600,000 CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN BINONDO

MANILA — Over half a million people participated in the Lunar New Year festivities in Binondo, Manila over the weekend.

According to the Manila Police District, at least 600,000 people converged in Binondo from Saturday morning until nighttime.

Around 120,000 people joined the countdown and watched the fireworks display in Binondo and another 5,000 people on Jones Bridge, both at the stroke of midnight, based on police estimates.

Some 15,000 people went to Binondo yesterday to watch dragon dances and other activities, police added.

In her speech before the midnight countdown, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said the city chose Jones Bridge as a viewing deck of the fireworks display because it serves as the entry to Chinatown in Binondo, said to be the world’s oldest.

The fireworks went up over the adjacent and China-funded Binondo-Intramuros Bridge.

Lacuna said the Lunar New Year celebrations reflect the “diversity and strength of the Filipino-Chinese community and its contributions to this magnificent city.”

SOLON SEEKS RECALL OF 'REENGINEERED' MAHARLIKA INVESTMENT FUND

MANILA - The re-engineered version of the Maharlika Investment Fund must be recalled since the new version was not deliberated in the House of Representatives, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said on Monday.

Under the new version unveiled by Rep. Joey Salceda earlier, seed funding would be taken from dividends of GOCCs or the securitization of some P42 billion in dividends.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Development Bank and other "controversial" funding sources were dropped, Salceda said, adding that GOCC dividends were "surplus."

But Lagman pointed out that a 1993 law dictates that 50 percent of GOCC dividends should be remitted to the national treasury to fund socio-economic projects. The other 50 percent must be reinvested into GOCC operations, he said.

GOCC dividends, therefore, are not surpluses since they are "earmarked" to support the national budget, Lagman said.

"The income of these corporations should not be sequestered or securitized because they are invariably used to fund the national budget...…Used to help fund the national budget and address directly and immediately the socio-economic needs of the people like health, education, food security, basic infrastructure," he said.

PRESIDENT LAUDS ILONGGOS’ RESILIENCY AND FAITH

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said this year’s Dinagyang Festival is a testament to the Ilonggo peoples’ resiliency and faith despite the challenges they have faced.

“I join you in this momentous occasion as you showcase Ilonggos’ creativity, vibrancy, resiliency and faith amid the challenges that come your way.” Mr. Marcos said in a message Sunday.

“Through your city’s foremost cultural and religious celebration, it is my hope that you will sustain the progressive gains of your locality, reaffirm your identity, strengthen your resolve and work toward growth for your community,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos also reminded Ilonggos—residents of Iloilo province andthose who speak the Ilonggo or Hiligaynon language, generally across Panay Island and Western Visayas—to “work hard and contribute to nation-building.”

“May the divine providence bless our country and its people as well as keep us away from all the ills and perils that keep us divided,” he said.

“With the almighty’s guidance, we will have the strength to overcome all difficulties and move forward,” the President added.

The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, held annually on the 4th Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.

It is one of the biggest festivals in the Philippines, attracting more than a million domestic and international visitors every year.

HOUSE TO PRIORITIZE PASSAGE OF BILLS FOR GOV’T DIGITALIZATION

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said the House of Representatives will prioritize digital transformation bills such as the E-Governance or E-Government Act when it resumes its session today.

“We will expedite the passage of these measures to implement the pronouncements of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Davos, Switzerland on his desire for the country to catch up with other nations in digital evolution,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said House priorities for this year also include 11 other important bills identified in October during the meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Romualdez said the House would work with the Senate for the expeditious enactment of various bills the larger chamber had approved on third and final reading before Congress started its Christmas recess last month, including the Internet Transactions/E-Commerce Bill.

Like the proposed E-Governance/E-Government Act, he said the Internet Transactions Bill would contribute to attaining the President’s digital transformation goal.

Other priority measures are as follows: 1. The Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry; 2. Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA); 3. The Unified System of Separation, Retirement, and Pension; 4. The National Land Use Act; 5. The National Defense Act; 6. The National Government Rightsizing Program; 7. The Budget Modernization Bill; 8. The Department of Water Resources Bill; 9. Establishing the Negros Island Region; 10. Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers; and 11. The Establishment of Regional Specialty Hospitals.

PCG STEPS UP WPS PATROL TO PROTECT FISHERS

The Philippine Coast Guard has increased the number of its patrol vessels in the West Philippine Sea after Chinese vessels drove away a Filipino fishing boat in Ayungin Shoal on Jan. 9.

In a statement, the PCG said the increase in patrol vessels would ensure the safety of Filipino fishers.

PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the Coast Guard will continue to follow rules-based approaches in ensuring the security of the country’s exclusive economic zones.

Just before the incident, the Philippines and China signed an agreement to establish direct lines of communication for maritime incidents in the West Philippine Sea.

Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he has dealt with the problem of discontentment within the military “permanently.”

“In what I refer to as rationalizing the seniority within the officer corps, what we did was the solution to the problem that was the disgruntlement that was going on in the ranks,” the President said.

“This is the way we were told that we could fix it. So that’s what we’ve done,” he said.

On Sunday, Mr. Marcos explained that he was rationalizing the seniority in the military ranks by appointing Gen. Andres Centino, a full-fledged four-star general in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to replace his previous appointee, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, who only had three stars.

The appointment of Centino back as AFP chief prompted then-Defense Department officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. to resign, saying that he was not formally informed about the matter.

Faustino has since been replaced by Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

FLIGHTS AFFECTED AS CAAP FIXES POWER SUPPLY

At least 29 flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were affected Sunday morning as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) carried out the maintenance of one of its power equipment that has been identified as a factor in the New Year’s Day airport mess.

The CAAP said 28 departing flights and one arriving from Jakarta scheduled from 4:20 a.m. to 5:23 a.m. on January 22—accounting for some 3,500 passengers—were affected by the maintenance activity.

The agency said its engineering team and maintenance provider replaced the cooling fan of its second UPS or uninterruptible power supply.

“No congestion was reported at the four NAIA terminals,” the CAAP said.

Normal flight operations resumed at 6:09 a.m. Sunday.

“The CAAP is grateful to the affected passengers for their patience,” the agency said.

DILG ORDERS PROBE ON REPORTED HARASSMENT OF ONION FARMER IN PANGASINAN

MANILA - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday said it has already asked its regional offices to probe the alleged harassment of an onion farmer.

The DILG said it has ordered its Region 1 and Pangasinan provincial offices to investigate reports that an onion farmer was harassed by policemen after she testified in the Senate's investigation into the soaring prices of local onions.

In a statement, DILG said Secretary Benhur Abalos has already ordered the local DILG offices to look into the incident. The Philippine National Police (PNP), through PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., has also started its own probe.

Abalos reminded the police to follow the rule of law and established protocols to prevent any misunderstanding between the police and civilians.

He also said the DILG will give updates on their investigation.

LACK OF CAPITAL BEDEVILS PHILIPPINES' SALT FARMERS

Lack of funding has proven to be a challenge to salt farmers in Bolinao, Pangasinan, forcing some salt farms in the country's salt capital to stop operations.

Salt farmer Jun Camero, a third generation employee of a 60-year-old salt farm in Bolinao, Pangasinan, said no new salt farms have opened in the area due to difficulties in securing a permit, environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and other important documents.

"Ang pagkakaalam ko sa Bolinao, same pa din hindi naman nababawasan (ang asinan). Ang nagiging dahilan lang po - kinulang ng capital kaya hindi na nag o-operate," he said in a TeleRadyo interview.

Camero urged the government to provide 3 things: financial assistance, training and ease in securing ECCs in order to boost the salt industry.

He said the Philippines has huge potential to make more salt farms due to its 36,000-kilometer shoreline, which is the fifth longest in the world.

Two senators earlier criticized the 27-year-old Salt Iodization law for the alleged deterioration of the Philippines' salt industry. The salt iodization law mandates the addition of iodine to salt to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders in the country.

Sen. Cynthia Villar said the law became a deterrent in the development of the local salt industry after it neglected to develop new areas and invite new investors. "It made all salt food grade. In 2021, it was reported that we only produced 7 percent of our salt requirements and imported 93 percent or 550,000 metric tons," she said.

BANGKO SENTRAL HIKES CEILING FOR CREDIT CARD FEES TO 3 PERCENT

MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it has approved the increase in the monthly ceiling of fees imposed on unpaid credit card outstanding balance by 100 basis points to 3 percent from the previous 2 percent.

The existing ceiling on the month add-on rate that issuers can charge on installment loans, meanwhile, was maintained at a maximum rate of 1 percent, the central bank said in a statement.

Similarly, the maximum processing fee on the availment of credit card cash advances remains at P200 per transaction, it added.

“The policy aligns the credit card interest rate ceiling with developments in the macro economy and cushions the impact of inflationary pressure on banks’/credit card issuers’ ability to provide quality credit card services to their clients," BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said.

Medalla earlier said the Monetary Board would review the cap on credit card fees and charges after the recent interest rate hikes that brought the benchmark policy rate to 5.5 percent from 2.5 percent.

ING Bank Manila's Senior economist Nicholas Mapa said higher rates could dampen consumption.

Interest rate was raised to 5.5 percent in the last 6 months to tame inflation that hit 8.1 percent in December, or the highest since November 2008.

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DEATH TOLL FROM MASSIVE FLOODING ACROSS PHILIPPINES CLIMBS TO 35

MANILA — The death toll from the massive flooding across the Philippines caused by a series of low-pressure areas (LPA), the northeast monsoon or amihan, and the shear line this month has risen to 35, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Monday.

Some 1.9 million people or 475,000 families were also affected by the flooding since Jan. 2, while over 121,000 people or 31,617 families have been displaced after being forced to evacuate from their homes. As of writing, most of them are still seeking shelter inside evacuation centers.

The affected population spanned 13 regions: Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen.

Some 12 people were also reported injured while 7 others remain missing, the OCD said.

Agricultural damage from the floods was pegged at P751.9 million with more than 34,800 affected farmers and fisherfolk, while damage to infrastructure was estimated at P276.7 million.

Some 17 cities and towns in 3 provinces have been placed under a state of calamity, including the entire Samar island.

The government has so far extended assistance worth P98.3 million to affected residents, the OCD also reported.

Most of this assistance was in the form of family food packs distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

ILO URGED TO LOOK INTO VIOLATIONS OF FILIPINO NURSES’ RIGHTS

MANILA — An association of nurses called on the International Labour Organization-High Level Tripartite Mission to the Philippines to examine the violations of nursing workforce standards in the country, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Filipino Nurses United (FNU) stressed that “labor standards on work hours, nurse-to-patient ratio and security of tenure are basic nurses’ rights that have been violated.”

Nurses in private hospitals reportedly get paid around P12,000 a month, while those employed in government-run institutions are entitled to Salary Grade 15 or just over P35,000. Pay is generally much lower in areas outside Metro Manila.

“This sad plight has led to massive migration of nurses to other countries which offer better pay and work conditions,” FNU said.

To try to keep healthcare workers at home, the DOH proposed to standardize the salaries of medical professionals in public and private facilities and improve their benefits.

The FNU also sought the support of ILO in its work of organizing nurses and advocating for their rights, citing the vilification campaign against the association.

The ILO-HLTM takes place from January 23 to 26.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LOVI POE THRILLED TO 'BRING HOME' HER MOVIE 'LATAY'

MANILA – After making its rounds in the international scene, Lovi Poe is thrilled to finally bring her movie “Latay (Battered Husband)” to Philippine cinemas.

“After what seemed impossible to happen because of the pandemic, we’re blessed to finally bring home this film and premiere here in Manila — LATAY, a film by Direk Ralston Jover, tomorrow at Gateway Cineplex 1,” she announced on Instagram on Saturday evening.

Poe also shared that there will a red-carpet event for the film screening at the Quezon City mall on Sunday evening.

In a previous post, Poe said she loves making films such as “Latay (Battered Husband),” with themes that are hard to talk about, and characters that are rarely seen on screen.

“I have never portrayed the role of a violent wife to a battered husband. To say it was challenging is an understatement. I am fond of taking on off beat roles and doing projects like this that raises awareness about domestic violence, particularly towards men, which isn’t documented as much,” she said.

Poe won the best actress award at the 10th International Film Festival Manhattan for her performance in the said movie.

The movie also stars Allen Dizon, who portrays Poe’s husband in the movie.

In the past year, Poe juggled two major projects as a first-time Kapamilya — the iWantTFC series “Sleep With Me” and the Viu adaptation of South Korea’s “Flower of Evil.”

Currently, she is gearing up for the ABS-CBN series adaptation of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”

SPORTS

CRISTIANO RONALDO MAKES HIS SAUDI PRO LEAGUE DEBUT IN AL-NASSR'S 1-0 WIN

Cristiano Ronaldo made his Saudi Pro League debut for Al-Nassr in their 1-0 win against Ettifaq on Sunday. Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but failed to score in the match. Notably, Ronaldo had scored twice in Riyadh Season's friendly match against Lionel Messi's PSG last week. The 37-year-old has joined the Saudi Arabian club in a reported ?4,400-crore deal.

MERALCO DEF. RAIN OR SHINE, 105-87 (PBA) JANUARY 22

Meralco Bolts (1-0) uses strong second-half to beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painter (0-1), 105-87, spoils James Yap return and grab their first win in the opening game of the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday, January 22 at the PhilSports Arena.

Veteran PBA reinforcement KJ McDaniels led the Bolts with a huge double-double of 27 points (12/23fg, 1/5 3pts, 2/7ft) along with 23 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block in 43 minutes of play. Chris Banchero with an all-around game of 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.

Allein Maliksi finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals while Bong Quinto added 11 points and 2 rebounds. Chris Newsome had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal while Cliff Hodge scored 8 points along with 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Rey Nambatac paced the E-Painters with team-high 21 points to go with 2 rebounds and 1 assist while import Michael Qualls added 14 points on miserable 3-of-22 shooting, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and a block. James Yap, councilor in the 1st district of San Juan, returns to Rain or Shine after signing one-conference deal finished with 14 points (5/8fg, 1/3 3pts, 3/3ft), 1 rebound in 14 minutes of play.

The Scores:

MERALCO 105 - McDaniels 27, Banchero 17, Maliksi 16, Quinto 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 8, Almazan 6, Pasaol 5, Johnson 3, Jose 2, Rios 0, Pascual 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 87 – Nambatac 21, Yap 14, Qualls 14, Mamuyac 10, Asistio 10, Norwood 5, Nieto 3, Ponferada 2, Clarito 2, Belga 2, Torres 2, Demusis 2, Caracut 0, Borboran 0.

Quarters: 22-24, 54-54, 81-68, 105-87

CONVERGE DEF. NORTHPORT, 122-92 (PBA) JANUARY 22

Converge FiberXers defeated NorthPort Batang Pier, 122-92 to grab their first win in the opening day of the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday, January 22 at the PhilSports Arena.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 122 - Ahanmisi 29, Rusbatch 17, Teng 16, Tratter 13, Balanza 13, Murrell 12, Browne 11, Arana 6, Racal 3, Stockton 2, Ebona 0, Tolomia 0, Ambohot 0.

NORTHPORT 92 – Weathers 37, Tolentino 12, Calma 10, Munzon 9, Chan 5, Sumang 5, Salado 4, Caperal 2, Taha 2, Ayaay 2, Balagasay 2, Vigil 2, Zamar 0, Dela Cruz Jr 0.

Quarters: 26-25, 66-46, 88-69, 122-92

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will not deny that it is profitable to contemplate from time to time in the mind, as in a picture, the idea of a larger and better world; lest the mind, becoming wonted to the little things of everyday life, grow narrow and settle down altogether to mean businesses. - Thomas Burnet