GOV'T DOING NOTHING? DUTERTE SAYS 'WE ARE DISTRIBUTING BILLIONS'
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said the government is "distributing billions" in cash aid, as he rejected criticism of supposed inaction over the COVID-19 crisis.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, in a taped meeting with Duterte, said authorities have so far distributed about P21.18 billion of the P22.9 billion funds that government set aside for cash aid for low-income earners in Metro Manila and 4 provinces that were recently under the toughest lockdown level.
"Marami nagsasabi, ‘Kami lang ang namimigay, kayo wala.’ Really? Nakita n’yo ‘yong statistics, binigay ni Secretary Año? We are distributing billions," the President said.
"Namimigay kami ng ayuda sa mahihirap… Nauna pa kami noon, and we are giving money. ‘Yon lang ang pinaka most expeditious way of doing it," he added.
Duterte said officials sacrifice time and effort to attend a weekly televised meeting on the COVID-19 crisis with him so that people will know "what is going on."
DUTERTE TELLS FILIPINOS: RICH OR POOR, YOU CAN'T CHOOSE COVID-19 VACCINE BRAND
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said Filipinos cannot choose which COVID-19 vaccine brand they would get from government.
Vaccines approved by the drug regulator "are all potent, they are all effective," Duterte said in a taped speech that aired on Tuesday.
"There will be no discrimination at saka hindi kayo makapili kung ano ang bakuna. Pareho lahat 'yan. 'Di kayo makasabi [Astra]Zeneca sa akin, Moderna–no," said the President.
"Kung ano ang nasa harap ninyo, ‘yon na. Do not ask for a special kind of–kasi bulto por bulto 'yan ibigay... It leaves a bad taste in the mouth," he added.
Duterte said most well-off people wait for US-made vaccines, like those from Pfizer and Moderna.
"Sabi ko hindi mangyari 'yan. You cannot have–kung anong nasa harap n’yo, que milyonaryo ka o ano, iyon na 'yong iyo. Hindi ka mamili," he said.
He said vaccine "czar" Carlito Galvez Jr would distribute COVID-19 jabs "with a blind eye sa (for) brand."
"There's no reason for you, really, to be choosy about it," said the President.
The Philippines has so far received 7.779 million COVID-19 shots, the bulk of which is from Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech. Authorities have administered at least 2,959,829 of these doses.
DUTERTE: BRACE FOR THE ‘WORST’, AS COVID-19 VARIANTS LOOM
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines should prepare for "the worst" COVID-19 situation, as more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus spread worldwide.
The pandemic is getting "hotter and more dangerous" as COVID-19 variants could pose "a problem discovering new vaccines," Duterte said in a taped speech that aired on Monday.
"We do not have a guarantee that the vaccines should forthcoming on time, na walang maraming mamamatay (that many people won't die). And if it is more serious mutant, variant, we'll just have to prepare for the worst," said the President.
He said it was "OK" that the Philippines aims to buy more COVID-19 shots. He said he would be "happy" if authorities continue boosting the country's health infrastructure.
Duterte maintained that he was willing to sell government properties if pandemic funds run out.
"Kung medyo papalapit na at marami na tinatamaan (if we are near the situation where we many are infected), then we will go full blast in making everything operational," the President said.
"With the advent of the new variants it is good to prepare for a more serious attack."
New, more contagious coronavirus variants "make our job doubly hard to do," Duterte said in a taped speech that aired on Tuesday.
DISMISS PETITIONS VS ANTI-TERROR LAW, SC TOLD
MANILA — Retired associate justice Francis Jardeleza yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to junk the 37 petitions questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terror Law for lack of legal standing.
Jardeleza is one of the two former SC members tapped as amici curiae to the case.
In a 19-page statement, Jardeleza pointed out that nobody among the petitioners claimed any injury, thus the SC should dismiss the consolidated petition.
“None of the petitioners in these cases has claimed direct, personal or constitutional injury, or has alleged actual prosecution under the anti-terror act as to be entitled to relief,” Jardeleza said.
He pointed out that the doctrine of hierarchy of courts is strictly followed to solve the problem of clogged court dockets.
Jardeleza also appealed to the SC magistrates to speed up the disposition of cases within the 24-month mandatory period.
Former chief justice Reynato Puno, who is also an amicus curiae to the case, said SC justices would have to find a balance between individual liberty and national security.
During yesterday’s last oral arguments, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo ordered the respondents to submit their comment to the joint omnibus motion filed by the petitioners, which sought to remove from the court’s records the testimony given by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
ENRILE URGES DUTERTE: KEEP 'FRIENDLY' APPROACH TOWARDS CHINA
MANILA — Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Monday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to keep a "friendly" approach to China in resolving its incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
Enrile said the issue had been a problem even during the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, where he served as Defense chief. China's navy was still weak then, he said.
The PLA Navy is now the world’s second-largest after that of the United States, according to the South China Morning Post.
Enrile said about 80 percent of China's food and energy necessities pass through the South China Sea. The same is true for Japan, South Korean, and Tawain's imports, he added.
"Kailangan na friendly ang approach natin d’yan, hindi hard assertive and aggressive approach," Enrile told Duterte in a taped meeting.
"Kung hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa Tsina, madadamay ang interes ng ating mga kababayan, ating ekonomiya pati na rin ang ating seguridad dito sa usapin na ito," added the former lawmaker.
Enrile urged Duterte to strengthen the Philippine military, like China did.
OFWS IN ISRAEL SAFE – OWWA
MANILA — A number of Filipino workers trapped in the worsening hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants have been evacuated to safer ground, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported yesterday.
OWWA chief Hans Cacdac said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose homes have no bomb shelter sought help from the Philippine government for evacuation.
“At this time, our priority is the safety of our OFWs so we evacuated them to a shelter,” Cacdac said at a press briefing.
He said fewer OFWs have sought assistance since most of them are employed as caregivers and staying with their employers.
The Philippine government is undertaking in-country evacuation before possible mass repatriation, according to Cacdac.
“Hindi naman widespread ang evacuation,” he said.
Cacdac said mass repatriation of OFWs would only be undertaken if the hostilities in Israel further worsen.
RED CROSS TO OFFER MODERNA JABS FOR P3,500
MANILA — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will make Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines available for P3,500 for two doses for those who can no longer wait for the free jabs from government.
According to PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon, they ordered 200,000 doses of Moderna vaccines through business tycoon Enrique Razon, chairman of the International Container Terminal Services Inc.
Gordon said the vaccines are intended for 100,000 recipients, as Moderna jabs are a two-dose regimen.
“That’s our role also, we can vaccinate. If you are going to wait for the vaccines to come, it will be late. So those of you who cannot wait, you pay… P3,500, and that’s for two doses already,” he noted in an interview with ANC.
Gordon added they also wanted to order AstraZeneca vaccines but they were told that the jabs would only be available next year due to the global supply shortage.
Red Cross clarified it is not “selling” the COVID-19 vaccine developed by American pharmaceutical firm Moderna to the public.
“I'd like to set the record straight. Right now, we will be charging P3,500 to recover the cost of our payment of our vaccines from Moderna but at the same time pay for our administrative cost,” Gordon said.
PDEA, PNP CRAFT RULES FOR DRUG STINGS
MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police have crafted unified guidelines that will be followed by PDEA and PNP units to prevent “misencounters” during anti-narcotics operations.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the two agencies held a meeting at Camp Crame where officials discussed the need for better communication and coordination procedures in conducting anti-drug operations in specific areas.
On May 14, a standoff almost led to a shootout between operatives of the PNP and PDEA during a sting in Quezon City.
Reports said the incident happened at the parking lot of a shopping mall in Barangay Greater Lagro.
PDEA agents reportedly ordered police officers to lay down their guns, prompting operatives from nearby police stations to respond to the scene for backup.
“Both the PNP and PDEA launched an operation in the area. They appeared there and both parties did not identify each other as operatives. The incident could have resulted in a shootout. But no crime was committed,” Eleazar said at a press briefing yesterday.
“The problem is there was no coordination between the two agencies,” he added.
“Members of drug groups are taking advantage of the gaps in the rules of procedures on coordination and inter-operations between the law enforcement agencies,” the PNP chief said.
“Together with the PDEA, we are going to focus on this to avoid shortcomings in coordination and communication,” Eleazar added.
THE REST
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PNP ROLLS OUT E-SUMBONG
MANILA — The Philippine National Police launched yesterday its online complaint and monitoring system where the public can report crimes as well as violations committed by PNP members.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the system, called e-sumbong, would receive complaints sent to SMS hotlines, social media, e-mail or through a QR scanning method.
Eleazar said complaints should be addressed promptly by police officers near the area where the supposed crime or violation by citizens and police officers occurred.
“Police should treat each concern from citizens as a direct order from me to respond quickly. Police should keep in mind that time is of the essence whenever they receive complaints through calls or texts,” he said, adding that complaints must be validated.
Eleazar said police station commanders would monitor the complaints against lawmen to prevent them from interfering in the probe.
“The Internal Affairs Service will have access to the system to check, for example, if a police officer has been the subject of complaints for several instances,” he said.
Eleazar has vowed to rid the police organization of scalawags.
GO, BATO SEEK CREATION OF OFW DEPARTMENT
MANILA — Pro-administration senators pressed anew yesterday for the immediate passage of a bill creating the Department of Overseas Filipinos (DoFil).
Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa, in separate statements, sought the passage of the bill as Congress only has until June 4 before it adjourns session.
Various measures seeking the creation of the DoFil are pending before the Senate committee on labor and employment, chaired by Sen. Joel Villanueva, who has started to draft a consolidated bill.
Dela Rosa, who filed Senate Bill 2110, said the proposed department would be tasked to look after the interests of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Dela Rosa said the measure seeks to put under one roof the functions of government offices to ensure a more effective implementation of policies and programs for the protection of OFWs.
“With a single department wherein the mandates of key agencies are synchronized, our migrant workers are assured of swift assistance and services,” he said.
Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health, said the government must adapt to the changing times to become more efficient and responsive to the needs of Filipinos, especially during the pandemic.
“I appeal to my colleagues in the Senate to pass the bill,” he said.
PGH REOPENS ER, ACCEPTS COVID-19 PATIENTS
MANILA — Following the fire early Sunday that damaged part of its main building, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) including its emergency room will resume admission of COVID-19 patients today.
PGH director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said at a public briefing yesterday that 500 patients, including babies and those with COVID, had to be evacuated when fire of still undetermined origin broke out early Sunday morning.
Affected patients are back at designated areas in the hospital while others were referred to other hospitals, particularly Ospital ng Santa Ana, he said.
DAGDAG SINGIL SA TOLL FEE SA NLEX, UMPISA NA
MAYNILA - Simula na ngayong Martes ang unang araw ng pagpapatupad ng toll hike o pagtataas ng singil sa toll sa mga motoristang dadaan sa North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
Sa mga open system na toll plaza gaya sa Bocaue ay P2.00 ang dagdag singil sa mga Class 1 vehicles tulad ng mga kotse; P3.00 naman sa Class 2 vehicles gaya ng bus at maliliit na truck; at P4.00 sa mga Class 3 vehicles o mga malalaking truck.
Kung bibiyahe from end-to-end ay aabutin ng P6.00 ang dagdag singil sa Class 1 vehicles mula Balintawak hanggang Sta. Ines; P14.00 naman sa Class 2 vehicles; at P16.00 sa Class 3 vehicles.
Hati naman ang reaksiyon ng ilang motorista at may ilan ang nagsabing bakit ngayon pa nagtaas ng singil kung kailangan may pandemya. Pero ayon sa Toll Regulatory Board na matagal na ito dapat at nataon lang na may pandemya. Dahan-dahan naman ang pagtaas at ayon sa TRB ay hindi naman ganun kalaki ang dagdag-singil.
Sa susunod na taon ay inaasahan na tataas pa ang singil sa toll.
Ayon sa NLEX, may benepisyo naman ang pagtataas ng toll tulad ng mga proyekto nila gaya ng NLEX-SLEX connector road at ang harbor link.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
‘BABAWI TAYO’: DID LIZA SOBERANO ACTUALLY EXPRESS INTENT TO JOIN MISS UNIVERSE?
MANILA — As Rabiya Mateo settled for a top 21 finish at the 69th Miss Universe pageant on Monday (Manila time), a supposed statement from actress Liza Soberano ensuring a crown for the Philippines next year went viral on Facebook.
But were those words actually from the Kapamilya star?
“Pag si Rabiya talaga ‘di maiuwi ang crown, ako talaga sasali next year!” went one post from the Facebook page “Liza Soberano,” which has so far fetched over 60,000 reactions.
“Bawi tayo next year! Ako bahala,” another post from the same page declared, drawing nearly 130,000 reactions, with some 70,000 shares.
Soberano, however, disowned the entire Facebook page, through a statement on her verified Instagram account.
Sharing screenshots of the viral Facebook posts, Soberano wrote on Instagram Stories: “Hello, everyone! Just dropping by to say that I do not have a Facebook account. This account has been posing as me and has been making very questionable and detrimental statements.”
“Please help me spread the words and report this account,” she asked her followers.
Addressing outpouring of support for her as a prospective beauty queen, Soberano told her followers that she has no plans of entering pageantry, as she has mentioned repeatedly in the past.
“As much as I am flattered and grateful for all of your support and comments saying that I should give Miss Universe a try, I really don’t think it is for me. I’m an introvert and stages with a huge audience scare me half to death (as ironic as it may sound),” she said.
For years since her showbiz breakthrough in 2014, Soberano has gotten encouragement left and right to join the national pageant, and has even become a favorite among pageant enthusiasts as a wishlist candidate.
Most notably, both Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray separately named Soberano as a prospective Philippine representative to the competition. Soberano, however, was hesitant as hesitant then, as she is now.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MAY 16
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Celtics36-36 24 15 26 27 92
Knicks41-31 23 31 23 19 96
SCORING LEADERS
J. Parker BOS
18 PTS 7 REB 2 AST
R. Barrett NY
22 PTS 4 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets33-39 36 20 34 20 110
Wizards34-38 22 30 27 36 115
SCORING LEADERS
T. Rozier CHA
22 PTS 9 REB 9 AST
B. Beal WAS
25 PTS 6 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers34-38 31 37 26 31 125
Raptors27-45 30 25 28 30 113
SCORING LEADERS
O. Brissett IND
31 PTS 10 REB 3 AST
M. Flynn TOR
27 PTS 4 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns51-21 27 25 37 34 123
Spurs33-39 23 38 24 36 121
SCORING LEADERS
E. Moore PHO
22 PTS 2 REB 2 AST
D. DeRozan SA
23 PTS 3 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies38-34 29 20 20 32 101
Warriors39-33 30 25 31 27 113
SCORING LEADERS
J. Valanciunas MEM
29 PTS 16 REB 1 AST
S. Curry GS
46 PTS 7 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Cavaliers22-50 24 32 20 33 109
Nets48-24 34 33 32 24 123
SCORING LEADERS
I. Okoro CLE
18 PTS 3 REBK. Durant BKN
23 PTS 8 REB 13 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets17-55 33 21 18 23 95
Hawks41-31 36 36 27 25 124
SCORING LEADERS
A. Brooks HOU
18 PTS 4 REB
O. Okongwu ATL
21 PTS 15 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Magic21-51 26 39 25 27 117
76ers49-23 32 28 39 29 128
SCORING LEADERS
C. Anthony ORL
37 PTS 8 REB 2 AST
T. Maxey PHI
30 PTS 7 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat40-32 32 37 26 25 120
Pistons20-52 13 34 24 36 107
SCORING LEADERS
P. Achiuwa MIA
23 PTS 10 REB
S. Bey DET
22 PTS 5 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Mavericks42-30 22 38 35 26 121
Timberwolves23-49 38 38 37 23 136
SCORING LEADERS
L. Doncic DAL
18 PTS 6 REB 6 AST
A. Edwards MIN
30 PTS 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nuggets47-25 22 33 29 32 116
Trail Blazers42-30 43 29 35 25 132
SCORING LEADERS
M. Howard DEN
23 PTS 4 REB 3 AST
C. McCollum POR
24 PTS 2 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Clippers47-25 26 34 28 24 112
Thunder22-50 35 27 24 31 117
SCORING LEADERS
T. Mann LAC
19 PTS 2 REB 1 AST
A. Pokusevski OKC
29 PTS 8 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Lakers42-30 36 27 28 19 110
Pelicans31-41 28 31 17 22 98
SCORING LEADERS
L. James LAL
25 PTS 1 REB 6 AST
W. Hernangomez NO
19 PTS 13 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Bucks46-26 23 31 31 27 112
Bulls31-41 33 22 36 27 118
SCORING LEADERS
J. Nwora MIL
34 PTS 14 REB
T. Young CHI
20 PTS 7 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Jazz52-20 28 36 33 24 121
Kings31-41 25 24 24 26 99
SCORING LEADERS
J. Clarkson UTA
33 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
T. Davis SAC
20 PTS 3 REB 1 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 47.85
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. - Martin Luther King, jr
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