DELTA VARIANT NOW DOMINANT STRAIN OF COVID IN PH: WHO

MANILA - Philippines is now experiencing a community transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said.

More than "70 percent of the current transmission is attributable to the Delta variant," said WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe in an online press conference.

"This situation is not entirely surprising... What we are seeing in the Philippines is not unique. It is being seen in other countries," he said.

As of August 27, 516 or 68.98 percent of the 748 samples sequenced were confirmed to be carriers of the more virulent Delta variant, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH).

The Beta variant accounted for 10.83 percent, while the Alpha variant was found in 9.76 percent of the samples, data showed.

Philippines on Monday reported 22,366 new COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day tally since the pandemic began early last year.

The country's total confirmed infections climbed to 1,976,202, of which 148,594 are active, DOH had said.

NO REASON TO SUSPEND MODERNA USE IN PH: FDA

MANILA - The Philippines will not suspend use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines after foreign substances were discovered in Moderna vaccines in Japan, Food and Drug Administration director general Eric Domingo said Tuesday.

Domingo said Moderna vaccines that the Philippines received were manufactured separately from the ones being investigated in Japan.

"Na-check naman natin sa manufacturer ng Moderna. 'Yun pong mga batch na 'yun were exclusively made for Japan so hindi po kasama dun yung mga nakarating dito sa Pilipinas," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Dito sa Pilipinas tuloy-tuloy po ang paggamit at wala pong dahilan para magsuspend tayo."

Vaccinators also check vials and syringes before inoculating, he added.

Black substances were spotted in syringes and a vial, while pink substances were found in a different syringe, Japan's health ministry earlier said.

Two men, who had one shot from a suspended lot of vaccines, died within days of receiving their second Moderna doses, it said. The causes of death are being investigated.

PHILIPPINES MIGHT REACH 4 MILLION COVID CASES BY YEAREND: UP PANDEMIC RESPONSE TEAM

MANILA - The Philippines' total COVID-19 cases might reach 3 million to 4 million by yearend, the UP Pandemic Response Team said Tuesday.

The country recorded its highest-ever fresh COVID infections at 22,366 on Monday, a day after the Department of Health announced it has detected 516 more Delta variant cases.

The nation so far has a total of 1,976,202 COVID-19 cases, of which 148,594 remain active.

The Philippines might tally up to 30,000 daily fresh cases until end of September and infections peak early October, said Prof. Jomar Rabajante of the UP Pandemic Response Team.

"Ito pong projections namin kung titingnan, lumalabas ang cumulative cases possible tayo lumagpas ng 3 million at even 4 million bago matapos ang 2021," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

In the scenarios the group simulated, the capital region's intensive care units might just be enough but there are cases they could be overwhelmed, Rabajante said. Hospitals nationwide might reach overcapacity, he added.

"Hindi lang po sa NCR (National Capital Region), sa buong bansa mataas po at dire-diretsong pagtaas ang mga kaso," he said.

AS COVID-19 CASES SOAR, DUTERTE NOTES PHILIPPINE DEATH TOLL LOWER THAN OTHER COUNTRIES

MANILA — As the Philippines' COVID-19 cases hit new records, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday noted that local deaths due to the respiratory disease were lower compared to other countries.

"Hirap ang America ngayon. Ang Europe is suffering from a—maraming mas namatay; Turkey, marami ang patay; Saudi Arabia, mas marami ang patay," he said around an hour into his taped speech that aired on Tuesday.

"Ito, atin, hawa lang. Ang patay natin, hindi masyado ganoon karami," the President said.

At least 33,333 people in the Philippines have succumbed to COVID-19 as of Monday, according to the health department.

The Philippines on Monday confirmed its highest ever single-day tally of new cases at 22,366, which raised to total confirmed infections to about 1.97 million.

Duterte acknowledged authorities "need to recalibrate our response" whether or not the spike in COVID-19 cases was due to the highly infectious variant of the disease.

"We are also evaluating whether granular or localized lockdowns would work best in our current situation. Kailangan pag-aralan ito ng task force," he said.

Duterte urged the public to stick to health standards and get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus at the soonest.

The Duterte administration is facing a Senate inquiry into how it spend pandemic funds.

The country had "nothing" in supplies when the pandemic erupted, said the President.

"The same people criticizing today are the same people telling us last year that we were too slow and we’re not prepared," he said of the probe.

"Sino bang prepared, preparado nito? America? Name a country that is prepared, mag-resign ako," he added.

OVER P237 MILLION DISBURSED FOR HEALTH WORKERS' RISK ALLOWANCE — DOH

MANILA — The Department of Health on Tuesday reported it has disbursed P237.28 million worth of special risk allowance to medical personnel, amid groups' continued clamor for their benefits' release.

That figure amounts to 76.29% of the P311 million that the Department of Budget and Management released last week to DOH.

"We have downloaded this to our regional offices last August 27," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a briefing in Filipino.

She said the P237.28 million were already distributed to local governments as well as to private hospitals.

Vergeire added some P74.5 million worth of checks are also now ready for distribution to LGUs and medical facilities.

The P311 million in total is intended for the SRA of some 20,208 health workers. The health official in the briefing did not mention how many have so far received the said benefit.

AFTER DUTERTE'S LATEST VITRIOL, LACSON SAYS SENATE 'WILL NOT FLINCH' IN PROBE VS OVERPRICED PANDEMIC SUPPLIES

MANILA - The Senate "will not flinch" in its investigation into the procurement of allegedly overpriced pandemic supplies even after President Rodrigo Duterte criticized several senators on national television, a lawmaker said, Tuesday.

"The Senate will not flinch on this one," Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in a text message to reporters.

"The Senate investigation is still ongoing. There is a lot more to discover and pursue so that all those responsible for this abominable crime against the Filipino people who continue to suffer amid the pandemic will be exposed and charged in court at the proper time," he said.

Duterte earlier slammed several senators who grilled Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other executive officials during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing last week after documents showed that the government awarded P6.8-billion worth of contracts to Pharmally, a Chinese corporation using fake addresses in its incorporation documents.

On Monday the President defended ex-adviser and Davao-based businessman Michael Yang who has been linked to Pharmally.

"Michael Yang has been in business here in the Philippines for 20 years. Nag-umpisa 'yan sa Davao...Akala ko ba we are inviting investors?" Duterte said in a televised address.

He said Chinese officials would have tipped him off if Yang had links to drug syndicates. He also accused Sen. Richard Gordon of "Sinophobia."

Lacson said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee would summon Yang to the next hearing.

"The video showing Michael Yang, a Chinese national who had a signed contract as a presidential consultant, receiving a one-peso-a-year remuneration from the government and introducing officials of the controversial Pharmally Corporation is telling to say the least," he said.

Senators had questioned why Pharmally - a company incorporated in 2019 with a P599,000 capital - was awarded billions-worth of government contracts when it had no track record of delivering quality and reasonably-priced materials.

"It may be premature to directly link Sen. [Christopher] Bong Go or even PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) at this point of the inquiry on the PS-DBM’s questionable procurement of overpriced medical supplies," Lacson said.

"All I can say, as most of my colleagues are seeing in this investigation is - the plot thickens," he said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is expected to reconvene for a fourth hearing on September 7, 2021.

DUTERTE DEFENDS TRADER WITH ALLEGED TIES TO PANDEMIC SUPPLIER

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday defended his former economic adviser Michael Yang, who reportedly has ties to the Philippine government’s biggest supplier of medical goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte said Yang, a Davao-based Chinese businessman, often accompanied former Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua in their meetings. The President said Yang also introduced him to acquaintances in China.

"Kaya bakit ako magduda, bakit ako magsabi na drug lord siya?" Duterte said, reviving allegations linking Yang to alleged drug syndicates.

"Kaibigan ako ang China, sasabihin sa akin ang totoo. Kaya hindi makakapasok 'yang mga 'yan kung sasabihin n'yo nagdodroga."

Malacañang in 2019 said Yang was no longer Duterte's economic adviser, after the trader's post was questioned when former police official Eduardo Acierto linked him to the illegal drug trade.

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P20.8 BILLION IN ’22 BUDGET FOR HIRING MORE HEALTH WORKERS

MANILA — As overworked and underpaid medical frontliners repeatedly threaten to stage mass protests, the national government has allocated P20.8 billion in the 2022 budget for purposes of hiring more health personnel amid the pandemic.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said P17 billion will be used to hire 26,035 health professionals for deployment to “underserved” hospitals or areas, and P3.8 billion to fund the emergency hiring of 6,810 COVID-19 Human Resources for Health (HRH).

“This, I believe, will help our common efforts to sustain our COVID-19 response efforts while supporting the gradual transition to full recovery,” the Leyte congressman said, referring to the P5.024-trillion national budget for next year.

These twin allocations form part of the total P395.6 billion – or 14 percent of the overall national budget for 2022 – that the Department of Budget and Management said has been allocated by the national government for purposes of combatting the pandemic.

DBM Undersecretary and officer-in-charge Tina Rose Marie Canda made this revelation during the briefing conducted by economic managers of President Duterte, who comprise the Development Budget Coordination Committee, before the House of Representatives.

DUTERTE SAYS IMEE MARCOS WANTS TO BE HIS DAUGHTER SARA'S 2022 RUNNING-MATE

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday claimed Sen. Imee Marcos was eyeing the vice presidency in 2022 with his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as running-mate.

"Si Imee, ganito ang laro n’yan, pinupuntahan niya si Mayor Duterte sa Davao, hoping na magtakbo ‘yon, siya ang maging bise," he said in a taped speech that aired on Tuesday.

But the President said of his daughter, "Hindi naman tatakbo, sabi niya."

Duterte-Carpio meanwhile said the public would have to wait until October, when candidacies would be filed, to find out whether or not she would run for president.

BANGKO SENTRAL SEES AUGUST INFLATION AT 4.1 TO 4.9 PERCENT

MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Tuesday said it projects August inflation to settle within the 4.1 to 4.9 percent range.

The BSP said higher prices for LPG, Meralco electricity, and key food items along with the depreciation of the peso are sources of upward price pressures during the month.

"These could be offset in part by the decline in domestic petroleum and rice prices," the central bank said.

Official inflation figures for August are set to be announced by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Sept. 7.

The central bank's forecast for August is higher than the 4 percent inflation seen in July, which was the lowest level in 7 months.

ISKO MORENO BREAKS GROUND FOR 20-STORY HOUSING PROJECT

MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno led yesterday the groundbreaking for the construction of a 20-story condominium, the fifth in-city housing project for informal settlers, located in San Andres Bukid.

Moreno had returned to work after recovering from COVID-19.

The construction of the Pedro Gil Residences aims to uplift the lives of informal settler families in the city, Moreno said.

“While we are busy fighting the pandemic, we need to continue our dreams,” he said. “We will not let COVID-19 stop us. We will give security to families who are renting houses.”

Moreno was joined by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, city engineer Armand Andres, architect Ely Balmoris and city health chief Arnold Pangan during the groundbreaking.

The condominium building will have 3,209 residential units. Each unit has a floor area of 40 square meters with two bedrooms.

It also features health and fitness centers, a swimming pool, activity lawn, function rooms, five elevators, a basketball court and 125 parking slots.

Last month, the city government started the construction of the San Lazaro Residences.

Moreno said they hope to finish the construction of other housing projects, Tondominium 1 and 2 as well as the Binondominium this year.

2-3 STORMS SEEN IN PHILIPPINES IN SEPTEMBER — PAGASA

MANILA — Weather bureau PAGASA on Monday said the Philippines may see two to three storms this coming September.

The agency's forecast is based on the number of weather disturbances that enter the country during this month in the previous years.

Weather specialist Ariel Rojas said those that make landfall usually hit Luzon and Samar Island. But he added storms have the highest chance of making landfall in the northeastern tip of Luzon, or over Cagayan Valley.

"What we're showing is only a guide of the climatological track of storms in September," he added in Filipino.

Nine storms have entered the Philippines so far this 2021, with the country seeing 20 on average per year.

PAGASA said the storms expected in September would be called: "Jolina," "Kiko" and "Lannie."

The agency added there is no possible storm inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the next two to three days.

It is, however, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone that would continue to affect the country and bring rains in select areas.

For Tuesday, PAGASA said rainy weather condition could be expected in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol and Mimaropa.

Rains and thunderstorms are seen by afternoon and at night in Northern Luzon, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administration Region, Central Luzon and Palawan.

PAGASA added the same could be expected in Visayas and in Mindanao.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'TRAIN TO BUSAN' REMAKE? INTERNET USERS GIVE MIXED REACTIONS

MANILA — Hit Korean zombie flick "Train To Busan" trended on Twitter Philippines today as many Internet users reacted on its planned US remake.

The mixed reactions came with the trending hashtag #TrainToBusan in the United States. It eventually became trending in Twitter Philippines with the same sentiments from netizens who reacted about the news back in February.

Some of the netizens found humor and connected the news about the first white-tailed deer in Ohio, United States testing positive for COVID-19 last week.

It is not the first time that an animal had been reported to have contracted the virus.  Dogs, cats, tigers and lions have tested positive for the virus.

Earlier this year, Deadline reported that New Line Cinema tapped Indonesian filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Timo Tjahjanto as the US remake's director.

News of its remake came in the same year of its release when French studio Gaumont reportedly got the right to remake "Train To Busan" to English.

"Train to Busan" is a hit 2016 film set mainly in a moving train carrying uninfected people struggling to survive a horde of zombies onboard on their way to Busan in South Korea.

SPORTS

MANNY EMBRACED BY FANS LIKE A WINNER

MANILA — Manny Pacquiao, who was mugged by Cuban Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas, was mobbed by his die-hard supporters upon his arrival from Los Angeles before dawn yesterday.

The Philippine Airlines jumbo jet that carried Pacquiao and his entourage touched down at the NAIA Terminal 2 shortly after 3 a.m. By that time, his supporters had waited outside the airport.

Pacquiao was greeted by cheers from those waving placards and holding streamers, and wearing shirts with the words “Laban, Pacman, Laban,” “MP4P” and “Man of Destiny” written on them.

The 42-year-old senator, who bowed to his taller and bigger Cuban foe via unanimous decision, faced mediamen before boarding a vehicle that took him and his entourage to Conrad Manila for quarantine.

“Pasensiya na kayo at hindi tayo nagwagi (I apologize we did not win),” he told his supporters.

“Pero at least, lumaban tayo. Hindi tayo sumuko (But we put up a good fight. We did not surrender),” added the eight-division boxing champion who is planning to run for president in the 2022 elections.

Surrounded by bodyguards and overzealous supporters, Pacquiao said he was surprised by the warm welcome despite his failure to bring home the WBA (super) welterweight crown.

“Hindi ko akalain na sasalubong sila ng ganito. Sabi ko, tahimik lang dahil talo naman tayo (I did not expect such welcome. I wanted it to be quiet because we lost),” he said.

“Laki ng pasalamat ko dahil para na rin akong nanalo,” Pacquiao, in a brown Louis Vuitton jacket, said.

Briefly, some pushing and shoving took place when the welcomers, who failed to observe social distancing in a bid to get near Pacquiao, thought there was money about to be distributed among them.

Pacquiao will spend 10 days in quarantine in the bayside hotel where the boxer had booked seven rooms.

He said before leaving Los Angeles that he will ponder on his next move as a boxer and politician and will make an announcement by the second week of September or a month before the deadline for the filing of candidacy on Oct. 8.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." - Abraham Lincoln