fatality within the police force's ranks due to the coronavirus.
According to the PNP's latest tally, there are still a total of 1,626 active coronavirus cases in the police force.
The PNP-HS also recorded a total of 172 recoveries bringing the total to 19,086.
"Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. As frontliners in fighting this unseen enemy, some of our police officers are putting their life on line, I salute you all!" Sinas said.
17 NPA REBELS, 7 BIFF MEN SURRENDER
MANILA — The Philippine Army announced yesterday the surrender of 17 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Bukidnon.
Capt. Bala Tumayo, information officer of the First Special Forces Battalion, said the surrenderees yielded 11 various types of firearms.
Tumayo said the rebel returnees were members of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
In Maguindanao, six members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered on Tuesday.
The six pledged allegiance to the government at the headquarters of the Army’s First Mechanized Brigade in Barangay Kamasi in Ampatuan.
More than 300 BIFF gunmen have surrendered since 2017.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
‘WELCOME HOME’? FOLLOWERS WONDER IF ELLEN, DEREK ARE LIVING TOGETHER
On Instagram, Ramsay shared a collage of selfies with Adarna, captioned, “Welcome home, love!”
A number of comments on Ramsay’s post asked whether the couple has indeed moved in together — a topic which they previously discussed candidly.
The short answer: yes.
In their April interview with G3 San Diego, Ramsay and Adarna recalled that the setup was initially only temporary, and was meant to help the actress’ situation of living with an aunt in Manila, and having to go on lock-in taping for a show.
“She was living with her auntie, and she was going in and out of the house, so the auntie was really scared. She was going to move somewhere. Sabi ko, ‘Why don’t you stay here na lang. It’s safer for you,’” Ramsay shared.
That setup, of Adarna staying at Ramsay’s house, was meant to last until she heads back to her actual home in Cebu, once her tapings were finished.
“I stayed here temporarily and then I was supposed to go home na. This was after taping na. But I also didn’t want to go back, because I wanted to stay with him!” she said.
“Dinelay ko na lang nang dinelay,” Adarna admitted, laughing.
By February 4, Ramsay and Adarna officially became a couple. At that point, Ramsay asked to make their home setup a permanent one.
“The things is, we knew na, e. We know. We know,” Ramsay said, referring to ending up together.
Ramsay and Adarna got engaged on March 30, and have since appeared inseparable, based on their social media updates.
They plan to get married within the year.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MAY 4
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets32-33 30 23 25 24 102
Pistons19-47 28 21 23 27 99
SCORING LEADERS
L. Ball CHA
23 PTS 7 REB 6 AST
H. Diallo DET
35 PTS 7 REB
FINAL/OT
1 2 3 4 OT T
Suns47-18 30 29 31 24 20 134
Cavaliers21-44 24 29 35 26 4 118
SCORING LEADERS
D. Booker PHO
31 PTS 6 REB 5 AST
I. Okoro CLE
32 PTS 3 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nets43-23 33 25 36 24 118
Bucks41-24 34 32 26 32 124
SCORING LEADERS
K. Irving BKN
38 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
G. Antetokounmpo MIL
36 PTS 12 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Mavericks37-28 30 33 35 29 127
Heat35-31 39 15 23 36 113
SCORING LEADERS
T. Hardaway Jr. DAL
36 PTS 4 REB 1 AST
D. Robinson MIA
19 PTS 9 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings28-37 25 31 25 22 103
Thunder21-45 20 26 23 30 99
SCORING LEADERS
T. Davis SAC
18 PTS 5 REB 3 AST
D. Bazley OKC
24 PTS 11 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Warriors33-33 34 23 22 24 103
Pelicans30-36 32 24 19 33 108
SCORING LEADERS
S. Curry GS
37 PTS 9 REB 2 AST
L. Ball NO
33 PTS 6 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Raptors27-39 30 24 28 18 100
Clippers44-22 26 22 34 23 105
SCORING LEADERS
F. VanVleet TOR
27 PTS 2 REB 13 AST
P. George LAC
22 PTS 9 REB 4 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 48.02
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit. - Napoleon Hill
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