US HOUSE AGREES TO BLOCK AID TO PNP UNTIL PH MEETS BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

MANILA — The House of Representatives of the United States has agreed on an amendment to a defense spending measure blocking aid, including equipment and training, to the Philippine National Police until the Philippines is deemed to have met basic human rights standards.

The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023, introduced by Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania) and adopted by the US House through a voice vote, provides that no funding will be made available to the State Department for assistance to the PNP until the Secretary of State certifies that the Philippines has:

-Investigated and successfully prosecuted police who violated human rights, ensured that they cooperated with judicial authorities in such cases, and affirmed that such violations have ceased

-Established that the Philippine National Police effectively protects the rights of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, government critics, religious leaders and other civil society activists to operate without interference

-Taken effective steps to guarantee a judicial system that is capable of investigating, prosecuting and bringing to justice members of the police and military who have committed human rights abuses

-Fully complied with domestic and US audits and investigations regarding the improper use of prior security assistance

“The time is long overdue to begin putting some basic human rights guardrails in place in the United States-Philippines relationship,” Wild said in her remarks on the House floor.

She said that those who oppose her proposal would raise the US’ national security interests against China, but she countered that there is a need to maintain credibility on human rights issues.

“The need to counter the Chinese regime’s authoritarianism on the international stage is precisely why it’s so important that we maintain our credibility on human rights. It is why it is so vital that we do not undermine our own case for democracy and open ourselves up to charges of hypocrisy by supporting brutal regimes out of short term expediency,” she said.

Wild’s amendment, however, included a waiver that would give the US president leeway to provide the PNP with assistance for up to 180 days provided that:

The foreign affairs panel of the US House and the foreign relations panel of the US Senate is informed not later than 15 days before the effectivity of the waiver

The waiver is vital to the national security interests of the United States or its partners and allies

The amendment to the defense spending bill borrows language from the proposed Philippine Human Rights Act which Wild also introduced in 2020 and refiled the following year.

According to the US Embassy, the Philippines is the largest recipient of military assistance from the US in the Indo-Pacific region, having received more than P57 billion worth of planes, armored vehicles, small arms and other military equipment.

Defense assistance to the Philippines from the US continues despite adverse findings by the State Department in its latest report on the human rights situation in the country, where it flagged extrajudicial killings, forced disappearance, torture, arbitrary detention and harsh prison conditions.

MANILA AMONG WORLD’S BEST CITIES – WEBSITE

MANILA — Manila was hailed as one of the best cities in the world based on a survey by foreign lifestyle website Time Out.

The country’s capital placed 34th out of 53 “best cities in the world for 2022” that the “global media and hospitality brand” included.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland in the United Kingdom, is at the top of the list.

Survey respondents voted Manila as the “third most resilient,” the website revealed, adding that “not a single respondent described the city as rude – instead, it was admired by many for the welcoming and infectious smiles of its people.”

While earning a reputation for “overpopulation to traffic jams,” Time Out wrote: “The legacy of Chinese, Spanish and American influences makes Manila an underrated hub for art and culture, with unique customs and cuisine to boot.”

It also acknowledged that Manila stayed afloat amid the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic – wherein measures like  “cruel liquor bans and the demand for spacewear-like face shields” were enforced – after vaccination was introduced.

Time Out encouraged its clients to visit Manila because it “really is thriving again” with the presence of “high-end shopping malls, eclectic contemporary art galleries and the edgy music venues of the south.”

Manila could refer to the city of Manila or the National Capital Region, also called Metro Manila.

With this development, the Manila city government recognized former mayor Isko Moreno for his leadership that led to the city’s inclusion in the Time Out list of best cities.

In a resolution authored by Manila Councilors Joel Villanueva and Ernesto Isip Jr., the city council declared that Moreno “exemplified the brand of political will and commitment to solve the seemingly insurmountable problems and challenges long neglected by previous administrations.”

“This never-before-seen political dedication, steadfastness and staunchness has resulted to meaningful changes in the City of Manila in terms of poverty alleviation, delivery of social services, people-centered infrastructure projects, education and health care,” it said.

CHINA WANTS 3% INTEREST ON PHILIPPINES RAILWAY PROJECTS LOAN

MANILA — China wants to charge an interest rate of three percent for loans sought by the Philippines to build three railway projects, a level that could be too costly for an economy trying to slash its national debt.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez yesterday said the infrastructure team was told to reactivate negotiations with China for the financing of three railway projects – two in Luzon, one in Mindanao – estimated to cost at least P276 billion.

However, former finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III warned Chavez that China would ask for more than three percent in interest for the loans for bankrolling the new railways.

Dominguez said that when he was finance chief he terminated the application for financing because Beijing failed to act on the documents filed by the Philippines.

He said the interest rate China wants to impose is above the rate offered by alternative financiers like Japan.

“I canceled application instead of keeping it in suspended animation. If you wish to pursue this, I understand that the Chinese financing agency will be asking for interest rates in excess of three percent,” Dominguez said in a text message to Chavez shown to reporters.

Chavez said Japan’s offer of loan with an interest of as low as 0.1 percent has prompted the government to ask China to lower its rate to a competitive level.

Aside from re-engaging China for the project, Chavez said President Marcos has instructed economic managers to look into the option of soliciting proposals from the private sector, especially for the P50-billion Subic-Clark Railway Project and the P83-billion Mindanao Railway Phase 1.

However, the transport official said no private firm appears interested in financing the P142-billion Philippine National Railways Bicol Package 1 being eyed to connect Laguna to Albay.

The President has directed the economic team to consider only official development assistance and public-private partnerships. According to Chavez, delivering the projects through public funds is no longer on the table, as the government aims to consolidate its finances to bring down the budget deficit and the debt pile.

UN REPORT: PHILIPPINES AMONG COUNTRIES WITH LOWEST CHILDHOOD VACCINATION RATES

NEW YORK, United States — Increased misinformation and the disruption of global supply chains due to Covid are behind the biggest sustained drop in childhood vaccinations in three decades, a UN report said.

The percentage of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) fell five percentage points between 2019 and 2021 to 81 percent, according to official data published Thursday by WHO and UNICEF.

This vaccine is used as a marker for immunization coverage within and across countries.

Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, said the slide "is a red alert for child health."

"We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives," she added.

Some 25 million children missed out on one or more doses of DTP in 2021, two million more than those who missed out in 2020 and six million more than in 2019, putting a growing number of children at risk from preventable disease.

The slide was attributed to multiple factors including an increased number of children living in conflict zones, rising misinformation and service and supply disruptions from the Covid pandemic, and lockdowns that limited outreach campaigns.

The pandemic "compelled parents and families to pick between putting food on the table and getting their children vaccinated," said Kate O'Brien, director of the WHO's immunization, vaccines and biologicals department.

Of the 25 million, 18 million did not receive a single dose of DTP during 2021, "the vast majority of whom live in low- and middle-income countries," a statement said.

Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines recorded the highest numbers of zero-dose children.

HOUSE PROBE SOUGHT VS ALLEGED ABUSES IN PHSA

A congressional probe is sought by three progressive Philippine lawmakers into alleged abuses at a state-run school for the arts. A resolution filed by France Castro, Arlene Brosas, and Raoul Manuel insists the harrowing allegations merit a full-blown and impartial House inquiry. The National Bureau of Investigation inspected the Laguna-based school and received statements from witnesses on Friday.

SSS DISBURSES P1.1 TRILLION IN BENEFIT PAYMENTS

MANILA — Benefit payments released by state-run pension fund Social Security System (SSS) have reached P1.1 trillion since 2016.

In a statement, SSS said it has disbursed a record P1.1 trillion in benefit payments from 2016 to 2021 to its members, pensioners and other beneficiaries.

The aggregate amount for the six-year period of the Duterte government is double the P550 billion in payments from 2010 to 2015 or during the term of the late president Benigno Aquino III.

SSS president and CEO Michael Regino said the improvement in benefit disbursements is largely attributed to the reforms implemented in the past years.

These include the Social Security Act in 2018, Expanded Maternity Leave Law in 2019 and the additional P1,000 benefit pension grant which started in 2017.

The Social Security Act paved the way for the expansion of the SSS’s mandatory coverage to overseas Filipino workers, increased the maximum monthly salary credit for the computation of benefits and the grant of unemployment benefits, among others.

On the other hand, the Expanded Maternity Leave Law extended the compensable days from 60 days for normal delivery and 78 days for caesarean section delivery to 105 days.

An additional 15 days has also been set for solo mothers for every delivery.

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PINOY TOURIST ‘VIOLENTLY ASSAULTED’ IN NEW YORK — PH CONSULATE

MANILA — A Filipino man was assaulted in New York City on Wednesday, the Philippine Consulate General has said.

It was unclear as of posting time if the attack was classified as a hate crime.

The Philippine consul-general in New York said an 18-year-old male tourist from Cebu was "violently assaulted" in Manhattan on Wednesday. He sustained injuries in the face after being beaten.

"It is unknown at this point if the incident was anti-Asian-hate-related," the statement read.

The tourist was walking with three other Filipinos near the corner of 6th Avenue and 46th Street. The suspect was "subdued and turned over to authorities."

At the time the Philippine consulate posted the advisory, Philippine authorities in New York were coordinating with authorities on the matter.

"In view of this incident, the Consulate reminds members of the Filipino Community as well as kababayan visiting New York to exercise the necessary precautions while on the streets or in the subways," the advisory read.

"The Consulate is in touch with the New York City Police Department to get more information on the incident."

So far, the Consul-General has recorded 41 cases of Filipinos being victimized by "hate crime or incident or a criminal act."

In May, a Filipino family was mocked and attacked while ordering in a drive-thru in California.

Video from the Roque family showed the attacker hurling racial slurs, then physically attacking them at a fast-food parking lot on May 13.

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DENGUE CASES IN CENTRAL VISAYAS BREACH 8,000; 52 DEAD

The Central Visayas region has logged more than 8,000 cases of dengue since January this year.

This is the highest number of dengue cases that the region has accumulated in the past 3 years.

Out of the 8,293 cases, 52 people have died because of the mosquito-borne disease.

Of the four provinces and three highly-urbanized cities that compose the region, Cebu province logged the most cases with 2,938.

Cebu City came in second with 1,710, followed by Bohol province with 1,194, and Lapu-Lapu City with 1,140.

Negros Oriental has 760 cases while Mandaue City has 492. Siquijor province logged the least with only 59.

The health department still attributes the increase in cases to the La Nina phenomenon.

Some LGUs, such as Cebu City, have ramped up their measures to curb dengue.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s executive order on “dengguera” which is an all-out war against the disease, has been in effect for more than two weeks.

City health personnel have been going around to place larvicides in areas where mosquitoes thrive.

In Bohol, health personnel assignments were reorganized to focus on dengue cases.

GASOLINE PRICES COULD DROP BY P5 IN ANOTHER ROLLBACK

MANILA – Gas prices are projected to drop by as much as P5 in another rollback set for next week.

Gasoline prices could fall by P5 to P5.50 per liter, diesel by P1.70 to P2.20, and kerosene P0.20 to P0.70.

The Department of Energy earlier factored in the dwindling economy and lockdowns in parts of the world behind the projected price rollback.

Some analysts believe that the trend may continue in the next few weeks.

But oil expert Ramon Villavicencio projects that a price hike could be imminent.

"I feel naman that the week after the next there may be an increase. [Kapag] rollback nang rollback, the demand would increase but the problem is that there will be a demand and a scarcity of supply," Villavicencio said.

With the string of rollbacks, diesel prices are back to P70 per liter, while gasoline prices range from P80 to P90.

PALACE SAYS CURRENT COVID-19 ALERT LEVELS EXTENDED; TO BE REVIEWED ON MONDAY

MANILA – The current COVID-19 alert levels imposed in different parts of the country have been extended, as the inter-agency task force (IATF) is set to review the coronavirus situation next week, Malacañang said Saturday.

"The status quo holds for our alert levels, which the IATF will be reviewing on Monday," Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles told reporters in a text message.

This means that Metro Manila and dozens of areas will still be under the loosest of the country's five-tier COVID-19 alert level scheme until the government releases a new set of alert levels.

The Philippines is currently experiencing an uptick in new COVID-19 infections amid the local presence of more transmissible variants and the population's waning immunity, the health department had said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SOUTH AFRICAN WINS MISS SUPRANATIONAL 2022; PH'S ALISON BLACK FINISHES IN TOP 24

Lalela Mswane of South Africa won Miss Supranational 2022 during the coronation night in Nowy Sacz, Poland on Saturday morning (Philippine time).

Mswane bested 68 other candidates with Praewwanich Ruangthong of Thailand winning as 1st runner-up and Nguyễn Huỳnh Kim Duyên of Vietnam as 2nd runner-up.

Adinda Cresheilla of Indonesia was 3rd runner-up followed by Ismelys Velásquez of Venezuela.

Mswane was the representative of South Africa in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant where she placed 2nd runner-up.

Meanwhile, the Philippines' bet Alison Black finished her journey as part of the Top 24. A professional ballerina, she was among the pageant's Top 3 of Miss Talent, Top 10 of Supra Fan-Vote, and Top 15 of Miss Supra Influencer.

Instead of focusing on the country's beaches and other tourist attractions, Black opted to put a spotlight on Filipinos in her introduction video for Miss Supranational 2022.

Citing her own experience, the Pinay beauty said she learned that being inspirational is not just about getting ahead of the pack, but also about helping other people succeed.

"When I look at the Filipina women that inspire me with how they break barriers, I learn that being inspirational isn’t merely aspiring to get a spot at the table, but rather, making that table bigger," said Black.

In her journey to the Miss Supranational crown, Black hoped to use her platform to show the world what Filipino women like her can do, and amplify their voices in the process.

Black was seeking to be the country's second Miss Supranational titleholder after Mutya Datul in 2013. Last year's representative Dindi Pajares finished her journey as part of the Top 12.

SPORTS

MAGNOLIA DEF. MERALCO, 97-88 IN OT (PBA 2022) JULY 15

Magnolia Hotshots escapes past Meralco Bolts, 97-88 in overtime thriller to claim their sixth win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Paul Lee led the Hotshots in scoring with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting including four 3-pointers along with 4 rebounds in 28 minutes to extend Magnolia's winning streak to five.

Mark Barroca with a solid game of 20 points (8/15 fg, 3/4 ft), 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 rebounds while Jio Jalalon added 19 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Ian Sangalang finished with a double-double of 12 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals and one block.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 97 - Lee 21, Barroca 20, Jalalon 19, Sangalang 12, Dionisio 10, Abueva 7, Reavis 3, Laput 3, Wong 2, Corpuz 0.

MERALCO 88 – Newsome 24, Black 13, Quinto 13, Hodge 9, Jose 9, Almazan 8, Maliksi 4, Banchero 3, Pascual 3, Baclao 2, Caram 0.

Quarters: 20-22, 45-37, 63-60, 86-86, 97-88.

NLEX HANDS REELING BLACKWATER ANOTHER LOSS

NLEX tore apart Blackwater, 98-68, in their PBA Philippine Cup showdown on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City to kick their playoff drive back into high gear.

The Scores

NLEX 98 – Trollano 16, Oftana 15, Quiñahan 12, Chua 11, Rosales 10, Soyud 6, Nieto 6, Semerad 6, Varilla 5, Ighalo 4, Paniamogan 4, Fonacier 3, Magat 0.

Blackwater 68 – Taha 9, Ular 8, Amer 8, McCarthy 6, Casio 6, Dyke 6, Eboña 6, Publico 5, Melton 3, Sena 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Escoto 3, Torralba 2, Suerte 0, Ayonayon 0.

Quarters: 31-2, 56-26, 78-40, 98-68.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.36

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. - Paul Boese