PRESIDENT TELLS PCG TO DEFEND BOTH COASTLINES, NATIONALS

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reminded the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to always be ready and aware while guarding the country’s maritime boundaries, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

During the oath-taking of PCG personnel in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos said that Coast Guard members are frontliners ready to confront whatever threats come through the country’s coastlines.

“That is why we must guard ourselves; we must be ready and aware and industrious in the work that we do to make sure that we do not have any untoward incidents, that we do not have any mistakes, we do not have any misunderstandings that might cause the problem to escalate out of our control,” the President said.

“I’m confident that all our officers know this mission, that all our officers know how to fulfill that mission. And that is why we continue to support you in every way that we can so our citizens feel safe,” he added.

Mr. Marcos noted that although the PCG’s primary role is search and rescue, as well as boundary patrol, many duties that once belonged to the Navy have been shifted to the Coast Guard.

“The reason for this is very simple. We do that so that we will notraise the tensions by putting in units and assets of the Philippine military into the area,” he said.

“But as many of the incidents have started to show over the past few years, that mission has become more, shall we say, intense. Now you are expected to defend not only the coastline, but to defend our nationals,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and China are still working to establish a direct line of communication to prevent tensions from rising in the South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

HOUSE PANEL STARTS FRESH 'CHA-CHA' DELIBERATIONS; EXPERTS DIVIDED

MANILA -- The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendments has started a fresh attempt to change the 1987 Constitution, following several failed attempts to rewrite the country's basic law by allies of past presidential administrations.

Constitutional experts invited to the deliberation, however, were divided on whether the charter should be revised, either in part or in full, as well as the manner of changing the charter.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza sees the need to amend the current charter's provision on how to amend the constitution, fearing it may lead to a revolution.

"Because the amendment clause rather in Article 17 is very sparse, it does not give the details of how the Congress acting as a constituent assembly should meet and vote," he told the committee.

"It is very important because the amendment clause is the safety valve for the expression of public opinion. You make that ambiguous, you make it difficult for people to amend the constitution or easy for people to amend the constitution because it's all ambiguous. It lacks the details. What do you have? You might have a revolution," he added.

Mendoza, however, asked whether or not it is proper for Congress to vote on additional powers for itself, should it decide to be the one to rewrite the constitution as a constituent assembly instead of calling for a convention.

"So the question of propriety comes in. For example, at present, there are economic restrictions in the constitution. To lift them or to remove them, you need constitutional amendment." Mendoza said.

"Is it proper for Congress, to act as a constituent assembly in order to vote for itself acting as a Congress as a legislative department, additional powers to grant equal rights to foreigners without going through the process of amendment?"

"Because in an amendment, it's Congress and the people ratifying but if you give it only to Congress as a Congress, Congress alone will exercise that power," Mendoza explained.

Mendoza also said some proposals, like rewriting the matter of presidential succession, should be left to a convention.

SEARCH AND RESCUE OPS CONTINUE FOR MISSING CESSNA PLANE FROM ISABELA

MANILA — Authorities continued conducting search and rescue operations on Friday to find a missing Cessna plane in the country's mountainous north, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said on Friday said.

The single-engine 206 aircraft carrying a pilot and 5 passengers had taken off from Cauayan, Isabela on Tuesday on a route that would have taken it across the Sierra Madre mountain range, the CAAP earlier said.

In a statement, CAAP said "close monitoring and continuous close coordination with concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) are still in place."

"As weather conditions are expected to improve today, the search and rescue (SAR) team will continue their attempt to find the said missing aircraft," it said.

The Philippine Air Force is conducting an aerial search in the vicinity where the aircraft went missing with 6 people on board, whose ages range from 10 to 59 years old, CAAP said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army, LGUs of Maconacon and Divilacan along with the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police are conducting ground search, CAAP added.

ICC APPROVES RESUMPTION OF PROBE INTO PH DRUG WAR, DAVAO KILLINGS

MANILA —The International Criminal Court (ICC) has authorized the resumption of its investigation into the bloody drug war and Davao Death Squad killings in the Philippines.

In a statement dated Jan. 26, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) said it has approved ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan's request to continue its probe into "the Situation of the Republic of the Philippines".

"Following a careful analysis of the materials provided by the Philippines, the Chamber is not satisfied that the Philippines is undertaking relevant investigations that would warrant a deferral of the Court’s investigations on the basis of the complementarity principle," the international court said.

According to the ICC, Manila's efforts to investigate and prosecute the alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines were not satisfactory.

"After having examined the submissions and materials of the Philippines Government, and of the ICC Prosecutor, as well as the victims’ observations, the Chamber concluded that the various domestic initiatives and proceedings, assessed collectively, do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the Court’s investigation," the Hague-based international tribunal said.

"This conclusion does not preclude the Philippines from providing material in the future in order for the Prosecution, or the Chamber, to determine inadmissibility of the investigation or of any actual case, if and when needed," it added.

International rights group Human Rights Watch praised the ICC's decision, saying the ICC investigation "is the only credible avenue for justice for the victims and their families of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s murderous 'war on drugs.'"

"As the court’s judges agreed, Philippine authorities are not 'undertaking relevant investigations' into these crimes or 'making a real or genuine effort' to carry these investigations out. The ICC offers a path forward to fill the accountability vacuum," it said.

PH'S LONDON ECONOMIC BRIEFING SEEN TO STIR INTEREST, ATTRACT INVESTMENTS: ENVOY

The recent Philippine Economic Briefing held in London is seen to create more interest in the Philippines for UK-based investors, British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said on Friday.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said during the briefing on Thursday that he announced the above-target growth in 2022 which was at 7.6 percent.

"There were no immediate deals signed on the dotted line at that occasion but I think what it will lead to is a lot more conversations and a lot more interests in the Philippines and ultimately more investments," Beaufils said.

She added that there are London-based financial institutions, banks, and private sector organizations that are always on the lookout for new markets.

These investors are keen on updates about legislative changes such as the cap on foreign investments in renewable energy, Beaufils said.

The British envoy also highlighted recent "notable investments" between the UK and the Philippines such as Diageo's acquisition of Don Papa Rum as well as the joint venture between JV Inchcape and CATS Motors.

MARCOS PUSHES E-VISA EXTENSION FOR 4 COUNTRIES

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies on Thursday to act upon the extension of e-visas for Chinese, Indian, South Korean, and Japanese nationals to capture the tourism markets from these countries.

The President issued the directive during the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector group meeting in Malacañang.

The PSAC advises the President on the government’s economic objectives, particularly in the country’s key sectors.

To capture the tourism markets of China and India, PSAC has recommended the inclusion of Indian nationals under the visa-upon-arrival program and the extension of e-visa, which is currently available only for Taiwanese citizens and to Chinese, Indian, South Korean, and Japanese nationals.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said during the meeting that on the issue of e-visa, the DFA is collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the development of the technical plans.

On the visa-upon-arrival, Manalo said the DFA has a program, which applies to certain Chinese nationals, other citizens such as Americans, Japanese, Australian, Canadians, and Europeans could have a 14-day visa upon arrival.

DICT Secretary Ivan Uy said his department is still studying various connectivity matters that need to be threshed out with respect to the other jurisdictions that will avail of the Philippine e-visa platform.

TULFO EYES HEALTH RATINGS STAMPED ON FOOD PRODUCTS

To provide Filipino consumers proper knowledge on the food they eat, Sen. Raffy Tulfo filed a bill mandating the use of a health rating system on the labels of packaged food products.

Tulfo said this will be in addition to the standard nutrition facts stated on the label.

In filing Senate Bill (SB) No. 1684, Tulfo gave assurance the health rating will help save the consumers from life-threatening diseases.

“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of health and wellness,” the senator said.

This includes comprehensive knowledge of the food individuals consume. Undeniably, he noted that people who maintain a healthy diet will have a lower risk of serious illnesses and enjoy a better quality of life.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the leading cause of death in the Philippines are diseases of the heart, vascular system, and respiratory system, along with malignant cancers, and diabetes.

The said rating system is calculated based on the total Energy or Kilojoules, saturated fat, sodium, sugar content and fiber.

The Health Rating System will be placed at the front of the packaged food product.

The packaged food product’s nutrient content will be shown below or beside the Health Rating.

THE REST

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ANOTHER QUEZON CITY SCHOOL GETS BOMB THREAT

MANILA, Philippines — A bomb scare hit another school in Quezon City yesterday, disrupting  the classes of students who were in the middle of their second quarter examinations.

The bomb threat at Ponciano Bernardo High School in Barangay Kaunlaran was reported by school officials to the Cubao police station at around 9:10 a.m.

Police said a certain Bob Key Ser posted a message on the school’s Facebook page at around 12:57 a.m. that he had planted a bomb on campus.

Several hours later, a teacher saw the message and relayed it to the school principal.

Teachers and other school employees conducted an inspection but did not find any explosive. As a precaution, they alerted the police, who immediately sent an explosive ordnance disposal unit.

Romeo Sierra, the school’s disaster response unit head, said the students were taking their exams but they suspended classes for everyone’s safety.

He said it is the first time the school experienced a bomb threat.

On Wednesday, the San Francisco High School in Barangay Sto. Cristo was hit by a hoax terror attack.

Classes at the New Era Elementary School in Barangay Culiat were suspended due to a bomb threat on Monday.

Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte yesterday ordered DepEd regional directors to coordinate with police to address security concerns in schools.

According to DepEd spokesman Michael Poa, Duterte instructed the department’s field operations to issue a directive for all regional offices and school division offices to help police identify which schools require spot inspections of weapons among personnel and learners.

ENRILE'S FORMER AIDE GIGI REYES ATTENDS FIRST PDAF SCAM HEARING SINCE RELEASE

MANILA — Gigi Reyes, the former chief of staff of former Senator and now Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, appeared before the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division on Thursday to attended her trial on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

It was Reyes' first appearance before the anti-graft court since the Supreme Court ordered her release last week, under the condition that she would attend all her Sandiganbayan hearings.

Reyes and Enrile are still undergoing trial for plunder charges after allegedly pocketing P172 million worth of kickbacks so-called "pork barrel scam."

The scam, supposedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, involved the diversion of lawmakers' PDAF or pork barrel funds to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs).

LTO REOPENS DRIVER’S EDUCATION CENTER

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office reopened yesterday its Driver’s Education Center (DEC) in Pasay City that will offer free courses for student driver applicants.

The LTO said its Pasay City Licensing Center (PCLC) will offer a 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) for student permit applicants.

The DEC will serve new drivers and help them learn the basics of safe driving, laws, rules and regulations under the TDC required for a student permit application.

The PCLC will conduct the free driving course every Thursday and Friday.

BOY, 12, ACCIDENTALLY KILLS SELF WITH PA’S GUN

MANILA, Philippines — A 12-year-old boy died after he accidentally shot himself with the service firearm of his father, who is a policeman, at a school in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan yesterday.

City police chief Lt. Col. Ronaldo Lumactod said the boy, a Grade 6 student of the Benito Nieto Elementary School, died while being treated in a hospital.

”Na-unlock niya and then pumutok ‘yung baril hitting his chin, tumagos sa ilong niya and then it traversed sa ceiling ng comfort room,” Lumactod said.

Probers said the boy took his father’s handgun from their cabinet and brought it to school.

The boy’s father, who has the rank of executive master sergeant, is assigned at the police Directorate for Police Community Relations at Camp Crame.

The Bulacan police was tasked to conduct an investigation into the incident.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'It's self-explanatory': Alden Richards echoes Maine Mendoza on rumors that they're married, have kids

MANILA, Philippines — Kapuso actor Alden Richards denied that he is already married with former love team partner Maine Mendoza and they have twins.

In his interview with Boy Abunda in GMA-7' "Fast Talk," Alden said "I think everything is already self-explanatory."

Alden thanked the love team's fans for supporting them.

"Uulitin ko po. During the AlDub era, nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat ng suportang ibinigay niyo sa amin, and sa lahat po ng pagmamahal... Masaya po kami na napasaya namin kayo," he said.

Alden said that he and Maine are very good friends right now.

"But right now po kasi, kami ni Maine ngayon we're at a point na we're not getting any younger, and we've already made our, of course, personal choices. We're very good friends up to this point," he said.

When asked "Wala kayong anak, hindi kayo kasal?" Alden said "Wala po, wala po."

SPORTS

NBA: JAMES, ANTETOKOUNMPO WILL CAPTAIN NBA ALL-STAR TEAMS

LOS ANGELES, United States - Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain the NBA All-Star Game teams next month after final voting that saw Philadelphia star Joel Embiid fail to earn a starting spot.

James will tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- the man he is on track to overtake as the NBA's all-time leading scorer -- for most All-Star Game appearances with 19.

The four-time NBA champion, who is averaging 29.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists this season, has now served as a captain -- as the top vote-getter from his conference -- in each of the six years that the league has used the format of captains selecting their teams from among all the available players.

Antetokounmpo, the Bucks' two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, will be a captain for the third time in his career, having led a team in 2019 and 2020.

Joining James among starters selected from the Western Conference are New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic.

The other starters from the East are Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant and teammate Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

Fan voting accounted for 50 percent of the voting, with voting among NBA players and a media panel each accounting for 25 percent of the vote.

Jokic, the two-time reigning MVP, will be playing in a fifth straight All-Star Game. He's averaging 25.1 points, 11 rebounds and 9.9 assists for Denver, who lead theestern Conference.

Williamson is averaging 26 points, seven rebounds and 4.6 assists for New Orleans, but he's been sidelined by a hamstring injury since January 2.

Durant earned a 13th straight All-Star nod, but it's not clear if he'll be available for the game in Salt Lake City on February 19. He hasn't played since spraining a knee ligament on January 8 and could miss the midseason exhibition for a third straight year.

Irving, meanwhile, has made an eighth All-Star team while Tatum will play in his fourth -- his first as an elected starter.

Mitchell will also be making his first start, and it will come in the home of the Utah Jazz team that traded him to Cleveland in September.

The All-Star reserves, who are selected by NBA coaches, will be announced next week and the captains will select their teams shortly before the game starts.

That's a change from recent years, when the draft was conducted virtually in the lead-up to All-Star Weekend.

Joining Embiid among the marquee names who missed out on starting berths were Memphis' Ja Morant, Portland's Damian Lillard, Philadelphia's James Harden and the Lakers' Anthony Davis -- although any of them could yet be selected as reserves.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 54.40

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is too common an Error, to invert the Order of Things; by making an End of that which is a Means, and a Means of that which is an End. - William Penn