NUMBER OF POGO WORKERS CONTINUES TO RISEMANILA — More Chinese and other foreign nationals are opting to work inPhilippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) companies despite stricterregulations imposed by the government, the Department of Labor andEmployment (DOLE) reported.Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said DOLE has recorded acontinuing growth in the number of foreign nationals working in the country.“From January to mid-February this year, we have issued about 20,000 alienemployment permits (AEPs). So the number of foreign workers is stillincreasing, considering that it’s just the first two months of the year,”Tutay said in an interview.Of the figure, Tutay said a majority – or 15,000 – of the AEPs were issuedto POGO-related workers.“I just don’t know if that’s new arrivals, or just renewals of AEPs,” Tutaysaid. Foreign nationals are allowed to renew AEPs.Tutay said Chinese nationals account for 75 percent of the foreign workerswho were able to secure AEPs from DOLE.In 2019, DOLE had issued more than 143,000 AEPs to POGO-related workers. Ofthe number, almost 80 percent are Chinese nationals.Tutay said the number of AEPs issued to foreign nationals last year hadtripled compared to previous years, as the government imposed new rulesgoverning employment of foreign workers.Under the new rules, foreign workers who will work in the country for morethan six months are required to secure AEPs.

BELMONTE VOWS HOUSING FOR 10,000 INFORMAL SETTLERSMANILA — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has vowed to provide housing toaround 10,000 informal settler families (ISFs) by the end of her first term.Belmonte said the local government’s 2022 Local Shelter Plan aims to providesecurity of land tenure to ISFs, that would be affordable and apt to HousingCode standards.“The housing program is one of our priorities dahil pangako natin sa kanilaang pagkakaroon ng seguridad sa paninirahan. Kaagapay nito ang tamang socialpreparation at values formation para sa mga beneficiaries,” she said.The city government aims to implement various programs such as communitymortgage, direct sale, in-city housing and relocation of ISFs from waterwayswithin three years.The local Housing, Community Development and Resettlement Department (HCDRD)has identified informal settlers in Barangays Bagong Silangan and Payataswhere new structures could be constructed for the benefeciaries.Data showed there are a total of 213,978 ISFs in Quezon City based on the2019 census conducted by the HCDRD.Belmonte said the local government is mandated by the Constitution toprovide security of land tenure through affordable housing to poor families.LOCSIN'S TWITTER LOCKED FOR TWEETING ACTIVISTS ARE COMMUNISTS WHO SHOULD BESHOTMANILA — Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr., the Philippines' top diplomatand an active Twitter user, might have some of his account features limitedas his social media account has been locked, according to an activist whosegroup he said should be shot.Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. posted a screenshot of anotification from Twitter Support after reporting Locsin's tweet against thegroup."Teddyboy Locsin, DFA secretary, has his Twitter account locked for thisoffensive and threatening tweet accusing Bayan as communists that deserve tobe shot," Reyes tweeted Monday morning.Locsin's last tweet was at 6:39 p.m. on Sunday.A few days ago, the DFA chief reacted to an article where Bayan questionedwhy the Balikatan exercises would push through in May despite thetermination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States."These are fucking Communists. You shoot them. You don't listen to them,"Locsin tweeted March 5.Membership in Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or in activist groups associatedwith it does not mean membership in or even support for the Communist Partyof the Philippines.Account lockedThis tweet, however, is no longer available as it had violated Twitterrules.Under Twitter rules: "If a Tweet was found to be in violation of our rules,and has yet to be deleted by the person who Tweeted it, we will hide itbehind a notice. The account will remain locked until the Tweet is removed."If an account has been found to have violated Twitter rules, the user canstill browse the feed site but will have limited access.AFTER CRASH, NO HELICOPTER RIDES FOR NOW FOR PNP CHIEF GAMBOAMANILA - Days after he survived a helicopter crash that left two of hiscolleagues gravely injured, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen.Archie Gamboa reported for work Monday and vowed to travel "by land" fornow."By land. But in due time I will ride a helicopter again," said Gamboa whowore a cast on his right arm.The 55-year-old top cop was on his way to Calamba, Laguna in a 2-year-oldtwin-engine Bell 429 chopper with police officials Major Generals JovicRamos and Mariel Magaway, and PNP spokesman Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac,when the aircraft got tangled with power lines after takeoff in San Pedro,Laguna.Gamboa and his men were in San Pedro for an inspection of impoundedvehicles.Ramos, the PNP comptrollership chief, sustained a serious head injury. Heand Magaway remained in critical condition.Gamboa said the Bell 429 chopper was his preferred aircraft,"because it's twin engine, bigger aircraft," and could transport morepeople.He added he was confident about its performance because it was purchasedbrand new, and underwent regular bidding."It's way above board. These are brand new helicopters, came all the wayfrom Canada, and tested in Canada before it was transported here," saidGamboa.He said the chopper had been in use for over two years.CRISTINE REYES WINS BEST ACTRESS IN PORTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALMANILA – Cristine Reyes bagged the best actress award at the 40th edition ofthe Porto International Film Festival for her performance in the movie“Untrue.”“Congratulations to our very own, Cristine Reyes for winning the BESTACTRESS award at the recent OPORTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in herportrayal of MARA in the film UNTRUE! We’re very proud of you,” VivaEntertainment wrote in its official Instagram page on Sunday.The film festival also announced the winners in an article released Monday(Manila time).“Untrue” tells the story of Mara (Reyes), an abused woman who seeks helpfrom the Georgian police to help her deal with her husband Joachim (XianLim).It then becomes a tale of “he said, she said” revealing the couple’s darksecrets from the past.The suspense-thriller drama was directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, who wasbehind 2017 blockbuster film “Kita Kita.”BEERMEN OFF TO WINNING STARTMANILA — San Miguel Beer proved it’s still a potent brew despite the absenceof injured superstar June Mar Fajardo.Adjusting to life without the newly minted six-time MVP, the Beermen kickedoff their title-retention bid in the PBA Philippine Cup in style,dismantling contender Magnolia, 94-78, last night at the Smart AranetaColiseum.Big man Mo Tautuaa, thrust into the limelight after Fajardo was sidelined bya fractured shin, lived up to the challenge and banged in a double-double of20 points and 11 rebounds plus two blocks.Terrence Romeo fired 19 and issued seven assists in a rare start whileveteran Arwind Santos also posted twin figures in scoring (18) andrebounding (15), and Marcio Lassiter, wearing a face mask to protect abroken nose, rifled in 17 with two dimes as SMB survived its first outingminus “The Kraken.”“I commend the team, everybody stepped up. Motivated sila, na-inspire kayJune Mar who inspite of the situation came here and gave his support,” saidSMB coach Leo Austria of Fajardo, who used a mobility scooter to receive theMVP award earlier and sat on the SMB bench in the first 24 minutes.Paul Lee (with 19 markers) led the Hotshots, the 2018 and 2019 PhilippineCup runners-up who are tipped to be among the leading contenders for thePBA’s crown jewel.Pre-season trade acquisition Jackson Corpuz made a solid debut (16-13) asSeason 44 Mythical Second Team member Ian Sangalang dished out 16-10.With Fajardo cheering them on, the Beermen stormed to a 45-32 upper handafter detonating a 13-3 salvo to end the second canto.Picking up momentum, the Beermen opened the third with a 15-4 blast anchoredon three triples from Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot to widen the gap, 60-37.Notes: The PBA has tabled a special board meeting on Tuesday to look atnumerous options to take in the face of the COVID-19 threat. “Lahat ngoptions ilalatag ko sa board – (suspension of games for) one week, twoweeks, one month or closed door or cancellation. Lahat ng option papakita kosa kanila at epekto nito sa PBA,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.NBA SCORES MARCH 7FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Rockets 39-23    17    26    33    23    99team logo Hornets 22-41    30    27    25    26    108SCORING LEADERSJ. Harden HOU30 PTS, 10 REB, 14 ASTT. Rozier CHA24 PTS, 3 REB, 6 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Jazz 41-22    28    27    24    32    111team logo Pistons 20-44    17    22    34    32    105SCORING LEADERS    B. Bogdanovic UTA32 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST    C. Wood DET30 PTS, 11 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Nuggets 42-21    33    28    22    19    102team logo Cavaliers 18-45    23    35    27    19    104SCORING LEADERSW. Barton DEN22 PTS, 8 REB, 4 ASTK. Love CLE27 PTS, 6 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Hawks 19-46    18    27    33    23    101team logo Grizzlies 32-32    38    28    27    25    118SCORING LEADERS    J. Collins ATL27 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST    J. Valanciunas MEM27 PTS, 17 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo 76ers 38-26    26    31    33    24    114team logo Warriors 15-49    21    34    27    36    118SCORING LEADERST. Harris PHI24 PTS, 4 REB, 4 ASTD. Lee GS24 PTS, 6 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Kings 28-35    40    37    23    23    123team logo Trail Blazers 28-37    24    30    26    31    111SCORING LEADERSB. Bogdanovic SAC27 PTS, 5 REB, 8 ASTC. McCollum POR19 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST