US TELLS MARCOS: ASK AND WE ARE HERE

MANILA —  The United States is ready to assist the Philippines during times of need, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson assured President Marcos on Tuesday, as the envoy highlighted how the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two countries has helped the Philippines in the delivery of urgently needed aid.

Carlson paid a courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang, where they talked about Washington’s provision of two C-130s of the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in the ongoing delivery of food packs and other supplies to residents affected by the flooding in Mindanao.

“Carlson told President Marcos that Washington is pleased to bring two C-130s from the INDOPACOM, although it is not the cheapest or the easiest way to deliver foreign assistance,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

“But when you ask and you need it, we are here,” Carlson told Marcos, referring to the teams from the US Agency for International Development, Joint US Military Assistance Group and INDOPACOM.

At the request of the Philippine government, US Marines of the Okinawa-based Third Marine Expeditionary Force assisted the USAID in providing humanitarian assistance in the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that two US Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft would be used to help in the delivery of supplies to the victims of the landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro.

“The US Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Force will assist with the ongoing disaster relief mission with troops from the Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing delivering essential supplies for distribution,” the AFP said.

Apart from the use of two US C-130s, the US government has also extended $1.25-million emergency support.

Marcos visited Davao last week and extended P265 million worth of financial assistance to communities affected by the floods in the region.

A total of 1,389,073 individuals or 415,494 families were affected by the heavy flooding and landslide in 818 barangays in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, according to disaster officials.

SENATE OK’D AKAP FUND – LAWMAKERS

MANILA — Sen. Imee Marcos knew about the P26.7 billion allocated for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita program (AKAP) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as she signed the bicameral conference committee report when the Senate approved the 2024 national budget.

This was the assertion of members of the House of Representatives yesterday in defense of Speaker Martin Romualdez amid accusations that the cash assistance program for the “near-poor” was at his beck and call.

Senior House Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. showed Congress reporters a copy of the page where the senator affixed her signature in the bicameral conference report containing funds for AKAP.

“AKAP is part of the 2024 national budget. The Senate gave its stamp of approval when it passed the then proposed P5.768-trillion outlay for this year in plenary last Nov. 28,” Gonzales recalled.

Media reports showed 21 senators voted “yes” in the plenary for the national budget, with one abstention and no negative vote.

Marcos, who defended the DSWD budget for 2024 in the Senate, said she did not notice the item as she pointed out that her signature on the document was electronic, and there was no proper discussion about AKAP during the bicameral conference.

She said she would set a separate probe on the issue.

FREE PHILHEALTH COVERAGE OK’D FOR SOLO PARENTS

MANILA —  Single parents will now be entitled to free coverage of the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) as provided under the law expanding the economic benefits for single fathers and mothers, a senior administration lawmaker disclosed yesterday.

Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte announced the free health services following a report from the National Council for Solo Parents Inc., which said PhilHealth is now working on the guidelines on the implementation of the free health services for single parents.

“Alongside a monthly cash subsidy for solo parents earning the minimum wage or below and the 10-percent discount plus exemption from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on certain essential purchases, single dads and moms are now entitled to free PhilHealth coverage,” Villafuerte said.

The Bicol legislator is the House of Representatives’ lead author of Republic Act 11861, which expanded the coverage and benefits due single parents and their families under the two-decades-old “Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000” or RA 8972.

The PhilHealth coverage is automatic and will apply to both working and non-working solo parents.

7 PDEA OPERATIVES AXED OVER ILOCOS NORTE DRUG BUST MISHAP

Seven PDEA agents involved in a drug sting operation in Ilocos Norte were relieved following suspicions of evidence planting. The operation targeted a charcoal-maker, Jason Andres Dumlao, who was allegedly caught with shabu and buy-bust money.

A video showed a PDEA agent producing a sachet, raising doubts about the evidence's integrity. Despite being labeled a top target, Dumlao had no criminal record or drug-related arrests. He denied involvement and claimed the money was for his child's medical expenses.

Dumlao's wife plans to sue those involved. He remains detained, challenging the agents to a drug test. The Ilocos Norte police have not yet addressed the status of the five policemen involved.

UNIDENTIFIED LANDSLIDE VICTIMS BURIED IN TEMPORARY GRAVES

MANILA — Seventeen unidentified fatalities in the rain-induced landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro have been buried in temporary graves.

The municipal government’s health office recommended the burial of the victims due to health and sanitation reasons.

The local government gave assurance that the bodies would be exhumed for identification by people with relatives missing in the landslide.

Over 70 bodies have been recovered from the landslide area.

Sixty people remain missing following the incident that buried two buses and several houses in Barangay Masara on Feb. 6.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing with the help of the military.

The US government gave P70 million worth of humanitarian assistance for the victims.

ACORDA: NO NEED FOR IMMEDIATE EVACUATION OVER BOMB THREATS

MANILA — Bomb threats should not immediately result in the evacuation of people from an area, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Tuesday as he ordered the reorientation of PNP officers on how to respond to bomb threats.

“The PNP chief has a directive for police officers to be reoriented,” PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said in a news briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

According to protocol, the nature of threat should first be assessed to determine if there is an immediate need to evacuate people, Fajardo said.

She noted that security personnel should be aware of their surroundings and knowledgeable on responding to bomb threats.

Fajardo said they understand that while protocol dictates there should be no immediate evacuation, administrators evacuate buildings for the safety and security of those in the area.

With this response, public services and school classes are hampered, she said.

Citing a report from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine  Group, Fajardo said 80 to 90 emails about a bomb threat were

sent on Feb. 12, attributed to Takahiro Karasawa, supposedly a Japanese

lawyer.

The real Karasawa, Fajardo said, has denied involvement in the bomb threats, saying his email account was hacked.

BI BARES NEW MAIL-ORDER BRIDE SCHEME

MANILA — There is a new mail-order bride scheme that involves Chinese men using genuine government documents, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported yesterday.

A Filipina tourist bound for Xiamen, China attempted to leave the country with a Chinese man who claimed to be her husband.

Agents from the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section had the two passengers undergo secondary inspection and questioning.

Immigration officers noted inconsistencies in the passengers’ statements, according to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

The Chinese, a worker in the Philippines, presented an apostilled original marriage certificate indicating he and the Filipina were married in Kamasi, Maguindanao in October 2022.

However, the man’s travel records showed he was not in the country during the supposed wedding, the BI said.

The Filipina later admitted she did not personally process her marriage certificate and had no idea how it was processed.

The man claimed they paid P40,000 for the marriage certificate, which was processed by an agency in China.

The BI’s forensic documents laboratory found that the documents he presented were genuine despite having fake details.

“In the scheme, women are made to travel with their pseudo-husbands to be trafficked abroad,” Tansingco said, citing two previous cases with similar patterns.

“This is very concerning, since they are able to present authentic documents despite their sham marriages,” he added.

EMPRESS EXECS INDICTED OVER MINDORO OIL SPILL

MANILA — Executives of the shipping company that owned the Princess Empress, which caused a major oil spill off Oriental Mindoro last year, have been recommended for criminal charges. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also recommended charges against two crewmembers, an employee of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and a private individual.

The DOJ prosecutors found irregularities in the construction of the Empress and its certificate of public convenience. They discovered that the company submitted falsified documents, including the construction certificate and the affidavit of ownership.

Charges to be filed include multiple counts of falsification of public documents by a private person, multiple use of falsified documents, and multiple counts of falsification of official documents. However, charges against 19 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) employees and a MARINA employee were dismissed for lack of probable cause.

The PCG, unaware of the dropped charges against its employees, said it would provide them assistance once it receives the official document from the DOJ. The MARINA expressed cooperation to ensure the case's immediate resolution.

The Princess Empress, loaded with 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, sank near the coast of Naujan town on Feb. 28, 2023, causing the oil slick to spread to several areas, displacing thousands of fisherfolk and families. Mayor Jennifer Cruz of Pola town, one of the affected areas, welcomed the DOJ's recommendation, stating that it came in time for the maritime catastrophe's first anniversary.

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EL NIÑO DESTROYS P14 MILLION PALAY IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

BACOLOD CITY  — The dry spell brought by the El Niño phenomenon  has damaged more than P14 million worth of rice crops in Negros Occidental, officials said yesterday.

The calamity has so far affected 383 farmers in  the province’s 43 barangays.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying the possibility of conducting cloud seeding to induce rain.

“We have to take advantage of the  existing cloud formation,” Lacson said.

During the dry spell in previous years, Lacson said the DA provided a plane for the cloud seeding.

He said the provincial government provided manpower and materials needed for the operation.

State meteorologists said Negros Occidental would be among provinces to be hit hard by the drought from March to May this year.

The provincial government provided financial assistance amounting to P2,000 each to affected farmers.

1 DEAD, SCORES HURT AS CHURCH BALCONY COLLAPSES

An 80-year-old woman died and 45 others were injured when a second-floor balcony of a church in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, collapsed during an Ash Wednesday mass at St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church. The incident occurred at around 7:30 a.m.

The fatality, Luneta Morales, was a choir member. Twenty-four victims were taken to Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, nine to Tala Hospital, five to Brigino General Hospital, three to Skyline Hospital, two to Labpro Diagnostic Center, and one to Grace General Hospital. Some with minor injuries were discharged, while others remain under observation.

San Jose del Monte City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that despite renovation, the church maintained the old mezzanine area. Mayor Arthur Robes ordered the church's temporary closure for assessment. Bishop Dennis Villarojo called for prayers for the victims and their families.

Benguet now bird flu-free

MANILA —  Benguet has been declared bird flu-free by the Department of Agriculture after containing and preventing the spread of 11 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued a memorandum certifying Benguet's freedom from avian influenza.

The provincial government conducted depopulation and surveillance efforts, and monitoring within the affected zones now shows negative results for the influenza virus.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'I REFUSE TO DIE': KRIS AQUINO REVEALS WORSENING HEALTH CONDITION, HEART AT EXTREME RISK

MANILA — Kris Aquino, on her 53rd birthday, revealed her worsening health due to autoimmune diseases. She disclosed that her hemoglobin count dropped to 8.7 and she's battling a fifth autoimmune disease. Kris's right lung has scratches from Churg-Strauss syndrome, affecting her heart. She faces risks of stroke and cardiac arrest. Despite treatment challenges, Kris remains hopeful, sharing her desire to stay alive for her son.

She thanked supporters and expressed her determination to fight, joking about sharing medical bills with Boy Abunda. Kris ended with Valentine's Day greetings and hope to reach her 63rd birthday.

'I HAVE BEEN IN PAIN': SHARON CUNETA UNDERGOES PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR LEGS

MANILA — "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta revealed that she underwent physical therapy sessions for her legs.

In her Instagram account, Sharon updated her fans on her present health condition.

"I still haven't stopped limping. Ayoko naman po magpakita sa lahat na umiika-ika pa rin, pwera nu'ng nagbigay respeto po ako kay Deo Endrinal sa kanyang burol," she said.

"The only time aside from that na umalis ako sa bahay ay nu'ng Sunday when I was with my Sotto family from morning 'til way after dinner kasi sobra ko na sila na-miss," she added.

Sharon, however, told her fans not to worry about her condition.

"Every single day for longer than a whole month now, I have been in pain. Baka po mag-alala kayo, please don't worry! Basta tuloy lang ang T (therapy) lilipas din ito," she said

"Chaka introvert ako kaya masaya ako na may love affair ako with a bed, hot water bags at laptop ko (di mabubuhay ng walang WI-FI! At kundi kailangan ayoko talaga sa phone ko!) Buti na rin nakakapagpahinga ulit. I hope you're all okay and I miss you," she added.

At the end of her post, Sharon said she felt so good to have a social media detox as she asked for prayers from her fans.

GWENDOLYNE FOURNIOL GEARS UP FOR MISS WORLD FINALS IN INDIA

MANILA — Miss World Philippines 2022 Gwendolyne Fourniol is busy preparing for her departure to India, to compete with other international delegates in the forthcoming 71st edition of the Miss World pageant.

The Filipina-French beauty queen wrote in the Instagram post of Miss World Philippines, "Thrilled to reveal my official headshot, which has finally been published on the @missworld website, www.missworld.com. The countdown has begun - just 7 days until I embark on this incredible adventure."

In an earlier post, she also sought the help of Filipino pageant fans everywhere. "Hello mga kababayans! I need your support to win the Multimedia Award challenge and advance to the finals of Miss World. Download the MobStar app and vote for me."

All international delegates are expected to arrive on February 18 and converge at the Ashok Hotel. The following day will see the girls on their first day of rehearsals as well as do filming sequences around the city.

On February 20, the welcome dinner takes place as the Miss World Organization officially opens the 71st pageant edition. On that day, the Multimedia challenge will also commence.

The 2024 Miss World final show will unfold at the Jasmine Hall 1 and 2 of the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai, India on March 9. Reigning titleholder Karolina Bielawska of Poland will crown her successor at the culmination of the crowning ceremonies. Stay tuned!

SPORTS

SAN MIGUEL DEF. MAGNOLIA, 104-102 IN GAME 6 TO CLAIM THEIR 29TH PBA TITLE

The San Miguel Beermen with a come-from-behind win against the Magnolia Timplados Hotshots 104-102 in Game 6 of their Best-of-7 Finals series in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP, CJ Perez, leads the Beermen to their 29th title in franchise history with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line. He also contributed with one rebound, two assists, and two steals in 23 minutes of play.

June Mar Fajardo had a double-double game of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals while Bennie Boatwright Jr. was two assists shy of a triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks. Jericho Cruz added 12 points (3/6 3pts), 2 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Don Trollano had a solid game of 19 points (2/3 pts), 4 rebounds, and one assist while veteran guard Chris Ross finished with 9 points (3/6 3pts), 2 rebounds, five assists, and a steal.

It was San Miguel's fifth title in the Commissioner's Cup and their 19th overall with imports. Additionally, it marked Coach Jorge Gallent's first PBA title, achieved in his first finals appearance as a head coach.

The PBA Philippine Cup 2024 is set to open on February 28.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 104 - Perez 28, Fajardo 19, Boatwright 19, Cruz 12, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Tautuaa 4, Enciso 2, Teng 1, Lassiter 0, Brondial 0.

MAGNOLIA 102 - Lee 25, Bey 18, Sangalang 16, Jalalon 12, Barroca 11, Dela Rosa 9, Dionisio 7, Abueva 4, Tratter 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 22-26, 46-51, 73-82, 104-102.

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON FEB 13, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics

42-12

36        36        26        20        118

Nets

21-32

30        27        25        28        110

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Thunder

37-17

31        29        32        35        127

Magic

29-25

32        20        30        31        113

Kia Center, Orlando, FL

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Heat

29-25

40        29        29        25        123

Bucks

35-20

28        24        24        21        97

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Timberwolves

38-16

37        22        25        37        121

Trail Blazers

15-38

25        26        32        26        109

Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, OR

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Kings

30-23

39        28        25        33        125

Suns

32-22

38        26        30        36        130

Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pistons

8-45

24        24        31        32        111

Lakers

29-26

34        37        28        26        125

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.10

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old. – Anonymous