Iraq evacuation won’t be forced as tensions ease

January 9, 2020 | 7:43 pm

“THAT’S GOOD news for everyone,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said at a briefing. — *PCOO.GOV.PH*

THE Philippines will continue evacuating Filipinos from Iraq, which hosts several American military bases, even if the US and Iran seem to have pulled back from war, the presidential palace said on Thursday.

“That’s good news for everyone,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said at a briefing, referring to reports that tensions appear to be simmering down.

“Nevertheless, the move to evacuate and repatriate is still going on,” he said, even as he noted that workers won’t be forced to come home.

Mr. Panelo said Filipinos there need not come home to the Philippines and may wish to be transferred to a safer area in the region instead.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Iran “appears to be standing down” after it attacked two American bases in Iraq with more than a dozen missiles a day earlier.

The attacks were in retaliation for a US strike that killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad’s international airport on Friday.

In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Mr. Trump said there were no Americans harmed in the ballistic missile salvo aimed at two bases, according to AFP.

While he promised to immediately impose “punishing” new economic sanctions on Tehran, Mr. Trump welcomed signs the Islamic republic “appears to be standing down.”

The Foreign Affairs department in a statement clarified that Filipinos in Iraq would no longer be forced to leave the Middle Eastern country even as the highest alert level there remained.

The repatriation will push through “for those willing to return,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Martin R. Meñez said.

“Alert level 4 is mandatory, but experience has shown otherwise,” Mr. Meñez said. “Alert levels are constantly reviewed and adjusted.”

The Labor department in a separate statement said the alert level in Iran had been lifted and the one for Lebanon was lowered to 2.

The deployment ban in these two countries stay, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said.

“The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will not be processing any applications for the two countries in the meantime,” he added.

The government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier said it would send two battalions of soldiers to help evacuate more than 1,000 Filipinos from Iraq. — Charmaine A. Tadalan, Gillian M. Cortez

US Senate condemns de Lima detention, drug war killings

January 9, 2020 | 7:43 pm

THE US Senate has passed a resolution condemning the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for the wrongful detention of one of his staunchest critics, according to the US Congress website.

The chamber approved Resolution 142, sponsored by Senator Edward J. Markey, on Jan. 9 urging the Philippines to release Senator Leila M. de Lima and drop charges against Maria A. Ressa, founder of news website Rappler.

“Extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the government of the Philippines as part of a government-directed antidrug campaign present the foremost human rights challenge in the Philippines,” according to the resolution.

Drug-trafficking charges against Ms. de Lima “followed a history of criticizing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines and the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign,” it said.

The resolution also called on US President Donald J. Trump to impose sanctions against Philippine government officials behind extrajudicial killings in the drug war and people behind Ms. de Lima’s detention.

Meanwhile, US Senator Richard J. Durbin asked the Philippine government to stop threatening American travelers seeking to enter the Southeast Asian nation. He also renewed his call for Ms. de Lima’s release.

“There is an easy and honorable way forward — the Duterte regime should stop threatening the travel of Americans and so many others who travel between our nations,” he said in a privilege speech posted on the US Congress website.

Mr. Duterte last year ordered authorities to ban Mr. Durbin and Mr. Markey as well as Senator Patrick J. Leahy from the Philippines.

The US lawmakers were behind the US Senate resolution and an amendment to the US budget bill that denies US visas to Philippine government officials who supported Ms. de Lima’s detention.

“It was our little measure in that appropriation bill that led President Duterte to ban us from ever traveling to the Philippines,” Mr. Durbin said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Catholics parade Black Nazarene in celebration of Christ

January 9, 2020 | 7:41 pm

HUNDREDS of thousands of Roman Catholics in the Philippines walked barefoot on Thursday around a centuries-old black wooden statue of Jesus Christ believed to have healing powers, praying for good health and economic success in the new year.

Devotees clad in yellow and maroon thronged the life-sized statue known as the “Black Nazarene” as it was paraded through the streets of Manila aboard a rope-pulled carriage, in one of the main annual festivals in Asia’s largest Catholic nation.

“I joined the procession to wish for good fortune for my family, good health and for my future plans,” Ian Lanaria, 24, told Reuters.

Participating for the first time, Mr. Lanaria said he had decided to join after previously watching the mass ritual on television and hearing about the miracles from his friends.

People were seen jostling through the crowd of police to be near the statue as it crawled through the capital, believing that a slight touch would bless them, heal their illnesses and those of their relatives.

Thursday’s procession is expected to last for hours, and organizers expected it to draw 6 million people as the crowds swell over the day.

An early morning estimate by police put the crowd at around 400,000 people, excluding those waiting further along the procession’s six-kilometre (3.7 miles) route.

Having had his prayers answered when he was in need of money in the past, Bonny Morales, 65, was among the early worshippers.

“After making a vow to the Black Nazarene my loan immediately got approved, which is why I truly believe in its miraculous powers, especially for those who have strong faith in the Black Nazarene,” Mr. Morales said. — Reuters

Baguio council approves street parking fees on 1st reading

January 9, 2020 | 7:37 pm

THE BAGUIO City council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance to regulate the use of some roads within the central business district, including the imposition of parking fees. In a statement on its social media page, the council noted that the proposed local law is intended to help address traffic congestion in the mountain city, which are in partly due to road violations such as “disorganized parking, rampant obstruction, double parking, and lack of regulation in parking areas, among others.” Once passed, the ordinance will apply to the following areas: The whole stretch of Lower Session Road (both lanes); Leonard Wood Junction to Casa Vallejo, Kalaw Road; Junction to PFVR Gym Entry (Upper Session Road); Kalaw Street fronting the building of the Court of Appeals; corner of Session Road to the corner of General Luna (left lane of Assumption Road from Session Road), the whole stretch going to Jose Abad Santos Drive (Harrison Road), the whole stretch of Skyworld (Calderon Street), the stretch from Generika to Phoenix Café (Claudio Street), the front of Tourism (Gov. Pack Road), the front of Department of Tourism (Gov. Pack Road), from Lions Club waiting shed to Lions Club entry (Gov. Pack Road), the whole stretch of Kayang Hilltop Road (left lane from Magsaysay Avenue), and from Kiltipan Merchandize to Dian Juat Furniture (Kayang Road). Other roads may be included in the future, to be determined by the Traffic and Transportation Management Committee.

FEES
Under the ordinance, all vehicles not exceeding five meters in length are allowed to park in the identified areas subject to the following fees: P35.00 for the first two hours, and P15.00 for every succeeding hour or fraction. Motorcycles, on the other hand, will be charged P20.00 for the first two hours and P5.00 for every succeeding hour or fraction. The proposed ordinance is now up for review by the committee on public utilities, transportation and traffic legislation.

Dinagyang Festival teaser set Friday

January 9, 2020 | 7:36 pm

THE 14 groups that will compete in two events in this year’s Dinagyang Festival will give a sneak peak of their dance performances on Friday, Jan. 10, during the opening salvo of Iloilo’s biggest annual fiesta, to be held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. Jobert A. Peñaflorida, president of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., said the teaser event is also intended as a test run for the festival’s logistics, and overall organization. Eight “tribes” will be participating in the new Dinagyang360 competition on Jan. 26, wherein performances will have to be choreographed in consideration of a 360-degree audience. The traditional Dagyang sa Calle Real street dancing competition, scheduled Jan. 25, will have 6 groups from different villages. Friday’s opening event will be capped off with a fireworks display. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Ordinance proposed declaring Arroceros Park as permanent forest area

January 9, 2020 | 7:35 pm

AN ORDINANCE has been proposed declaring Arroceros Forest Park , dubbed as the last lung of Manila, as a permanent forest park. Draft Ordinance No. 7981, filed in September last year and published on Jan. 9, mandates the city government “to protect and conserve the integrity of the last environmental frontier of the city.” The 2.2-hectare land located in Arroceros Street beside the Pasig River is considered significant for “scientific, educational and recreational use.” The forest park was developed in 1993, following a memorandum of agreement signed by then mayor Alfredo S. Lim and the Winner Foundation, Inc. for the creation and enhancement of an ecological environment of the nation’s capital. Republic Act No. 5752 or the Local Autonomy Act states that each municipality or city must initiate the establishment of a permanent forest tree parks in their jurisdiction equivalent to 2% of the entire area. Arroceros Park came under threat when former mayor Joseph E. Estrada planned to build a gymnasium inside it in 2017. The plan did not push through. Another ordinance, approved in November last year, already closed for public use a land near the park for future expansion. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

To visit the tarsier sanctuary in Tupi, you got to plant trees

January 9, 2020 | 7:35 pm

THOSE WHO want to visit the tarsier sanctuary in Tupi, South Cotabato will have to sign up for the “Voluntourism” program, wherein they will have to help plant trees to get the chance to see the smallest primates in their natural habitat. In a statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 12 (DENR-12) office said walk-in visitors are no longer allowed as part of the conservation efforts. The sanctuary is located within the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL). “Tarsiers are nocturnal animals, hence they sleep during the day and are active only during the night, like owls. Hence, visitors are enjoined to avoid disturbing these animals in their natural habitat or when visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary,” said Gabriel M. Baute, the Protected Area superintendent of the 13,947-hectare MMPL. DENR-12 also noted that tarsiers are known to commit suicide when in captivity and exposed to such stressors like camera flash, human touch, and other sources of disturbance.

PROTECTION
The Voluntourism program was developed by the Tupi municipal government. Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Rolando T. Visaya said they want to attract visitors who have “high regard and motivation for the protection and conservation of biodiversity, especially the tarsiers.” The Philippine tarsier (Tarsius Syrichta) has been declared a “specially protected faunal species” of the country through Proclamation No. 1030 signed on June 23, 1997 by then President Fidel V. Ramos. — MSJ

Those who want to visit the sanctuary may contact the Tupi MENRO at (083) 226-2800 or the MMPL PASu at (083) 228-1404.

Cebu hotels lament Sinulog Festival lower occupancy due to vacation home rentals that don’t pay taxes

January 9, 2020 | 7:33 pm

HOTELS IN Cebu City usually enjoy full or almost full occupancy in the run-up to the Sinulog Grand Parade every third Sunday of January, but not this year. The Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) said members’ average occupancy rate is currently at 60%, one of the lowest in recent years. HRRAC President Carlo Suarez said they attribute this mainly to the proliferation of vacation home rentals, which he said are mostly unregulated and do not pay taxes. “Legitimate hospitality businesses follow the rules, pay taxes, and other duties, while an increasing number of rooms are floated online,” he said. Mayor Edgardo F. Labella, on the other hand, said hotels may have themselves partly to blame. “You know, there are already many condos (condominium) and (online booking site) Airbnb competing with the hotels,” said Mr. Labella. He added that some visitors opt to stay with their relatives instead of getting hotel accommodations due to high rates. “That’s why I am really advising hotel owners not to take advantage of the influx of people, make sure your rates are reasonable,” the mayor said. Mr. Suarez denied that hotels in Cebu are bloating their room rates to take advantage of the Sinulog Festival season, noting that their businesses are guided by market forces. — The Freeman

Nationwide round-up

January 9, 2020 | 7:32 pm

Gatchalian pushes for law on parking regulation

REPRESENTATIVE Weslie T. Gatchalian has renewed his call for the immediate passage of the bill seeking to protect consumers against security threats in parking spaces as well as regulate the imposition of “unreasonable and exorbitant” parking fees by various establishments, including shopping malls, schools, and hospitals. Mr. Gatchalian of Valenzuela City’s 1^st District made the call after ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Rowena Niña O. Taduran’s belongings worth around P240,000 were stolen after thieves broke into her vehicle while it was parked at a Quezon City mall last January 6. In the explanatory note of House Bill (HB) 3262, or the Parking Fees Regulation Act, Mr. Gatchalian said operators of parking facilities “undermines the trust given to them by consumers” by imposing a waiver of liability in case of loss property or damage to the customer’s vehicle. Mr. Gatchalian also noted that operators “have abused the lack of regularization in the commercial parking industry,” adding that these operators have been charging “exorbitant fees.” The proposed law aims to standardize rates. — Genshen L. Espedido

PHL bars 160 foreign sex offenders in 2019

A TOTAL of 160 foreign sex offenders were denied entry to the country in 2019, the Bureau of Immigrations (BI) said in a statement on Thursday. BI said Americans accounted for the highest number at 128, followed by 11 Britons, six Australians, four Chinese, and two New Zealanders. Also listed is a Cameroonian, a Canadian, a German, a Guatemalan, an Irish, a Korean, a Malaysian, a Russian, and a Taiwanese, the bureau said. BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton SP. Medina said the number of registered sex offenders who were not allowed in was slightly higher than the 145 barred in 2018. Mr. Medina said they were immediately returned to their port of origin. Registered sex offenders are those who were convicted of sex crimes, including rape and molesting of minors, in their country and have finished serving sentence or are currently out on parole or probation. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nation at a Glance — (01/10/20)

January 9, 2020 | 7:30 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Barangay Ginebra goes for 2-0 lead on the road

January 9, 2020 | 6:11 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel Kings seek to double up on the Meralco Bolts in their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup finals series in Game Two today on the road in Lucena City.

Happening at the Quezon Convention Center at 7 p.m., the Kings go for a 2-0 series lead after outlasting the Bolts, 91-87, in the series-opener on Tuesday.

Barangay Ginebra banked on their collective depth to buck their early struggles in the contest before going on a strong finish to draw first blood against Meralco in the finals of the season-ending PBA conference where they are meeting for the third time in the last four years.

The Bolts had control for much of Game One but just could not take it all the way as they faltered in the end.

Import Justin Brownlee led Barangay Ginebra with 38 points and 16 rebounds, with Japeth Aguilar adding 16 points and six rebounds in the win.

Mr. Aguilar also had three blocks, the last one off Meralco import Allen Durham in the dying seconds which helped preserve the victory for them.

LA Tenorio and Stanley Pringle had 14 and 10 points, respectively, while big man Greg Slaughter came off the bench for the Kings and produced eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

Mr. Durham, meanwhile, had a triple-double of 25 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists to go along with four blocks in a losing cause for the Bolts.

Chris Newsome had 24 points and eight rebounds while Raymond Almazan added 20 points and 13 boards for Meralco.

While happy to have gotten the early series lead, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is not going too high on it, underscoring the need to continue to work on their part as Meralco could only be expected to make the necessary adjustments and play better as the series progresses.

“It’s going to be a grind-out, fight-to-the-end type of a series,” Mr. Cone said at the postgame press conference following Game One at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Meralco is so disciplined in the way they play it’s hard to really get them out of their tempo and so you have to play at max tempo all the way and that’s not really a comfortable tempo with us. And it really just comes down to each possession; everything’s riding on one possession throughout the game you feel like if you blow one possession you might blow the game” he added.

For the Bolts, they lamented not being able to put away Game One in their favor and vowed to do better come the next game.

Meralco is hoping that its bench gets to do its share in support of their starters for it to put up a sustained fight throughout.

“We need to get more production from the bench. I haven’t studied the statistics yet but we really have to get production from our bench. That is something we have to fix in Game Two,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

Adding, “I still have to get my starters out to rest and when we do that we want to maintain whatever advantage that we have or even build on it if possible. So our bench really has to play better in Game Two.”

In the ongoing series the Kings are looking to secure their 12^th PBA title while the Bolts are gunning for a first-ever league championship.

Speculation rife over Brady’s future: Patriots or new team?

January 9, 2020 | 6:10 pm

NEW ENGLAND — Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady looks poised to return in 2020 — where he will play, however, has emerged as one of the NFL post-season’s biggest talking points.

While many fans of the New England Patriots may be unable to bear the thought of the quarterback wearing another team’s jersey, that reality could potentially come to pass, with the 20-season veteran heading into free agency.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins are among the numerous teams picked by experts as possible landing places for the 14-time pro bowler, after a devastating 20-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the wild card round.

The 42-year-old has faced regular speculation about his possible retirement, despite having previously expressed an interest in playing until his mid-forties.

He appeared to put to rest any lingering doubts about continuing in the sport on Wednesday, writing on Instagram, “I know I still have more to prove.”

“In both life and football, failure is inevitable,” said Brady in a lengthy post that racked up over a million likes in 10 hours. “You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again.”

But while he was effusive in his praise for his fans in New England, he didn’t clarify whether he would return to the team that famously drafted him in the sixth round two decades ago.

And speculation over his next steps has grown rampant among fans, analysts and oddsmakers.

John Murray, the executive director of Race & Sports Operations at the SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas, told Reuters he believed Brady would likely stay with the Patriots, but said the Chargers, who have struggled to cement a fan base since leaving San Diego had plenty of incentive to court him.

Westgate is not legally allowed to offer betting on Brady’s possible new team, but Murray suggested hypothetical odds of 4/1 for Brady joining the Chargers, 10/1 for the Raiders and 40/1 for the Panthers — with New England the 1/10 favorites to retain the quarterback in the 2020 season.

Around the NFL, speculation was mixed.

“It sounds like Tom Brady is saying goodbye to New England in today’s post,” tweeted analyst Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless).

“Hopefully after all cards are played [owner Robert Kraft] can get both sides to reach an agreement,” tweeted former linebacker Tedy Bruschi (@TedyBruschi), who won three Super Bowl championships alongside Brady. “Brady belongs in New England.” — Reuters