BEIJING STRESSES ITS SOVEREIGNTY OVER SCARBOROUGH SHOAL AFTER COAST GUARD INCIDENT
MANILA — China on Monday stood firm on its claim of sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal after the Philippine Coast Guard said a vessel of its Chinese counterpart closely sailed by one of its ships in the disputed waters.
The PCG earlier reported an incident of a “close distance maneuvering” by a Chinese vessel as BRP Malabrigo was patrolling the maritime area on March 2.
In a press conference, Beijing's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin repeated China's constant claim that it "has sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters."
Huangyan Dao is the Chinese moniker for Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines.
Wang also seemingly pointed the finger at the PCG for its encounter with the Chinese coast guard.
"We hope that the Philippine ships will earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law, and avoid interfering with the patrol and law enforcement of the China Coast Guard in the above-mentioned waters," he said.
According to the PCG, it had to wait for the go-signal from the country's National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea before making the incident public.
It condemned the incident as a violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at SEA (Colregs) since the Chinese vessel was too close for the Filipino ship to move.
According to PCG Commandant Artemio Abu, the incident was the fourth time their vessels had a close encounter with the Chinese coast guard in Scarborough Shoal. The first three reported encounters were in May and June 2021 involving a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel and PCG ships BRP Capones and BRP Sindangan, he said.
'LARGEST' BALIKATAN MILITARY EXERCISE WITH PH NOT A 'SHOW OF FORCE': US MILITARY
MANILA - The United States military said Monday that its largest Balikatan military exercise with the Philippines is not a "show of force" amid the ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, exercise director of the US side and commander of the US 3rd Marine Division, issued the statement during the formal opening of the 2022 iteration of Balikatan, wherein a total of 9,000 American and Filipino soldiers are participating, with 40 others from the Australian Defense Force.
China's aggressive assertion of its claims in the South China Sea, within which is the West Philippine Sea, continues despite a 2016 landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating it.
Nonetheless, Bargeron said this year's military exercises is a chance to further strengthen the alliance between the US and the Philippines, and can help both countries stay vigilant and prepare for any incident.
"Not at all. Balikatan 2022 is a tremendous training opportunity and it’s aimed at improving our security and defensive capabilities and our readiness to respond to any crisis anywhere," he said when asked if Balikatan 2022 is meant as a show of force in the region.
"I would also say it’s designed to enhance our interoperability, strengthen cooperation across the board and to contribute of course to peace and stability in the region," he added.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino said the Balikatan exercise is the military's way of staying true to its partnership with the US.
"We cannot just plan or defend by ourselves, train by ourselves. It’s important that we continue to engage with our allies...The security of our country, the security of the region is a shared responsibility," he said.
This is the 37th time the Balikatan exercise is being held in the country, after it was suspended in 2020. It was held in 2021 on a smaller scale due to the pandemic.
BIR CAN SUE MARCOS JR. OVER ESTATE TAX DUES, EX-PCGG COMMISSIONER SAYS
MANILA — A former commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said Monday that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should file a criminal case against the Marcos family if they don’t address their estate tax liability worth P203 billion.
“Ang dapat mangyari diyan, ang mga Marcos mismo walang ginawa, ayaw magbayad, pwedeng kasuhan ng kriminal na yan ng BIR,” former PCGG commissioner Ruben Carranza said in an ABS-CBN TeleRadyo interview.
Carranza belied claims made by the camp of former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, particularly his spokesperson, that the estate tax issue is still pending in court and that the case is “all about politics.”
He cited Supreme Court decisions in 1997 and 2003 as the basis of the estate tax issue against Marcos, both of which, according to him, are considered final and executory.
“May mga umiikot na hindi naman daw si Marcos Jr. ang kailangang magbayad. Ang dapat magbayad, si Marcos Jr. at si Imelda Marcos dahil co-administrators sila ng estado ni Ferdinand Marcos Sr.,” Carranza said.
Carranza criticized the Marcoses for delaying their tax case and then refusing to acknowledge decisions when the courts ruled against their favor.
“Itong tax case, pinatagal yan ng mga Marcos… Kung ano-anong mga argumento ang ginamit. Pagkatapos, noong natalo na sila, ayaw naman sumunod doon sa kaso na sila mismo ang nag-file,” he said.
He slammed the pro-Marcos “propaganda” floating online.
“Malaki ang nagagawa ng mga nakaw na yaman. Maraming nababayaran sa nakaw na yaman. At mas mura na ngayon magkalat ng kasinungalingan dahil mayroon ng social media,” Carranza said.
“Ang mga Marcos, they are not above the law. Now is the time to show that,” he said.
PINOYS YEARNING FOR NEW KIND OF GOVERNANCE – ROBREDO
MANILA — Filipinos are yearning for a new kind of governance in the next six years, presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday, citing the growing number of volunteers who take part in her people’s campaign.
Robredo noticed that people joining her campaign rallies are more enthusiastic than in past elections.
“This election is different because supporters like you are even more tired than the candidates. And it’s not only that you are doing this for free; you even spend your own money,” she told her supporters in Calbayog City, Western Samar.
The Vice President said she and her running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan are amazed by their supporters’ enthusiasm.
“I think everyone understands that this election is very important. Because we will not only choose the candidates we want, but also the kind of governance we want to have in the next six years,” Robredo said.
She added that her programs at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) are proof of her campaign slogan, “Sa Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat (In An Honest Government, A Better Life for All).”
“What we promise is good governance. We promise to be good and competent public servants. Why is this important? So that people will trust the government,” the Vice President said.
“We saw that when people trust the government, they are the ones who are willing to help,” she added.
Despite the OVP’s limited mandate as well as resources, it was able to implement various projects that helped numerous people, according to Robredo.
Among those who welcomed Robredo and her team were former interior secretary Mel Sarmiento, Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.
DFA REPATRIATES MORE SEAFARERS AS CONDITIONS IN UKRAINE BECOME ‘MORE CHALLENGING’
MANILA — More Filipino seafarers were repatriated from Ukraine just as conditions “become more challenging” as attacks by Russian forces continue in Mykolaiv, a coastal city near the Black Sea.
In a statement dated March 26 published on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it has now brought home a total of 323 seafarers. Meanwhile, another 30 crew members have been evacuated and are waiting for their own repatriation.
The ongoing evacuation of seafarers is done with the assistance of the Philippine Honorary Consul and the Philippine Embassy in Budapest.
Over the weekend the department welcomed 13 crew members of MV Ithaca Prospect at the Clark International Airport.
It also brought home on March 25 eight seafarers of MV Filia Glory, completing the repatriation of the whole crew. The first batch arrived earlier last week on March 22.
MV Filia Glory was docked in Olvia Port at the south of Mykolaiv.
FUEL PRICES RISE FOR 12TH TIME THIS YEAR
MANILA — Consumers can expect higher fuel prices this week following reports of a drone attack on a refinery based in the oil-rich Saudi Arabia as well as several developments affecting the global oil market, where the Philippines mainly gets its supply.
Starting Tuesday, pump prices will experience another round of hikes. In an advisory, local firm Seaoil Philippines announced a price increase in its gasoline products by P3.40 per liter, diesel by P8.65 per liter and kerosene by P9.40 per liter.
Another oil firm Cleanfuel announced similar adjustments for gas and diesel.
This marks the 12th round of weekly fuel price increases this year. This comes just after companies announced a rollback in its fuel products when they were able to buy oil at lower prices in the market.
Rodela Romero, Assistant Director of the Department of Energy's Oil Industry Management Bureau told Philstar.com in an online exchange that some global developments are responsible for this week's price adjustments. These include:
-A recent drone attack on a refinery based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;
-Reports from the IEA (International Energy Agency) that the global oil market can lose three million barrels of Russian oil products per day next month; and
-Storm damage to the crucial Black Sea export terminal
Meanwhile, a Cleanfuel representative told Philstar.com in an online interview that "continuous volatility in the global oil market" caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia contributed to the price increases this week.
DOJ TO FORM COMPOSITE GROUP, PRIORITIZE COMPLAINTS UNDER ANTI-VOTE BUYING TASK FORCE
MANILA — The Department of Justice is set to prioritize the vote-buying complaints that would be filed before it as part of “Kontra Bigay,” the government's inter-agency task force against vote buying that launched Tuesday morning.
In a text message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would create a DOJ composite team from the National Prosecution Service, National Bureau of Investigation, Public Attorney's Office, and main and field offices of the Department of Justice Action Center for the Commission on Election's Inter-Agency Task Force Against Vote Buying.
"Considering the importance of the forthcoming elections to the survival and recovery of the nation, I will direct the DOJ contingent to give the highest priority to this campaign in the next 40 days," he said.
The Task Force, which will be organized by the Commission on Elections, will be composed of the DOJ, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia earlier said that the Comelec would be monitoring social media and technology to detect any vote-buying activities as there could be evidence against vote-buying even if the money is sent via a digital wallet.
The poll body can act on these incidents motu proprio. The Philippine National Police has also formed 105 special teams that will pursue complaints of vote-buying and selling.
LORENZANA HOPING FOR CONTINUITY OF DUTERTE’S ANTI-INSURGENCY PROGRAM
MANILA — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is hoping that the next administration will continue the anti-insurgency program initiated by the Duterte government.
In a statement released on the occasion of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s founding anniversary today, Lorenzana said much has been achieved in the last six years.
“It is our hope that whoever comes next will continue what we have started and sustain our peace initiatives,” Lorenzana said. “The NPA’s founding anniversary is a reminder of the lives lost and the sufferings caused by the communist terrorists, particularly their armed wing, the NPA.”
Lorenzana said the NPA has been taking pride in committing lawless activities such as extortion, destruction of property and undermining the government.
He expressed hope for a more progressive and developed Philippines, now that many rebels have returned to the fold of the law.
Lorenzana said thousands have been given the chance to live a new life and become productive members of society through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
“They have given their firearms in exchange for tools of trade. I am encouraged by the success stories of our former rebels,” he said.
He admitted that there is more to be done to solve the insurgency problem before President Duterte’s term ends.
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PHILIPPINES LOGS LESS THAN 400 DAILY COVID-19 CASES IN PAST WEEK
MANILA - The Philippines tallied an average of 389 daily fresh COVID-19 cases in the past 7 days, the Department of Health said Monday.
From March 21 to 27, the country tallied 2,726 new virus infections, which is 24 percent lower than the cases reported from the previous week, the DOH said in its latest case bulletin.
Some 758 or 11.9 percent of COVID-19 patients in hospitals were in severe and critical condition, said the agency.
The number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds occupied nationwide were 484 or 15.1 percent out of 3,204 beds, the DOH said.
DA IMPOSES STRICTER MEASURES TO CURB BIRD FLU OUTBREAKS
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture has announced tighter restrictions against bird flu after outbreaks of the avian influenza H5N1 were confirmed in some parts of Luzon.
The agency issued a memorandum circular that regulates the movement of ducks, quail, chicken, and other poultry commodities in affected areas, particularly those coming from within the 1-kilometer quarantine area.
"We need to act immediately to control avian influenza — which was initially detected in a duck farm in Bulacan and quail farms in Pampanga — so that we can prevent further spread and damage to our poultry industry," Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement.
Farm owners must comply with the transport requirements in compliance with the prescribed surveillance period, diagnostic tests, and biosecurity protocol of the World Organization for Animal Health.
Dar said the avian influenza virus detected was of subtype H5N1, "which is also a threat to human health".
To date, health authorities have not received reports of transmission of the H5N1 virus to people in affected areas.
PH TO SEE INFLUX OF DATA CENTERS AS DATA DEMAND SOARS: PROPERTY CONSULTANT
Many companies are seeking to set up data centers in Luzon, which will increase the demand for power, according to Leechiu Property Consultants.
David Leechiu said the Philippines’ relatively young and tech-savvy population has made the country attractive for data centers, despite the high cost of power here.
As tech evolves from social media to virtual reality, IoT and the metaverse, “all of that is going to translate into a massive amount of data requirement,” Leechiu said.
This may impact the country's power situation as data centers require massive amounts of power, he said.
He also said that despite industry calls for a hybrid work setup, BPOs will continue to demand office workspaces as the sector expands.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
WILL SMITH APOLOGIZES TO CHRIS ROCK FOR SLAP, ACADEMY WEIGHS ACTION
LOS ANGELES - Will Smith apologized to Chris Rock on Monday for slapping the comedian at Sunday night's Oscars ceremony, issuing a statement after the film academy said it might take action against Smith for an incident that overshadowed the industry's top awards.
Smith, in a post on Instagram, said his behavior at the televised ceremony was "unacceptable and inexcusable."
"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris," Smith wrote. "I was out of line and I was wrong."
Smith strode on stage and struck Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about the appearance of Smith's wife. Less than an hour later, Smith won best actor for his role as the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in "King Richard."
Rock, in a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, had referenced the 1997 film "G.I. Jane" in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head. It was unclear whether Rock was aware that Smith's wife has a disease that causes hair loss.
"Jokes at my expense are part of the job," Smith said on Monday, "but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."
"I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be," he added.
Earlier Monday, the 9,900-member Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences condemned Smith's actions and said it was reviewing the matter.
"We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law," the academy added.
The group's conduct policy states it is "opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination" and expects members to uphold the values "of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity."
Violations may result in suspension or expulsion from the organization, revocation of Oscars, or loss of eligibility for future awards, according to the policy.
In his statement, Smith also apologized to the academy, show producers, attendees, viewers, the Williams family and "my King Richard family."
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MAR 27
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Knicks33-42 34 25 21 24 104
Pistons20-55 22 25 32 23 102
LITTLE CAESARS ARENA, DETROIT, MI
SCORING LEADERS
R. Barrett NY
21 PTS 9 REB 1 AST
M. Bagley III DET
27 PTS 7 REB
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Warriors48-27 24 27 30 34 115
Wizards32-42 28 31 33 31 123
CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC
SCORING LEADERS
J. Poole GS
26 PTS 6 REB 2 AST
C. Kispert WAS
25 PTS 1 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves43-33 30 19 31 32 112
Celtics47-28 34 38 34 28 134
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
A. Edwards MIN
24 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
J. Tatum BOS
34 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
76ers46-28 39 25 22 18 104
Suns61-14 37 23 31 23 114
FOOTPRINT CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ
SCORING LEADERS
J. Embiid PHI
37 PTS 15 REB 3 AST
D. Booker PHO
35 PTS 2 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Lakers31-43 31 38 25 14 108
Pelicans32-43 23 26 41 26 116
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SCORING LEADERS
L. James LAL
39 PTS 9 REB 5 AST
B. Ingram NO
26 PTS 7 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets39-36 26 30 37 26 119
Nets39-36 32 28 29 21 110
BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY
SCORING LEADERS
L. Ball CHA
33 PTS 7 REB 9 AST
K. Durant BKN
27 PTS 8 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Jazz45-30 29 30 20 21 100
Mavericks46-29 21 37 32 24 114
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS, TX
SCORING LEADERS
R. Gay UTA
18 PTS 8 REB 2 AST
L. Doncic DAL
32 PTS 10 REB 5 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 52.13
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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