US SAYS CHINA'S SEA CLAIMS HAVE 'NO BASIS' IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

SINGAPORE - Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea have "no basis in international law", taking aim at China's growing assertiveness in the hotly contested waters.

Austin's broadside came at the start of his first trip to Southeast Asia as US defense secretary, as he seeks to rally allies in the region as a bulwark to China.

President Joe Biden's administration wants to reset relations with Asian countries and build alliances to face Beijing, after the turbulence and unpredictability of the Donald Trump era.

Speaking in Singapore, Austin criticized China's actions in the disputed sea, where Beijing has overlapping territorial claims with several Southeast Asian states.

Beijing's claim to the vast majority of the South China Sea has no basis in international law," he said in a speech hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank.

"That assertion treads on the sovereignty of the states in the region," he said, adding that the US will support countries in defending their rights.

The US "will not flinch when our interests are threatened," Austin said -- but he insisted Washington does "not seek confrontation" with China.

"I am committed to pursuing a constructive, stable relationship with China, including stronger crisis communications with the People's Liberation Army."

'MILESTONE' UN-PHL RIGHTS PROGRAM JUST SPIN IF KILLINGS CONTINUE, HRW SAYS

MANILA — A new joint program between the United Nations and the Philippines to improve human rights conditions in the country will just be "spin" in the face of continued killings during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Human Rights Watch said.

HRW Asia Division Senior Researcher Carlos Conde noted that while the Philippine government hailed its three-year joint program for capacity building, it is “a spin that flies in the face of the bloody rights catastrophe that is the government’s war on drugs.”

“The agreement with the UN should not by itself be considered progress, which should be measured by accountability and effective reforms,” Conde also said.

UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez meanwhile noted the agreement as a "critical milestone," as "the first-ever UN joint program on human rights in the Philippines, where we put together the capacities and resources of the UN in support of a wide range of national institutions."

PALACE DEFENDS SONA FOCUS ON DRUG WAR

MANILA — The opposition’s criticisms against President Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) are expected, Malacañang said yesterday as it defended his decision to focus on the administration’s controversial war on drugs.

Critics have claimed that Duterte’s SONA lacked substance, saying the President devoted too much time on the drug war even if people wanted to hear his plans to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some sectors have also dismissed Duterte’s nearly three-hour speech as a joke, while others said the President sounded too defensive about the crackdown on drugs.

“We do not expect the opposition to praise the SONA. The SONA is not new. No one from the opposition has praised the SONA. Of course, they won’t do anything but criticize what the President said because they are from the opposition. We expected that,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing.

Roque said some of the government’s programs have been discussed in pre-SONA briefings.

He said among the topics tackled during the briefings were economic measures and efforts to fast-track the vaccination program.

Roque also parried criticism that Duterte devoted too much time talking about the drug problem.

“There’s nothing wrong with what the President discussed because that’s his promise to the people. He has to report about his promises,” the Palace spokesman said.

Roque also shrugged off the tirades of the National Union of Students Philippines against the implementation of the distance learning program, saying education could not be disrupted because of the pandemic.

“Blended learning is not perfect but we need to find a way to continue the education of our youth. During a pandemic, stopping classes completely is not acceptable to the President. That’s why we adopted blended learning, a combination of computer-aided learning and modules,” he added.

METRO MANILA HEALTHCARE CAPACITY AT 'MODERATE RISK' IN EVENT OF NEW COVID SURGE: DOH

MANILA - Metro Manila's healthcare capacity is at "moderate risk" in the event of another COVID-19 surge, the Department of Health said Wednesday.

The DOH has different parameters and thresholds than independent research groups such as OCTA, said its spokesperson Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

OCTA Research had proposed a "circuit breaker" lockdown to reverse what it said was the early stages of a virus surge possibly due to the Delta variant in the capital region.

Metro Manila's virus reproduction rate, or the number of people infected by a virus patient, is "more than 1," according to Vergeire.

"Ngayon po nasa moderate risk tayo at binabantayan namin araw-araw," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Sa nakikita ho natin ngayon, we’re still managing but as I’ve said very cautious tayo na isang araw makita natin lumagpas ng threshold then we will increase or escalate the restrictions."

Vergeire reminded the public to continue to follow minimum health standards and to get vaccinated for protection against severe COVID-19.

Early lockdown timing is "very effective" in "saving lives, reducing infection and reducing mortality," said OCTA Research fellow Ranjit Rye.

PANELO SHOULD SAY SORRY FOR TAGGING HIDILYN DIAZ IN SUPPOSED OUSTER PLOT: GORDON

MANILA - Former Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo should admit his mistake in once tagging Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold, in an alleged plot to remove President Rodrigo Duterte, a senator said Wednesday.

In 2019, Panelo presented a "matrix" that included Diaz, containing names of personalities who were allegedly involved in an "Oust Duterte" plot. The Olympian denied this, saying she was too busy preparing for the games.

Panelo "has the tendency to follow the party line or the President’s line" since he and other members of the Cabinet speak on Duterte's behalf all the time under the principle of law, said Sen. Richard Gordon.

"At the very least, they should say ‘We made a mistake, we are sorry. We are happy that she won.’ Tapos. ‘That is the information that we got and maybe we should not have done it that way, open our mouths and insert our feet into them.’ That’s why big mouth don’t make big men," Gordon told ANC's Headstart.

"There is no accounting for taste, there is no accounting for ethics. If you’re a man, you act like a man and you own up to it," he said.

Diaz, who took home the country's first gold medal in the Summer Games on Monday evening, had previously said she feared for her life after she was included in the matrix.

After her triumph in the Olympics, she even mentioned this when talking about the hardships she had to face.

After Diaz's win, Panelo released a statement congratulating her, but did not mention anything about Malacañang's previous allegations. He talked about it in a statement the following day.

"When reporters noted the name of Ms. Diaz in the matrix two years ago and hastily concluded that the government is declaring her to be part of an ouster plot against the President, I immediately issued a statement averring otherwise," he said.

"I explained that the name of Ms. Diaz was shown in the diagram as she was being followed in social media by a certain Rodel Jayme who was connected to the uploading of the video titled, 'Ang Totoong Narco List', with the sole purpose of revealing to the public the interests, personality and disposition of the latter online," he added.

Panelo also denied the contents of a social media card, maintaining that he never said Diaz was not entitled to drugs just because she was a sports medalist.

"It is truly disheartening that there are people who seek to take the limelight out of Ms. Diaz's recent triumph and convert it into a political skirmish of who should and should not celebrate our country's win," he said.

"As for me, I can only admire Ms. Diaz and sincerely congratulate her who, together with our other athletes in Tokyo, continues to make us proud," he added.

MARAWI ADVOCATES PRESS DUTERTE TO MAKE COMPENSATION BILL A PRIORITY

MANILA — Advocates are clamoring for President Rodrigo Duterte to identify as a priority measure during his final State of the Nation Address a proposal providing financial compensation for the survivors of the 2017 Marawi siege.

Marawi Compensation Advocates, a new coalition of 15 civil society organizations in the city, is pressing for Duterte to state his support for the compensation bill during his SONA.

"This is our plea to our president and lawmakers — to certify the passing of the compensation bill as urgent, so that we might have some justice for what happened in Marawi," said Ding Cali, a member of the coalition and director of the Kalimudan sa Ranao Foundation, Inc.

Certifying a bill as urgent exempts it from a rule that requires that a bill be read in plenary in separate readings on separate days. It also sends a strong signal for members of Congress, especially in one dominated by administration allies, to speed up passage of a proposed measure.

Saripada Pacasum Jr., a member of the Marawi Reconstruction Conflict Watch, said Duterte can show that he really cares about Mindanao and Maranaos by pushing for the proposed law during his speech.

Duterte is yet to say whether or not he supports the proposed Marawi compensation bill, advocates said in a media release. Bills are still pending at committees at the Senate and the House of Representatives.

HOUSE TO PROBE 9 ‘NARCO GENERALS’

MANILA — The House of Representatives yesterday vowed to resume its inquiry into nine police generals earlier linked to illegal drug activities by President Duterte, and who remain at large.

“I think it’s plausible to have this issue investigated by Congress since from what I’ve heard, none of them had been investigated or charged in court,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.

Barbers, chair of the House committee on dangerous drugs, issued the statement in response to Duterte’s call to have these suspects investigated and held accountable during his State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Barbers said this is the main reason or purpose of his latest proposal, House Bill 7814, which aims to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1992 (RA 9165) and equip law enforcers in going after major drug lords, including coddlers, protectors and financiers.

HB 7814, which was passed on third and final reading during the 18th Congress, has yet to gain traction and is awaiting support from senators to become a law.

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METRO MANILA BIKE LANE NETWORK OPENS

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday opened the P801.83-million bicycle lane network in Metro Manila, the last portion of the 497-kilometer nationwide bike lane network constructed together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Today marks the end of the long wait of cyclists for safe and quality bike lanes here in Metro Manila because we are formally inaugurating the third leg of the completed 497 kilometers of bike lane networks established in key major cities in the country,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a message read by Assistant Secretary for road transport and infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor during the inauguration.

The Metro Manila bike lane network has a length of 313 km, stretching across nine major road sections and 12 cities.

“With the completion of the bike lanes, cyclists are provided with safe spaces on the road as they pedal to work and to other places,” Tugade said.

“It is also important to note that these bike lanes here in Metro Manila make medical communities accessible to our frontliners,” he added.

The construction of the 497-km bike lane network in Metro Manila, Metro Davao and Metro Cebu was completed last month.

The 129-km Metro Cebu bike lanes were inaugurated by the DOTr and DPWH last July 16 while the 54.71-km Metro Davao bike lanes were officially opened on July 20.

The bike lane networks feature white and green pavement markings, signage, bollards, bike symbols, solar studs and concrete delineators to ensure the safety of cyclists as well as bike racks for their comfort and convenience.

PARLADE RETIRES FROM SERVICE

MANILA — After serving the military for 38 years, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. – the controversial spokesman for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) – has retired.

Parlade officially vacated his post as chief of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) following a ceremony at Camp Nakar in Quezon province on Sunday.

The general was known for tagging certain people and progressive party-list groups in the House of Representatives as fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

Lawmakers questioned Parlade’s designation as NTF-ELCAC spokesman, saying it violated the law on appointments of active military officials to additional positions.

Despite the controversy, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said Parlade made notable achievements Solcom commander.

“Solcom, under Lt. Gen. Parlade, ensured that the people of Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region are free from the influence of the enemies of the state,” Sobejana said.

Parlade, a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s “Hinirang” Class of 1987, was replaced by Maj. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, former commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.

DUTERTE ON COPS SELLING AKS: SHOOT THEM DEAD

MANILA — President Duterte has brought to light anew past cases against former members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), whom he accused of smuggling AK-47 machine guns that were sold to enemies of the state and killed many soldiers.

Duterte gave an order to the public to conduct citizens’ arrest and shoot dead the perpetrators who, he said, were former top ranking police officers during the previous administration.

“Shoot them dead,” he said during his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) last night at the Batasan complex in Quezon City.

He urged his ally, former PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, to dig deeper into the matter, which has been pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“I’d like to ask Congress, especially Senator Bato, kindly dig into this because we have identified the person who imported the AK-47 into this country on the pretext of using it in security – providing security and guards in all business establishments and for those who can afford (security for) their home,” Duterte said.

The President was referring to a former police colonel, who “has gone under the radar” after he was implicated in the drug protection racket a few years ago.

“This policeman, I think, is still there. He was a colonel and he is still... Nothing happened. Many soldiers died because of the arms he brought into the Philippines,” he said.

PH'S FIRST OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST HIDILYN DIAZ PROMOTED IN PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

MANILA - Champion weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz has been promoted in the Philippine Air Force after snatching the country's first Olympic medal, the military said Wednesday, the latest in the celebratory windfall the athlete has so far received.

Diaz was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant effective Tuesday, said Capt. Jonathan Zata, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"We laud and support this move at the General Headquarters to mark SSgt. Diaz’s remarkable achievements in the field of sports and for bringing pride and glory to our country," he said in a statement.

"Congratulations, SSgt. Diaz. The AFP is proud of your accomplishments and may you continue to serve as an inspiration to your fellow service members."

Diaz bagged the historic gold in the women's weightlifting 55-kilogram class on Monday, ending the Philippines' 97-year quest for the most coveted win since it first competed in the Olympics in 1924.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

‘ANG SA IYO AY AKIN’ TO STREAM AS ‘THE LAW OF REVENGE’ ON NETFLIX IN AUGUST

MANILA — “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin,” the hit revenge drama starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Iza Calzado, is the latest ABS-CBN title to stream on Netflix.

The series’ first season will be available on the streaming platform starting August 5, with the international title “The Law of Revenge.”

Its preview card on Netflix reads: “Years after taking the fall for her best friend’s accidental crime, Marissa leaves prison with a thirst for revenge.”

“Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” originally aired from August 2020 to March 2021, spanning a total of 155 episodes across its two seasons.

It starred Sta. Maria as the vengeful Marissa, whose ruthless feud with Ellice, portrayed by Calzado, costs them both fortune and lives. Its cast also included Maricel Soriano, Rita Avila, Sam Milby, Joseph Marco, Grae Fernandez, and Kira Balinger.

“Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” was broadcast during a tumultuous period, not only due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, but also the franchise crisis of ABS-CBN.

Produced by JRB Creatives, “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” was the first ABS-CBN scripted series to be released after the network’s broadcast franchise was denied by a congressional panel in July 2020.

It became the pioneering ABS-CBN series to premiere and stream entirely on digital (Kapamilya Online Live), as the Kapamilya network migrated its content library to online platforms.

“Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin,” alongside several other ABS-CBN programs, then became available on several more broadcast venues, including A2Z Channel 11 and TV5.

Despite challenges that beset the series, it managed popular success on social media, with several of its memorable scenes going viral, and its top viewership ranking on iWantTFC.

SPORTS

OLYMPICS: NESTHY PETECIO ASSURED OF A MEDAL IN WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT BOXING

For the first time since 1932, the Philippines will win more than one medal in an Olympic Games.

This, after Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio advanced to the semifinals of the women's featherweight class in the Tokyo Olympics, assuring her of at least a bronze medal.

Petecio put on a superb display of counterpunching in defeating Colombia's Yeni Marcela Arias Castaneda via unanimous decision, with all five judges giving her the nod.

The 29-year-old Petecio, who hails from Davao, will be the second Philippine medalist in Tokyo. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz on Monday made history when she won the country's first-ever gold medal after nearly 100 years of participation in the Summer Games.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger. - Tad Williams