PHILIPPINES NOW 'HIGH RISK' FOR COVID-19 — DOH
MANILA — The Philippines was again deemed as “high risk” for COVID-19, the Department of Health said Monday, following a continued increase in infections.
“Nationally, we are now at high risk case classification from low risk case classification in the previous week, showing a positive two-week growth rate of 222% and moderate risk average daily attack rate of 1.07 cases for every 100,000 individuals,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.
Despite the increase in cases, the healthcare utilization rate across the country remained at low risk, with only 18% of the total beds utilized. Meanwhile, 22% percent of beds in intensive care units were occupied.
Metro Manila was also classified as “high risk” for the virus, Vergeire said. The capital region had an 813% growth rate in cases and an average daily attack rate of 5.42 per 100,000 people over the last two weeks.
OMICRON FEARS PROMPT HOUSE LOCKDOWN
MANILA — The House of Representatives has been placed on lockdown amid the threat of the Omicron coronavirus variant that health authorities suspect is behind the current spike in infections.
"The House of Representatives is currently under lockdown to prevent the spread of Omicron," House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said in a message to reporters on Tuesday.
Mendoza said this is to protect lawmakers, the House secretariat and other employees of the chamber.
He added that the House will resume operations next week.
Congress will not resume session until January 17. It will remain in session until February 5, after which it will adjourn for the campaign period for the elections in May.
It is not the first time that the House went on lockdown amid a spike in cases. In March 2021, the chamber went on a four-day lockdown after several employees tested positive for COVID-19.
The Supreme Court earlier announced a work suspension from January 3 to January 5 after “many” personnel tested positive on antigen tests in the past week.
PALACE: IATF MAY REVISIT, UPDATE PANDEMIC PROTOCOLS
MANILA — The government may revisit its pandemic protocols, including those related to the mobility of minors, to holding in-person classes, and to travel as the Philippines grapples with the threat of the more infectious Omicron variant, Malacañang said Monday.
Metro Manila, home to more than 12 million people, was placed under the stricter Alert Level 3 starting yesterday until Jan. 15 because of an exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The capital region, which used to be under Alert Level 2, is now classified as high risk because of a high risk one-week growth rate and a two-week growth rate and moderate risk average daily attack rate of 5.42 cases per every 100,000 population.
"We have to discuss it first in the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) because remember, when these rules were crafted and announced, that was the time when our vaccination rate was still low," Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told ABS-CBN News when asked about the protocols for persons below 18 years old.
PRESIDENTIAL BETS SUSPEND POLITICAL GATHERINGS AS COVID-19 CASES SPIKE
MANILA (Updated 10:30 a.m., Jan. 4) — Presidential aspirants said they will postpone holding physical gatherings amid the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in the country and the risk of Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas bet Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sen. Manny Pacquiao said in separate statements they are suspending political gatherings amid the spike in COVID-19 cases.
Marcos’ spokesperson Vice Rodriguez said all activities of UniTeam, the former senator's tandem with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, are deferred starting Monday until January 15.
He said public appearances, sorties and assemblies of the Marcos and Duterte-Carpio will also be postponed.
ROBREDO SUSPENDS OPERATIONS OF THEIR CAMPAIGN
Vice President Leni Robredo suspends operations of their campaign headquarters for the safety of volunteers and staff due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.
However, they will continue providing assistance to those who were affected by Typhoon Odette.
The Office of the Vice President's Bayanihan E-Konsulta will also remain open while its Swab Cab will resume operations this week as part of their Covid response.
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.
2ND PINOY WHO BROKE QUARANTINE A NO-SHOW AT HOTEL: DILG
MANILA – Police are now investigating the case of another Filipino who was caught violating the mandatory quarantine protocol for travelers returning to the country.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said the overseas Filipino arrived last December 22 and was supposed to stay at Seda Residences in Makati for mandatory quarantine.
“Pero instead na mag-check-in doon, nagpahatid lang doon siya sa hotel, I mean sa Seda pero meron na palang nag-aabang na sasakyan doon at diniretso siya sa kanyang condo dito sa BGC," the DILG chief said.
“So no-show siya dito sa ano, sa Seda at kine-claim niya na meron siyang (Bureau of Quarantine) exemption for quarantine, which the BOQ denied. Wala naman siyang quarantine exemption, atsaka all throughout, hindi na siya talaga nagpakita doon sa kanyang quarantine hotel, but instead doon pa siya nagpaswab sa kanyang condo,” he said.
“At ang masaklap dito ano, pino-post pa niya, pinagyayabang pa niya na ang kanyang quarantine ay isang araw lang at--actually wala na nga kasi exempted daw siya. So ito ay iimbestigahan natin,” Año noted.
The official said hotels are obligated to report any cases of returning overseas Filipinos who do not show up for their mandatory quarantine at their facilities.
“Required or mandated ang ating mga hotel na magreport kung ano yung—kapagka nag-check-in ay i-report din nila, at lalo na ito no, no-show ito.”
“In fairness to Seda, gumawa naman sila ng no-show report addressed to BOQ and (Department of Tourism) ‘no in compliance with directive.”
This is the second known case of Filipino breaking mandatory isolation protocols for travelers. Gwyneth Anne Chua, a Filipina returning from the United States, is believed to have infected about 15 people after skipping isolation at a Makati hotel.
Malacañang said Monday that government will implement penalties for quarantine violators to the "fullest extent of the law.”
ALERT LEVEL 3 IN NCR SEEN TO HAVE 'MINOR' EFFECT IN ECONOMIC GROWTH
MANILA - The recent reimposition of the stricter COVID-19 Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila could have "minor" impact on the economy even as the Trade Department is estimating a P200 million loss, an economist said Tuesday.
The National Capital Region was placed under the said alert status from Monday until Jan. 15 after the number of new COVID-19 cases increased significantly amid the potential community transmission of the omicron variant.
The tighter restrictions in the capital region could cut the 6 to 7 percent potential economic growth this year by only .1 to .2 percent, UA&P Director of Strategic Business Economic Program Vic Abola told ANC.
"In terms of overall effect in the economy, I think it will be a minor reduction. I’m looking at .1 percent to .2 percent. What is more significant really is the typhoon that hit the south," he said.
Metro Manila, home to around 13.5 million people, accounts for about a third of the national economy.
This year, the government expects the economy to expand by 7 to 9 percent, while the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank have set their forecast to 6 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.
The economy could revert to its pre-pandemic level in the fourth quarter, Abola said, in line with the projection of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua.
FACT CHECK: VIDEO CLAIMS MARCOS ALREADY 'WON' WITH PRESENTATION OF BIR CERTIFICATE
MANILA — Following the press conference of lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a YouTube channel released a video claiming in its title that the petition against Marcos has been dismissed.
CLAIM: On December 23, 201, Banat News TV posted a vlog with the title: “JUST IN: FINALLY! DISMISSED NA! Atty. Vic Rodriguez IPINAKITA naang EBIDENSYA! BBM PANALO na! SARA.”
RATING: This claim is false.
FACT:
What did the video say
The video opened with an unknown narrator sharing the December 2021 Pulse Asia pre-elections survey where Marcos and his running-mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led. The survey showed that 53% of the respondents would pick Marcos as their president and Duterte-Carpio as vice president.
The video then played part of Rodriguez's December 22 press conference where he shared details on the UniTeam’s relief operations for communities affected by Typhoon Odette.
In the same press conference, which was streamed on Facebook, Rodriguez also showed a Bureau of Internal Review certification showing that it received four payments on December 27, 2001 from Marcos, totaling to P67,137.21.
According to the receipt, Marcos paid a total of P13,137.27 for total deficiency income tax, fine of P36,000 and surcharge of P18,000.
Details on the document are central to one of the arguments of petitioners asking the Commission on Elections to cancel or deny due course to Marcos' Certificate of Candidacy.
What the post left out
The video did not support its headline that stated that Marcos had already "won". It is unclear if it pertains to the presidential aspirant winning the polls, which is still months away, or to petitions seeking to block his electoral bid.
The Comelec already received the respective memoranda of the petitioners and Marcos’ legal team, but to date, it has yet to resolve the petition to cancel Marcos’ Certificate of Candidacy more than a week since Rodriguez’s press conference.
Comelec also has yet to resolve petitions filed seeking Marcos’ disqualification.
DOMINGO RESIGNS AS FOOD AND DRUG REGULATOR CHIEF
MANILA - Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said Monday he has resigned as director-general of the Food and Drug Administration.
Domingo was named as officer-in-charge of the regulatory office in May 2019, according to the DOH. He was named as FDA director-general in May 2020.
"Yes, effective today. I believe I did my part to help during the pandemic. The FDA is now stronger, more efficient and systems are in place. It's time for me to move on to other things," he told ABS-CBN News.
It was under Domingo's helm that the FDA granted the emergency use authorization of nine COVID-19 vaccines and two drugs used in coronavirus treatment.
FDA deputy director general Oscar Guiterrez will be assigned as officer-in-charge of the regulator, the Department of Health said.
CHR TO PRESS ON WITH RIGHTS EDUCATION DESPITE VETOED CREATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE
MANILA — The Commission of Human Rights said it is "saddened" by President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to veto the establishment of the Human Rights Institute, but vowed it will continue to make human rights education accessible to people.
Duterte rejected a provision in Republic Act 11639 or the General Appropriations Act of 2022 that establishes the HRI—a flagship program of the CHR. The president said no "appropriation is provided for the purpose," meaning there is no funding set aside for it.
In a statement Tuesday, CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit maintained the item appropriation is for the discharge of the agency’s constitutional mandate.
"The establishment of a Human Rights Institute is a longtime vision of previous and present commissions in ensuring crucial human rights education is made accessible to the people and for government personnel to better understand their role as primary duty-bearers in fulfilling human rights obligations to faithfully comply with human rights standards and principles," Gomez-Dumpit
"The HRI was envisioned to fight against revisionism and provide a gateway for robust human rights education programs with other government institutions," she added.
Duterte’s term—which will end on June 30—has been characterized by extrajudicial executions, rise in the climate of impunity, and deteriorating human rights situation, observers said.
THE REST
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TRADING YET TO START AT PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE
MANILA — The Philippine Stock Exchange has yet to start ringing opening bells on Tuesday morning. The local bourse operator has yet to disclose reasons for the delay.
Philstar.com asked PSE officials for details but they have not responded to calls and text messages as of reporting.
The trading floor was supposed to open at 9:30 a.m. Bloomberg reported that the PSE sent an advisory on delayed pre-open at 9:10 a.m.
MAKATI WON'T DECLARE 'POBLACION GIRL' PERSONA NON GRATA
MANILA - Makati City will not declare Gwyneth Anne Chua, a returning Filipino who skipped quarantine and infected several others, persona non grata, Mayor Abby Binay said Tuesday.
Instead, Binay urged business establishments and individuals infected with COVID-19 to file charges against Chua after she skipped quarantine to go to a party in Poblacion, Makati.
"It is a solicited advise to all those affected because of her, the businesses affected because of her, I suggest you file a civil case for damages," she said in an ANC Headstart interview.
Four of the 12 individuals infected with COVID-19 following the superspreader event at the party that Chua attended were bar employees, the mayor said.
"The bars at Poblacion specifically have been the most affected because of COVID. It is only that we were Alert Level 2 that they were able to open. For the last 2 years they were not allowed to open," she said.
"They just started opening and this happens, and true enough, that was our biggest fear-- that it will be a superspreader."
The mayor said she was not considering to declare Chua "persona non grata."
"The level of persona non grata should be reserved for someone who really deserves it. She’s young, she’s callous, but she will have to suffer the consequences."
BULACAN, CAVITE, RIZAL TO BE PLACED UNDER ALERT LEVEL 3 FROM WEDNESDAY
MANILA—Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal will be placed under Alert Level 3 beginning Wednesday, January 5, to 15 following a "sharp increase of COVID-19 cases," Malacañang said Tuesday.
The Inter-Agency Task Force approved Monday the recommendation of its sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics, according to acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles.
Under Level 3, in-person classes, contact sports, fun fairs, live voice or wind instrument performances are prohibited, said Nograles.
Cinemas are allowed to operate at 30-percent indoor capacity and 50-percent outdoor capacity, while the following are allowed at 30-percent indoor capacity but only for fully vaccinated individuals:
Amusement parks
Recreational venues
Religious gatherings
Licensure exams
Dine-in services
Personal care services
Fitness studios, non-contact sports
Film, music, TV production
Calabarzon, Metro Manila and Central Luzon are the top regions with new COVID-19 cases in the recent 2 weeks, the Department of Health said in its latest case bulletin.
The Philippines recorded Monday 4,084 new COVID-19 cases and 20.7 percent positivity rate as the health department classified the country as "high risk" for virus infections.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
KRIS AQUINO CONFIRMS SPLIT WITH MEL SARMIENTO, POSTS SCREENSHOTS OF HIS BREAKUP MESSAGE
MANILA — "Queen of All Media" Kris Aquino confirmed her breakup with fiancé Mel Sarmiento.
The confirmation came after social media users speculated that the two have broken up after Kris deleted all her Instagram posts referring to Mel.
In her Instagram account, Kris posted her statement with screenshots of Mel’s last text messages to her.
“Sa pinagdadaanan ko ngayon, may tao bang gustong pagusapan pa ang kanyang paghihiwalay,” Kris wrote.
“I will just post screenshots of Mel’s last text message to me. After that you will never read or hear anything at all about him from me, because I still want to preserve whatever dignity I have left,” she added.
In the screenshot, Mel wrote that COVID-19 posed a threat to Kris' health and he being outgoing might endanger the host-actress' health. He said that he would accept Kris' offer of letting him go.
“I will always cherish in my heart the happy moments we had together. I do love you, but I guess this is goodbye for your life is of greatest importance given that you have Bimby and Josh to take care of. You will forever be in my heart,” Mel told Kris.
Kris asked the public to respect her privacy as she is having a health battle.
“I only request for some respect for my humanity and privacy now and in the coming months when I fight for my health, because I was brave enough to show you and tell you the truth,” Kris said.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES JAN 2
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Knicks17-20 27 18 29 31 105
Raptors16-17 30 26 40 24 120
SCOTIABANK ARENA, TORONTO, ON
SCORING LEADERS
E. Fournier NY
20 PTS
F. VanVleet TOR
35 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers14-23 30 26 28 20 104
Cavaliers21-16 30 28 30 20 108
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
D. Sabonis IND
32 PTS 13 REB 7 AST
E. Mobley CLE
24 PTS 9 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat23-14 18 39 33 23 113
Kings16-22 26 35 29 25 115
GOLDEN 1 CENTER, SACRAMENTO, CA
SCORING LEADERS
T. Herro MIA
22 PTS 5 REB 2 AST
B. Hield SAC
26 PTS 6 REB 3 AST
FINAL/OT
1 2 3 4 OT T
Magic7-30 19 23 35 23 11 111
Celtics18-19 28 17 20 35 16 116
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
T. Ross ORL
33 PTS 5 REB
J. Brown BOS
50 PTS 11 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Mavericks18-18 26 25 22 22 95
Thunder13-23 22 17 25 22 86
PAYCOM CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
SCORING LEADERS
M. Chriss DAL
15 PTS 7 REB
J. Giddey OKC
17 PTS 13 REB 14 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns28-8 36 37 33 27 133
Hornets19-18 27 20 27 25 99
SPECTRUM CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC
SCORING LEADERS
D. Booker PHO
24 PTS 7 REB 3 AST
L. Ball CHA
17 PTS 3 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves16-20 24 30 26 23 103
Lakers19-19 31 26 21 30 108
CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
N. Reid MIN
23 PTS 11 REB 2 AST
L. James LAL
26 PTS 7 REB 5 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 51.00
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A true test of character isn't how you are on your best days, but how you act on your worst days. – Unknown
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