COVID-19 CASES MAY PEAK MID-JANUARY, REACH 40,000 CASES DAILY: EXPERT

 

 

 

MANILA – COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila may reach its peak as early as January 15 or as late as the third week of February, an expert said Monday.

 

“In terms of projections nakikita natin, posibleng tumaas talaga 'yung kaso, lalo na kapag hindi tayo nagkaroon ng matinding intervention,” Prof. Jomar Rabajante of the University of the Philippines (UP) Pandemic Response Team said.

 

“At, doon sa aming pinalabas ng UP Pandemic Response Team na projections, possible tayong magkaroon ng peak, yung kung kailan magkakaroon ng increase tapos magpi-peak at magde-decrease, ang pinaka-early neto ay January 15, 'yung half ng, middle ng January, 'yung pinaka-late naman ay third week ng February.”

 

“So nandiyan 'yung posibleng peak na mangyari. And 'yung size nung peak natin, kung gaano kalaki, e yung reported cases natin e posibleng mag-range from 20,000-40,000 cases,” he said.

 

Rabajante said cases may peak earlier if COVID-19 health protocols are not properly implemented.

 

 

 

 

 

‘BUILD BUILD BUILD MITIGATES COVID-19 IMPACT’

 

 

 

MANILA — The government spent P1.02 trillion for its Build Build Build Program in 2021, which was significant for the country’s economic recovery in the wake of the COVID pandemic, according to a Malacañang official.

 

“Despite the limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not lost the momentum of our Build Build Build Program,” Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said during a recent press briefing.

 

“It played a major role in the recovery of our economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nograles said.

 

The administration’s infrastructure spending for the Build Build Build Program last year was equivalent to 5.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, he said.

 

Among the projects completed last year were 233 airport and 484 seaport projects nationwide, he added.

 

Five railway projects are undergoing design and procurement including the Department of Transportation’s Metro Manila Rail Network as well as the Metro Manila Subway Project.

 

The budget for the government’s infrastructure program was expected to increase by 5.8 percent this year.

 

President Duterte on Dec. 30 signed into law the P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022.

 

Duterte did not veto any significant item in the budget, said Budget and Management officer-in-charge Tina Canda.

 

 

 

 

 

DPWH COMPLETED 4 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS IN 2021

 

 

 

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed four flagship projects under the Duterte administration last year.

 

In a statement yesterday, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, who is also the newly designated Build Build Build program chief implementer, said the agency’s Unified Project Management Office finished the construction of four of the government’s flagship projects last year.

 

These are the BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road project and Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, which serve as alternative linkages to increase the number of usable roadways that would decongest traffic along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

 

The BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road project shortened to only 12 minutes the travel time between Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas central business district.

 

The Estrella Pantaleon Bridge cuts the drive between Mandaluyong and Makati to just five minutes. The DPWH said the bridge has also enhanced resilience against natural disasters.

 

The third completed project is the 18.97-kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road Phase 1 funded by a grant from Japan, which is geared toward fulfilling the government’s promise to build back better in Marawi City four years after the siege.

 

President Duterte inaugurated the fourth project, the18-kilometer Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 from Buendia, Makati to Balintawak, Quezon City. The skyway, which connects the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway, was funded under the Public-Private Partnership Program.

 

 

 

 

 

NBI TO SUBMIT REPORT ON 52 DRUG WAR DEATHS

 

 

 

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is expected to submit soon to the Department of Justice the report on its probe on 52 drug war cases that resulted in deaths, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

 

Guevarra said he would focus on the review of drug war cases during his last six months in office.

 

“As to the status of the drug war review, the NBI will submit in a few days an initial report on the 52 cases that the DOJ endorsed to the NBI for case build-up,” he said.

 

Guevarra said DOJ prosecution offices in various regions are coordinating with the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) for the investigation of thousands of administrative disciplinary cases filed against police officers involved in anti-narcotics operations.

 

In the DOJ-led drug war review panel’s initial report, which was submitted to President Duterte last September, it was noted that post-operation reports lacked detailed narration that transpired during the stings.

 

There were also instances when there was no pre-operation report, no coordination form, no custody form, ballistics or paraffin test results, or autopsy result on record, no cross-matching of the weapon that was allegedly recovered from the suspects and no scene of the crime operation report.

 

The DOJ also found out that in some of the paraffin tests, both hands of the suspect and the victim were negative for gunpowder nitrates.

 

These revelations prompted the DOJ to forward to the NBI last October the 52 PNP drug war cases.

 

 

 

 

 

QUARANTINE VIOLATORS TO FACE CIVIL, CRIMINAL CHARGES: PALACE

 

 

 

MANILA - Government will implement penalties for quarantine violators to the "fullest extent of the law," Malacañang said Monday after a Filipino traveler from the US was able to skip her isolation to go to a party.

 

The traveler was identified as Gwyneth Chua who arrived in the Philippines on Dec. 22, and was reported to have attended a party on Dec. 23, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

 

She tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 27, and was transferred to a different isolation facility on Dec. 29.

 

She remains under isolation, said acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles.

 

"Because of what happened number 1 we will ensure that whatever applicable laws will be enforced and whoever can be prosecuted we will prosecute," he told ANC's Headstart.

 

"And it’s not just civil cases to be filed but talagang (really) criminal charges will be filed against those responsible, whether it’s the violator or the establishment. We will do what is necessary to serve as an example to all."

 

The Philippine National Police is conducting its investigation, Nograles added.

 

"There are already admissions I think by the lady herself and even by the hotel. Evidence gathering na 'yan and then sasampahan na 'yan ng kaso (That's evidence gathering and then cases will be filed)," he said.

 

"Ayokong pangunahan so hayaan muna natin ang evidence gathering ng ating mga kapulisan at CIDG (PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group)."

 

 

 

 

 

BANGKO SENTRAL URGES FINANCIAL FIRMS TO BOOST DEFENSES VS 'DIGITAL' VOTE BUYING

 

 

 

MANILA - Financial institutions should enhance surveillance and monitoring measures against digital vote buying and selling, the central bank said Monday, as the May 2022 elections approach.

 

In a statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it issued Memorandum M-2021-074 to supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) in order to "mitigate heightened risks of the possible use of electronic channels like online banking and mobile wallets in vote buying or selling activities."

 

The Commission on Elections earlier warned that electronic channels could be used for vote buying.

 

Adoption of electronic money transfers surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

An example of digital vote buying is a significant number of transaction account registrations in areas where vote buying or selling is rampant, the BSP said.

 

Banks should also be wary of large cash transactions during the period as unusual transaction flows between accounts in atypical volumes and values in cash in or cash out channels, it added.

 

The BSP said it is closely coordinating with the Comelec and the Philippine National Police to reduce election vote buying or selling using digital platforms.

 

 

 

 

 

PAL EMERGES FROM CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

 

 

 

MANILA - PAL Holdings Inc said Monday Philippine Airlines has completed its voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings with a "strengthened" balance sheet as it reaffirms its commitment to operate as a full service airline.

 

The flag carrier was able to complete its financial restructuring in 4 months, its parent PAL Holdings said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

 

PAL's plan for reorganization, which was approved by the US restructuring court on Dec. 17, provides for over $2 billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from existing creditors, improvements in PAL operational agreements and additional liquidity including $505 million investment in long-term equity and debt financing from majority shareholder, PAL Holdings said.

 

PAL said the completion was due to the support of its creditors, shareholders, partners and employees around the world who sustained flights throughout the restructuring period.

 

"Philippine Airlines stands ready to help grow back the Philippines' local and international air travel markets in ways that renew the tourism industry, serve the needs of global citizens including overseas Filipinos and contribute actively to the recovery of the Philippine economy," PAL director Lucio Tan III said, quoting PAL Chairman and CEO Dr. Lucio Tan.

 

"Our mission as the flag carrier matters more than ever, and we are thankful for the chance to rebound from the pandemic and continue to fulfill this mission as best as we can."

 

PAL said it would reinvest in its operations to better serve its customers.

 

 

 

 

 

SUPREME COURT ORDERS 3-DAY WORK SUSPENSION OVER COVID-19

 

 

 

MANILA — The Supreme Court suspended work for three days, starting January 3 to January 5 after “many” personnel tested positive on antigen tests in the past week.

 

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo issued Memorandum No. 2-2022 citing a report from the Medical and Dental Services (MDS) of the SC that many Court personnel tested positive on antigen testing done on December 27 to January 2.

 

“[C]ontact tracing conducted reveals they were in close physical contact with other Court employees,” the chief justice added.

 

Gesmundo said the three-day work suspension is declared for testing of all other Court personnel and disinfection of the premises.

 

Concerned personnel of the Office of the Bar Chair and the Office of the Ba Confidant engaged in the 2020/21 Bar examinations, Office of the Administrative OAS-SC, MDS and Receiving Section of the Judicial Records Office involved in e-filing are still required to report on-site, he added.

 

The SC is set to conduct the 2020/21 Bar examinations on the four Sundays from January 16 to February 6.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

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MAYOR ISKO REIMPOSES CURFEW FOR MINORS, PROHIBITS UNVACCINATED FROM MALLS, PUBLIC TRANSPO

 

 

 

MANILA - Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Sunday announced heightened restrictions in the City of Manila as the National Capital Region (NCR) returned to Alert Level 3 on Jan. 3.

 

In Facebook live stream video, Domagoso said he had an emergency meeting with Manila’s medical sectors along with the city’s health authorities to present their plan and preparations that they will use as guidelines in the coming weeks and months in preventing the further spread of COVID-19.

 

From an average of 70 to 90 COVID-19 patients, Manila’s active cases climbed to 574 as of 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2.

 

The local government unit announced the following restrictions in relation to shifting back to Alert Level 3 starting Monday:

 

Suspension of face-to-face classes for early childhood, primary, and secondary levels of education

 

Implementation of a 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. curfew for minors

 

Unvaccinated minors and adults will be forbidden from entering malls and utilizing public transportation vehicles

 

Manila City Hall to operate at 30 percent capacity.

 

Domagoso also mentioned the status of Manila hospitals and health facilities with regard to their current COVID-19 response.

 

He stated that the estimated inventory of oxygen tanks is at 68,700 liters of oxygen reserves; medicine supply of Remdesivir stands at 3935; and 732 Tocilizumab, 22,758 Molnupiravir, 3520 Baricitinib are on hand.

 

Manila’s 12 areas quarantine facilities were also activated as of Saturday which have 530 beds capacity, plus 200 beds of dormitels.

 

“Sama-sama tayong kakaharapin itong hamon ng bagong taon sa bawat isa sa atin na idinudulot na panganib nitong Omicron,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

METRO MANILA MAYORS TO RESTRICT MOVEMENT OF UNVACCINATED AS COVID CASES RISE

 

 

 

Metro Manila mayors have agreed to restrict the mobility of unvaccinated persons in view of the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the capital region.

 

The mayors agreed on a stay-at-home policy for those who are still unvaccinated or have yet to complete the full dose. The resolution shall be effective as soon as all the mayors have signed it.

 

Minors shall not be allowed outside their homes except when procuring food, essential goods and services as well as for work.

 

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said authorities shall now be stricter in demanding proof of vaccination.

 

Vaccination cards and another ID must be presented when in public places like restaurants, malls and other establishments that are allowed to operate.

 

Unvaccinated workers will be required to have an RT-PCR test every 2 weeks at their own expense.

 

Even those eating in neighborhood eateries or carinderias will be asked to present vaccination cards.

 

Violators face a fine of P20,000-P50,000 and one month imprisonment. No curfew shall be imposed.

 

 

 

 

 

PH MULLS TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS IN CALABARZON AS COVID-19 CASES RISE

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippine government is considering tighter restrictions in Calabarzon amid an increase in in COVID-19 cases and the threat of the omicron variant, an interior official said Monday.

 

"We're observing very closely the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan. And the Department of Health is getting all the necessary data to get a clear picture of the situation in those areas," Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told ANC's "Rundown".

 

According to the DOH COVID-19 tracker, Calabarzon has logged 686 COVID-19 infections on Sunday, raising the region's total case count to 499,604. The number of active cases stood at 3,196, while 5,813 have died.

 

Malaya made the remark following the government decision of placing the capital region under heightened restrictions.

 

From Jan. 3 to 15, Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 following a rise in coronavirus infections and the detection of the highly contagious omicron variant.

 

On Sunday, the country reported 4,600 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest in over 2 months, following the easing of quarantine restrictions some weeks prior.

 

The 19.6 percent positivity rate reported on the same day was the highest since Sept. 20, and the number of active cases was the highest since Nov. 20.

 

 

 

 

 

BASILAN TO HAVE ITS OWN STATE UNIVERSITY

 

 

 

MANILA — Efforts to establish a state university in Basilan in Mindanao have paid off after Congress increased the school’s budget for this year.

 

President Duterte signed recently a law converting the Basilan State College into a state university.

 

“We are very grateful for this opportunity… we can plan and start a better Basilan State University for the future of our children,” House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said, referring to Republic Act 11554 or An Act Converting Basilan State College into a State University.

 

Hataman thanked his colleagues in the House of Representatives as well as their counterparts in the Senate for the “phenomenal” hike in the budget from P113.1 million to P233.8 million.

 

“More students will benefit from this and our people will have opportunities to improve the quality of their life,” he said.

 

Basilan, a former lair of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group, has seen a dramatic spurt in development since terrorism was defeated by state security forces, local government units, religious groups, community members and families, he said.

 

The proposed 2022 funds for the college in the Senate and the House stood at P113.1 million, but was revised in the bicameral conference committee to P233.8 million.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

SISTERS CLAUDINE, MARJORIE BARRETTO WELCOME NEW YEAR TOGETHER

 

 

 

MANILA -- Estranged sisters Claudine and Marjorie Barretto were seen welcoming the new year together with their family.

 

In separate Instagram Story posts, cousins Leon Barretto and Sab Barretto posted similar photos and videos of their family celebrating together.

 

In the photo which Leon originally posted, Marjorie and her children Claudia and Leon, were seen in the photo together with Claudine and her children, and their brother Mito's family.

 

The post has since expired but was picked up by fan sites.

 

Claudine also posted a video on her Instagram account showing Leon and Sab, along with their cousins as they wait to welcome the new year in Olongapo.

 

Back in May, Marjorie said she is still at odds with her sisters Claudine and Gretchen.

 

Marjorie, Gretchen and Claudine once had close relationships.

 

Claudie then had a rift with the two, before Gretchen and Claudine reconciled, leaving Marjorie estranged from her sisters.

 

Their most recent publicized feud, and perhaps the most controversial over the past decade, was the scuffle at their late father’s wake in October 2019, witnessed by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES JAN 1

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Pelicans13-23   24        32        26        31        113

 

Bucks25-13       27        37        32        40        136

 

FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

J. Hayes NO

 

23 PTS 7 REB 1 AST

 

G. Antetokounmpo MIL

 

35 PTS 16 REB 10 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Bulls24-10         25        27        34        34        120

 

Wizards18-18    32        32        24        31        119

 

CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

Z. LaVine CHI

 

35 PTS 5 REB 3 AST

 

K. Kuzma WAS

 

29 PTS 12 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL/OT

 

1          2          3          4          OT       T

 

Spurs14-21       29        30        22        24        11        116

 

Pistons6-28       20        32        33        20        12        117

 

LITTLE CAESARS ARENA, DETROIT, MI

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            B. Forbes SA

 

27 PTS 7 REB 2 AST

 

            H. Diallo DET

 

34 PTS 14 REB 4 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Clippers19-18    29        20        31        40        120

 

Nets23-11         30        23        34        29        116

 

BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

E. Bledsoe LAC

 

27 PTS 3 REB 4 AST

 

J. Harden BKN

 

34 PTS 12 REB 13 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Nuggets18-16   30        47        22        25        124

 

Rockets10-27    31        24        19        37        111

 

TOYOTA CENTER, HOUSTON, TX

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            N. Jokic DEN

 

24 PTS 11 REB 3 AST

 

            J. Green HOU

 

29 PTS 1 REB 1 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Warriors28-7     29        35        22        37        123

 

Jazz26-10         24        26        41        25        116

 

VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

S. Curry GS

 

28 PTS 6 REB 9 AST

 

D. Mitchell UTA

 

20 PTS 6 REB 9 AST

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

My husband often told the children that if a man had nothing that was worth dying for, then he was not fit to live. - Coretta Scott King