DUTERTE SEES MASS COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AS ‘LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL’

As more Filipinos get inoculated against Covid-19, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines is seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel.”

In a video message during the symbolic rollout of Covid-19 vaccine for essential workers, Duterte acknowledged the efforts of the national government in securing supplies of vaccines.

“We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel as the vaccine shipments have arrived, have started to arrive in bulk,” the Chief Executive said.

“This development is the result of our national government’s aggressive efforts to secure sufficient doses from different manufacturers,” he added.

Duterte also reminded those who have already received their Covid-19 shots to still observe health protocols.

“Let us keep in mind that vaccination is the only way forward for us to overcome this pandemic. We must also remember that getting vaccinated is not the only solution,” according to him.

“We must continue to observe minimum public health standards by wearing a mask, washing our hands, and observing social distancing,” he concluded.

PHILIPPINES EYES REACHING 6 MILLION COVID-19 JABS THIS WEEK

MANILA - The Philippine government is expecting to breach the 6-million mark in its COVID-19 vaccination program this week.

In a statement, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Philippines is expecting over 10 million COVID-19 vaccines this month.

With the increased stock, Galvez said the government eyes inoculating between 4 million to 5 million more people, with the total vaccination to reach 6 million by this week.

"Ang target natin ngayong month, magkaroon tayo ng four to five million na vaccinations, so itong linggo na ito, ang target natin, maka six million (jabs) na tayo," he said.

The government will start the vaccination of its fourth priority group (A4), the working population, or economic frontliners on June 7.

Galvez earlier said the government is planning on administering 500,000 jabs daily by the third quarter of the year, and increasing it to 740,000 shots a day.

Galvez also expressed confidence that the government will reach its target, with the bulk of its vaccine supply arriving by July.

GOV’T HOLD SYMBOLIC COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT FOR ECONOMIC FRONTLINERS

MANILA — The Philippines launched on Monday the vaccination against COVID-19  of economic frontliners or those belonging to the A4 priority group.

The government held a symbolic vaccination of some 50 individuals from the tourism, transportation, mass media, food service and business process outsourcing (BPO) industries and sectors at a mall in Pasay City.

TV hosts Iya Villania and her husband Drew Arellano were among those who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine administered by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

The vaccination of A4 will first focus on the so-called NCR Plus 8 comprising Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Batangas, Cebu, and Davao.

There are some 35.5 million workers under the A4 group.

Of this figure, approximately 13 million workers are located in the NCR Plus 8.

Local government units may give preference to persons 40 years old and above belonging to the said priority group.

ON PRIDE MONTH, ROBREDO CALLS FOR RESPECT, EQUAL PROTECTION FOR LGBTQIA+

In celebration of Pride Month, Vice President Leni Robredo called for intensified efforts towards a “fairer, humane, truly equitable society” where members of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community are treated with the “same love, respect and acceptance as everyone else.”

In a statement on Monday, Robredo joined the LGBTQIA+ community in celebrating Pride Month, taking note of the challenges its members faced and continue to face.

“Throughout the years, the LGBTQIA+ community provided a shelter to the oppressed, a voice to the marginalized, and a family to the isolated. Despite this, challenges persist,” she said.

These challenges, Robredo pointed out, include the lack of employment opportunities and access to healthcare services, different kinds of violence and discrimination in public and online spaces.

“[N]apakarami pang kailangang isulong [There are still a lot we can do] to truly establish an atmosphere of acceptance and genuine equality for all. That is why today and beyond this month-long celebration, we are called to intensify our efforts,” she said.

“Ang layunin natin: Isang lipunan kung saan lahat nasisilungan, lahat natutulungan, lahat naaaruga, anuman ang kasarian o katayuan sa buhay. Kung saan niyayakap ang LGBTQIA+ bilang kapwa tao who have the same rights and dignity, and that deserve the same love, respect and acceptance as everyone else,” she added.

“May we continue to deepen the ties that bind us as a nation and strengthen our collective resolve to build a fairer, humane, truly equitable society,” she further said.

CA UPHOLDS DISMISSAL OF TELECOM’S PETITION VS NTC

MANILA — The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the decision of a Manila court that denied the petition of a telecom company, which sought to stop the National Telecommunications Commission from implementing provisions of the NTC memorandum circular in the selection process of the third telco.

In a 40-page decision issued recently, the appellate court’s First Division said the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 42 did not abuse its power when it denied the petition filed by NOW Telecom Co. against the NTC.

The CA noted that the NTC has the exclusive jurisdiction to establish and prescribe rules, standards and specifications in all cases related to the certificate of public convenience and enforce the same.

“The petitioner failed to substantiate its allegation. Mere allegation that constitutionally protected rights were violated will not automatically result in the issuance of injunctive relief,” the CA decision read.

“An act of a court or tribunal can only be considered as committed with grave abuse of discretion when such is done in a whimsical exercise of judgment as is equivalent to lack of jurisdiction,” the appeals court added.

500,000 PINOY TO RECEIVE NATIONAL ID CARDS

MANILA — Some 500,000 national ID cards have been printed and are ready to be shipped to registrants nationwide.

National statistician Dennis Mapa said around 500,000 national ID cards were printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and are set for delivery by PhlPost, the official delivery partner of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

Project implementer Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) continues to roll out the third and final step of the national ID program, which includes the issuance of the PhilSys number and delivery of physical ID cards.

To protect the permanent PhilSys number when transacting, registrants are encouraged to use the PhilSys Card Number, the public version of the PhilSys number which is printed in front of the ID card.

PNP CHIEF: COPS MAY AVAIL OF CORONAVIRUS JABS FROM LGU VACCINATION CENTERS

MANILA — Personnel of the Philippine National Police can now avail of the coronavirus vaccines offered by the local governments they are deployed in.

This comes as vaccination of the A4 priority group, which consists of frontline workers and uniformed personnel, is set to begin.

In a statement, Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP chief, disclosed that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año greenlit the "temporary arrangement" allowing cops to get vaccinated in the localities of their assignments.

Eleazar said the PNP would not force vaccination on nor penalize policemen who are not willing to get COVID-19 shots.

“I assure you that there will be no coercion but we will expect our police to be more serious in helping the success of the national vaccination program by showing our countrymen the importance of vaccination against COVID,” the PNP Chief assured.

"They can serve as an example that there is nothing to fear from vaccination."

Warnings against vaccine-jumping?

Eleazar said that in the previous months, he has been warning police officers against jumping the inoculation priority line.

“We prohibited our cops from getting vaccinated if you aren't part of A1, A2 or A3. We're confident that all of us will receive a vaccine so we shouldn't be in a hurry," the PNP chief said in Filipino.

2 SLAIN IN MASBATE BLAST

MANILA — A former football player of the Far Eastern University (FEU) and his cousin were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by the New People’s Army (NPA) went off in Masbate City, Masbate yesterday morning.

Kieth Absalon, 21, former member of the FEU Men‘s Football Team, and his cousin Nolven Absalon, 40, were on bicycles along with their relatives when the IED exploded at around 6:35 a.m. in Purok 4, Barangay Anas.

Nolven‘s son Chrisbin Daniel, 16, was rushed to the Masbate Provincial Hospital for treatment of injuries, according to the Bicol police.

The Bicol police said the attack was perpetrated by the NPA.

The Communist Party of the Philippines has yet to confirm whether the NPA, its armed wing, was responsible for the attack.

“The whole police force of Bicol condemns the merciless detonation that killed helpless civilians. This incident is clear proof of the selfish philosophy of the NPA – violence that minds no person, place or age,” the Bicol police said.

The FEU community mourned the death of Absalon.

“The FEU Tamaraw Community is deeply saddened by the passing away of Kieth Absalon of the FEU Men’s Football Team. Kieth started his football journey with FEU as a 13-year-old seventh-grader in 2013 and became one of the best high school players in UAAP football history,” FEU said in a statement.

Ambush

More than three hours after the Masbate explosion, three persons were wounded when armed men believed to be NPA guerrillas ambushed a police special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team in Legazpi, Albay.

Visitacion Mariscotes, 38; her daughter Clara Fay, 11, and lawyer Myrna Patterson were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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PHILIPPINES LOGS 7,228 ADDITIONAL COVID-19 CASES

MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 7,228 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, pushing the country's total to 1,269,478.

The Department of Health (DOH) said 59,337 are active cases, of whom 95.9 percent are mild and asymptomatic.

The death toll rose by 166 to 21,898, while total recoveries increased by 7,372 to 1,188,243.

The DOH has been reporting more than 100 new fatalities for each of the last five days, according to the ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team.

Of the 43,442 who were last tested for the disease, 13.2 percent yielded positive results.

Guido said the positivity rate is over 13 percent for the fourth straight day.

QUAKES JOLT SURIGAO

MANILA — Earthquakes rocked Surigao del Norte yesterday, but there were no reports of damage or injuries, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

A magnitude-5.1 quake occurred at 11:20 a.m., with its epicenter located 29 kilometers northeast of Burgos town.

It was felt at Intensity 4 in Burgos and Sta. Monica; Intensity 3 in Dapa, San Isidro and General Luna, all in Surigao Del Norte, and Intensity 2 in Hinunangan, Silago, Hinundayan,  all in Southern Leyte; Surigao City and Socorro in Surigao del Norte.

Two tremors, measuring magnitude 4.9, also hit Burgos at 10:59 a.m. and 4:03 p.m.

The first quake occurred at 10:59 a.m. and was centered 15 km northeast of Burgos.

The second magnitude-4.9 temblor struck Burgos at 4:03 p.m. Its epicenter was located 33 km northeast of Burgos.

It was felt at Intensity 3 in Burgos and Intensity 2 in San Francisco, Southern Leyte.

QC VILLAGE EXECS FACE PROBE AFTER WEDDING CAUSES 72 CORONAVIRUS CASES

MANILA — The Quezon City government has launched a probe into a barangay captain and homeowners association president after they allegedly failed to prohibit nor subsequently report a public gathering and a drinking session that led to the transmission of the coronavirus to 72 residents.

In a statement, the Quezon City local government disclosed that Mayor Joy Belmonte directed the City Legal Department to investigate Brgy. Captain Allan Franza and Homeowners Association President Don Brabante, as well as all those involved in the superspreader event.

Based on the report by the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit, a total of 255 residents of Area 7, Matandang Balara was swabbed, yielding 72 who were confirmed positive.

"We've noticed that incidents like this one are increasing. The spread could've been prevented but we see that some people, including persons in authority, have started to become lax in the enforcement and practice of minimum health protocols," said Belmonte.

"This should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to remain vigilant and wary of COVID-19. The virus is still very much in our environment and we are counting on everyone's cooperation."

UP TRAINS STRAY DOGS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE

MANILA - The University of the Philippines Diliman has initiated a K9 program to train stray dogs around the campus to help in search and rescue operations.

"This project was conceptualized to help UP campus prepare for the eventuality of an emergency like an earthquake or any natural hazard instead of waiting for help from the outside," professor Khrysta Imperial Rara, project manager of Sagip K9 Training, told ANC.

As most dogs used to roam the streets, Rara said the animals were first subjected to behavior modification to change their undesirable behaviors.

"All of the dogs performed well. We only have 1 purebred. A Jack Russell. All the rest are asong Pinoy. They really performed well, especially the short-legged ones kasi (because) their noses are close to the ground," she said.

For Rara, who is an animal lover, the program also aims "to change perspectives and attitudes towards campus animals."

"Dati kasi (Before), they were rounded up and then brought to the pound. They were considered as pests. But now, people can see they have a role in the community. They can be therapy dogs... Now, we have a K9 unit to help during emergencies," she said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SHARON CUNETA CLARIFIES SHE NEVER UNDERWENT PLASTIC SURGERY: ‘I STILL HAVE MY LINES’

Sharon Cuneta made it clear that she has not had any kind of plastic surgery on her face, but admitted she has undergone non-invasive skin treatments.

The actress made the statement while speaking with celebrity doctor Aivee Teo for the latter’s YouTube vlog on Saturday, June 5. Teo told Cuneta that she has been reading some positive feedback about the Megastar’s appearance, saying that netizens have noticed she “looks good.”

“No. The comment is I look younger. My face hasn’t changed. It really hasn’t,” Cuneta told Teo. She also clarified that plastic surgery had nothing to do with her appearance, with Teo backing her up.

“Have I had plastic surgery on my face?” she asked the doctor, to which Teo replied, “No.”

Cuneta said she asked Teo to support her statement because netizens have been speculating that she underwent plastic surgery. She then noted that she still has wrinkles and lines that come with aging.

“People think [I had plastic surgery] and I still have those lines. I still have my lines,” she stressed. “So far, they (Teo’s clinic staff) just kept me tight, kept my skin from sagging my face and it’s been helping me fight gravity.”

Cuneta added that she has lost a lot of weight since she went to Teo’s clinic and they have helped keep her skin presentable to her audience despite the weight loss.

“I keep coming here for treatments to keep my skin tight. But when I lost weight, this is so important,” she stated, noting that the procedures are non-invasive.

This is not the first time Cuneta has denied plastic surgery speculations. She has previously clarified that she did not get a nose job back in 2018, pointing out that her nose looks “sharper” when she loses weight.

Teo’s vlog was shot before Cuneta flew to the United States last month, after she lost a role in a Steven Spielberg film due to a false positive COVID-19 test result.

SPORTS

HISTORY! YUKA SASO OF THE PHILIPPINES CROWNED US WOMEN’S OPEN GOLF CHAMPION

SAN FRANCISCO - Yuka Saso bounced back from two early double bogeys and bested Japan's Nasa Hataoka in the third hole of a sudden death playoff to win the 76th U.S. Women's Open golf championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Saso became the first Filipino player to win a golf major and announced herself as a new force in the game with her first major title.

Saso pumped her first and smiled after nailing a 10-foot birdie putt for the win after overcoming the early adversity on a picture-perfect day at the Lake Course.

"I was actually upset," she said about the two double bogeys in her first three holes, which seemed to doom her chances.

"My caddie talked to me and said there are still many holes to go and to keep doing what I've been doing the past few days," she said.

"And to trust the process."

All week Saso enjoyed the vocal support of fans from nearby Daly City, which is home to a large Filipino population.

Saso, who earlier in the tournament revealed she tried to emulate four-time men's major champion Rory McIlroy's swing, received encouragement from the Northern Irishman on social media on Sunday, which she said gave her a boost.

"Rory said, 'Get that trophy,' and I did. So thank you, Rory," she said with a laugh.

At 19 years, 11 months and 17 days, Saso matched South Korea's Park Inbee to the day as the youngest champion at the women's game's oldest major.

NBA SCORES JUNE 5 & 6

JUNE 5

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Bucks0-1       32        29        23        23        107

2 Nets1-0          30        33        35        17        115

GAME 1: BKN LEADS 1-0, BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY

SCORING LEADERS

G. Antetokounmpo MIL

34 PTS 11 REB 4 AST

K. Durant BKN

29 PTS 10 REB 3 AST

JUNE 6

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

5 Hawks1-0       42        32        25        29        128

1 76ers0-1        27        27        29        41        124

GAME 1: ATL LEADS 1-0, WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA

SCORING LEADERS

T. Young ATL

35 PTS 2 REB 10 AST

J. Embiid PHI

39 PTS 9 REB 4 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

5 Mavericks3-4 38        24        23        26        111

4 Clippers4-3    35        35        30        26        126

GAME 7: LAC LEADS 4-3, STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA

SCORING LEADERS

L. Doncic DAL

46 PTS 7 REB 14 AST

K. Leonard LAC

28 PTS 10 REB 9 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

No amount of belief makes something a fact. - James Randi