AUSTRALIA TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH PHILIPPINES FOR ‘PROSPEROUS’ INDO-PACIFIC

MANILA — Australia will continue to work with the Philippines for an “open, inclusive, stable, prosperous and free” Indo-Pacific, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said over the weekend.

Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia, Morrison emphasized the two countries’ shared history of the free, democratic and sovereign nations, and wide ranging links in defense, trade, education, security and development.

“Our people-to-people links are strong and enduring – as they should be for countries that share a home: our Indo-Pacific. We also share a vision of what our home should be. Open, inclusive, stable, prosperous and free,” Morrision said in a video message.

“That is what we have worked for over the last 75 years. And it is what we will continue to work for – together – over the next 75,” he said.

Morrison acknowledges shared values of mateship and bayanihan, and the hard work over the past 75 years of both countries to secure an inclusive, stable and prosperous region.

“Australia looks forward to working with the Philippines to uphold these values,” he added.

On May 22, 1946, Australia’s first consulate was opened in the Philippines.

“It was your great Filipino Patriot, Jose Rizal, who once said, ‘He who does not know how to look back at where we have come from, will never get to his destination,’” Morrison continued.

The Philippines and Australia, he said, forged a bond more than 75 years ago, during the great conflict of the Second World War.

“On the beaches at Leyte, in the jungles at Mindanao and the seas of Lingayen Gulf. It was there that our bayanihan or mateship – as we say in Australia – was born,” Morrison said. “We stood together against the militarism and the cruelties of those terrible times. Together we won a peace, together we won a war.”

He said bayanihan is the “source of our enduring respect and cooperation” and “our bilateral relationship is far-reaching.”

WUHAN LAB STAFF SOUGHT HOSPITAL CARE BEFORE COVID-19 OUTBREAK DISCLOSED - WSJ

WASHINGTON - Three researchers from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) sought hospital care in November 2019, months before China disclosed the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing a previously undisclosed US intelligence report.

The newspaper said the report - which provides fresh details on the number of researchers affected, the timing of their illnesses, and their hospital visits - may add weight to calls for a broader probe of whether the COVID-19 virus could have escaped from the laboratory.

The report came on the eve of a meeting of the World Health Organization's decision-making body, which is expected to discuss the next phase of an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

A National Security Council spokeswoman had no comment on the Journal's report but said the Biden administration continued to have "serious questions about the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its origins within the Peoples Republic of China."

She said the US government was working with the WHO and other member states to support an expert-driven evaluation of the pandemic's origins "that is free from interference or politicization."

"We're not going to make pronouncements that prejudge an ongoing WHO study into the source of SARS-CoV-2, but we've been clear that sound and technically credible theories should be thoroughly evaluated by international experts," she said.

The Journal said current and former officials familiar with the intelligence about the lab researchers expressed a range of views about the strength of the report's supporting evidence, with one unnamed person saying it needed "further investigation and additional corroboration."

MULTILATERAL APPROACH BETTER IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA DISPUTE – ROBREDO

MANILA — If all were to be left to bilateral talks with China, the Philippines would not be able to protect its interests in the West Philippine Sea, Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday.

“Experts have been saying for a long time that bilateral talks with China will not help our country because we’re too small compared to them. The standing is not equal,” Robredo said over dzXL.

The Vice President has been pushing for a multilateral approach since 2016, urging the government to work with other countries to effectively stand up against Beijing’s actions in disputed maritime territories.

“We should push for multilateral talks, not only with China and the Philippines but with other countries that share our issue, and have the same concern,” Robredo said.

“I believe that we can equalize the footing if we have allies who share the same concerns,” she said.

Her comments came two days after officials of the Philippines and China met virtually for the sixth engagement of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea.

In a statement on Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said “there was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area.”

But Robredo insisted: “Multilateral talks will help in protecting our interest than bilateral talks.”

She said the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory over China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea would have encouraged other nations to hold multilateral talks.

“That (arbitral award) would have been the basis for our unity. It would have strengthened our, and other countries’ resolve to hold multilateral talks because we hold an arbitral decision,” she said.

PHILIPPINES TO RUN COVID-19 VACCINE MIX-AND-MATCH TRIAL NEXT MONTH

MANILA - The Department of Science and Technology said Monday it would launch a study into mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccine brands as the country has yet to receive a steady supply of doses.

The 18-month study which will involve 1,200 participants is expected to begin next month, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said. It is awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration and the Health Research Ethics Board, he added.

"Ito po ay magkaibang bakuna sa 2 doses. Meron po tayong 7 bakuna na approved with an EUA (emergency use authorization) pero di po natin masiguro kung dadating sa tamang petsa yung kailangang second dose kaya mangangailangan tayo na magkaroon ng kombinasyon ng bakuna," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Gagamitin po 'yan para magkaroon tayo ng basis kung alin ang magandang ipag-mix. Puwede naman lahat yan kaya lang titingnan ano ang mas magandang kombinasyon."

The study will focus on mixing Sinovac with other brands as the country has a steady supply of the former vaccine, Dela Peña said.

Participants will come from Manila, Rizal, Pasig, Makati, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Cebu and Davao, according to Dela Peña.

DOST OKS 2 RESEARCH PROJECTS ON COVID-19 VACCINES

MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has approved the conduct of two research and development projects that will look into the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and the mix-and-match of these vaccines.

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña yesterday said the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development has approved the two studies to be done separately by the Philippine Society for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the University of the Philippines-Manila.

The PSAAI, which will study the mix-match of various COVID-19 vaccines, was allocated a funding of P133 million, while UP-Manila was given P114.9 million for the immuno-surveillance study.

Dela Peña said the PSAAI research, to be led by Dr. Michelle de Vera, was approved to address the COVID-19 vaccination concerns in the Philippines, including the unpredictable vaccine supply.

The study also aims to determine if the high-risk population that completed the dosing regimen of a vaccine would develop a better immune response after receiving a booster dose.

DEPED PUSHES POST-PANDEMIC ONLINE LEARNING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) should continue delivering distance education online and through broadcast TV even in the post-pandemic new normal scenario.

Alain Del Pascua, education undersecretary for administration, said the growing capability and expertise in distance learning started in earnest during the pandemic would also address the persistent problem of classroom shortage that is expected to again crop up when face-to-face classes resume post-pandemic.

“We need to master distance learning now, making all the necessary improvements and perfecting our processes for the DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, DepEd Radio, the DepEd Learning Management System, the DepEd Mobile App, and others,” Pascua said in a speech at the first-ever Asia Pacific Public Sector Digital Summit.

“If there are no face-to-face classes, then we have to devise all means to reach out to our learners and to bring basic education to them. We have to educate, by all means, we have to teach by all means, and our learners have to learn by all means,” Pascua noted.

ASSIGN COVID-19 MARSHALS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT – LAWMAKER

MANILA — To ensure strict compliance with health protocols in public transportation, a House leader wants marshals to be deployed in buses, trains and jeepneys which tend to load passengers beyond the limit during rush hour.

“I have been informed that passengers are almost jampacked in buses and jeepneys,” said Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, chairman of the House committee on transportation.

He pointed out that as head of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Secretary Arthur Tugade has the power to deploy “public transportation marshals” tasked with enforcing health and safety protocols on public utility buses and vehicles (PUBs and PUVs).

“Commuters who are asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers are potential super-spreaders and until we are able to reach our vaccination goals, we cannot let our guard down,” said Sarmiento in justifying the need for marshals.

UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES EYE PROCUREMENT OF COVID VACCINES FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY: CHED

MANILA - The Commission on Higher Education denied Monday that allowing universities and colleges to procure COVID-19 vaccines for students and faculty is a form of discrimination.

"Many" universities inquiring about buying COVID-19 vaccines have been referred to the office of Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, CHEd chairman Prospero de Vera said.

The commission will meet with health experts this week on the vaccination of students "to see what is the best approach and way to do it," he added.

"Please don’t worry that we are trying to discriminate against certain students or certain institutions. It is just that certain institutions want to do it earlier and this is allowed for private companies to procure their own vaccine for their employees and in this case for their students and faculty," he told ANC's Headstart.

"Many of these universities are connected with big companies and I think they're planning to procure it in connection with the purchases of these big companies. We leave it to their negotiations with government and their procurement. We’re not involved in the procurement itself."

De Vera said "many" faculty members of universities were vaccinated as majority belong to the A1 (health workers) to A3 (persons with comorbidities) categories.

The CHEd was also successful in lobbying for the inclusion of skeletal workforce in higher education institutions in the essential workers (A4) category, he added.

VACCINATION 24/7 SEEN AT NAYONG PILIPINO SITE

MANILA — While the Department of Health (DOH) earlier said it was not yet prioritizing the non-stop operation of vaccination sites, the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 said the mega vaccination facility that the government was planning to build inside Nayong Pilipino could be capable of doing vaccinations round the clock.

NTF spokesman Restituto Padilla over the weekend said since the plan is for the mega vaccination site to have its own storage facility, continuous vaccination could be possible there, which he said the government plans to launch within 45 days.

“What’s good about this is this has its own storage facility, the 24/7 (vaccination) can be done there because they can get their hands on vaccines unabated,” he said in an interview aired over dzBB.

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PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS OVER 3,000 NEW COVID-19 CASES; DEATH TOLL NEARS 20,000

MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 3,083 new cases of the COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 1,179,812.

The Department of Health also reported 6,756 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 1,109,226.

This means that the country has a total of 50,635 active cases as of 4 p.m. Sunday.

Thirty eight more deaths were reported from the illness, bringing COVID-19’s death toll in the Philippines to 19,951.

The DOH said some data were not included in today's case bulletin because of updates being done to the agency's COVIDKaya system, resulting in low case numbers this Sunday.

METRO MANILA MAYORS TO MEET ON VACCINE SLOT SALE

MANILA — Metro Manila mayors will meet this week to discuss the reported sale of vaccines or offering of slots in the government’s vaccination program.

Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez yesterday said the selling of COVID-19 vaccines is illegal as these were procured by the government and are given free to all qualified citizens.

Olivarez stressed that the Food and Drug Administration has also not approved the marketing or sale of vaccine doses.

“We have received reports about some unscrupulous individuals offering COVID-19 vaccines for sale or assuring slots in the vaccination program of cities in Metro Manila,” he said.

The vaccines are reportedly being sold from P10,000 to P15,000, depending on the brand, he said.

Olivarez warned that those caught selling COVID vaccines would face the full force of the law.

HIGIT 2,000 NALIGO SA ILOG SA BULACAN, KARAMIHAN WALANG FACE MASK

MANILA - Iniimbestigahan ng pulisya ang higit 2,000 katao na dumayo para maligo sa ilog sa Barangay Matictic sa bayan ng Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Ayon kay Police. Col. Lawrence Cajipe, director ng Bulacan Police Provincial Office, dinagsa nitong Linggo ang Bakas River sa kabila ng COVID-19 pandemic.

Nasa 75 katao ang natiketan ng pulis dahil sa paliligo sa ilog habang pinauwi naman ang daan-daang iba pa. Karamihan umano sa mga pumunta sa Bakas River ay hindi nagsuot ng face mask.

Inaalam din ng mga pulis ang paniningil umano ng barangay officials sa paliligo sa ilog.

"Napag-alaman po natin na 'yong barangay officials instead magbawal ay naningil pa ng entrance papasok doon sa ilog na ito," ani Cajipe sa panayam sa Teleradyo nitong Lunes.

Sa ilalim ng general community quarantine, pinahihintulutang mag-operate ang mga outdoor tourist attraction sa 30 porsiyento na kapasidad.

Nasa ilalim ng "GCQ with heightened restrictions" ang Bulacan hanggang sa Mayo 31.

COVID-19 POSITIVE SA 'QC POOL PARTY' SUMIRIT PAAKYAT SA 54

MANILA — Umakyat sa 54 ang nagpositibo sa coronavirus disease (COVID-19) matapos ang isang "pool party" sa Lungsod ng Quezon, pagkukumpirma ng kanilang lokal na pamahalaan.

Una nang ibinalita na umabot sa 51 ang COVID-19 positive mula sa nasabing pagtitipun-tipon, bagay na tumalon pa paitaas.

"Nagkaroon ng improvised pool party. Merong diskuhan, may sayawan, may inuman, may videoke. Kompleto po at walang nagsusuot ng masks," wika ni QC Mayor Joy Belmonte, Lunes, sa panayam ng TeleRadyo.

"Sa pagka-conduct... ng interviews sa taumbayan, saka pa lang nila nalaman na nagkaroon pala ng three-day fiesta celebration [sa Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon] from May 9 to May 11."

Itinuturing nang "superspreader" ng alkalde ang nasabing event.

Naglabas na tuloy ng show cause order laban sa kapitan ng barangay kaugnay ng insidente. Lumalabas din na galing pa mismo sa fire truck ng mga bumbero ang ginamit na tubig para punuin ang isang inflatable pool. Sa covered court naman nangyari ang inuman.

ONSET OF MONSOON SEASON POSSIBLE BETWEEN END-MAY TO MID-JUNE: PAGASA

MANILA - Umbrellas ready! State weather bureau PAGASA said Monday the onset of the wet season is estimated between the last week of May and mid-June.

Easterlies continue to prevail which may bring "generally fair weather" and partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains in Metro Manila and the rest of the country, said PAGASA weather forecaster Ezra Bulquerin.

There is no weather disturbance monitored within the next 3 to 5 days, he added.

"For now, nakikita po natin possible last week ng May o mid-week ng June ang onset of southwest monsoon," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BTS POP-UP STORE TO OPEN IN MANILA ON MAY 29

MANILA — K-pop superstars BTS will open a pop-up store in Manila where fans can buy the boy band's official merchandise, the group's agency said late Sunday.

BTS Pop-up: Map of the Soul will open in the Philippine capital on May 29 and run until August 29, according to a post on one of HYBE Corp.'s Twitter accounts.

The pop-up store is inspired by BTS' studio album, "Map of the Soul: 7," released in February 2020.

HYBE also announced that it would open BTS Pop-up: Map of the Soul in Bangkok, Thailand and Taipei, Taiwan, while BTS Pop-up: Space of BTS would have a showcase in Singapore.

Just last month, the management of SM Megamall posted a photo of a vacant space in the shopping center that showed the BTS logo, prompting fans to speculate that the pop-up store would open there.

On Monday, the 7-piece act won in all 4 categories that it was nominated in at the Billboard Music Awards.

Last week, the band dropped its latest single "Butter," which, according to Yonhap News Agency, topped more than 100 regional iTunes chart.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES MAY 22

FINAL/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

6 Heat0-1         24        26        28        21        8          107

3 Bucks1-0       22        31        27        19        10        109

SCORING LEADERS

G. Dragic MIA

25 PTS 2 REB 1 AST

K. Middleton MIL

27 PTS 6 REB 6 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

5 Mavericks1-0 33        27        26        27        113

4 Clippers0-1    30        25        25        23        103

SCORING LEADERS

L. Doncic DAL

31 PTS 10 REB 11 AST

K. Leonard LAC

26 PTS 10 REB 5 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

7 Celtics0-1       21        32        20        20        93

2 Nets1-0          16        31        31        26        104

SCORING LEADERS

J. Tatum BOS

22 PTS 3 REB 5 AST

K. Durant BKN

32 PTS 12 REB 1 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

6 Trail Blazers1-0          35        23        38        27        123

3 Nuggets0-1    30        31        25        23        109

SCORING LEADERS

D. Lillard POR

34 PTS 2 REB 13 AST

N. Jokic DEN

34 PTS 16 REB 1 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I’m careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business. – Michael Fox