SENATE TO PUSH THROUGH WITH ABS-CBN FRANCHISE HEARINGMANILA - Nothing can stop the Senate committee on public services fromhearing the franchise extension of ABS-CBN Corp. tomorrow, Senate PresidentVicente Sotto III said yesterday.Sotto maintained that the committee, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, will onlydiscuss the compliance of the ABS-CBN with the requirement of its franchisegranted by Congress 25 years ago."There's no stopping the hearing of Sen. Poe's committee," said Sotto, whonoted that the committee will not issue any report unless the House ofRepresentatives transmits its bill on the network franchise to the upperchamber.Sotto also noted the Senate will not hold any session tomorrow to allowPoe's committee to hold its first hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise.He also said his Senate colleagues opted not to hold session tomorrow as thefollowing day is a holiday - the 34th anniversary of the People PowerRevolution. The next session is on Wednesday.Some members of the House of Representatives have branded asunconstitutional the holding of a hearing on the issue by the Senate. Theyclaimed that the bill on the network franchise is local legislation thatshould emanate from the lower chamber.While he agreed that any local legislation should emanate from the House ofRepresentatives, Sotto maintained that Poe's committee will not submit anyreport to the plenary.GROUPS HOLD RALLY AT PEOPLE POWER MONUMENTMANILA - At least a hundred of President Duterte's critics held a rallyyesterday and demanded for the Chief Executive's resignation over what theydescribed as his kowtowing to China and placing the country's security atrisk.Members of the Kilusan Kontra Tsina (KKT), Oust Duterte Movement, Bunyog andConfederation against Federalism flocked to the People Power Monument inQuezon City to show their anger at the President."We have a dream and it's for the President to resign," KKT chairman ReyAbad said in an interview.The organizers also went on a campaign on Facebook, urging citizens to jointheir protest.Abad said they were aiming to mobilize 1,000 people for the event butadmitted the crowd was nowhere near their desired figure.Capt. Rohaina Asalan, spokesperson for the Quezon City Police District, saidthe estimated crowd at the monument was only about 100 as of 3 p.m. Theorganizers claimed there were 400.Even with the small crowd, Abad said the rally was still successful as theywere able to convince some people of the problems facing the country underthe Duterte regime."We opened their eyes that China is silently invading the country withoutfiring a single shot," he said in reference to the influx of Chinese workersin Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).Even if they were not invited, Abad said they would still join other groupsin mass actions commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution on Tuesday,Feb. 25.

PINOY REPATRIATES QUARANTINED AT NEW CLARK CITY CLEARED TO GO HOMEMANILA (2nd UPDATE)-Filipino repatriates from Hubei province in China, theepicenter of COVID-19, have been cleared to go home to their families,authorities said as they completed a 14-day quarantine period at New ClarkCity in Capas town, Tarlac.Forty-nine people - including 30 overseas Filipinos workers from Wuhan, 5Department of Health medical team members, 5 Department of Foreign Affairsresponse team members, 6 plane crew, and 3 ground personnel - completed thequarantine period through a send-off ceremonyThey did not show any signs of the virus, Health Secretary Francisco T.Duque III said in a statement Saturday afternoon.The repatriates also received a certificate clearing them of the virus andwere given financial assistance by the Overseas Workers WelfareAdministration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.Media was barred covering the event.The Health Department also thanked agencies such as the DFA, the OWWA, andthe local government for the joint effort exerted.GARIN READY TO FACE CHARGES: I DID NOTHING WRONGMANILA - Former health secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin has vowedto face her latest indictment by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegeddeaths blamed on the dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine."I will face this bravely and without fear because we know the truth," Garinsaid in Filipino, adding she has not yet received a copy of 78-page DOJresolution that found probable cause to charge her and several others incourt.Garin, other health officials and the president of Sanofi Pasteur werecharged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide in connection withthe alleged deaths in 2015. The penalty for such offense is imprisonment ofup to six years for each count, based on the Revised Penal Code.The DOJ did not mention the names of those indicted - except Garin's -supposedly due to privacy concerns.Garin, an opposition lawmaker, disclosed that six of the seven cases in the"first batch" of indictments against her have already been dismissed orthrown out by the courts for "lack of basis and substance.""Science has proven over and over again that no deaths have been linked tothe Dengvaxia vaccine. Almost the whole world is using it now and no caselike ours has surfaced," Garin, who is a medical doctor, said.She lamented that she and "other public health servants who sought to bringa life-saving vaccine in the country" have been ridiculed and made to standtrial by publicity.BISHOP REMINDS CATHOLICS OF ROLE THIS LENTMANILA - Just a few days before the Lenten season starts, Balanga BishopRuperto Santos reminded the Filipino faithful yesterday to always remembertheir role as Catholics.Time is too short, he said over the Church-run Radio Veritas, that peopleshould not waste it on greed, selfishness and hate as he urged them to servethose who are in need."Our life has an end, and so does everything. Power and position do not lastforever. There is always an end of tenure. Effectiveness expires. Beautyfades. Health deteriorates. Popularity wanes. We all come from God; Godcreated us from dust, and to dust we shall return," Santos said.He added that the faithful should reflect this Lenten season and bear inmind that despite the hardships they are going through, there is always aGod who is ready to accept them."To serve is to save. It is to fulfill and follow God's commandments. We doanything in order to protect and promote life, making their lives peacefuland prosperous; safe and secured. To serve is not to lead them to shame,scandal and much more not to sin and occasion of sins," Santos stressed.The Lenten season will start with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26.BI CHIEF TO OFFICERS: REMAIN PROFESSIONALMANILA - Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente yesterdayordered bureau employees to remain professional and focus on their job amidallegations of corrupt practices exposed by the so-called "pastillas" racketat the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)."I call on every member of the bureau to remain professional and focused onperforming our duties and responsibilities in protecting our borders andsecuring our gateways from the entry of any and all threats," Morente said."The bureau and its personnel have been tested by various issues in the lastfew years, and despite these trials, we have remained steadfast, strong inour adherence to the values of patriotism, integrity and professionalism,"he added.Morente released the statement yesterday amid the on-going investigation onthe pastillas scheme wherein BI employees at the NAIA allegedly provide VIPtreatment to and escort newly arrived Chinese nationals who bribe theimmigration officers to enter the Philippines and work at the controversialPhilippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs).The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau ofInvestigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation on the alleged pastillasscheme.The BI and NBI are both attached agencies of the DOJ.Morente said he welcomes all efforts to cleanse the ranks of all personnelin the bureau as he vowed to cooperate should there be calls for lifestylecheck on their personnel and officials.SALVACION GERONA, VP LENI'S MOTHER, PASSES AWAYMANILA-Salvacion Gerona, Vice-President Leni Robredo's mother who was acareer educator, passed away on Saturday, Robredo confirmed on social media.Gerona was 83.In a Facebook post on Saturday, Robredo said her mother's wake will start at4 p.m. on Sunday at the Eternal Gardens, Balatas Road in Naga City."Thank you to everyone who offered prayers and sent condolences," she said.News of Gerona's deteriorating health emerged last month when Robredo postedon social media that her mother's condition "turned for the worst" but thatit later improved.Robredo did not specify Gerona's ailment.Gerona was a teacher by profession and served Universidad de Santa Isabel inNaga, one of the oldest schools in the country.Robredo had said her mother was "a teacher all her life."

SERIES OF 3 'MODERATELY STRONG' QUAKES STRIKE OFF DAVAO OCCIDENTALMANILA-Three "moderately strong" earthquakes struck off Davao OccidentalSaturday night within 10 minutes, according to the Phivolcs.The first tectonic tremor (Magnitude 4.8) occurred 11:29 p.m. at 157kilometers southeast of Sarangani town with a depth of 8 km, while thesecond one (Magnitude 4.6) hit at 11:34 p.m. approximately 200 km of thesame town with a depth of 9 km.The last one (Magnitude 4.0) struck at 11:39 p.m. at about 124 km southeastof Sarangani with a depth of 14 km.Aftershocks and damage to structure are not expected, however, the Phivolcssaid.At least 12 "moderately strong" to "strong" earthquakes have jolted theregion, according to the agency's data.CELEBRITIES CONGRATULATE SARAH G, MATTEO ON WEDDINGMANILA-Celebrities took to social media to share their wishes for newlymarried couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli.Among those who posted their greetings were singers Christian Bautista,Klarisse de Guzman and Geronimo's fellow "The Voice Teens" coach Apl.de.ap.@xtianbautista: Congratulations to @JustSarahG and @mateoguidicelli on yourwedding :) Kat and i are happy for the both of you! And we are here for you@apldeap: Congrats to Sarah and Matteo!@Klarissedguzman: Kasal na ang favorite couple ko!!Actor Marvin Agustin greeted the couple as well. "Congrats Matteo & Sarah!Walang madaling relasyon pero nagiging payapa at maayos ang pagsasama pagkayong dalawa ay mangangakong magkakampi hanggang dulo. Very very happy foryou guys," Agustin tweeted.Actress Ivana Alawi also shared her greetings. @IvanaAIawi: CongratulationsMr and Mrs Matteo and Sarah Geronimo Guidicelli.We all know that Sarah deserves complete happiness and she is old enough tohandle herself with her husband Matteo. I hope Mommy Divine let Sarahexperience the true meaning of freedom and happiness.Kapamilya celebrities Bianca Gonzales and Gretchen Ho, and news anchor KarenDavila also had kind words for the couple."I am so happy for Matteo & Sarah!! You're both adults, in love, committedfor years now.... you have every right to fight for your happiness," Davilatweeted.@gretchenho: Love wins.@mjfelipe: Congratulations Mr and Mrs Matteo and Sarah Geronimo Guidicelli.@iamsuperbianca: Isa ako sa mga tagahanga na gusto silang makitang maligaya.Geronimo and Guidicelli got married in a civil wedding ceremony Thursdaynight in Taguig City.Their wedding, however, was allegedly marred by violence after a close-insecurity detail of Geronimo reported to police that Guidicelli punched himin an altercation at the ceremony.Guidicelli has denied the allegation.NBA SCORES FEB 21FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Mavericks 34-22    34    30    27    31    122team logo Magic 24-32    18    34    32    22    106SCORING LEADERSL. Doncic DAL33 PTS, 10 REB, 8 ASTE. Fournier ORL28 PTS, 2 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Cavaliers 15-40    32    29    20    32    113team logo Wizards 20-34    41    25    21    21    108SCORING LEADERSC. Sexton CLE25 PTS, 2 REB, 2 ASTB. Beal WAS26 PTS, 3 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Suns 22-34    23    20    35    23    101team logo Raptors 41-15    31    36    26    25    118SCORING LEADERSD. Booker PHO21 PTS, 5 REB, 8 ASTP. Siakam TOR37 PTS, 12 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Pacers 33-23    15    36    29    26    106team logo Knicks 17-39    20    24    21    33    98SCORING LEADERST. Warren IND27 PTS, 8 REB, 3 ASTB. Portis NY19 PTS, 6 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Nuggets 38-18    17    31    29    24    101team logo Thunder 34-22    27    21    30    35    113SCORING LEADERSN. Jokic DEN32 PTS, 7 REB, 5 ASTC. Paul OKC29 PTS, 4 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Celtics 39-16    24    37    34    32    127team logo Timberwolves 16-38    20    33    35    29    117SCORING LEADERSG. Hayward BOS29 PTS, 5 REB, 6 ASTM. Beasley MIN27 PTS, 4 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Spurs 24-31    27    38    28    20    113team logo Jazz 36-19    21    25    29    29    104SCORING LEADERSD. Murray SA23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 ASTR. Gobert UTA18 PTS, 14 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Pelicans 24-32    40    33    29    26    128team logo Trail Blazers 25-32    35    28    20    32    115SCORING LEADERS    Z. Williamson NO25 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST    C. McCollum POR27 PTS, 6 REB, 10 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Grizzlies 28-28    22    19    36    28    105team logo Lakers 42-12    28    32    24    33    117SCORING LEADERSJ. Jackson MEM20 PTS, 3 REB, 0 ASTL. James LAL32 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST