FILIPINO CATHOLICS SWARM BLACK NAZARENE IN FEVERISH PARADE

MANILA — Hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful swarmed a historic statue of Jesus Christ as it was pulled through the streets of the Philippine capital on Tuesday, in one of the world's biggest displays of religious devotion.

There were chaotic scenes as the feverish march got underway before dawn following an open-air mass for the so-called Black Nazarene statue in a seaside park in Manila.

Many Filipinos believe the icon has miraculous healing powers and that touching it, or the ropes attached to its float, can heal previously incurable ailments and bring good fortune to them and their loved ones.

As a light rain fell over the massive crowd, some barefoot devotees risked injury to reach the float by clambering over others and clinging to the clothes of guards protecting the icon, causing some to fall off the float.

Other guards on the float pushed unruly devotees to the ground to keep them away from the icon enclosed in a glass case and allow the parade to continue on its journey of several kilometers.

More than 15,000 security and medical personnel have been deployed along the route of the procession, which authorities estimated would attract over two million people as it crawled towards its destination, Quiapo Church.

It is the first time the traditional parade featuring the life-sized statue has been held since 2020, after Covid-19 forced officials to drastically downsize the event.

Authorities did not report any specific threat to the procession, but took the precaution of blocking mobile phone signals to prevent the remote detonation of explosive devices, and imposed a no-fly and no-sail zone near the route.

First-aid stations lined the streets on Tuesday to treat people suffering from heat stroke, abrasions or other medical problems during the procession, which in previous years has taken up to 22 hours to finish due to the huge crowds.

This year, the icon has been placed in a glass case for the first time and participants were banned from getting on the float -- though some ignored the directive in their desperation to wipe a towel on the glass in the hope of receiving a miracle.

177 COPS IN METRO MANILA FACE DRUG RAPS: MARCOS

MANILA — Some 177 police officers have been charged with drug-related offenses including planting of evidence, unlawful arrest, and excessive violence in Metro Manila alone in an intensified anti-narcotics focusing on law enforcers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.

"Alam naman natin na kung minsan nadadala ang ating mga opisyal at siyempre hindi natin maaaring pabayaan ‘yan," Marcos said in a video message posted on social media on Monday.

"Kaya’t ang nangyari ay 177 police officers have been charged with drug-related offenses, including the planting of evidence, unlawful arrest, and excessive violence dito pa lang sa NCR," he continued.

Marcos added that the Department of Justice pursued 151,818 court cases in 2022 and 2023. Some121,582 violators have been put behind bars, he said.

The Marcos administration earlier reported confiscating around P10.41 billion worth of illegal drugs in 2023.

Around 27,000 barangays have been cleared of narcotics, authorities said.

The International Criminal Court is looking into the war on illegal drugs under Marcos' predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

Some 6,000 people were killed in police anti-drug operations during Duterte's term, official government figures show, but ICC prosecutors estimate the death toll at between 12,000 and 30,000.

The drug war has continued under Marcos even though he has pushed for more focus on prevention and rehabilitation.

In November, Marcos said the government was studying a return to the ICC. Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the tribunal in 2019.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FALLS TO 3.6 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER

MANILA - The Philippines' unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent in November, down from 4.2 percent in October and the same month last year.

The figure corresponds to 1.83 million jobless individuals, a decline from 2.09 million in October and 2.18 million in November 2022. Agriculture and forestry, construction, transportation and storage, fishing and aquaculture, and administrative and support service activities were the sub-sectors that contributed the most jobs.

However, underemployment increased to 5.79 million in November, up from 5.6 million in October.

The rise is attributed to seasonal jobs and small businesses during the holiday season. The labor force comprised 51.47 million Filipinos, with a focus on household family duties leading some to opt out of work.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary emphasized the need for expanding the digital economy, including the digitalization of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, to boost the labor market in 2024.

NEDA also advocated for regulatory reforms and a framework supporting alternative work arrangements, such as part-time work in the formal economy.

17 FILIPINO SEAFARERS ‘TREATED WELL, IN GOOD HEALTH’ WHILE IN CAPTIVITY IN RED SEA: DFA

MANILA — The 17 Filipino seafarers who were taken hostage by Houthi rebels are being “treated well and are in good health,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday, about a month and a half since the overseas workers’ ship was seized in the Red Sea.

An official from Yemen met with the 17 seafarers aboard the MV Galaxy on January 2, said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza.

“Generally what has been told is that actually, the 17 Filipino seafarers aborad are actually treated well and in good health,” she said in a virtual press conference.

“So, bottom line is, this is actually being closely monitored and that we are actually seeing how we can actually extend whatever assistance that’s necessary for the 17 as we continue to work for their early release,” she said.

Daza did not disclose the demands of the Houthi rebels for releasing the Filipino seafarers.

“What we have been told is they want to actually complete negotiations on this as soon as possible, but in terms of the specific timeline, no timeline as yet as it’s just really [a starting],” she said.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in a hijacked ship in November, allegedly to show support for Palestinians who are being killed in the Hamas’ war with Israel.

The rebels had warned that they would target ships related to Israel, and other vessels that would support the Jewish forces in the Red Sea.

In November, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. abruptly canceled his trip to the United Arab Emirates to attend the United National Climate Change Summit after an alleged development in the situation of the 17 seafarers held captive in the Red Sea.

TRASLACION'S RETURN DELIGHTS NAZARENE DEVOTEES

The streets of the Philippine capital turned into a sea of maroon and yellow on Tuesday as hundreds of thousands of Catholic devotees joined a procession in honor of the Black Nazarene in Asia's largest Catholic nation.

The centuries-old tradition of paying homage to the black wooden statue of Jesus Christ, believed to have healing powers, is expected to draw more people as the 400-year-old image, encased in glass, is paraded through the heart of Manila.

An early morning estimate by police put the crowd at more than 830,000 people, excluding those waiting further along the procession's 6-kilometre (3.7-mile) route.

Thousands of police were deployed to ensure order as many of the barefoot devotees tried to climb aboard the carriage holding the statue, which depicts Jesus shouldering a heavy cross.

MANILA NOT ASKING SRI LANKA TO REPLACE ELEPHANT MALI

MANILA — Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna clarified Tuesday that the local government did not ask the Sri Lankan government to replace elephant Mali.

Mali, the Philippines' only elephant, died at the age of 50 on November 28, 2023, after suffering from several illnesses.

Speaking on ANC, Lacuna said they "just sent a letter to the Sri Lankan government telling them that Mali had passed" but that there was "no mention" that they are requesting another elephant. The South Asia country has yet to respond to their letter, she said.

Mali was first brought to the Manila Zoo when she was just 3 years old. The Sri Lankan government sent Mali to the Philippines in the 1970s after she was found orphaned in the wild.

Lacuna recalled that during the time of former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, a Sri Lankan ambassador said that "just in case something happens to Mali because of her age, they are very willing to give or to donate another elephant to the City of Manila."

Lacuna acknowledged the "different opinions" about getting another elephant for the zoo. But if the Sri Lankan government would "entrust" another one, she said, "bakit naman po hindi?"

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MAGNITUDE 6.7 QUAKE HITS OFF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

MANILA — A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, but according to local authorities there were no reports of casualties or damage.

The quake struck at a depth of 70 kilometers about 100 kilometers southeast of Sarangani municipality off Mindanao island, the USGS said.

It did not trigger a tsunami alert, according to the US Tsunami Warning System and the Philippine seismological agency.

"By the grace of God it was not that strong in our province," said Chief Master Sergeant Ian Roy Balandan of the Sarangani provincial police office on Mindanao.

Balandan told AFP there had been no reports of casualties or damage to infrastructure or houses.

"It was really mild. People hardly felt it," he said.

Harly Sauro, a disaster official in Sarangani municipality, which is a small group of islands that forms part of Davao Occidental province, said the quake had not caused any damage or casualties, but "did disturb some people from their sleep".

P1 INCREASE IN MCX TOLL RATES OK’D

MANILA — The government has authorized the Villar Group to proceed with the second round of the toll increase in the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX).

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved a P1 increase in the toll rates of the MCX, which is a follow-up to the initial hike implemented toward the end of 2023.

The adjustment will be implemented in February at the latest.

TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said the latest round of toll adjustment should be enforced either by the end of this month or start of February.

“The approval of the board was made last Jan. 5, but it failed to meet the submission requirement. Hopefully, we will implement it by the end of January or first week of February. It’s just P1,” Carullo said.

Last year, the TRB authorized the MCX to increase its toll rates.

The TRB said the fare adjustment should be divided into two rounds to mitigate the inflationary impact on consumers.

At the time, the TRB raised the MCX tolls to P18 for Class 1, P37 for Class 2 and P55 for Class 3 vehicles.

The MCX is managed by the Villar-owned Prime Asset Ventures Inc., which acquired the toll road for P3.8 billion and completed its acquisition from the Ayala Group in 2023.

The MCX is a four-kilometer expressway that links the Daang Hari and Daang Reyna in Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite, respectively, to Susana Heights in the South Luzon Expressway.

Recently, the TRB approved multiple petitions for toll increases in various toll roads.

Before 2023 ended, the TRB allowed San Miguel Corp. to increase the toll on the South Luzon Expressway, its first adjustment since 2011.

It also granted a petition for a toll increase at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, but instructed the SCTex operator to implement the adjustment in three tranches over three years.

BINAY: TAGUIG SHOULD CREATE MORE COURTS

MANILA — Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano should ask the city’s lawmakers to file an urgent bill that would create additional courts to handle the cases from the enlisted men’s barrios or “embo” that are now under its jurisdiction, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said yesterday.

Binay made the statement after the Supreme Court earlier issued a resolution, ordering seven regional trial courts and four metropolitan courts of Makati to assist Taguig in handling court cases.

“Mayor Lani Cayetano should get the ball rolling and urge Taguig lawmakers to file an urgent bill, proposing the creation of more courts that will absorb the additional caseload resulting from the transfer of 10 barangays to Taguig,” Binay said in a statement.

“Taguig has the budget, and they said they are ready to take over. How come they are not taking action?” she added.

According to Binay, the SC resolution was a temporary solution to aid the transfer of juridical jurisdiction from Makati to Taguig.

She noted that the arrangement will “doubly burden” the designated Makati courts due to heavier caseloads and paperwork.

“As such, it is incumbent upon the mayor of Taguig to see to it that lawmakers – her husband and her sister-in-law in the Senate – will take urgent action by filing a bill creating additional courts and actively pushing for its enactment,” Binay said.

Mobile health center

Meanwhile, the city government of Taguig rolled out its health caravan in Barangay Cembo, which was previously under Makati’s jurisdiction.

More than 2,000 residents from Barangay Cembo availed themselves of medical, dental and laboratory services.

Taguig’s Love Caravan was brought to Barangay Cembo following the closure of Makati’s health centers in the embo barangays.

Fire stations reopen

Taguig also reopened the fire stations in the embo barangays on Jan. 5.

According to the local government, the Bureau of Fire Protection will temporarily supervise the facilities.

The fire stations, which were closed for several days, reopened following the intervention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MMFF 2023 DECLARED A ‘CERTIFIED BOX-OFFICE HIT’

MANILA — Good news, moviegoers!

In response to public demand, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) happily announced the extension of the theatrical run for its 10 entries after the collective box-office earnings reached P1 billion.

The 10 official entries this year include the comedies Broken Hearts Trip (Christian Bables) and Becky and Badette (Eugene Domingo and Pokwang); romance dramas When I Met You In Tokyo (Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon) and Rewind (Dingdong Dantes); the family drama Family of Two; horror films Mallari and Kampon; the period piece GomBurZa; action-fantasy Penduko, and the fantasy-adventure Firefly.

Lawyer Don Artes, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman and MMFF overall concurrent chairman, shared in a statement that due to “numerous calls and social media requests,” they have decided to extend the screening of the MMFF 2023 films until Jan. 14. It was initially set to conclude last Jan. 7.

“We at the MMFF would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us and watched the movie entries, particularly those who requested for the MMFF movies to extend beyond its original run,” read Artes’ message.

“Marami pong salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagtangkilik. Moviegoers, may mga karagdagang araw pa para panoorin lahat ng MMFF entries,” the statement further said.

Meanwhile, MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer revealed that the ongoing 49th MMFF has already achieved a remarkable P1 billion box-office earnings to date, surpassing the 2022 edition’s P500 million.

Artes also expressed hope that the earnings would continue to increase as more moviegoers get to enjoy the film entries.

“Truly, this year’s MMFF is a certified box-office hit. This is a good sign as we gear up for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF),” he stated.

The 10 official entries would also be screened at the inaugural MIFF from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Los Angeles, California. It will take place at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood and the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard, where film stars and filmmakers are expected to grace the festival.

This year’s MMFF is presented in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, primarily aimed at promoting and preserving Philippine cinema.

Proceeds from the MMFF contribute to various beneficiaries in the film industry, including the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON JAN 7, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Spurs

5-30

32        24        28        31        115

Cavaliers

21-15

28        34        26        29        117

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

V. Wembanyama SA PF

24 PTS , 9 REB , 3 AST

J. Allen CLE C

29 PTS , 16 REB , 2 AST

Final/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

Trail Blazers

10-25

26        24        35        30        19        134

Nets

16-21

30        22        41        22        12        127

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

A. Simons POR SG

38 PTS , 4 REB , 11 AST

M. Bridges BKN SF

42 PTS , 4 REB , 3 AST

Final/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

Hawks

14-21

28        32        18        27        5          110

Magic

21-15

32        19        34        20        12        117

Kia Center, Orlando, FL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Young ATL PG

31 PTS , 4 REB , 9 AST

P. Banchero ORL PF

35 PTS , 10 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pelicans

22-15

33        39        31        30        133

Kings

21-14

21        26        14        39        100

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

C. McCollum NO PG

30 PTS , 7 REB , 4 AST

K. Huerter SAC SG

17 PTS , 1 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Timberwolves

25-10

29        27        26        26        108

Mavericks

22-15

30        30        31        24        115

American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

A. Edwards MIN SG

36 PTS , 10 REB , 3 AST

K. Irving DAL PG

35 PTS , 8 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pistons

3-33

29        28        28        29        114

Nuggets

26-12

31        34        43        23        131

Ball Arena, Denver, CO

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Duren DET C

20 PTS , 5 REB , 4 AST

J. Murray DEN PG

37 PTS , 5 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

13-23

26        32        28        35        121

Suns

19-17

32        31        34        18        115

Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Jackson Jr. MEM PF

28 PTS , 10 REB , 6 AST

D. Booker PHO SG

24 PTS , 8 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Raptors

15-21

36        40        25        32        133

Warriors

17-19

28        21        38        31        118

Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

R. Barrett TOR SF

37 PTS , 6 REB , 6 AST

K. Thompson GS SG

25 PTS , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Clippers

22-13

24        29        24        26        103

Lakers

18-19

19        30        32        25        106

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

I. Zubac LAC C

22 PTS , 19 REB , 1 AST

L. James LAL SF

25 PTS , 8 REB , 7 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.69

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. - John Adams