MORE FILIPINOS FROM UKRAINE ARRIVE IN MANILA AS RUSSIA INTENSIFIES INVASION
MANILA - More Filipinos and their dependents from Ukraine arrived in Manila Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
In a statement, DFA said 4 Filipino adults, 3 Filipino-Ukrainian children and their Ukranian mothers arrived Sunday afternoon via a Qatar Airlines flight. The group, who came from Kyiv and other areas in the western part of Ukraine, left from Warsaw in Poland Saturday.
They were assisted by Philippine officials to travel from Kyiv to Lviv, and from Lviv to Warsaw. Upon arriving in Poland, they were once again assisted by the Philippine Embassy for the processing of their travel documents and visas, as well as their flights and COVID-19 tests.
Another group of 2 Filipino adults, a Filipino-Ukrainian child and his Ukrainian mother are also expected to arrive Sunday, while a group of 3 Filipinos from Kyiv also departed for Manila on their account.
MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE FLEE UKRAINE WAR
GENEVA, Switzerland — More than 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, according to the latest UN data on Sunday.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had recorded 1,534,792 refugees on its dedicated website by 1335 GMT, almost 166,000 more than the previous count on Saturday.
Authorities and the UN expect the flow to intensify as the Russian army continues to advance into Ukraine, particularly as it approaches the capital, Kyiv.
"More than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed into neighbouring countries in 10 days — the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II," the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, tweeted.
According to the UN, four million people may seek to leave the country to escape the war.
Before the conflict, Ukraine had more than 37 million people in areas controlled by Kyiv — which does not include Russian-annexed Crimea or separatist-controlled areas.
In total, there were 885,303 refugees in Poland on Sunday, according to the UNHCR count — 129,000 more than on Saturday and 57.7 percent of the total number recorded to have fled.
Polish border guards said they had registered 964,000 refugees by Sunday.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TACKLE RISING FUEL PRICES, LIVELIHOOD ISSUES
MANILA — The race to Malacañang continues, with presidential candidates this weekend raising proposals to address rising fuel prices and vowing to improve the livelihoods of Filipinos.
Leody de Guzman on Sunday renewed the call to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law, which he said prevents the government from controlling the price of petroleum products.
The labor leader made the statement as pump prices are set to increase again in the Philippines next week by as much as P3 to P5 per liter. It will be the 10th consecutive week for the country to see an oil price hike, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
De Guzman stressed that the transportation sector and ordinary workers would be heavily burdened by the continuing oil price hike.
He urged the government to preserve oil since it remained unclear when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will end.
For Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, the Philippines should "look at our own resources" as the rise in fuel prices is expected to affect the power sector, citing oil-based power plants.
"Sa akin, ‘yung pinaka-long-term [solution], kailangan we should take a serious look at our own resources, ‘yong talagang homegrown resources," he said in a press briefing on Saturday, according to a statement from his camp.
For instance, the Philippines, as a tropical country, could take advantage of the heat generated by the sun to produce solar energy, Lacson explained.
Meanwhile, at the conclusion of his three-day visit to the Cagayan Valley region, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso vowed to protect the welfare and livelihood of Filipino farmers should he win the elections.
Domagoso said he would go after smugglers of rice, garlic, onion and vegetables, which he said are the main reason why farmers cannot sell their produce at a "good price."
He also committed to bring down the prices of fertilizers and called for a review of the Rice Tariffication Law that allowed an influx of rice from abroad, resulting in lower prices of local rice.
If he is elected, Domagoso said he will buy rice and vegetable from local farmers to help them become more competitive.
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would be the backbone of his economic program if he is elected president. He said that he would ensure that workers receive benefits once businesses have recovered from the effects of the pandemic.
"Tiyakin muna natin ang pagbubukas ng mga kumpanya at ang pagbabalik sa trabaho ng ating mga kababayan. Mula sa ganung konsepto ay titiyakin natin ang kaluwagan at pagbibigay ng maaaring mga benepisyo sa ating mga manggagawa," he said in a statement.
ISKO MORENO TARGETS MARCOSES' P200-B ESTATE TAX DUES: PARTY CHAIR
MANILA - If elected president, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso will go after some P200 billion in estate taxes that the family of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. failed to settle, the mayor's camp said Monday.
The Manila mayor's camp has intensified its attacks against the Marcos camp, with Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel and Domagoso's campaign manager Lito Banayo holding a press briefing highlighting the former senator's tax issues, educational background, track record and public discussion no-shows.
Domagoso "started the ball rolling" in criticizing Marcos' tax cases, Ramel said when asked why the candidate does not seem to be criticizing his opponent as much as his camp.
"My statement came out in support of what he already said na hahabulin niya ang P200 billion na di binabayaran ng Marcoses tungkol sa estate tax na 1997 ruling pa," he told ANC's Headstart.
"In fact today we’re going to have a letter received sa commissioner ng BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) asking kasi kailangan every 5 years nagbibigay ka ng demand letter sa heirs," he added.
The Commission on Elections First Division earlier dismissed petitions to disqualify Marcos from running for president, saying failure to file tax returns is not a crime involving moral turpitude.
ROBREDO CAMPAIGN: NO PAYMENTS, NO NDF INVOLVED IN MASSIVE CAVITE RALLY
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo's spokesperson on Sunday stressed that attendees at a campaign rally in General Trias, Cavite on Friday were an organic crowd as a local congressman claimed that they were paid to be there.
Speaking over Robredo's weekly radio show aired over radio dzXL, lawyer Barry Guttierez, Robredo's spokesperson, said that the crowd of an estimated 47,000 supporters "really walked all the way [because] they are really the ones who want to go there."
"It's difficult that perhaps other politicians have grown accustomed to the fact that in their rallies they really pay off people just to have a crowd. So they think, that's the only way to have people at a political rally."
Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla (Cavite 7th District) made the claim over radio DZRH radio Saturday, referring to Robredo by her campaign color and political affiliations but not by name.
"In Cavite, there is a politician who paid each participant P500...They even had jeeps, a staging area, t-shirts, and uniforms. You can tell they are not indigenous because they are wearing uniforms. The people were paid to come," he said in Filipino.
"Their uniform is, of course, pink. It is very obvious. The signboards in jeepneys were covered because they are not from the area...A lot of students were there and they looked like activists," he said, jumping to the conclusion that they seemed to be "from the Left."
LOCAL EXPERTISE TO BUILD, OPERATE NUKE PLANT ASSURED
MANILA — There are local as well as foreign-based Filipino engineering experts who can be tapped to run nuclear power plants in the Philippines, according to the country’s nuclear science chief.
Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) director Carlo Arcilla bewailed statements made mostly by politicians who oppose tapping nuclear power to provide clean and value-priced electricity in the country by questioning the presence of technical expertise for the operation and maintenance of a nuclear power plant.
“To me, it is an insult to hear that we can’t run a nuclear power plant,” Arcilla told “The Chiefs” aired on One News in a recent virtual interview.
“Our engineers are fantastic. Our problem is our politicians. They are a disaster,” he added.
An airplane is more complicated than a nuclear power plant, according to the geologist.
“Who operates our planes here? They’re Filipino engineers,” he said.
Arcilla noted that a South Korean firm tapped by the United Arab Emirates to build three brand-new nuclear power plants employed many Filipino engineers in the project.
“South Korea built three brand-new nuclear power plants in the UAE, an oil rich country. Many Filipino engineers were involved there,” he said.
Arcilla also expressed deep conviction for the need to tap nuclear power plants in the country, including activating the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) despite numerous criticisms on perceived – and what he has consistently said were baseless – fears on the risks of operating nuclear power plants.
ONE OF PHILIPPINES LARGEST FRATERNITIES BACKS BONGBONG-SARA TANDEM
MANILA — One of the Philippines’ largest fraternities has endorsed the presidential and vice presidential bids of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Lakas-CMD chair Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, respectively, and its allied Tingog party-list.
The Scouts Royale Brotherhood International Service Fraternity and Sorority Inc. (SRB), through its national and international officers, has unanimously thrown its support behind Marcos and Carpio, adding to the long list of groups and organizations that have gravitated toward the UniTeam tandem.
The SRB has also endorsed Tingog party-list for election to the House of Representatives.
“The SRB is convinced that Tingog party-list’s thrust of championing regional development is critical in charting a productive future as the Philippines reels from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The countryside progress that Tingog party-list aspires for is consistent to the SRB’s vision of molding individuals who aspire to work in brotherhood for the betterment of society,” the SRB said.
HONTIVEROS CALLS FOR THE LIFTING OF THE EXCISE TAX ON OIL PRODUCTS
Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for the lifting of the excise tax on oil products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law as fuel prices are expected to rise this week by from P5.30-P5.50/L for diesel, P3.60-P3.80/L for gasoline, and P4.00-P4.10 for kerosene.
"Sobrang mabigat ang magiging epekto nito sa ating mga kababayan - sa ating mga drayber, mga mangingisda, maliliit na negosyante, at maging sa ating konsyumer ng kuryente lalo na sa mga off-grid islands na gumagamit ng diesel para sa mga generation power plants," she says.
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PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS 870 NEW COVID CASES; DEATH TOLL BREACHES 57K
MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 870 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the country’s total to 3,667,542.
One hundred forty-four new deaths from COVID-19 were also reported pushing the death toll to 57,023.
The DOH said that of the 144 deaths, 12 occurred in March this year, 64 in February, 48 in January 2022, 3 in December, 6 in November, 4 in October, and 7 in September last year due to late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya.
The positivity rate was also at 3.9 percent, the sixth straight day that this figure was below 5 percent.
The Department of Health also reported 1,433 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 3,561,726.
This means that the country has a total of 48,793 active cases as of 4 p.m. Sunday, which is the lowest since January 5.
MARIKINA GRANTS AMNESTY TO DELINQUENT TAXPAYERS
MANILA — The Marikina City government has granted amnesty to delinquent taxpayers until June 30.
Mayor Marcelino Teodoro on Thursday signed Ordinance 006 Series of 2022 granting amnesty on surcharges and interest of delinquent taxpayers in the city.
“There will be no penalties or interest on unpaid business taxes until June 30,” he said.
Teodoro said the initiative is their way of helping business owners in Marikina recover from losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are 20 active COVID cases in Marikina, based on the latest report of the city health department.
The barangays that logged the most number of COVID-19 infections were Nangka with four followed by Concepcion Uno with three. Barangays Concepcion Dos, Fortune and Parang had two cases each.
40 PCT OF FILIPINOS SAYS QUALITY OF LIFE WORSE OFF IN PAST 12 MONTHS: SURVEY
MANILA - At least 40 percent of Filipinos in the fourth quarter of 2021 said their quality of life was worse than 12 months before, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations released Monday.
Some 24 percent of the respondents said their quality of life improved (gainers) while 30 percent said it was unchanged, based on the survey conducted in the fourth quarter from Dec. 12 to 16 using face-to-face interviews with 1,440 adults.
SWS said the resulting net gainers score is -16 percent classified by SWS as mediocre.
"The December 2021 Net Gainer score is 28 points up from the extremely low -44 in September 2021, but still 34 points below the pre-pandemic level of the very high +18 in December 2019," it said.
Respondents were divided into 360 each in Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
SWS said net gainers eased in all areas, very low in the Visayas and mediocre elsewhere.
Restrictions eased in the latter part of 2021, in time for the holiday season, which has also helped improve consumer confidence in the fourth quarter.
Economic activities in the fourth quarter also buoyed the full-year gross domestic product growth to 5.6 percent, overshooting government estimates.
Mobility restrictions were reimposed again in early 2022 as COVID-19 cases rise due to the emergence of the omicron variant.
WIFE OF AN ABU SAYYAF LEADER ARRESTED
Police on Saturday night arrested the wife of an Abu Sayyaf leader over components for improvised bombs that were found in a search of their residence in Jolo, Sulu.
Nursita Mahalli Malud is also suspected to be a finance courier for the terrorist group, authorities said.
The 7th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Field Unit 9 enforced the search warrant at Malud's residence in Barangay Tulay about 8:30 p.m.
Maj. William Maisog, CIDG 9 provincial officer, in his incident report, said a search warrant, issued by the Regional Trial Court 9th Judicial Region Patikul was enforced against Malud for alleged illegal possession of explosives.
LPA TO BRING RAINS OVER PARTS OF VISAYAS, MINDANAO: PAGASA
MANILA — State weather bureau PAGASA said Sunday it spotted a low pressure area (LPA) off Surigao del Sur, which is expected to bring scattered rains over parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
The LPA was detected 420 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. advisory.
"This weather disturbance has a low chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 24 to 48 hours," it said.
But the LPA will bring "heavy to intense rains over Eastern Visayas and Caraga," PAGASA said.
Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Masbate and Sorsogon will experience moderate to heavy rains, it added.
The agency also warned of possible flooding and landslides triggered by the rains.
On Saturday, parts of Manjuyod town in Negors Oriental were submerged in floods due to a heavy downpour.
The floodwater went inside the homes of residents in barangays (village) San Jose, Suba at Santa Monica, said resident Ivy Therese Cadimas.
In the aftermath of the floods on Sunday morning, residents learned that the flood control at San Jose Bridge sustained damage due to strong water surge from the San Jose River, Cadimas said.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
'I’M HAPPY HERE IN CANADA': MAYMAY ENTRATA FULFILLS DREAM TO STUDY ABROAD DESPITE PANDEMIC
MANILA — Kapamilya actress Maymay Entrata opened up about her views on self-love recently.
The "Amakabogera" singer talked to the press lately in a virtual conference about self-love, as she was introduced as the new endorser of cosmetics brand Meagan Beauty.
The 24-year-old actress is truly working on her self-impovement, as she is currently in Canada to finish her studies.
“I’m happy here in Canada. I’ve long wanted to study abroad, even before I became an actress. My mom knows this,” she said.
“As we get older, we take on more responsibilities and obligations in life. To be honest, I can’t help but feel stressed because of all of them. A stress-free moment for me would be the time when I’ve finished all the things I need to do for work and for my studies, and when I’ve already cleaned the house. I really can’t sleep if I’m not done with all of them."
She added, “I don’t want to just stop and continue the following day because, then, they would just pile up and I’d end up feeling more stressed. It feels great to know that you have done everything you’re supposed to do and have nothing more to worry about. To relieve stress, I like watching movies and eating ice cream, which cools me down when I’m feeling so hot and bothered inside.”
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MAR 5
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings24-42 36 29 27 21 113
Mavericks39-25 26 25 34 29 114
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS, TX
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
44 PTS 2 REB 6 AST
S. Dinwiddie DAL
36 PTS 2 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Spurs24-40 30 30 37 20 117
Hornets32-33 31 31 37 24 123
SPECTRUM CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC
SCORING LEADERS
K. Johnson SA
33 PTS 8 REB 2 AST
T. Rozier CHA
31 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Magic16-49 29 16 29 22 96
Grizzlies44-21 31 37 29 27 124
FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN
SCORING LEADERS
C. Anthony ORL
19 PTS 3 REB 4 AST
J. Morant MEM
25 PTS 4 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
76ers39-24 14 26 28 14 82
Heat43-22 22 32 19 26 99
FTX ARENA, MIAMI, FL
SCORING LEADERS
J. Embiid PHI
22 PTS 15 REB 2 AST
T. Herro MIA
21 PTS 7 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Trail Blazers25-38 34 30 37 20 121
Timberwolves36-29 32 31 46 26 135
TARGET CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
SCORING LEADERS
A. Simons POR
38 PTS 3 REB 3 AST
K. Towns MIN
36 PTS 15 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Warriors43-21 25 42 27 22 116
Lakers28-35 32 30 27 35 124
CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
S. Curry GS
30 PTS 4 REB 1 AST
L. James LAL
56 PTS 10 REB 3 AST
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots. - Victor Hugo
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