DUTERTE: REDS WORKING WITH ‘YELLOWS’ TO DISRUPT ELECTIONS

 

 

 

MANILA — President Duterte on Saturday warned that communist insurgents are conniving with a certain political organization to destabilize the May 9 elections.

 

“But what I really am afraid of is the report of the intelligence community. If you have time, I will allow you to be briefed by the intelligence people,” Duterte told controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy during a taped interview.

 

“It seems there’s a grouping of the communists, the yellows, and another… Well, of course the communist is already a terrorist organization. So the yellows, that’s a... I forgot the other one,” he added.

 

“They (government) are watching for that kind of situation. They might be... That what I said could disrupt because they have these working relations now with the yellows and the election is the objective really,” the President said.

 

Duterte made the warning after presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed that the campaign of Vice President and presidential hopeful Leni Robredo has been infiltrated by communists.

 

Yellow is the color associated with the Liberal Party, where Robredo remains a member.

 

Meanwhile, the President reiterated a warning to politicians or groups planning to use violence to advance their political interest in the coming national elections.

 

He particularly mentioned the warring factions in Cotabato.

 

“I will not allow terrorism in the elections. I will not allow violence,” Duterte said.

 

He also brushed off reports saying most of the ballots to be used in the coming polls have already been printed without any witness.

 

The President said he does not believe the accusation, noting he has full trust in the members of the Commission on Elections.

 

 

 

 

 

ROBREDO DEBUNKS LIES SHE MARRIED CPP-NPA REBEL WHEN SHE WAS 15

 

 

 

Vice President Leni Robredo, who has been the top target of disinformation ahead of the May 2022 presidential election, debunked on Sunday lies that she married a communist rebel when she was 15.

 

In a Facebook post, Robredo said she has been called many names since winning the vice-presidency in 2016.

 

"Hindi ako tinantanan ng fake news mula 2016 hanggang ngayon. I’ve been called many names - mandaraya sa election (hello??), lugaw, bobo, buntis, kabit, lutang, etc. Ni minsan, hindi ko hinayaan maging sagabal ito sa trabaho ko. Pinaghusayan ko pa din kahit pinapahirapan ako," she said.

 

She said the latest lie being spread on social media is that she got married when she was 15 years old and that her husband was a CPP-NPA member who died in battle. She said the lie has "mutated" and now includes a son that she allegedly abandoned. This was allegedly before she married the late interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

 

Robredo, however, pointed out that she was only in 3rd year high school when she was 15 and had never taken a leave of absence until she graduated from college at 21.

 

She said she stayed in the University of the Philippines Dormitory for 4 years and that all her roommates were women.

 

"Nakilala ko si Jesse (Robredo) after graduation at kinasal kami TWICE when I was 22," she added.

 

"Kung naniniwala ka pa, pagdadasal na lang kita."

 

The Vice President has also belied claims spread through text blasts suggesting that she has aligned herself with communist leader Jose Ma. Sison.

 

Robredo clarified that she does not believe in using violence to solve problems, and that it is not true that she will be forming a coalition government with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) once she wins the upcoming elections.

 

"Para klaro: kasinungalingan ito," she said.

 

"Once and for all: Kaliwa, kanan, taas, baba, lahat handa tayong pakinggan — basta tapat, mapayapa, at handang magtrabaho para iangat ang buhay ng Pilipino," Robredo added.

 

 

 

 

 

WHO AIRS FRUSTRATION 2 YEARS SINCE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DECLARATION

 

 

 

GENEVA, Switzerland — Friday marks two years to the day since the World Health Organization first described Covid-19 as a pandemic, shaking countries into action as the disease ripped around the planet.

 

The once-in-a-century pandemic has turned the world upside down, claiming more than six million lives and infecting at least 450 million people.

 

But the WHO voiced its frustration at people marking the second anniversary of March 11, 2020, insisting that the real alarm came six weeks earlier -- but few people bothered to sit up and take notice.

 

The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) -- the highest level of alarm in the global health regulations -- on January 30, 2020, when, outside of China, fewer than 100 cases and no deaths had been reported.

 

But it was only when WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the worsening situation as a pandemic on March 11 that many countries seemed to wake up to the danger.

 

The WHO is not marking the anniversary -- and two years on is still irked that governments did not heed the original alert.

 

"The world was possessed with the word pandemic," said WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan.

 

"The warning in January was way more important than the announcement in March.

 

"Do you want the warning to say you've just drowned, or would you like the warning to say the flood is coming?"

 

 

 

 

 

DRILON TELLS COMELEC COMMISSIONER TORREFRANCA-NERI TO RESIGN OVER BRIBERY ALLEGATION

 

 

 

MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Monday that Aimee Torrefranca-Neri, newly appointed as an elections commissioner, should resign amid a bribery allegation that he said can affect the agency's integrity.

 

Drilon is a member of the Commission on Appointments (CA), a congressional body that has the power to reject appointments.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Torrefranca-Neri, who previously served as Social Welfare and Development undersecretary, to the Comelec last week.

 

Drilon, in a statement on Monday, said that Torrefranca-Neri must "resign in order to save herself, the president and the poll body from embarrassment and unnecessary distraction that could affect the integrity of the 2022 presidential elections."

 

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio has alleged that his client, drug convict Herbert Colanggo, gave Torrefranca-Neri P10 million to "fix his robbery case before the Supreme Court."

 

He said that Torrefranca-Neri only reportedly returned P7 million after Colanggo was convicted in 2018.

 

Drilon said he is certain the CA will ask Topacio to substatiate his allegations.

 

Torrefranca-Neri denied the accusations, saying that they are unsubstantiated and false, but added she is ready to face such allegations in the proper forum, according to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in an interview with ANC's "Rundown."

 

"Her appointment has created a distraction that can jeopardize the Comelec's constitutional duty to conduct a fair, credible and honest 2022 election," Drilon said.

 

"I am telling [Attorney] Neri that whoever your MBA or 'May Backer Ako' is, he cannot influence the CA to set aside these allegations and confirm your appointment. The CA takes this matter seriously," he added.

 

 

 

 

 

DIOKNO SAYS 'NO URGENCY' IN USING CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCIES

 

 

 

MANILA - Bangko Sentral ng PIlipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Monday said there is no urgency in using central bank digital (CBDCs) since the current payment system is "working very well."

 

CBDCs are digital versions of legal currencies and are being explored by central banks globally.

 

"We’ve been studying this and we’re currently studying the outcome in other countries and we also and we’re also talking with our regional counterparts," Diokno told ANC.

 

"It depends on the outcome of further study. There’s no urgency for this, our settlement and payment systems are working very well. I think we’ll maximize the benefit of our existing payment system," he added.

 

If in case the BSP decides to use CBDCs, it will be for wholesale transactions and not for retail, the central bank chief said.

 

Wholesale transactions involve government agencies or banks but not individuals, he said.

 

South Korea and China are among those whose central banks are currently piloting the use of CBDCs.

 

The BSP, meanwhile, is pushing for other digitalization efforts to boost financial inclusion, such as the use of online payments InstaPay and PESONet as well as the use of digital banks.

 

 

 

 

 

ROBREDO GETS BACKING OF GOVERNOR FERNANDO OF VOTE-RICH BULACAN

 

 

 

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo's bid for the country's highest elected post on Monday scored the endorsement of Governor Danilo Fernando of vote-rich Bulacan province.

 

Fernando said the Philippines needed a president who was free of corruption allegations and someone who had a strong faith in God.

 

"Ikinagagalak ko pong ipahayag sa araw na ito… ang aking taos-pusong suporta sa kandidatura ng ating kasalukuyang Bise Presidente," he said in a press conference.

 

"Let a woman lead. Let Leni lead," continued the governor.

 

Bulacan is home to 2,007,523 voters, according to data from the Commission on Elections.

 

In the 2016 vice presidential race, Robredo got some 366,000 votes in Bulacan, compared to around 556,000 votes of her then closest rival, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

 

Marcos is among Robredo's rivals in May's presidential race.

 

Robredo said she hoped Fernando's endorsement would boost her fight against disinformation. She is the top target of false online information, a fact-checking group said in February.

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA RELAXES TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR PINOYS

 

 

 

MANILA — The South Korean government has relaxed its COVID-19 testing requirement for international travelers arriving from the Philippines.

 

Starting March 14, a negative PCR test result issued by any testing center in the Philippines will be recognized and accepted as a requirement for entry to the country.

 

Prior to this policy change, sea and air travelers departing from the Philippines and Uzbekistan were required to submit a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test issued by government-designated testing centers.

 

South Korea requires all travelers to submit a negative test result taken 48 hours before departure from the country of origin.

 

In a separate update, the Korean embassy in the Philippines said visas may now be issued for those who will travel to the country for short-term news coverage or employment.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

========

 

 

 

 

 

DENR TURNS OVER MARIKINA RIVER REHAB PROJECT TO DPWH

 

 

 

MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently turned over to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the Task Force Build Back Better’s Marikina River rehabilitation project to ensure its continuity after the Duterte administration.

 

Acting Environment Secretary Jim Sampulna said the move would mainstream the task force’s gains in the Marikina restoration project into the initiatives of the DPWH’s Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster.

 

“But the objective of the activity remains the same – to address the issue of perennial flooding in Marikina, Pasig and Quezon City,” Sampulna said, adding that the gains of the task force was proven by the “improved conditions in the Marikina and Pasig during intense rains last year.”

 

The transfer of implementation allows for the second segment of Phase 2 of the Marikina River Dredging Project to be adopted under Phase 4 of the DPWH’s Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

 

Phase 2 of the dredging consisted of two segments covering Barangays Santolan, Ugong and Caniogan in Pasig.

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL SPEED ON EDSA STILL FAST – MMDA

 

 

 

MANILA — Despite the increase in the volume of vehicles along EDSA under Alert Level 1, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday the speed of cars traversing the major thoroughfare is still “fast.”

 

MMDA Traffic Engineering Center chief Neomie Recio said there has been a steady increase in the number of vehicles on EDSA since Metro Manila was placed under more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on March 1.

 

Based on MMDA data, Recio said 367,000 vehicles passed through EDSA on March 1. The number ballooned to 396,000 on March 10.

 

“We are near the pre-pandemic figure of about 400,000 cars traversing EDSA daily. But the good news is that the speed is still good,” Recio said in Filipino.

 

From Roxas Boulevard to Monumento in Caloocan, the MMDA said the average speed of vehicles is at 25.79 kilometers per hour.

 

The speed on the southbound lane is at 22.82 kph.

 

“It is still fast. This just means that despite the higher volume of vehicles, we could maintain the 21 to 25 kph speed along EDSA,” Recio said.

 

The MMDA continues to monitor the daily traffic situation along EDSA, which Recio called a “barometer” of roads in Metro Manila.

 

 

 

 

 

IATA CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF FACE MASKS ON FLIGHTS

 

 

 

MANILA — The chief of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the scrapping of the use of face masks on flights, but local airline industry players have mixed feelings about it.

 

IATA director general Willie Walsh said many governments around the world have made a dramatic shift in the past weeks to ease or remove COVID-19-related travel restrictions and requirements as the disease becomes endemic.

 

Walsh added that it is vital that this process continues and even accelerate in order to quickly restore damaged global supply chains and enable people to resume their lives.

 

“One step to encourage a return to normality is to remove mask mandates for air travel. It makes no sense to continue to require masks on airplanes when they are no longer being required in shopping malls, theaters or offices,” he said.

 

“Aircraft are equipped with highly sophisticated hospital quality filtration systems and have much higher air flow and air exchange rates than most other indoor environments, where mask mandates already have been removed,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

'THE POWER OF THE DOG', 'DUNE' TRIUMPH AT BAFTA AWARDS

 

 

 

LONDON - Dark Western "The Power of the Dog" scooped the top two honours at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, winning best film and director for Jane Campion, while sci-fi epic "Dune" picked up the most prizes.

 

New Zealand filmmaker Campion wrapped up a successful weekend for her comeback feature film, after winning the top honours at the Directors Guild of America awards in Beverly Hills the day before.

 

Based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, the critically-acclaimed movie set on a 1920s Montana ranch marks the return of Oscar winner Campion to feature films since 2009’s “Bright Star”.

 

"Jane ... you are a visionary whose trail blazed through the last 30 years of cinema with stories about the silenced, the under-represented and the misunderstood," producer Tanya Seghatchian said as she accepted the award on behalf of Campion, who was absent.

 

"You've inspired legions of women to find their voices. We're here because of you."

 

Campion later briefly appeared via a video call on the phone of one of the film's producers during the winners' press conference, and said she was "overwhelmed".

 

Hosted by Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson, this year's ceremony, known as the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) returned as a usual glitzy red carpet event at London's Royal Albert Hall, following a virtual event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

There were references to the war in Ukraine, with some nominees wearing ribbons and badges in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag or speaking about the crisis on the red carpet and on stage.

 

"Dune", a mammoth adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, had lead nominations with 11 nods, mainly in the creative and technical categories. It won five awards.

 

"Belfast", Kenneth Brannagh's semi-autobiographical black and white comedy drama set at the onset of Northern Ireland's three decades of conflict, won outstanding British film.

 

Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" remake won two awards, including best supporting actress for Ariana DeBose.

 

Fresh from his win at the Screen Actors Guild awards, Troy Katsur, who is deaf, won supporting actor for "CODA", a coming-of-age story about the only hearing member of a deaf family.

 

"This is a historic moment because it's been an extremely long time for folks to really accept a different perspective of the deaf community and deaf actors," Kotsur told Reuters on the red carpet via an interpreter.

 

"Finally they look at me not as a deaf person, but as an artist and an actor who happens to be deaf."

 

An absent Will Smith won the leading actor award for playing the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams in "King Richard", while Joanna Scanlan won leading actress for portraying a widow who discovers her late husband's devastating secret in "After Love".

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

PBA

 

 

 

PHOENIX ELIMINATES NORTHPORT , 101-98 (PBA) MARCH 13

 

 

 

Phoenix Super LPG defeated NorthPort Batang Pier, 101-98 to secure the eighth and final quarterfinal slot in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Phoenix will now face no. 1 Magnolia in the quarterfinals, top-seeded Hotshots also has a twice-to-beat advantage over the Fuel Masters.

 

The Scores:

 

PHOENIX 101 – Maxwell 31, Garcia 19, Perkins 18, Wright 11, Jazul 11, Demusis 4, Rios 3, Manganti 2, Melecio 2, Pascual 0, Robles 0.

 

NORTHPORT 98 – Artis 21, Bolick 19, Malonzo 15, Sumang 14, Santos 14, Ferrer 6, Balanza 4, Rike 3, Taha 2.

 

Quarters: 18-31, 46-55, 76-79, 101-98.

 

 

 

QUARTERFINALS start from 16th March

 

(QF1) Magnolia* vs. Phoenix

 

(QF2) Meralco* vs. San Miguel

 

(QF3) NLEX* vs. Alaska

 

(QF4) TNT* vs. Ginebra

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES MAR 12

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Cavaliers38-29  22        20        24        25        91

 

Bulls41-26         24        29        24        24        101

 

UNITED CENTER, CHICAGO, IL

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            D. Garland CLE

 

25 PTS 7 REB 7 AST

 

            D. DeRozan CHI

 

25 PTS 4 REB 6 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Pacers23-45     34        37        26        22        119

 

Spurs26-42       26        38        18        26        108

 

AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, TX

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            D. Washington Jr. IND

 

19 PTS 2 REB

 

            J. Landale SA

 

26 PTS 7 REB 2 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Timberwolves39-30       30        25        34        24        113

 

Heat45-24         25        42        19        18        104

 

FTX ARENA, MIAMI, FL

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            J. Nowell MIN

 

16 PTS 1 AST

 

            T. Herro MIA

 

30 PTS 7 REB 2 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Bucks42-26       28        30        26        25        109

 

Warriors46-22   28        39        36        19        122

 

CHASE CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

G. Antetokounmpo MIL

 

31 PTS 8 REB 3 AST

 

K. Thompson GS

 

38 PTS 6 REB 5 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Kings24-45       42        25        21        37        125

 

Jazz42-25         37        34        29        34        134

 

VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            D. Fox SAC

 

41 PTS 3 REB 11 AST

 

            J. Clarkson UTA

 

45 PTS 2 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Raptors37-30    28        37        28        34        127

 

Nuggets40-28   25        38        36        16        115

 

BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            P. Siakam TOR

 

33 PTS 5 REB 7 AST

 

            N. Jokic DEN

 

26 PTS 10 REB 7 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Wizards29-37    26        28        37        27        118

 

Trail Blazers26-40         38        34        31        24        127

 

MODA CENTER AT THE ROSE QUARTER, PORTLAND, OR

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            K. Caldwell-Pope WAS

 

26 PTS 4 REB 5 AST

 

            J. Hart POR

 

44 PTS 8 REB 6 AST

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. - Mark Twain