FLOODS HIT METRO MANILA ANEW

MANILA — A heavy downpour flooded parts of Metro Manila on Monday night, four days after torrential rains caused floods and power outages in parts of Luzon including the capital region and the Visayas on Friday.

The rain caused gutter-deep flood as of 8:30 p.m. in the following areas, according to the city disaster risk reduction and management office: Finance Road corner Taft Avenue northbound, UN Avenue corner Taft northbound, Taft corner Quirino Avenue, Pedro Gil corner Taft southbound, V. Mapa corner Old Sta. Mesa, Magsaysay Boulevard and Taft-Padre Faura.

The flood in Manila, especially in Malate and Ermita, took time to subside because of the closure of three drainage outfalls – Padre Faura Drainage Main, Remedios Drainage and Estero de San Antonio de Abad – and the pending construction of pumping stations to expel water from these areas.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Public Works and Highways has yet to finish the construction of the pumping station and pipe installation.

The excess water is discharged to the Pasig River and not to Manila Bay because of the need to treat floodwaters being discharged to the bay through a sewage treatment plant, as part of the Manila Bay rehabilitation program, according to MMDA flood control and sewage management office director Baltazar Melgar.

Speaking to dzMM radio yesterday, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the project is not yet finished because of the need to install longer pipes in order to divert floodwater and discharge it away from the artificial white sand dolomite project at the Manila Baywalk.

He said it is also part of the bay rehabilitation program to keep the dolomite beach clean.

HOUSE FORMS SPECIAL PANEL ON NUKE ENERGY

The House of Representatives has created the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy to be headed by Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

The committee, which is tasked to determine the viability of nuclear power in the country, is in line with the energy policies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, meanwhile, said the Department of Energy (DOE) will create a nuclear regulatory framework first before going into talks about establishing new nuclear power plants in the country.

Lotilla issued the statement amid renewed interest in nuclear power, including reports that business tycoon Manny Pangilinan was interested in investing in such technologies.

The DOE is also moving to secure the power supply in the off-grid or missionary areas amid high electricity prices as part of the government’s push toward total electrification.

During a briefing, Lotilla said that off-grid areas must be provided power even as electricity costs have sky-rocketed given the high diesel prices.

The Energy Secretary said oil accounted for 89 percent, a whopping percentage of the fuel used by power plants in the off-grid areas.

The House said the newly established panel would be tasked to tackle “all matters directly and principally relating to the policies and programs to the production, utilization, and conservation of nuclear energy, including the development of nuclear power infrastructure, as well as interaction of other energy sources with nuclear energy as a reliable, cost competitive, and environment-friendly energy source to ensure energy security consistent with the national interest and the state’s policy of freedom from nuclear weapons.”

The committee is composed of 25 members.

LTO SEEKS SUSPENSION OF NCAP BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The Land Transportation Office is urging local governments to temporarily suspend the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP), calling for its review to clarify the guidelines of the traffic policy.

LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz III issued the appeal after the agency received complaints from public utility vehicle operators about being charged fines for the traffic violations of their drivers.

Under the law, the registered owner of a vehicle must pay for the traffic violation committed using his or her vehicle by command responsibility and on the presumption that they are also the drivers.

“We are now studying this. It seeks there is a gap in the policy that needs a review so that the driver himself should be held liable,” Guadiz said.

He urged local government units that drafted the NCAP guidelines to coordinate first with the LTO to finetune the provisions.

While the LTO is the one that sends the alarm for traffic violations, it is the local government, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, that implements the NCAP.

At the House of Representatives, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers sought a congressional inquiry into the alleged malpractice in the implementation of the NCAP.

Barbers said he received reports and complaints from motorists, particularly motorbike drivers engaged in delivery services, who were penalized with enormous fees “without due process of law.”

Barbers said while the intent of NCAP is to discipline erring drivers, the public should be enlightened about the details of its implementation to curb or stop abuses.

PHILIPPINES MAY GET MONKEYPOX VACCINES IN 2023: DOH

MANILA — The Philippines may get access to monkeypox vaccines by 2023, the Department of Health said Wednesday, amid rising demand for the jab.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the agency is coordinating with the private sector in procuring vaccines for the disease.

"Unfortunately, doon po sa mga pag-uusap, ang pinakamaagang deliveries kung sakaling makakabili tayo would still be 2023," she told ANC's "Headstart".

The DOH is exploring other avenues to acquire at least a minimal amount of monkeypox vaccines, which will be first given to healthcare workers, she added.

Three manufacturers of monkeypox vaccines have so far been identified by the agency.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plan to purchase the jabs as a whole is still at initial stages, Vergeire said.

"With this Asean, it is still on the stage of exploratory meetings and then the whole Asean membership, these 10 countries, will be procuring as one so that we can have stocks for all of these countries. But at the initial stage pa lang po iyon," she added.

More than 16,000 confirmed cases have been recorded in 75 countries so far this year, according to the World Health Organization. The Philippines confirmed its first case on July 29.

OMBUDSMAN JUNKS BRIBERY RAPS VS DE LIMA, RONNIE DAYAN

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has junked bribery complaints against former senator Leila de Lima and her former bodyguard over an alleged P8 million bribe from self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

In a ruling dated January 5 but only received by De Lima's camp on Tuesday, the Ombudsman dismissed the direct and indirect bribery raps “for lack of probable cause.”

De Lima is accused of receiving a total of P8 million allegedly through her former bodyguard Ronnie Dayan on four occasions:

August 2015: P2M - Pasay mall parking lot

October 2015: P1.7M - Pasay restaurant

November 2015: P2M - Burnham Park in Baguio

February 2016: P2.3M - Pasay mall parking lot

The funds were supposedly intended to finance De Lima’s 2016 senatorial bid.

De Lima and Dayan denied the allegations.

The former senator and Justice secretary said Dayan had resigned from the Department of Justice as early as March 2015 and had since stopped reporting to her.

Dayan was also not part of her senatorial campaign team, De Lima added.

She also denied planning a meeting with Espinosa in Baguio.

In ruling that there was no probable cause to charge De Lima and Dayan, the Office of the Ombudsman cited the inconsistent statements of Espinosa and witness Marcelo Adorco.

While Espinosa claimed he gave the P8 million in four tranches to Dayan and not De Lima, Adorco said Espinosa handed the entire money to De Lima when they had lunch at a Pasay restaurant.

The Office of the Ombudsman also doubted if there was a planned meeting between De Lima and Espinosa in Baguio City, as Espinosa claimed.

Adorco said he and Espinosa were already in Baguio when De Lima invited Espinosa for lunch at a Pasay restaurant. Espinosa said they went to Baguio City after Dayan instructed him during a second meeting at a Pasay restaurant.

The Office of the Ombudsman ruled that what likely happened in Baguio was a chance encounter between Espinosa and De Lima since the latter was there for her senatorial candidacy.

De Lima, a vocal critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, has been detained on illegal drug charges since 2017.

One of the charges have already been junked while 2 others are still pending.

De Lima has maintained the charges are politically motivated.

Under detention for most of her tenure at the Senate and unable to physically campaign, she lost her reelection bid in May this year.

WALDEN BELLO RELEASED ON BAIL

MANILA — Former vice presidential candidate and Laban ng Masa chairman Walden Bello was released from police custody after he posted bail on charges of cyberlibel.

Maj. Wennie Ann Cale, spokesperson for the Quezon City Police District, said Bello was released from the QCPD headquarters at Camp Karingal at around 5:10 p.m.

Cale said Bello’s lawyers posted a bail bond of P96,000 as stated in the warrant of arrest issued by the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 10 for violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Bello, former Anakbayan representative, is facing two counts of cyberlibel filed by former Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas.

In an interview with reporters, Bello reiterated that Vice President Sara Duterte is behind the “political harassment” against him.

He added that the filing of charges by Duterte’s camp is “unjust” and “without a good reason.”

Bello said Duterte used her former press information officer against him after he accused Tupas of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Tupas, now head of the Office of the Vice President’s media and public relations division, has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

SARA: STOP OBSESSING OVER ME

Duterte yesterday hit back at Bello, who linked her to the cyberlibel case filed against him.

“Instead of deflecting blame, playing the victim of an imaginary case of political persecution, and dragging me into his legal woes, I suggest that Mr. Bello be reminded of the fact that a civilized and democratic society does not respect hubris,” Duterte said in a statement.

“The right to freedom of speech and expression does not protect anyone from defiling the name and reputation of others,” she added.

Bello, she said, “should focus on salvaging what remains of his dignity and self-respect, I am asking him to stop obsessing over me – and stop blaming me for his fall from grace.”

3 PH FIRMS INCLUDED IN FORBES ASIA'S BEST UNDER A BILLION LIST 2022

MANILA — Three Philippine companies were included in this year's Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" list as firms benefit from the easing COVID-19 restrictions.

The list highlights 200 Asia-Pacific public companies with less than $1 billion in sales and consistent top and bottomline growth.

Eagle Cement, COL Financial Group and Crown Asia Chemicals made it to the list, Forbes data showed. All 3 companies are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The list noted Eagle Cement's $434 million dollar sales, net income of $122 million and market value of $1.17 billion. COL Financial's market value is at $319 million with sales and net income at $27 million and $12 million, respectively, the list showed. Meanwhile, Crown Asia Chemicals is valued at $21 million, with sales at $35 million and a net income of $5 million, Forbes said.

This year's list includes 75 returnees from the previous year such as Taiwan's Aspeed, which has been part of the list for 9 consecutive years, Forbes said.

"While healthcare and pharmaceutical-related companies were standouts last year, the post-pandemic return to daily life has benefitted apparel makers, mall operators, restaurants, consumer electronics and entertainment companies, among others," it added.

ADB PUSHES CLIMATE ACTION, SMART TRANSPORT IN PH

The Asian Development Bank has proposed climate action, climate smart transport and communication and investing in Filipinos' welfare in the Philippines for the next six years, the finance department said Wednesday.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said ADB Country Director Kelly Bird discussed development cooperation under the new administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jnr during a courtesy call last August 3.

He said the ADB proposed 3 key pillars for its 2024 to 2029 framework, namely climate action, climate smart transport and communication and investing in Filipinos' welfare. A consultation to refine this framework will commence in October, the DOF said.

Diokno said the ADB's support is in line with the Marcos administration's 8-point economic agenda, which includes addressing inflation, and scarring from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jobs creation, which is also part of the agenda, can be achieved through massive investments in infrastructure, human capital development and digitalization, the agency added.

Bird said the ADB is fully committed to support the administration's program. Its lending program to the country is averaging $3 billion annually until 2024, he said.

So far, there are 28 ongoing loans amounting to $8.33 billion in the country's current portfolio, DOF data showed.

Among the ongoing projects supported by the ADB are the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, EDSA Greenways Project, projects on local governance and programs for COVID-19 recovery, among others, it said.

The ADB is the country's second largest source of official development assistance (ODA) as of December 2021.

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PHILIPPINES RECORDS 2,618 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 27 NEW DEATHS

MANILA — The Philippines recorded 2,618 new COVID-19 cases, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed on Tuesday.

The daily cases are relatively lower every Tuesday due to fewer tests conducted over the weekend, ABS-CBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido noted.

The total number of COVID-related deaths in the country has reached 60,864, after 27 new deaths were also reported.

The number of people currently positive for the coronavirus stood at 36,666, while total recoveries are at 3,713,242.

The country's total confirmed COVID-19 cases climbed to 3,810,772.

MMDA ASKS DPWH TO USE MOBILE PUMPS TO EASE FLOODING

MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is calling on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to deploy its mobile pumps to help ease flooding in parts of the Metro.

This comes after the DPWH on Tuesday confirmed a news report saying the Padre Faure drainage, Remedios Drainage, at Estero de San Antonio were closed down to make way for renovations that would benefit the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach.

The closure of the 3 drainage systems has been blamed for the recent floods in Manila, the report said.

“Makipag-usap kami sa DPWH na i-mobilize na nila yung mga mobile pumps. Meron naman silang mga mobile pumps eh,” MMDA acting general manager Baltazar Melgar said.

“So katulad dyan sa area ng Malate, dyan sa Baywalk, siguro eh i-mobilize muna natin, magtemporary tayo ng mga mobile pumps, i-deploy natin sa area, para maibsan naman yung pagbaha dyan sa naturang lugar,” he added.

Melgar said there are 71 pumping stations in Metro Manila, which will go up to 75 once 4 more projects are completed this year.

The official called on the public to bear with government officials as they work to finish the construction of some pumping stations.

“Kasi yung ating ginagawang proyekto dyan ay talagang magdudulot din ng inconvenience, so talagang makakaranas tayo ng pagbaha pero yun namang baha ay passable naman po to all types of vehicles.”

“So, konting (pagbigyan) na lang po ang DPWH eh matatapos na this coming September. Konting pasensya lang po,” he said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

88RISING TO BRING HEAD IN THE CLOUDS FESTIVAL TO MANILA IN DECEMBER

US-based music label 88rising, which caters to Asian and Asian American artists, announced Tuesday it would bring its music and arts festival to Manila in December.

In a statement, 88rising said it would stage its Head In The Clouds Music and Arts Festival at the SM Festival Grounds in Parañaque City on Dec. 9 and 10.

The company has yet to announce the lineup for the festival but said the event would "feature top charting and trailblazing artists from around the world, unique and immersive live production plus culturally-inspired art and food experiences."

"We're incredibly proud to bring Head in the Clouds to Manila and the Philippines, a city and country so close to so many of our hearts and families," said 88rising CEO Sean Miyashiro.

Passes for the 2-day event will go on sale starting Thursday, August 11 at this link.

The festival's previous lineup had included Filipino artists No Rome and Ylona Garcia, Hong Kong-born singer-rapper Jackson Wang, Indonesia's Rich Brian and Niki, and South Korea's Bibi, Chungha, Jay Park and Eaj.

SPORTS

PBA: CHOT REYES WARNS SEMIS VS. MAGNOLIA WILL BECOME 'MUCH HARDER'

MANILA -- TNT coach Chot Reyes is anticipating a strong fightback from the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 4 of their semifinals series in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.

The Tropang GIGA snatched a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series in dramatic fashion, with Jayson Castro drilling the go-ahead three-pointer in the closing seconds of Game 3 last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

But Reyes has no doubt that the Hotshots will be back with a vengeance for a critical Game 4.

"It's going to be much harder," the TNT coach predicted. "We're both going to get a couple of days before the next game, so we'll see how we're able to take advantage of that recovery period."

"But yeah, I expect it to be even tougher than tonight," he added.

Crucial for TNT is to keep winning the possession battle against the Hotshots, a team that prides itself on its hustle and defense.

"We're not gonna hit every shot that we have, but as long as we give ourselves chances, ayun. Parang life lang 'yan, 'di ba, parang buhay," said Reyes. "As long as you have a chance. All you want is to get a chance."

"So for us, that comes in the form of possessions. As long as we get possessions, then we give ourselves a chance," he added.

Tip-off is at 6 p.m. at the Big Dome.

At 3 p.m., the San Miguel Beermen will battle the Meralco Bolts in Game 4 of their own best-of-7 semifinals series.

San Miguel is up 2-1 against Meralco, thanks to a double-double performance by June Mar Fajardo in Game 3.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A positive attitude may not solve every problem but it makes solving any problem a more pleasant experience. - Grant Fairley