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Daily COVID-19 cases in Metro may rise to 1,000

PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

DAILY coronavirus infections in Manila, the capital and nearby cities could hit as many as 1,000 by end-June, putting it under a moderate risk classification, according to a local research group.

Cases are unlikely to decline significantly anytime soon, OCTA Research Group fellow Fredegusto P. David told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.

“At that point, we can say that our cases are slightly higher,” he said. “That is possible to happen by the end of June or first week of July based on our projections.”

The new infection peak could happen in the first or second week of July, he added. The average daily attack rate in Metro Manila might increase to 1.7 from 1.6.

Metro Manila, an economic powerhouse that is home to more than 13 million people, is under the first level in a five-tier alert system, which is being updated every 15 days.

Despite increasing infections, the hospital use rate in Metro Manila remained low, Mr. David said, adding that health authorities were unlikely to raise the alert to Level 2.

Mr. David separately tweeted that the seven-day daily average in Metro Manila had risen to 225 from June 14 to 20 from 131. The one-week growth rate in the region slightly increased to 72% from 71%, he added.

Mr. David said the positivity rate in Metro Manila was 4%, while the region’s hospital  occupancy rate remained low at 22%.

“Forecasts show hospital bed occupancy will remain manageable and no escalation of alert levels at this time.”

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire on Monday noted that only the National Capital Region (NCR) had experienced a significant rise in infections.

The average daily infections in the capital region had risen to 255 from about 100, while the positivity rate increased to 4.4%, she told One News Channel.

“Here in NCR, [the increase is] already significant,” she said. “This morning, I had an interview and I only reported about 130 average daily cases in the NCR,” she told the Monday evening interview.  “When we received the reports this afternoon, when we analyzed them, we saw that the average daily cases in NCR reached 255.”

The positivity rate in the region increased to 4.4% from 2.9%, Ms. Vergeire said. This means that Metro Manila’s positivity rate is now close to the 5% benchmark set by the World Health Organization.

The Philippines posted 3,051 infections from June 13 to 19, 82% higher than a week earlier, health authorities said on Monday. Of the total, fewer than 1% or 15 were critical. 

The Health department said 385 or 14.6% of the country’s intensive care unit (ICU) beds had been used as of June 19, while 4,033 or 18.2% of non-ICU beds were occupied.

It added that 554 severe and critical coronavirus patients or 10.2% of total admissions were staying in hospitals.

President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has yet to lay down his actual plan to bail the country out of the pandemic.

He has also yet to name his Health chief, who will play key roles in the country’s pandemic response.

About 70 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus as of June 19, while 14.85 million people have received booster shots. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DFA: Philippines and Australia to boost defense ties

PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

THE PHILIPPINES and Australia are seeking to boost sea domain awareness, defense and marine science under a stronger maritime cooperation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

In a statement, DFA also said the two nations would enhance their fishery partnership and protection of the marine environment.

Philippine and Australian officials during a dialogue earlier this month in Canberra discussed strategic trends in the Indo-Pacific region.

They also gave updates on engagements with partners including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, United States and European countries during the second meeting, DFA said.

Both nations affirmed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal invalidating China’s claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea.

The Hague-based international court favored the Philippines in the sea dispute — a decision that China has ignored.

The South China Sea, a key global shipping route, is subject to overlapping territorial claims by China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Representatives from both sides included members of security, fisheries, defense and law enforcement agencies.

The Philippines will host the third maritime dialogue in Manila next year. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

People who don’t wear face masks may be arrested

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE GOVERNMENT would not hesitate to charge people, including those in Cebu province, who violate health protocols amid a coronavirus pandemic, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Violators were being monitored, including those in Cebu where the governor has made wearing face masks outdoors optional, Interior Undersecretary Martin B. Diño told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.

He said they would wait for orders from the presidential palace about how to deal with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia.

“If this is what Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia wants to do then let us just see what the law says and what the advice of Malacañang will be on this ordinance,” he added.

“Let us see what the new president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.’s  policy will be on this issue, but we will continue the current policies on wearing face masks,” he added.

DILG earlier said it would consider asking Ms. Garcia, a Marcos ally, to explain her policy of making face masks optional outdoors, which goes against the health protocols of the country’s pandemic task force.

Mr. Diño said Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año had ordered him to continue implementing minimum public health protocols in 42,046 villages nationwide.

“Up to this date, the country is still in a state of public health emergency and we should continue complying with the inter-agency task force’s guidelines in all local government units,” he added.

On Friday, Ms. Garcia told a press briefing she would stand by her order.

Mr. Año earlier said police would arrest people who violate health rules approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Ms. Garcia last week said there was no legal basis to arrest people who did not wear face masks outdoors. 

The governor said the country’s pandemic task force should respect the autonomy of local governments, adding that forcing people to wear face masks outside is unimplementable.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra earlier said guidelines and resolutions approved by Mr. Duterte should prevail.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the president exercises general supervision over local government units.

The Department of Health on Monday reported an 82% increase in coronavirus infections in the Philippines. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

182 proposed laws up for President’s signature   

PCOO.GOV.PH

SENATE PRESIDENT Vicente C. Sotto III on Tuesday said close to 200 bills approved by Congress are awaiting the signature of outgoing President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose term ends by noon of June 30.   

He told reporters in a news briefing that “pending in the Office of the President are 182 bills passed by both houses of Congress.” 

During the 18th Congress, 197 bills were signed into law, including five relating to tax reforms.   

This number does not include local bills, which may put the total of signed legislation to over 500, according to Mr. Sotto. “We’re only talking about the bills of national importance.” 

One was vetoed, the proposed SIM Card Registration Act. 

The outgoing Senate leader said among the “urgent” bills that are up for the President’s approval are:  

— Separate Facility for Heinous Crimes Inmates Act;  

— National Transportation Board;  

— Special Protection Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children; — Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act;  

— Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act;  

— Permanent Validity of Live Birth, Death and Marriage Act;  

— Act strengthening the Office of the Corporate Council; and  

— Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act. 

Other pending bills include adopted resolutions concurring with the ratification of treaties, international agreements and conventions.   

Mr. Sotto cited the ascension to the Convention on Temporary Admission, the ascension to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, and ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty.  

For the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which the Senate failed to give its concurrence to before it adjourned sine die despite repeated appeals from economic managers and business groups, Mr. Sotto said he believes it will be ratified in the next Congress.   

“With the incoming president as secretary of agriculture, we might be ready for RCEP.”  

The RCEP, which entered into force on Jan. 1, is a trade agreement involving Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  

The Philippines is one of three countries that have not ratified the RCEP, along with Indonesia and Myanmar. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

EDSA southbound Timog flyover to be closed for a month starting June 25 

MMDA

THE SOUTHBOUND lanes of the Timog flyover along EDSA will be closed for a month for repairs starting June 25, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.   

“Total closure of the bridge has to be implemented considering that the construction works have to be done without any vibration movement,” MMDA Chairman Romando S. Artes said in a statement.   

“Repairs will be done manually without heavy equipment,” said Mr. Artes.  

The full closure of the flyover will start at 6 a.m. on Saturday.   

The repairs, covering a 30-meter segment, include the reconstruction of the damaged bridge diaphragm and the construction of a new bridge deck slab of the flyover.     

Around 140,000 vehicles passing through the flyover daily will be affected by the closure, according to MMDA.   

Mr. Artes said they have been clearing alternate routes of illegally parked vehicles to ease the expected traffic congestion.  

July groundbreaking targeted for Samal-Davao bridge project  

PHOTO FROM AMBASSADOR HUANG XILIAN FACEBOOK PAGE

GROUNDBREAKING for a P19-billion China-funded bridge that will connect Samal Island to Davao City is targeted by July, according to Chinese Consul General Li Lin.  

“We are working hard in this direction. I’m expecting it to take place next month,” the Davao City-based envoy said in an interview on Tuesday.  

“I think the embassy, consulate general, and Chinese companies would come together with the Philippine partners to start our groundbreaking at an early date,” he said.   

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez recently signed a $350-million loan agreement for the bridge, which is included in the outgoing Duterte administration’s priority infrastructure projects. 

In January last year, the Department of Public Works and Highways signed a P19.32-billion contract with a Chinese firm for the design and construction of the bridge. 

The 3.86-kilometer, four-lane bridge is seen to boost Samal’s tourism sector and overall economic development.  

Samal Mayor Al David T. Uy, during his inauguration ceremony for a third term on June 16, vowed to set up environmental protection measures to address risks from an expected rapid pace of development with improved access provided by the bridge.   

“Hopefully, we will balance economic development and environmental protection, especially when we have the bridge,” he said. “We have a lot of opportunities ahead of us, but with those opportunities come challenges, especially with the upcoming bridge that would really test Samal Island.”  

Access to and from Samal has been through boats and roll-on, roll-off vessels.   

Vice President-elect Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, the outgoing mayor of Davao, said the bridge will also open economic opportunities for the city.     

“Hopefully, in the next three to four years, we’ll see that bridge will greatly benefit the Island Garden City of Samal and open Davao City as well to those interested to visit our areas because it will be very convenient for them if there is a bridge,” she said in mixed English and Filipino in an interview with the media on Monday. — Maya M. Padillo 

DILG orders barangays to implement registration for domestic workers 

CESBOARD.GOV.PH

THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday directed barangays to implement the registration of domestic workers, which is intended to provide them with access to social services and protection from exploitation.   

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said only 8% or 3,359 out of the 42,046 barangays nationwide have rolled out a registration program, with the Bicol region having the most registrations under 627 barangays.  

“We direct our barangay heads to be more proactive in instituting a registration system for our helpers as it is critical to ensure that they are accorded the full protection of the law,” Mr. Año said in a statement.   

Under the Domestic Workers Act, heads of barangays, the smallest political unit in the Philippines, are responsible for the registry of domestic workers within their jurisdiction. 

“Our barangay officials are integral in realizing the full effect of Batas Kasambahay or the Domestic Worker’s Act in the communities,” Mr. Año said.  

A survey conducted in 2019 by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that 83% of the 1.4 million domestic workers in the country are not covered by social security benefits.  

This despite the Philippines being the only country in Asia and the Pacific that ratified the Domestic Worker’s Convention in 2011, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The Domestic Worker’s Act, signed in January 2013, set a minimum wage, benefits, and improved terms of employment for domestic workers.  

Globally, only about 6% of domestic workers have access to comprehensive protections covering medical care, sickness, and unemployment, the ILO said, citing a study it conducted this year. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

Global women’s group rallies behind PHL rights groups 

A GLOBAL organization for women’s rights urged Philippine courts to drop perjury charges against officers of local human rights group Karapatan, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), and Gabriela National Alliance of Women.  

In a statement dated June 20 and sent to reporters on Tuesday, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) said the government should stop any act of intimidation and harassment against women human rights defenders and political activists.  

“These charges against Karapatan national officers, RMP, and Gabriela are part of ongoing systemic attacks against WHRDs (women human rights defenders) in the Philippines,” it said, noting that Karapatan Secretary General Cristina E. Palabay was scheduled to testify before a Quezon City court this week.  

Karapatan and RMP earlier filed complaints with the Commission on Human Rights against the government’s anti-communist task force for continuously labeling activists and groups as communists or terrorists. 

The country’s national security adviser had filed perjury charges against the rights group officers, citing that they committed the offense when they said in a separate petition that RMP was “duly registered as a non-stock, non-profit corporation under Philippine laws.”   

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor on Saturday also called on authorities to drop the perjury charges.  

“I urge the authorities in the Philippines to stop the targeting of human rights defenders, and instead promote and protect their work,” she said in a statement dated June 18.    

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said last week that the country’s anti-communist task force, of which he is a member, should file complaints rather than simply tagging people as communists.  

Lorraine Marie T. Badoy, the task force’s spokesperson, said they did not agree with the Justice chief’s statement, citing the need to identify members of communist groups and their armed and political wings. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

Legarda says creative innovation can start at the local government level 

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA FACEBOOK PAGE

A SENATOR on Tuesday said the government, specially at the local level, should focus on promoting creative innovation to strengthen Philippine competitiveness and recovery. 

“It will be innovation, research and development, and the knowledge economy that will empower each and every Filipino, as we recover from the challenges of the last few years,” Senator-elect Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda said during the Innovations in Public Engagement Conference on Tuesday.  

She said innovation will not only improve livelihoods but also help address the climate crisis.  

“Tackling the climate emergency will require innovation in many areas: design, finance, partnerships, philanthropy, and international cooperation, to name a few,” she said.  

Innovation will also enhance approaches to production, allowing farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous people to implement science-based solutions, she said.  

The country can begin at the local level where the simple adaptation of measures will spell a bigger difference, the lawmaker said.   

“They are the ones who know most about their landscape, their situation, and needs. This kind of knowledge, integrated appropriately into decision making, helps ensure that public policy decisions are optimal for the community and best fit current conditions and needs.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Ex-PCGG chair is new spokesperson of VP-elect Sara

Reynold S. Munsayac — HNP FACEBOOK PAGE
Reynold S. Munsayac — HNP FACEBOOK PAGE

LAWYER Reynold S. Munsayac took over as spokesperson of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday, the latter’s camp announced.  

He replaced Liloan City Mayor Maria Esperanza Christina Codilla-Frasco, who has been tapped by President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to head the Tourism department. 

“Munsayac’s professional portfolio is highlighted by his unquestionable integrity and dedication to governance and public service, and the Vice President-elect is confident that he will be able to bring this experience to his new duty,” Ms. Duterte-Carpio’s camp said.   

Mr. Munsayac, a classmate of Ms. Duterte-Carpio in law school, was appointed as commissioner and acting chair of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in September 2016.   

He resigned from the post in July last year to help in Ms. Duterte-Carpio’s vice-presidential bid.  

The primary mandate of the PCGG, which was created in 1986, is to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, his family, and his cronies. The quasi-judicial agency has so far retrieved more than P170 billion and is still in the process of recovering P125 billion in assets.  

Mr. Munsayac made headlines during his PCGG stint after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan consecutively dismissed four ill-gotten wealth cases against the Marcos family.   

The cases junked by Sandiganbayan were filed by the PCGG before his stint began, Mr. Munsayac said at the time he was being pressured to explain the agency’s side on the lost cases. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza 

FIFA, World Athletics review transgender rules

SEBASTIAN Coe, president of World Athletics — MOHAN, DOHA STADIUM PLUS QATAR

MANCHESTER, England — World soccer’s governing body International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and World Athletics said on Monday that they are reviewing their transgender eligibility policies after swimming passed new rules that restrict transgender participation in women’s events.

On Sunday, swimming’s world governing body International Swimming Federation (FINA) voted to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in elite women’s competitions and create a working group to establish an “open” category for them in some events as part of its new policy. The new policy states that male-to-female transgender swimmers (transgender women) are eligible to compete in women’s competitions only if “they can establish to FINA’s comfortable satisfaction that they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 (of puberty) or before age 12, whichever is later.”

A spokesperson for FIFA told Reuters it was in a consultation process over a new policy.

“FIFA is currently reviewing its gender eligibility regulations in consultation with expert stakeholders,” said the spokesperson.

“Due to the ongoing nature of the process, FIFA is not in a position to comment on specifics of proposed amendments to the existing regulations,” the spokesperson added.

Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, told the BBC that the organization’s council would discuss their regulations at the end of the year.

Coe praised FINA for taking the decision, which has been criticized by trans rights advocates.

“We see an international federation asserting its primacy in setting rules, regulations and policies that are in the best interest of its sport,” he told the BBC.

“This is as it should be. We have always believed that biology trumps gender and we will continue to review our regulations in line with this. We will follow the science.

“We continue to study, research and contribute to the growing body of evidence that testosterone is a key determinant in performance, and have scheduled a discussion on our regulations with our council at the end of the year,” he added.

FIFA said it was taking guidance from medical, legal, scientific, performance and human rights experts and also the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Should FIFA be asked to verify the eligibility of a player before the new regulations will be in place, any such case will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, taking into account FIFA’s clear commitment to respect human rights,” the spokesperson said.

Last year, the IOC issued a “framework” on the issue, leaving eligibility decisions up to individual sports bodies, but adding that “until evidence determines otherwise, athletes should not be deemed to have an unfair or disproportionate competitive advantage due to their sex variations, physical appearance and/or transgender status.”

World Athletics’ current rules cap testosterone levels at five nanomoles per liter for transgender athletes and for competitors with differences in sex development (DSD) in some women’s running events.

Coe said it was important to protect the integrity of women’s sport.

“When push comes to shove, if it’s a judgement between inclusion and fairness, we will always fall down on the side of fairness — that for me is non-negotiable.

“We can’t have a generation of young girls thinking there is not a future for them in the sport. So we have a responsibility… maintaining the primacy and the integrity of female competition is absolutely vital,” he added.

Last week, the International Cycling Union (UCI) tightened its rules on transgender participation by increasing the transition period on low testosterone to two years and reducing the maximum permitted testosterone level. — Reuters

No. 1 pick odds lean heavily toward Auburn’s Jabari Smith

THE 2021-22 National Basketball Association (NBA) season came to a close with the Golden State Warriors defeating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

With the season over, the offseason kicks off this week with the 2022 NBA Draft. Major sportsbooks, including BetMGM and DraftKings, are projecting where tomorrow’s stars might be selected.

The NBA draft is Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The draft lottery draw led to the Orlando Magic having the first overall pick, where Auburn’s versatile second-generation star Jabari Smith is expected to be the selection.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings, are up next in the first round.

As of now, which prospects align with those teams is unclear.

Inarguably, the favorite as the top draft pick, as well as the leader of what will be a very talented pool, is Jabari Smith, Jr. The Auburn University product is following in the footsteps of his father, who played in the NBA, as well as Spanish and Mexican leagues.

The forward spent one year at Auburn and averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 34 college games, shooting 42% on 3-pointers.

Smith is projected to be a lock for being one of the top three picks.

Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga are also viewed as sure top picks.

Included in the wave of international talent available are France’s Ousmane Diengo, projected for the first round, and Serbian Nikola Jović.

A big unknown: Where Canadian Shaedon Sharpe winds up.

The explosive shooting guard signed with the Kentucky Wildcats in September of 2021, but did not play last season.

THE 2 SPOT
BetMGM and DraftKings have Smith, Jr. as the first overall pick and recent movement provides him with an even bigger lead over the field.

Smith, who is also getting most of the action, started at -105 when lines opened, but was -165 as of June 20.

Holmgren is the hedge. A high school teammate of the Magic first-round pick last season, Jalen Suggs, the 7-footer is now getting strong odds to be the first pick. He opened at +145, but recently moved to +115.

Even so, Holmgren already made it clear that his preference would be to slide to the Thunder at No. 2.

Banchero is heading in the opposite direction on BetMGM. He opened at +350 to be the first pick and is now at +1500.

Smith controls 27.1% of the action, while Holmgren currently has 24.5%. Banchero is receiving 16.5% of all the bets.

A similar ranking is found at DraftKings. Smith’s current odds to be the top pick are -175. Holmgren is in second place with current odds of +150.

Banchero rounds out the top three, getting +950 odds to be the first pick.

Smith is getting most of the action on DraftKings.

He has 38% of the handle, as well as 28% of the bets. Holmgren follows with 34% and 24%, respectively. Banchero is getting 23% and 21%. — Reuters

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