CHINA, US ANNOUNCE MILITARY PATROLS IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA

BEIJING — Beijing and Washington both announced military deployments in the South China Sea on Wednesday, following heightened tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed waterway.

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said it had "organized naval and air forces to conduct routine patrols" in the sea from January 3 to 4.

The United States meanwhile announced that a carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson was conducting two days of drills with the Philippine Navy.

"The US Navy regularly conducts exercises like these to strengthen ties among allied and partner nations," a statement said.

The moves come after videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard last month showed Chinese ships blasting water at Philippine boats. There was also recently a collision between Philippine and Chinese boats at a flashpoint reef, with both countries trading blame.

The PLA statement did not mention where exactly the patrols would take place or give specific details of their aims.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.

It deploys boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarized to reinforce its claims.

"Troops in the theater remain on high alert at all times to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests," the PLA statement said.

"They remain fully aware of any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create flashpoints."

POWER OUTAGE DEVASTATES LOCAL BUSINESSES IN PANAY

A recent unscheduled power outage in Pavia, Iloilo, has wreaked havoc on local businesses, causing substantial losses for entrepreneurs like Acsilyn Miyazaki. The outage, starting on January 2 at 2:30 p.m. and lasting until noon on January 3, led to a nearly 24-hour disruption in power supply.

Miyazaki, the owner of a frozen pizza business, expressed frustration over the impact on her operations. The rotational brownout, aimed at redistributing electricity distribution, proved unusually prolonged, severely affecting her production. She lamented the loss of revenue due to the compromised quality of 126 frozen pizzas that could not be dispatched. The prolonged outage resulted in freezer leaks and defrosted pizzas, rendering them unsuitable for distribution or cooking.

This isn't the first time the region faced such challenges. A similar incident occurred last year, lasting three days. Conflicting explanations emerged from local distributors attributing the problem to insufficient supply and a lack of clearance from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). On the other hand, the grid attributed the issue to unscheduled maintenance at a major plant, causing confusion for affected businesses.

Miyazaki highlighted the significant impact on production when facing power disruptions, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted electricity for manufacturing processes.

As a response to the ongoing power crisis, the local government of Pavia has suspended classes at all levels, excluding college, on January 4, 2024. The Department of Energy (DOE) traced the power disturbance to the Unit 1 of Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) coal-fired power plant, which tripped due to a boiler feed pump issue. Subsequently, Unit 1 of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC) and Unit 2 of PEDC also tripped due to a grid voltage imbalance.

The DOE reported that a total of six power plants tripped in the region, impacting the entire Western Visayas. As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, the DOE noted that 198.1 megawatts (MW) were being served by Panay power plants, with an additional 50.9 MW from other sources in the Visayas, totaling 245 MW served load.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza provided insights into the recovery process, indicating that 4 out of 13 power plants in Panay generate 70 percent of the island's power supply. While 2 plants have resumed operation, the largest, generating 135 megawatts, is still offline with zero generation. Residents are awaiting the restoration of the remaining supply as the last major plant plans to go online gradually.

GOV’T DEBT BLOATED TO RECORD HIGH P14.51 TRILLION IN NOV 2023

MANILA  — The Philippines witnessed its government debt soar to a new high of P14.51 trillion in November 2023, marking a month-on-month increase of P27.92 billion. The surge is attributed to rising borrowing costs and increased inflation impacting the Marcos administration's expenditures.

Year-to-date, the debt has grown by 8.12%, totaling P1.09 trillion. Local borrowings, comprising 69.09% of the total, rose by 1.23% to P10.02 trillion, influenced by a net issuance of domestic securities.

External borrowings fell by 2.06%, amounting to P4.48 trillion, as the government repaid more than it borrowed offshore. Economists point to rising interest rates and persistent inflation as factors driving the surge in government debt. The budget deficit may lead to further borrowing, contributing to the ongoing fiscal challenge.

DSWD CASH AID TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS 'OPEN TO ALL'

It is not just the poor who can avail of the government cash Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or AICS.

According to Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the AICS is open to every Filipino who is dealing with a crisis situation such as a life-threatening illness.

"Lahat pwedeng lumapit. Maaaring ngayon ay nakakagaan tayo pero biglang nagkaroon ng malubhang sakit sa pamilya. Hindi mo naman na-program. Nasa krisis ka na technically speaking. Hindi namin tinitingnan kung mayaman o mahirap basta mamamayan ka ng republika at kailangan mo ng tulong pinansyal dahil may pinagdaraanan kang krisis medikal ay talagang tutulungan ka," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He said the DSWD has given out financial assistance of P100,000 to P300,000 to individuals who are in crisis situations.

According to the DSWD website, the AICS provides "immediate response to cases of individuals and families in crisis situation through the provision of financial and material assistance."

The Department of Social Welfare and Development recently resumed the issuance of guarantee letters (GLs) for Filipinos in need of cash aid for medical and funeral expenses after it was halted in December 2023.

Gatchalian said the DSWD had to stop the issuance of guarantee letters so it could close the books and pay partner hospitals.

He said case workers will look at the individual's capacity to pay, relatives who might be able to help, and other criteria before issuing the guarantee letter.

"Iba-iba ang (pwedeng maibigay) kaya humihingi kami ng copy ng medical abstract. I a-assess 'yan ng mga social worker, yung estado ng tao at claim," he said.

SMNI ASKS NTC OFFICIALS TO INHIBIT FROM PRESIDING OVER CASE

MANILA: Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) filed a motion on Thursday, asking Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez and her two deputies from presiding over the National Telecommunications Commission's (NTC) case against the media company.

"On its face, the show cause order suffers from a fatal flaw. NTC is the judge, NTC is also the complainant, and NTC is likewise the executioner. This is worse than an impartial judge, which situation is totally abhorred in this country," SMNI lawyers Rolex Suplico and Mark Tolentino said.

"The NTC will never be an independent and impartial tribunal because it is itself the complainant in its own court. How can SMNI expect justice in this kind of setup? It is naturally expected that the decision of the NTC will always be in favor of the complainant, which is also itself," they added.

SMNI also asked the NTC for an additional 15 days from January 5, or until January 20, "within which to file a responsive pleading," while the commission is resolving the network's motion to inhibit.

This came after the NTC in December issued a show cause order with a 30-day suspension order against SMNI over alleged franchise violations.

PHILIPPINES SAYS 27,000 VILLAGES CLEARED OF DRUG MENACE

The Philippines has cleared more than 27,000 barangays of narcotics, with law enforcers seizing P10.41 billion worth of illegal drugs from January to December 2023, Malacanang said Thursday.

A Philippine National Police report said law enforcers conducted over 44,000 anti-illegal drug operations and arrested 56,495 suspects.

Government authorities said 27,968 barangays were cleared of illegal drugs, with 23 provinces, 447 municipalities, and 43 cities establishing their respective community-based drug rehabilitation programs (CBDRPs) as of December 27, 2023. The report said 50 provinces, 1,160 municipalities, and 30 cities have functional Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) implementing anti-drug priorities at the local level.

In addition, 74 established in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities were also put up.

Malacanang said the recent government successes under President Marcos’s new approach to address illegal drugs focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, and preventive education programs specifically for the youth.

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REMOVING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN STATE UNIVERSITIES COULD WORSEN DROPOUT RATES: LAWMAKER

MANILA — A lawmaker on Thursday warned that removing senior high school programs in state universities and local colleges could worsen dropout rates in the country.

In a memorandum dated Dec. 18, the Commission on Higher Education reminded state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) to discontinue their senior high school programs.

The CHED told the SUCs and LUCs that their senior high school programs should only be offered during the K-12 transition period between school years 2016 to 2017 and 2020 to 2021.

Speaking on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said the move could deprive students of access to education.

"Ang mangyayari sa kanila you go to the private schools eh hindi na minsan kaya na mag-aral dahil in fact ang ina-address nitong senior high school [sa state universities] ay usapin ng dropout," she said.

"Pero nakita naman natin na systemic failure talaga ang nangyari. Marami pa rin ang dropout hanggang ngayon so hindi talaga siya 'yung solusyon... Itong CHED memo sa tingin namin mas lalong maglalagay sa mga estudyante natin, sa magulang, sa mga teachers natin sa lalong alanganin na kalagayan," she added.

The CHED memorandum stated there should be no more Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education beneficiaries from the SUCs and LUCs beginning SY 2023-2024, "except those who will be entering Grade 12 in SY 2023-2024 to finish their basic education."

It added however that the SUCs and LUCs with laboratory schools could accept enrollees but would no longer receive vouchers.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers warned that congestion in public high schools would worsen following the non-acceptance of SUCs and LUCs of senior high school students.

PIMENTEL WANTS INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF PUV MODERNIZATION

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel is calling on the government to suspend the controversial public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program indefinitely.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pimentel also asked the Marcos administration if it has studied carefully a program that was started during the previous regime.

"Step on the brakes, i-defer na muna ulit 'yung mga deadlines nila, six months to one year," he urged. "But of course at any time during the suspension pwede nilang sabihin na pahabain pa namin yung suspension kasi inaaral pa namin ang programa."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was firm the government would not extend the franchise consolidation deadline set on Dec. 31, 2023, saying they "cannot let the minority cause further delays" in the program implementation as it would affect stakeholders.

Pimentel shared concerns that the high cost of securing a modernized jeep would send drivers into debt and eventually cause a transport crisis.

Edrich Samonte, convenor of PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport, said his group disagrees with the government's position that there will be no transport crisis after unconsolidated PUV operators stop plying their routes.

"For commuters, it's actually our daily lives na nahihirapan tayong sumakay [that we experience difficulty in public transport] even before the PUVMP...It also shows that the government does not even identify that we have a transport crisis that has been existing since decades ago," Samonte told CNN Philippines' Traffic Center on Wednesday.

The transport advocate also said emissions from PUVs are nothing compared to emissions from private cars, which he argued comprised the majority of motor vehicles in the country.

"Even if we replace all jeeps with electric jeeps, we have cause to believe that the environmental impact will actually worsen kasi mas maraming bibili ng motor, kotse [because many would buy motor vehicles]," he said.

"Magkakaroon tayo ng malaking [We would have huge] reliance on private motorized use of transport as long as the government continues to neglect our public transport system," he also claimed.

Pimentel said that if the government insists on the program, it should go through proper bidding and the supply deals must be disclosed. The iconic jeepneys, meanwhile, should be made into museum pieces and assessed for possible trade-in value.

PH NEEDS MULTIFACETED APPROACH VS ‘DEEPFAKE’ VIDEOS USED TO SCAM PINOYS

A global expert, cybersecurity specialist Allan Cabanlong, emphasizes the urgent need for a multifaceted approach in addressing the rise of "deepfake" videos victimizing Filipinos. The technology allows the manipulation of faces and voices, even exploiting CNN Philippines' anchors to disseminate false stories. While not inherently illegal, using deepfake for illicit purposes, like identity theft, can be punishable under existing laws.

Cabanlong, former assistant secretary for cybersecurity at the Department of Information and Communications Technology, warns of the rampant and evolving use of deepfake technology for political and economic gains, especially on social media platforms. CNN Philippines anchor Ruth Cabal became a target, with a manipulated video presenting disinformation. The network, aware of AI-generated content spreading false information, reported these incidents to social media and web platforms.

To combat the increasing threat of deepfake content victimizing Filipinos, Cabanlong suggests media outlets invest in technology to detect and monitor such postings. He emphasizes the importance of a constant reminder to the public about identifying fake content, as misinformation becomes more prevalent.

While a blanket ban on AI use is impractical, Cabanlong suggests periodic public awareness campaigns on AI-related crimes. Government agencies like the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, DICT, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation should take the lead. Addressing the challenge of anonymity, he emphasizes the need to enhance law enforcement capacity to identify and apprehend cybercriminals. Collaborating with other countries can aid in identifying suspects involved in deepfake scams.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

FILIPINO CULT CLASSIC ‘CLEANERS’ NOW HAS A BLU-RAY EDITION WITH ITS MICRO-SEQUEL

Been wishing for a home video copy of Glenn Barit’s nostalgic and angsty 2019 cult classic “Cleaners”? Consider it granted because American Blu-ray label Kani Releasing has announced that it’s releasing a special limited edition of the film with only 1,000 units available for pre-order and purchase. Get ready to rediscover the film’s rambunctious batch of students rebelling against expectations and the Tuguegarao Catholic high school where they found each other and themselves.

Kani’s stacked edition includes several exciting extras, among them are a slipcover featuring art by Electromilk and a handwritten booklet with new essays by Richard Bolisay and Benj Gabun Sumaba. Expect these extras to bring deeper appreciation for Barit’s filmmaking process which involved printing, hand coloring with highlighters, and then rescanning every frame to achieve its handmade texture.

The region-free Blu-ray includes audio commentary by Barit and the newly commissioned 20-minute micro-sequel short “Huling Swimming Reunion Before Life Happens.” Long-time fans of the feature film will get to enjoy the initial and secondary proofs of concept and behind-the-scenes videos.

This edition features other shorts, namely Che Tagymon’s “Judy Free” as well as Barit’s “Luzonensis Osteoporosis,” “Endless Oven,” “Nangungupahan,” and “Aliens Ata.”

The Blu-ray has optional English, Tagalog, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles for the feature film and English subtitles for shorts and bonus material.

“Cleaners” joins other Asian cinema gems in Kani’s roster such as “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo,” “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?,” and “Cain and Abel.” You can pre-order it on American home video distribution company Vinegar Syndrome’s website.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON JAN 2, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Bulls

15-20

18        24        30        25        97

76ers

23-10

43        30        25        12        110

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. DeRozan CHI SG

16 PTS , 4 REB , 3 AST

J. Embiid PHI C

31 PTS , 15 REB , 10 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Nets

15-19

18        16        24        27        85

Pelicans

20-14

32        27        26        27        112

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

C. Johnson BKN SF

17 PTS , 4 REB , 2 AST

C. McCollum NO PG

16 PTS , 6 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics

26-7

29        32        25        37        123

Thunder

23-9

31        27        40        29        127

Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Porzingis BOS C

34 PTS , 10 REB , 2 AST

S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC SG

36 PTS , 6 REB , 7 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Spurs

5-28

23        17        28        30        98

Grizzlies

11-22

20        27        33        26        106

FedExForum, Memphis, TN

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

V. Wembanyama SA PF

20 PTS , 7 REB , 1 AST

J. Morant MEM PG

26 PTS , 5 REB , 10 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hornets

8-24

25        20        30        36        111

Kings

19-13

21        29        28        26        104

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Rozier CHA SG

34 PTS , 3 REB , 6 AST

D. Fox SAC PG

30 PTS , 5 REB , 6 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Magic

19-14

28        27        26        34        115

Warriors

16-17

30        25        32        34        121

Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

P. Banchero ORL PF

27 PTS , 12 REB , 5 AST

S. Curry GS PG

36 PTS , 2 REB , 6 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.57

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation. - Pearl S. Buck