CHINA WARNS PHILIPPINES VS MILITARY BLOCS, PROMISES MORE INVESTMENT
MANILA - Regional security and stability cannot be achieved through military alliances, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte, as the Southeast Asian country counts down to an election that could leave bilateral ties in flux.
In a phone call on Friday afternoon, Xi also pledged more Chinese investment in the Philippines and purchases of goods from the country.
"International developments prove once again that regional security cannot be achieved by strengthening military alliances and China is willing to work with the Philippines and countries in the region ... to keep the leadership of regional security firmly in its own hands and to jointly maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the region," Xi said in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine.
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He said China would maintain "continuity and consistency" in its policy towards the Philippines and the two sides should continue to work together on Covid-19 vaccine development, public health, infrastructure and trade.
In response, Duterte said the Philippines was willing to work with China on pandemic prevention, trade, infrastructure and tourism, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
His country would work with China to "properly deal with South China Sea issues to set an example for peaceful resolution of disputes while maintaining regional peace and stability", Duterte said.
He added that the Philippines would also seek to play "a positive role" between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Manila is key player.
DUTERTE, XI AGREE TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT, WORK TOGETHER ON SOUTH CHINA SEA: PALACE
MANILA— Both President Rodrigo Duterte and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping "stressed the need to exert all efforts" of their respective countries to exercise restraint and work together on the disputed South China Sea, Malacañang said.
The Palace said in a statement that both state leaders, in their latest talks during a telephone summit on Friday, recognized each other's commitment to continue and extend diplomatic engagement with each other despite differences over the hotly contested waters.
The Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, areas believed to be rich in minerals, gas and oil deposits, and other marine resources.
"Both leaders reaffirmed the centrality of ASEAN and renewed the commitment to bring peace, progress and prosperity in the region. The two Presidents emphasized the importance of continuing discussions and concluding the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea," it said.
Besides the South China Sea issue, both presidents also discussed other concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral trade, the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program, the Ukraine-Russian conflict, and climate change.
The Palace said the summit, which it described as "open, warm and positive", lasted for an hour.
ROBREDO’S ARAW NG KAGITINGAN MESSAGE: LET’S SALUTE FILIPINO BRAVERY AMID HARDSHIP
MANILA – Presidential candidate Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo honored Filipinos who showed bravery in times of hardship in her message on the Day of Valor.
"Kasa ako ng Sambayanang Pilipino sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kagitingan," Robredo said in her message Saturday.
"Ginugunita at binibigyang-pugay natin ang mga Pilipinong nagpakita ng tapang sa panahon ng kagipitan – mga humarap sa malaki at malakas na kalaban, pumalag at napilitang magbaba ng armas ngunit di kailanman binitawan ang pag-asa.
"Na sa kabila ng kadiliman, may liwanag na nag-aabang. Kailangan lang magsikap at magtiwala."
The Vice President also expressed hope that the truth of history would continue to guide the Philippines.
Robredo is currently trailing former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in surveys for the 2022 presidential elections. However, she received a boost in her ratings in the latest pre-election poll conducted by Pulse Asia in March.
POLL WATCHDOGS CALL ON PUBLIC TO WATCH OUT FOR SIGNS OF CHEATING AT #HALALAN2022
MANILA – Poll watchdogs NAMFREL, Kontra Daya, and LENTE called on the public on Saturday to watch out for any signs of cheating before, during, and after the national elections on May 9, 2022.
Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said cheating included vote-buying, misuse of government resources, disinformation, and red-tagging.
"Kailangan din po lababanan ’yung disinformation. Nakikita natin ito bilang isang porma ng pandaraya," Arao told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo. "Kailangan talaga ma-call out ’yung perpetrators ng red-tagging sapagkat pwede kang maaresto o patayin kung ikaw ay nare-red tag."
For National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) chairman Gus Lagman, the public should make sure that unused ballots after the elections are destroyed by electoral boards.
"Pagkatapos ng botohan, hindi lahat ng botante dapat bumoboto. Sabihin mo na mga 80 percent lang. ’Yung merong natitirang 20 percent na mga balota, dapat nito ay pinupunit ng electoral board," Lagman said.
Meanwhile, the Legal Network For Truthful Elections said poll watchers should anticipate when election paraphernalia and equipment are delivered to their localities as to prevent tampering before the polls.
PINOYS IN NEW YORK CONCERNED OVER SHIPPING DELAY OF #HALALAN2022 MATERIALS
NEW YORK – With the Philippine overseas absentee voting commencing on April 10, OAV ballots and vote counting machines are yet to arrive at the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
After some shipping delays, the first of several boxes of OAV paraphernalia sent by the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) arrived at the Philippine Consulate General in New York Friday.
But with only 31 days before the May 9 Philippine presidential elections, the testing and sealing of the vote counting machines in New York have not yet taken place as scheduled on April 7 due to the shipping delays.
In the previous presidential elections, the final testing and sealing of the vote counting machines at the Philippine Consulate General were done 53 days before the May 9, 2016 election.
Consul General Elmer Cato said the VCMs, overseas ballots and other election materials shipped by the Comelec are still on their way to New York from Alaska, and the rest are expected to be delivered in the next few days.
"There's a delay. The materials are in Alaska, there's still in transit, waiting customs clearance ... There are delays in Washington DC as well, but we're hoping that this would be resolved. It's a minor issue that shouldn't really affect the elections here," Cato said.
DEPED APOLOGIZES FOR SELF-LEARNING MODULE PUTTING VP LENI ROBREDO IN BAD LIGHT
MANILA — The Department of Education's (DepEd) Manila Division Office on Friday apologized for "any harm caused to individuals and groups", after one of the agency's self-learning modules placed presidential bet Vice President Leni Robredo in a bad light.
The DepEd's self-learning module "Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person (Methods of Philosophizing)" published for Grade 11 students earlier made rounds online after the answers of two of its multiple choice questions referred to Robredo.
"The Division office expressed its apology for any harm that the incident may have caused to individuals or groups. It committed to strictly abide by the quality control and conformance review process set by the Department when developing and producing learning modules," the DepEd Manila Division Office said in a statement sent to reporters Friday.
It ordered its school heads to recall all hard copies of the self-learning module, and already took down the digital copy from the division's learning resource management portal.
The "locally-published" learning material "did not undergo regional conformance reviews", and was published in Sept. 2020- during the time when the Central Office was not yet releasing fully-reviewed modules, it explained.
The division office added that they were able to pinpoint the writer responsible, but said they passed away in 2020.
"DepEd assures the public as well as candidates in the ongoing elections that we are exerting all efforts to warn our officials and personnel, including teachers, against participating in partisan politics," it said.
COVID-19 CASES SLIGHTLY INCREASE IN MINDANAO
MANILA — The OCTA Research Group warned the public yesterday of a possible surge of COVID cases this month, citing a slight increase in new infections in Mindanao.
“In our experience, (a new wave) happens around every three months. The last surge was in January... This month we may see a resurgence of cases,” OCTA fellow Guido David told a virtual press briefing yesterday.
He said vaccine hesitancy, waning immunity from vaccines, low booster uptake, entry of new variants and non-compliance with minimum health protocols may contribute to the increase in cases.
David said OCTA is monitoring the increase in infections in Northern Mindanao.
“We are actually seeing some upticks in some regions... but we are still monitoring the situation,” he said.
David said Metro Manila remains at very low risk with average daily cases of 143 from March 28 to April 3.
While new cases have dropped, he said new variants are being documented in other countries.
The Department of Health said it is monitoring the more transmissible XE variant, which has been detected in Thailand. The variant was first reported in the United Kingdom.
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6 FILIPINOS CHARGED IN MASSIVE MARRIAGE FRAUD SCHEME, SAYS US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
A grand jury in Massachusetts this week indicted 11 people in a sham marriage scheme that allegedly netted hundreds of "green cards" illegally, the US Department of Justice said in a statement Thursday.
Six of the defendants have been identified as Philippine nationals.
The US Justice Department alleged that Marcialito Biol Benitez operated what was described as an "agency" at brick-and-mortar office and employed the other defendants to arrange sham marriages between clients and American citizens.
Based on the marriage, Benitez and his staff would then allegedly submit fraudulent immigration petitions to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Benitez and other indictees were also accused of filing fake domestic violence visas in case the American spouse became "unresponsive or uncooperative."
Clients would be charged as much as $30,000 in cash for these services.
One of his clients resided in Massachusetts where the case is expected to be heard.
“Marriage fraud is a serious crime that threatens the integrity of our nation’s lawful immigration system,” United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins said in a statement.
“These defendants’ alleged exploitation of this system for profit is an affront to our nation’s tradition of welcoming immigrants and prospective citizens. Their alleged fraudulent behavior makes things harder for the vast majority of immigrants who follow the law and respect our immigration system."
MMDA TO OFFER RIDES TO STRANDED COMMUTERS
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will provide free bus rides to commuters stranded in Commonwealth-Litex area in Quezon City due to the lack of public utility buses, an official said yesterday.
In a statement, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said they would deploy six buses and two military trucks from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. to bring stranded commuters to Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.
The buses, Artes said, would bring the commuters to Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.“We received reports that passengers are waiting for buses along the road itself. We will deploy our Libreng Sakay buses as long as they are needed to help the public on their daily commute,” he said.
Artes added that they would be talking to concerned agencies and authorities to provide a long-term solution to the lack of buses in the area.
The MMDA would coordinate with city bus operators, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Department of Transportation to solve the problem.
CAAP BRACES FOR INFLUX OF HOLY WEEK TRAVELERS
MANILA —The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is bracing for the influx of passengers in airports this Holy Week.
The CAAP said added security measures would be in place to ensure safe, reliable and convenient operations at all commercial airports in the country from April 10 to 18.
Maximum deployment of service and security personnel across the 42 CAAP-managed airports with commercial flights nationwide is also being ensured.
The CAAP said coordination has been made with airlines and local authorities regarding the efficient processing of passengers, especially at the check-in counters.
It said additional airline personnel would be deployed as needed to accommodate the increase in travelers.
Malasakit Help Desks manned by duty officers will also be set up to accommodate passenger concerns.
BAGUIO BRACES FOR HOLY WEEK TOURIST INFLUX
BAGUIO CITY — More tourists are expected to spend the Holy Week break in this city.
City tourism officer Aloysius Mapalo said there are more than 80,000 approved travel registrations from April 8 to 17 and the number is expected to further increase in the coming days.
“Registrations usually increase sharply as the day of travel nears so figures for Holy Week may still double. April 14, Holy Thursday, has the biggest registration at 19,342 so far, but may increase up to 40,000,“ Mapalo said.
He said the city government has not reimposed a cap on the number of travelers allowed per day.
However, Mayor Benjamin Magalong stressed the need to ensure that establishment owners, tourists and residents observe health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID.
As of Thursday, the city health services office had recorded only one new case, bringing the active infections to six.
All non-residents are still required to register with visita.baguio.gov.ph. and wait for their QR-coded tourist pass to be issued.
SIGNAL 1 RAISED OVER EASTERN SAMAR, DINAGAT, SIARGAO AS AGATON DEVELOPS INSIDE PAR
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remain hoisted over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and Lucas Grande Islands, PAGASA said in a 8 a.m. weather bulletin on Saturday, as the year's first tropical cyclone emerged in the Philippine area of responsibility.
At 7 a.m., Agaton was located 130 km east of Guiuan town, Eastern Samar, with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center and gusts up to 55 kph. It is almost stationary, PAGASA added.
Agaton will remain almost stationary until Monday, as it meanders over the waters east of Eastern Visayas.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are expected over Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may persist over Masbate, Sorsogon and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.
Landfall over Eastern Samar is possible. Agaton will move eastward by Tuesday as it interacts and eventually assimilates with Tropical Storm Malakas.
Meanwhile, at 4 a.m. today, Tropical Storm Malakas was located 2,005 km east of Mindanao.
It packed winds of up to 75 kph near the center and with gusts up to 90 kph. It was moving west northwest at 15 kph.
Malakas could enter the Philippine area of responsibility late Monday or early Tuesday as a typhoon.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
WILL SMITH BANNED FROM OSCARS CEREMONIES FOR 10 YEARS
Will Smith was banned on Friday from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years, two weeks after the actor stunned the world by storming on stage mid-ceremony to slap the comedian Chris Rock.
Smith is also not permitted to attend any other events held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over the next decade.
The Board's decision stopped short of revoking the best actor award Smith won last month for "King Richard," or barring him from future Oscar nominations or wins.
"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," wrote president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson in a letter.
In a brief statement to Hollywood trade publications, Smith said: "I accept and respect the Academy's decision."
SPORTS
GINEBRA DEF. MERALCO, 99-93 (PBA FINALS GAME 2) APRIL 8
Barangay Ginebra defeated Meralco Bolts, 99-93 in game 2 to the tie series at 1-1 of the 2021-2022 PBA Governors' Cup Finals on Friday in front of 12,248 crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings and was one assist shy of a triple double of 36 points (12/18 FG, 2/5 3PT, 10/12 FT), 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal in 45 minutes of play. Scottie Thompson with a double-double performance of 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
Finals Game 3 is on Sunday, April 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 99 – Brownlee 36, Thompson 16 Tenorio 13, Standhardinger 12, Pinto 10, Chan 7, Mariano 5, Salado 0, Onwubere 0, Devance 0, Ayaay 0.
MERALCO 93 – Bishop 31, Black 24, Banchero 14, Newsome 7, Almazan 6, Quinto 5, Hodge 4, Baclao 2, Belo 0, Hugnatan 0, Maliksi 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 60-42, 82-71, 99-93
NBA SCORES APR 7
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Magic21-60 28 22 32 19 101
Hornets41-39 30 40 27 31 128
SPECTRUM CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC
SCORING LEADERS
C. Okeke ORL
20 PTS 7 REB 4 AST
L. Ball CHA
26 PTS 8 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Celtics50-31 29 30 38 24 121
Bucks50-30 36 33 33 25 127
FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI
SCORING LEADERS
M. Smart BOS
29 PTS 1 REB 7 AST
G. Antetokounmpo MIL
29 PTS 11 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
76ers49-31 33 27 25 29 114
Raptors47-33 26 30 31 32 119
SCOTIABANK ARENA, TORONTO, ON
SCORING LEADERS
J. Embiid PHI
30 PTS 10 REB 2 AST
P. Siakam TOR
37 PTS 11 REB 12 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Trail Blazers27-53 28 24 24 18 94
Pelicans36-44 33 32 36 26 127
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SCORING LEADERS
D. Eubanks POR
20 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
C. McCollum NO
23 PTS 4 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Spurs34-46 35 22 25 39 121
Timberwolves46-35 30 34 33 30 127
TARGET CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
SCORING LEADERS
K. Johnson SA
20 PTS 6 REB 5 AST
A. Edwards MIN
49 PTS 6 REB 8 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies55-25 30 23 25 31 109
Nuggets48-33 34 36 35 17 122
BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
SCORING LEADERS
D. Bane MEM
14 PTS 2 REB 2 AST
N. Jokic DEN
35 PTS 16 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Lakers31-49 32 30 22 28 112
Warriors51-29 27 38 26 37 128
CHASE CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
SCORING LEADERS
T. Horton-Tucker LAL
40 PTS 3 REB 3 AST
K. Thompson GS
33 PTS 4 REB 4 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 51.59
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal. - Paulo Coelho
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