PHILIPPINE ANNUAL INFLATION EASES TO 3.0% IN JANUARY
MANILA - Inflation in January settled at 3 percent using 2018 as the new base year, the state statistics bureau said Friday.
Inflation for the month slowed compared to December 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
The total is within the government target of 2 to 4 percent.
January's slower inflation number is a “positive news,” said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno in a statement.
“It supports the narrative that inflation is on its downward trajectory,” Diokno said.
Inflation slowed to 3.6 percent in December 2021 using the 2012 base year, after hovering above target for the majority of the year.
Economic managers earlier decided to keep the inflation target range at 2 to 4 percent until 2024.
For 2021, the average inflation hit 4.5 percent, data showed.
The BSP has kept its benchmark rate at a record low of 2 percent, saying the uptick in inflation was "transitory."
This year, the BSP is expected to unwind monetary stimulus put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IS CHIEF BLOWS HIMSELF UP AMID U.S. RAID
The leader of the Islamic State (IS/ISIS), Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, died in a U.S. counterterrorism operation in Idlib province, in northwestern Syria, President Joe Biden announced on Thursday. The death is a serious blow to the terrorist group, whose capabilities have been severely degraded and dispersed, since coalition forces destroyed their ‘caliphate’ about three years ago.
“Last night at my direction, U.S. military forces successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation. Thanks to the bravery of our Armed Forces, we have removed from the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi — the leader of ISIS,” Mr. Biden tweeted.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday morning (Washington DC time), Mr. Biden said: “We all remember the gut wrenching stories, mass slaughters that wiped out entire villages, thousands of women and young girls sold into slavery, rape used a weapon of war,” and that “this horrible terrorist leader is no more”.
The American press reported that Qurayshi exploded a bomb that killed him and some of his family members, including women and children, as U.S. special forces were approaching them. Qurayshi’s predecessor, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, had also killed himself using a suicide vest under similar circumstances in October 2019.
Thirteen people, including six children and four women, were killed in the Idlib raid, according to early reports carried by the Associated Press.
Reports also said there was a two-hour gun-battle after U.S. forces landed in helicopters and targeted a house outside Atmeh, near the Syira-Turkey border in Idlib.
DUTERTE 'IS OKAY' AFTER COVID-19 EXPOSURE, BONG GO SAYS WITH SELFIE
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte "is okay" after his recent exposure to COVID-19 and a medical checkup, his close ally Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go said Thursday.
Go sent reporters a selfie with the President and his personal doctor on board a vehicle for a “routine medical checkup.”
“Proof lang na (just a proof) he is okay,” Go said of the photo.
He did not specify when the picture was taken.
Duterte's acting spokesman Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said earlier in the day that the President was exposed to household staff with COVID-19.
Nograles said though that Duterte, who is turning 77 next month, tested negative both on Monday and Tuesday, and that he "is currently observing mandatory quarantine protocols."
The Palace official also confirmed the President went to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center “for his routine medical check-up.” He did not say when.
Asked why the President went to the hospital while still on quarantine, Go said, "Tapos na yata (it seems to be finished).”
He added the President’s check up was a decision of his personal physician.
"There is no violation" of quarantine protocols when Duterte had his checkup, said Nograles.
CONGRESS OKS MANDATORY REGISTRATION OF SIM CARDS, SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
MANILA - Congress has approved the proposed SIM Card Registration Act, which includes the mandatory registration of social media accounts.
Both the Senate and the House ratified the bicameral conference committee report consolidating House Bill No. 5793 and Senate Bill No. 2395.
Section 2 of the approved bill states that: "The State shall require the registration of SIM Cards for electronic devices and social media accounts by all users."
"Thus there is a need to promote accountability in the use of SIM card and social media and shall provide law enforcement agencies the tools to resolve crimes which involve its utilization and the platform to deter the commission of wrong doings," it added.
This is to prevent the following: internet or electronic communication-aided crimes like terrorism, text scams, unsolicited, indecent or obscene messages, bank fraud, libel, anonymous online defamation, trolling and/or hate speech.
spread of digital disinformation or fake news as defined under pertinent laws
Section 4 of the approved bill on SIM card and social media accounts registration states that public telecommunications entities shall require the registration of SIM cards as prerequisite to sale and activation.
The same section noted that similarly, all social media account providers shall require real-name and phone number upon creation of account.
INTING TAKES OVER AS ACTING COMELEC CHAIR AS DUTERTE YET TO PICK FROM 'SHORTLIST'
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now helmed by its most senior commissioner Socorro Inting, albeit in an acting capacity, according to spokesman James Jimenez on Thursday, as President Rodrigo Duterte takes his time to fill the three major vacancies in the poll body.
In an earlier statement, Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles said Duterte is looking to appoint three Comelec commissioners "ASAP."
He added that the president already has a shortlist, but refused to disclose the names in it.
On Wednesday, chairman Sheriff Abas and commissioners Antonio Kho and Rowena Guanzon retired from Comelec as they finish their respective terms.
This leaves the Comelec with only four commissioners, namely: Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino and Rey Bulay
All four are also appointees of Duterte, with three coming from Davao, the home place of the President.
LACSON SIGNS PHARMALLY REPORT ‘WITH RESERVATIONS’
MANILA — Senators have found generally acceptable the findings of a Senate committee on the alleged anomaly in the P42-billion deal of the government with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. on the procurement of COVID-19 supplies and equipment.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he signed “with strong reservations” the Senate Blue Ribbon committee report on the Pharmally probe, as he wanted to clarify the issue on “betrayal of public trust.”
In his Twitter account, Lacson posted that he would like to interpellate Sen. Richard Gordon, the committee chairman, who presided over 18 hearings and prepared the partial report that contained the recommendation to file charges against those involved in the alleged irregularity.
“I signed the committee report as Blue Ribbon vice-chairman but with strong reservations on the ‘betrayal of public trust’ comment/recommendation. I will also interpellate in case it is reported out for plenary deliberations to clarify its findings,” Lacson said in his post.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she also signed the committee report and voiced intention to also interpellate Gordon on some matters.
“I have signed and expressed support for the partial report. I also stated that I may interpellate upon receipt of the full report, which I look forward to reading,” Hontiveros said.
“I agree with many or most of its findings but not all. Going over the report,” Sen. Ralph Recto said.
Sen. Grace Poe has yet to sign the report but expressed support for it.
Meanwhile, Gordon said Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong might remain in the custody of the Senate and be detained in Pasay City, until the end of the 18th Congress or until June 30.
SENATE OKS LONGER VALIDITY OF FIREARM LICENSE, PERMIT
MANILA — The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the measure seeking to streamline the process of securing firearm licenses and extending their validity to five or 10 years.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said members of both panels from the Senate and the House agreed to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1155 and House Bill 10610, amending Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
“Mr. President, the House panel has agreed to delete the provision in their version referring to the active sports shooters’ exemption from the requirement of the threat assessment certificate. On the other hand, both panels agreed to include to the list of persons exempted from the certificate incumbent and former elected officials, active and retired military, and law enforcement personnel,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said the House panel agreed to delete the provision in its version concerning the active sports shooters exemption from the requirement assessment certificate.
“The two panels also agreed to adopt a provision of the House version wherein renewal of a license shall be every five years or 10 years, at the option of the licensee, unless revoked or suspended,” Dela Rosa added.
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FATE OF PH REAL ESTATE MARKET HANGS ON OUTCOME OF MAY POLLS
The Philippine presidential elections in May are likely to delay any investment decisions by investors and developers, as they wait and see if the new administration will be business-friendly, analysts said.
This in turn will potentially worsen a market that is already reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Some investors might take a wait-and-see stance until the new president is elected," said Joey Bondoc, associate director, research at Colliers Philippines. "Some developers are likely to resume developments and land banking once the new administration outlines its polices."
There are two factors that will determine if Philippine real estate is going to benefit from the polls, said Claro Cordero Junior, director, research, consulting and advisory services at Cushman. First, is the election's credibility and second, its outcome.
"The biggest threat ... would be a hotly contested result that may potentially drag and delay the process and installation of a new administration," he said. "The release of credible election results, if significantly prolonged, due to these potential delays will undermine continuity and erode confidence among investors and consumers both in the economy and the property market."
TWO PARENTS WANT LOCAL COURT TO STOP COVID-19 VACCINATION OF 5- TO 11-YEAR-OLDS
MANILA — Two parents on Thursday asked a Quezon City court to stop the inoculation against COVID-19 of children aged 5 to 11.
The petitioners questioned the Department of Health’s circular on vaccination for 5 to 11-year-olds, and asked the court to declare it unconstitutional.
The Philippines is set to begin Monday the inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 using Pfizer's mRNA vaccine, with six initial sites in Metro Manila. It will be expanded nationwide on the following day, officials had said.
Dominic Almelor, a former ABS-CBN reporter and a father of a 7-year-old, and Girlie Samonte, mother of two children aged 7 and 9, said they want to have the final say whether or not their children should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Almelor invoked his experience as a journalist, while Samonte, who had filed criminal and civil complaints against government officials over the Dengvaxia vaccine rollout, cited the supposed adverse effects experienced by her son after having been inoculated with Dengvaxia.
They object to a provision in the DOH circular that allows the government, through representatives from the social welfare department, to give consent for vaccination of a minor in case the latter wants to get vaccinated but the parent/guardian refuses.
“In case the DOH Memorandum is followed, Dominic finds it repulsive that he will not have a say on the matter as his 7-year-old son is still very young and may not be able to stand the effects of the vaccination. His son cannot expect to know of the experimental nature of the COVID-19 vaccine and its possible adverse effects,” the petition said.
DOCTOR STRESSES SAFETY OF COVID-19 JAB FOR KIDS AMID PARENTS’ CONCERNS
MANILA – Adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are rare, a doctor noted, after two parents on Thursday asked a Quezon City court to stop the inoculation of children aged 5 to 11.
“There have been a lot of studies, especially abroad, in the US, to say that these adverse reactions are rare and do not really count as to be considered of concern in this vaccination,” said Dr. Antonio Pascual, who heads the COVID-19 vaccination team at the Philippine Heart Center.
The hospital is one of the three medical facilities in Quezon City that will serve as a vaccination site for young children when the jab program rolls out on Monday.
“One thing is, for example, this myocarditis that I’ve been talking about. There is… 4 to 5 percent chance that people may have myocarditis when they contract COVID-19. But with vaccines, the chances of having COVID is only about 0.0001.”
“So, considering now the benefits of this vaccine, these adverse reaction are very far-fetched and they come in very rarely,” Pascual said. “So they should not be of concern when you consider the benefits of vaccination.”
The doctor said the COVID-19 jab has already been tested a lot of times, when asked about the “experimental nature” of the vaccine, as stated by one of the petitioners.
“Actually, first things first, is that these are no longer experimentation. Because in the implementation of vaccine, for any drug for that matter, there are several phases that have to be undertaken,” Pascual said.
“We are already past that experimentation and observation of these side effects,” he stressed.
Although the WHO cited “very rare signal of myocarditis/pericarditis” connected with mRNA vaccines, these cases, it said, occurred more often in younger men aged 16 to 24.
The Philippines will use the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine when it starts inoculating children aged 5 to 11.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
ABS-CBN TO CO-PRODUCE US SERIES ABOUT FILIPINO KINGPIN ‘CONCEPCIÓN’
MANILA — ABS-CBN continues to expand its international partnerships to produce its latest global offering, about a Filipino family’s rule over a Los Angeles town.
The project, titled “Concepción,” was first revealed by Deadline.
Filipino-American actor Reggie Lee, who recently starred in the US legal drama series “All Rise,” and Filipino-American film producer Jeremiah Abraham, whose recent credits include “Yellow Rose” and “Lingua Franca,” are collaborating with ABS-CBN on “Concepción.”
“I am thrilled that ABS-CBN Corporation, with their wealth of resources in the Philippines, is joining us in this journey to hopefully bring this first Filipino-American drama with its dynamic scope and universal values to screens,” Lee said, as quoted by Deadline.
Abraham added: “Asian-Americans have a wealth of stories and experiences that Hollywood has only begun to acknowledge. I’m glad to produce such a unique project that I’m sure will captivate audiences everywhere.”
Ruel S. Bayani, head of ABS-CBN International Production and Co-Production, touted the quality to be expected of a Kapamilya title made global through the network’s new partnerships.
“As one of the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment organizations, ABS-CBN Corporation is excited to collaborate on ‘Concepción.’ It represents the highest quality of Filipino content made for a global audience and we hope to find a distribution partner to help bring this story to life,” he said.
Set alternately between 1992 and 2020, the series is billed as a family crime drama centering on the titular Paulo “Lolo Pepe” Concepción and his kin, who rule over Historic Filipinotown or HiFi in Los Angeles, Deadline reported.
In the series, Lolo Pepe has built a “vast criminal empire through small-business extortion, gambling, racketeering, and most of all the street sales of ‘shabu.’”
Penned by Lynn Harrod, who is co-showrunner with creator Craig Obligacion Wilson, the story “seeks to examine the world of an Asian-American crime patriarch, a world of drugs and money, but also heritage and pride, viewed through origins, history, choices and consequences,” according to Deadline.
Also attached as producer is Nathan McCoy, with Only Human Productions credited as the production company.
“Concepción” is ABS-CBN’s latest international co-production after the likes of “Almost Paradise,” and the recently announced “Cattleya Killer.”
SPORTS
NBA SCORES FEB 2
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Magic12-41 28 25 33 33 119
Pacers19-34 34 33 21 30 118
GAINBRIDGE FIELDHOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
SCORING LEADERS
G. Harris ORL
22 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
C. LeVert IND
26 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards24-27 29 30 22 25 106
76ers31-20 28 26 25 24 103
WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
SCORING LEADERS
K. Kuzma WAS
24 PTS 7 REB 3 AST
J. Embiid PHI
27 PTS 14 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets28-24 22 31 25 29 107
Celtics28-25 27 27 34 25 113
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
L. Ball CHA
38 PTS 6 REB 9 AST
J. Richardson BOS
23 PTS 2 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies36-18 35 29 28 28 120
Knicks24-28 27 25 27 29 108
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY
SCORING LEADERS
J. Jackson Jr. MEM
26 PTS 10 REB 1 AST
E. Fournier NY
30 PTS 5 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Cavaliers31-21 31 22 30 21 104
Rockets15-36 32 32 26 25 115
TOYOTA CENTER, HOUSTON, TX
SCORING LEADERS
E. Mobley CLE
29 PTS 12 REB 2 AST
J. Green HOU
21 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
FINAL/OT
1 2 3 4 OT T
Thunder16-34 30 21 34 18 17 120
Mavericks29-23 28 23 25 27 11 114
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS, TX
SCORING LEADERS
L. Dort OKC
30 PTS 6 REB 3 AST
L. Doncic DAL
40 PTS 6 REB 10 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nets29-22 32 30 24 15 101
Kings19-34 23 31 29 29 112
GOLDEN 1 CENTER, SACRAMENTO, CA
SCORING LEADERS
N. Claxton BKN
23 PTS 11 REB 1 AST
H. Barnes SAC
19 PTS 7 REB 4 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nuggets28-23 30 31 18 25 104
Jazz31-21 28 32 22 26 108
VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
SCORING LEADERS
B. Forbes DEN
26 PTS 1 REB 2 AST
T. Forrest UTA
18 PTS 2 REB 8 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Trail Blazers21-31 16 37 22 19 94
Lakers25-27 28 26 18 27 99
CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
N. Powell POR
30 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
A. Davis LAL
30 PTS 15 REB 2 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.05
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. - Bertrand Russell
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