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Pacquiao declines invite from Quiboloy network

SENATOR MANNY PACQUIAO FB PAGE

BOXING champion and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao on Monday declined an invitation to a presidential forum from a media network owned by President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s spiritual adviser.

“As much as I would like to participate in every debate and public forum related to my bid for the presidency, I am compelled to decline the invitation of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which is owned by Apollo Quiboloy, who, according to the US government, has molested and abused children,” he told reporters in a Viber message.

“I cannot, in good conscience, be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams,” he added.

A federal warrant has been issued for his arrest after a California district court on Nov. 10 convicted him of the crimes.

Mr. Pacquiao also said that he has a pending cyber-libel case against the religious leader, so “it is better to decline the invitation of SMNI.”

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr., another presidential candidate at this year’s elections also chose not to attend the debate, noting that Mr. Quiboloy had endorsed Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. for president and his running mate Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“Senate President Tito Sotto and I are skipping the SMNI debates,” he tweeted. “The network’s chairman, Pastor Quiboloy, has already openly endorsed his preferred presidential and vice-presidential candidates.”

Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo also declined the SMNI invitation, citing a prior commitment.

“Leni Robredo has a proven track record of attending debates and interviews regardless of the personal histories or affiliations of its sponsors,” her spokesman Ibarra M. Gutierrez III said in a statement. But she has to meet with leaders and supporters on Panay Island on the day of the debate.

“She will be unable to attend this privately sponsored event, but will definitely be present for all the upcoming Commission on Elections-sponsored and accredited debates,” he added.

Mr. Marcos and labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman have agreed to join the debate.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos has declined an invitation to a presidential debate organized CNN Philippines, citing a conflict of schedule.

In a statement, the network said the son of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos is the lone presidential hopeful who won’t be able to make it to the debate on Feb. 27. A separate debate for vice-presidential candidates will be held a day earlier.

Ms. Carpio had also ditched the debate, CNN Philippines said. She did not say why.

Also on Monday, Mr. Pacquiao and Mr. Lacson said they were not worried about Mr. Marcos’s lead in Pulse Asia Research’s January presidential opinion poll.

“We are not worried about the polls that come out,” Mr. Pacquiao said. “I am fighting for the future of our people, especially the poor. Our support is growing every day. We have solid ground support.”

Mr. Lacson asked his supporters not to lose hope. “To our brave supporters: If you don’t see in the surveys the support that you feel on the ground, don’t get disheartened.”

“Our fight to enlighten a benighted land shall continue in ways that are determined, decent, serious and honest. We will never give up for our country’s sake,” he added.

Mr. Marcos remained the top runner, with six of 10 Filipinos likely to vote for him, Pulse Asia said at the weekend. Ms. Robredo was a distant second with 16%.

Mr. Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso got 8% each, while Mr. Lacson got 4%.

Among those with a first choice for president, 24% said they would vote for Mr. Domagoso in case their candidate withdraws from the race, Pulse Asia said.

Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio topped the poll for vice-president with 50%, followed by Senator Vicente C. Sotto III (29%), Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan (11%) and Willie Ong (5%). — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Metro kept under Alert Level 2 until end of the month

MANILA, the capital and nearby areas will remain under Alert Level 2, the presidential palace said on Monday, as the country posted its lowest daily tally this year. 

A coronavirus task force had kept the lockdown level for the capital region until Feb. 28, presidential spokesman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said in a statement on Monday.

Metro Manila, which accounts for about a third of the country’s economic output, has been under Alert Level 2 since the start of the month amid decreasing coronavirus infections.

The region’s 17 mayors recommended that it be kept under Alert Level 2 for the rest of the month, saying relaxing the lockdown could result in so-called super spreader events especially with the start of the campaign period for the May 9 elections.

Health authorities have put Metro Manila under moderate risk classification, from critical in early January.

Under Alert Level 2, more business establishments may operate at higher capacities, ranging from 50% to 70% depending on whether these are operating indoors or outdoors.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province and Guimaras in central Philippines and Zamboanga City, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental and South Cotabato in the nation’s south will remain under Alert Level 3.

All other areas will be under Alert Level 2 until Feb. 28.

The Department of Health (DoH) posted 2,730 new coronavirus infections on Monday — the lowest daily tally this year — bringing the total to 3.64 million.

The death toll reached 55,094 after 164 more patients died, while recoveries rose by 7,456 to 3.5 million, it said in a bulletin.

The agency said 10.7% of 28,620 samples on Feb. 12 tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-190, still above the 5% threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Of 76,609 active cases, 2,310 did not show symptoms, 69,574 were mild, 2,970 were moderate, 1,443 were severe and 312 were critical.

DoH said 96% of the new cases occurred on Feb. 1 to 14. The top regions with most infections in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 467, Calabarzon with 330 and Central Visayas with 283 cases. It added that 52% of new deaths occurred this month and 32% in January.

Sixty-eight duplicates were removed from the tally, 52 of which were recoveries, while 121 recoveries were relisted as deaths. Two laboratories failed to submit data on Feb. 12. The country has started accepting fully vaccinated foreign tourists.

Mr. Nograles said in a separate statement an inter-agency task force had also approved the acceptance of vaccination certificates of Malaysia and Ireland.

The Philippines is scrambling to test more people as it reopens the economy.

It had fully vaccinated 60.01 million people as of Feb. 9, while 60.67 million have received their first dose, data from the Health department showed. About 8.01 million booster shots have been injected.

DoH last week said the coronavirus was not yet endemic because infections have yet to stabilize. The government is preparing for an eventual shift to Alert Level 1, which will become the so-called new normal.

On Thursday, the government took delivery of 3.4 million doses of Pfizer, Inc.’s coronavirus vaccines donated by the United States under a global initiative for equal access.

The government’s two-day vaccination campaign on Feb. 10 to 11 would be extended until Feb. 18, DoH said. — KATA

Nomura reiterates Robredo’s ‘market-friendliness’ after local economists’ support; Ka Leody vows higher pay for teachers

NOMURA Global Research on Monday reiterated that presidential candidate Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo is more market-friendly than her main political rival after a group of local economists backed the opposition bet, citing her pandemic recovery program and good governance platform. 

“This is consistent with our view that Robredo is viewed by the private sector as the more market-friendly candidate, given her national experience and her strategy to boost the recovery from the pandemic,” Nomura Global Research said. 

More than 160 economists, including five former socioeconomic planning secretaries, recently endorsed Ms. Robredo’s candidacy, saying her solid economics and legal background will be “necessary for crafting policies to accelerate economic recovery.” 

“In addition, the economists highlighted her proven track record of hands-on leadership and good governance,” Nomura said. 

Ms. Robredo’s main rival, the late dictator’s son Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., is still leading pre-election surveys. 

Nomura said frontrunner Mr. Marcos is likely benefiting from the popularity of her running mate, presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Caprio, citing latest survey results. 

A recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia, Inc. from Jan. 19 to 24 showed that Mr. Marcos widened his lead against Ms. Robredo, with an approval rating of 60% versus the opposition bet’s 16%, up from 53% in the survey in early December. 

“Marcos, Jr. appears to be enjoying broad-based support, according to the survey results,” Nomura said. 

London-based think tank Capital Economics said in a report last week the country’s situation is “unlikely to improve” and “could easily get worse” under Mr. Marcos’s administration. “What we do know about him is far from encouraging.” 

It noted that Mr. Marcos has refused to participate in traditional pre-election debates. “We know nothing about his plans to help the economy recover from the pandemic, on fiscal policy or how to improve the business environment.” 

The group also said Mr. Marcos has a poor legislative track record.

KA LEODY
Meanwhile, labor leader and presidential candidate Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman said on Monday that he would increase teachers’ pay if he wins.

“If police officers can have their salaries doubled, why can’t we help our teachers, who shape our future leaders’ minds, and prepare those 

who will contribute to society,” Mr. de Guzman said at the Radyo Veritas Catholic E-Forum in Filipino on Monday.

Mr. De Guzman also said he plans on allocating more funds for building schools to bring teachers closer to their place of work and their communities. 

“Teachers won’t have to cross great lengths like rivers and valleys to serve our youth,” he said. 

“That’s a welcome statement and knowing that Ka Leody has consistently championed the welfare of the working people, including those in government service,” Benjo Basas, head of Teacher’s Dignity Coalition, said in a Facebook messenger chat.

“I am sure that he is sincere about this. We look forward to the same commitment from other candidates and we’ll soon challenge them to put it in writing,” he added. 

Mr. De Guzman also reiterated his labor-first platform with his plan to empower farmers and workers by addressing issues on wages and shifting away from past administrations’ focus on the success of big businesses. 

He noted that he is not anti-capitalist but is against prominent companies monopolizing industries at the expense of workers. 

“The prominent businessmen are so rich that the country’s wealth is concentrated among them, they will never run out of wealth,” he said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and John Victor D. Ordonez

Presidential candidate Isko to give fire victims financial aid from campaign funds

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

MANILA Mayor and presidential aspirant Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso visited victims of a recent fire in Cavite on Sunday where he promised to give 790 families P10,000 each from “personal funds and donations from friends and supporters.”

“Every family whose house was burnt will receive P10,000,” he was quoted as saying in Filipino in a statement released on Monday. “Don’t use it for (gambling), okay? Use it to buy roofing materials and plywood for your walls.”

Commission on Elections Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said in a press briefing earlier this year that candidates are banned from giving money or anything of value, and call it aid, locally known as ayuda, during the campaign period, which started Feb.8. 

“You can no longer give money away and say it’s for ayuda. You cannot walk around with a cash gun and make it rain,” he said.

Vote buying or selling is a prohibited act under the Omnibus Election Code. A case will have to be filed and go through the prescribed legal process.

Mass housing is one of the main programs under the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer’s governance agenda. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Lawmakers call for price freeze, stop to agri imports

A SENATOR on Monday called on the Agriculture department to stop issuing certificates for importations, especially during the local harvest season as he cited the recent drop in raw sugar prices for two straight weeks. 

“First it was rice and corn, then pork, beef, chicken, and fish. Now it’s sugar. If we don’t put a stop to this ill-timed importation program, our local sugar prices will be in freefall for the coming weeks,” Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said in a statement on Monday. 

He was referring to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Sugar Order No. 3, which aims to stabilize prices and supply deficits caused by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) by importing 200,00 metric tons of standard and premium grade sugar.

“We cannot allow this to happen. Our sugar farmers will be suffering next sugar crop year, with high production costs and lower productivity,” he said. 

He cited that in Negros Occidental, the country main sugar-producing province, mill gate prices dropped by P240 per 50-kilogram bag at Victorias Milling Company and by P136 at First Farmers, among others. 

“Now that sugar prices are up because of rising farm input costs, the DA and SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) are coming out with an importation program to stabilize prices,” said Mr. Zubiri. 

The senator said he will ask the Senate Agriculture committee to conduct an investigation on this matter. 

At the House of Representatives, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said the government should impose a price freeze on basic goods and remove consumption taxes to control the impact of surging global oil prices. 

“It’s infuriating that the Duterte regime has not taken any action to curb the rising oil prices,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino in a statement on Monday.

“When it comes to granting tax incentives to big corporations, they act quickly. But when it comes to removing the VAT (value-added tax) and excise tax that would ease the burden of ordinary citizens, the government becomes blind and deaf to it.” 

Ms. Brosas, along with representatives of Bayan Muna, ACT Teachers and Kabataan party-lists, filed House Resolution 3210 last year calling on the national government to enforce a price freeze on basic goods based on the extended state of calamity proclamation. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

South Korean, Taiwanese drug dealers nabbed

TWO FOREIGN nationals, a South Korean and a Taiwanese, both wanted in their respective countries for illegal drug trade, were arrested by Philippine immigration officers last week. 

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), in a statement dated Feb. 13, reported the arrest of a South Korean fugitive in Pasay City and a Taiwanese fugitive in Tambo in Parañaque City.

The South Korean is facing charges for trading psychotropic substances, which violates his country’s narcotics control act.

The fugitive was also accused of using social media platforms to solicit payment from buyers of these illegal drugs. 

Immigration Chief Jamie H. Morente issued a deportation warrant against the South Korean in 2019 for living as an undocumented and “undesirable alien.” 

BI records showed that the fugitive had been hiding in the Philippines since 2017. He was caught during an entrapment operation.

BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, meanwhile, reported the arrest of a Taiwanese wanted for drug trafficking.

The BI database showed that the Taiwanese national had been in the country as an overstaying alien as his visa expired more than a year ago. 

Both fugitives are detained in the BI holding facility in Taguig while awaiting deportation. They are now included in the bureau’s blacklist, which bars them from re-entering the Philippines. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

Arrest order on Lin suspended due to hospitalization, but Gordon says Pharmally probe not over

AN ARREST ORDER issued against a congressional candidate linked to a controversial company that allegedly sold overpriced medical supplies to the government was suspended for 10 days due to her hospitalization. 

“If Rose Nono Lin is indeed ill and needs to have surgery in a hospital, we are not heartless people to not allow such required procedure to be performed on her,” Senator Richard J. Gordon, Blue Ribbon committee chair, said in statement on Monday. 

Ms. Lin’s lawyers said she is currently under hospital confinement for a surgical procedure. 

The committee issued an arrest order for Ms. Lin and several other individuals for ignoring the subpoena to attend the probe on Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp., which was awarded P11 billion worth of contracts by the Budget department’s procurement service. 

Mr. Gordon said the investigation will continue as necessary until “the whole truth of the scandal is uncovered and the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

“It must also be emphasized that Rose Nono Lin is not exempt from appearing in the continuing investigation nor will her supposed illness exempt her from justice,” he added. 

The Blue Ribbon committee has released an initial report recommending the filing of charges against Pharmally executives as well as government officials, including President Rodrigo R. Duterte for alleged betrayal of public trust. It is pending approval by the Senate, which is currently on recess. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Peace adviser calls on Bangsamoro leaders to scale up role in resolving clan wars after 9 dead in Maguindanao attack

PEACE.GOV.PH

THE PRESIDENT’S peace adviser called on leaders of the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region to step up their role in addressing clan wars following an attack last week in Maguindanao where nine people were killed. 

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this senseless attack which took away nine lives. Armed violence has once again reared its ugly head and is causing fear, animosity and instability among our people,” Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said in a statement on Monday. 

Authorities said the assault arose from a rido, or hostilities between kinship groups that prompt retaliatory violence.

“We are aware that such incidents are personal in nature. But we also believe that the MILF leadership has the moral obligation to help find ways so that the parties involved in these feuds can reach a peaceful settlement,” he said, referring to the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is currently at the helm of the Bangsamoro region under transition. 

Mr. Galvez also said such feuds are rooted in “a deeper problem” — such as land disputes and economic conflicts, among other issues — that need to be addressed by local leaders, the community and government forces.

“We must be able to look beyond the personal reasons behind these armed attacks and decisively address the roots of the problem. This culture of violence has to stop or else more innocent lives will be lost,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Galvez also denounced the killing of two children in Northern Samar on Saturday when members of the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA) open fired at members of the Army who were passing through the community. 

The victims were two boys aged 12 and 13 who were gathering coconuts when the shooting incident occurred. 

Mr. Galvez said the NPA is a “spent force” whose remaining members are using violence to coerce people for support.

“The (NPA) must realize that its time has come to an end. Even the group’s supporters have turned away from it after realizing that they are just being used to promote twisted political agendas,” he said. — MSJ

Rams Kupp named Super Bowl MVP after two touchdown game

LOS ANGELES RAMS’ Cooper Kupp celebrates after winning Super Bowl LVI. — REUTERS

INGLEWOOD, CA — Cooper Kupp capped one of the National Football League’s (NFL) greatest individual seasons in style as the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Super Bowl on Sunday after catching a late, game-winning touchdown.

With his team trailing late in the game, Kupp came to the rescue in a 79-yard drive during which he converted a fourth down and caught four passes, including his second touchdown of the game with 85 seconds left in a 23-20 win.

Kupp finished the game with eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, the first which came early in the second quarter and gave the hometown Rams a 10-point lead.

“Just the perfect team, the perfect setup. I’m just so thankful for everyone that’s been around me,” Kupp, who is only the eighth wide receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP, told reporters. “It still really hasn’t hit me.”

Kupp, who was drafted 69th overall by Los Angeles in 2017, entered the playoffs fresh off one of his most dominant regular seasons, as he became the first player since 2005 to lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

The 28-year-old Kupp was just as efficient in the playoffs and found a way to come through in the Super Bowl even though an injury to Rams receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. in the first half allowed the Bengals’ secondary to double-team him.

One the Rams’ final drive, with the Bengals doing everything in their power to contain Kupp, he managed to make four catches for 39 yards and drew several penalties that helped set up the one-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford.

When presented with the MVP award on the field, Kupp deflected the praise and credited his performance to those around him. — Reuters

GAB green lights Mobile Legends Season 9 to go offline

THE Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League – Philippines (MPL-PH) Season 9 gets the green light from Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to go offline from the third week of the regular season up to the playoffs. GAB initially confirmed the approval to have the games onsite from Week 5 onward.

During the period, strict health and safety protocols will be implemented such as having swab tests and limiting the number of personnel entering in the venue. There will also be a roving safety officer to ensure everyone follows the rules. Safety and sanitation kits will be shared with all attendees and potential cases will be isolated.

The venue will be limited to players, casters, and staff for safety purposes. There will also be no audience during the games, but fans can stream the matches at the comfort of their homes through MPL-PH’s official social media platforms — Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Scottie Scheffler wins playoff at Phoenix Open for first PGA Tour win

SCOTTIE Scheffler rolled in a 26-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, AZ, and won his first title on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour after Patrick Cantlay missed his chance to extend.

Scheffler landed his tee shot on that hole in a bunker right of the fairway, but he rescued himself with a second shot that found the green and set up a straight, uphill putt.

The 25-year-old Texan was ranked 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking this week and played for the victorious American team at last fall’s Ryder Cup, beating Spanish star Jon Rahm in singles. But a PGA Tour win was missing from his resume until Sunday, when he drew the plaudits of an enthusiastic TPC Scottsdale crowd.

“Such a great place,” Scheffler said on the CBS broadcast, his wife by his side. “Such a fun week and I’m very pleased.”

Scheffler and Cantlay each shot 5-under-par 67s in their final round and finished at 16-under 268. Scheffler charged up the leaderboard with four birdies in his final six holes.

Both players missed birdie putts at the par-4 18th hole to get to 17 under, so they replayed No. 18 three times before a winner was decided.

“Patrick is obviously a phenomenal player, and I knew one of us was going to have to make a birdie,” Scheffler said. “Par wasn’t going to do it. This is a really hard tee ball for me. It’s hard for me to get it in play, so I knew if I had an opportunity I really had to take advantage of it.”

Three others fell one shot shy of the playoff. Sahith Theegala, the 54-hole leader in search of his first Tour victory, carded a final-round 70 and went 15 under for the week for a share of third. His tee shot at the short par-4 17th hole bounced left of the green into the water, leading to a costly bogey.

“I thought I hit a great shot on 17,” Theegala said. “It was cutting. As long as it’s another yard right, I think that’s perfect. Kick straight and it’s good. Kicked left into the water there.”

“But definitely proud of the way I played this week,” the PGA Tour rookie added.

Xander Schauffele (68) and Brooks Koepka (69) also tied for third at 15 under. Koepka posted a colorful back nine, with bogeys at Nos. 10 and 16 and birdies at Nos. 11, 13, 15 and 17.

Billy Horschel’s 66 moved him to 14 under for the tournament, tying Sweden’s Alex Noren (68) for sixth. Justin Thomas (66) and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (69) tied for eighth at 13 under, and Rahm was part of a tie for 10th at 12 under.

For the second straight day, the fans at the famed par-3 16th hole were treated to a hole-in-one. Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz striped a 9-iron and watched it hop and roll straight into the cup one day after Sam Ryder carded an ace there.

On both occasions, the rowdy group in the enclosed stadium-style seating celebrated by tossing adult beverages onto the hole below.

“I don’t even know what to say. It was unbelievable,” Ortiz said. “I didn’t know how to react. A lot of people cheering for you, and then you start trying to watch out for your head because I got actually nailed pretty hard on the back with a beer can on the back, and then after that I was just trying to just avoid all the cans I could.”

Ortiz shot a 67 and finished 7 under for the week, tied for 33rd. — Reuters

Aliassime crushes Tsitsipas to win maiden ATP title in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM — Three years after making his Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) main draw debut in Rotterdam, Felix Auger-Aliassime’s career came full circle when he lifted his maiden tour title with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Greek top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday.

A title win has been a long time coming for the 21-year-old Canadian who has fallen at the final hurdle eight times before. Having beaten Andrey Rublev in the semifinal in three sets, he needed only 78 minutes to defeat Tsitsipas.

“It has not been the smoothest road since my first final three years ago,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“It is an amazing day for me to get my first title and especially here. I played my first ATP main draw here a couple of years ago, so it is right I won my first title here.

“I have a lot of good memories playing here in front of you, so thank you for making it a special week for me that I will remember for the rest of my life. It is the happiest day of my career and hopefully it is the first of many to come.”

It was second time lucky for Auger-Aliassime in Rotterdam having lost the 2020 final to Gael Monfils. Auger-Aliassime fell in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open but started the season helping Canada win the ATP Cup in Sydney. — Reuters

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