'WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES': COMELEC UNFAZED BY CHINA CHALLENGE IN PAG-ASA

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it remained unfazed after Chinese authorities challenged the poll body's historic visit to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan to kick off the nationwide voter's registration for the 2025 midterm elections.

Comelec conducts voter registration on Pag-asa Island

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed their Philippine Air Force pilot received a message saying "Welcome to China" while enroute to the island.

He said the trip via military plane from Puerto Princesa to Pag-asa Island took about 2 hours.

"'Yan ang sabi ng piloto so sabi din ng piloto, 'Welcome to the Philippines' din. Tayo naman palakasan lang ng salita ang gusto nila, malakas din magsalita 'yung mga Pilipino," the Comelec chief said.

He noted Philippine election officials have nothing to fear since all voters on the island are Filipino.

"Hindi naman tayo natakot dahil normal 'yun sa ganyan. Feeling nila kanila 'yung lupa e pagdating dun, walang kaduda-duda, Pinoy lahat ang nadatnan ng inyong Commission on Elections," he said.

Pag-asa Island is the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) serving as the seat of the local government of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Province of Palawan.

HOUSE TO LIMIT CHA-CHA TO ECON AFTER MARCOS STATEMENT

MANILA -- Leaders of the House of Representatives on Monday said they will limit amendments to the 1987 Constitution to its economic provisions following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's statements on economic cha-cha.

"We will follow the President, the Speaker will follow the President at kami pong lahat dito sa miyembro ng House of Representatives," said Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales.

"So let there be no other ambiguity about it of the direction of the House, of what the House will do. We will follow the president in his latest speech at the MOPC [Manla Overseas Press Club]," said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Joey Salceda.

Salceda noted that the President has always been cautious about everything related to the People Power Revolution which ousted his father from office in 1986.

"He is careful not to be perceived as dismantling the 1987 Constitution as he has been careful about all other vestiges of the '86 revolution. Sabi ko pa nga, mas dilawan pa ito kay PNoy," Salceda said.

Marcos' agreement to rewrite portions of the charter shows the president recognizes its urgency, Salceda added.

"So, for the president to come out in support of the charter change despite his usual reservation on such matters, clearly shows that he sees this as urgent," he noted.

VESSEL RUNS AGROUND OFF NORTHERN SAMAR; 71 RESCUED

MANILA — Seventy-one people were rescued from a roll-on roll-off vessel that ran aground in the waters off Northern Samar on Sunday night.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel at the PCG substation in Capul town and a team from the municipal disaster management council rescued the passengers of the M/V Reina Hosanna.

Investigation showed the Hosanna was sailing toward Allen town in Northern Samar from Matnog, Sorsogon when its engine conked out between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

A passing vessel, Reina Immaculada, tried but failed to tow the drifting Hosanna as its mooring line broke.

Strong currents carried the Hosanna away until the vessel hit shallow waters near Barangay 1 in Capul.

The PCG is monitoring the status of the Hossana and its cargo.

COMELEC TARGETS 3 MILLION NEW VOTERS FOR 2025 POLLS

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported yesterday a high turnout of prospective voters on the first day of the seven-month voter registration for the May 2025 midterm elections.

The Comelec said it is targeting three million Filipinos to register as new voters.

According to the Comelec, applicants flocked to almost 2,000 registration sites, including 170 malls nationwide where the Registration Anywhere Program (RAP) was mounted.

“It was a success. The turnout of voter registrants was overwhelming,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.

The Comelec also set up RAP centers in churches and government agencies.

Garcia flew to Pag-Asa Island yesterday to oversee the voter registration in the municipality of Kalayaan.

The poll chief said he went to Kalayaan to ensure that even Filipinos from far-flung areas would be able to participate in elections.

The Comelec has yet to release the number of registrants who signed on the first day of the voter registration.

Some applicants started to line up at Comelec registration sites as early as 4 a.m. yesterday. Others registered at the Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.

MARCOS VOWS SUPPORT FOR SOLDIERS’ WELFARE

MANILA — President Marcos visited wounded soldiers from clashes with the Maute Group, ensuring continuous government support for their welfare programs. Accompanied by top security officials, Marcos went to the Army General Hospital to honor the soldiers and provide financial aid from his office and the social welfare department. He awarded medals to recognize their gallantry, praising their courage and dedication to protecting the nation.

Marcos vowed ongoing support for programs aiding battle casualties and soldier welfare, addressing requests for additional hospital equipment. The clashes in Lanao del Sur resulted in nine militants' deaths, including suspects in the bombing of Mindanao State University-Marawi.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, and military officials were also present. In a separate event, the Philippine National Police celebrated officers' achievements in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. commended their professionalism and commitment to peacekeeping, awarding them the PNP Efficiency Medal. The 20 awardees, including 13 policewomen and seven policemen, served in South Sudan for 12 months.

BOMB THREATS HIT METRO MANILA, LUZON OFFICES, SCHOOLS

MANILA — Bomb threats sent through email and text messaging disrupted yesterday operations in at least seven government offices and two schools in Metro Manila, Bataan and Zambales.

The threats were carried out reportedly by an individual claiming to be a Japanese lawyer.

The same suspect was responsible for similar bomb threats on government establishments in September and October last year, police said.

“A person who introduced himself as Takahiro Karasawa, who claimed to be a Japanese lawyer, has been using the same email to send bomb threat messages,” Philippine National Police public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said.

In Quezon City, bomb threats were sent to the offices of the National Housing Authority, the Commission on Audit, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Competition Commission and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM).

The Department of Science and Technology in Bicutan, Taguig and the Insurance Commission in Ermita, Manila also received bomb threats.

The National Capital Region Police Office also reported bomb threat incidents at Panghulo Elementary School in Malabon and Pasig Elementary School in Barangay San Nicolas.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) also said it had received a bomb threat.

Fajardo said the establishments that received bomb threats were made to undergo precautionary measures like evacuating their occupants and subjecting the offices to thorough check by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and K-9 unit.

At a briefing in Camp Bagong Diwa, PNP chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. emphasized the need for authorities to take threats seriously.

He said that efforts were underway – in coordination with international agencies – to track down the suspect. He said authorities were able to trace the origin of one of the emails but the individual involved denied sending the bomb threats.

WASTE WORKERS’ HEALTH, WELFARE BILL FILED

MANILA — Garbage collectors stand to benefit from a measure that aims to provide medical and financial assistance to waste workers.

House Bill 9806 or the Waste Workers’ Health and Welfare Act of 2023 aims to provide health coverage, occupational safety training, personal protective equipment as well as educational and financial assistance to waste workers.

Beneficiaries are garbage collectors, waste pickers, recyclers and workers at landfills and dumpsites.

“They play a vital role in solid waste management, thereby avoiding the negative effects of hazardous waste, and contribute greatly to protecting the environment. Despite their importance, waste workers are some of the most underappreciated and unprotected workers,” the bill read.

Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar filed the bill last month.

Healthcare benefits include free annual checkups, vaccinations and hospitalization assistance in partnership with the state health insurer.

Waste workers and their dependents will be granted scholarships.

The government will also provide beneficiaries with low-interest loans for housing, emergencies or sustainable livelihood businesses.

A registration and monitoring system will be established to record the names of the beneficiaries.

FIRM ILLEGALLY SENDING OFWS TO POLAND PADLOCKED

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) took decisive action by shutting down BELMÜN, a Makati consultancy firm, for unlawfully sending Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Poland without a valid license. This breach of regulations, as highlighted by DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, is a serious offense.

Despite allegedly partnering with registered agencies, BELMÜN charged applicants a steep fee of P165,000 for processing documents and referrals. Victims of this illegal recruitment scheme not only face charges but also hefty fines of up to P5 million and potential life imprisonment. To address such exploitation, the DMW urges other victims to come forward and file complaints against BELMÜN or Global Migration Training. This proactive stance aims to protect the rights and well-being of Filipino workers seeking employment abroad.

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DAVAO DE ORO LANDSLIDE DEATH TOLL RISES TO 68

MANILA — The death toll from a landslide that hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines rose to 68 on Monday, officials said, as searchers abandoned hope of finding any more survivors.

Hundreds of rescuers have used their bare hands, shovels and heavy earth-moving equipment for nearly a week looking for those buried when last Tuesday's landslide hit the mountainous Masara village on Mindanao island.

More than a dozen bodies were pulled from the mud on Monday, with 51 people still missing, including mine workers and villagers, according to official figures released by the municipal government.

"It is almost a week after the incident and... we are assuming that no one is alive there," Edward Macapili, spokesman for the Davao de Oro provincial disaster office, told AFP.

"There is already a foul smell in the area now so there's a need to fast-track the retrieval."

An area around 50 metres (164 feet) deep remains to be searched, Macapili added.

Authorities have vowed to continue the search until all those missing are recovered.

1.12 MILLION AFFECTED BY FLOODS, LANDSLIDES IN MINDANAO

MANILA — The number of people affected by massive flooding and landslides caused by the trough of a low-pressure area in Davao and Caraga has ballooned to more than one million.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 1.12 million people were affected as of yesterday.

The NDRRMC said it was verifying reports that the number of fatalities has increased to 18, with 11 injured and three missing.

At least 25,477 families or 97,603 people remained in 380 evacuation centers.

Caritas Philippines appealed for food packs, sleeping kits and other donations for affected families.

“The Philippines has been hit by massive flooding in recent weeks, and the people of Mindanao are in desperate need of help,” Caritas Philippines said in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday.

It appealed for food packs, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, kitchenware and emergency shelter kits.

“Even a small donation can make a big difference in the lives of those affected by the floods,” it added.

Caritas Philippines posted the bank account numbers where people can send their cash donations.

BISHOPS BACK RENEWABLE ENERGY CAMPAIGN IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Negros Occidental's "SecuRE Negros" campaign for clean energy transition has garnered praise from Catholic bishops in the province. Bishops Buzon, Galbines, and Alminaza hailed the initiative as a significant step towards creating renewable energy sources, aligning with their call to care for creation and enact faith through action.

They emphasized that supporting the program advocates for policies prioritizing the common good and promoting equity. Governor Lacson also emphasized the crucial role of renewable energy in ensuring power security during the campaign's launch on Feb. 5. The bishops urged public support for the program, advocating for a just energy transition that respects the environment.

They pledged solidarity with the provincial government and stakeholders in implementing the SecuRE Negros program, emphasizing cooperation for a sustainable future.

BI DENIES ENTRY TO ALLEGED FOREIGN TERRORIST IN NAIA

MANILA — A Belgian national was refused entry into the Philippines at NAIA due to alleged involvement in terrorism. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco stated that the 31-year-old was flagged by Interpol's check system, leading to exclusion under Section 29 of the Philippine Immigration Act. The individual is subject to an Interpol diffusion notice for suspected terrorism involvement. Additionally, his 27-year-old female companion of the same nationality was denied entry for accompanying an undesirable alien. Both individuals are on the BI's blacklist, barring re-entry to the country.

MODERNIZATION EYED IN QUEZON JEEP BURNING

MANILA — The PNP is investigating the burning of a modern jeepney in Quezon province, with suspects including film director Jade Castro. Possible motives, including opposition to the transport modernization program, are being considered.

Charges of arson have been filed based on evidence and witness testimonies. The suspects' lawyers claim unlawful arrest, citing mistaken identity. The PNP asserts that the arrests were based on evidence and investigation direction, with suspects' rights being respected.

HIGH TEENAGE PREGNANCY RATE ALARMS NEGROS GOVERNOR

BACOLOD CITY — With 11,297 teenagers in his province getting pregnant in 2022 and 2023, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed alarm over the high number of cases, which he described as a serious concern.

Records showed the youngest to get pregnant was 12 years old, according to Girlie Pinongan, chief of the provincial health office (PHO).

Most of the teenage mothers are out-of-school youth, the report said.

Lacson said he would meet with city and municipal mayors to formulate strategies in reducing or preventing cases of teenage pregnancy.

Of the 35,628 pregnancies last year, teenagers accounted for 5,721.

The PHO recorded 5,576 cases of teenage pregnancy in 2022.

In the town of Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), 52 percent of pregnant mothers were teenagers, or those aged 19 years and below, the PHO said.

DSB Mayor Laurence Marxlen dela Cruz said he would look into the reasons behind the high cases.

Dela Cruz said a majority of men who impregnated the teenagers were in their 40’s or older.

Lacson said the DSB is not the only area in the province that recorded a high teenage pregnancy rate.

MAGNITUDE 5.3 QUAKE JOLTS SURIGAO DEL NORTE

MANILA — A magnitude 5.3 earthquake jolted Surigao del Norte yesterday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 10:03 a.m. and its epicenter was located 92 kilometers north of General Luna town.

The temblor was felt at Intensities 3, 2 and 1 in General Luna and Dapa, Burgos and Claver, Surigao del Norte, and Cagdianao in Dinagat Islands, respectively.

State seismologists said the quake was not expected to cause damage, but it might generate aftershocks.

Meanwhile, a magnitude 4.3 temblor shook Catanduanes at 5:30 a.m. yesterday.

The quake’s epicenter was located 72 kilometers north of Gigmoto town.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'I APOLOGIZE': MAYOR ALBEE BENITEZ DENIES RUMORED ROMANCE WITH IVANA ALAWI

MANILA — Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez finally denied the rumors romantically linking him to sexy actress Ivana Alawi.

In his official Facebook account, Benitez apologized to Alawi, saying he's aware of the photos of him and the vlogger-actress in Japan, which are trending online.

"I am fully aware of the video footage that has been circulating which unfortunately does not accurately explain why I was in Tokyo. I went there on a business trip as stated in my official travel order," he said.

"Speculations involving Ms Ivana Alawi are untrue and only serve to put malice into what was clearly a chance encounter," he added.

Benitez said that he finally spoke about the matter to avoid further hurt to Alawi's family.

"I apologize to Ms Alawi and her family who have been unfairly dragged into issues concerning my private life," he said.

"There is no truth to any and all the rumors spreading and I am setting the record straight to avoid further hurt and damage to them.  Maraming salamat po," he added.

Last weekend, Alawi set the record straight regarding the rumors circulating about her involvement with Benitez.

The actress-vlogger initially thought to stay quiet but had to deny the rumors after her sister and mother received hurtful comments.

“I tried to stay quiet at dumedma na lang dahil sa paniniwala ko na hindi ako dapat magsalita lalo kapag alam ko na wala akong ginagawang masama. But because of the false accusations and hurtful words that are being thrown to my Mom and Mona, kinailangan ko nang linawin ang mga bagay,” she said.

"HINDI PO AKO ANG NASASABING girlfriend ni Mayor Albee Benitez. I met him when I had work in Bacolod. He was very accommodating and friendly. At hindi lang siya ang politikong nakilala ko at naging kaibigan.”

She earlier said about seeing someone. “All I can say is that he is a respectable businessman and not a politician.”

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON FEB 11, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics

41-12

26        33        27        24        110

Heat

28-25

22        28        29        27        106

Kaseya Center, Miami, FL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Tatum BOS PF

26 PTS , 10 REB , 9 AST

T. Herro MIA PG

24 PTS , 5 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Kings

30-22

27        30        26        30        113

Thunder

36-17

29        38        33        27        127

Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

M. Monk SAC SG

26 PTS , 4 REB , 5 AST

S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC SG

38 PTS , 3 REB , 7 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.00

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away. - Philip K. Dick