PALACE ADMITS: REFUSAL OF AID FROM DRUG WAR INQUIRY BACKERS AN ‘OUTRAGE REACTION’MANILA - Malacañang admitted Thursday that the Philippines' decision to shunaid and loans from countries who supported a resolution seeking a report onPresident Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs was “more of an outrage reaction.”Panelo made the remark after Manila, on Feb. 27, lifted the suspension ofnegotiations with 18 countries that backed an inquiry into the drug war“You must remember that that was made because of what they—of this countriesdid when they passed that resolution condemning the war on drugs in thiscountry,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang.“And it was more of an outrage reaction, having already expressed our standon that, perhaps there is now a reason to change it,” he said.Panelo, however, said he has yet to ask President Rodrigo Duterte on thereasons for lifting the ban.Last year, Panelo even touted the government’s decision to shun aid fromcountries that backed Iceland’s resolution that called for a report onManila’s human rights situation, including extrajudicial killings underDuterte’s drug war.“It is a political statement. You don’t mess with this country with thatkind of resolution,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang in September lastyear.LAGMAN: GADON PETITION CONFIRMS PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY FOR ABS-CBN, NETWORKOPEN FOR LEGAL CHALLENGESMANILA — Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay) said that the recent petition questioningthe House of Representatives’ directive to the National TelecommunicationsCommission on ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise confirms that the move justputs ABS-CBN in a position vulnerable for legal challenges.Lagman told ANC’s Early Edition that lawyer Larry Gadon’s Petition forProhibition filed Thursday just confirms “our apprehension that all of thesealternative reliefs short of a renewal are really throwing ABS-CBN into aquagmire of legal problems.”“We have said repeatedly, the alternative reliefs being suggested short ofrenewing the franchise of ABS-CBN are not legal and viable,” the lawmakeralso said.Gadon filed a Petition for Prohibition before the Supreme Court, asking itto issue a temporary restraining order against NTC Commissioner GamalielCordoba from complying with the House of Representatives’ letter to thecommission.House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan), chair ofcommittee on legislative franchises, wrote and asked NTC to issueprovisional authority to the network to operate “from May 4, 2020 until suchtime that the Congress has made a decision on its application.”Lagman reiterated his position that the NTC has no jurisdiction on issuing aprovisional franchise to the media giant as extending a franchise is amatter solely under the Congress. Gadon also raised this argument in hispetition before the SC.He also stressed that the law states “the one applying for a provisionalauthority or cert of public convenience should be a franchise holder.”“In other words, the inflexible rule is that [there will be] no operation ifthere is no franchise,” he added.Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra previously said that the Congress maydirect the NTC to issue a provisional authority to operate until theCongress decides on its renewal, after its current franchise expires on May4.Lagman also said that he believes Gadon, who is not from ABS-CBN, Congressor NTC, may question the directive before the tribunal.PNP EYES 3 ANGLES IN CHIEF'S CHOPPER CRASHMANILA — The Philippine National Police is considering at least 3 angles inthe helicopter crash that injured its top official and 6 others, the probe'sleader said Friday.The 2-year-old Bell 429 chopper carrying PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboacrashed after it got tangled with power lines in a sandy area in San Pedro,Laguna on Thursday.Investigators will look into possible pilot error, the chopper's conditionand the takeoff site preparation, said PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt.Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.The takeoff site was drenched with water before Gamboa arrived to inspectimpounded vehicles. The ground could have dried up before his chopper tookoff, Eleazar told DZMM."Siguro dapat nadiligan pa iyan bago nag-takeoff," Interior and LocalGovernment Secretary Eduardo Año, whose agency oversees the PNP, said in aseparate interview."Kailangan malaman natin ano talaga ang nangyari dito," he said.The Police, Air Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippineswill inspect the crash site later Friday, said Eleazar."This is probably the first time that we will be conducting a chopper oraircraft crash investigation kaya (so) we really need the help of concernedagencies," he told reporters in the area.Gamboa said he was "okay" and would return to work on Monday.Major Generals Jovic Ramos and Mariel Magaway, the PNP's comptrollership andintelligence heads, respectively were still in critical condition, saidEleazar.Magaway is stable while Ramos is still unconscious and needs thoroughmedical attention, he said.The PNP's 6 other choppers are grounded pending the results of theinvestigation, Año said. The helicopter that crashed was the police's lonetwin-engine aircraft, he said.This safety precaution will "not necessarily" affect police operations, saidEleazar."Sa totoo lang, dati naman kaming walang chopper. Ngayon pa lang naminie-establish ang paggamit nito," he said."This fleet actually hindi pa ito fully utilized. Nagko-conduct pa tayo ngtraining sa would-be pilots," he added.‘DUTERTE WON’T BE RUSHED INTO SHUTTING DOWN POGOS’MANILA — President Duterte has no basis yet to suspend the operations ofPhilippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), Malacañang said yesterday, asit denied that the Chief Executive is too soft on issues involving China.Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President needs to have a“comprehensive report” first on the alleged illegal activities tied to POGOsbefore he could decide on whether to halt their operations.“You know, when the President decides on something, he has the goods to backup his decision. If he has not received a comprehensive report on theseillegal practices, then you cannot hurry him up. That’s how the Presidentacts. He is a lawyer. We lawyers need evidence,” Panelo said at a pressbriefing.“We have to wait for him (Duterte), because he will be waiting for reportscoming from all agencies relative to this issue and then he will make adecision on that,” he added.ROBREDO, BELMONTE CITE GAINS, CHALLENGES FOR PHILIPPINE WOMENMANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonteyesterday underscored the gains and the continuing challenges faced by womenin the Philippines.The two women leaders were among those who spoke at the #Women2020 summitheld in Taguig City in time with the celebration of women’s month thisMarch.Robredo said women leaders around the world, including detained Sen. Leilade Lima, who advance women’s rights and break ground movements to provideequal opportunities to all genders.“More movements have opened up safe spaces for women online. Campaigns suchas #MeToo, #TimesUp, and #DontTellMeHowToDress have created communities thatare actively engaging and educating their peers, and encouraging survivorsto tell their stories and stand up against their abusers,” she said.Belmonte, for her part, highlighted the gains in advancing women’s rights inthe country in the past century.She noted that female registered voters now outnumber their malecounterparts, a stark contrast in 1920 when women were not allowed to vote.“At the turn of the century, the country has one of the highest maternalmortality rates in developing countries with more than 200 deaths per100,000 live births,” she said.“By 2017, that number has been reduced to 121 deaths per 100,000 livebirths. In Quezon City, we have managed to post rates much better than thenational average with 39.7 deaths per 100,000 live births,” she added.While the Philippines dropped eight notches in the most recent Gender GapIndex, the mayor said the country still performed the highest among Asiancountries.Despite these gains, both leaders underscored the challenges that continueto hound women across the country.Robredo said many Filipinas remain disempowered due to poverty and othercircumstances.Belmonte said the reports of gains bring little comfort to women whocontinue to suffer from violence and abuse.LTO AIMS TO WIPE OUT MOTORCYCLE PLATE BACKLOG BY Q3 OF 2021MANILA - The Land Transportation Office is hoping to address the estimated13 million backlog of motorcycle license plates by the third quarter of nextyear."We have about 8 million 'yung gagawin namin 'yung currently registered. Weestimate na merong about 4 to 5 million na nagrehistro na hindi nanagpa-renew. So maraming delinquents so 8 plus 5, about 13 million ang dapatnaming gawin na motorcycle plates," LTO Executive Director Romeo Vera Cruztold radio DZMM.Vera Cruz said they will work on two shifts including Saturdays to be ableto meet their targeted monthly production of 730,000 plates.The LTO has also finished the final design for the plates, in accordancewith Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law. The lawrequires 2 plates for every motorcycle, a bigger aluminum plate at the backand decal in front."We came up with a design, decal ito ididikit doon sa harapan, maghahanap ngpagdidikitan. Sa likod, ang size na na-finalize para fit all, 28 percentbigger than the current one," he said.The plate for the back of the motorcycle is 135mm X 235mm in size. For thedecal, it would be 135mm x 90mm in size."Mas malaki ang sa likod, 'yung aluminum plate, kaysa sa decal.Reflectorized decal dapat mabasa 15 meters away," he said.‘FATALISTIC’ DUTERTE WILL STILL RIDE HELICOPTERS – PALACEMANILA — The air crash in San Pedro, Laguna that injured Philippine NationalPolice chief Gen. Archie Gamboa and several other top PNP officers won’tstop President Duterte from using helicopters, Malacañang said yesterday.“You know the President. The President always says, ‘If it’s my time, it’smy time.’ He is fatalistic,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.Duterte prefers riding helicopters when he has engagements, saying he wouldcause inconvenience if he travels by land.The 74-year-old President has repeatedly said that he is ready to go anytime and that he has reached the peak of his political career.Panelo could not say what precautionary measures would be undertaken withregard to the use of presidential helicopters, saying the Palace would awaitresults of the investigation on the crash.HOUSE HEARING ON ABS-CBN WON’T GIVEWAY TO SCMANILA — The House committee on legislative franchises yesterday rejectedcalls to suspend its hearings on the franchise renewal application ofbroadcast giant ABS-CBN to give way to the resolution of the quo warrantopetition before the Supreme Court (SC).Panel chair and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez said they would continue with theproceedings on 11 bills seeking renewal of the network’s 25-year franchiseeven if the petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida remains pendingbefore the high court.“That will have no effect on our hearings because that is a separateproceeding with a separate branch of government,” he explained to reporters.Alvarez said the latest petition for prohibition filed by lawyer Larry Gadonseeking to stop the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) fromissuing a provisional authority for the network to continue operating afterthe expiration of franchise on May 4 would also have no effect on theirhearings.“The prohibition petition does not seek to stop the House hearings becausewe are all aware of the separation of powers of the co-equal branches ofgovernment,” he pointed out.DAR: RICE TARIFFICATION, BEST AGRICULTURE REFORM EVERURDANETA CITY – The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) is the “best reform everthat happened in the history of the agriculture sector” in this country,Agriculture Secretary William Dar said yesterday.Dar told local farmers at the Urdaneta Sports and Civic Center during thefirst anniversary of RTL implementation that Republic Act 11203 is the bestever reform dedicated to agriculture as the country needs rice that isavailable and affordable for all Filipinos.He said the other objective of the law is to strengthen the farmers bymaking them competitive with their counterparts in other countries.Dar said the tariff collected from imported rice goes back to the farmersthrough the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which is P10billion a year for the next six years. From this amount, at least P5 billionis for mechanization, P3 billion for seed distribution, P1 billion forcapital or credit program and P1 billion for extension services.After a year of implementation of RTL, Dar claimed that consumers could nowbuy rice for as low as P27 a kilo.He said the government would not stop working to further lower the price ofrice in the market. The average price of well-milled rice now is P36.33.INSURANCE COMMISSION: LGBTQ MEMBERS CAN DESIGNATE PARTNERS AS INSURANCEBENEFICIARYMANILA — Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer communitymay designate their partners as beneficiaries in their insurance plan, theInsurance Commission said.In a legal opinion issued to the University of the Philippines College ofLaw, Gender Law and Policy Program, the Commission said: “The [IC] affirmsyour position that the insured who secures a life insurance policy on his orher own life may designate any individual as beneficiary.”The opinion was issued to Professor E. (Leo) Battad, program director of theUP College of Law Gender Law and Policy Program.Battad sought guidelines from the IC on the right of the insured todesignate a beneficiary, particularly the rights of members of the LGBTQ+community to designate their domestic partners as beneficiaries of theirlife insurance.Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said exceptions contained in Article 2012in relation to Article 739 of the Civil Code apply.In a separate text message to Philstar.com, Funa confirmed that members ofthe LGBTQ+ community may present the legal opinion “if an insurance agentwould have an adverse view.”

KARLA ESTRADA, PROUD NA PROTECTIVE NA KUYA SI DANIEL PADILLAMAYNILA -- Ipinagmamalaki ni Karla Estrada ang pagiging protective ngpanganay na anak na si Daniel Padilla pagdating sa kanyang mga kapatid.Matatandaang nito lamang Pebrero 28, sa pagdiriwang ng ika-18 kaarawan ngkapatid ni Daniel na si Magui Planas, ay nakita ng lahat ang pagigingprotective ng aktor sa kanyang kapatid na babae.Nag-viral pa ang video ni Magui na kilig na kilig sa performance atpakikipag-usap sa dating "The X Factor Australia" contestant na si JustinVasquez habang si Daniel ay seryosong nakamasid at nagbabantay sa dalawa.Sa "Magandang Buhay" nitong Biyernes, iginiit ni Karla na natural lang samga anak niyang sina Daniel at Jose Carlito ang pagiging protective."Alam niyo ang mga lalaki kong anak ay normal sa kanila na maging protectivesa mga babaeng kapatid, lalo na sa mas nakababata. I think normal lang 'yonna nakabantay ng ganun, cute naman. Wala namang pambabastos andeverything... Actually hindi lang si Daniel, pati si JC si Carlito," aniKarla."Nakaka-proud siyempre because I know that they are very, very close. Closena close po kasi ang mga anak ko dahil 'yan ay sinigurado kong sila aymagtatanggulan hanggang sa pagtanda nila, hanggang mawala na ako sa mundo,"dagdag ni Karla.Kuwento naman ni Melai Cantiveros, si Karla mismo ang nag-imbita kay Justinbilang sorpresa para sa kaarawan ng anak."Kasi favorite 'yon ni Magui. Hilig niya 'yon patugtugin sa sasakyan,"paliwanag ni Melai.Ayon kay Karla, iba ang pakiramdam na maibigay ang kasiyahan ng kanyang mgaanak."Very special 'yon na maiparamdam mo sa kanila ang kasiyahan na 'yon dahilisang beses lang 'yon dumaan sa buhay nila. Hindi mahalaga kung malaki angdebut o maliit, ang importante ay mairaos at naging masaya at sama-samakayong magkakamag-anak," ani Karla.NBA SCORES MARCH 4FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Pacers 37-25    23    33    23    21    100team logo Bucks 53-9    36    22    31    30    119SCORING LEADERST. Warren IND18 PTS, 4 REB, 1 ASTG. Antetokounmpo MIL29 PTS, 12 REB, 6 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Thunder 38-24    38    31    25    20    114team logo Pistons 20-43    32    32    18    25    107SCORING LEADERS    S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC27 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST    C. Wood DET29 PTS, 9 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Celtics 42-19    28    30    23    31    112team logo Cavaliers 17-45    27    25    25    29    106SCORING LEADERSJ. Tatum BOS32 PTS, 9 REB, 6 ASTC. Sexton CLE41 PTS, 3 REB, 6 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Jazz 39-22    35    29    29    19    112team logo Knicks 19-43    26    28    24    26    104SCORING LEADERS    D. Mitchell UTA23 PTS, 1 REB, 8 AST    J. Randle NY32 PTS, 11 REB, 0 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Grizzlies 31-31    22    30    30    36    118team logo Nets 27-34    23    22    20    14    79SCORING LEADERS    J. Jackson MEM19 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST    T. Waller-Prince BKN15 PTS, 5 REB, 0 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Magic 27-35    26    29    29    29    113team logo Heat 40-22    30    30    28    28    116SCORING LEADERST. Ross ORL35 PTS, 0 REB, 0 ASTD. Robinson MIA27 PTS, 2 REB, 0 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Bulls 21-41    29    29    21    29    108team logo Timberwolves 19-42    22    33    33    27    115SCORING LEADERS    C. White CHI26 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST    M. Beasley MIN24 PTS, 3 REB, 2 ASTFINAL/OT    1    2    3    4    OT    Tteam logo Pelicans 26-36    22    33    30    27    11    123team logo Mavericks 38-25    24    33    30    25    15    127SCORING LEADERSB. Ingram NO27 PTS, 5 REB, 4 ASTK. Porzingis DAL34 PTS, 12 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Wizards 22-39    30    31    18    25    104team logo Trail Blazers 28-35    37    35    28    25    125SCORING LEADERSB. Beal WAS29 PTS, 6 REB, 6 ASTC. Anthony POR25 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST