US, JAPAN RECOGNIZE LANDMARK SOUTH CHINA SEA RULING

MANILA — The United States and Japan expressed opposition against China’s “unlawful” maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and “provocative” actions in the South China Sea.

They also reiterated that the ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims over a large part of the South China Sea is “final and legally binding on the parties to that proceeding.”

China does not recognize the decision.

On Wednesday, US State Secretary Antony Blinken, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu.

At a news conference after the meeting, Blinken said the ministers agreed “that the People’s Republic of China is the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face.”

Hayashi added they “confirmed our strong opposition against unlawful claims and coercive and provocative efforts and actions by China in the South China Sea.”

According to a media note released by the US and Japan, the ministers reaffirmed their support for “unimpeded lawful commerce and full respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea.”

The US and Japanese officials also stated that their basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, and reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

PHILIPPINES STUDYING CHINA PROPOSAL FOR FISHING PARTNERSHIP IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

MANILA — The Philippines is studying the proposal of the Chinese government to have a fishery cooperation agreement in the disputed South China Sea, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said yesterday.

“China proposed to have partnership between fishing villages, and we are looking at that,” Carlos said partly in Filipino during a televised public briefing. She did not provide details on the proposed fishery cooperation between Manila and Beijing.

Carlos said Marcos’ state visit to China from Jan. 3 to 5 has allowed continuing critical dialogue, especially on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), to avoid conflicts in the contested waters, believed to hold large reserves of oil and natural gas.

“There are many more levels of cooperation that are not known to the public that are happening, for example, between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard,” the official said, adding the two countries are trying to reach a modus vivendi to avoid conflict in the contested South China Sea.

A political scientist had said a maritime or fishery cooperation between the Philippines and China will allow both countries to harness resources in the WPS.

Meanwhile, A Filipino fisherfolk group on Saturday rejected China's reported proposal for a partnership with fishing villages in the Philippines.

"Even without the benefit of our scrutiny, we know that nothing beneficial for Filipino fishers could come out from China’s proposed partnership with local fishing villages," fishers' organization Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a statement.

Pamalakaya said "any agreement with China won’t be accepted by Filipino fishers who are direct victims of its aggression."

DEATHS DUE TO RECENT FLOODS IN PH RISE TO 20: NDRRMC

MANILA — The number of people who died across the country because of the floods has risen to 20, the state disaster monitoring agency said on Saturday.

In its latest situation monitoring, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also said at least eight people were injured while a person from the Bangsamoro region remains missing.

The deaths were recorded in the following regions:

Bicol region - 5

Eastern Visayas - 6

Zamboanga Peninsula - 4

Northern Mindanao - 4

Davao Region - 1

Over 133,000 families or around 552,000 individuals were affected so far by the inclement weather in large parts of the country that started since Jan. 2.

Of the figure, 15,447 families or over 79,000 people have been served inside 127 evacuation centers.

The weather agency, in its 4 a.m. report, said the LPA was spotted over the coastal waters of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The northeast monsoon or amihan is also affecting northern and central Luzon.

Cloudy skies and scattered rainshowers, with at times thunderstorms, may prevail over the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte because of the LPA.

"Possible flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains," the report read.

Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, PAGASA said, will also experience the same because of the weather disturbance.

MARCOS WANTS STREAMLINED DATA OF GOV'T AGENCIES AMID SMUGGLING WOES

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has sought better data sharing among government agencies to fight smuggling and make sure that the ease of doing business is unhampered, saying bureaucracy reforms are needed.

Malacañang issued the statement on Saturday following the president's meeting with his Private Sector Advisory Council.

According to the statement, Marcos noted that businessmen have "major complaints" about the "inefficiency of the country’s airports and seaports."

Among the measures to address this, the Palace said, is to delineate functions of agencies or establish new ones.

"One of the recommendations raised was opening up the database to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the efficient sharing of information," the statement read.

The current systems in place are "quite ineffective," said Marcos, given that paper trails have made it difficult to go after smugglers.

“To be brutally frank about it, we have a system but they are not working. The smuggling here in this country is absolutely rampant. So it does not matter to me how many systems we have in place, they do not work,” Marcos told members of his advisory body.

“So we really have to find something else. We cannot continue to depend on these systems," he added.

These problems can cause problems in the business sector, he said.

DEEPER PROBE SOUGHT INTO JAN. 1 AVIATION MESS, CAAP OFFICIALS MAY FACE RAPS

The commission that oversees government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) is considering filing cases against officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) over the New Year’s Day air traffic management fiasco that grounded more than 300 flights and inconvenienced about 65,000 passengers.

The Governance Commission for GOCCs issued this statement as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) formed a five-member team independent of the CAAP that would look into the possible negligence in the closure of Philippine airspace on Jan. 1.

CAAP, being a GOCC attached to the Transportation department, is covered by the GCG.

In a statement Friday, the GCG vowed to evaluate the necessity of filing criminal, civil, or administrative cases against CAAP officials, depending on what several ongoing investigations find.

The commission’s chairman, Alex Quiroz, read the statement before testifying before the Senate committee on public services, which is looking into the fiasco.

Quiroz said the commission would look into the cause of the technical glitch and determine if there was negligence due to a lack of foresight or proper preventive maintenance.

The commission said it would coordinate and work closely with the Senate investigation by providing the necessary resources to determine the root cause of the incident and recommend corrective action for the agency.

CAAP’s deputy director general for operations, Edgardo Diaz, said the DOTr has formed a body composed of people not connected with the CAAP, to look into the possibility of negligence.

Diaz said this was separate from the internal investigation being conducted by the CAAP to identify the root cause of the incident.

ABALOS: COPS TO BE PURGED WILL NOT BE NAMED PUBLICLY

The names of police officials whose courtesy resignations would be accepted won’t be made public, Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Friday.

“There is no need. This is a radical move. Like I said before, extraordinary times call for radical and bold actions. This is out of the box. By the same token, let’s say if their resignation is accepted, let them retire silently,” Abalos told reporters in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Abalos, however, said the monitoring and investigation efforts will continue so that authorities can file appropriate charges against those who would be found involved in illegal drugs.

He also said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) will also review the names of police officers whose resignations will be accepted.

“That’s important to me. They should be thoroughly screened. I’d rather have one man who is guilty get off the hook than one innocent person get dismissed,” he said.

“I do not want this to be a fishing expedition. We just want to make sure that when we announce [something], it will really be accepted by the public,’’ Abalos added.

The DILG chief also thanked the police officials for heeding his appeal.

SWS: 12.9M FAMILIES SELF-RATED AS POOR IN Q4

At least 51 percent or about 12.9 million Filipino families have rated themselves poor in the fourth quarter of 2022, slightly higher than the 49 percent recorded in the previous quarter, a survey by the Social Weather Stations showed.

The SWS Survey on Self-Rated Poverty, which was conducted in December, showed that the number of families that rated themselves “borderline” at 31 percent—slightly up as well from the 29 percent in October 2022.

The number of families that rated themselves as “not poor” went down slightly to 19 percent from October’s 21 percent.

Of the 12.9 million self-rated poor families, 8 percent said they were non-poor one to four years ago (newly poor), 5.8 percent were non-poor five or more years ago (usually poor), and 37 percent who never experienced being non-poor (always poor).

The increase in the nationwide figure was due to a hike in self-rated poor families in Balance Luzon, from 36 percent in October to 49 percent in December.

The survey also showed the estimated number of self-rated food poor families was at 8.7 million in both December 2022 and October 2022,.

At least 34 percent of families rated themselves as food-poor, 38 percent food borderline, and 28 percent not food-poor.

The survey had sampling error margins at ±2.5% for national percentages and ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

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SC AFFIRMS COTABATO’S INCLUSION IN BARMM

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the inclusion of Cotabato City in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a decision promulgated on Tuesday, the SC en banc dismissed the petition filed by Cotabato residents Amil Sula, Gaspar Asi and Hussein Malik Sr. questioning the inclusion of Cotabato City in BARMM as well as the plebiscite ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The group filed a petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus and issuance of a temporary restraining order in 2019.

In dismissing the petition, the SC said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was able to comply with the requirements of the BOL in conducting the plebiscite.

The petitioners failed to provide the necessary evidence to substantiate their allegations of fraud, the high court said.

A plebiscite was conducted on Jan. 21, 2019 to determine whether Cotabato residents favor their inclusion in the BARMM.

Based on the certificate of canvass of votes, 38,682 people voted in favor of the inclusion and 24,994 against it.

“The mere allegation that the inclusion of Cotabato City in the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was not the true intention of the voters of Cotabato City will not persuade this court to overturn the actions of the Commission on  Elections,” the decision read.

The SC cited the constitutional mandate of the Comelec to guarantee the exercise of the right of suffrage. The high tribunal will not interfere if there is no grave abuse of discretion, it said.

‘REGISTER ANYWHERE’ BOOTHS TO ACCEPT VOTER TRANSFER, REACTIVATION

MANILA — The Register Anywhere Project (RAP) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not only accept voter registrants for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October but also those who want to transfer or reactivate their registration.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said RAP booths at select malls would reopen for voter registration again this weekend.

He said the booths would open today and tomorrow and on Jan. 21 and 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m at the SM City Sucat in Parañaque, SM City Mall of Asia in Pasay, SM City Fairview in Quezon City, Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila and Robinsons Place Galleria in Ortigas.

RAP booths are also available at the SM City Legazpi, Robinsons Place Naga, Robinsons Place Tacloban and at the Government Service Insurance System office in Pasay from Jan. 16 to 20.

The Senate and House of Representatives will host RAP booths on Jan. 25 and 26, respectively, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Qualified registrants should fill out an application form, which is available on the Comelec’s official website.

KADIWA ON WHEELS ROLLED OUT IN SAN JUAN

MANILA — The San Juan City government launched yesterday the “Kadiwa on wheels” program in coordination with the Department of Agriculture to make fresh produce accessible to consumers at affordable prices.

The first village in the city to host the Kadiwa truck is Barangay St. Joseph.

At the Kadiwa stores, onions are sold at P170 per kilo, but due to the limited supply, consumers are allowed to buy a maximum of only three kilos.

A kilo of onion is sold in supermarkets and wet markets from P500 to P700.

“The Kadiwa on wheels is a big help to our constituents to cope with the soaring prices of basic goods,” Mayor Francis Zamora said.

He said Kadiwa trucks would be deployed in San Juan twice a week.

MANOLO LOPEZ, BUSINESS LEADER, EX-AMBASSADOR, DIES AT 80

MANILA — Manuel M. Lopez, one of the stewards of the Lopez family, died on Thursday at the age of 80, his family announced.

Lopez served as chairman and CEO of Lopez Holdings Corp., chairman and CEO of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) – the power distributor previously owned by the Lopezes – and was former Philippine ambassador to Japan.

Known as “MML” in the business community, Lopez was recognized both for his business acumen and diplomacy.

He served as chairman of Meralco from 2001 and led the power firm during its turbulent years starting in 2008, which were marked by a government takeover through the Government Service Insurance System.

In 2009, the Lopez Group sold their shares in Meralco to the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan. In 2012, the Lopez Group’s share in Meralco dwindled to roughly three percent.

As the Philippine ambassador to Japan during the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III, Lopez was able to convince many Japanese companies to invest in the country.

He is the younger brother of the late Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr., former chairman of ABS-CBN, and First Philippine Holdings Corp. chairman emeritus Oscar Lopez.

He is the father of Martin “Mark” Lopez, chairman of ABS-CBN; Miguel “Mike” Lopez, senior vice president and treasurer of Rockwell Land and Manuel “Beaver” Lopez Jr., director of First Gen Corp.

According to the family, the wake will be at The Fifth at Rockwell. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 17.

EXPECT WEEKEND RAINS IN PARTS OF PHILIPPINES: PAGASA

MANILA — Rains will continue to hit parts of the Philippines this weekend due to the low pressure area (LPA) and the northeast monsoon or amihan, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

The LPA was over the coastal waters of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur at 3 a.m., according to PAGASA.

It will bring scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms in Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte, the weather agency said in its 24-hour weather bulletin released at 4 a.m. Saturday.

Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao can expect scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the LPA, it added.

PAGASA also forecast that the northeast monsoon would stir rains over Metro Manila, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan, while light rains might fall elsewhere in Luzon.

"Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate with at times heavy rains," the weather bureau warned.

In Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, landslides have been reported prompting authorities to evacuate some families.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

CELEBS HAVE FUNNY WAYS TO GREET PIOLO PASCUAL ON HIS BIRTHDAY

MANILA – Several celebrities had hilarious ways to greet showbiz’s ultimate heartthrob Piolo Pascual on his 46th birthday.

Pascual celebrated his birthday last January 12 with some of his former co-workers trolling him about nearing 50 years old.

Moi Bienne, the longtime personal assistant of Pascual, jokingly reminded the Kapamilya actor about his age which would mean agreeing to a relationship with her.

“Happy birthday P.. mahal kita mula sa kaibuturan ng aking puso cheers!! hala konting panahon na lang 50 kana, magiging akin kana @piolo_pascual bwahahahahaha.. Chos,” she said in an Instagram post.

Meanwhile, comedienne Alora Sasam made sure to have an entry on social media, releasing a photo of her trying to seal a kiss with Pascual.

According to Sasam, she is just waiting for the actor to invite her for their wedding.

“Happy birthday Papa P. message ka lang kung magpapakasal na tayo, pag di ako naka reply agad wag kabahan nagpapa-load lang ako sa tindahan. Mahal kita,” Sasam said.

Actress Lovi Poe also made sure to pay tribute to his leading man on the series “Flower of Evil.”

“Sinong hindi pagpapawisan sa katabi mo? Wrong time to use lotion na 100 degrees sa labas. Tinupad nga ni Lord na makapartner mo si Papa P pero lagkitan ka naman but seriously… Happy birthday to my Mahal na lagi kaming pinapasaya ng ganito sa set,” Poe recalled.

Pascual just finished his concert tour with Jericho Rosales in Canada and in the United States last November.

The first leg happened in Vancouver on November 4 before they performed in Calgary on November 5. On November 12, the Kapamilya heartthrobs went to Houston, Texas, while their last show held last November 13 in Sacramento, California.

After that, Pascual is set to shoot a new movie “The Ride” with Kyle Echarri.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The hardest part of gaining any new idea is sweeping out the false idea occupying that niche. - Robert Heinlein