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PHILIPPINES NEWS

29 APRIL 2022

COVID-19 PATIENTS UNDER ISOLATION WON'T BE ABLE TO VOTE

 

 

 

MANILA — COVID-19 patients who are isolating at their homes or in facilities would not be able to vote on election day as local government units will not allow them to break their isolation, Commission on Elections Commissioner George Garcia said Friday.

 

“Under Republic Act No. 11332 and at the same time IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) guidelines and resolutions, then dapat mag-isolate po kasi yung COVID-positive patients,” Garcia told CNN Philippines’ “The Source.” “Definitely, the LGU (local government unit), more specifically the barangays won’t allow them to vote.”

 

“In that case, we have to respect the IATF guidelines and resolution as well as the DOH (Department of Health) instruction on this matter because these are COVID-19 positive patients,” he continued.

 

The DOH said in a statement that it “would not stop” anyone from voting, but reminded that COVID-19 patients have to follow quarantine guidelines.

 

"Individuals who are positive with COVID-19 should strongly refrain from going outside and remain in isolation while recovering, as required in DOH Department Memorandum 2022-0013," it said.

 

While COVID-19 patients would not be able to vote, those coming to polling places with symptoms of the disease but without a positive test result would be allowed to cast their ballots.

 

“We cannot drive them away at papauwiin na lang sila. We will allow them to vote,” Garcia said.

 

He explained that people with coughs, colds, fever or other COVID-19 symptoms would be able to vote in isolation polling precincts which will be manned by election workers in personal protective equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

BSP SLAPS SANCTIONS ON BDO, UNIONBANK OVER MASSIVE ONLINE FRAUD

 

 

 

MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has finished its investigation into a massive online fraud in December last year that affected hundreds of clients of BDO Unibank Inc., which will face sanctions together with Union Bank of the Philippines.

 

“Based on the results of the investigation, the Monetary Board (MB) approved the imposition of sanctions on BDO and UBP to ensure that both banks will swiftly address the issues the BSP noted,” the central bank said in a statement on Thursday.

 

The BSP, however, did not disclose the sanctions that will be imposed on the two banks.

 

Known as the “Nagoyo” scam, BDO account holders in mid-December last year reported unauthorized transactions involving tens of thousands of pesos. BDO said the incident “affects a 10-year old web service that is for phase out.”

 

The National Bureau of Investigation said the scam started from phishing, which eventually led to the accounts of clients being compromised. The NBI, however, said the suspects were not able to cash in the stolen money as their transactions were flagged by UnionBank, the receiving bank.

 

Following the heist, BDO said it reimbursed the stolen money of close to 700 clients.

 

The Department of Justice found probable reason to charge four individuals over the massive online banking fraud.

 

“This incident is a reminder that we should continue to enhance our defenses against cyberthreat actors to protect the integrity of the financial system and the interests of depositors," BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said.

 

 

 

 

 

VP ROBREDO CHALLENGES MARCOS JR TO ONE-ON-ONE DEBATE

 

 

 

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday challenged former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to a debate ahead of the May 9 presidential election.

 

The lone female presidential candidate said the debate would shed light on the many issues surrounding the dictator's son.

 

"Inaanyayahan ko si Ginoong Bongbong Marcos na makipagdebate, para mabigyan ang taumbayan ng pagkakataong makaharap siya at matanong tungkol sa mga kontrobersiyang pumapalibot sa kanya," she said in a statement.

 

"We owe it to the people and to our country. Kung papayag po kayo, anytime, anywhere, darating ako," she added.

 

"Mahalaga sana ito para masuri kami ng publiko, at para marinig nila at mapagkumpara ang vision at pagkatao namin."

 

Robredo pointed out that Marcos Jr. has not attended any of the debates sponsored by the Commission on Elections.

 

"Sa puntong ito, isang kandidato na lang ang hindi pa humaharap sa taumbayan sa isang debate kasama ang lahat ng ibang kandidato," Robredo, who is trailing Marcos Jr. in recent opinion polls by a wide margin, said.

 

Marcos Jr. has attended presidential fora during the campaign period, but avoided invitations from credible and major media organizations, including the presidential debates organized by Comelec.

 

Robredo has also decided to skip the presidential panel interview to be hosted by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to join her supporters who have volunteered and poured time and effort into her campaign for the top post.

 

"Sa loob ng ilang araw, boboto na ang mga Pilipino. Halos tatlong buwan nang tumatakbo ang official campaign period, at naihayag ko na sa maraming pagkakataon ang track record, mga plano, at mga prinsipyo ko. Maraming beses na akong nagbigay ng panayam sa mga panel interview at naka-post online ang lahat ng recording na ito," she said.

 

 

 

 

 

ROCO FAMILY WON'T SWITCH, WILL KEEP BACKING ISKO DESPITE PRODDING FROM RIVAL CAMPS

 

 

 

BACOLOD CITY - Several camps have been urging the family of Aksyon Demokratiko founder Raul Roco to stop supporting party standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso, the late senator's son said, Thursday.

 

"Friends from different camps" want our family to withdraw support from our own presidential candidate and back their respective bets, said Bobbit Roco, son of the late Sen. Roco and current Aksyon Demokratiko Vice-President for External Affairs.

 

"One particular camp is very serious in giving us calls individually to ask us to change our allegiance," Roco said without naming any presidential candidate.

 

"We cannot do that," he told ABS-CBN News Digital in a chance interview here.

 

So far, all efforts to push the Roco family to abandon its own party president have been denied, he said.

 

"Mama would say something like, 'I was the one who nominated Isko to run for president under the party,'" he said, referring to Mrs. Sonia Roco, who still holds power in the party despite not joining campaign rallies due to her advanced age.

 

"Actually, it is appalling to get those kinds of suggestions from people who do not even know him (Domagoso)," he said.

 

The Roco family remains steadfast in backing Domagoso as Aksyon Demokratiko's standard bearer, Bobbit said.

 

"All the requirements, all the principles of Aksyon Demokratiko is being emulated by Isko so there is no reason [to ditch him] even if they say nasty things about it," he said.

 

 

 

 

 

ESPINOSA RECANTS P8 MILLION DRUG PAYOFF TO DE LIMA

 

 

 

MANILA — Self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa yesterday retracted his testimony during Senate hearings in 2016, which implicated detained Sen. Leila de Lima in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison when she was secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

 

In a counter-affidavit subscribed before the DOJ, Espinosa recanted his statement that he gave P8 million in drug payoffs to De Lima through her former driver Ronnie Dayan.

 

Espinosa alleged that Dayan called him in August 2015 to solicit money for the campaign kitty of De Lima in exchange for protecting his drug dealings.

 

Espinosa said his claims against De Lima during the Senate hearings or in the form of sworn affidavits are not true.

 

He said he had no drug dealings with De Lima and has not given her money at any given time.

 

“My testimony was the result of pressure, coercion, intimidation and threats from the police who instructed me to implicate the senator in the illegal drug trade,” Espinosa’s affidavit read.

 

He apologized to De Lima.

 

 

 

 

 

FOLLOWING KERWIN'S RECANTATION, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL RENEWS CALL FOR DE LIMA'S RELEASE

 

 

 

MANILA — Amnesty International renewed its call to free detained Sen. Leila de Lima, whom they referred to as “prisoner of conscience,” after confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa retracted his allegations of giving money to the lawmaker.

 

Amnesty International Philippines Section Director Butch Olano said Espinosa’s retraction “is veritable proof” that De Lima “is a victim of political persecution, targeted and singled out by the Duterte administration for her legitimate work as a human rights defender and duly-elected legislator.”

 

“Following this retraction, the government must immediately and unconditionally release her and hold accountable those responsible for her unjust detention and the various human rights violations she has had to endure,” Olano added.

 

This was after Espinosa, in a separate criminal rap he is facing at the Department of Justice, recanted his allegations against the senator who is accused of benefiting from the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary.

 

Espinosa said: “[A]ny and all of his statements given during the Senate hearings, or in the form of sworn written affidavits against Senator Leila de Lima are not true. He has no dealings with Sen. De Lima and has not given her money.”

 

He added that he was coerced and threatened by the police in his extrajudicial confession during the Senate hearings in late 2016.

 

Olano said the contents of Espinosa’s counter-affidavit “is deeply disturbing.”

 

He continued that the Amnesty International has repeatedly said that De Lima’s case stemmed from her criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody

 

“war on drugs” — a claim that the Palace has repeatedly denied.

 

'No effect'

 

De Lima was originally charged with three drug cases, over her supposed hand in the proliferation of drugs in the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary. She has been acquitted in one case and has two pending cases before the Muntinlupa courts.

 

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, however, said that Espinosa’s recantation, which was contained in a counter-affidavit in a separate drug rap, will have no effect on their case against De Lima.

 

“He is not a witness for the prosecution. This has no effect since he is not our witness,” he said in Filipino.

 

But De Lima’s lawyer, Filibon Tacardon, said the recantation shows that testimony and evidence against the detained senator was fabricated.

 

"We have always believed that no matter the lies perpetrated by coerced witnesses, in the end, the truth will still come out," he said.

 

De Lima, who has been detained for more than five years now, is seeking a re-election to the Senate.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

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METROBANK POSTS P8 BILLION NET INCOME IN FIRST QUARTER 2022

 

 

 

MANILA - Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company on Friday said it posted a net income of P8 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

 

The solid performance is attributed to stable net interest income as well as recovery in loans, modest rise in non-interest income and marginal costs growth, the bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

 

"We are encouraged by the sustained pick-up in economic activities as Metrobank stands ready to support our clients in their funding plans and investment needs," Metrobank president Fabian Dee said.

 

"The strategies that we have put in place should enable the bank to achieve sustainable growth along with the expanding domestic economy," he added.

 

Gross loans reached P1.3 trillion, up 5 percent year-on-year, it said. Total deposits also jumped 17 percent to P2 trillion, it added.

 

Non-performing loans (NPL), meanwhile, declined by 5 percent to P27 billion, Metrobank said. NPL ratio improved to 2.2 percent from 2.4 percent last yearm while NPL cover remained ample at 179 percent.

 

Metrobank is among the largest banks in the country in terms of assets.

 

 

 

 

 

DEPT OF MIGRANT WORKERS INSISTS ON POWER TO LIFT BAN ON NEW HIRES TO SAUDI ARABIA

 

 

 

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers has lifted the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Saudi Arabia, its chief said Friday.

 

"I had issued a department order lifting the ban on the processing of and verification of documents for new hires of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia," Secretary Abdullah Mama-o told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

 

But the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) contradicted the policy, saying the newly created agency still has no power to remove the deployment ban.

 

Mama-o insisted that his department can now do its function under the law, telling Labor chief Silvestre Bello that his remarks were "inappropriate."

 

"I have commenced exercising fully the mandate and the power and authority for the Department of Migrant Workers that has been vested upon me by law all employees are now effectively working under my control and leadership," Mama-o said.

 

Mama-o said he is still awaiting a scheduled meeting with Bello to discuss the issue.

 

A migrants organization earlier said that the conflicting policy statements by the government officials have caused confusion among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

 

 

 

 

 

FILIPINO FISHERMEN RAMMED BY CHINESE BOAT IN 2019 TO GET P6-M IN COMPENSATION

 

 

 

MANILA — Filipino fishermen who were on a boat that was rammed by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea in 2019 will finally receive compensation, the Department of Justice said Thursday.

 

"I confirm that there has been a final settlement of the damage claims of the GEM-VER fishermen against the owners of the Chinese vessel," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

 

Six million pesos will be received by the owner of F/B GEM-VER on behalf of him and the rest of the fishermen who were involved in the Recto Bank (Reed Bank) incident, Guevarra said.

 

It was in June 2019 when Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana said that a Philippine vessel sank following a collision with a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea, triggering Manila to file a diplomatic protest against Beijing.

 

The incident left 22 Filipino fishermen adrift at sea for hours. They were eventually rescued by a Vietnamese vessel.

 

Guevarra in 2019 said the owner and crew members of the Philippine boat sought an estimated P12 million in damages.

 

 

 

 

 

PRESYO NG BIGAS MULA SUPPLIERS NAGMAHAL; RETAILERS TAKOT MAGTAAS NG PRESYO

 

 

 

MANILA — Kahit tumaas ang kuha ng mga retailer sa Quinta Market ng bigas sa kanilang mga pinagkukuhanan, hindi raw muna nila gagalawin ang presyo ng kanilang paninda.

 

Ayon kay Marilyn Reyes, presidente ng vendors' association sa Quinta Market, umabot na sa P10 hanggang P30 ang dagdag sa presyo ng bigas sa kanilang supplier.

 

Epekto umano ito ng pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo.

 

Nadagdagan kasi anila ang gastos sa transportasyon mula sa mga probinsya papuntang Metro Manila.

 

LINK https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/25/22/alamin-taas-presyo-sa-petrolyo-sa-abril-26

 

Ayon sa mga nagtitinda sa naturang palengke malaki ang bawas nito sa kanilang kita.

 

Hangga't kaya raw ay hindi nila gagalawin ang presyo ng bigas bilang malasakit sa mga mamimili. Baka rin daw kasi mabawasan pa sila ng mga suki.

 

Kapansin-pansin raw mula Enero nang nagsimulang magtaas ang presyo ng petrolyo, kumaunti ang mga mamimili pati na rin ang mga binibili nila.

 

Pero kung sisirit ulit ang presyo ng krudo mapipilitan na umano silang magdagdag ng piso o dalawang piso sa kanilang paninda.

 

 

 

 

 

4 DEAD, 24 RESCUED IN BOHOL BRIDGE COLLAPSE

 

 

 

MANILA — Four persons, including a foreign tourist, were killed and 24 others were rescued after Clarin Bridge in Loay town in Bohol collapsed on Wednesday.

 

Twelve vehicles crossing the bridge fell into Loboc River in Barangay Poblacion Ubos at around 4:18 p.m., Lt. Thomas Zen Cheung, Bohol police spokesman, said.

 

Among the fatalities was Austrian tourist Michael Ouschan, who was vacationing with his wife in Bohol. He drowned when their rented vehicle fell into the water.

 

The other fatalities were identified as Arnes Silos, Emilia Gemina and Epifania Onada.

 

The injured were brought to a hospital for treatment.

 

No one was reported missing and all the 12 vehicles had been recovered as of 5 p.m. yesterday, Cheung said.

 

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials told him that stationary vehicle traffic could have caused the bridge to collapse.

 

An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

KRIZ GAZMEN IS NEW ABS-CBN FILMS HEAD; OLIVIA LAMASAN TO REMAIN AS CONSULTANT

 

 

 

MANILA — Kriz Anthony Gazmen, whose business unit Black Sheep produced the Kapamilya hits “Alone/Together” and “Exes Baggage,” has been appointed as the new head of ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. effective May 1, the company announced on Friday.

 

Gazmen succeeds acclaimed filmmaker Olivia Lamasan, who remains with ABS-CBN Films as consultant for its film brands Star Cinema and Black Sheep.

 

First joining Star Cinema in 2007 as creative producer, Gazmen went on to take bigger roles in the group, eventually becoming creative director in 2015. He then led the establishment of Black Sheep in 2018.

 

Among Gazmen’s notable projects over the years, prior to his stint in Black Sheep, were “I Love You Goodbye” (2009), “No Other Woman” (2011), “One More Try” (2012), “The Trial” (2014), and “Etiquette for Mistresses” (2015).

 

“In his new role, Kriz will usher in a fresh era of storytelling as ABS-CBN Films continues to explore novel approaches in content creation and platform migration in order to reach more audiences,” the company said.

 

Lamasan, who is fondly called “Inang” in the film industry, will continue to be part of ABS-CBN Films as consultant for content, partnerships, and talent management via RISE Artists Studio.

 

The award-winning filmmaker has been with ABS-CBN for 34 years, during which she directed the acclaimed titles “Sana Maulit Muli” (1995), “Madrasta” (1996), “Milan” (2004), “In the Name of Love” (2011), “The Mistress” (2012), “Starting Over Again” (2014), and “Barcelona: A Love Untold” (2017), among others.

 

Lamasan also helped shape ABS-CBN’s drama landscape on television, as creator of the iconic “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” the pioneering teleserye “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” as well as the well-loved primetime series “Forevermore.”

 

“Amid the many challenges brought by the pandemic, Olive steered ABS-CBN Films towards new ventures and partnerships, making its well-loved content available across different platforms while maintaining its position as a reliable producer of inspiring Filipino stories,” the company said.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES APR 27

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

6 Bulls1-4         18        24        26        32        100

 

3 Bucks4-1       34        26        31        25        116

 

GAME 5: MIL LEADS 4-1, FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

P. Williams CHI

 

23 PTS 1 REBG. Antetokounmpo MIL

 

33 PTS 9 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

6 Nuggets1-4    25        23        30        20        98

 

3 Warriors4-1    30        18        22        32        102

 

GAME 5: GS LEADS 4-1, CHASE CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

N. Jokic DEN

 

30 PTS 19 REB 8 AST

 

S. Curry GS

 

30 PTS 5 REB 5 AST

 

 

 

 

 

INDICATORS

 

 

 

FOREX $1 = P 52.27

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation; all of which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, even if religion vanished. - Francis Bacon

 

 

Comments (0)


Today
8:03am
Hi Jenna! I made a new design, and i wanted to show it to you.
8:03am
It's quite clean and it's inspired from Bulkit.
8:12am
Oh really??! I want to see that.
8:13am
FYI it was done in less than a day.
8:17am
Great to hear it. Just send me the PSD files so i can have a look at it.
8:18am
And if you have a prototype, you can also send me the link to it.

Monday
4:55pm
Hey Jenna, what's up?
4:56pm
Iam coming to LA tomorrow. Interested in having lunch?
5:21pm
Hey mate, it's been a while. Sure I would love to.
5:27pm
Ok. Let's say i pick you up at 12:30 at work, works?
5:43pm
Yup, that works great.
5:44pm
And yeah, don't forget to bring some of my favourite cheese cake.
5:27pm
No worries

Today
2:01pm
Hello Jenna, did you read my proposal?
2:01pm
Didn't hear from you since i sent it.
2:02pm
Hello Milly, Iam really sorry, Iam so busy recently, but i had the time to read it.
2:04pm
And what did you think about it?
2:05pm
Actually it's quite good, there might be some small changes but overall it's great.
2:07pm
I think that i can give it to my boss at this stage.
2:09pm
Crossing fingers then

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