PHILIPPINES STARTS PROCESS OF VFA TERMINATIONMANILA — Taking a cue from President Duterte, the foreign affairs departmenthas set the ball rolling for the termination of the Visiting ForcesAgreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, Duterte is serious interminating the agreement due to the US government’s cancellation of thevisa of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, under whose term as Philippine NationalPolice (PNP) chief “Oplan Tokhang” was launched.In an interview yesterday at Malacañang, Panelo said he had asked Duterte onThursday night when the process of termination would start. Duterte replied,“Tonight.”“So I relayed it to (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Teodoro) Locsin,” Panelosaid. “The process of starting it has commenced, or will commence today.”Panelo quoted Locsin as having designated his vice chair in the VFA panel,Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, to start looking at the terminationprocess and how the government would go about it.Locsin chairs the Presidential Commission on VFA.Dela Rosa said the US embassy did not provide any explanation on why hisvisa was cancelled. However, he believes it “might be related” toallegations of extrajudicial killings under his watch as PNP chief from 2016to 2018.The cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa is one of the reasons why the Presidentblew his top anew on Thursday, Panelo said. “The President feels that wecannot sit down and just watch idly,” he continued.Panelo maintained that the US or any other government cannot impose on asovereign nation like the Philippines. “They cannot dictate at us or bullyus into releasing a citizen of this country who is lawfully detained,” hesaid, referring to the provisions of the resolution that calls for therelease of Sen. Leila de Lima.“When they introduced that amendment, (that is) tantamount – to our mind –as disrespect,” he added.When he discussed the matter with the President in Leyte the other night,Panelo said the President “was authoritative, serious. He was assertive.”“They’ve been intruding into our domestic affairs, bullying us intosubmission. We cannot allow that. Meanwhile, they’re having privileges hereand they’re treating us this way,” he added.On Thursday, Duterte said he would order the termination of the VFA betweenthe two countries unless the US government corrects its decision toinvalidate the visa of Dela Rosa, whose nickname is Bato. The President hasgiven the US due notice for a month.BATO TO DUTERTE: LET IT GO, ATTEND US MEETMANILA — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa told reporters that he intends tospeak with President Duterte on Monday to thank him, and ask him toreconsider his decision to reject US President Donald Trump’s standinginvitation to visit the United States.“I’ll really thank him: ‘sir, I didn’t know that you love me that much.’ Butas I have said, the President would have the same reaction if that (visacancellation) happened to any other senator,” Dela Rosa said yesterday.He said he would ask Duterte to “let go” of the issue, and attend theUS-Association of Southeast Asian Nations special summit to prove that thePhilippines has an independent foreign policy.On Thursday, Dela Rosa said Duterte was a leader “who doesn’t want hispeople treated unfairly,” and that the scrapping for the Visiting ForcesAgreement (VFA) was “not all about me.”“It is about a one-sided foreign relations. It’s okay for their (US)soldiers to come and go from our territory, while a senator of this Republicis barred from entering their territory due to their intentions of tinkeringwith our domestic affairs,” he said.Senators conceded yesterday that Duterte can unilaterally scrap the VFAwithout the concurrence of the Senate, even as they asked the Supreme Courtto issue a ruling to settle the matter.CHINA VIRUS DEATH TOLL JUMPS TO 41, CASES SOAR TO NEARLY 1,300A deadly viral outbreak in China has now killed 41 people, while the numberof infected cases has soared to nearly 1,300, authorities said Saturday.The 15 new deaths all took place in Wuhan, the city of 11 million where thedeadly respiratory contagion first emerged, the Hubei Health Commissionsaid.At least 444 new cases of the virus have been found, raising the totalnumber to 1,287, the National Health Commission said in a separatestatement.The disease has spread to 30 provinces, autonomous regions andmunicipalities.Wuhan and 13 other cities in Hubei have been locked down in an unprecedentedquarantine effort aimed at containing the deadly respiratory contagion,which has spread to several other countries.The Hubei Health Commission also reported 180 new cases overall in theprovince, 77 of them in Wuhan but the bulk of the rest spread out across thelocked-down smaller cities. There are now 729 cases in Hubei alone.Several of those cities were reporting their first cases of the pathogen --2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) -- the commission said.WUHAN BOY IN CEBU TESTS NEGATIVE FOR NOVEL CORONAVIRUSSamples taken from a 5-year-old boy admitted in a Cebu hospital yieldednegative results for the novel coronavirus, the Department of Health said onFriday.The confirmatory tests were conducted at Victorian Infectious DiseaseReference Laboratory in Melbourne.“This is indeed very welcome news to ease the Filipinos’ growing concern,”Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement.“We will continue to monitor the developing situation and ensure mechanismsto contain the threat of the 2019-nCoV.”TACLOBAN MAN SECOND SUSPECTED CASE OF CORONAVIRUSTACLOBAN — A 36-year-old man from Tacloban City who had worked in Wuhan,China is feared to have contracted the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), theDepartment of Health (DOH) said yesterday.DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo revealed that the suspected carrier of thedisease worked in Wuhan City, the epicenter of the 2019-nCov outbreak, andarrived in Tacloban last Jan. 17.He said the man is now being investigated by the DOH, considering him as thesecond “suspected case” of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines, after the Chineseboy reported in Cebu.“We have two suspect cases. One is the patient in Cebu – the first personunder investigation (PUI) – and then we have another PUI in Region 8,”Domingo said.The man was manifesting fever and cough when he arrived in Tacloban fromChina, he said.At present, the man is in stable condition at a hospital and placed inisolation, pending the laboratory tests to be conducted on him.Those who came in contact with him are now on “home quarantine” and beingmonitored closely by the DOH and health authorities in Tacloban, Domingosaid.MANILA CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR AMID CORONAVIRUS CONCERNSMANILA - Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday night led the countdown for thecelebration of Chinese New Year in Binondo, home to a sizeableFilipino-Chinese community.“We’re very happy [that] as a city government a lot of people attended, moreor less 10,000 people. I’m happy for our Fil-Chi community. We try toencourage every store sa Binondo to participate sa local trade," he said.The city mayor was joined by other city officials, together with theFilipino-Chinese community, at the Jones Bridge.Apart from a motorcade, part of the city's activities Saturday is to giveassistance to Manila residents.“Our members of the community will extend assistance to the less fortunatein Binondo, particularly sa San Nicolas area, 3,000 families. Para happytomorrow and the parade," he said.Amid the threat of a new strain of the coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan,China, Moreno said the city government took precautionary measures,especially since they are expecting some Chinese visitors to celebrate inManila.“With regards to China, as far as Manila is concerned, safe pa naman (we'resafe). Walang naitatalang (there has been no recorded) coronavirus. We cameup with some measures two weeks ago and 2 days ago. Isa sa paraan ay 'yong(One of the ways is to use) gas mask we provided 2 weeks ago. Pero selfdiscipline is very important," he said.“Iwasan muna natin ang beso-beso. Pinakamabisa ang mask. Kung may lagnat,pa-check up kaagad (Avoid kissing on the cheeks. The best way is to use amask. If you have fever, get a checkup immediately),” he added.DELA ROSA SAYS US ALSO CANCELED VISA OF POLICE OFFICIAL IN 'TOKHANG'MANILA (UPDATE) - Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said Friday that the UnitedStates also canceled the visa of another police official involved in theenforcement of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.Dela Rosa said this after baring Wednesday that his US visa had beencanceled for an unknown reason.The former Philippine National Police chief did not identify his formercolleague, except that the official was involved in Oplan Tokhang, thecontroversial anti-drug campaign linked to extrajudicial killings."Isang retired general na-hold sa airport, hindi na natuloy dahil ngacanceled daw 'yong visa niya," he told Senate reporters."Active din siya noon [sa drug war]. Regional director siya noon," he said.Dela Rosa said he also received reports that the US had also canceled thevisas of all police officials who held high positions at the height of thedrug war.SARA DUTERTE IN US FOR WASHINGTON-SPONSORED INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMANILA - Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is in the United States for aninternational leadership program sponsored by the US State Department.In a tweet on Jan. 22, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. said itwelcomed Duterte-Carpio and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, who are bothparticipating in "a program on preventing terrorism in Southeast Asia" underthe US State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).This came a day before her father President Rodrigo Duterte threatened toscrap the Philippine-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) if Washington doesnot restore his long-time ally Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa's US Visa.Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, earlier said his visa wascanceled possibly over his involvement in government's drug war.On Instagram, Duterte-Carpio posted a photo of herself with the hashtag#ivlp, in reference to the program.The IVLP is the US State Department's "premier professional exchangeprogram," according to information on its website.The US Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism also tweeted a photoof Duterte-Carpio and Climaco with Ambassador Nathan Sales, who they met fordiscussions on efforts against terrorism and violent extremism in Mindanao.Malacañang earlier Friday said government has started the process ofterminating the military pact- which governs the conduct of US troops whenin the Philippines- as it would no longer wait for US response to thePresident's threat.GRIEF HAUNTS SAF44 KIN IN 5-YEAR QUEST FOR JUSTICEMANILA – Julie Danao keeps videos of the bloodied body of her son, one of 44elite policemen killed in a botched raid 5 years ago in Mamasapano,Maguindanao.One viral video showed a gunman kicking her son PO2 Walner Danao in the headand stripping him naked after the encounter. He was killed just about a weekafter he turned 33.Five years since, she and other relatives of the slain troopers are stillseeking to hold former President Benigno Aquino III and other officialsaccountable for the massacre.Yet time has been taking its toll: since the incident, mothers of at least 4of Walner's comrades have died with justice yet to come.The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to decide on a recent petition to reopenthe previously dismissed homicide complaint against Aquino, said Julie.And, most recently, the Sandiganbayan junked cases against PhilippineNational Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force(SAF) head Getulio Napeñas over the anti-terror raid that led to abloodbath, citing lack of probable cause.TAAL VOLCANO EMITS INCREASED STEAM, SULFURMANILA — State volcanology bureau Phivolcs said that the Taal Volcano hasbeen emitting weak to moderate steam laden-plumes up to 800 meters high fromthe main crater, drifting to the southwest.The increase in steam emission after a period of weak activity was firstobserved on Friday, when the steaming started past 5:00 a.m., according toPhivolcs director Renato Solidum.From Taal steam plumes of 50 to 500 meters reported previously, Phivolcs nowrecorded a range of 50 to 800 meter-high plumes in the past 24 hours, basedon its 8:00 a.m. volcano bulletin on Saturday.Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission is now measured at an average 409 tons perday, following its previously recorded drop to an average 153 tons per day.Meanwhile, the Philippine Seismic Network tallied a total of 744 volcanicearthquakes since the afternoon of January 12, when the phreatic(steam-driven) eruption of Taal Volcano took place.An Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) remains in place with allresidents in the high risk areas of the 14-kilometer radius surrounding thevolcano being recommended to evacuate.ONLY 2 OUT OF 5 TAAL-HIT RESIDENTS STAY IN EVACUATION CENTERSMANILA — A total of 90,533 families, consisting of about 350,000 people inCalabarzon (Region IV), have been affected by the Taal Volcano unrest sinceits steam-driven eruption almost two weeks ago on January 12.However, only about two out of five (39.58% or 137,994 people) are takingshelter in 488 evacuation centers, according to the 6:00 a.m. situationalreport of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council onSaturday.Meanwhile, the total affected residents being served elsewhere stands at148,271 (42.53%), exceeding the figure of those in evacuation centers.The internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Taal-hit municipalities arebeing hosted by local government units in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezonand the National Capital Region.The remaining 62,298 people affected are unaccounted for in the latestNDRRMC report, as figures continue to change based on ongoing validation andverification.At least P27 million worth of assistance has been provided to the affectedfamilies by national government agencies and LGUs.Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) remains in place with allresidents in the 14-kilometer radius surrounding the Taal Volcano beingrecommended to evacuate by state volcanology bureau Phivolcs.A state of calamity has also been declared in Cavite and Batangas since lastweek.MOTORCYCLE TAXIS A ‘STOPGAP MEASURE’MANILA — Motorcycle taxis are simply a “stopgap measure” and they will bephased out once the current mass transport problems are resolved, theinter-agency technical working group (TWG) said on Thursday.“If we want to regulate it, at some point in time it will be slowly phasedout,” TWG consultant Alberto Suansing told “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s OneNews.He said the government is focused on mass transportation and the motorcycletaxi sector is not the long-term thrust of the government.He noted that they have yet to determine if motorcycle taxis are really safeas a mode of transportation as it leaves the passenger more vulnerable toaccidents.Suansing stressed the need to regulate motorcycle taxis as he said thegovernment does not want a “Hanoi situation” wherein the roads are packedwith motorcycles.The TWG earlier this week reached an understanding with private players,weeks after it locked horns over the new guidelines for the pilot run.The three ride-hailing firms taking part in the study would each get 15,000riders in Metro Manila and 3,000 in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.ISSA PRESSMAN BREAKS SILENCE ON RUMORS LINKING HER TO JAMES REIDMANILA — Issa Pressman, the model and artist who became the target ofmudslinging amid allegations linking her to the breakup of Nadine Lustre andJames Reid, has finally broken her silence.On Friday, the younger sister of actress Yassi Pressman released a shortstatement on Instagram, along with a photo of what appears to be her shadow.She wrote, unedited: “If I stay silent, i’m ‘guilty’. If I stand up formyself, i’m ‘defensive’. The world judges either way. But to end it here &now, everything is 100% FALSE. #ThinkBeforeYouClick.”Yassi earlier on Wednesday similarly urged her followers againstcyberbullying, as she defended Issa amid accusations that she caused theseparation of Lustre and Reid.Lustre expressed her love to the sisters in a comment on Yassi’s post, whileReid left an apology to them both for getting dragged into the issue —clearing Issa of any involvement in the relationship.Lustre has time and again identified Yassi, a fellow Viva talent and herformer movie co-star, as one of her closest friends in showbiz.Issa is also under Viva Artists Agency, and has been seen in the same circleof friends as Lustre and Reid.‘JAMES & PAT & DAVE’ POSTER, RELEASE DATE REVEALEDMANILA — James may not have had a happy ending in the 2016 blockbuster“Vince & Kath & James,” but that could change come Valentine’s Day.On Friday, Star Cinema announced that “James & Pat & Dave,” the sequel tothe Metro Manila Film Festival entry, will be released in Philippine cinemason February 12.The announcement came with the reveal of the film’s official poster, showinglead stars Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio, and Donny Pangilinan.Alonte reprises his role as James from the original film, which saw his lovetriangle with Vince and Kath. Ultimately, the latter two charactersportrayed by Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto ended up together.This time, James figures in a love triangle anew, with new characters Pat(Andalio) and Dave (Pangilinan).Theodore Boborol returns as director for the sequel.When the project was first announced in 2019, Boborol teased that “James &Pat & Dave” is about people who were not chosen.“Lahat naman tayo at some point in our lives, whether tungkol ito sa love,friendship or school, minsan hindi tayo napipili. So napapatanong tayo,‘Bakit hindi ako?’ Ang sakit noon. Iyun ang pinakahugot at ‘yun angkailangan [ng audience] matutunan at makikita sa movie,” he said.NBA SCORES JAN 23FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Wizards 15-29    29    39    32    24    124team logo Cavaliers 12-33    24    37    25    26    112SCORING LEADERSB. Beal WAS36 PTS, 2 REB, 8 ASTC. Sexton CLE29 PTS, 4 REB, 4 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Lakers 36-9    38    37    29    24    128team logo Nets 18-25    35    35    24    19    113SCORING LEADERSL. James LAL27 PTS, 12 REB, 10 ASTK. Irving BKN20 PTS, 3 REB, 4 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Mavericks 28-16    45    33    25    30    133team logo Trail Blazers 19-27    37    26    27    35    125SCORING LEADERSL. Doncic DAL27 PTS, 6 REB, 9 ASTD. Lillard POR47 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST