BIDEN CELEBRATES ‘ENDURING FRIENDSHIP’ BETWEEN FILIPINOS, AMERICANS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

MANILA — US President Joe Biden on Independence Day extended to Filipinos the "enduring friendship" of the American people as he marked two "momentous anniversaries" between Manila and Washington.

June 12, Saturday, is the 123rd anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain, its colonizer of over three centuries.

The US is a close ally and a former colonizer of the Philippines which was ceded to it by Spain. The global superpower continues to exert significant influence over Manila's politics and culture.

"This year, our nations are also celebrating two momentous anniversaries. Our 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and our 70th anniversary of our strong alliance," Biden said in a video posted by the US Department of State on social media.

Manila and Washington established formal diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946, the same day the US recognized the Philippines as an independent and sovereign republic after decades of colonization. The Mutual Defense Treaty, which formalized the US-Philippines alliance and close security cooperation, was signed on Aug. 30, 1951.

"The Philippines and the United States share so much history and our people are forever connected through our deep bonds and shared sacrifices of valor, of family and of friendship," Biden said.

"As we honor this joyful occasion of independence and friendship, let’s also look to the future. At the challenges our two countries must continue to work to take on together: from defeating this pandemic and strengthening global preparedness for the next one to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific for all peoples."

Biden also celebrated the over four million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the US for making "invaluable contributions" to their communities. "They enrich the American character, making our nation stronger and more vibrant."

"I hope that friendship between the Philippines and the United States will continue to be a source of strength for both our nations through all the decades ahead. I wish you all a safe and joyful celebration," the American president said.

DUTERTE CALLS ON PINOYS TO BE 'HEROES IN OUR OWN RIGHT' ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday urged Filipinos to continue to be inspired by the examples set by the nation’s heroes in pursuit of the common good amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the country marked Independence Day.

“The challenges of the past year have tested our character as a nation,” Duterte said in a short video message at the Independence Day rites Saturday morning.

“Each of us have been called upon to be heroes in our own right in fighting for our survival and devoting ourselves to the common good just as our heroes did more than a century ago,” he said.

He added, “With their noble example inspiring us we look forward to a brighter future filled with hope that we will overcome the challenges brought by this pandemic. May the patriotic fireball continue to burn in our hearts.”

Duterte is expected to take part in Independence Day rites in Bulacan later Saturday, only the second time he is participating in the day's commemoration as President.

ROBREDO RALLIES FOR UNITY IN INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo told Filipinos in her Independence Day message to unite and draw strength from each other to overcome the challenges they face.

Robredo said the public should remember this in the face of the pandemic, the destruction of the planet, hardships and hunger.

“Mukha mang tagilid ang laban, basta humuhugot tayo ng lakas sa isa’t isa, kaya nating magtagumpay,” she said.

“Anuman ang tawag ng panahon, mukha mang imposible ang sitwasyon, kakayanin natin, magtatagumpay tayo, dahil iisang bayan tayo,” she added.

She said history has been witness to what Filipinos can achieve if they unite, stressing that remaining united is key to ensure that no one can take back their hard-fought freedom.

“Kung magbubuklod tayo, kung pagsasamahin natin ang ating lakas sa likod ng iisang layunin, masisiguro nating wala nang muling makaaagaw ng ating kalayaan,” Robredo said.

FIL-AMS URGE US TO SUSPEND SECURITY AID TO PH OVER RIGHTS RECORD

NEW JERSEY - A coalition of Filipino-American human rights advocates is urging the US to suspend its security aid to the Philippines due to the Duterte administration's alleged human rights violations.

The Malaya Movement launched this week its campaign "New Jersey for Philippine Human Rights Act" or NJ4PHRA.

The coalition has engaged in people-centered lobbying efforts to urge the US Congress to do something with alleged human rights violations in the Philippines.

Organizers said the United States can help defend human rights in the Philippines by passing the proposed Philippine Human Rights Act in the US Congress which would suspend American security assistance to Manila "until such a time that human rights violations by Philippine security forces cease and the responsible state forces are held accountable."

The US is a close defense ally of the Philippines.

Sol Taule, a human rights lawyer, said the Duterte administration has continued to violate Filipinos' basic rights amid the pandemic.

"We thought that the extrajudicial killings and the drug operations would stop, but no, it continues to operate," she said.

Less than a year from the Philippines' next presidential elections, the Malaya Movement urged overseas Filipinos to get more involved in choosing the country's next leader.

"It is crucially important for us to be involved and connected with various organizations in our own communities so we can effectively voice out our concerns against this nightmare of the Duterte regime," said Lawrence Aquino, member of the Malaya Movement from New Jersey.

ROBREDO FOR PRESIDENT MOVEMENT LAUNCHED TODAY

MANILA — A group of supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo will launch today a movement that aims to convince her to run for president in next year’s elections.

The online launch of Team Leni Robredo coincides with the country’s commemoration of its 123rd Independence Day.

As of now, Robredo has yet to decide on seeking the highest post in the land.

However, she said the opposition should field only one candidate in 2022 in order to defeat whoever will be endorsed by the Duterte administration.

Among those expected to perform during the Team Leni Robredo’s unveiling via its Facebook account at 6 p.m. Saturday are singers Bituin Escalante, Juris, Louie Ocampo and bands MoonStar88 and 6CycleMind.

Celebrities Enchong Dee, Lauren Young, Saab Magalona and Rica Peralejo will give inspirational messages to entice others to support the movement backing Robredo’s candidacy in 2022.

Robredo is one of the initial choices of the opposition coalition 1Sambayan as possible standard bearer.

1Sambayan, whose convenors include retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio, is also expected to release today the group’s list of nominees for president, vice president and senators, whom it will endorse in 2022.

Lawyer Howard Calleja, 1Sambayan convenor, said the group would also unveil its criteria in choosing its possible candidates.

The coalition would allow the public to participate in the selection process by voting for their preferred bets online, he said.

WHO, UNICEF DECLARE END OF POLIO OUTBREAK IN PHILIPPINES

MANILA — The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday declared as “closed” the polio outbreak in the Philippines after 17 confirmed cases and two years.

At a press briefing, WHO country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe announced that the Philippines had successfully ended the polio outbreak amid various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, typhoons and volcanic eruptions.

“Today is a very happy occasion. We are formally celebrating the end of the polio outbreak that has affected the Philippines for more than 600 days,” he said.

Abeyasinghe noted the Department of Health (DOH)’s polio outbreak response has been “tremendous.”

“We salute all of you who have made this possible during this extremely challenging period by your commitment and dedication to achieve the closure of this outbreak,” he added.

United Nations Children’s Fund Philippine representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov also lauded the Philippines, pointing out that the success of the polio immunization in the country is “proof that when we come together for children, great things happen. UNICEF celebrates all the vaccine champions and partners who made this possible.”

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they are hopeful the success of the anti-polio vaccination will set the tone for the agency’s other immunization programs.

PRINCE CHARLES PAYS TRIBUTE TO FILIPINO HEALTH WORKERS

MANILA — Britain’s Prince Charles has paid tribute to Filipino health workers in the United Kingdom for their heroic contribution in the country’s fight against COVID-19.

“We are more fortunate to have many thousands of nurses and other health care workers from the Philippines working in the United Kingdom, particularly in the national health service,” the Prince of Wales said in a video message shared by UK Ambassador Daniel Pruce on Twitter on Friday.

“To these wonderful, selfless people I wanted to offer my most heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding care and comfort you gave to your patients. You have made a truly remarkable contribution to the health and well-being of so many people across the country at such a difficult time,” he said.

Prince Charles delivered a special message for the Philippines as part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-UK diplomatic relations.

He said “the bonds of friendship between us are stronger than ever at a time when we have faced the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus. Those links have provided the foundation for us to work together towards a better future.”

As of last year, there are an estimated 200,000 Filipinos in the UK, of whom around 21,000 are health care workers employed by the NHS and other private hospitals.

CHIEF JUSTICE: SC WORKING ON ISSUES ON SEARCH WARRANTS, ATTACKS ON LAWYERS

MANILA — The Supreme Court, under the helm of recently-appointed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, is working on the guidelines on the use of body-worn cameras in police operations as well as a revision of guidelines on the issuance of search and arrest warrants.

Gesmundo on Friday assured the public that the SC is working on these issues that were raised to the SC earlier this year and was addressed by the justices, in a rare statement, on March 24.

He took over the reins of the Judiciary shortly after the high court, with now-retired Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta issued condemned the attacks on lawyers and vowed to issue rules on requiring the use of body cameras in police operations. His first Chief Justice Meets the Press event was also attended by his fellow magistrates in the zoom conference room.

Gesmundo said Associate Justice Marvic Leonen submitted to the SC en banc a working draft on the revisions that addresses the issue on the issuance of arrest and search warrants. “We’re working on it,” the chief justice said.

He added that the proposed rule on the use of body-worn cameras will be taken up at the resumption of SC en banc on Tuesday, June 15, and that the final version of the rules may be approved in July.

DOH URGES PUBLIC NOT TO LIE ABOUT HEALTH CONDITIONS TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE

MANILA — The Department of Health called on Filipinos not to lie about having co-morbidities in order to get the coveted shot against COVID-19 as it assured that everyone will receive free vaccination.

In a briefing Friday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire asked the public to wait for their turns to be inoculated. She issued the reminder after there were reports of people getting caught when they attempted to jump the COVID-19 vaccine line.

Currently, only healthcare workers (A1), senior citizens (A2), persons with comorbidities (A3) and essential workers (A4) are eligible for vaccination.

“You don’t need to fake your documents. You don’t need to lie that you have illness. You will be  given vaccine because that is your right,” Vergeire said in Filipino.

She stressed Filipinos will get their vaccine doses once the delivery of vaccines is stabilized.

The health official said those who are falsifying medical documents and lying about having sickness could face penalties for violating existing regulations.

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PH REPORTS 6,686 NEW COVID-19 CASES, ACTIVE CASES HIGHEST IN OVER A MONTH

MANILA— The Philippines on Friday reported 6,686 newly-confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 200 more deaths, just as the government allowed more establishments to open in virus hotspot Metro Manila.

Out of the country's 1,300,349 total confirmed cases, 61,345 or 4.7 percent are still active, according to the Department of Health's (DOH) latest bulletin.

According to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group, the remaining active infections is highest in more than a month or since May 8 this year, when the health department logged 61,673 active carriers of the virus.

The number of active cases has been adjusted for duplicates.

The DOH also pointed out that 1,000 cases first identified as recoveries have been reclassified as active infections.

The day's positivity rate is at 13.3 percent, based on the testing results of 49,371 individuals who got screened for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

There were 196 new fatalities due to the respiratory disease, raising the country's death toll to 22,507.

WELLS FARGO SHUTS DOWN MANILA OFFICE

MANILA — Well Fargo Bank National Association closed down its representative office in the Philippines last month, the second foreign bank to shut down its liaison office in Manila amid the pandemic.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier said the Monetary Board issued Resolution   695 noting the cessation of operations of Wells Fargo Bank – Manila Representative Office.

“Wells Fargo decided to close its representative office in the Philippines, citing the adoption of a centralized approach to optimize efficiency in line with the bank’s core international principles,” Fonacier told The STAR.

In February last year, Wells Fargo & Co. laid off about 700 workers in the Philippines as it decided to move most of its technology employees to locations with high concentration of workers such as India.

With the closure of Wells Fargo Bank, there are 11 remaining foreign banks operating representative offices in the Philippines.

These are the Bank of Singapore Ltd. Philippines, Bank of Taiwan, Credit Suisse AG, DBS Bank Ltd., Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Korea Eximbank, Rothschild (Singapore) Ltd., State of India, The Bank of New York Mellon, The Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank Ltd. and UBS AG

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ABS-CBN 'TAKEN OVER' BY FICTIONAL NETWORK IN 'TRESE' PROMO

Is ABS-CBN no more? No, that’s just fiction.

The network's metallic logo atop its Eugenio Lopez Jr. (ELJ) Communications Center building in Quezon City was gradually replaced Friday afternoon by black signage with the letters “ABC-ZNN” in white.

But instead of the station seemingly being taken over, it’s all just marketing for the new Netflix anime series “Trese.”

“ABC-ZNN,” a play on the media company’s name, is a TV station in the Filipino graphic novel adaptation which premiered Friday.

By 6 p.m. on Friday, the façade of ELJ glowed red, with interior lights seen through windows, spanning several stories and the entire width of the building, forming the word “TRESE.”

A day prior on Thursday, billboards promoting the series were placed outside the station’s walls in Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, along with the “ABC-ZNN” logo.

That night, ABS-CBN’s broadcast center -- normally lit in the network’s red-green-blue colors -- was illuminated in red, the color of the streaming platform.

ABS-CBN was not involved in the making of the series produced by BASE Entertainment and released with dubs in English, Tagalog, Japanese, and Spanish.

Actress Liza Soberano, who voices lead character Alexandra Trese for the Filipino language dub, is a contract artist of the network.

On Twitter, users were taken by surprise at the physical transformation of ABS-CBN’s signage and marveled at the length of the marketing done for “Trese”.

ABS-CBN was not the only media outlet that physically advertised “Trese.”

Local broadsheets such as the Philippine Star and BusinessWorld printed faux front pages featuring an advertorial “reporting" a scene from the series.

In the run-up to the premiere, on-ground and digital promos such as “vandalized” billboards and “leaked” security footage of mythological monsters purportedly roaming Metro Manila drew attention to the series.

SPORTS

WEIGHTLIFTER ELREEN ANDO BECOMES 11TH PINOY TO QUALIFY FOR TOKYO

Pinay weightlifter Elreen Ando has secured herself a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics after making the cut through continental quota.

The Cebuana lass made it through based on the list issued by the International Weightlifting Federation on Saturday.

Ando collected 26,349,334 points for 12th place in the -64 kg division after winning two silver medals and a bronze in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last April.

Ando made the cut since Europe already had four entries in the top nine of the rankings.

With the qualification, Ando will join fellow weightlifter and Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo.

Other Filipino athletes competing in this year's Games include pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, and Nesthy Petecio, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, and rower Cris Nievarez.

NBA SCORES JUNE 10

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

2 Nets2-1          11        31        23        18        83

3 Bucks1-2       30        15        22        19        86

GAME 3: BKN LEADS 2-1, FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

SCORING LEADERS

K. Durant BKN

30 PTS 11 REB 5 AST

K. Middleton MIL

35 PTS 15 REB 1 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

4 Clippers0-2    29        24        33        25        111

1 Jazz2-0          30        36        27        24        117

GAME 2: UTA LEADS 2-0, VIVINT SMART HOME ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

SCORING LEADERS

R. Jackson LAC

29 PTS 3 REB 2 AST

D. Mitchell UTA

37 PTS 3 REB 4 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. - Henry Ward Beecher