WITH NO PRESIDENTIAL PICK OF THEIR OWN, DUTERTE PARTY TO SHORTLIST BETS TO SUPPORT

 

 

 

MANILA — Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, the political party organized around President Rodrigo Duterte, said it would submit a shortlist of presidential candidates to support in the 2022 elections after the withdrawal of their two highest-profile bets.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte —  nominated to run for vice president before filing to run for senator —  and Sen. Bong Go — initially a canddiate for vice president before being told to run for president instead — withdrew their certificates of candidacy earlier this month.

 

In a statement sent to media early Monday morning, PDDS said that it would be submitting a list of presidential candidates that the party "believes may continue the reforms initiated by the president" based on its consultations with its local candidates, leaders, and alliances.

 

The party already supports Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's candidacy for vice president. The president's daughter is running alongside presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., whom President Duterte called a "weak leader" in November.

 

"The leadership of the party has decided to support whomever the president [endorses] if any...The party believes that this is imperative to ensure the continuity of the president's programs to achieve the Filipino people's aspiration towards justice, peace, and progress," PDDS president Greco Belgica, former head of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, said.

 

Belgica, who is running for senator,  said that consultations are ongoing while the final short list will be submitted after vetting.

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES URGED TO AVOID LOCKDOWNS DESPITE OMICRON

 

 

 

MANILA - The Philippines should not impose lockdowns as it remains a safe place despite the emergence of the COVID-19 omicron variant, residential adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said Monday.

 

Compared to the US that is experiencing a COVID-19 surge, Concepcion said Filipinos are much more "disciplined" when it comes to testing and other protocols such as the wearing of face masks.

 

"We should never lock down. We are approaching it on a granular basis which is effective. I think everybody has subscribed to this model," Concepcion told ANC.

 

The goal for 2022 is to ramp up booster shots "to fortify defenses," Concepcion said.

 

Robust vaccination in key areas helped shield the country from omicron, Octa Research Fellow Fr. Nicanor Austriaco told ANC.

 

The number of cases could rise but it would be too early to tell if it's due to the holidays or the new variant, he said. So far, there is no recorded community transmission of the new variant yet, he added.

 

The Philippines improved in the most recent Bloomberg COVID-19 resiliency ranking, moving up to the 50th spot out of 53 countries.

 

 

 

 

 

7 ILOILO HOSPITALS SEVER TIES WITH PHILHEALTH OVER P895 MILLION IN UNPAID CLAIMS

 

 

 

MANILA—Seven private hospitals in Iloilo City will not renew their accreditation with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation starting Jan. 1 next year over unpaid claims amounting to P895 million.

 

"Desisyon na ho naming lahat na magkalas na this coming Jan. 1, 2022 at pinaghahandaan namin 'yan ngayon," Dr. Danny Encarnacion, president and CEO of Metro Iloilo Hospital & Medical Center Inc, told TeleRadyo.

 

The other hospitals are Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital, Medicus Medical Center, Qualimed Hospital Iloilo, St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo and The Medical City of Iloilo.

 

Encarnacion said they had a meeting with the state health insurer on Dec. 20 but nothing came of it.

 

"Nag-appeal lang sila na huwag ituloy 'yung pagkalas ng mga hospital at meron silang dinidiin na promisa regarding sa DCPM (Debit-Credit Payment Method)," he said.

 

PhilHealth had said DCPM "provides hospitals sufficient cash flow to continue providing the sick with quality health care during the pandemic."

 

Encarnacion said the private hospitals were not in favor of DCPM because processing claims is unilateral.

 

"Hindi kami binigyan ng chance na kung ano man ang magiging posisyon namin dun. Basta lang 'yun ang ipipilit nila," he said.

 

To date, Metro Iloilo Hospital & Medical Center Inc's collectibles with the state health insurer has reached P200 million, Encarnacion said.

 

"Sa kabuuan, umaabot ng P895 million ang utang ng PhilHealth sa 7 hospital," he added.

 

By Jan. 1, Encarnacion said the hospitals would still cater to PhilHealth members but they would not deduct the benefits from the state health insurer.

 

 

 

 

 

BILL SEEKING TO GRANT INCENTIVES TO WINNING ARTISTS FILED

 

 

 

MANILA — A bill seeking to grant incentives to winning filmmakers, writers, artists and performers in international film festivals and other prestigious competitions was filed in the Senate.

 

Sen. Sonny Angara filed Senate Bill 2467 or the proposed “Artists Incentives Act,” which seeks to grant cash incentives to winning filmmakers, film production entities, literary writers, artists and performers in the creative sector, saying “art has played an important role in the Philippines’ history and culture.”

 

Noting that “the Philippines has deeply rooted traditions in music, performing arts, craft, design, and film,” the measure, when approved, shall apply retroactively to the last five years.

 

“The recognition and prestige that Filipino artists gain internationally benefit not only them, but also the country. They convey the name of our country and showcase the skill and creativity of our people,” Angara said in his bill.

 

“As a result, it is only fitting that we express our gratitude to such performances. The international recognition they have received demands our government’s acknowledgment and financial support. As a nation proud of its national artists, approval of this bill is earnestly sought,” he added.

 

He believed the cash incentive would encourage Filipinos to engage in various forms of arts and represent the country in the future.

 

Under the bill, the incentives shall apply to all filmmakers, film production entities, literary writers, artists, and performers in the creative sector whose works merited “the highest recognition for technical or artistic excellence in internationally notable and prestigious competitions, film festivals, and other exhibitions as may be determined by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

 

A cash incentive of P1 million will be granted to those who have garnered the highest award from an international competition, film festival, or exhibition determined by the NCCA, FDCP and CCP.

 

An incentive of P500,000 will be given to who have garnered special recognition and/or any other award not considered as the highest award.

 

 

 

 

 

PRIVATE HOSPITAL GROUP PUSHES FOR PHILHEALTH HOLIDAY JAN. 1 TO 5

 

 

 

MANILA - The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc is encouraging its members to observe a "PhilHealth holiday" in early January to support hospitals protesting unpaid claims, an official said.

 

Several health institutions earlier said they were eyeing the non-acceptance of PhilHealth reimbursements after payments were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

From Jan. 1 to Jan 5, PHAPI members are urged not to accept PhilHealth deductions for health services, PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano told ANC.

 

"Starting Jan. 1, I-encourage namin ang aming mga miyembro na wag muna tumanggap ng PhilHealth from January 1 to January 5 ng sa ganon po, gusto lang namin ipakita ang aming pagsuporta sa aming mga kasamang ospital," De Grano said.

 

"Hindi po muna kami magdededuct ng mga PhilHealth benefits," he added.

 

De Grano said not all health facilities could immediately remove PhilHealth as some services are dependent on its payments.

 

"Maaari po kasing mabigat para sa ibang ospital na kumalas kaagad dahil may mga serbisyo po na talagang dependent sa PhilHealth. Ngayon po ipapakita po namin na sinusuportahan namin ang mga ospital na kumakalas," he said.

 

PhilHealth claims ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic as hospitalization of COVID patients is covered depending on the severity.

 

 

 

 

 

NTF: PHILIPPINES BOUGHT MORE WESTERN VAX THAN CHINESE JABS

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippines purchased more Western-made vaccines against COVID-19 than those made in China, the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 said yesterday.

 

Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, NTF medical adviser, pointed this out in refuting claims that the Philippines favored the China-made Sinovac brand.

 

“We bought more Moderna (of the United States) and AstraZeneca (of the United Kingdom) than Sinovac,” Herbosa said in an interview aired over dzBB, insisting that those who claim the country prioritized China-made vaccines received the wrong data.

 

He said the government bought 40 million doses from Pfizer, 20 million from Moderna and 17 million from AstraZeneca for a total of about 77 million jabs.

 

On the other hand, data provided by the NTF showed that the government procured 51.13 million doses of Sinovac and received 1.1 million in donated Sinopharm doses.

 

“We have bought more Western vaccines than Chinese-made vaccines,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

3 SOLDIERS NABBED OVER CHRISTMAS DAY SHOOTING

 

 

 

MANILA — Three members of the Philippine Army were arrested following a shooting in Taguig on Christmas Day that left six persons wounded, including three minors, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yesterday.

 

Capt. Nheiljay Garcia, 31; 2Lt. Felomino Garcia, 30, and 1Lt. Minalyn Ladyong, 29, were apprehended for allegedly shooting civilians who pelted their house with rocks while the soldiers were engaged in a drinking spree in Barangay Pinagsama.

 

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the soldiers used an M16 rifle to fire at the victims, who were taken to the Ospital ng Makati and Taguig Pateros District Hospital for treatment.

 

The victims were Edsel Polo, 28; JD Navales, 24; John Carl Sabino, 18, and three minors aged 14, 16 and 17.

 

Danao said the soldiers are being held at the Taguig police detention facility on charges of frustrated homicide and physical injuries.

 

He urged uniformed officers and civilians to be calm during times of distress to prevent others from getting hurt.

 

“Having a gun does not mean you have a passport to fire indiscriminately,” Danao said. “This case will be handled without fear or favor.”

 

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the PNP has coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for possible filing of administrative cases against the suspects.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

========

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS 433 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 13 DEATHS

 

 

 

MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 433 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the country’s total to 2,838,640.

 

The Department of Health also reported 283 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 2,777,918.

 

This means that the country has a total of 9,522 active cases as of 4 p.m. Sunday.

 

Thirteen new deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the country’s death toll from the disease to 51,200.

 

ABS-CBN News’ vaccine tracker says that as of Dec. 20, the government has achieved 57.3 percent of its targeted 77.1 million people, more than 8 months since its vaccine rollout.

 

 

 

 

 

COAST GUARD SWITCHES FROM BOATS TO BIKES FOR SURIGAO DEL NORTE RELIEF OPS

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro City has deployed personnel on bicycles to help with search and rescue and with relief operations in Siargao Island and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte, where communities are still reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Odette (Internartional name: Rai).

 

The coast guard district is using bicycles and trucks to transport donations of food packs, hygiene kits, generator sets, drinking water, toys and dog food, the Philippine Coast Guard said. Of the 30 personnel deployed by the district, 10 are on mountain bikes.

 

"Bicycle is the most efficient mode of transport in disaster-stricken areas and we believe this is the key to our operation due to limited resources in Siargao Island and Surigao City," CG Capt. Geronimo Tuvilla, district commander, said.

 

 

 

 

 

POWER RESTORED IN CEBU CITY BY FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY: MAYOR

 

 

 

Power will soon be restored in Cebu City as early as the first week of January, just in time for Sinulog, Mayor Michael Rama said Monday.

 

Speaking to ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, Rama said they were initially told that power will only be restored by the end of January. He said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged the power supplier, linemen and other electric cooperatives to speed up the restoration of power in areas affected by Typhoon Odette.

 

"Now with everybody coming in...first week of January before Sinulog we will be able to have ilaw sa tanan ng mga lugar dito sa Cebu City. In all likelihood that should also include the province," he said.

 

Power restoration is important, he said, as it also affects water supply in the city.

 

Communication lines have been restored in Cebu City, the mayor said.

 

Oil companies will continue to supply petroleum in the area, he said.

 

 

 

 

 

‘KIDS ARE DYING’: NGO HEAD APPEALS FOR HELP FOR SIARGAO CHILDREN

 

 

 

MANILA – More help is needed for the children of Siargao, the head of a charity group said, as she stressed that a number of them are dying of diseases they acquired in the aftermath of typhoon Odette.

 

“I know that a lot of the kids now, they have diarrhea and they’re really dehydrated, and I guess that’s an aftermath of the amoebiasis,” said Nature Kids of Siargao founder Sanne Sevig.

 

“And I know that local health [units] are trying really hard to set up temporary hospitals but, for example, our district hospital [has] 30 beds and there [were] 120 people there the other day in need of immediate healthcare because of dehydration and, kids are dying, you know, because everything is contaminated.”

 

“I know they’re trying their very hardest, but yeah, more help is needed for sure,” she stressed.

 

Sevig said more food and water continues to be needed in parts of Siargao.

 

 

 

 

 

MONSOON, BUT NO STORM INTO THE NEW YEAR

 

 

 

MANILA — No typhoons are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the next five days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

 

However, the northeast monsoon or amihan will continue to affect the country and bring cloudy skies with rains in various parts of the country, especially in Luzon.

 

In a 24-hour forecast, PAGASA said Cagayan Valley, Bicol region, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Aurora and Quezon province may experience cloudy skies with rains. It warned that this may result in possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

'HOUSE OF GUCCI' TO OPEN IN PH CINEMAS ON JANUARY 19

 

 

 

MANILA – Hollywood film “House of Gucci” is slated to open on January 19 in Philippine theaters from Universal Pictures International.

 

The movie is inspired by the shocking true story behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci and based on Sara Gay Forden’s “The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed”, published in 2001.

 

The latest Ridley Scott-directed film tells the story of the real-life family drama set at the critical era of the famed Italian fashion empire’s history.

 

It features Adam Driver and Lady Gaga taking on the roles of Maurizio Gucci and Patrizia Reggiani, respectively.

 

“It’s almost as though the cast were all different musical instruments,” said Lady Gaga, “like an orchestra – everything from the drums to the bass to the brass to the woodwinds and strings. And because we’re all so different as actors, Ridley is the one conducting a symphony of all these different orchestral elements.”

 

“I hope audiences will take away a sense of enjoyment in the artistry of this film, which allows us to appreciate the work of a great troupe of filmmakers who take their work really seriously, but also have fun in trying to create a piece of entertainment. Story wise, I think they'll take away the moral that money isn't everything,” added producer Kevin Walsh.

 

Aside from Driver and Lady Gaga, the other cast members are Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci, Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci, and Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci, while Salma Hayek plays Pina Auriemma.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES DEC 25

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Hawks15-17      21        30        15        21        87

 

Knicks15-18      30        31        20        20        101

 

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

J. Collins ATL

 

20 PTS 8 REB 3 AST

 

J. Randle NY

 

25 PTS 12 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Celtics16-17      35        27        32        19        113

 

Bucks22-13       22        25        43        27        117

 

FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

J. Tatum BOS

 

25 PTS 9 REB 4 AST

 

G. Antetokounmpo MIL

 

36 PTS 12 REB 5 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Warriors27-6     33        25        26        32        116

 

Suns26-6          27        35        22        23        107

 

FOOTPRINT CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

S. Curry GS

 

33 PTS 4 REB 6 AST

 

C. Paul PHO

 

21 PTS 6 REB 8 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Nets22-9           38        28        36        20        122

 

Lakers16-18      23        39        20        33        115

 

CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES, CA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

J. Harden BKN

 

36 PTS 10 REB 10 AST

 

L. James LAL

 

39 PTS 9 REB 7 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Mavericks15-17 34        29        27        26        116

 

Jazz23-9           25        40        25        30        120

 

VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

J. Brunson DAL

 

27 PTS 2 REB 6 AST

 

D. Mitchell UTA

 

33 PTS 3 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

 

 

PBA SCORES DEC 26

 

 

 

NOTE: PBA WILL RESUME ON 5TH JAN 2022

 

 

 

SAN MIGUEL DEF. TERRAFIRMA, 100-88

 

 

 

San Miguel Beermen defeated TerraFirma Dyip, 100-88 to claim their third win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

 

Terrence Romeo led the Beermen with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting including 4 three-pointers with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 34 minutes of play. Import Brandon Brown with a double-double performance of 23 points (7/15 FG, 8/11 FT), 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and a block while Vic Manuel added 14 points (6/14 FG, 2/2 FT) and 8 rebounds.

 

The Scores:

 

SAN MIGUEL 100 – Brown 23, Romeo 23, Perez 17, Manuel 14, Fajardo 11, Lassiter 8, Enciso 2, Tautuaa 2, Pessumal 0, Zamar 0.

 

TERRAFIRMA 88 – Tiongson 21, Hester 19, Calvo 9, Daquioag 8, Ramos 7, Cahilig 7, Gabayni 4, Camson 4, Pascual 4, Ganuellas-Rosser 3, Batiller 2.

 

Quarters: 27-18, 48-37, 77-58, 100-88.

 

 

 

 

 

TNT DEF. RAIN OR SHINE, 95-92

 

 

 

TNT Tropang GIGA defeated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 95-92 to grab their second win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

 

The Scores:

 

TNT 95 – M. Williams 25, Pogoy 18, Erram 15, Fuller 13, Reyes 11, Castro 11, K. Williams 2, Heruela 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0, Alejandro 0, Marcelo 0, Banal 0.

 

RAIN OR SHINE 92 – Walker 32, Mocon 13, Ponferada 12, Belga 11, Nambatac 9, Norwood 6, Asistio 5, Santillan 3, Caracut 1, Torres 0, Borboran 0, Wong 0, Jackson 0.

 

Quarters: 21-27, 44-47, 77-65, 95-92.

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand. - Bertrand Russell