PHILIPPINES, US TO MOUNT WEST PH SEA JOINT PATROLS BY END-2023

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States have agreed to mount joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea before the end of the year, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Friday.

NSC Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya said that among the country's key strategies in the West Philippine Sea is strengthening partnerships with other countries and allies, while supporting a rules-based international order.

“That is why the President went to the US, met with the President of the US, President Joe Biden, and reinvigorated our mutual defense treaty. We also have good relations with Australia, we have a visiting forces agreement with Australia," Malaya said in a West Philippine Summit.

"Recently, [National Security Adviser Eduardo] Año met with the national security advisers of Japan and the US in a trilateral meeting. I think in the very near future magkakaroon po ng joint patrols, or joint sail ang PIlipinas at ang Estados Unidos. Abangan po natin yan,” he added.

Malaya said the joint patrol with the US would not necessarily aggravate the situation in the general South China Sea region if international law is strictly followed.

The purpose of the joint patrol is simply to ensure freedom of navigation by keeping sea lanes open, he added.

“Maliwanag naman under international law kung ano 'yung international seas. Basta tayo, we adhere with the UNCLOS. Kung ano man ang nakalagay sa UNCLOS where the international law allows us to sail doon tayo magse-sail,” he said.

When asked about the prospect of having a joint military exercise with China, Malaya said there is no legal basis at the moment. The NSC has also yet to receive any proposal on this.

“Well, unang-una kasi, for us to have joint military exercises kailangan magkaroon tayo ng Visiting Forces Agreement with China. So wala tayong VFA with China so that is that is the really big problem,” the official said.

DEATH TOLL FROM HEAVY EGAY, HABAGAT RISES TO 29: NDRRMC

MANILA — The death toll from the recent heavy rains and floods brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by typhoon Egay has climbed to 29, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

Over 3 million people or 805,621 families across the country were affected by the devastation, according to the disaster office. Some 287,000 people took shelter in 648 evacuation centers, it added.

The NDRRMC reported in its latest bulletin that 165 individuals were injured, while 11 people remained missing.

Meanwhile, the cost of damage to infrastructure was estimated at P3.631 billion. The NDRRMC recorded around 54,400 damaged houses and 2,200 destroyed houses.

The damage to agriculture was pegged at P1.950 billion.

The NDRRMC data showed that 11 provinces and 18 cities or municipalities declared a state of calamity.

Government has distributed around P275 million worth of assistance, the NDRRMC said.

HEAVY TRAFFIC IN NLEX CAUSED BY FLOODING: EXEC

MANILA — The heavy traffic currently being experienced in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) could be attributed to the flooding in some areas up north, an official said on Saturday.

NLEX traffic management chief Robin Ignacio said flooding in these areas could persist until early next week, which was why they have fortified their sandbagging in flooded areas such as in San Simon, Pampanga.

Ignacio said they have also started siphoning flood waters through their pumps.

"Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pag-pump out namin at pag-siphon doon sa area para tuloy-tuloy nating mapababa ang tubig," Ignacio said.

"Dahil dito sa pagbaha, tuloy-tuloy po na mabagal ang daloy ng traffic natin doon. 'Yung northbound ngayon we have around 3 kilometers slow-moving traffic," he added.

The southbound lane so far is the most affected of the flooding, which reached around 11.8 inches.

"'Yung pa-Manila, yung southbound section, mayroon naman tayong more than 9 kilometers na slow-moving," he said.

"'Yun ang mas matindi ngayon. Halos araw-araw ganyan, bahagya lang umiikli... kapag madaling araw pero mayroon pa rin."

It is the "first time" that flood waters in San Simon, the official noted, spilled to the expressway.

"Hindi umaabot yung tubig diyan pero sa taas talaga ng tubig ngayon sa mga bandang San Simon dahil umapaw ang Pampanga River, talagang yung area ng San Simon, mahirap humanap ngayon ng daanan," he said.

Traffic buildup stretches from San Simon, Pampanga to Candaba Viaduct in the northbound and would somehow affect those going to Pulilan in Bulacan.

DENR EXPLORES CO-PROCESSING TO COMBAT PLASTIC CRISIS, CLIMATE CHANGE

MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines is exploring co-processing as a sustainable waste management option. Co-processing converts waste, like end-of-life plastics, into alternative fuel for cement manufacturing plants, reducing landfill use and fossil fuel dependency. Republic Cement, through its ecoloop initiative, is a pioneer in waste-to-fuel cement manufacturing, aiming to reduce coal reliance and minimize carbon emissions. However, some green groups argue that co-processing won't address the root causes of the plastic crisis. They stress that plastic production, overuse, and disposability need to be curbed, advocating for reuse and refill models instead. The government's Extended Producer Responsibility law aims to tackle plastic waste by requiring large enterprises to offset their plastic packaging impact.

DPWH: ASPHALT IN EDSA NOT SUBSTANDARD AMID NEED FOR ROAD REPAIRS

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said the asphalt it used in EDSA is not substandard, despite the need for road repairs.

DPWH on Friday commenced the asphalt overlay and re-blocking in 15 EDSA sites, dubbed as "one time, big time" road repairs, instead of doing these every weekend.

The timing was criticized by Senator JV Ejercito, who said the repairs must be done when the weather improves. He added that the asphalt's quality should be good so this would not be done from time to time.

"Parang Skyflakes na nga ang sabi ko sa kanila. Eh eto yung mabibilis mabutas pag malakas ang ulan.. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya yan para taon-taon may maintenance,” he said on Friday.

But speaking on Radyo 630, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said potholes in main thoroughfares prompted the agency to conduct the repairs, which he said was caused by the recent heavy rains.

"Siguro sa patuloy na pag-ulan kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng ganoong potholes sa mga kalsada natin. Kaya kailangan naming kumpunihin at ganito talaga ang phenomenon ng mga kalsada natin," he said.

Bonoan also maintained the asphalt and other materials they use is of quality.

"Hindi naman (substandard)," the DPWH said when asked if this was the case.

"Okay naman, may specification naman ang ginagawa natin sa pagkumpuni na kalsada. Yung sinasabi natin na — alalahanin din natin ang pavements katulad ng sa EDSA, matagal nang nilatag yan. Hindi naman isang taon siguro na nailatag tapos masisira kaagad, mayroon namang quality yung nilalagay naming materyales diyan," he said.

‘JOIN GOV’T NOT TO MAKE MONEY, BUT TO SERVE’

“One does not join government to make money; one joins government to serve.”

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo reminded government officials and employees of this during the testimonial luncheon on Wednesday for the Supreme Court’s 44 officials and employees who are the 2023 recipients of the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).

In his message, Gesmundo cited his 38 years of service as a public servant. He was appointed Chief Justice by then-President Rodrigo Duterte on April 5, 2021.

“What kept me working in government, despite the pay, despite those long hours, and perhaps despite an occasional disenchantment or two, was, more than the lure of learning, the sense of purpose it immediately gave me. Instantly, all my hard work found direction in that solitary goal of public service,” the top magistrate shared.

“Even when I was just starting, I knew that, in my own little way, I was doing something big, not for myself, but for others—for the greater good, for the benefit of the public, and for a purpose higher than pecuniary recompense,” he said.

“Our remuneration is in the fulfillment that comes with the knowledge that by having done our work efficiently, we have made the system work, for the public good. Indeed, public service is demanding but it is rewarding if done with utmost dedication and integrity,” he added.

“Your legacy is in leaving behind an office better than you found it, in working and giving your best for the public good, and in making yourselves examples of selfless and dedicated service to those who continue the work,” Gesmundo said.

The PRAISE awards, which started in 2002, were given to those who retired in 2022 and those retiring this year.

The award “gives recognition, motivates the pursuit of excellence, promotes awareness, and enhances the productivity of Supreme Court personnel.”

PNP: PEACE, ORDER SITUATION NATIONWIDE IMPROVED IN 2ND QUARTER

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reports a significant improvement in the country's peace and order situation, with a decrease in crime incidents during the second quarter of the year. According to the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management’s Crime Research Analysis Center, crime rates from April 24 to July 30, 2023, decreased by 6.69 percent compared to the same period last year. Luzon and Mindanao experienced substantial reductions of 10.51 percent and 9.51 percent in crime rates, respectively, while the Visayas regions saw an 8.42 percent increase. The PNP Chief attributed this positive trend to the dedication of police officers and pledged to continue proactive measures to ensure safety and security. Index Crimes and Non-Index Crime Volume also decreased by 17.26 percent and 3.97 percent, respectively.

POGO RAID: 20 CHINESE CHARGED

Twenty Chinese workers were among the 100 charged out of the almost 650 persons arrested and rescued by government law enforcers during the raid of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Pasay City this week, the Department of Justice said Friday.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said the charges were filed during the inquest proceedings done at Rivendell Global Support, Inc. at the SJ Mobile Building in Pasay City, where the raid took place.

Ty, who is in charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) headed by the DOJ, could not say immediately what charges were filed against those subjected to inquest proceedings.

But he admitted that the charges were filed, and those charged were 20 Chinese nationals and more than 80 Filipinos.

Ty said that the government authorities conducted a raid Tuesday night, Aug. 1, against Rivendell where “around 650 individuals were found in the establishment.”

“Around 180 are foreign nationals and the majority of them are Chinese,” he said.

The DOJ official said that one of those arrested during the raid was a Filipino who was rescued from human trafficking abroad.

“We were saddened to know that one of those was a Filipino previously rescued in Myanmar but was found working in the POGO facility in Pasay,” he lamented.

He noted that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) “provided the initial intelligence that we used to secure the search warrant.”

“We received information that this POGO is a registered service provider,” he said.

However, during the raid it was discovered that most of the rooms were engaged in online scams, he added.

“A few rooms were still engaged in illegal gambling,” he said.

“We suspect that these gambling rooms were presented whenever there is an inspection but this is just a small part of the operation,” he added.

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NEW HEALTH PROTOCOLS IN COURTS OUT AMID LIFTING OF COVID PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

MANILA — The Office of the Court Administrator has released revised health protocols on court operations after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. lifted the state of public health emergency in the country due to COVID-19.

In Memorandum Circular No. 271-2023, signed on Aug. 4 but was only released Saturday, Court Administrator Raul Villanueva said only suspected and symptomatic COVID-19 patients require antigen testing.

Antigen tests can be conducted in their homes or through clinics or hospitals.

"Positive antigen test result at home should be validated with an RT-PCR result, if still available, and if the result is confirmed positive, the infected person needs to isolate for at least five (5) days from start of symptoms on sick leave," the circular read.

"If a judge or staff... secure a fit to work certification from a medical practitioner or doctor," it added.

Antigen testing may also be required by judges for visitors in their courts or halls of justice.

Wearing of face masks, meanwhile, is now optional inside the Supreme Court premises and the halls of justice. Judges, however, may require face mask wearing inside their courts or halls of justice.

Face-to-face seminars initiated by Philippine Judicial Academy and the Supreme Court-Office of Administrative Services (OAS), the circular noted, will also continue requiring antigen tests at their discretion.

FUEL PRICES SET TO INCREASE FOR 5TH STRAIGHT WEEK

MANILA -- For the fifth straight week, another price increase looms for diesel and kerosene.

After 4 trading days, imported diesel is up by P3.38/liter while imported kerosene is also up by P2.40/Liter. Gasoline is slightly higher too by P0.13/L.

The main reason according to Department of Energy (DOE) Director Rino Abad is still the production cut in Saudi Arabia. Russia may also cut production in September, he added.

In the last 4 weeks, diesel prices have risen by P6.80/L, gasoline by P5.35/L and kerosene by P5.90/L.

Meanwhile, the government is now preparing the standards for an increased bioethanol blend in gasoline.

FILIPINO BISHOP ASKS LISBON CROWD: WILL CHRIST LEAVE LGBTQ BEHIND?

A Filipino bishop on Thursday reminded Filipino pilgrims of World Youth Day that Jesus Christ left no one behind in his journey to the Cross, including those people that society deemed not human.

In his homily during Mass with the Filipino pilgrims, Bishop Bartolome Santos of Iba said Jesus did not discriminate against anyone's color, gender or even physical disability.

"If you are LGBTQ+ member and Jesus Christ is walking with you, will he say: 'Ano ka ba? Diyan ka muna hanggang hindi mo nasasabi kung ano ka. Saka pa lang kita isasama,'" Santos told the crowd in Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Lisbon, Portugal.

"Baka nga po when you walk with Jesus and you tell all what is in your heart and mind to Christ, then Christ will understand and bring you along in this togetherness...If you just tell Jesus Christ, 'Andiyan ka pala e, sabayan mo naman ako at maglakad tayo para mapakinggan mo ako.'"

Santos encouraged the Filipino pilgrims to make their lives a parable of the gospel and help people who are victims of abuse, harassment, trafficking and addiction.

"We cannot leave people behind us. Dahil pilay, iwanan mo 'yan? Dahil pangit? In the door of Heaven, by color ba ang pasok? Ano 'yan, United Colors of Benetton?" he joked.

"Jesus kept on walking, stopping to hear and listen to those who were not even considered human. The lepers, the possessed, the pagans, the Samaritans, the sinners. We are all here to tell the world of His love," he added.

Thursday's Mass was presided over by Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission Youth.

LTO FAVORS SPECIAL PLATES FOR E-VEHICLES

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday welcomed a proposal by a party-list representative to produce special plates for e-vehicles.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said he would consult with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista with regard to the House Bill 8570, which was filed by Malasakit at Bayanihan Rep. Anthony Golez Jr.

Under the measure, the LTO would be mandated to create special plates for e-vehicles in order to encourage more Filipinos to own one as part of the global effort to protect the environment.

A number of car dealers has already started releasing hybrid vehicles in the country and one of the perks of owning such a type of vehicle is the exemption from the number coding scheme of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Mendoza said the proposal of Golez would not only make it easier for traffic enforcers to identify e-vehicles but also would bring a sense of pride to the e-vehicle owners that they are contributing to environment protection.

“But right now, allow us to focus first on solving the backlog on license plates and to distribute the unclaimed license plates in the soonest possible time,” he said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

IS JOSHUA GARCIA IN A NEW RELATIONSHIP?

MANILA – Joshua Garcia's supporters are speculating whether he is in a new relationship, following French-Filipino athlete Emilienne Vigier's description of him as "my person" in one of her Instagram Stories on Wednesday.

Vigier posted multiple clips on her page showing someone preparing a meal for her.

Although the person's face remained hidden in the videos, Vigier conspicuously tagged Garcia in her posts.

Interestingly, Garcia himself shared one of Vigier's videos, appearing to affirm that he was indeed the person in the clip.

This is not the first instance of such sightings. Netizens have previously observed Vigier and Garcia posting Instagram Stories that hint at them being together. The actor, however, has yet to go on record and clarify if he’s already in love again.

Before this, Garcia was rumored to be in a relationship with beauty vlogger Bella Racelis.

Garcia, however, reiterated at that time that he is single amid persistent rumors romantically linking him with Racelis, with whom he has been seen several times on various occasions.

Just last February, Garcia publicly greeted Racelis on her birthday as he tagged her in an Instagram photo showing their hands together.

Garcia’s last public relationship was with actress Julia Barretto.

SPORTS

KAI READY WHEN GILAS RETURNS

MANILA — Kai Sotto is making progress in his back rehab, anticipating his readiness for court drills upon Gilas' return from tune-up games in Guangzhou. With six of his 12 rehab sessions complete under the supervision of three doctors at Makati Medical Center, Sotto aims to be fit for Gilas' FIBA World Cup game against the Dominican Republic on August 25. He expresses optimism about Gilas' aspirations and underlines the team's unity and diverse playing styles. Sotto is dedicated to the national team, sharing his excitement and readiness to contribute. Despite social media chatter, he remains focused on his recovery and preparing for the World Cup, highlighting his commitment to giving his all for the country.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Silence gives consent, or a horrible feeling that nobody's listening. - Franklin P. Jones