MARCOS: WPS INCIDENTS ‘WORRISOME’ BUT SHOW ‘FILIPINO COURAGE VS COERCION'

President Ferdinand Marcos has voiced concern over recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 88th founding anniversary celebration. The incidents involved Chinese ships shadowing and engaging in dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. Despite the worrisome developments, Marcos commended the display of "Filipino courage against coercion" and emphasized the nation's commitment to uphold territorial integrity in line with international law.

"We shall continue to assert our rights in accordance with the Philippine constitution and international law," he said, adding recent confrontations in the sea were a "demonstration of Filipino courage against coercion and our firm resolve to protect, preserve and uphold our territorial integrity"

Acknowledging the geopolitical tensions, Marcos praised the AFP for its responsible and dignified approach to resolving regional issues. He urged the military to enhance readiness against emerging threats while strengthening alliances with foreign counterparts. The president reiterated his administration's support for initiatives boosting the AFP's external defense capabilities and encouraged the military to uphold core values of honesty, service, and patriotism.

AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner highlighted the military's efforts to strengthen territorial defense operations amid increasing challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity. As the AFP stands at a pivotal juncture, Brawner emphasized the strategic imperative of enhancing military capabilities. The event featured the conferment of awards and showcased modern military capabilities through a parade.

CHINA: WE HOPE THE PHILIPPINES WILL MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS

China hopes the Philippines will work properly with the country to manage the situation in the South China Sea, China's foreign ministry said on Thursday (December 21).

The comments came after its foreign minister Wang Yi told the Philippines to address through dialogue serious difficulties in their relations over the South China Sea, warning that any miscalculation would prompt Beijing to defend itself and "respond resolutely."

Beijing and Manila have traded sharp accusations in recent months over run-ins involving fishing boats, coastguard ships and other vessels in the South China Sea, a strategic trade corridor where the two countries have overlapping claims.

TOP US, CHINA MILITARY OFFICERS SPEAK FOR FIRST TIME IN A YEAR

WASHINGTON — Top US military officer General Charles "CQ" Brown spoke with China's General Liu Zhenli on Thursday, a spokesman said, after a more than year-long halt to high-level defense talks between the two countries.

China stopped the talks in late 2022 to express its displeasure over a visit by then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, but leaders of the two countries agreed to resume them when they met last month.

Brown -- the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff -- "discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication," spokesman Captain Jereal Dorsey said in a statement.

He "reiterated the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings," the statement said, referring to China's military.

The two military leaders also "discussed a number of global and regional security issues" during their video teleconference.

Beijing reacted furiously to Pelosi's August 2022 visit to Taiwan, scrapping cooperation with Washington on key issues including climate change, anti-drug efforts and military talks, and launching its largest-ever war games around the island.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day, by force if necessary, and bristles at any official contact between Taipei and foreign governments.

MARCOS TO RAISE GRATUITY PAY FOR AFP MEDAL OF VALOR AWARDEES

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos on Thursday announced that recipients of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ highest combat award will be given a bigger monthly gratuity pay as a “tangible and meaningful reward” for their services.

"We are also going to adequately reward the existing Medal of Valor awardees the increase of their lifetime monthly gratuity for displaying bravery and heroism in defending our freedom,” Marcos said during the AFP’s 88th anniversary celebration at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Marcos did not specifically state how much would be added to the Medal of Valor awardees’ monthly gratuity pay but described the increase as a way for the government to affirm its "commitment to support and to honor our war heroes."

The president also called on the AFP to "remain relentless in countering lawless elements that intend to sow fear and distrust amongst our people.”

“We shall continue to assert our rights in accordance with the Philippine constitution and international law,” he added.

The Medal of Valor is the highest combat award given to military personnel who perform “a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuously as to distinguish him above his comrades.”

Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, raised the monthly gratuity of Medal of Valor awardees in 2016 from P20,000 to P70,000.

DOH REPORTS OVER 190,000 INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS CASES NATIONWIDE

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 193,148 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) nationwide from January 1 to November 25, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period last year. Davao region, Northern Mindanao, and Central Visayas topped the list of regions with the most ILI cases. Regions showing significant increases include Zamboanga Peninsula (295%), National Capital Region (116%), and Cordillera Administrative Region (98%).

Despite the surge in ILI cases, deaths attributed to ILI decreased from 485 in 2022 to 271 this year, with a case fatality rate dropping from 0.38% to 0.14%. Notably, DOH advised individuals with COVID-19 symptoms to undergo antigen tests, emphasizing their simplicity compared to RT-PCR tests. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa recommended a five-day isolation and subsequent rapid antigen testing, emphasizing the continued importance of wearing face masks even after 10 days.

MARCOS JR INVITES PUBLIC TO ATTEND SIMBANG GABI IN MALACAÑANG

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday invited Filipinos to visit Malacañang, which has opened its gates to the public for the entire duration of the Simbang Gabi.

In a video message posted on his social media accounts, the President said Malacañang has also prepared traditional Filipino Christmas treats like bibingka and puto bumbong for the visiting public to enjoy.

“Merry Christmas po sa inyong lahat. At muli ngayong Pasko ay binuksan natin ulit ang Palasyo para sa inyong lahat. Open house po kami ngayon, habang may Simbang Gabi open house po ang Palasyo. Puntahan po niyo kami, bisita kayo, kumpleto ang mga pakain natin ng bibingka at saka siyempre yumg specialty ko, Puto Bumbong,” Marcos said.

“Lahat ng mga anak ninyo, mga bata, para magsaya naman sila habang nag-aantay ng Simbang Gabi. So sana magkita tayo dito sa Palasyo para meron tayong Pasko sa Palasyo.”

Simbang Gabi masses are being held at 4:30 a.m. in front of the Mabini Hall of the Palace.

For its annual “Tara sa Palasyo” festivities Malacañang had turned the Kalayaan grounds into a Christmas-themed carnival where the public can enjoy various rides and games for free.

RAINS POUR ON 7TH DAY OF SIMBANG GABI AT THE PALACE

MANILA — Heavy rains greeted attendees of Friday’s Christmas Novena Mass in Malacañang, many of whom said they still enjoyed the ambiance.

Rev. Fr. Johnson Logan led the Simbang Gabi held in the Kalayaan Grounds.

Mass-goers were holding onto their umbrellas and jackets to protect themselves from the rain.

Geama Gerbolingo said they wanted to attend the Simbang Gabi in Malacañang for the experience.

“Nag-enjoy kami lalong-lalo na sa ambiance. Hindi masyado magulo. After nito, may pagkain,” Gerbolingo told ABS-CBN News.

She said she was hoping for good health and a prosperous life.

Marissa Balbiran accompanied her mother Caridad, who has bone fractures in her right foot, to the Mass.

Balbiran said they just live nearby so they took the opportunity.

“Nakasimba kami kahit umuulan,” she said.

Attendees were also in for a treat after the Mass. The Philippine tradition of Bibingka and Puto Bumbong, as well as coffee and hot chocolate, were available for free in the Kalayaan Grounds.

The Presidential Communications Office said the Misa de Gallo would be until the dawn of December 24. This is the second time in a row that the Marcos administration opened the Palace grounds to the public for the Simbang Gabi upon the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos, and First Lady Liza Marcos.

Carnival rides and the Christmas displays, meanwhile, will be available until Saturday.

“Merry Christmas po sa inyong lahat. At muli ngayong Pasko ay binuksan natin ulit ang Palasyo para sa inyong lahat. Open house po kami ngayon. Habang na may Simbang Gabi open house po ang Palasyo. Puntahan po niyo kami, bisita kayo, kumpleto ang mga pakain natin ng bibingka at saka siyempre yumg specialty ko, Puto Bumbong,” Marcos told the public.

TRANSPORT GROUP ASKS MARCOS TO EXTEND CONSOLIDATION DEADLINE

MANILA -- Transport group Stop and Go Coalition on Friday said it was writing a letter to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos asking him to consider extending the deadline for franchise consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

"Narinig ko kasi yung pronouncement ni President BBM na, hindi na niya kailangang tingnan yung 30 percent kasi 70 percent na daw (ang nakapag-consolidate), ayon sa datos ng DOTr," said the group's president Zaldy Ping-ay.

"Eh siyempre kung titingnan naman natin dito sa aral ng ating Diyos, na dito sa Parable of the Lost Sheep, na hindi niya tiningnan yung 99 na masunurin o matawid, kundi yung isa. Napakahalaga na yung isa para mabuo," he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

"Yun lang naman ang gusto naming ipaabot kay Pangulong BBM, para yung kanyang slogan na uniting the nation. So paano tayo magkakaroon ng unifying the nation kung may maiiwan?" he asked.

Marcos said the December 31 deadline for the consolidation of PUVs would no longer be extended.

Another transport group, Manibela, said it planned to file next week a petition for intervention before the Supreme Court in support of PISTON’s bid.

THE REST

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OIL PRICE HIKE LOOMS IN LAST WEEK OF 2023

Motorists could expect a price hike on petroleum products in the last week of 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Friday.

"Makakaranas po tayo ng pagtaas sa presyo ng produktong petrolyo sa darating na Martes, that's Dec. 26," DOE Director of Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

Oil prices are expected to increase after attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels Red Sea shipping forced petroleum firms to reroute tankers and incur additional costs, the official said.

Romero listed the following possible oil price adjustments next week, based on the four-day trading prices.

Gasoline - P1.40 to 1.60 per liter increase

Diesel - P1.40 to 1.60 per liter increase

Kerosene - P1.60 to 1.80 increase per liter

The Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the vital Red Sea shipping lane with strikes they say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is battling militant group Hamas.

More than 20 countries have joined the US-led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.

22 PERCENT OF FILIPINOS WERE POOR IN FIRST HALF OF 2023: PSA

MANILA — Two in 10 Filipinos were poor in the first half of 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Friday.

The PSA said Philippine poverty incidence reached 22.4 percent from January to June. This is equivalent to 25.24 million Filipinos, noted the state statistics bureau.

This is lower than the 23.7 percent recorded in the same period in 2021, the PSA noted.

In the first 6 months of 2023, a family of five needed at least P13,797 monthly to meet their basic needs.

Meanwhile, subsistence incidence--or the number of Filipinos who can't buy their basic food needs--reached 8.7 percent. This is equivalent to 9.79 million persons.

Subsistence incidence was at 9.9 percent in the first half of 2021.

A Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 Social Weather Stations poll found that 48 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as mahirap or poor.

Nearly half of Filipino families feel poor: SWS

The Marcos administration eyes bringing down the poverty incidence in the country to 8.8 to 9 percent by 2028, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) said in June.

PAGASA PREDICTS RAINY CHRISTMAS EVE IN PARTS OF PH

The northeast monsoon and shear line may bring significant amount of rains in parts of the country within the next three days including Christmas Eve, weather bureau PAGASA said.

PAGASA said heavy to intense rains measuring 100-200 mm will affect Isabela, Aurora and Quezon while moderate to heavy rains (50-100 mm)

will affect Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Quirino, and Camarines Norte this Friday, December 22.

On Saturday, December 23, there will be moderate to heavy rains (50-100 mm) in mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.

On December 24, there will be moderate to heavy rains (50-100 mm) in

Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Quirino, Isabela and Aurora.

"Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," PAGASA said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

COCO MARTIN SHOWS SUPPORT FOR SHARON CUNETA-ALDEN RICHARD'S MMFF ENTRY

MANILA -- Kapamilya actor Coco Martin has expressed his support for screen veteran Sharon Cuneta and Kapuso actor Alden Richards.

On Instagram, Cuneta uploaded a video of Martin inviting everyone to support and watch her movie "Family of Two," which is among the 10 entries to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

"From the KING OF PRIMETIME himself, my only other son apart from @aldenrichards02!!! Thank you din anak sa pagdalo mo sa aming premiere night at sa walang humpay na pagmamahal at suporta kay ‘Mysha! Mahal na mahal kita at habangbuhay na tayong pamilya!" Cuneta captioned her post.

In the video, Martin said: "Mga kaibigan, iniimbitahan ko po kayo na sana po ay panoorin natin ang isang napakagandang pelikula na makakapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa bawat pamilyang Filipino.'Family of Two' sa December 25 na po 'yan. Pinagbibidahan ng nag-iisang Megasar Ms. Sharon Cuneta at ang iniidolo ng marami si Mr. Alden Richards. Directed by Nuel Naval. Sana po ay magkita-kita tayo sa lahat ng mga sinehan."

Martin worked with Cuneta in the series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano," where the veteran actress played the mother of Mara, who was portrayed by the actor's long-time girlfriend, Julia Montes.

This year, Montes worked with Richards in the movie "Five Breakups and a Romance."

BIANCA MANALO SLAMS 'MALICIOUS INSINUATIONS' IN LEAKED CONVO WITH ROB GOMEZ

MANILA — Actress Bianca Manalo on Friday finally addressed the leaked private conversation between her and actor Rob Gomez.

On Instagram, Manalo said she and Gomez were "friends and co-workers."

The actress said their conversation, screenshots of which circulated online, was about a Christmas gift from Gomez that she was supposed to receive early before leaving for the airport.

"It is upsetting that our conversations were exposed without my consent, which is a breach of privacy and the cause of so much online. It is obvious that parts of our conversation were deleted to create malicious insinuations," Manalo said.

"To be honest, this unfounded accusation is hurting me and my loved ones," she added.

Manalo said she hoped the controversy would end "so I can enjoy the rest of my time in Japan with my family."

"Let us spread love and the truth this holiday season. Merry Christmas, everyone," she said.

In a previous report, Gomez said his phone was taken from him and used without his consent.

Manalo, a beauty queen-turned-actress, is in a relationship with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Just last month, Manalo celebrated her 37th birthday in Malacañang with the senator.

Prior to joining showbiz, Manalo was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe in 2009.

SPORTS

PBA DEC 21, 2023

Phoenix def. NorthPort, 113-104 (26-28, 56-60, 87-89, 113-104)

Magnolia def. TerraFirma, 104-91 (29-16, 57-38, 91-60, 104-91)

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON DEC 20, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hornets

7-19

29        31        26        27        113

Pacers

14-12

31        40        36        37        144

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Rozier CHA SG

25 PTS , 9 REB , 7 AST

B. Hield IND SF

25 PTS , 4 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Heat

16-12

25        43        21        26        115

Magic

16-10

24        26        22        34        106

Kia Center, Orlando, FL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Herro MIA PG

28 PTS , 8 REB , 7 AST

C. Anthony ORL PG

20 PTS , 4 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Timberwolves

20-6

24        36        27        26        113

76ers

19-8

28        36        26        37        127

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

A. Edwards MIN SG

27 PTS , 7 REB , 5 AST

J. Embiid PHI C

51 PTS , 12 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Jazz

10-18

27        29        37        23        116

Cavaliers

16-12

36        26        30        32        124

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

L. Markkanen UTA SF

26 PTS , 10 REB , 1 AST

S. Merrill CLE SG

27 PTS , 3 REB , 2 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Nuggets

19-10

29        32        29        23        113

Raptors

11-16

20        24        31        29        104

Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

N. Jokic DEN C

31 PTS , 15 REB , 6 AST

S. Barnes TOR SF

30 PTS , 10 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Knicks

16-11

32        28        30        31        121

Nets

13-14

20        31        26        25        102

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Randle NY PF

26 PTS , 7 REB , 4 AST

C. Thomas BKN SG

20 PTS , 2 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hawks

12-15

39        38        21        36        134

Rockets

13-12

29        36        35        27        127

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Young ATL PG

30 PTS , 4 REB , 14 AST

J. Smith HOU PF

34 PTS , 13 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Lakers

15-13

22        33        23        30        108

Bulls

12-17

33        28        29        34        124

United Center, Chicago, IL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

L. James LAL SF

25 PTS , 10 REB , 9 AST

D. DeRozan CHI SG

27 PTS , 7 REB , 9 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Clippers

17-10

35        32        18        35        120

Mavericks

16-11

22        34        27        28        111

American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Leonard LAC SF

30 PTS , 10 REB , 5 AST

L. Doncic DAL PG

28 PTS , 10 REB , 10 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics

21-6

38        36        39        31        144

Kings

16-10

41        25        24        29        119

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. White BOS SG

28 PTS , 2 REB , 7 AST

D. Fox SAC PG

29 PTS , 3 REB , 3 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.57

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One must not lose desires. They are mighty stimulants to creativeness, to love, and to long life. – Alexander A. Bogomoletz