Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) January 30, 2021

LOS ANGELES / ORANGE COUNTY

Philippines grants EUA for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine PAGE 19 VOL. XXX NO. 5

January 30 -February 5, 2021

TOP STORIES

Global News Top US diplomat reaffirms pledge to defend Philippines vs. aggression 8  AFP looking into alleged China harassment of fishers near Pag-asa 8  Lacson files resolution on Senate, House voting separately in Con-ass 9  ADB: Metro Manila daily medical waste up by 280 tons due to pandemic 9  Drilon: Liberalizing economic provisions in Constitution possible without Cha-cha 9  Magalong won’t recuse self from probe on Tim Yap party 13  PNP medico legal report rules out homicide in Christine Dacera death 12 

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FELLOW FILIPINO-AMERICANS

NeWSOm ReSCINDS “STaY-aT-HOme” ORDeR LA County guides residents to vaccination lines

By ABNER GALINO

GOVERNOR Gavin Newsom has rescinded its stay-athome order which prompted officials in Los Angeles County to immediately plan for the reopening of personal care services and outdoor dining at restaurants later this week (Friday, January 29).

Sections BUSINESS. Filipinos lost P1.4T in income due to 2020 lockdown restrictions — NEDA 18  ENTERTAINMENT. John Lloyd-Bea reunion movie ‘set to grind in first quarter of 2021’ 14  HEALTH & FAMILY. Vergeire cites types of allergies that may prohibit one from taking COVID-19 vaccine 19  TOURISM. Tourists prefer to visit open areas during pandemic: Puyat 16 

But health officials clarified that the county is not yet out of the woods and advised residents and businesses to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and those around them.

LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a briefing on Monday that the continuation of the easing of health regulations “all depends on all of

Damon Jones to serve as new Carson Sheriff Station Captain

California Governor Gavin Newsom

NEWSOM

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“Tom Labonge Summit” in The “Trump Griffith Park established Religion” May Be Here Captain Damon A. Jones CAPTAIN Damon A. Jones, a 25-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, has been selected as the new Captain to lead Carson Sheriff’s Station. Captain Jones assumed his role at the Carson Station on Sunday, January 24, 2021.

Captain Jones’ career with the Sheriff ’s Department began in 1996. After graduating from the Sheriff ’s Training Academy as a Deputy Sheriff, he was assigned to the Century Regional Detention Facility and Custody Headquarters Operation Safe Jail where he worked as a jail gang deputy. He later worked patrol at Carson and Century Station. As a patrol Deputy, Captain Jones worked a variety of jobs: Nuisance Enforcement and Abatement, Youth Activities League and School DAMON

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MAYOR Eric Garcetti has announced the establishment of “Tom LaBonge Summit” in historic Griffith Park, joining the LaBonge family in honoring the late Councilmember’s life and legacy.

Nothing was closer to former Councilmember LaBonge’s heart than the hikes, trails, and hills of Griffith Park. Renaming

Mount Hollywood Summit in his memory is a fitting tribute to his decades of service to the City of Los Angeles.

“Our city lost a giant, a leader who brought so much energy, enthusiasm, decency, and passion to the task of building a stronger, safer, fairer city,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Tom held such genuine affection for every-

one he met and served, and he loved the beauty, diversity, and dynamism of Los Angeles — and there’s no better way to remember, honor, and cherish him than to forever attach his name to his beloved Griffith Park, our crown jewel.”

Since his passing three weeks ago, constituents, neighbors, and Angelenos from every walk “TOM LABONGE SUMMIT”

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Gordon lauds Locsin for filing diplomatic protest vs. China MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Richard J. Gordon commended Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for filing diplomatic complaints against China’s aggression at the disputed West Philippine Sea. “I commend Secretary Locsin for taking a very important and valiant action by standing up for our rights. He did right for our country, and we support him wholeheartedly,” Gordon

Senator Richard Gordon said in a news release on Thursday.

In a Twitter post on Jan. 27, Locsin wrote that “At 5:17 p.m.

today, the Chinese embassy received two diplomatic protests: 1. On the pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in PH waters & 2. Declaring parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province -- both violations of international law & Philippine sovereignty.”

Gordon has been consistently urging the government to take a firm position on dealing with the maritime dispute between GORDON

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to Stay

By PILAR MARRERO Ethnic Media Services THE day before the January 6th attack on the Capitol, hundreds of Trump supporters gathered near the building for a “Jericho March,” a reference to the biblical story where Israelites circle the city of Jericho until the “walls of the city fall down flat.”

On the day of the insurrection, Christian symbols and activities were in full display among the crowd just as much as Trump flags and anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols.

“That day at the Capitol among the protesters we saw the Bible, the cross, the rosary, people preaching, kneeling and praying, we saw Christian worship and, even before the assault, people were invoking God´s name to do the actions they were to perform,” said Ricardo Moreno, a theologian speaking on a recent EMS video conference.

“The question we have to ask is THE

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Saturday-Friday | January 30 - February 5, 2021

Climate Emergency Mobilization Office launched

M

ayor Eric Garcetti has launched Los Angeles’ first-ever Climate Emergency Mobilization Office (CEMO) — which will be responsible for coordinating the actions of the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and community leaders to meet the commitments of L.A.’s Green New Deal. Marta Segura, a longtime environmental justice advocate and nonprofit advisor, has been named to lead the division.

“The climate crisis isn’t a distant question, but an everyday reality for families, households, businesses, workers, and frontline communities across Los Angeles — and our Climate Emergency Mobilization Office will be a source of solutions for this generational challenge,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“With a proven leader like Marta taking the reins, our City will stay focused on the core promises of our vision: greater equity, lower emissions, a thriving economy, and a zero-carbon, green-energy future.”

In Los Angeles’ Green New Deal, Mayor Garcetti committed to establishing the CEMO, an office housed in the City’s Board of Public Works. Championed

by Councilmember Paul Koretz and

the Leap LA coalition, the CEMO will work hand-in-hand with the Climate Emergency Commission, a group being established by the Mayor and City Council consisting of representatives from frontline communities and various climate, labor, and business leaders.

As the CEMO director, Segura will oversee the functions and policy recommendations of the office by liaising between community groups on behalf the Mayor’s Office and City Council; prioritizing environmental justice and input from those most impacted by the climate emergency in policy and program implementation; building community and civic engagement to increase input from disadvantaged neighborhoods; and collaborating with advocates and local leaders on a strategic plan to mobilize city actions on climate and air quality, among other responsibilities as the office continues to expand.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the City’s first Climate Emergency Mobilization Director. Now is the time to work together, with every community and every neighborhood, so we can plan and create the city we want,” said Segura.

“We will collaborate with policymakers and community leaders to create op-

DamON... fROm PaGe 1 Resource Deputy. Jones also worked in Personnel Administration as a Background Investigator, Recruiter and Operations Deputy.

He promoted to Sergeant in 2009 and was assigned to Inmate Reception Center and Carson Station.

While at Carson Station, he worked as the field sergeant, watch sergeant and as the community relations sergeant. He was later assigned as a Sergeant at Audit and Accountability Bureau and Personnel Administration Recruitment.

Upon his promotion to Lieutenant in March 2015, Captain Jones was assigned to Twin Towers Correctional Facility and Transit Services Bureau where he was a watch commander. During his tenure at Twin Towers, he also worked as the Mental Health Liaison and Access to Care Lieutenant.

As a lieutenant, Captain Jones has worked at the Advocacy Unit and as the Division Aide at Professional Standards Division. Captain Jones has been a member of the Sheriff ’s Response Team since 2007 and the newly comprised Superspreader Task Force.

He has led and responded to many of the recent protests and large gatherings to protect life and property, establish safety and control and enforce the public health order.

Serving previously as a deputy and sergeant at the Carson Station, Captain Jones comes to his new position with strong relationships and great knowledge of the community. His involvement throughout his career in community outreach groups, programs and charity events will also enable him to factor similar efforts in Carson.

“Safety and security are the most important service that government must provide to its residents.

I, along with every member of the City Council welcome Captain Damon Jones to spearhead the Carson Sheriff Station and look forward to working with him to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes.

Captain Jones holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership. Captain Jones is a Department Meritorious Service Award recipient and a Carson Sheriff ’s Station Support Foundation Distinguished Service Award recipient because of his hard work and dedication to the community.

Captain Jones is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles County. He and his wife Kenya, have three children, in college and high school. In his spare time, Captain Jones enjoys volunteering, playing basketball, exercising, coaching and spending time with his family and friends.

Carson station oversees the City of Carson and unincorporated areas in Harbor Gateway, Harbor City, and East Rancho Dominguez area.

portunities for all families and workers to build thriving, healthy communities for all Angelenos while we strive to be a model for other cities. I'm honored and thrilled to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Segura has spent decades designing programs and social change campaigns for underserved L.A. communities, with her powerful combination of environmental advocacy and passion for social justice. She founded the organization Segura Strategies 4 Good to focus her work on closing the social and health gaps in Los Angeles. She previously served as a member of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission and as District Director for then-City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Over the course of her career, Marta has served as a program officer at the California Endowment and as associate director of Communities for a Better Environment, one of California’s original statewide environmental justice organizations. She also holds a master’s of public health degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“We look forward to working with the Climate Emergency Mobilization Director and office to uplift community voices and build long-standing solutions

rooted in Just Recovery,” said the Leap LA Coalition, a group comprised of The Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles, Communities for Better Environment, Esperanza Community Housing Corporation, Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE), and Pacoima Beautiful.

"The Climate Emergency Mobilization Office (CEMO) was created to respond to the worldwide climate crisis, and the hope that, in the short time we have to turn this disaster around, we can take dramatic steps and provide leadership not only in our own City, but as an example others can follow beyond our borders,” said CEMO lead author L.A. City Councilmember Paul Koretz.

“The CEMO was formed in a unique partnership with the Leap LA Coalition to address the urgent need to mobilize all sectors of the City with leadership from the most impacted frontline, Indigenous and labor communities to address the imminent threats to human health, safety and the very habitability of our planet. I appreciate the support from my climate-focused colleagues: Council President Nury Martinez, co-author Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Budget Chair Councilmember Paul Krekorian, and Mayor Garcetti.”

Saturday-Friday | January 30 - February 5, 2021

FAPCCA Elects Executive Officers and BOD 2021-2022

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Remembering Kobe and Gigi

T

he FAPCCA Executive Officers and BOD for 2021-2022 were elected virtually via zoom last Sunday January 24, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

The 2021-2022 Executive Officers are Thelma Sugay, president; Mutch Carino, 1st VP; Jackie Dayoha, 2nd VP; Lissa Pacheco Chow, Secretary; Rose Sarreal, Treasurer; Aris Duenas, Auditor; and MJ Racadio, PRO. The new Board of Directors include Abby Amores, Antonette Ang, Nikki Arriola, Rudy Autor, Lorie Deoleo, Catherine Enriquez, Tony Garcia, Pol Joaquin, Gary Paglinawan, Roger Parajes, and Lydia Soriano. The Chairman of the Board is Benny Uy, Immediate Past President.

Co-Founders and President Emeritus Thelma Calabio and Andy Edralin were present to oversee the elections.

Outgoing Chairman of the Board and President Emeritus Isidric Panganiban led the official process with great order and with the help of Board Member Lydia Soriano.

FAPCCA welcomes the new year with a significant project as the official collaborating partner of a project called Neighbors in Dialogue. This program hopes to promote Diversity and Inclusion in various communities. This endeavor is sponsored by the Glendale YMCA, with YMCA CEO George Saikali at the helm together with Jeff Ring, a notable psychologist and community health management professional. Other partners include Maxx Promos, Spotlight TV and Blogtalk with MJ Racadio.

For more information or membership inquiries, please email thelma@jmasgroup.com or call 747-221-2322.

FANS remember former Laker star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi on the first anniversary of their tragic death by flocking to a mural — bringing flowers and lighting up candles — on La Brea Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. More than 400 murals memorializing the basketball icon and his daughter were created by artists around the City of Los Angeles shortly after a helicopter carrying them and seven other people crashed in the City of Calabasas. No one survived the accident.

Photo by Abner Galino

NeWSOm... fROm PaGe 1 us,” adding that the county would walk back its guidelines if the spread of the coronavirus starts deteriorating again.

and loved ones safe with masks, physical distancing, and getting the vaccine as soon as it becomes available to us."

Restrictions that are being relaxed immediately: a. Personal care services, such as hair and nail salons, can open for indoor operations at 25% capacity. b. Tourism and individual travel has been allowed for hotels and motels c. Outdoor private gatherings involving up to three households and/or a total of 15 people can proceed.

How to sign up for vaccination At the moment, health workers in L.A. County are giving vaccines to healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents, and people 65 and older.

To begin lining for your vaccine, interested persons should check California’s new My Turn tool (myturn.ca.gov) or by calling the California COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255 (available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Los Angeles County is reminding residents that the main way to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments is by logging on to VaccinateLACounty. com to check appointment availability.

For the residents of the City of Los Angeles, sign up on Carbon Health’s website (carbonhealth.com/covid-19-vaccines).

A new health order is set to be issued on Friday (January 29) that would lift restrictions for outdoor dining and other non-essential business operations that were previously banned.

In a statement, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis, expressed elation over the development.

"I am pleased with the State of California's timely announcement on ending the Regional Stay at Home Order, which reflects the hard work of Angelenos these past months to stay home and save lives. Our small businesses have endured tremendous hardships and are struggling to stay afloat,” Solis said.

"We have seen decreases in the number of cases and hospitalizations in Los Angeles County, and that is attributed to our collective sacrifices. However, we cannot let our guard down again.

We've seen what it means when that happens, when we visit with others in their homes, attend large gatherings, and run errands like we did pre-pandemic. That cannot happen again.”

"We must continue to meet the moment and defeat this virus as soon as possible. That means keeping ourselves

How to get your second dose Carbon Health Twitter : “For your second dose appointment, you will be auto-booked within the appropriate timeframe from your first dose. We will also send you a message with the opportunity to reschedule your appointment within a 4-day window. You will receive communication from us.”

“For residents who received the vaccine at a large county run site, emails confirming second dose appointments will be sent before your next appointment. They will be at the same location and time as your first dose, 21 days later. We appreciate your patience,” the LA County Department of Public Health said on Twitter.

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95% of those vaccinated got or intend to get all required doses

By THOM FILE AND ABINASH MOHANTY

A

bout 8% of American adults reported they had received a COVID-19 vaccination and around half of adults who haven’t (51%) indicated they would definitely get a vaccine, while an additional 26% said they probably would, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today.

The latest revision to Phase 3 of the Household Pulse Survey was implemented on Jan. 6, 2021, and included a new series of questions about COVID-19 vaccinations and attitudes toward the vaccines.

This article is based on analysis of Phase 3 data collected Jan. 6 through Jan. 18, a time period in which the Census Bureau sent invitations to 1,037,972 households and received a total of 68,348 responses.

This content was added in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on survey self-reports, these data may differ from other administrative information, particularly those collected during different time periods.

The new vaccination series asks respondents if they had received a COVID-19 vaccination. Those who had are then asked if they plan to receive all required doses.

Adults who have not been vaccinated are asked if they plan to get a vaccine once available. Respondents who express uncertainty are asked the reason(s) for their reluctance.

The data show: About 95% of the estimated 19 million who reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccination said they had received or plan to receive all required doses.

Around half (51%) of the approximately 226 million adults yet to receive a vaccination said they “definitely” plan to receive it when available.

An additional 26% of adults yet to be vaccinated reported they would “probably” get a vaccine once available, compared to approximately 14% who said they would “probably not,” and 10% who said they would “definitely not” get vaccinated.

Overall, these results indicate that around a quarter of all unvaccinated adults will probably not, or will definitely not, receive a COVID-19 vaccine once one is available to them.

Age Factors During this initial collection period, the reported likelihood of eventually receiving a COVID-19 vaccination once available varied by age and older adults appear to be more certain they want to get vaccinated.

While about 71% of adults ages 65 and over reported they would “definitely” get a vaccine once available, around half (51%) of those ages 45-64 said the same.

Meanwhile, among those ages 30-44 and 18-29, only 41% indicated they would “definitely” get a vaccine once available (The percentages for these two youngest age groups were not statistically different.)

Racial differences The reported likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination once available also varied by Hispanic origin and race.

About two-thirds of unvaccinated non-Hispanic Asian adults indicated they would “definitely” get a vaccine once available, compared to around 56% of non-Hispanic Whites.

In contrast, only about 47% of Hispanics, 37% of non-Hispanics of other races or two

or more races, and 30% of non-Hispanic Blacks said they would “definitely” get a vaccine once available.

Health Insurance coverage Attitudes about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine also varied according to health insurance status. Those without insurance were less likely to say they would get vaccinated.

Among the unvaccinated, over half (56%) of insured adults and 34% of uninsured adults said they would “definitely” get a vaccine when available.

Respondents who indicated uncertainty about receiving a vaccination (49%) were also asked the reason(s) for their reluctance.

The most frequently selected answers included: Concern about possible side effects (51%) and plans to wait to see if the vaccines are safe (50%). The percentages for these two reasons were not statistically different.

Feeling that other people might need the vaccine more right now (28%).

It should be noted that respondents could provide more than one response to this ques-

tion.

All respondents were also asked whether they had received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis from a medical professional; around 14% indicated they had.

As more Americans are vaccinated, Household Pulse Survey data will allow for meaningful analysis of demographic differences in vaccination rates and positive COVID-19 diagnoses.

Additional information about the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered is available from the CDC. The estimates in this analysis are based on survey self-reports from a specific time period and may not align with published counts generated from other sources.

For more information, data users are encouraged to explore the Household Pulse Survey tables, Technical Documentation and Public Use File (PUF) microdata.

Thom File is a sociologist in the Census Bureau’s Social, E c o n o m i c a n d Ho u s i n g Statistics Division.

Abina sh Mohant y i s a statistician in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division.

GARCETTI KICKS OFF FREE TAX PREP L.A. M ayor Eric Garcetti today launched the Free Ta x Prep L.A. (FTPLA) 2021 campaign, an initiative to provide working families with free tax preparation services and help them claim state and federal tax credits.

Partnering with the Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department (HCID), L.A. County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), the Koreatown Youth + Community Center (KYCC), and United Way of Greater LA, this effort will open the door to up to $10,000 in tax credits for hard-hit, low-income households.

This year, for the first time, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) immigrant filers will be eligible for California’s Earned Income Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit.

“Year in and year out, local families leave hundreds of millions of dollars on the table –– refunds they are entitled to receive and credits that can make the difference between security and despair for our struggling neighbors,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Every dollar recovered can help hard-hit Angelenos pay the bills, cover the rent, and put food on the table –– and with COVID-19 wreaking havoc on so many in our city, there has nev-

er been a more critical time to provide these free tax prep services to our most vulnerable households, regardless of immigration status.”

This year, tax season begins on February 12, two weeks later than usual, creating a delay for Angelenos hit hardest by COVID-19 to file their taxes and receive a refund. To help alleviate economic hardships and prevent residents from resorting to predatory lenders, FTPLA is expanding its services for eligible filers through COVID-safe drop-off and drivethru locations, virtual and phone bank assistance, Facebook Live Q&A panels with the IRS, and more.

“I implore our City’s immigrant community to take advantage of these new tax credits that reward their hard work and put potentially thousands of dollars back in their hands,” said Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez.

“This past year has been one of the most trying years in our City’s history, especially for heavily impacted low-income Angelenos. Through our free tax preparation program, we are providing them with critical assistance. We want to make sure they receive every last dollar they are entitled to.”

Mayor Garcetti has long been an advocate of extending California’s Earned Income Tax Credit and Young Child Tax Credit programs to all of the state’s households. To that end, he led a coalition of eight Big City Mayors to successfully advocate for Governor Newsom and the State Legislature to extend these credits to ITIN filers, a change that was ultimately adopted and signed into law last fall. This step will make 600,000 more Californians, including 200,000 children, eligible for these programs.

“Beginning February 8th, we’ll have a week-long activation to help get the word out. Everything from livestreamed panel sessions with the IRS answering frequently asked tax questions and tips to avoid tax scams, partnerships with DREAMERS to encourage ITIN filers to access cash-back tax credits, multilingual online tutorials, and more,” said Audrey Casillas, Manager of Community Economic Development Services at KYCC. ELIGIBILITY Individuals earning $57,000 or less can claim the state and federal earned income tax credit (EITC) where they may be eligible for up to $10,000 cash back.

Families with children should inquire about California’s Young Child Tax Credit where they may be eligible for up to $1,000 with qualifying children under age 6.

ITIN filers are newly eligible for the CalEITC state credit and Young Child Tax Credit, totaling up to $4,000.

FTPLA LOCATIONS & HOURS | COVID-19 SERVICES For a list of locations and hours, visit www.freetaxprepla.com. Drop-off services require appointments. Assistance available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Persian, Armenian, and Korean.

Stimulus check assistance is also available for those who have not yet received their payment.

Supportive resources during COVID-19 include online tutoring, hygiene kits, food banks, tenant/low-income housing support, CalFresh assistance, and more. Visit www.freetaxprepla.com for a list of FamilySource Centers.

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COVID -19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna now authorized for emergency use in the US - which one would be best for me?

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ow that the two COVID -19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been authorized for emergency use in the United States, and is currently being administered initially to all medical frontliners, our age group of 60 years and older will be the next in line, and we remain to ask: which of these two vaccines would be best for me?

According to a newsletter published by the American Medical Association (AMA), some of its leading physician experts said that "it is less important which of these two vaccines a person gets, but it is imperative that EVERYONE gets VACCINATED." "These new vaccine platforms are not unknown; scientists have been working with these mRNA (messenger RNA) technology for nearly two decades," said Sandra Fryhofer, MD, an Atlanta general internist who serves as AMA's liaison to the Centers for Disease Control; and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and a member of ACIP's COVID-19 Vaccine Work Group. Dr. Fryhofer also explained that "mRNA vaccines - also known as messenger RNA vaccines are now being approved for the first time; they have been a topic of study by researchers for decades. The difference between mRNA vaccines and more traditional ones comes down to what is contained in the vaccine. mRNA vaccines do not contain live virus, so, they cannot cause an infection and they cannot give someone COVID because mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with our own DNA in any way, The messenger ENA never enters the nucleus of the cell and it doesn't hang around... the body breaks it down within hours." Apparently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the first mRNA vaccine that received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. On the other hand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also granted EUA to the SARs -CoV-2

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, AMA’s liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Filipino and Vietnamese Americans in hardest hit by COVID-19

By SUNITA SOHRABJI EMS Contributing Editor

F

ilipino and Vietnamese Americans in California are some of the hardest hit populations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Steve Kang, director of external communications at the Koreatown Youth and Community Center, at a Jan. 21 briefing organized by the California Department of Public Health and the Sierra Health Foundation.

Kang referred to data recently released

by Santa Clara County Health Officer Sara Cody. Vietnamese Americans make up just 19 percent of the Asian American population in Santa Clara County, yet account for 28 percent of all coronavirus infections in the county.

Similarly, Filipino Americans are 13 percent of the Santa Clara County Asian American population, yet they account for 21 percent of COVID cases in the county.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in the county also have disproportionately high rates of infection.

Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health, said the state is looking closely at why some subsections of the AAPI population are at higher risk for COVID infections.

A lot of the state’s health workers are Filipino Americans, she noted, while the garment industry in the state employs a lot of Vietnamese Americans who may be working in settings that do not allow for social distancing.

A study published last December in the Journal of General Internal Medicine noted that 57 percent of Vietnamese-Americans live under the poverty level, which is a risk factor for overall mortality.

The researchers — Daniel Wang, Gilbert Gee, Ehete Bahiru, Eric Yang, and Jeffrey Hsu, of the UCLA School of Medicine — noted that Vietnamese Americans, Koreans, Chinese Americans, and Pacific Islanders are more likely to be uninsured.

Filipino Americans make up one-fifth of the health care work force in California, noted the researchers, who advocated for dis-aggregating data related to COVID in the Asian American community.

At the briefing, Dr. Pan noted that California is continuing to experience a surge in infection an death rates from COVID, putting a severe strain on health care resources.

Vaccines, said Dr. Pan, are “absolutely the light at the end of our tunnel the end of this pandemic.”

CONTNUED ON PAGE 16

vaccine developed by Moderna.

Further, Dr. Fryhofer said, "both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have done a good job in trying to mirror their study to represent the real world. Everything just happened a lot quicker than we're used to, which is good; so now, the next thing we've 'got to do do is elevate our job and take advantage of this gift that was given to us."

As the country navigates COVID -19 distribution, Dr. Fryhofer , who is a member of the AMA Board of Trustees, took time to discuss how to respond to patients about the types of vaccinations offered to them. She stressed that "physicians should SHARE which COVID -19 vaccine they received and that when they discuss it, there should be a disclaimer that said "I would have gotten whichever one was offered, and that I was able to get a dose of whichever vaccine I got,

“TOm LaBONGe SUmmIT”... fROm PaGe 1 of life have shared warm wishes, memories, and tributes to Councilmember LaBonge, a reminder of how many people he touched, inspired, and moved over the course of his career. Any L.A. residents, friends, and admirers who wish to add their condolences and stories are encouraged to do so here.

Given the spread of COVID-19, the LaBonge family will hold a private memorial in the days ahead; as soon as it is safe to do so, a larger, public gathering will be organized. Until that is possible,

because I didn't care which one it was; I just wanted to get a dose of a vaccine and I will also make sure that I get my second dose in the series eventually."

Dr. Fryhofer also recommends that all physicians should tell their patients that they should take the one they can get and added the following message: "you have to decide if you wish to be vaccinated; Our recommendation to you is to go for it; take the one you can get, because the sooner you get that second dose, the better you are because you have to have BOTH doses in the series to get that 9495% protection."

Finally, Dr, Fryhofer suggested that patients should have an open communication with their physicians, because some of them might experience side effects after they receive their first dose, "both vaccines will have some side effects on most people, such as: sore arms, feeling tired, or muscle aches, but those side effects are of course much better to deal with than having COVID -19. Also, she added that usually, the second dose has more side effects, but they usually last from one to four days."

Luckily, this writer's son, who's a frontliner had both of his Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines done already. His recommendation was to take Acetaminophen before the vaccination. Another doctor friend said he was given Moderna and took over-the counter Zyrtec pills, before being vaccinated and he was fine; and a girlfriend also took Benadryl before she was vaccinated with Moderna.

To date, this writer's physician predicts that the Batch of COVID -19 vaccines for her office will not be available for us until next month. Surely, whatever it will be, I will definitely be in line for it. Hopefully, we will ALL receive the vaccines eventually, to enable us to LIVE longer, HEALTHY lives until this pandemic is eradicated. Wishing you all to BE SAFE and STAY HEALTHY!

anyone wishing to make a contribution in LaBonge’s honor is asked to support The Tom LaBonge Memorial Fund for Griffith Park.

As many knew, LaBonge walked through Griffith Park daily, exploring every view, pathway, and vista, and he gave his soul to this city. To keep his memory alive, the family has urged residents and community members to do what Tom always urged them to do — in his words, “let’s continue to enjoy and love Los Angeles!”

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Dealing With Debt During The Pandemic Requires A Financial Plan: What’s Yours?

WHEN the virus makes your income disappear overnight, it can be very frightening to realize that you can’t go very long without it because your bills don’t stop just because your income did.

No one ever wants to file bankruptcy. But if you are one of the millions laid off and don’t even know whether you have a job to go back to or not, it might make sense, especially if you are overwhelmed with debt. If bankruptcy is appropriate for your situation, it can give you a sense of control during these uncertain times and help you get back on your feet quickly when things go back to normal.

While the government is doing its best to provide safety nets during this crisis, you are still left to figure out on your own how to survive financially. Your stimulus check may be enough to keep you afloat for a month or two, but once that’s gone, you’re back in the same situation. For small businesses hoping to get a loan from the SBA, the money quickly ran out in a couple of weeks last time and although this can help keep you afloat for several months, most businesses will still struggle unless revenues go back up to allow a reasonable profit.

If you have stopped paying your mortgage due to your lender agreeing to a temporary forbearance, you

should realize that this relief is temporary, and that the money will still need to be paid back whether in payments or a lump sum. No such thing as a free lunch. Same thing applies to suspended rent payments due to the government issuing a moratorium on evictions for the time being. Once the stay- at- home order is lifted and the moratorium expires, you should assume that the missed rent will be due and unless you can work something out with your landlord, you can be evicted.

The best thing you can do right now is to develop a financial strategy instead of doing nothing. Some people who call my office tell me that they are not even calling their mortgage company or the lender on their vehicle because they don’t know what to say. This is the wrong approach. It is always best to maintain communication with creditors who have quicker legal remedies than others. Your mortgage company can foreclose on your home. The lender on your car can repossess. It is important to let them know how the virus has affected your finances and see what type of assistance they can provide even if temporary.

Remember that food and health should be at the top of your priority list. If you are fortunate enough to

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have a bit of savings, make sure that you only spend this on essentials for daily survival. It would not make sense to waste this money paying a bill that you could wipe out in bankruptcy if you have to file later.

Don’t assume that just because you’re now unemployed or that the fact that your hours have been cut that you will automatically qualify for bankruptcy. The court still looks at your income for the last 6 months and if you’re likely to go back to work soon making the same amount of money, it will be tough trying to convince the court that you have no ability to pay.

But if you are uncertain as to when and if you’d even be able to go back to work, you may have a good argument to file bankruptcy now while the timing is right. Every situation is different and must be analyzed by an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

Obviously, if now is the right time to file bankruptcy, the sooner you do it, the sooner you can rebuild your

credit and get back on your feet. If you’ve hit the bottom or about to, you may be feeling a lot of stress right now like everyone. My suggestion is to take things day by day, remember that there is only so much that you can do and to be pro-active in developing a financial strategy instead of just waiting for things to happen.

Call my office and together, we can figure out what the best strategy is for your situation. NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations

BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems.

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

Cancellation of PMI now that your value has gone higher

FIRST you must contact your mortgage lender to request cancellation or inquire how much longer mortgage insurance will remain on your loan.

Most of you probably don’t realize that your PMI could stay with your between 2-5 yrs. Surprisingly your mortgage lender may also not know this fact.

When can I cancel MI? When the balance on your mortgage reaches 78-80% of the home's original value or current appraised value, you may request cancellation of your MI. You must have a good payment history with respect to the mortgage, mortgage payments must be current and there can be no other loans against the home. Some lenders also require verification that the property did not decrease in value.

Will it get cancelled automatically? When the mortgage balance reaches 78% of the home's original value and payments are current, the lender is required to cancel the mortgage insurance automatically.

But, do lenders freely give up this protection towards their investment.

Mostly likely not.

What is Mortgage Insurance Mortgage insurance is a first level of protection that protects against the risk of loss on a mortgage in the event a borrower is not able to repay the loan and there is not sufficient equity in the home. Mortgage insurance has helped millions become homeowners by enhancing their ability to borrow in an affordable way by reducing the risk of their loans.

There are two types of mortgage insurers: government agencies and private insurers. The main government mortgage insurer is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA also insures lenders from losses when borrowers default, but the taxpayers bear substantially all the financial risks when those loans are not repaid.

Tax Deductibility of MI. The ability of borrowers to deduct MI premiums from federal income taxes expired at the end of 2013. This critical provision should be restored because MI premiums are the economic equivalent of mortgage interest payments, and so should remain deductible.

Here are some of the MI companies with their contact info and guidelines: Genworth Financial – 800-444-5664 - MI removal per Genworth Rep is that typically you have to maintain MI pmt for 2 yrs and the loan to value has to be 78% or less. But its at the discretion of your servicer.

MGIC -1.800.424.6442 See MGIC guidelines below: Borrower-requested cancellation under HPA Borrowers must provide a written request for MI cancellation to the lender, who cancels the MI policy: • On the date the mortgage loan balance is first scheduled to reach 80% of original value, based solely on the initial amortization schedule2, regardless of the outstanding balance of the loan OR • On the date the mortgage loan balance actually reaches 80% of the original value MI coverage can be cancelled only if: • The borrowers have a good payment history AND • The borrowers satisfy any lender’s requirements that the property value has not declined and that no subordinate liens exist CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN’S IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL PRESIDENT Biden announced the highlights of a plan to reform the U.S. immigration system. The anticipated bill is expected to feature a path to permanent residence and citizenship for qualifying undocumented foreign nationals and those holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and H-2A status, mechanisms to clear extensive green card backlogs in the employment-based and family-based programs, a streamlined process for graduates of U.S. university with advanced STEM degrees to obtain permanent residence, and an increase in Diversity Lottery Visas, among other provisions.

A clear pathway to permanent residence and US citizenship The Biden legislation is expected to provide a path for foreign nationals currently holding DACA, TPS or H-2A status to immediately apply for permanent residence if they were physically present in the United States on or before January 1, 2021. After receiving their green cards, qualifying foreign nationals could apply for citizenship after three years, provided that they meet security and background checks and demonstrate knowledge of English and U.S. civics.

Undocumented foreign nationals who were physically present in the United States on or before January 1, 2021 would be able to immediately apply for temporary legal status.

After five years in temporary status, they would become eligible to apply for permanent residence if they have passed certain security and criminal checks and paid U.S. taxes. These foreign nationals could then apply for citizenship after three additional years, provided that they pass additional background checks and demonstrate knowledge of English and U.S. civics. Special provisions are also included for certain individuals who were removed during the Trump Administration, but were physically present for at least three years prior to their removal.

Family-based immigration reforms Family-based immigrant visa backlogs would be cleared through the recapture of unused visas from prior years and the increase in per-country visa caps. A process would be put in place that would allow foreign nationals with approved family-sponsored petitions to join family members in the United States while their green card applications are pending. Immigration laws would be revised to explicitly allow LGBTQ+ petitioners to sponsor family members.

Employment-based immigration reforms The bill is expected to include provisions to clear employment-based immigrant visa backlogs, recapture unused visas, reduce lengthy permanent residence wait times and eliminate per-country immigrant visa caps. It is anticipated that these goals would be achieved in part by exempting spouses and children of green-card holders from the annual green card quota as well as Ph.D. graduates working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The bill includes the codification of H-4 employment authorization for spouses of H-1B workers.

The bill would also create a pilot program that would stimulate regional economic development, give DHS the authority to adjust green cards based on macroeconomic conditions, and incentivize higher wages for nonimmigrant, high-skilled visas.

MORTGAGE UPDATE… FROM PAGE 6 Lender-required cancellation under HPA The lender must automatically cancel the MI policy: • On the date the mortgage loan balance is first scheduled to reach 78% of original value, based solely on the initial amortization schedule, regardless of the outstanding loan balance AND • If the borrowers are current on the payments required by the terms of the mortgage Different cancellation requirements apply to loans designated at origination as “high risk.”

Essent Guaranty - Toll-free: 877.673.8190 their guidelines to remove MI: See Below There are two types of mortgage insurance cancellation available to borrowers: 1. Automatic Cancellation: Borrower-paid mortgage insurance is automatically cancelled by the mortgage servicer when the loan amount is reduced to 78 percent of the original property value (or when the loan reaches its half-life, ex. 15 years on a 30-year mortgage).

2. Voluntary Cancellation: Borrowers can request that mortgage insurance be cancelled when they believe that their current loan amount is 80 percent or less of their current property value. An appraisal will be required to validate the value of the property.

National MI - Main: 855.530.NMIC (6642) Per Rep send request to : Servicing@ nationalmi.com.

From what I understand from talking to several MI companies and thru their websites, seems real easy to get your PMI removed once you have built equity on your property? But you have to deal with your servicer who is really benefitting from the MI coverage, will they will so willing to remove your extra MI payment voluntarily? Probably not, so do your own homework and research your value and see if you have some more savings from getting rid of your MI every month.

There is always the option of refinancing with the current rates, you just have to check if your rates are higher to benefit both lowering of your mortgage interest rate and removing that extra $100.00-300.00 MI payment you are paying that is no longer tax deductible.

Thanks for all your inquiries, this is definitely something most of you MI paying homeowners have to realize.

Call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net.

The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor would be required to make recommendations for improving the employment eligibility verification process and providing protections to foreign workers affected by labor violations.

Other provisions in the Bill includes an increase in the annual number of green cards available under the Diversity Lottery Visa Program from 55,000 to 80,000.

The three- and ten-year bars for individuals who have been unlawfully present in the United States would be eliminated. This would eliminate the need to request for provisional waiver of the unlawful presence specially for those who were not inspected when they entered the US or those who entered as a crew member.

The president would be barred from discriminating based on religion in issuing immigration bans. Immigration enforcement would be enhanced through smart technologies.

Funding would be allocated for an inter-agency plan that would address the underlying causes of migration in the Central American region, including an increase in assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, conditioned on their ability to reduce the corruption, violence and

poverty that causes their citizens to flee. Humanitarian program reforms would be implemented, including an elimination of the one-year deadline for filing an asylum claim and an increase in the U visa cap from 10,000 to 30,000.

Many of these provisions may change as the bill works its way through congress. However with the Democrats in control of Congress, the future of immigration in the US looks brighter under the new Biden administration.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration.

He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Visit us at kenreyeslaw.com

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CAREGIVERS: What are you waiting for?

A Letter from Caregiver Attorney Daniel Chaleff I RECEIVED a call the other day from a caregiver who has been reading my articles in Weekend Balita for over 3 years. I was so happy to receive this call. I am sure many of you reading this advertisement now have cut out and saved my articles or read them over the years and thought “I have that exact claim.” Many caregivers have valuable claims for unpaid overtime but are fearful of moving forward with a claim. Now is the time to take action and learn more about caregiver overtime law. I want to hear from you.

I want to assure you that all communications with me are confidential and all consultations are free. I understand many caregivers work long hours with little free time. I am available for free consultations early in the morning before your patient awakens or late at night after your patient is asleep. I also work weekends if you have a 24/5, Monday to Friday job. I do not pressure caregivers to make a claim. If I simply educate you about the law and give you some free advice that would make me very happy.

Even if you are not ready to make a claim now, you should reach out and speak with me about your claim. I can provide valuable advice about your situation and talk with you about the best time to make a claim.

If you are a 24/7 caregiver, working for a day rate (i.e. $160 to $240 per day), with no overtime, for several years, your claim may be worth several hundred thousand dollars. Many of my clients have claims that exceed $500,000. One key to a successful claim is your employer needs to be wealthy to afford to pay for a large settlement. If I am provided information about your employers, I can research public records and get a snapshot of your employer’s wealth and evaluate your potential claim. If you are interested in a detailed explanation of claim values, you can visit my website at www.caregiverovertime.com/pa/worth/ for an article that calculates a

hypothetical claim’s value.

I know many caregivers are fe a r f u l of mov i n g f or w a r d with valid claims due to their immigration status, a failure to pay taxes, or fear of the legal system. While all of these are valid concerns, in my opinion, the risks associated with these concerns are minimal versus the potentially lifechanging reward that awaits caregivers with the courage to move forward with claims. So many of my clients had recovered life changing settlements allowing them to retire to their home countries, make a down payment or build a home, help a child with education expenses, or send money to their families.

If you would like to review an article that addresses common concerns caregivers have in pursuing an overtime claim, please visit my website at www.caregiverovertime.com/pa/concerns/.

I understand that the decision to move forward with an overtime claim can be difficult. Many caregivers I speak with are simply not ready to move forward at this time. That is okay. Even if our call does not result in your making a claim, I can provide valuable insight into your rights, educate you on the evidence needed to pursue your claim, and help you understand the powerful laws that can protect you from wage theft.

I want to hear from you now. Please call me at (818) 807-4168, this is my personal cell phone. I have a passion for helping caregivers and provide confidential and free consultations.

Sincerely,

DANIEL CHALEFF

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson. Our office is located at 5855 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 400, Woodland Hills, California. We accept cases throughout all of Northern and Southern California. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. Please visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com/ to learn more about caregiver overtime law.

We also offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

Top US diplomat reaffirms pledge to defend Philippines vs. aggression MANILA (Mabuhay) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reaffirmed the Biden administration's commitment to defend the Philippines against any armed attack in the South China Sea amid Beijing's new law authorizing its coast guard to shoot foreign vessels in the disputed waters it claims nearly in its entirety.

Blinken made this pledge in a call to Philippine counterpart Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin on Thursday, a day after he was sworn in as America's top diplomat.

Secretary Blinken and Secretary Locsin reaffirmed that a strong US-Philippine Alliance is vital to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of the Mutual Defense Treaty for the security of both nations, and its clear application to armed attacks against the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, according to a statement released by the US State Department.

It's the first indication of the new Biden presidency's policy on the South China Sea disputes and how it would continue to support its regional allies like the Philippines amid the escalating tension in the disputed waters.

The Philippines and the US have a 70-year-old defense accord, called the Mutual Defense Treaty, that binds America to defend its Asian ally from aggression.

Blinken, the State Department said, also underscored that "the US rejects China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea to the extent they exceed the maritime zones that China is permitted to claim under international law" as reflected in the 1982

US SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN

United Nations Law of the Sea Convention.

"Secretary Blinken pledged to stand with Southeast Asian claimants in the face of PRC pressure," the State Department said as both Secretaries "committed to continue building upon a relationship founded on shared strategic interests and history, democratic values, and strong people-to-people ties."

The US and China are at odds over the long-seething territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing has turned several former reefs into artificial islands with military facilities, runways and surface to air missiles battery.

Although Washington is not a party to the disputes, it has declared that it is in its national interest

to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight across the contested waters where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.

China's new law that was passed last week is expected to stoke tensions anew in the disputed waters.

The law allows the Chinese coast guard to undertake "all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea.”

Manila on Wednesday filed a diplomatic protest against China with Locsin calling the law a "verbal threat of war to any country." (MNS)

AFP looking into alleged China harassment of fishers near Pag-asa MANILA (Mabuhay) — The military is looking into allegations that Chinese vessels allegedly blocked Filipino fishermen from accessing the fishing grounds near Pag-asa Island, Western Command spokesman Colonel Stephen Penetrante said Wednesday.

According to Penetrante, the Joint Task Force West has not received a report about the harassment allegedly perpetrated

by China.

"Ang ginawa po natin so 'yung Joint Task Force West po natin ay vinerify po natin sa Pag-asa detachment po natin at wala naman pong reported incident of harassment ang ating fisherman doon sa sandbars," Penetrante told reporters.

"Up to this date po, 'yung ating Joint Task Force West ay kinoconduct pa rin po 'yung verification at thorough investigation from other sources on the facts surrounding the incident po," he added.

F i s h e r m a n L a r r y Hu g o claimed that Chinese forces

have prohibited them from goi ng to t he s a ndba r. He t hen urged t he nat iona l government to take action on this matter as their livelihood was already affected.

"Kala ko po dadaan lang ‘yong barkong ‘yon tapos biglang naghinto sa harapan namin. At saka may kasunod pa na dalawa o tatlo pang barko. Parang binabawalan siguro kaming pumunta sa mga sand bar na ‘yon,” Hugo had said.

Penetrante encouraged fishermen to report to authorities if they experience any form of harassment by Beijing. He also advised them to continue their fishing rights in the area.

"Ineencourage po natin ang local fishermen to execise their livelihood. 'Yun naman po ang nais ng ating gobyerno sapagkat sa gitna po ng pandemya,

mahirap ang kanilang buhay," Penetrante said.

"If they experience incidents of harassment, they must report it po sa ating LGUs sa area at saka sa security units," he added.

The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have not issued a statement yet on the incident.

Last week, the Asian Superpower passed a law that explicitly allowed the Chinese Coast Guard to open fire on foreign vessels.

The law was passed amid continued tensions over territorial disputes among China and several countries across Asia, including the Philippines. (MNS)

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Lacson files resolution on Senate, House voting separately in Con-ass MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed a resolution seeking to direct the Senate to exercise its constituent powers to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution, and clarifies that a separate vot-

ing must take place in the two houses of Congress.

This came after the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments resumed its deliberations on revising some restrictive economic provisions

ADB: Metro Manila daily medical waste up by 280 tons due to pandemic MANILA (Mabuhay) — Medical waste in Metro Manila increased by 280 tons per day due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations showed Wednesday.

Each person in a health care facility produces about 3.5 kilograms of health care waste due to COVID-19 per day. “[Disposable face masks] ang madalas nating makita dahil wala pong malinaw na tapunan ang ating mga kababyan,” Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.

Due to this, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the production of yellow trash bins for household healthcare waste.

One hundred yellow trash bins have been distributed in Manila while thousands more are set to be distributed in other local government units in the following months.

“We are calling all the LGUs, including the barangay leaders, to plesae come up with the yellow bin. ‘Yung kulay dilaw na basurahan basta’t nakamamatay na basura, itapon sa dilaw na basurahan,” Antiporda said.

“So we are calling their attention na maglagay lang kayo ng isa kada isang barangay,” he added.

The trash bins must be labeled properly and separated from normal trash bins. The infectious waste must also be brought to a place far from patients and public areas. (MNS)

Drilon: Liberalizing economic provisions in Constitution possible without Cha-cha MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sen. Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said it is possible to liberalize the economy from restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution without amending it, as some lawmakers pushed for charter change due to mounting economic and health concerns because of the pandemic.

During the Senate committee hearing on charter change, Drilon said there are 3 bills still pending in the Senate which could improve “in the great deal” investments made in the country. He did not, however, discuss in detail what those measures were.

“Yes there are strong arguments in favor of liberalizing our economy but

SEN. FRANKLIN DRILON

it can be achieved without touching, in the meantime, the Constitution,” the senator said.

Short-term investments in the country, he said, have also been successful amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“The phrase ‘unless otherwise provided by law’ which appears to be the most convenient tool, will not bring the desired liberalization if we are talking about that because Congress still has to enact those laws,” he explained.

“I’m at a view that amending the Constitution by adding the phrase… is not a golden bullet which will bring everything in,” he added.

The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) had earlier said that adding the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in those restrictive provisions would give Congress the flexibility and leeway to conform with present economic and technological conditions.

Lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives have argued that amending such economic provisions in the Constitution will help the country battered by the pandemic.

Rosario Manasan, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said liberalizing restrictive foreign direct investment (FDI) was not urgent and could be politicized, noting that there are other ways to uplift the country’s economy despite the pandemic. (MNS)

in the Charter.

Senate Resolution No. 623, filed on January 25, states that the Senate may propose amendments to the Constitution and, upon garnering threefourths vote among its members, approve the same.

"My resolution when adopted will clarify unequivocally that voting to revise or amend certain provisions of the 1987 constitution will be done separately via 3/4 votes of the respective members of the Senate and HOR each voting in plenary," Lacson said.

He added that the same threefourths vote of each of the two houses shall be required when they convene as a Constituent Assembly to reconcile their disagreeing proposals to amend the Constitution.

Lacson noted that the confusion as to how the Charter amendments should be deliberated has caused "bitter political bickering" between and among leaders of the House and the Senate.

"The difference between my proposal in the resolution and what the House is attempting to do based on their announcements to media is that they will do it on their own without the participation of the Senate, or at the very least make the senators irrelevant in getting the 3/4 votes required under the Constitution," he added.

Earlier this month, as the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments resumed its hearing on the so-called economic Cha-cha, its panel chairperson Alfredo Garbin Jr. claimed that the congressmen were already sitting as a Constituent As-

sembly.

Garbin said the required threefourths vote for the Con-Ass would only be applied when the measure is already being voted on third reading, and not in the voting in the committee.

After drawing criticism from Senate leaders, Garbin later took back his pronouncement describing his panel's deliberations as an exercise of a constituent power rather than a Con-Ass. Meanwhile, during Wednesday's hearing, some framers of the 1987 Constitution said both houses must convene in a joint session but vote separately in a mending the Charter.

(MNS)

SENATOR PANFILO LACSON

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DISNEY’S

“RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON”

T

ODAY, Walt Disney Animation Studios launched a thrilling new trailer for the fantasy-adventure “Raya and the Last Dragon.” The trailer and new images, along with a stunning, brandnew poster, are available now to share with your readers.

“Raya and the Last Dragon” features an outstanding voice cast, including Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of the intrepid warrior Raya; Awkwafina as the legendary dragon, Sisu; Gemma Chan as Raya’s nemesis, Namaari; Daniel Dae Kim as Raya’s visionary father, Benja; Sandra Oh as Namaari’s powerful mother, Virana; Benedict Wong as Tong, a formidable giant; Izaac Wang as Boun, a 10-year-old entrepreneur; Thalia Tran as the mischievous toddler Little Noi; Alan Tudyk as Tuk Tuk, Raya’s best friend and trusty steed; Lucille Soong as Dang Hu, the leader of the land of Talon; Patti Harrison as the chief of the Tail land; and Ross Butler as chief of the Spine land.

“Raya and the Last Dragon” takes us on an exciting, epic journey to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.

Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada are directing, with Paul Briggs and John Ripa co-directing.

Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho are the producers, and Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim are the writers on the project.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon’' will be available on Disney+ with Premier Access in most Disney+ markets, at the same time as it is released in theaters on March 5, 2021. Premier Access for the title will be priced at $29.99.

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Galvez refutes report saying poor countries won't have much COVID-19 vaccines until 2023 Charged PhilHealth execs' fate up to Ombudsman — DOJ MANILA (Mabuhay) — The fate of the officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) who were charged over anomalies in the state insurer is now up to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday.

"The task force (against corruption) has already filed the complaints pertaining to the IRM (Interim Reimbursement Mechanism) with the Office of the Ombudsman. So we'll leave it to the OMB to determine the effect of such liquidation on any administrative or criminal liability of the respondent Philhealth officials," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a message to reporters said.

This came after PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dante Gierran on Tuesday said up to 92 percent of the PHP15 billion worth of the agency's funds initially believed to have been lost to fraud has been liquidated.

Last year, former PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer Thorsson Keith claimed that the funds went missing due to the IRM and overpriced equipment purchases which are among the fraudulent schemes of members of the state firm's executive committee.

Earlier this month, the Task Force PhilHealth officially endorsed to the OMB the report of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on its investigation on alleged fraudulent membership enrolment activities and benefit claims made at the PhilHealth Regional Office 1 (Northern Luzon).

Criminal and administrative complaints were recommended against 25 incumbent and former officials of the state health insurance firm, most of whom are from the regional office.

The charges include falsification of public documents under Article 171 in relation to Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the RPC, usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the RPC; violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; violations of the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act 9241 and Republic Act 10606; and administrative liabilities for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, DOJ Assistant Secretary Neal Vincent Bainto said.

The charges stemmed from a fake account created at the PhilHealth Regional Office 1 under the name “Pamela Del Rosario” which had retroactive contributions applied and ante-dated.

It was found out that 27 fraudulent claims were then made under the account.

The report also recommended charging PhilHealth officials and employees tasked to investigate such an alleged fraudulent scheme and their consequent failure to prosecute those involved in the incident. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday refuted a report saying developing countries will not have widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines before 2023.

During an inspection on the vaccination plan of Taguig City, Galvez pointed out that in most of the Philippine government’s negotiations, the terms say the vaccine supplies are set to be delivered in 2021.

“Sa ating negotiation, wala tayong 2023 negotiation. Ang negotiation natin is 2021. Ang pinaka-late na delivery is Q1 of 2022,” Galvez said.

“Sa tingin ko , mali 'yung basis ng the Economist (Group),” he added.

A study of the Economist Group showed that the COVID-19 vaccination programs in China and India will stretch until late 2022 due to the sheer size of population, according to a report by Reuters.

More than 85 poor countries will not have widespread access to vaccines before 2023, it added.

According to the report, most African countries are unlikely to get widespread vaccination coverage until early 2023, while many Asian countries will have broad access to vaccines by late 2022.

"Most developing countries will not have widespread ac-

cess to the shots before 2023 at the earliest," the Economist Group’s research division Economist Intelligence Unit director Agathe Demarais said in the study.

"S om e o f t h e s e c ou ntries-particularly poorer ones with a young demographic profile-may well lose the motivation to distribute vaccines, especially if the disease has spread widely or if the associated costs prove too high,” Demarais added.

While acknowledging the possibility of supply problems, Galvez said he believes that the production of other vaccines will increase once their manufacturers obtain emergency use authorizations (EUA).

“Once na nagkaroon nap o ng EUA ‘yung lahat ng mga vaccine—like for example Johnson and Johnson, ‘yung Novavax, and other second generation vaccine—tataas na po ‘yung kanilang production,” he said.

More than 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be delivered in the Philippines that will be used to start the vaccination rollout in February, according to Galvez.

These vaccine products are from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Sinovac.

According to Galvez, the negotiation with at least seven vaccine manufacturers is still ongoing, but the government

PNP medico legal report rules out homicide in Christine Dacera death

Flight attendant Christine Dacera's death is due to 'ruptured aortic aneurysm' according to the PNP medico-legal report.

Around 50k to 60k OFWs vaccinated against COVID-19 so far — Bello

LABOR SECRETARY SILVESTRE BELLO III

has already signed four term sheets for the supply of COVID19 vaccines.

“We hope to seal this within this month or early February,” he said.

The Philippine government is targeting to secure around 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate some 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year.

Galvez earlier said the government signed a term sheet with the Serum Institute of India for 30 million doses of Covovax and sealed a deal with China’s Sinovac for 25 million CoronaVac vaccines.

The Philippines is also expecting supplies from AstraZeneca with 20 million doses, Gamaleya with 50 to 100 million doses, Moderna with 20 million doses, and Pfizer with 25 to 40 million doses.

The government is also negotiating with Janssen for more supplies. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Around 50,000 to 60,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already received jabs of COVID-19 vaccines, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday.

Bello said the figure came from reports of OFWs who decided against returning to the Philippines after being vaccinated in their host countries.

“Hindi na sila magpapa-repatriate dahil nabakunahan na sila. So there were about more or less 50,000 to 60,000 of our countrymen na nabakunahan na,” Bello said at the Laging Handa briefing.

There are 13,897 Filipinos who contracted COVID-19 abroad, including 945 deaths, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Hans Leo Cacdac earlier said around 80,000 OFWs might return to the Philippines in the first half of 2021 in light of the global health crisis. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Flight attendant Christine Dacera died of natural causes, according to findings of the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory.

A medico legal report from the PNP crime lab dated January 11 but submitted to a Makati prosecutor on Wednesday says Dacera died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm that was triggered by an increase in blood pressure.

"Manner of death as homicide is ruled out in Dacera's case because the aortic aneurysm is considered a medical condition. Rape and/or drug overdose will not result to the development of aneurysms," the report states.

"Even overdose and ruptured aneurysm are two different conditions and cannot be both included as cause of death of patient," it adds.

The PNP submitted the report Wednesday to the Makati prosecutor investigating its complaint for rape with homicide against Dacera's companions before her death.

Dacera died on January 1 after a New Year's Eve celebration with her friends. Her family believes she was drugged and sexually abused, but her companions claim they did not harm her.

According to the medico legal report, the "dilatation or aneurysm" in Dacera's aorta was a "chronic condition" that "started long time ago or maybe years prior to her death."

"No alcohol or recreational taken the night prior to her death will cause that kind of dilatation or defect on her aorta," the report states.

"If she did not die that fateful night, she will still die in any scenario that presents an activity that will increase her blood pressure strong enough to tear that aneurysm."

If ever drugs or alcohol would be detected in Dacera's body, the report states this will be an "incidental finding because even by their absence, rupture can occur if blood pressure shoots up from different strenuous physical activities."

"Vomiting or retching may also increase blood pressure and trigger the ruptured aneurysm," the report states.

The enlargement of Dacera's heart, according to the report, was "most probably... due to her chronic hypertension."

Mike Santiago, lawyer for some of Dacera's friends accused of rape with homicide, said the document "speaks for itself."

The Makati prosecutor's preliminary investigation, which will determine whether the case will be brought to court, will resume on February 3. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | January 30 - February 5, 2021

global NEWS BUSINESS

Magalong won't recuse self from probe on Tim Yap party

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Thursday he will not recuse from the investigation on the party organized by celebrity infuencer Tim Yap where health protocols were allegedly not observed.

Magalong and his wife attended the event -- criticized by netizens after photos of the alleged protocol violations went viral -- held at the Manor Hotel last January 17.

"Hindi naman. Bakit naman ako magi-inhibit eh nandoon naman ako, nakita ko naman sino 'yung mga nag-violate?" Magalong said.

"Alam mo kasi, kung titingnan mo 'yung picture, talagang makikita mo may violation pero you have to know what really happened behind it also," he added.

Magalong has admitted that health protocols were violated during Yap's birthday party. He said some attendees might have forgotten to wear face mask when they were invited by cultural dancers to dance.

"Habang kumakain kami, palabas na 'yung cultural dancers namin and alam mo kasi after the cultural dance, bababa 'yung mga cultural dancers, part of the tradition was to invite 'yung mga guests to dance 'yung community dance. Umiikot 'yan eh habang pinapatunog 'yung gong," he said.

"Siyempre habang kumakain ka, 'yung iba siguro nakalimutan na nilang magsuot na dahil inimbita na silang sumayaw, 'yun na 'yun, nakalimutan... umikot... di naman lahat nakalimutan mag-mask, may mga makikita ka ring naka-mask," Magalong added.

Magalong, who is also the country's "contact tracing czar," said attendees are likely to be penalized for their alleged violations of city ordinances and the joint circular of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment.

"May mga potential na tatlong violation, city ordinance, dalawang city ordinance 'yung mask, mayroon pang isa 'yung physical distancing and then the joint DTI and DOLE circular," he said.

According to Magalong, the city government already sent a notice of violation to the hotel where the party was held. At present, the personalities who attended the birthday party are still being "ascertained."

Magalong said he is expecting the response of the establishment within the day.

"Nagbigay na kami ng notice of violation sa establishment tapos ina-ascertain na lang kung sino 'yung mga taong nandoon. Ang sabi ng Manor isa-submit daw nila 'yung kanilang reply ngayong araw and at the same time, itong aming investigators din they are identifying sino 'yung mga nagviolate ng protocols natin," he said.

Yap has defended the gathering, saying the videos do not tell the whole story. He also said it should not be called a party as the event was held to promote Baguio City's tourism industry, which was hit by the pandemic.

(MNS)

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Sinas not keen on extending stints of PNP chiefs:

‘Para mapagbigyan naman ang iba’ M ANIL A (Mabuhay) — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Thursday said the short stints of the country's top cops do not affect the implementation of long-term programs of the police force.

During a Senate hearing on the series of killings in the country, Senator Richard Gordon asked if Sinas PNP CHIEF POLICE would be in favor of a bill GENERAL DEBOLD SINAS that would set a specific term of two years for the PNP chief in a bid to address the "revolving door" issue.

"Salamat po sir pero okay na po ako, sir, sa time ng pagserbisyo ko po, sir, para mapagbigyan naman po 'yung iba," Sinas, now only two months at the helm of the PNP, responded.

He will be retiring in May this year.

"What we could assure you, 'yung long-term programs namin hindi po namin pinabayaan po 'yan. Kumbaga we are already institutionalizing at kung sino man po ang maging chief PNP as long as the policies are laid out, tuloy-tuloy po 'yan," Sinas said.

Gordon said the need of the public for a more stable PNP leadership outweighs the need to accommodate the promotion of police officials.

"In other words, ang policy is pagbigyan naman natin ang ibang kaklase natin? Pero ang dapat pagbigyan 'yung madla, ang ating mga kababayan," the senator said.

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief also under the Duterte administration, tried to help Sinas explain his position.

"Siguro 'yung gustong punto na i-drive ni General Sinas is that it's not how long you serve, but it is how you serve. 'Yun ang gusto niya i-emphasize," Dela Rosa said.

Gordon replied with a joke, "I don't like to make any sexist statements here pero parang quickie, parang quickie 'yan ah."

After Dela Rosa stepped down from the PNP in 2018, the police force already had four others chiefs—generals Oscar David Albayalde, Archie Gamboa, Camilo Cascolan, and the incumbent Sinas. (MNS)

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Jaclyn Jose to daughter Andi Eigenmann: Roxanne Barcelo, husband expecting Wait 3 years for next baby first child ulti-awarded veteran actress Jaclyn Jose MANILA (Mabuhay) — Roxanne Barcelo is expecting her first child, the actress-singer announced on Thursday.

Barcelo, 36, shared the personal milestone through a YouTube vlog entry, where she is seen baking with her brother, Timmy.

“While those buns are in ROXANNE BARCELO the oven, there’s another bun in the oven. My bun is in the oven,” she quipped.

“Mga Badidap,” she told her subscribers, “I wanted to share with you all that I’m preggo!”

Barcelo revealed being a married woman in a Christmas Day post, without details of the actual wedding day, and without identifying her now-husband.

Barcelo first shared being romantically involved with a non-showbiz man in March 2020.

Referring to her husband, Barcelo recalled in her vlog, “When he said, ‘I want to start a family with you,’ I thought it was the most beautiful plan to have in my life.”

She then addressed her loyal followers, whom she thanked for “all the blessings that you have been wishing for me.”

Barcelo said she intends to “communicate with you as much as I can and to share with you as much as I can.”

“Hopefully, you will pray with me that our baby, me and my husband’s baby, will be happy, healthy, and normal. We are very excited to have this baby.” (MNS)

John Lloyd-Bea reunion movie 'set to grind in first quarter of 2021'

BEA & JOHN LLOYD MANILA (Mabuhay) — ABS-CBN’s film outfit confirmed that the much-anticipated movie reunion of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo is still pushing through and is one of the biggest projects of the network in 2021.

In a virtual conference, ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan said the project is currently under creative development, but “we are set to grind first quarter of this year.”

“Right now, tuloy pa rin ang creative development under Carmi Raymundo. This time, it’s a collaboration with John Lloyd himself and Bea. That is what’s happening. Tuloy iyan,” she said.

Back in October, Lamasan said the film reuniting the iconic tandem was supposed to have been shot in Florence, Italy and released last year.

“Unfortunately, pandemic came, kailangan kumambyo,” Lamasan said. “We tried adjusting the material dito sa Pilipinas. Unfortunately, hindi kinaya.”

The next option was to “change the concept” altogether, according to Lamasan. However, that meant delays in script development.

During the Wednesday interview, Lamasan proudly shared that while the film is still in the development stage, Cruz and Alonzo have been actively involved in the project as co-collaborators.

“The many experiences plus talagang 'yung innate intelligence naman ni Lloydie, parang ngayon umusbong ang kanyang creativity. So with everything that he’s been doing, he has truly matured as a person and as a creative person,” she said.

“It’s exciting that he, together with Bea who has gone through the same journey, collaborate in the project that they are going to do. It’s something that excites us. It’s something that excites the writer Carmi Raymundo, and the director Cathy Garcia Molina,” she added.

Expressing confidence on the project, the film executive said: “Ako hinihintay ko na lang mabasa dahil excited na excited ako sa project na iyan. Tandaan niyo, ang John Lloyd and Bea ay nagsimula sa akin sa ‘Kay Tagal Kitang Hinantay,’ their very first soap.” (MNS)

M

proudly wears her mark as a lovely grandmother to Andi Eigenmann’s three kids.

“Siyempre, tutulong din sa pag-alaga kapag kaya,” Jose said at the launch of her latest movie, Joel Lamangan’s “Anak ng Macho Dancer” in Quezon City.

Jose is actually overwhelmed by the “superwoman” power of Eigenmann, who gave birth recently to Koa, her son with fiance Philmar Alipayo, one year after the birth of their daughter Lilo.

Eigenmann’s f irst-born daughter, Ellie, with actor-host Jake Ejercito is now 9 years old.

“I am very happy for Andi, ang lakas ng loob niya,” Jose gushed. “She’s a very strong woman, wow! Lumabas na ng ospital, nakauwi na, andun na ang baby. Sabi ko lang sa kanya, dahan-dahan muna tayo ng konti. After three years na uli, pahinga muna!”

Jose laughed at observations that her daughter may have inherited her strength through all

the trials she hurdled.

“Siyempre sa akin nagmana," she said, laughing. "We have to be tough, lalo na sa panahong ito. I support her 100 per cent.

Bilib ako sa tapang n'ya on how to handle things, kung paano niya harapin at mahalin ang buhay ng masaya. Nasasaktan at nagagalit din siya pero very positive pa rin siya! Eto ang buhay niya - she’s very happy!”

Given a choice, Jose wishes to have more time with her grandchildren. But she’s currently immersed in various projects.

Aside from “Anak ng Macho Dancer,” Jose will reunite with Nora Aunor in the upcoming Adolf Alix Jr.’s “ Kontrabida.”

Up to now Aunor and Jose’s confrontation scene as wife and mistress in the Lamangan movie “The Flor Contemplacion Story” is a favorite on the internet. Their much-awaited acting showdown in “Kontrabida”

JACLYN AND DAUGHTER ANDI will also include Rosanna Roces and Bembol Roco.

Jose has high hopes also for the sexy drama thriller “Anak ng Macho Dancer,” topbilling new acting discovery Sean de Guzman.

“May controversial dialogue ako dun: ‘Guests, all the models are yours!’ Pero malalim ang movie, nakakaiyak!” said Jose of the film which will have its premiere streaming on KTX.ph on January 30. (MNS)

Kristoffer Martin admits to being a father MANILA (Mabuhay) — In a tearful admission, Kristoffer Martin revealed he is a father to a four-year-old girl.

According to the Kapuso actor, sharing this specific part of his life is definitely a big leap, as he's alway maintained a balance in his personal and professional life.

Kristoffer’s four year old daughter, Precious Christine or Prè, for short happens to be an “open secret” among his peers in showbiz.

“My friends know. ‘Daming (sic) nakakaalam. Ninong pa nga si Alden.

Ninang si Bea, si Rodjun, si Thea, marami pa, as in marami pang nakaalam.

Tapos yung iba na ['di] nakakaalam, nagtatanong kasi nga may haka-haka.

Sinasabi ko talaga,” Kristoffer said.

“Hindi naman kasi ako malabas ng personal eh. If you’re going to search dun sa mga account ko, talaga sobrang konti lang makikita mo sa personal life ko. That’s me. Alam ko kasi i-balance yung work ko sa personal life eh. Sabi ko nga, I want to give Prè yung privacy na deserve niya,” the 26-year-old actor added.

Kristoffer asserts he was never an absentee father. In fact, these past few weeks have been difficult for him, as it is the first time Prey has been away from him.

“I have Prè and I love my daughter.

I really love my daughter. I miss her every day. When I call her, I always tell her, 'daddy misses you every day. Daddy loves you so much',” said Kristoffer.

“Si Prè nasa mommy niya. Ako kasi nasa Olongapo. Nasa ano siya sa pangangalaga siya ng mommy niya ngayon.”

The Kapuso actor clarified his relationship status with the kid’s mom, saying, “Things didn’t work out."

"We talked about this and nag-usap talaga. I won’t go into details kasi hindi naman na dapat sabihin," he said.

The two decided to co-parent and set apart their breakup from how would they take care of their daughter.

“Hinding hindi ko papabayaan si

Prè. Hindi niya mararamdaman na nawalan siya ng tatay, na wala ako dun.”

Kristoffer considers this revelation as "a big chunk off his chest."

Its effect on his showbiz career, positive or otherwise, are the least of his concern for now. What’s important for him now is the fact that he was able to finally acknowledge, publicly, the biggest blessing in his life.

“Actually, I’m happy.

Itong kay Prè ha, sobrang tagal ko nang gustong ilabas. As in sobra, sabi

ko, ‘Lord, pengeng sign. Isang tao lang. Talaga may isang …ano lang. Proud ako na nagawa ko ito kasi she deserves this. She really deserves this.” (MNS)

Kristoffer and his four year old daughter, Precious Christine or Prè.

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Toni Gonzaga welcomes Mikee Morada to their family MANILA (Mabuhay) — Toni Gonzaga welcomed Mikee Morada to the Gonzaga family after he and her sister Alex Gonzaga tied the knot.

In her Instagram page, Toni shared photos of her family with Alex and Morada during her sister's actual wedding day.

“Congratulations Mikee and Cat! Seve has a new tito! Yey! Welcome to our family,” she wrote in the caption.

Alex commented on her sister’s post and said: “Love you our ring bearer!!”

In a vlog publishing on January 17, Alex and Morada revealed that they had a simple wedding ceremony at their residence in Taytay, Rizal last November.

They did not divulge their wedding to the public right away because, according to Alex, “we wanted to celebrate together as a family muna. Alam namin na may pandemic. We just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little while to celebrate.”

Saying their wedding is really for their parents, Alex said: “Kasi siyempre, 'yung nangyayari ngayon, it’s very uncertain.

Hindi natin alam kung kailan matatapos ang pandemic. Siyempre gusto namin to seal the deal na nandito kaming lahat.”

Prior to the wedding, Toni also threw a lush tropical bridal shower for her sister. Photos from the event surfaced only after the vlog reveal of the wedding came out.

Going by the the posts of floral and event designer Gideon Hermosa, Alex was elated by the surprise as she was all smiles and she gamely wore a wedding veil and a sash with the words “bride to be.”

Alex said she and Morada will have a bigger wedding this year.

She also promised to make another entry to show her followers what transpired on her wedding day, and how she and Morada have been living as husband and wife. (MNS) TONI GONZAGA

NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE, MIKEE & ALEX

Crisha Uy reacts to ex BF Joem Bascon's rekindled romance MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vlogger Crisha Uy has opened up about her former boyfriend Joem Bascon's rekindled relationship with actress Meryll Soriano.

Last New Year's Day, Soriano surprised netizens when she revealed on Instagram her relationship with Bascon and posted photos with their baby.

Uy and Bascon were in a relationship for eights years before they parted ways in 2019.

In an emotional vlog back in January 2020, Uy revealed that she can't do anything if Bascon fell out of love.

After more than a year since they called off their engagement and then separated, Uy in her new vlog uploaded on Sunday, January 18, reacted to Bascon's new relationship and baby.

"Alam ko na 'yung totoo.

Alam ko na ‘yung relationship nila their bundle of blessing long way before pa nung na-upload ‘yan,” said Uy, explaining that she and Bascon have the same set of friends who update her.

She also admitted feeling the pain and the anger of being betrayed and lied to by Bascon while she was reading the news article.

“Nagalit ako kasi bumalik ‘yung feelings ko na I was betrayed all over again. Iba pala ‘yung feeling na nakita mo versus kinuwento or chinika lang sa ’yo. Parang feeling ko kasi kailangan kong ilabas ‘yung naramdaman ko that day ‘yung

galit ko, ‘yung sakit na ‘yun, kung ano mang naramdaman ko that day. But hindi dahil mahal ko pa siya kung hindi, you know -- kasi naka-move on na ako ‘eh. Ano lang finally, finally na-confirm ko na nagsinungaling talaga siya noon. That I was lied to,” she said.

"Kasi I gave them the benefit of the doubt eh before. Pero ‘yun na nga, sampal pala sa mukha nung nakita ko ‘yun. Sampal sa mukha na tama pala ‘yung hinala ko noon. Na finally girl -- confirmed!" Uy added.

She believes they are not really meant for each other.

"We were planning to get married saka na kami mag-family. Pero 'yun nga, I thank God na hindi natuloy 'yon kasi we are not really meant to be and God is good," she said.

“Naiyak ko na ‘yan noong 2019 pa. So 2021 na, so let’s move on," she added.

In the end of her vlog, Uy shared that honesty is the best thing she learned from her past relationship.

"I hope na tulungan niyo ako to close this chapter in my life. I guess the greatest takeaway sa lahat ng ito, including the recent, ang importance ng honesty. Dapast honesty shouldn't only be sa ligawan stage, during the relationship or in love kayo sa isa't isa. Dapat honest din kayo kahit sa failure sa relationship. I mean kahit sa breakup stage, kahit masakit. Kasi if may honesty, may maiiwan na

Joem Bascon and Crisha Uy during happier times. respeto sa isa't isa," Uy said.

"Kaya ngayon ready na ako, open na ako, at ready na ako sa mga darating. I'm now wiser, clever," she added. (MNS)

Jeric Raval's daughter AJ joins 'Ang Probinsyano' MANILA (Mabuhay) — Showbiz's latest sexy star AJ Raval is joining the cast of ABS-CBN's long-running action-drama "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."

On Instagram, Dreamscape Entertainment posted a photo of AJ who will play the character of Police Captain Andrea Villar, a member of Black Ops. AJ is the daughter of action star AJ RAVAL Jeric Raval, who was also part of the hit primetime series. In January 2018, Jeric's character Gener sacrificed himself in order to save Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin).

In previous interview, AJ admitted that her father is not supportive of her her decision to take the sexy route to stardom.

AJ stars in the upcoming film, “Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar,” a comedy-drama helmed by director Darryl Yap. AJ insisted she is old enough to make her own decisions, which includes doing sexy scenes in the fi lm. “Nasa edad na rin ako.

Mayroon na po akong sariling decision,” she said.

AJ is Jeric's daughter with former sexy star Alyssa Alvarez, who made films in the '90s. (MNS)

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Anne Curtis: I will never leave ‘It’s Showtime’ MANILA (Mabuhay) — Screen superstar Anne Curtis has vowed she will never leave “It’s Showtime,” ABS-CBN’s long-running noontime variety show, which she considers family and which has seen several milestones in her personal life.

Curtis, 35, made the declaration in a tweet, responding to a follower’s question as to whether she intends to return to the program.

Curtis, one of the original mainstays of “It’s Showtime” along with Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro since its 2009 debut, is currently in Melbourne, where she gave birth in March 2020.

“As I told my Showtime family during a private conversation, I will never leave It’s Showtime,” Curtis wrote.

“Been with them since day 1 and will be them until the day comes that the show has to say goodbye.

But for now, mummy duties lang ako.”

Curtis was last seen on “It’s Showtime” in December 2019, when she started her maternity leave 6 months into her pregnancy.

Despite her time away from the limelight, Curtis nonetheless remained a vocal supporter of ABSCBN, the home network of “It’s Showtime,” at the height of the controversy surrounding its broadcast franchise and during the crisis that resulted from its denial.

Curtis, who remains visible in local showbiz through her dozens of brand endorsements and charity work, has said she intends to resume her film and TV career once her daughter Dahlia turns 1, at the earliest. (MNS)

Kris Bernal 'fangirls' over Alex Gonzaga MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Kris Bernal can't help but "fangirl" when she met fellow artist Alex Gonzaga last month.

On Instagram, Bernal revealed that she was motivated to start vlogging after watching Gonzaga's videos.

"Here’s a little trivia about me: Did you know? Ever since I started binge-watching @cathygonzaga vlogs, I became motivated to start my own YT channel. Luckily, I had a chance to meet her in person last December. Well obviously, in this picture, ang tigas ng katawan at ng mukha ko! LOL! I couldn’t even look straight at her. I was so anxious for a whole day because I really want to take a picture with her. Alam 'yan ng handler ko. I was supposed to vlog about it but my nervousness got in the way," Bernal admitted.

She also congratulated Gonzaga, who just recently revealed that she is now married to her long-time boyfriend Mikee Morada.

"I just finished watching her latest vlog about her wedding day!

God’s perfect timing is really the best!! Congrats Mrs. Morada! Hope you’ll continue to vlog and spread good vibes to other people even if you’ll start a new journey!" Bernal added.

In the comment section of her post, Gonzaga also congratulated Bernal on her engagement to chef and businessman Perry Choi.

"Next time we see each other mas mahaba na sana chikahan natin!! Congrats also on your engagement ikaw na next!" Gonzaga wrote.

In response, Bernal wrote: "Thanks for noticing me!! That’s why you’re so loved by many cause you’re grounded even with all the success thay you have. Congratulations again!!" adding the hashtags #melting and #freakingoutsilently.

(MNS)

Saturday-Friday | January 30 - February 5, 2021

Tourism

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Tourists prefer to visit open areas during pandemic: Puyat M ore tourists prefer to visit tourist spots with open spaces and those with safety and health protocols in place during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday.

“We made a survey and 77 percent want to travel even without the Covid-19 vaccine yet but they want to go in areas with open air in small groups and with known health and safety protocols,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said during a media interview.

She said Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a well-known theme park here, is an example of destinations preferred by more people.

Puyat said she has sought the permission of Las Casas owner Jerry Acuzar and Bataan Governor Albert Garcia for its inclusion in a book being prepared

by DOT. “Hindi lang open air ang hanap ng mga tao, ang gusto nila ay pwedeng puntahan by land at iikot muna within the municipality. Basta anything by land ang gusto nilang puntahan (People are not just looking for open air, they want to be able to go by land and go around within the municipality. They want to go to places they can reach by land travel),” she said.

Puyat observed that people are getting tired of staying indoors because of the community quarantine and now want to go out to see new sceneries.

“Pagod na pagod na ang mga tao sa bahay. Naghahanap na

sila ng ibang tanawin kaya we are hoping na aside from Lasa Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and Mt. Samat ay may mapuntahan pang iba (People are very tired of staying at home. They are looking for another scenery, so we are hoping that aside from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

and Mt. Samat, there are other places to go to,” she said.

Mt. Samat in Pilar town is the site of the Shrine of Valor built in remembrance of the bravery of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II. Puyat said there are a few other tourist spots that have reopened in this province but she hoped that more will resume operation.

“But of course, we have to work with Governor Albert Garcia kasi syempre mas alam niya ang cases sa Bataan (because, of course, he knows the cases in Bataan),” the DOT chief said.

“Dito sa Bataan, we will ensure that we will enforce the same health and safety protocols kasi alam ko maraming nangangamba pa. Maraming local government units ayaw pang magbukas ng resorts. Kinakabahan baka daw makapagdala pa ng Covid-19 (I know many

are still worried. Many local government units [LGUs] do not want to open resorts. They are concerned that this might bring Covid-19),” she said.

Puyat said she took a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before going to this town.

“So, 48 hours hindi pwedeng magpunta dito kung hindi negative ang test (cannot go here if the test is not negative),” she said.

The Tourism chief noted that about 4.7 million people in the industry have been affected by the pandemic.

“We want tourism back slowly but surely para makatrabaho na mga tao (so that people could work) but with the consent of the LGUs,” Puyat said.

“Dapat ay makipag-ugnayan sa LGU, sa governor, sa mayor dahil sila ang mag-i-implement.

Hindi namin pinipilit ang governor o mayor kasi alam nila ang cases sa lugar nila. Ang ginagawa lang namin ay kinakausap ang mayor kung ano ba ang kailangan nila para magbukas (There must be coordination with the LGU, governor, mayor because they are the ones that will implement. We are not forcing the governor or mayor because they know the cases in their areas. All we do is talk to the mayor about what they need to open),” she said.

She said she respected the LGUs that are strict in implementing health protocols like Garcia and Bagac Mayor Ramil del Rosario who are making sure that reopening of tourism will not cause a spread of Covid19.

Puyat said she has long planned to visit the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. “It is so beautiful!” she exclaimed.

She was welcomed by Acuzar and some provincial officials led

by Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia, president of the Bataan League of Municipalities.

The governor said via Zoom that the Provincial Tourism Office was coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to avail of a zero-interest loan that owners of tourist sites in the province could use

THE... from Page 1 why?”

Religion, and in particular, Christian fundamentalism, has proven to be a key driver of pro-Trump activism along with white nationalism and white supremacy.

So, too, is the conspiracy theory known as Q-Anon whose followers were much in evidence on Jan. 6, along with Q symbols. Some of the bestknown insurrectionists were Q followers, notably the Q-Anon “Shaman” who wore a headdress with horns, and Ashley Babbitt, an Air-Force veteran who was shot when she tried to enter the Capitol through a broken window.

“What you call the far right is a very broad umbrella, a broad tent and under there you can find groups like the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the 3 percenters,” explained Colin P. Clarke, a senior research fellow at Soufan Center who also spoke on the video conference.

“There´s a very decentralized network, a hodgepodge of everything from Q-Anon to what I would call religious zealots or Christian extremists,” Clarke said, adding that many Trump followers believe Trump represents “the second coming of Christ.”

Meili Criezis, a program

to reopen their business.

Garcia thanked Puyat for helping Bataan in its tourism programs.

He said they are strict and extra careful in reopening tourist sites in the province “to protect our citizens from the threat of Covid-19”.

“Ang ibang resorts ay hindi pa talaga nagbubukas dahil delikado pa ang sitwasyon pero ang iba naman ay (Some resorts have not really opened yet because the situation is still dangerous but others are) in the process of completing their requirements),” the governor said.

Del Rosario said they have to be strict in the implementation of safety protocols for the sake of their residents. (PNA)

GORDON... from Page 1 the Philippines and China.

At the plenary on Tuesday, he raised concern over the enactment of a new Chinese law that allows the Chinese coast guard to “take all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea.”

“When another countr y claims the oceans surrounding us, which we claim, even threatens to demolish our fishing boats or fishing boats of any country that get to that ocean or that sea, this is a serious cause for concern. This is a shot in the bow of all the claimants in the territories,” Gordon said.

(MNS)

FILIPINO... from Page 5 associate at Polarization and Extremism Research Innovation LAB (PERIL) at American University, explained that Q-Anon followers believe there will be a “Day of Reckoning,” also known as “the Storm,” when the satanic cabal of pedophiles they believe exists in government institutions will be exposed and executed.

“There was a lot of discussion that this was the moment of the storm,” said Criezis, who also spoke at the biefing. All of these groups came together on Jan. 6 to “Stop the Steal,” to “take the Capitol back,” and to defend their leader.

The fervor Q-Anon has attracted among ordinary people not affiliated with white supremacy or even fundamentalist churches has prompted writers such as Adrianne La France of The Atlantic magazine to compare it to a new homegrown American religion.

Ricardo Moreno, who shares that view, noted that certain evangelical Christian groups, including numerous Latino congregations, have already “remade their faith in Donald Trump´s image…He bent elements of Christianity to his will…and many prophecies making the rounds of these groups said that Donald Trump

would win the election.”

Moreno explained that part of the reason Trump has such a big following among Christian fundamentalists is that “no other administration, not even Bush, did as much to promote the Christian right agenda on social policy or gave hardliner evangelicals such exclusive access to the president.”

Trump´s backing of moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is a notable example, Moreno said.

“Only Donald Trump was willing to take the ill-advised foreign policy step of moving the embassy because for evangelicals the prophecy stays that once Jerusalem becomes the center of the world, we will have Armageddon and the second coming of Christ.”

Clarke took the alignment with fundamentalist beliefs one step further, pointing to similarities between “violent white supremacy and the Jihadi phenomena” promoted

by ISIS. “There are lots of similarities in the way they recruit and spread propaganda and even a strange fascination that white supremacists have with Jihadis. You wouldn´t think those two things coexist but they do,” Clarke said. “However, these

groups still hate Muslims and everyone that is nonwhite”.

The embrace of a strong-man like Trump has a logical connection with “this authoritarian nature” in the evangelical subculture, Clarke added. “If you are a pastor of a big, huge mega church, then you are the preacher, and God´s chosen.”

Members of the supremacy group Proud Boys offered an evangelical prayer before walking to the Capitol, according to the New York Times. Along with the Christian imagery, Moreno said protestors exuded a “moral superiority” for their actions which was rooted in their religious beliefs.

Those beliefs won’t die with the end of the Trump presidency. “I am worried,” said Moreno. “The whole Evangelical Latino world in the US and Latin America, which I follow closely, went crazy when Trump lost the election, and they were convinced he was going to prevail. Even now, they think President Joe Biden is the devil that will destroy Christianity.”

Moreno expressed concern that this mixture of conspiracy theories, fundamentalist Christianity, and white supremacy “will become the new religion for a lot of people.”

“But I want to remind people that there is still a small amount of vaccine coming into the state weekly and we still don’t have enough yet in the state for this entire population,” she said, noting that the state has prioritized health care workers, people living in long-term care facilities, and those over 65.

California, to date, has administered more than 1.6 million doses of the vaccine. It has roughly 3 million doses in stock.

Dr. Tan Duong noted that the vaccines are about 95 percent effective, and have relatively few side effects other than a very sore arm, fatigue, and fever.

The Center for Disease Control recently released a review of 1.8 million vaccine administrations: 21 people experienced anaphylaxis, but were treated with epenephrine and released the same day.

After vaccination, people are required to sit for an additional 30 minutes so that health care workers can observe whether they are having a reaction, which usually occurs within 14 minutes. Duong noted that signs of an allergic reaction include a rash, hives, swelling of the lips, or trouble breathing. But, he noted, the majority of people will see no side effects.

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Eachmy roomhome.

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Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

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O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

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Filipinos lost P1.4T in income due to 2020 lockdown restrictions — NEDA MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines can no longer 2020 economic data. afford any prolonged quarantine as families lost some "Going forward, we cannot afford any more prolonged P1.4 trillion in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions, the quarantines or risk aversion. We have to strike that better National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) balance and we will continue to use data both from the reported Thursday. economic and the health side to inform our decision and In a virtual briefing, Acting Socioeconomic Planning our recommendation to the President," he added.

Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the quarantine reA day earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) reported moved P801 billion of spending in 2020, equivalent to 2,245 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the highest daily P2.2 billion daily. Factoring in the impact on jobs and the increase since November 8, 2020. This brought the total multiplier effect, losses are estimated at P1.4 trillion tally to 518,407, which includes 475,542 recoveries and or P2.8 billion a day.

10,481 deaths.

Such quarantine restrictions led to an aver"This is the most difficult policy decision we have age annual income loss of P23,000 per worker, to make, but we have seen that a careful balance but the average level masks wide differences wherein we gradually open the economy, avoid proacross sectors and jobs, and some workers longed quarantines and focus rather on localized are hit harder, especially those who lost emquarantines, and implementing the minimum ployment. health standards actually can give us a better The Philippines first implemented the deal," said Chua. enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Chua is optimistic that for this year, the conMarch 2020, which has been gradually eased tinuous calibrated reopening of businesses and to the general community quarantine mass transportation, as well as the (GCQ) currently in place in Metro relaxation of age group restrictions, Manila, set to last until the end will spur economic activity movof January. ing forward along with the avail"This translates to signifiability of COVID-19 vaccines. cant income loss, significant "The year 2020 will be reemployment loss, and for the membered as the most difmost affected sectors, hunger ficult year of our lives. The and possibly higher poverty," road ahead is challenging, Chua said in a presentation but there is light at the following the release of the end of the tunnel," he ACTING NEDA SECRETARY KARL CHUA fourth-quarter and full-year said. (MNS)

ABS-CBN franchise issue 'best left to next Congress' — House franchise panel chair MANILA (Mabuhay) — The issue of the franchise renewal of broadcast firm ABS-CBN is best addressed in the next Congress, House committee on legislative franchises chair Franz Alvarez said Thursday.

Alvarez made the remark amid new moves to reopen the deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bid, and the assertion of Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor for the House plenary to take up the "unresolved" measure granting the network a provisional franchise.

"Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next

Congress," Alvarez said in a statement to reporters.

According to him, the ABS-CBN franchise issue was put to rest when 70 members of his committee voted to reject the network's franchise renewal bid in July last year.

"Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the Committee," he said.

"Unfortunately, there was none, thus the Committee decision has become final," he added.

Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto has earlier filed a fresh measure seeking to renew A BS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years after Senate President Vicente Sotto III made a similar move in the Senate.

Sa ntos-Recto's bi l l has so far been referred to the House committee on legislative franchises.

Meanwhile, Defensor on Wednesday called on the House plenary to take up measures that

Philippine agricultural output down 3.8 percent in fourth quarter MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine agricultural output fell in the fourth quarter of 2020, with farm output down 3.8 percent from the 0.1 percent dip in the same quarter a year ago.

This is due to the lower output across agricultural products namely, crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Wednesday.

Crops -- which accounted for 57.9 percent of the country's total agricultural production -- contracted 0.4 percent as rice paddy harvest declined 1.4 percent while corn production decreased 0.3 percent.

Livestock output was down 12.9 percent while poultry shrank 5.5 percent as hogs and chicken production was hit by the African swine flu.

Fisheries output also decreased 4.7

percent.

Despite posting lower volumes, the value of agricultural output at current prices was 5 percent higher at P503.8 billion.

The country's inflation rose 3.5 percent in December primarily driven by higher food prices.

The government will release the 2020 fourth quarter and full-year gross domestic product (GDP) figures on Thursday.

The country's trade and agriculture agencies earlier said they are running after retailers who are overpricing amid lower farm production.

They will also allow increased importation and will start bringing in 54,000 metric tons of pork in February to help lower prices and balance supply and demand. (MNS)

have yet to be acted upon by the chamber, including the committee report for House Bill 6732 which sought to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until October 31, 2020.

He argued that the committee report has been included in the "unfinished business" of the House for many months already, and the chamber should take this up first before going on with their business for the day.

House Bill 6732 was filed by former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and seven other lawmakers in May last year to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise while the committee on legislative franchises was deliberating on the measures that sought to renew the original franchise of the network for another 25 years.

The measure was approved in the committee level, through the Committee of the Whole, and on second reading on May 13, 2020, eight days after ABS-CBN went off air, but it was later reverted to the plenary to accommodate additional interpellation and amendments from lawmakers.

Cayetano then decided to just consider the proposals to grant a 25-year-franchise to ABS-CBN instead of giving the network a provisional one, leaving House Bill 6732 pending on the floor.

But Alvarez said that since House Bill 6732 sought to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until October 31, 2020 only, this is already "moot and academic."

Nevertheless, the House decided to take up "unfinished business" on Monday next week, to which Defensor agreed.

ABS-CBN's franchise lapsed on May 4, 2020. It went off air the following day after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order.

The NTC's action was contrary to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba’s statement before the House of Representatives in March that they would issue a provisional authority to ABSCBN to allow its continued broadcast operations "based on equity."

The House only decided to start its deliberations on bills seeking ABSCBN's franchise renewal last March 10 even though these proposals had been pending in Congress since the beginning of the 18th Congress in July 2019. (MNS)

2 PH firms, conglomerate join Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index MANILA — Two Filipino companies and a conglomerate – DMCI Holdings, Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp.

(SMPC), and SM Investments Cor p. (SMIC) – have been named among the 380 companies across 11 sectors included in the 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

The SMIC, which was counted in the index in 2020, was included in this year’s index for scoring at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the framework’s five pillars.

“We are pleased to be recognized again and likewise extend our appreciation to Bloomberg.

We believe in upholding equal opportunities for our people that promote a better workplace,” SMIC president and chief executive officer Frederic DyBuncio said in a statement Thursday.

The GEI brings transparency to gender-related practices and policies at publicly listed companies, increasing the breadth of environmental, social, governance (ESG) data available to investors.

The comprehensive, transparent GEI scoring methodology allows investors to assess company performance and compare across industry peer groups.

The reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.

The 2020 GEI included 325 compa n ies headqua r tered across 42 countries and regions.

DMCI Holdings and SMPC chairman and chief executive officer Isidro Consunji said they recognized the value and contributions of women across the DMCI group of companies.

“They occupy key positions in our Board, management, and workforce. With our companies’ inclusion in the GEI, we hope to provide more women with the opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential,” Consunji said in a separate statement.

Bloomberg chairman Peter Grauer said, “The companies included in the 2021 GEI are expanding the ESG data universe to include gender-related data that investors are demanding today. Their commitment to disclosure is making the business case for inclusion, and driving transparency in the markets.”

Through disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, the firms included in the 2021 GEI have committed to prov iding a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate, raising the bar of what should be expected from other companies within the same industry.

(PNA)

Saturday-Friday | January 30 - February 5, 2021

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Philippines grants EUA for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, its director general, Dr. Eric Domingo, announced on Thursday.

This makes AstraZeneca, a British pharmaceutical firm, the second company to secure an EUA in the Philippines after Pfizer BioNTech.

Domingo said AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, which it developed with Oxford University, has posted an efficacy rate of 70% after first dose.

“All conditions for EUA are present, and the benefit of using the vaccine outweighs potential risk,” Domingo said during the day's Laging Handa briefing.

“The interim data, taken in its entirety, showed an efficacy rate of 70% after the first dose. Tumataas ito pagkatapos bigyan ng second dose," he added.

The Philippines has already inked a supply deal for 17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca so far, a number that is good for around 8.5 million individuals since it is administered in two doses. These AstraZeneca doses, however, are expected to arrive only by June this year.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine, which it developed with Oxford University, has posted an efficacy rate of 90% after human trials ahead of the Philippine FDA evaluation.

The firm has already secured an EUA in the United Kingdom whose regulatory authority is considered Stringent Regulatory Authority (SRA) by the World Health Organization.

An Executive Order issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in November 2020 has allowed the FDA to issue an EUA on COVID-19 vaccines within 21 days since the vaccine-maker submitted its application, provided that such vaccine already secured an EUA from other regulatory bodies classified as SRA by WHO. The Philippine FDA earlier granted EUA to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after it was found to be 95% and 92% effective in a study population and among all races, respectively.

Likewise, the FDA said that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to 16 years old and above and that its side effects were found to be transient, mild to moderate and similar to common vaccine reactions.

A vaccine needs to secure an EUA from the FDA for it to be legally administered in the Philippines. An EUA, however, does not allow commercial use of the vaccine.

Other COVID-19 vaccines with pending EUA application before the FDA include that of Sinovac, Gamaleya and Bharat BioTech. (MNS)

DOH: Partygoers violating COVID protocols should be sanctioned MANILA (Mabuhay) — People who hold parties attended by a number beyond the limit set under quarantine protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic should be sanctioned, the Department of Health said Wednesday.

Hea lt h Undersecreta r y Maria Rosario Vergeire made the reminder in response to a birthday party held by celebrity Tim Yap in The Manor Hotel in Baguio City, which featured a large number of people dancing without face masks, face shield, and not observing social distancing.

“Kasama po iyan sa mga I ATF (Inter-Agenc y Task Force) protocols. Kailangan walang mass gathering. May

number of people lang dapat na naroon both in GCQ (General Community Quarantine) and [modified] MGCQ areas,” Vergeire said in Laging Handa briefing.

“Meron po tayong IATF Resolution. Kung hindi po ito nasunod, you should be sanctioned,” Vegreire added.

The video of Yap’s birthday party that went viral in social media was also captioned that all the guests were subjected to RT-PCR test for COV ID-19, which costs at least P3,800 each.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was present during the party, has since apologized and said that the guests had too much

Vergeire cites types of allergies that may prohibit one from taking COVID-19 vaccine MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Depa r t ment of Hea lt h on Wednesday explained that people with food allergies can still take COVID-19 vaccines as long as they get clearance from their doctors.

This following reports of alleged allergic reactions to vaccines like Pfizer's. Pfizer already advised authorities not to give the vaccine to those with severe allergic reactions.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that this refers to anaphylactic shock or an allergic reaction that causes difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate and a swollen throat that may block airways.

“Yun po talagang main contraindication ng bakuna ay severe allergic reaction. Ibig sabihin po, kapag kayo ay nabigyan ng bakuna in the past o kaya sa component ng bakunang ito ay maaaring magkaroon ng severe allergic reaction,” she said during a Laging Handa briefing.

Vergeire said those with allergies to polyethylene glycol, one of the components of Pfizer’s vaccine, should also avoid the vaccine.

Those with allergies to food and drugs may simply ask for an assessment or a certification from their doctor that they can receive the vaccine, she added.

Another DOH official said that allergy tests are not usually required for vaccinations, but they may release specific guidelines for each vaccine. Recipients are also asked to stay at the vaccination site for up to 1 hour later for observation.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said during a televised event in Taguig that health workers are ready for adverse events, and that ambulances and referral hospitals will be on standby.

Besides Pfizer, there have also been reports of possible allergic reactions to Moderna’s vaccine, which also uses the new RNA-based type vaccines.

fun amid the traditional community dancing that happened during dinner time, thus the lack of face mask and face shield.

In a separate statement, the DOH said that mass gatherings are still prohibited under existing quarantine guidelines, and called on local government units to follow health rules.

“We enjoin the DILG to ensure the strict enforcement of these guidelines,” the DOH said.

“The DOH will continue working with our government agencies for the proper implementation of our protocols, and we will continue to emphasize the importance of strict adherence to minimum public health standards and our quarantine and/ or isolation protocols,” it added.

Protocols under the GCQ status prohibit mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other

Both vaccines have reported high efficacy rates of around 95%, although their cold storage requirements are challenging for some countries.

The Philippines will gets its first batch of around 1 million COVID-19 vaccine shots next month, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said.

Galvez said he was negotiating with pharmaceutical firms to get 200,000 to 500,000 doses from UK's AstraZeneca for health workers, 500,000 jabs from Chinese firm Sinovac, and an unspecified number of shots from Pfizer.

The Philippine government aims to vaccinate up 70 million people against the new coronavirus this year to achieve herd immunity.

It is working to lock in 148 million doses from 7 vaccine makers, on top of 40 million shots that will come from the Covax Facility, a global initiative that aims to ensure equitable access to the vaccines, said Galvez. (MNS)

entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings.

Likewise, GCQ protocol only allows 10 people in a room at the time, provided that they wear face mask, face shield, and observe social distancing.

Under more relaxed modified GCQ, protocol provides that mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences are allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50% of the seating or venue capacity.

But Baguio City is still under a stricter GCQ status compared to MGCQ. On the other hand, the IATF had ordered LGUs to issue sanctions on violators of quarantine protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (MNS)

Vaccine will help Pinoys go back to normal, says NTF exec MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Nat iona l Ta sk Force Aga i nst Covid-19 (NTF) deputy implementer Vivencio Dizon has underscored the importance of getting vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019, saying the vaccine will help Filipinos to go back to normal ways of living.

The Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team led by NTF visited Taguig City Wednesday to discuss Covid-19 immunization program and strengthen the coordination among the national government, local government

units (LGUs), and the private sector as the country prepares to vaccinate at least half of the population this year.

Dizon said he hopes t he Covid-19 vaccination program will be rolled out in Taguig City quickly.

He cited the developments seen in Israel wherein the number of Covid-19 cases lowered since the inoculation against Covid-19 started, as well as there are fewer individuals that need to be hospitalized due to the infectious disease.

Dizon said this trend can be replicated in Taguig City and

the whole country through the Covid-19 vaccine.

“If at least 50 percent of the population gets vaccinated, we can really open our economy, our countrymen can return to their jobs, (and) our students will gradually be able to go to their schools,” he said.

He added the vaccination program, the last phase of the government’s plan to fight Covid-19, is crucial.

Dizon urged LGUs to focus their resources to ensure at least half of the population in their respective areas will be vaccinated against Covid-19. (MNS)

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