Millions back under lockdown in Philippines amid surge in virus cases
Millions of people in the Philippines were ordered to stay home Tuesday as global coronavirus infections kept soaring, with the World Health Organization warning against relying on a vaccine "silve.....»»
Tulfo slams SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG over low coverage of domestic workers
Senator Raffy on Thursday slammed three government pension agencies for their “deficient” compliance in providing benefits coverage for domestic workers. Tulfo cited the 2019 joint survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment that there are 1.4 million registered domestic workers with the Social Security System, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG. However, only 6 percent of this figure, or 84,190 kasambahays were enrolled by their employers in SSS, while only 5 percent or 74,858 e in PhilHealth and 3.4 percent or 51,579 in Pag-IBIG. “This is very low compliance,” said Tulfo, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor. “These agencies are not doing enough to ensure that employers in the country have registered and have been paying the SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG contributions of their kasambahays,” he added. Tulfo also expressed disappointment amid the failure of barangay officials to implement the registration system for domestic helpers. “Knowing that some employers are too busy to enroll their house help for said coverage or deliberately avoid doing so to avoid payments,” he said. The "Domestic Workers Act" or "Batas Kasambahay,” mandates every employer to register a house help under their employment in the barangay offices—where they are residing. The law also orders Punong Barangas to be responsible for the Registry of Kasambahay within their respective jurisdiction. “Why barangay officials managed to be very active on house-to-house campaigns during the elections period but were unable to go door-to-door to survey households with kasambahays and ensure implementation of Batas Kasambahay,” Tulfo questioned. Hence, he recommended the removal of “qualified theft punishment” for kasambahays. "Employers are using this to pin down house helps seeking better treatment or complaining about work-related benefits," Tulfo said. “In some cases, employers would get back at their kasambahays and avoid giving them proper treatment as mandated by the law by planting evidence pointing to a crime they did not commit, like stealing, employers would later report it to the police to send innocent and voiceless kasambahays to jail,” he added. The post Tulfo slams SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG over low coverage of domestic workers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuclear arms spending, arsenals swell as global tensions grow: studies
The world's nuclear powers, and China in particular, increased investment in their arsenals for a third consecutive year in 2022 amid swelling geopolitical tensions, two reports showed Monday. The world's nine nuclear-armed states jointly spent $82.9 billion on their arsenals last year, with the United States accounting for more than half of that, according to a new report from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute meanwhile released a report showing that the total number of nuclear warheads held by Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and the United States was down to 12,512 at the outset of this year, from 12,710 at the start of 2022. While some of that included older warheads scheduled to be dismantled, SIPRI said that 9,576 were in "military stockpiles for potential use" -- 86 more than a year earlier. "We are approaching, or maybe have already reached, the end of a long period of the number of nuclear weapons worldwide declining," SIPRI director Dan Smith told AFP. 'Beginning to tick up' Pointing to the stockpile of usable nuclear warheads, Smith said that "those numbers are beginning to tick up", while adding that they remain far below the more than 70,000 seen during the 1980s. The bulk of the increase was in China, which increased its stockpile from 350 to 410 warheads. India, Pakistan and North Korea also upped their stockpiles and Russia's grew to a smaller extent, from 4,477 to 4,489, while the remaining nuclear powers maintained the size of their arsenals. Russia and the United States together have almost 90 percent of all nuclear weapons. "The big picture is we've had over 30 years of the number of nuclear warheads coming down, and we see that process coming to an end now," Smith said. $157,664 every minute The higher spending reported by ICAN appeared to back that up. ICAN, which was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, found that spending on nuclear weapons had risen three percent from 2021, marking the third consecutive annual increase. The $82.9 billion spent amounted to $157,664 for every minute of 2022, it said in its report entitled "Wasted: 2022 Global Nuclear Weapons Spending". Washington spent $43.7 billion, which was slightly less than a year earlier but was still far ahead of all other countries, the report showed. China was next in line with $11.7 billion spent, followed by Russia at $9.6 billion -- both marking an increase of around six percent from 2021. India meanwhile showed the most drastic spending jump, dishing out $2.7 billion -- 21.8 percent more than a year earlier -- while Britain raised its spending level by 11 percent to $6.8 billion. The report also highlighted how arms companies involved in the production of nuclear weapons received new contracts worth just under $16 billion last year, and in turn spent $113 million lobbying governments in the United States and France alone. Globally, nuclear-armed countries have contracts with companies to produce nuclear weapons worth at least $278.6 billion, continuing in some cases through to 2040, it said. Diplomatic setbacks Researchers at SIPRI also noted that diplomatic efforts on nuclear arms control and disarmament had suffered setbacks following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year. Russia has for instance suspended participation in New START, a Cold War-era treaty that limits warheads and allows verification by both sides. At the same time, Smith said the increase in stockpiles could not be explained by the war in Ukraine, as it takes a longer time to develop new warheads and the bulk of the increase was among countries not directly affected. China has also invested heavily in all parts of its military as its economy and influence have grown. "What we're seeing is China stepping up as a world power," Smith said. The post Nuclear arms spending, arsenals swell as global tensions grow: studies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Baguio City requires face masks amid rise in Covid-19 cases
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong brought back the face mask mandate in all establishments and crowded places and advised the public against shaking hands following the rise of coronavirus cases recently. “Wala namang restriction sa paggalaw ng mga tao, turista, estudyante pero mahigpit na ipinapa-alala na wala munang pakikipagkamay at mabuting fist bump or elbow bump na lang muna. mas lalong wala din munang beso-beso,” Magalong was quoted as saying. “Hindi naman natin kinokontrol yung movement ng tao, i-avoid na lang muna natin yung handshakes, gamitin na lang muna natin yung fist bump, elbow bump,” he added. Still, the city government reported that hospitalization remains low in the country’s “Summer Capital” which became one of the hotspots at the height of the pandemic. “Mild cases lang ang kanilang naitatala… ang mga ito ay hakbang lamang para mapababa ang transmission ng virus at hindi ibig sabihin na lalala ulit ang sitwasyon,” Magalong said in an interview. In Metro Manila, the positivity rate reached 25.4 percent over the past week. No new guidelines have been issued so far in the National Capital Region. However, in-person classes have been suspended in Isabela, and in Cabanatuan National High School after 11 teachers and two students tested positive Friday. The post Baguio City requires face masks amid rise in Covid-19 cases appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Erring cops on microscope
Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Tuesday he ordered the conduct of intensified intelligence monitoring against around 3,000 “erring cops” among their ranks. Acorda said the derogatory records of these scalawags includes involvement in extortion and illegal drugs, among others. “(We have been monitoring these personalities, those scalawags and my instruction is after (hearing) those adjudications that the intel operatives will actually (work) to make sure that they don’t do anything stupid anymore,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the donning of ranks of eight senior officials who were formally inducted as major generals and brigadier generals held at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday. “I am encouraging also commanders to make sure the counter-intelligence function of their office is functioning at their level,” he added. Amid issues surrounding the PNP about “ninja cops” or those involved in recycling illegal drugs seized from operations back to the street, the PNP chief said they will implement radical moves to achieve honest law enforcement operations. He said dissolving the Special Operations Unit of Police Drug Enforcement Group is one of the moves they are looking into. The PNP has around 228,000 members. Acorda maintained that erring cops have no place in the organization especially under his watch when internal cleansing will be intensified further. Internal cleansing Acorda also vowed that the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and the PNP Internal Affairs Service will be empowered as part of the PNP’s internal cleansing program. IMEG is the primary PNP unit going after erring policemen while IAS is in charge of investigating the administrative charges against policemen. “IMEG and IAS are there, we are going to empower them. We are going to give them more teeth and really make the cases filed against our personnel strong so we can finally weed them out of the service,” Acorda said. Acorda stressed that one of his thrusts as the PNP chief is the decisive cleansing of PNP ranks. “We will be quick and decisive. We are really going to punish erring personnel but in a way that we are not going to disrespect their uniform… But definitely, we will be harsh to them especially if they are not going to change,’ he said. Acorda, who headed the PNP Directorate for Intelligence before he was appointed as the country’s top cop, urged the public to report suspected rouge police officers in their community. Meanwhile, Acorda told the eight senior officials who got promoted to a higher rank or star rank officers to forget about their personal interest and always think of the institutional priorities when making decisions. “There are institutional decisions and when it comes to priorities you as star rank officers should forget about the personal interest and you should always think of the institutional priorities hence when you make a decision, you should always consider the institution that we serve for kaya with your new rank now, huwag niyo testingin yung powers niyo,” Acorda said in his speech. “You have that power already. Do not use as a means to advance personal interest but rather use your rank in upholding institutional development and with that sana with your new rank, use para sa pagkakaisa nating lahat,” he added. The post Erring cops on microscope appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hotel industry will follow mask policy if needed
The country’s hotel operators are willing to adhere to whatever decision the government will impose on calls to implement anew the mask policy following the spike in Covid-19 cases these past few days. This comes amid forecasts by a research group that Covid-19 cases may spike in the middle of May this year, putting the positivity rate to 19.3 percent over the weekend. “On the part of the hotel industry, it’s fairly simple, we follow the guidelines. But regardless of the guidelines, our sector as well as tourism-related establishments have been always maintaining very strict minimum health standards that are in place and making sure that we provide our guests with a safe and good experience,” said Benito Bengzon Jr., president of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. He added that his group is seeing that hotel occupancies are going back to the pre-pandemic levels. “Apart from hotel occupancy, which is seen as a major indicator, we are looking at the revenue side of it. And the good news that we have heard from our members, many or some of them have already exceeded their 2019 levels,” Bengzon told reporters during the Business Networking and Luncheon hosted by the Philippine Furniture Furnishings Market on Monday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay. Overall, he stressed that the hotel industry in urban or city destinations “is slowly improving or much better compared to 2022.” “But the current foot traffic that we are getting now is just 25 percent of what we got in 2019. In 2019, we got 8.2 million foreign visitors, but last year, we only got 2 million. We still have a long way to go. The official target for this year in terms of foreign tourist traffic for the industry is 4.8 million,” Bengzon said. Meantime, Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines president Eugene Yap said masks are now indeed part of citizen’s daily outfit, even if World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that Covid-19 was no longer qualifies as a global emergency. “But definitely, the Covid-19 virus is still there going around, but no longer a pandemic and just an endemic. The mask will always be an important part of our attire and for some countries a form of courtesy, such as in Japan and in Taiwan. I can see that masks are still an important part, especially in food serving areas,” Yap said. “We hope there will not be much mask requirement, but I think we leave it now to the establishments for their own use,” he added. Philippine Retailers Association chairperson Paul Santos, on the other hand, echoed the sentiments of the hotel and restaurant industry on heeding the guidelines but will also leave it to the retailers what to impose on their employees and own enterprise. “We can impose that on our employees, but we cannot impose wearing masks on our customers. Generally speaking, we will follow what the government recommends,” Santos said. To recall, the Department of Health last week maintained that they have already recommended to the Office of the President, based on the agreements coming from the IATF discussions, that there is no need to return the mask mandate as they need to shift the mindset of Filipinos when it comes to the Covid-19 virus. The post Hotel industry will follow mask policy if needed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PUP-DND pact already revoked, says lawyer
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines recently revealed the termination of the more than three-decades-old pact between the university and the Department of National Defense — also known as the 1990 Prudente-Ramos Accord — in January last year. The agreement prohibited military or police entry and activities inside the various campuses of PUP without prior notification, “except in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions of emergency.” It also prohibited authorities to “interfere with peaceful protest actions by PUP constituents within PUP premises.” In a letter addressed to the top leaders of the PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral, PUP chief legal counsel Atty. Joanna Marie Liao said that the accord had been terminated by then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on 19 January last year. At the time, Lorenzana publicly vowed to crackdown suspected communist movements inside campuses through accords between DND and schools which, he claimed, is being used as a “shield” by perceived “enemies of the state,” specifically the Communist Party of the Philippines. Prior to this, the DND abrogated their 1989 accord with the University of the Philippines in January 2021 with a similar purpose, despite strong contention from the academic community. Liao expressed disapproval over the termination of the accord, revealing that they have told DND in a 7 February 2022 letter that they were “saddened” by the revocation of the document. “Rather than resolving the issues, PUP believes that repudiating the agreement will only cause more confusion and unrest. While we recognize and value the role of our law enforcers in the preservation of peace and order in our society, we renounce any form of restriction to free expression, inquiry and discussion in the PUP academic community,” she said. The letter was made public by PUP SKM late Tuesday, with a caption calling for the PUP community to protect the campuses against perceived “state attacks.” Prior to the announcement, the PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral have sent a letter addressed to PUP president Manuel Muhi for an update on the status of the PUP-DND Accord amid the ongoing student handbook revisions in their campus, as well as the ongoing power outage that brought back online classes in the university. The post PUP-DND pact already revoked, says lawyer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PSEi bounces back above 6,600 level
Stocks started the week on a strong note as investors take comfort on improving economic numbers amid rising concerns over the escalating cases of COVID cases attributed to the more infectious Delta variant......»»
Navotas reimposes outdoor ban on kids
Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco has taken back the policy of allowing minors aged five and up to play outdoors amid rising cases in the city and the threat of the Delta variant......»»
Nationals resume training
It’s back to work for Gilas Pilipinas after being forced to break camp last month amid the surge in COVID-19 cases and the imposition of stricter quarantine classifications......»»
Biden to sign executive orders on Day 1, amid high alert for inauguration
Joe Biden’s top aide said Saturday the incoming president would sign about a dozen executive orders on his first day in office, as police fearing violence from Trump supporters staged a nationwide security operation ahead of the inauguration. Authorities in Washington, where Wednesday’s inauguration will take place, said they arrested a man with a loaded handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition at a security checkpoint, underscoring the tension in the US capital which is resembling a war zone. However, the man’s family told US media he was a security guard, rejecting the idea he was intent on causing harm. Incoming Biden chief of staff Ron Klain said in a memo to new White House senior staff that the executive orders would address the pandemic, the ailing US economy, climate change and racial injustice in America. “All of these crises demand urgent action,” Klain said in the memo. “In his first ten days in office, President-elect Biden will take decisive action to address these four crises, prevent other urgent and irreversible harms, and restore America’s place in the world,” Klain added. As he inherits the White House from Donald Trump, Biden’s plate is overflowing with acute challenges. The US is fast approaching 400,000 dead from the Covid-19 crisis and logging well over a million new cases a week as the coronavirus spreads out of control. The economy is ailing, with 10 million fewer jobs available compared to the start of the pandemic. Biden this week unveiled plans to seek $1.9 trillion to revive the economy through new stimulus payments and other aid, and plans a blitz to accelerate America’s stumbling Covid vaccine rollout effort. On Inauguration Day Biden, as previously promised, will sign orders including ones for the US to rejoin the Paris climate accord and reverse Trump’s ban on entry of people from certain Muslim majority countries, Klain said. “President-elect Biden will take action — not just to reverse the gravest damages of the Trump administration — but also to start moving our country forward,” Klain said. – 500 rounds of ammunition – Meanwhile, Washington was under a state of high alert after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6. The assault left five people dead, including a police officer. Security officials have warned that armed pro-Trump extremists, possibly carrying explosives, pose a threat to Washington as well as state capitals over the coming week. Thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed in Washington and streets have been blocked off downtown with concrete barriers. On Friday night, police arrested a Virginia man at a security checkpoint where he tried to use an “unauthorized” credential to access the restricted area where Biden will be inaugurated. As officers checked the credential against the authorized access list, one noticed decals on the back of Wesley Beeler’s pick-up truck that said “Assault Life,” with an image of a rifle, and another with the message: “If they come for your guns, give ’em your bullets first,” according to a document filed in Washington, DC Superior Court. Under questioning, Beeler told officers he had a Glock handgun in the vehicle. A search uncovered a loaded handgun, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, shotgun shells and a magazine for the gun, the court document said. Beeler was arrested on charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. But Beeler’s father Paul told The New York Times his son had been working as a security guard on the Capitol grounds. Asked if the younger Beeler supported a peaceful transition of power, Paul Beeler told the newspaper, “That’s the reason he’s there.” In addition to the heavy security presence in Washington, law enforcement was out in force in state capitals around the country to ward off potential political violence. Mass protests that had been planned for the weekend did not materialize on Saturday, with security far outnumbering Trump supporters at several fortified statehouses, US media reported. In St Paul, Minnesota, for example, hundreds of law enforcement officers, some armed with long guns, ringed the Capitol with National Guard troops providing backup. The number of protesters totaled about 50......»»
Stocks slip as infections overshadow vaccine hopes
NEW YORK, United States — Global equity markets fell back Monday as hopes that Covid-19 vaccines will soon be rolled out were overshadowed by fears of a coming surge in US cases. Oil prices remained under pressure as traders monitored an Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting in Vienna amid worries producers won’t reach an […] The post Stocks slip as infections overshadow vaccine hopes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Millions back under lockdown in Philippines amid surge in virus cases
Millions of people in the Philippines were ordered to stay home Tuesday as global coronavirus infections kept soaring, with the World Health Organization warning against relying on a vaccine "silve.....»»
Solons to gov’t: Heed the plea of medical workers
Lawmakers expressed all-out support on Sunday (August 2) to the appeal made by Philippine College of Physicians and the Philippine Medical Associationto shift Mega Manila back to a 15-day enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), even as they sought a change in leadership in the Department of Health (DOH) and other agencies handling the country’s response against COVID-19. (JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Michael Defensor, Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo called on the government to heed the plea of the medical experts and frontliners for more stringent health protocols in critical areas. “While both the health and economic crisis wrought by the still ravaging COVID-19 pandemic must be both effectively addressed, the relief and recovery of the people’s health must be prioritized. Lives lost are forfeited forever but businesses lost can be redeemed,” Lagman said in a statement.“We must learn from the bitter lesson experienced by other countries like Japan which prematurely reopened economic, leisure and domestic travel activities only to be besieged later by a resurgence of the viral contagion,” he stressed. Defensor, chairperson of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said, “If our leading doctors are prescribing it, then as good patients, we are all for Mega Manila’s brief return to an ECQ.” “Our sense is, our public health system is on the verge of collapse, and the momentary return to an ECQ will buy everybody more time to gird for a longer battle against the coronavirus disease,” he said. He said once the government gives in to the appeal, the COVID-19 National Task Force should take that opportunity to fix the lack of hospital staff due to doctors, nurses and other personnel getting infected and still recovering, or undergoing routine seclusion after possible exposure; expand the bed capacities of makeshift hospitals and quarantine facilities; and improve case-finding and the isolation of suspected cases. Defensor said the government should also step up contact-tracing and quarantining; upgrade public transportation options and safety; strengthen workplace protection; build up enforcement of and public compliance with self-protective measures such as the wearing of face masks and face shields, handwashing as well as social and physical distancing; and increase financial and livelihood support to distressed households. Zarate said they are one with our frontliners in demanding a reprieve from the overwhelming cases of COVID-19, particularly in the National Capital Region. “Reverting back to ECQ or whatever level of lockdown is useless or will be for naught if the primary recommendation of frontliners like free mass testing, pro-active contact tracing, isolation and treatment will not be seriously implemented by the government,” he said in a statement. For her part, Castelo said, “Let us listen to them. They are the ones on the frontline. Indeed, after five months of fighting this pandemic, they are exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally.” She laments that several doctors and nurses have died and many others have fallen sick while battling COVID-19. “Our medical workers are asking for a short time to recuperate. Let us give it to them,” she said. In a radio interview, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the government should strike a balance between the economy and health of the Filipinos, but it should be tilted somehow, in favor of health amid the appeal made by physicians to shift Mega Manila back to a 15-day ECQ. He asked the DOH to come up with “a system, a policy, or even perhaps a strategy” to reinforce the country’s health system by augmenting the medical force. In a separate statement, Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro said the Inter Agency Task Force for COVID-19 should be headed by medical experts instead of generals who have done nothing but to impose military solutions to combat a public health crisis. “Our frontliners are already pleading to the Duterte administration to implement a comprehensive medical plan to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The government needs to listen and take concrete actions with the demands of our healthcare workers,” she said. “It is high time that medical experts lead in the fight against COVID-19 instead of military generals. Medical experts who will not twist data and try to sanitize the numbers. We need medical experts who use science and not allow an entire population to be used as guinea pigs in a failed response and inadequate policies for public health safety.”.....»»
Mayor Sara mulls lifting liquor ban, reopening night market
DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte may lift the 24/7 liquor ban, and reopen the bustling Roxas Night Market starting September 1, months after the city government of Davao enforced strict measures to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Mayor Sara Duterte (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) In her interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Friday, Duterte said the local government was aiming to keep the COVID-19 cases here “low and manageable” in preparation for the gradual lifting of strict measures. She said she wanted Dabawenyos to adjust to the new normal, getting used to the basic health protocols amid the pandemic. She added that she might just decide to allow the selling of alcoholic drinks if the local government sees that there will be no spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. “We are still on the liquor ban. Let’s not celebrate too much because what we have lifted is just the FM (food and medicine) pass and curfew because we want you to self-regulate,” she said. The mayor imposed a ban on liquor on April 6, to minimize the possibility of transmitting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during drinking sessions. As of the July 30, Department of Health-Davao Region has reported 1,273 cases, with 48 deaths and 727 recoveries. Of the total, 856 were in Davao City, 135 in Davao del Norte, 58 in Davao del Sur, 93 in Davao de Oro, 100 in Davao Oriental, and 31 in Davao Occidental. The mayor encouraged the people to instill self-discipline by adhering to basic health protocols, such as staying at home, wearing masks, observing physical distancing, and frequent hand washing to avoid contracting the highly infectious disease. She said once the number of cases goes up, the local government may decide to close the city again. “Otherwise if the cases will continue to go up, we will close again the city which is something that we do not want to happen. Nobody wants to go back to GCQ (general community quarantine), nobody wants to go back to MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine), and nobody wants to go back to ECQ (enhanced community quarantine,” she said. The Roxas Night Market was closed on March 12, at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, which displaced 498 food vendors and massage therapists. The night market was a popular destination for street food, ukay-ukay (used clothes), and street massage. On September 2, 2016, a bomb exploded at the night market that killed 15 people and injured 69 others......»»
California rolls back reopening amid resurgent virus
LOS ANGELES, United States — California drastically rolled back its reopening plans Monday as coronavirus cases surged across dozens of US states and the World Health Organization warned that too many nations are mismanaging their pandemic response. Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all indoor restaurants, bars and movie theaters to close again across California — by far America’s […] The post California rolls back reopening amid resurgent virus appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBA return a difficult process says Chairman Vargas
It'll be a little over a month before the PBA Board's crucial August meeting to determine the fate of the league's 45th season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the rising numbers in positive cases in the country, Chairman Ricky Vargas remains hopeful that the PBA can finish out at least its 2020 Philippine Cup later this year. "We are still positive and our players are also very hopeful that we can start," Vargas said during the most recent forum by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. "Kasi alam din naman nila na we are protecting their health interest," Vargas added of the players. Early in June, the PBA started dialogue with the IATF as the league seeks clearance to have players already do some light workouts per small batches. It doesn't appear that the IATF has given the PBA a proper response, but according to government protocols, the lowest quarantine level allows for sporting events and the like to push through but only at 50 percent venue capacity. "Closest we can get is if we got to [MGCQ]. Kapag [MGCQ], sinasabi nila you may go back to practicing," Vargas said. "Also, the more positive note is yung statement ng GAB [Games and Amusements Board] is they're also working for professional sports to begin," he added. Nevertheless, the PBA returning this year will not be an easy process. The decision will involve many concerned parties, not just the league and the IATF. "Marami. GAB, IATF, DOH, LGU, at tsaka yung owner ng coliseum. Medyo mahirap din ang proseso. Plus, the protocol that we have to agree on," Vargas said. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
US reaffirms support for Philippines sovereignty amid its tensions with China
Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China's "dangerous" water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday. In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty.....»»
Philippines announces decisive measures amid tensions with China
Manila [Philippines], March 28 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has announced decisive measures to protect his country's sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos, known as Bongbong, said that the measures, aimed at addressing what he said is the "open, unabating, and illegal" actions by China's Coast.....»»
Contagious pertussis disease continues spreading in Philippines
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The contagious pertussis has continued spreading in the Philippines, where it has caused at least 40 death cases, after a province near the capital region reported an outbreak of the disease. In a social media post on Wednesday night, the Cavite government posted a resolution declaring the province under a state of calamity "due to the outbreak of pertussis" after logging 36 cases an.....»»
Philippines beats India for back-to-back wins in women’s Asia ice hockey tiff
The Philippine women’s ice hockey team picked up where they left off after their opening win in the 2024 IIHF Women’s Asia and Oceania Cup with a 7-0 shutout of India at the Bishkek Arena in Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday......»»