INFLATION STEADIES ANEW IN MAY BUT SUPPLY WOES PERSIST

 

 

 

MANILA — Inflation was unchanged in May from April, marking a second straight month of stability although some supply problems driving up consumer prices were still there.

 

Inflation, as measured by consumer price index, stood at 4.5% year-on-year in May, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Friday. That brought the year-to-date tally to 4.4%, settling above the government’s 2-4% annual target for five consecutive months.

 

As it is, the May reading sustained an easing price growth that started in March, when inflation decelerated from a 2-year high. It removes some pressure from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to act against rising prices. For now, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno believes risks to the inflation outlook “are broadly balanced.”

 

“The implementation of the temporary reduction in tariffs on imported pork is seen to address supply constraints and ease price pressures on meat products going forward. Thus the projected decline of inflation depends crucially on the timely arrival of pork to help stabilize domestic prices,” Diokno said in a statement.

 

 

 

 

 

COMELEC STILL POWERLESS VS PREMATURE CAMPAIGNING

 

 

 

MANILA — Powerless against premature campaigning, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not likely to go after violators in next year’s elections since Congress will not be passing a new law to give more teeth to enforcement.

 

“Premature campaigning loopholes are really a tough one to plug,” said Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon yesterday. “Realistically, any legislation to be pushed now will not have enough time to make it in time for the 2022 elections.”

 

This was the legislator’s response to a query from Comelec spokesman James Jimenez on the chances of passing a law enabling the poll body to stop the perennial problem of premature campaigning.

 

Biazon noted that a person cannot be charged with premature campaigning if he or she has not officially filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) because until then, the individual is not considered a candidate.

 

The only way to stop premature campaigning, Biazon said, is to move the filing of candidacy much earlier, which the Comelec is not predisposed to do.

 

Under existing rules, the commission has no police power to prevent potential candidates from engaging in premature campaigning so it has long been pushing for legislative relief.

 

The problem, Jimenez said, is that measures against premature campaigning have never been a priority by both houses of Congress.

 

He said people who have expressed intentions whether in action or words to run to run for an elective post in May 2022 have the moral obligation to refrain from premature campaigning as well as early campaign spending.

 

 

 

 

 

US TO GIVE 80 MILLION COVID VACCINE DOSES TO PRIORITY NATIONS; PHILIPPINES INCLUDED

 

 

 

President Joe Biden outlined his plan Thursday for the first of 80 million coronavirus vaccine doses that the US will distribute globally before July, with 75 percent of shots disbursed via the COVAX program.

 

In a fact sheet, the White House said that for the doses shared through COVAX, Washington would prioritize countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa as it aims to help stave off fresh surges of infections.

 

"We are sharing these doses not to secure favors or extract concessions," Biden said in a statement.

 

"We are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic, with the power of our example and with our values."

 

Of the first tranche of 25 million doses, 19 million will be shared through COVAX.

 

Seven million of the 19 million will be set aside for Asia, including the Philippines, according to the White House website.

 

Other countries in the continent that will receive jab include India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands.

 

 

 

 

 

PNP SUBMITS TO DOJ RECORDS OF 53 DRUG KILLINGS

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) records of 53 police operations that resulted in the deaths of drug suspects.

 

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said yesterday they submitted copies of the documents on Wednesday, as requested by the DOJ. The PNP was supposed to submit 61 case folders but the submission of records of the eight other cases was put on hold due to pending appeals from the respondents.

 

“At least they already have copies of what they wish to review, and it’s up to them to match them against their records,” he told reporters in a phone interview in mixed English and Filipino.

 

The submission of case folders, Eleazar said, is part of his agreement with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra whose department is conducting a probe on alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) perpetrated by police in the conduct of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

 

Eleazar said the cases they have submitted have already been resolved by the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) which saw lapses on the part of police officers involved in anti-drug operations.

 

 

 

 

 

DILG: REVIEW PROTOCOLS FOR OFF-DUTY COPS

 

 

 

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review protocols for off-duty police officers following a spate of violent incidents involving police officers.

 

“My guidance is for the PNP leadership and chain of command to strictly supervise their men and instill discipline in the ranks. Review the SOP or protocols on police officers who are off-duty,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año told reporters.

 

He said the PNP should also expedite the resolution of pending cases against personnel.

 

Año noted that the National Police Commission (Napolcom) is also doing its job to ensure that scalawag police officers are taken off the roster by resolving pending administrative cases.

 

 

 

 

 

PNP TO START USING BODY CAMERAS THIS MONTH

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will launch today its body-worn camera system at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

 

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said around 3,000 body cameras were deployed to city police stations nationwide and will be utilized by their personnel within

 

the month.

 

However, all the approximately 1,400 municipal police stations in the country have yet to receive body cameras for their personnel.

 

“This is just eight percent of what we need, but it is good that we use them,” Eleazar said in an interview over ANC.

 

Eleazar earlier proposed to the Supreme Court the use of the gadgets during the implementation of search warrants.

 

“It will work both ways, sa ating mga kababayan, pati sa naaaresto, pati na rin sa amin (for the people, for those arrested, even for us),” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

ENERGY CHIEF SORRY FOR LUZON BROWNOUTS, SAYS POWER SUPPLY BACK TO NORMAL

 

 

 

MANILA — Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Thursday apologized for successive brownouts in Luzon island this week, as he assured that the supply was back to "normal."

 

Rotational brownouts hit parts of Luzon beginning Monday, as the hot weather pushed demand for power while supply was affected by maintenance work and unscheduled outages at key power plants in Luzon and low gas pressure from the Malampaya gas field.

 

The outages began the same day Cusi led a meeting of ruling party PDP-Laban in Cebu, drawing criticism from party president Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

 

"Normal na po ang supply ng kuryente for today. Ang supply po is more than sufficient to meet the projected demand today," Cusi said in a Palace press briefing.

 

"I apologize for the last 2 days na nagkaroon po ng rotating brownouts. Dahil po 'yon dahil sa sabay-sabay po na nagkaroon po ng breakdown ng 4 na plantang malalaki," said Cusi.

 

 

 

 

 

ISKO MORENO SAYS 'DEFINITELY RUNNING' IN 2022

 

 

 

MANILA - Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday said he is definitely running in the 2022 elections, but he has yet to decide what position he will seek.

 

"Busy ako sa pagka-mayor, may obligasyon ako sa mga taga-Maynila. I would rather focus on that until the last day na magdedesisyon ako and I’m going to be fair with our people. I’m going to be honest with our people, magpapaalam ako sa kanila. Kung anuman yun, that remains to be seen," he told ANC's Headstart.

 

Moreno said, although he is flattered and "honored" that he is being mentioned as an option for next year's elections, he will decide on his own.

 

"If and if I’m going to decide, I’m going to decide on my own—not because I was being endorsed by somebody, I’m being endorsed by another group. No, I will decide because kung sa tingin ko, puwede ako as option (because I think I can be an option)," he said.

 

"I don’t want to be part of divisiveness. I don’t want to be divisive kasi masyadong (because it's too) polarized...If I’m going to run, I will try to make sure to unify everybody, whatever colors they got," he added.

 

Moreno said he would rather focus on the pandemic rather than engage in "political shenanigans" like others who wish to forward their personal ambition.

 

The mayor has fared relatively well in recent surveys for next year's polls, especially in the vice-presidential race. He was also reportedly being considered as a potential candidate by the 1SAMBAYAN coalition. On Thursday, the Palace said Moreno is also included in President Rodrigo Duterte's list of choices for his successor.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

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PH LOGS 7,217 MORE COVID-19 CASES; ACTIVE INFECTIONS HIGHEST IN NEARLY 3 WEEKS

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippines on Thursday confirmed 7,217 more COVID-19 infections, the highest in 5 days, as the health department reported a continued spike in fresh cases outside Metro Manila.

 

The country's total recorded COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,247,899, of which 55,790 or 4.5 percent are considered active infections, based on the Department of Health's (DOH) latest bulletin.

 

According to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group, the day's active cases is the highest in nearly 3 weeks or since May 14, when the agency logged 57,286 patients battling the disease.

 

The country's death toll due to the virus increased to 21,357 with 199 newly reported fatalities.

 

 

 

 

 

EASTERN VISAYAS LOGS RECORD-HIGH COVID-19 CASES

 

 

 

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health (DOH)-Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development logged 276 COVID-19 cases yesterday, the highest recorded in a day since last year.

 

Tacloban recorded 44 new cases; Ormoc, 32; Leyte, 96; Southern Leyte, 21; Eastern Samar, 15; Samar, 21, and Biliran, 20.

 

Based on a report of the Philippine Genome Center, four were positive for the United Kingdom variant of the virus. Two of the patients are locally stranded individuals from Calbayog, Samar.

 

DOH regional director Exuperia Sabalberino said there are now 1,421 active cases in Eastern Visayas.

 

She said the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, the major COVID-19 referral hospital in the region, is at full capacity. There were 40 pending referrals in the hospital as of Tuesday.

 

“We are facing a frightening situation. We have to work together,” Sabalberino said.

 

 

 

 

 

ANO ANG MAAARING RASON KUNG BAKIT DI NAKABALIK PARA SA 2ND DOSE ANG ILANG NABAKUNAHAN NA?

 

 

 

MAYNILA—Posibleng nagkasakit o na-expose sa COVID-19 ang maaaring dahilan kaya hindi nakabalik sa second dose ang ilang vaccine recipient sa bansa, ayon sa isang infectious disease expert.

 

"Do'n sa mga nakikita natin sa mga vaccination site, nagkaroon sila ng mga karamdaman. Kailangan nilang magpagaling muna," saad ni Dr. Minette Claire Rosario, miyembro ng national immunization technical advisory group para sa COVID vaccine, sa panayam sa Teleradyo Biyernes.

 

"May pagkakataon kasi na posible na-expose o may nakasama silang household member na merong karamdaman.

 

"Iba-iba kasi 'yong dahilan. I don't think hindi nagiging dahilan 'yong parang lokasyon ng mga vaccination site. Merong naramdaman 'yong mga pasyente usually kaya hindi makakapunta."

 

Sa ulat ni Dr. John Wong sa isang town hall forum Miyerkoles, sinabi niya na nasa 1 milyon o kalahati ng mga Pilipino ang hindi nakasipot para matanggap ang second dose ng kanilang vaccine.

 

Pero nillinaw ito ng Department of Health na nasa 113,000 indibidwal o 9 porsiyento lang ang na-defer o naantala ang pagtanggap ng second dose.

 

Nagpaalala naman si Rosario sa kahalagahan ng pagkompleto ng 2 dose ng COVID-19 vaccine.

 

"Ang magiging peligro ay puwede silang magkaroon ulit ng karamdaman ng COVID," aniya.

 

"Alam naman natin na lalo na 'yong matanda at may karamdaman, mas matindi 'yong presentasyon ng sakit ng COVID sa kanila kaya gusto talaga namin na bumalik sila para sa doses nila."

 

 

 

 

 

MINDANAO COVID-19 CASES OUTPACING NCR+ – DOH

 

 

 

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday reported more regions nationwide posting a marked increase in COVID cases, with Mindanao outpacing the National Capital Region.

 

Dr. Alethea de Guzman of the Epidemiology Bureau said 12 regions have recorded higher rates of transmission as well as an increase in the average daily attack rate (ADAR) in the past week.

 

“What we saw and started to plug – the rising cases last week – became more evident nationally, in NCR and across all the island groups,” De Guzman said in a virtual briefing.

 

“Secondly, we also saw what we discussed as the speed of transmission… the Mindanao cases as a whole are higher than the number of cases we are seeing now in the rest of Luzon and even in the National Capital Region,” she added.

 

Although cases are not as high as in previous surges, De Guzman said all of Mindanao recorded a faster increase in cases.

 

Regions with positive growth rate are Zamboanga peninsula, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, Ilocos, Davao, Central Visayas, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

 

 

 

 

 

MANDALUYONG LGU DENIES REPORT THAT 'STAFF' INVOLVED IN VACCINE SALE SCHEME

 

 

 

MANILA - No government official or city hall staff is involved in a supposed "vaccine for sale" scheme, the city government of Mandaluyong on Friday said.

 

"Walang involved na local government official o staff ng city hall ng Mandaluyong," public information officer Jimmy Isidro told Teleradyo.

 

He also said that the person being investigated by the police was "neither a member of the city's vaccination team or barangay."

 

"Kaya po dine-deny po namin 'yong report na lumabas doon sa isang diyaryo na merong staff ng local government. Wala pong katotohan 'yon," Isidro said.

 

"Hindi po maganda para sa isang siyudad na kami po 'yong nagpapaimbestiga tapos wala kaming nakita at pagkatapos ay merong ganiyang lalabas na report," he said.

 

Isidro instead confirmed that authorities were tracking down another suspect who remains at large.

 

 

 

 

 

DACERA RESPONDENTS FILE RAPS VS 4 MAKATI COPS

 

 

 

MANILA — Five respondents in the case of Christine Dacera yesterday filed an administrative complaint against four Makati police officials who implicated them in the flight attendant’s death.

 

Gregorio de Guzman, Valentine Rosales, Rom Galido, JP dela Cerna and Clark Rapinan filed the complaint before the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (IAS) at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon.

 

They were accompanied by their counsel, Mike Santiago, during the filing.

 

The five are seeking the dismissal of Makati police chief Col. Harold Depositar, Cpt. Danilo Oamli, S/Sgt. Jun Alimurong and Cpl. Louie Lopez for allegedly mishandling the investigation, which led to them being tagged as suspects in Dacera’s death.

 

An autopsy showed Dacera died of aortic aneurysm but her family believes that she was given drugs and raped.

 

Sought for comment, IAS inspector Alfegar Triambulo said investigators have been instructed to resolve the complaint in 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

PAGASA: TROPICAL STORM DANTE LEAVES PAR BUT SEEN TO COME BACK

 

 

 

MANILA — Tropical Storm Dante (Choi-wan) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Friday morning but it could enter again, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

 

“Dante” exited PAR at 2 a.m. But based on its forecast track, its center will re-enter the country’s jurisdiction Friday afternoon.

 

The tropical storm was last seen 285 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte or 325 km west of Calayan, Cagayan packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph.

 

It was heading north at 20 kph.

 

As of Thursday, the death toll due to “Dante” rose to four.

 

What to expect

 

Once it re-enters PAR, “Dante” is expected to make a close approach or landfall in the vicinity of Taiwan. Then, it will move toward East China Sea.

 

It is expected to weaken into a tropical depression.

 

PAGASA said a gale warning remains in effect over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon (2.5 to 4.5 meters) due to rough to very rough seas. Sea travel is risk for small seacrafts over these waters.

 

The weather bureau also said cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are forecast to affect residents of Ilocos region, Zambales and Bataan.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

SNOOKY SERNA WINS BEST ACTRESS AT NEW YORK FILM FEST

 

 

 

MANILA — Film and television actress Snooky Serna, recently won the Jury Award Best Performance and Best Actress Award at the 11th International Film Festival Manhattan in New York.

 

Snooky earned the award for her performance in the movie "In the Name of the Mother."

 

According to a “24 Oras” report, Snooky said she did not expect to win the award and it’s a humbling experience.

 

"I really don't want to cry but I shed a tear. I really did not expect it at all that I'll win and I won two awards," Snooky said.

 

"It was a dream come true for me!"

 

Snooky won over her co-star in the movie, Kapuso actress Rita Daniela, who was also nominated in the Best Actress category.

 

Reports said that Snooky is the first actor to win two major awards at the film festival.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES JUNE 2

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

8 Wizards1-4    29        34        31        18        112

 

1 76ers4-1        29        36        38        26        129

 

GAME 5: PHI LEADS 4-1, WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

B. Beal WAS

 

32 PTS 7 REB 5 AST

 

S. Curry PHI

 

30 PTS 2 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

5 Hawks4-1       21        31        22        29        103

 

4 Knicks1-4       21        26        15        27        89

 

GAME 5: ATL LEADS 4-1, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

T. Young ATL

 

36 PTS 4 REB 9 AST

 

J. Randle NY

 

23 PTS 13 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

8 Grizzlies1-4    27        24        25        34        110

 

1 Jazz4-1          47        28        31        20        126

 

GAME 5: UTA LEADS 4-1, VIVINT SMART HOME ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

J. Morant MEM

 

27 PTS 7 REB 11 AST

 

D. Mitchell UTA

 

30 PTS 6 REB 10 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

5 Mavericks3-2 35        21        33        16        105

 

4 Clippers2-3    28        26        21        25        100

 

GAME 5: DAL LEADS 3-2, STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

L. Doncic DAL

 

42 PTS 8 REB 14 AST

 

P. George LAC

 

23 PTS 10 REB 6 AST

 

 

 

 

 

INDICATORS

 

 

 

FOREX $1 = P 47.82

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice. - Bob Marley