ANOTHER BATCH OF 2 MILLION SINOVAC VACCINE DOSES ARRIVE IN PH
MANILA — The Philippines received another batch of 2 million Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine doses on Thursday.
A Cebu Pacific flight that transported the vaccines from Beijing arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 7:30 a.m.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, along with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice-Mayor Honey Lacuña were present during the arrival.
Of the total doses, 1.6 million were procured by national government while 400,000 were purchased by the Manila city government.
Moreno said he is thankful that the vaccine doses arrived on the day Manila is celebrating its 450th Araw ng Maynila.
He said he is confident that with the regular arrival of vaccines the city will be able to achieve herd immunity by September.
More vaccine doses are set to arrive in the country, Duque and Galvez said.
As of June 17, 2021, a total of 14,205,807 vaccines of different brands have arrived in the Philippines, according to government data compiled by ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group.
NOYNOY AQUINO, 15TH PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, DEAD AT 61
MANILA - Former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III passed away on Thursday, just 5 years after he stepped down from office, according to a member of the family who asked not to be named pending official announcement.
Aquino was 61 years old. He had been largely silent and out of the public eye since the end of his presidency.
The former president, a known smoker, was hospitalized at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City on Thursday. His sister, actress Kris Aquino, was seen entering the medical facility but did not give a statement.
Aquino was swept into power in 2010 following the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, in 2009. Cory was elected after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution toppled the Marcos dictatorship.
The former president's parents had staunchly opposed Ferdinand Marcos' strongman rule, leading to the assassination of his father Benigno Aquino Jr. when he returned home from political exile in 1983.
Prior to assuming the country's top post, Aquino had served as a senator for six years and a lawmaker, representing the Tarlac constituency north of Manila from 1998 to 2007.
"I had no ambitions to run in the 2010 elections but I responded to the people's clamor. I am but the face of what we believe is the overwhelming demand of our people to repudiate everything wrong in this administration," Aquino said in a speech the same year.
It was under the Aquino administration when the Philippines brought China to the arbitral tribunal over its vast claims in the West Philippine Sea. Manila's victory against Beijing was announced in July 2016 after President Rodrigo Duterte had assumed power.
NOYNOY AQUINO IN HOSPITAL — REPORTS
MANILA — Former President Benigno Aquino III was brought to a Quezon City hospital on Thursday morning, according to reports.
Former Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II confirmed to BusinessWorld that the former president had been brought to the hospital.
Aquino, who stepped down as president in 2016, has kept a low profile since the end of his term of office.
According to reports, Aquino was brought to the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City, although there have been no official statements from his family yet.
In 2019, he was reported to have been admitted to the Makati Medical Center, supposedly for a medical procedure. He had been reported to be there for a "heart procedure," although his former spokesperson, Abugail Valte, said then that it was "for a scheduled check-up and a routine procedure."
SENATE MOURNS DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT; AQUINO 'INCORRUPTIBLE, INDIFFERENT TO POWER', SAYS LOCSIN
MANILA - Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday shared his grief on social media on the passing of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
“I’m out of Twitter from grief over the death of a sea-green incorruptible, brave under armed attack, wounded in crossfire, indifferent to power and its trappings, and ruled our country with a puzzling coldness but only because he hid his feelings so well it was thought he had none,” Locsin said.
Locsin, in a series of tweets, also gave credit to Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino whom he served before as her speechwriter and legal counsel.
Trillanes, who also served alongside Aquino in the Senate, said he was shocked and saddened by the former president's death.
"Si President Aquino ay talagang he served our country well, honestly, sincerely, to the best he could. Ang nakakasama ng loob lang is may mga masasamang elemento sa ating politika na pilit ginigiba ang kaniyang legacy, mga ginawa," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
"He lived up to the Aquino name nung nanilbihan siya, 'yun sana ang maalala sa kanya ng taumbayan (during his term, that's what I hope people will remember him by)."
"No matter what political side you're on, when a former president passes away, the country mourns," Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters.
"His death diminishes us all. Sincerest condolences from the Senate and my family," he said.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who served as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief during the Aquino administration, said he was "shattered in million pieces" after hearing the news of his friend's passing.
"The nation lost a leader, and I, a friend. But he was more than that. He was a mentor, a brother to me," Villanueva said in a statement.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said "hearing the news of PNoy’s passing is heartbreaking."
"It was indeed a privilege to have served with him - both in the Senate and the Executive Department, but more than that, to be his friend," said Lacson, who served as the rehabilitation czar in areas hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda, which devastated the Philippines during Aquino's rule.
"As our country’s leader, he did not deserve to be unappreciated. He served his country very well with humility, honor and integrity," he said.
Other senators also paid tribute to the late former president.
"Rest well knowing that in time your own legacy will be remembered as it should be, from a perspective that is objective," said Sen. Sonny Angara.
"You have earned your place in the annals of Philippine history. May the Lord bring comfort to PNoy’s siblings and rest of the Aquino clan," he said.
"My sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of former President Noynoy Aquino. You will be missed my friend… rest in peace," said former senator, now Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
"Maraming salamat sa iyong serbisyo sa bayan bilang Kinatawan ng Tarlac, Senador, at Pangulo ng Pilipinas," Sen. Nancy Binay said.
The flag outside the Senate building in Pasay City has been flown at half-mast over the passing of the former president and senator, Sotto said.
Aquino led the Senate Committee on Local Government in the 14th Congress, and was also vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
PANELO'S REMARK ADDS TO CONFUSION ON ARRESTING VACCINE DENIERS: LAWYERS' GROUP
MANILA - The recent statement of chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo only adds to the confusion surrounding the issue on arresting people who refuse to get COVID-19 vaccination, a lawyers' group said Thursday.
"That position adds to the confusion of our countrymen," Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Domingo Egon Cayosa told ANC's "Rundown".
"But for lawyers like us, including the justice secretary, and the spokesperson of the President... they've already clarified that without a law punishing the refusal to be vaccinated, there's no way anybody can order the arrest to these persons."
Panelo said Wednesday there was no need for a new law to punish those who don't want to get the jabs.
"We are in a state of national emergency due to the (deadly) pandemic. Drastic times demand for drastic measures," he said in a statement.
Panelo also cited the high tribunal's past ruling that the provisions of the 1987 Constitution relating to the promotion of health were “self-executory and do not require any enabling law.”
“Constitutional provisions on public health, by themselves, are operative and need no subsequent legislation for their enforcement,” he said.
This is in contrast to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra's position that no arrest can be made as there is no law yet mandating inoculation against coronavirus.
In the interview, Cayosa called on the government "to get their acts together."
"The confusion, contradictions, the urong-sulong (back and forth) makes it more difficult to compel obedience and that's why it's very important for anyone in leadership to get their acts together," he said.
NO SURVIVORS FOUND YET IN PH AIR FORCE CHOPPER CRASH IN TARLAC: SPOX
MANILA - No survivors have been found yet after a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Capas, Tarlac on Wednesday night, its spokesman said Thursday.
The S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing was "late from the estimated time of return to its station at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, thus prompting the eventual search," said PAF spokesperson Lt. Col Maynard Mariano.
“So far, no survivors have been found. The identities of the aircrew members will be provided as soon as the members of their families are properly notified,” he said in a statement.
The chopper is one of 6 Black Hawks of the PAF used for night flight proficiency trainings.
These trainings are meant to boost the capabilities of pilots and crew, prior to their full deployment to assist frontline units in their missions, the PAF said.
“This is from the first batch of the helicopter definitely because the second batch of helicopters has not yet been received formally,” Mariano said in a phone interview Tuesday night.
The PAF has yet to determine the cause of the mishap but assured search and retrieval operations continue to be conducted.
“We grieve for the loss. The PAF will conduct a thorough inquiry to determine the circumstances of this unfortunate incident. For the meantime, all the other Blackhawks will not be flown until the conclusion of the investigation," Mariano said.
CARDINAL ADVINCULA INSTALLED AS MANILA'S 33RD ARCHBISHOP
MANILA - Cardinal Jose Advincula on Thursday officially took the helm of the Archdiocese of Manila, the premier ecclesiastical see in the Philippines.
In a ceremony held at the historic Manila Cathedral, Advincula was seated at the "cathedra" — the bishop's chair and the symbol of his teaching authority — officially becoming the 33rd archbishop and the 6th Filipino to assume the position.
He was accompanied by the pope's representative in the country, Archbishop Charles John Brown.
Advincula was also welcomed by mayors of five cities under his jurisdiction, including Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and Makati Mayor Abigail Binay.
The scaled-down ceremony was held under strict protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Only a select number of guests, including bishops, priests and government officials, were allowed inside the cathedral.
The 69-year-old archbishop from Capiz is now the lead pastor of nearly 3 million Catholics in 86 parishes with over 600 priests and religious men and women.
He succeeded Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who is now based in Rome as the head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
CHR PUSHES STRICTER IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday expressed support for the creation of an office that will ensure the strict enforcement of environmental laws in the country.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia described as a “positive step” the creation of an interim office within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that will be in charge of implementing existing laws protecting the country’s rich ecosystems.
The interim office was established pending the approval of the proposed legislation that would create a permanent Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau that will consolidate in a single office the DENR’s mandate to enforce environmental laws.
“CHR emphasizes that much is at stake if we will continue to disregard the environment and let violators, such as illegal loggers and wildlife poachers, scot-free,” said De Guia.
“An adequate, healthy environment is a necessary condition to make all other human rights possible, including rights to life, food, health and adequate standards of living,” she added.
De Guia cited the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that underscores the government’s obligation to uphold everyone’s right to live in an environment conducive for their health and well-being.
She also stressed the need to recognize the duty of individuals and corporations to also protect the environment for the generations to come.
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NCR COVID-19 DEATH RATE DECLINING
MANILA — A marked decline in mortality from COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been observed over the past three months, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.
At a forum, DOH-Epidemiology Bureau director Alethea de Guzman said that from an average of 121 deaths per day in April, the agency is seeing 56 deaths daily this month.
“This is an improvement but we want to push it down even further. We were only seeing 29 deaths per day last December,” she said.
De Guzman added they also monitored a decline in deaths in Central Luzon but this is “not as fast” as in NCR.
“We have already requested our regions to further study their death data so we can identify what else we can do so that we can push (down) our death number even more,” she said.
Based on DOH data as of June 23, the death toll for COVID-19 is 23,928, representing 1.74 percent of the total 1,372,232 cases.
The NCR is now classified as “low risk” for COVID-19 cases, with De Guzman noting a 23 percent decline in infections in the last two weeks.
MAKATI GETS HIGHEST COA RATING
MANILA — The Commission on Audit (COA) has given Makati an “unmodified opinion” or the highest rating, citing the city’s consistent compliance with auditing rules and procedures.
Mayor Abby Binay said she was elated by the news, as Makati has set a new record among local government units (LGUs) for having obtained the highest audit rating for an unprecedented four years in a row.
“This achievement is immensely gratifying and does justice to the efforts of the city government to keep transactions and spending above board during the pandemic. We made sure that even our emergency purchases for COVID-19 response were done by the book. We also prioritized our fund allocations to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable sectors affected by the crisis,” Binay said in a statement on Tuesday.
In a letter to the mayor dated June 16, COA director Omar Roque said the audit body rendered an “unmodified opinion on the fairness of presentation of the financial statements of the city government.”
Based on the Independent Auditor’s Report, Makati’s financial statements in 2020 were in accordance with the international Public Sector Accounting Standards, according to COA.
Binay thanked the audit body for its “fair and impartial” evaluation of the city’s financial statements since she assumed office in June 2016.
SENATORS: ARE OFFICIALS PROFITING FROM SALE OF SHIELDS?
MANILA — Senators have raised the possibility that some government officials may be profiting from the sale of face shields, noting that health authorities have yet to present solid scientific basis for their mandatory use.
The lawmakers cited past instances during which vital equipment, testing kits and other supplies for COVID-19 response were found to be overpriced, as well as irregularities in the disbursements of dole-outs for the poor as uncovered in Senate investigations.
“People cannot help but suspect something is wrong somewhere,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters in a text message yesterday.
SAN JUAN SCRAPS WATER DOUSING FESTIVITIES
MANILA — For the second time, San Juan will scrap water dousing festivities for today’s celebration of the feast of St. John the Baptist amid the threat of the more transmissible variants of COVID-19.
Mayor Francis Zamora yesterday signed Executive Order 84, listing the activities allowed during the occasion.
The city government banned the traditional water dousing to avoid the transmission of COVID-19.
“There’s no way we can let the occasion pass without honoring our patron saint. Although a little less lively as we have to suspend our traditional basaan (dousing of water) and streetdancing, the essence of St. John’s inspiration to the San Juaneños remains with us,” Zamora said.
Newly installed Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will celebrate a mass at the Pinaglabanan Church at 6 p.m today.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
YAM ENGAGED NA!
Engaged na si Yam Concepcion sa long time boyfriend niyang si Miguel Cuunjieng. Nag-propose sa kanya ito last December 2018 pa nang magbakasyon sila sa Niseko, Japan.
Ito ang ishinare ng Init Sa Magdamag actress kahapon sa kanyang social media accounts. “A thousand cranes YES @mrcuu 12.31.18 11:59pm #747,” sabi nito sa post niya.
Sa New York na nag-celebrate ng birthday ang Kapamilya actress kung saan naka-base si Miguel.
Obviously ay magtatagal sa New York si Yam na ayon sa kanya ay “Work in progress… slowly building our home” ang apartment nila sa Manhattan. Doon na nag-celebrate ng birthday last May si Yam.
Sinasabi ngang suwerte sa lovelife ang actress dahil kilalang sustainability consultant ng mga international financial player sa Amerika ang mapapangasawa. Graduate ng Philosophy in Environmental Studies at Santa Clara University, may Master of Business Administration din ito sa Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
At higit sa lahat, isa ito sa tatlong anak ng top investment banker at chairman ng Evercore Asia Limited na si Mr. Stephen Cuunjieng base sa profile ng kanilang family.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Yam sa interview na ready na siya to settle down.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES JUNE 22
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
4 Clippers0-2 22 25 24 32 103
2 Suns2-0 25 23 27 29 104
GAME 2: PHO LEADS 2-0, PHOENIX SUNS ARENA, PHOENIX, AZ
SCORING LEADERS
P. George LAC
26 PTS 6 REB 6 AST
C. Payne PHO
29 PTS 1 REB 9 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 48.80
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible. Friendship needs a certain parallelism of life, a community of thought, a rivalry of aim. - John Adams
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