DUTERTE, JAPAN'S SUGA TALK ABOUT COVID-19 AID, WEST PHILIPPINE SEA DISPUTE IN CALL

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in a phone call on Wednesday night, where the two discussed about a ¥20-billion aid to Manila's COVID-19 response and issues in the South China Sea.

Malacañang in a release said Suga relayed his regrets on postponing his supposed visit to the Philippines amid the pandemic, which it said Duterte supported.

The call lasted for about 20 minutes from 6 p.m., and was to mark the 65th year since the normalization of the two nations' diplomatic ties.

Suga announced a ¥20 billion financial support to the Philippines through their Post Disaster Stand-by Loan, as well as another ¥1 billion cold-chain development assistance.

"The president thanked Japan for its generous COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines," Palace said, describing the exchange as "warm, engaging and productive."

Amid the concerns over the West Philippine Sea, Suga has expressed support for President Duterte’s stance, aired before the United Nations General Assembly last year, that the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s claims in disputed waters should be respected in the international arena.

According to Malacañang, Suga “expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ principled position clearly articulated by President Duterte during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.”

Both leaders agreed to work closely to ensure security and stability in the region under the rule of law.

Duterte stressed the need for nations to cooperate in promoting maritime domain awareness, maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and maritime connectivity and commerce.

At the same time, Duterte underlined the need to recognize and work for the peaceful settlement of disputes, stating that the Asia-Pacific region cannot afford conflicts among neighbors.

During the talk, Duterte underscored that alliances and partnerships must redound to greater stability in the South China Sea and uphold the broader collective interest of the Asia-Pacific region.

Among other things Duterte and Suga discussed were securing the Sulu and Celebes Seas against piracy, terrorism and other transnational crimes.

Both said they were concerned too over developments in Myanmar, after the military overthrew its civilian government in February that has led to unrest.

PHILIPPINES RECEIVES ADDITIONAL 500,000 SINOVAC VACCINES

MANILA - The Philippines on Thursday received an additional 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from China's Sinovac Biotech.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III welcomed the shipment at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

As of May 12, the country has so far received more than 7.7 million vaccine doses, of which 5 million were from the Beijing-based pharmaceutical company. Some 2.5 million doses were from AstraZeneca and 193,000 were from Prizer.

So far, over 3.2 million doses have been administered in the country, of which 786,000 were fully vaccinated. Some 2.5 million have received the first dose.

The country aims to vaccinate 58 million Filipinos by year-end to achieve herd immunity.

Since the pandemic began, the Philippines logged more than 1.1 million coronavirus infections in which more than 19,500 have died from the respiratory illness.

HOUSE CONCURS WITH AMNESTY FOR REBEL GROUPS

MANILA — The House of Representatives has given its concurrence to President Duterte’s proclamations granting amnesty to members of four major rebel groups, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

In session yesterday, an overwhelming majority of congressmen decided to adopt resolutions concurring with Presidential Proclamation Nos. 1090, 1091, 1092 and 1093 that granted amnesty to Muslim and communist rebels who have committed crimes in furtherance of their political beliefs.

Covered by the proclamations are qualified members of MILF, MNLF, Rebolusyunaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade and Communist Terrorist Group.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco described the latest amnesty grant as a “significant milestone toward reconciliation and lasting peace in the country.”

“We are one with President Duterte in his noble desire to give Muslim and communist insurgents a second chance at life,” the Marinduque congressman said.

“Accepting these rebels back into the folds of the law through amnesty and eventually providing them access to government’s existing socioeconomic services are essential to attaining peace and reconciliation in the country,” he pointed out.

In his proclamations, President Duterte said there is a need to reintegrate as soon as possible all rebels and insurgents into mainstream society under the rule of law, including those who may have committed unlawful acts.

The amnesty “shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs” and restore political and civil rights lost due to criminal conviction, the proclamations stated.

However, the amnesty would not cover kidnappings for ransom, massacres, rape, terrorism, drug trafficking and certain crimes the United Nations says should never be covered by amnesties such as genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.

An amnesty commission will be created to receive and process applications for amnesty and determine whether applicants are entitled to reprieve under the proclamations.

A4, INDIGENT POPULATION VACCINATION INITIALLY LIMITED TO METRO MANILA, 8 OTHER AREAS: DOH

MANILA - The Department of Health on Wednesday said the vaccination program for workers in essential industries and indigent families would initially be limited to those in Metro Manila and 8 other areas where COVID-19 cases remain high.

The expansion of the national government's inoculation program would first be rolled out in National Capital Region, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Rizal, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje told state television PTV.

"Ico-concentrate natin sa geographic areas kung saan nandoon 'yung surge ng cases," she said.

"Naka-focus muna sa NCR plus 8 [areas] kasi doon muna ang buhos natin [ng bakuna]," she said, noting that Metro Manila remains as the epicenter of COVID-19 in the country.

The DOH will also study suggestions to immediately inoculate officials who are facilitating the registration of voters, and who will man polling precincts in the 2022 national elections, she said.

PHILIPPINES HALTS MIGRANT WORKER DEPLOYMENT TO ISRAEL AMID CONFLICT

MANILA - The Philippines will halt the deployment of its migrant workers to Israel, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday.

The labor department will continue to process job applications, including the documents of 400 Filipino caregivers set for deployment to Israel, but it will not deploy them, Bello said.

"Tama po yan, simula ngayon 'di muna. Makikipagconsult na rin ako kay (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Teodoro) Locsin tungkol sa alert level doon kasi nakikita naman natin putukan dito, putukan dun, mahirap pag nagdeploy tayo, malaki ang pananagutan ko po," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Hanggat 'di natin natitiyak ang kanilang kaligtasan. 'Pag wala nang bombahan at sinabi ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) okay na," he said when asked when the Philippines will lift its deployment ban.

The agency has deployed its rapid response team to repatriate Filipinos who want to return home but none so far has expressed willingness, Bello added.

Israel hosts some 30,000 OFWs, most of whom are domestic workers, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

"Tuloy-tuloy naman ang trabaho nila (Their work is continuous)," Bello said.

Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes and Palestinian militants kept up cross-border rocket fire, with no firm sign on Wednesday of any imminent ceasefire despite international calls to end more than a week of fighting.

DILG DIRECTS LGUS: ONLY DISCLOSE VACCINE BRANDS ON-SITE INSTEAD OF ANNOUNCING

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government said Thursday that all local government units have been directed "to refrain from announcing the brand of vaccines" to be used in a particular vaccination center in favor of disclosing them only when the beneficiaries are on-site.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año while LGUs will not be allowed to announce the vaccine brand, the individual scheduled for vaccination will still be informed of the vaccine brand on-site.

DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said an advisory will be issued by the department to all local chief executives following the announcement.

“The person will be informed of the brand in the vaccination center and he will have to give his informed consent but if he refuses, he will have to go back to the back of the line,” he said.

“The best vaccine is the one that is available; therefore in order to overcome brand preference, LGUs should not announce the brand of vaccine to be used in vaccination centers."

Año claimed that the individual’s right to information is still "fully respected," adding that the move was only done to prevent a repeat of mass gatherings when brands are announced beforehand.

'COUNTERPRODUCTIVE' TO CONCEAL VACCINE BRANDS AT INOCULATION SITES — HONTIVEROS

MANILA — It would be "counterproductive" not to announce the brands of COVID-19 vaccines available at inoculation sites, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Thursday as she warned that enforcing such a policy might erode people's trust in the national vaccination program.

She was referring to a suggestion made the day before by Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje who expresses concern at the huge crowds, many of them walk-ins, turning up at sites offering vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech.

“We cannot increase the confidence of our countrymen when our policies are in doubt," Hontiveros said in Filipino. "It is also a sign that the DOH has fallen short of convincing people that approved vaccines are guaranteed safe and effective, regardless of its brand name."

Hontiveros called on the Department of Health to reconsider the policy, saying that patients must be properly informed before they consent to inoculation.

The senator said overcrowding in certain facilities could have been avoided had people been properly educated on vaccines by the government.

She also called on the government to partner with local government units in expanding its vaccine education program and in incentivizing more people to get COVID-19 jabs.

"We should be offering the public incentives such as grocery packs or paid vacation leave to encourage them to get vaccinated," Hontiveros said in Filipino.

"The government needs to do all it can to regain the public’s trust. If not, we risk never reaching herd immunity."

ROBREDO, STAFF GET FIRST DOSE OF ASTRAZENECA IN QUEZON CITY

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo received yesterday her first AstraZeneca shot in Quezon City, describing her experience as “seamless,” and urged Filipinos to have themselves vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Done with my 1st dose of the vaccine. Now being monitored. Everything has been seamless. We booked at QC Protektado site via EZ Consult last May 13 for an appointment today,” Robredo posted on her personal Facebook page.

She added that there were 18 of them from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) who went together – all of them under the A3 category of people with comorbidities. Earlier, Robredo declared she is hypertensive.    

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100,000 PINOYS RECEIVE NATIONAL ID CARDS

MANILA — Some 100,000 national ID cards have been released and shipped to registrants nationwide.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said a total of 103,935 national ID cards printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas were already delivered by Philippine Postal Corp., the official delivery partner of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

Project implementer PSA continues to roll out the third and final step of the national listup, which includes the issuance of PhilSys number and delivery of physical ID cards.

“We are looking into ramping up our card production and delivery services in the coming weeks so that more Filipinos will be able to enjoy the benefits of registering to the PhilSys,” national statistician Dennis Mapa said.

PNP APOLOGIZES FOR COMMUNITY PANTRY RED-TAGGING

MANILA — An official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday apologized for the perceived profiling and red-tagging of organizers of community pantries by police personnel.

Brig. Gen. Vincent Calanoga, chief of the PNP’s human rights affairs office, told lawmakers during the hearing of the House rights committee that the PNP has no policy or intention to profile Ana Patricia Non and other pantry organizers.

“The PNP apologizes to those who were affected by any news or post on social media that they did not like. Incidents like these, which were called profiling or red-tagging, are not covered by the policy of the PNP. These actions have been accorded due action so it will not be repeated,” Calanoga said in Filipino.

It was the first time that a top PNP official apologized for the reported profiling, which caused fear among pantry organizers.

NAPOLCOM APPROVES RECRUITMENT OF 17,000 COPS

MANILA — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the recruitment of more than 17,000 police officers this year.

A total of 17,314 patrolmen and patrolwomen will be recruited by the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to the Napolcom.

Qualified recruits will receive a monthly salary of at least P29,000 and allowances.

The Napolcom headed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año issued a resolution dated April 27, approving the PNP’s regular and attrition recruitment program for 2021.

According to Napolcom vice chairman Vitaliano Aguirre II, the 1,000 regular recruitment quota would be allotted to the National Capital Region Police Office to improve the police-to-population ratio in the region, address personnel losses due to the localization program and augment the personnel requirement of the NCRPO.

“The 16,314 attrition recruitment quota is intended to replace uniformed personnel losses due to separation from the service,” Aguirre said in a statement.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

TEARS FLOW IN EPIC 'FRIENDS' REUNION TRAILER

The full trailer for the much-anticipated reunion of the “Friends” cast was finally unveiled exactly one week before it premieres on the streaming platform HBO Max.

The two-minute trailer shows Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc revisiting the show’s original soundstage in Burbank, California together for the first time since “Friends” concluded 17 years ago.

All six reminisced about their time together from the moment they first met until they became each other’s “family.” They also did a table-read of several popular episodes like “The One With the Jellyfish” and “The One Where Everybody Finds Out.”

Another highlight of the trailer is the cast playing the trivia quiz game just like how they originally did it in “The One with the Embryos” episode.

At one point in the trailer, Aniston asks for the tissue box, while Cox is unable to stop her tears from flowing down her cheeks.

At the end of the “Friends" reunion trailer, Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, Schwimmer, Perry and LeBlanc are shown in a huddle – just like how they did before each “Friends” episode from 1994 to 2004 – with host James Corden saying what the 1990s hit show meant to a lot of people.

“I know you know how big the show is. What you have given so many people is an experience of huge comfort. We felt like we have these friends,” Corden said.

In separate interviews this month, both Cox and Kudrow described the reunion as something very special and very emotional.

“It was unbelievable. It was so emotional. It’s an unscripted reunion but we got to be on Stage 24 for the first time all of us in I forgot how many years,” Cox told Ellen DeGeneres when she appeared on her show on May 6.

Kudrow, for her part, teased what their fans could expect from the reunion when she appeared on Conan O’Brien’s show.

“There’s footage that I’ve never seen before that I was really excited about,” she exclaimed.

The unscripted reunion will stream on HBO Max on May 27 with a lineup of celebrity guests such as David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Cara Delivigne, Lady Gaga and actors who also appeared on the show like Reese Witherspoon, Maggie Wheeler, James Michael Tyler, Elliott Gould and Tom Selleck, among many others.

VIVA MEXICO! ANDREA MEZA WINS MISS UNIVERSE 2020

MANILA — Miss Mexico Andrea Meza wins the 69th Miss Universe held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA earlier today. Other winners are:

1st runner-up: Julia Gama, 27, Brazil

2nd runner-up: Janick Maceta del Castillo, 27, Peru

3rd runner-up: Adline Castelino, 22, India

4th runner-up: Kimberly Jimenez, 24, Dominican Republic

At the final question and answer portion, Andrea was asked: "If you were the leader of your country. How would you have handled COVID-19 pandemic?"

Meza: "I believe there's not a perfect way to handle this for situations, such as COVID-19. However, I believe that what I would have done was create a lockdown even before everything was that big. Because we lost so many lives and we cannot afford that, we have to take care of our people. That's why I would have taken care of them since the beginning."

The 26-year-old model succeeds Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, who has the longest reign in the pageant's history due to the pandemic.

The Philippines’ Rabiya Mateo failed to enter the Top 10.

Rabiya was called first in the third batch of the Top 21, which was announced in groups of seven since 7 is considered lucky in many countries, but her name was last called at the swimsuit competition.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES MAY 18

1          2          3          4          T

10 Hornets0-1   24        21        33        39        117

9 Pacers1-0      40        29        39        36        144

SCORING LEADERS

M. Bridges CHA

23 PTS 8 REB 4 AST

O. Brissett IND

23 PTS 5 REB 2 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

8 Wizards0-1    21        33        26        20        100

7 Celtics1-0       27        25        38        28        118

SCORING LEADERS

B. Beal WAS

22 PTS 9 REB 6 AST

J. Tatum BOS

50 PTS 8 REB 4 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 47.87

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One person of integrity can make a difference.  - Elie Wiesel