Manny Pacquiao loses to Cuban Ugás by unanimous decision

August 22, 2021 | 7:34 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

FILIPINO boxing legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao fell short in his bid to reclaim the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt, losing to reigning champion Yordenis Ugás of Cuba by unanimous decision in their title fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (Manila time).

Not able to move around as he wanted to and, in his own acknowledgment later, did not get to adjust as the fight wore on, Mr. Pacquiao, 42, was outlasted by replacement opponent, Mr. Ugás, who won in all of the judges’ scorecards, 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112.

Mr. Ugás, 35, who took the place of original Pacquiao opponent Errol Spence, Jr. (out with an eye injury) a fortnight ago, made full use of his height and reach advantage in keeping Mr. Pacquiao at bay for much of the 12-round contest.

“Now, the plan is to unify the title,” Mr. Ugás, 35, said in the ring through a translator. “Everyone said he was the champion, now they know who the real champion is.”

The eight-division world champ Mr. Pacquiao had his moments, especially in the early part of the match, but they were not enough to swing the tide in his favor.

The Compubox later showed how Mr. Ugás had his way, landing more total punches 151 to Mr. Pacquiao’s 130 and with more efficiency, 37% to 16%.

The WBA champion landed 21% (50-of-234) of his jabs to Mr. Pacquiao’s nine percent (42-of-475) and power punches 59% (101-of-171) to 26% (88-of-340).

The crowd was reduced to a nervous silence as the fight headed into the final rounds with no sign of the knockout that Mr. Pacquiao needed to come out a winner, although spectators were roused into voice when the fighters went toe-to-toe in the 10^th.

“That’s boxing,” said Mr. Pacquiao after the defeat. “I just could not make the adjustments. My legs got tight as the fight progressed.”

The defeat was the eighth in the storied career of Mr. Pacquiao, who before Sunday’s fight last fought in July 2019. He has 62 wins.

The Sarangani native was the WBA welterweight champion until it was taken from him early this year and he was rendered “champion in recess.” The belt was given to Mr. Ugás (27-4).

Asked if it was his last fight, Mr. Pacquiao declined to make any announcements, saying instead “I don’t know yet. I will first take time to rest and relax and think things over.”

As to his plans to run for Philippine president, Mr. Pacquiao, also a sitting senator of the republic, said he will make his final announcement on the matter next month.

He went on to say that being a president of a country entails a lot of work and should be given much thought.

“[Being a president], you have to deal with bigger problems than boxing. But I want to help the people,” he said. — with reports from Reuters

Mark Magsayo knocks out Ceja in WBC featherweight title eliminator

August 22, 2021 | 7:33 pm

UNDEFEATED Filipino featherweight fighter Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo kept his unblemished record intact, knocking out Mexican Julio Ceja in the 10^thround of their World Boxing Council (WBC) title eliminator contest, part of the undercard for the Manny Pacquiao-Yordenis Ugás title fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (Manila time).

Bohol native Mr. Magsayo, 26, opened the contest with a knockout (left hook), but struggled after as his opponent picked up his game with quality hits that took a toll on the Filipino, who was sent down to the canvas in the fifth round by Mr. Ceja with blows to the body.

But the Philippine bet would regain a second wind as the contest drew to a close.

In the 10^th round, Mr. Magsayo came out aggressively and took it to Mr. Ceja.

With less than a minute remaining in the round, Mr. Magsayo caught the Mexican with a solid right to the head and followed it with another booming right to the jaw as Mr. Ceja fell to the canvas.

Referee Kenny Bayless called a stop to the fight immediately and moments later declared Mr. Magsayo the winner.

The victory took Mr. Magsayo’s record to 23-0, 16 coming by way of knockout.

He is now in a solid position to challenge reigning WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr. of the United States.

DATO ABSORBS FIRST LOSS
Meanwhile, US-based Filipino prospect John Dato absorbed his first career loss, bowing to Mexico’s Angel Contreras by unanimous decision in their featherweight collision earlier in the day.

The La Union native Mr. Dato got knocked down by Mr. Contreras in the third round with a solid uppercut to the chin and just could make up for it the rest of the eight-round fight en route to the UD defeat, 78-73, 77-74 and 77-74.

Mr. Dato, 28, now sports a 14-1-1 (nine knockouts) record while Mr. Contreras improved to 11-4-2 (6 KOs). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Government officials send out support for Manny Pacquiao

August 22, 2021 | 7:32 pm

GOVERNMENT Officials continue to call Philippine boxer and Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Sr. their “Champ,” even after his unanimous defeat against World Boxing Association (WBA) (Super) welterweight defender Yordenis Ugás Hernández on Sunday, also stating that the chances were influenced by the sudden competitor substitution.

“After decades of victories in the ring, he continues to improve and to challenge himself, and to fight with the same spirit and humility he had as an amateur boxer. I am so proud of him, as his kumpadre (friend), as a colleague, as a Filipino. Salamat (Thank you), Sen. Manny!” said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri in a Viber message.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a Viber message that he still deems Mr. Pacquiao his champion, saying “a fighter is a fighter, win or lose” in Filipino, following that Mr. Ugás was not supposed to be his competitor anyway. Samar Representative Edgar M. Sarmiento had a similar thinking, saying in a statement that if Mr. Pacquiao had “prepared longer for Ugás, the result would have been different.”

“Manny understood his own performance; his body wouldn’t adjust; so why did he fight an opponent whose past move he hadn’t studied at all?” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. in a Twitter message, “I guess he never runs from a fight.”

“When he comes back, we hope that Pacman the legislator will now focus his energy in our country’s fight to defeat this grave crisis aggravated by the Covid pandemic, including his crusade to knock out corruption in the government,” said House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani T. Zarate in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Palace said senator and boxing champ Emmanuel D. Pacquiao’s loss to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugás in Las Vegas would not diminish the honor he gave to the country.

“Public support to Senator Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao’s boxing career has always been unwavering, including his latest fight with Yordenis Ugás,” presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement.

“The boxing icon’s loss in Las Vegas would not diminish the honors he bestowed to our country and the joy he gave to our people,” he added.

Mr. Pacquiao, who is believed to be seeking the presidency at next year’s polls, was voted out as president of the ruling party chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte after he came out against state corruption.

The President in June said he would campaign against Mr. Pacquiao if he fails to identify corrupt government officials.

The boxing champ has also criticized Mr. Duterte’s handling of the country’s sea dispute with China. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan with Russell Louis C. Ku

Some members of Philippine Paralympic contingent test positive for COVID-19

August 22, 2021 | 7:31 pm

THE Philippine team seeing action at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this week took a hit after some of its members, including a para-athlete, tested positive for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

In an official statement on Sunday, Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael I. Barredo shared the unfortunate news and that they are currently handling the situation guided by existing health protocols.

“It is unfortunate for us to inform the public that some officials, coaches, and a para-athlete of our Philippine delegation bound for Tokyo to participate in the 2020 Paralympic Games have tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement read.

Those positive, whose names were not mentioned, were detected prior to their departure for Tokyo at the weekend.

Despite the setback, the rest of the team, who are now in Japan, said they are committed to competing at the Games and to give their all and bring pride and honor to the country.

“This is just unfortunate, but the fight continues for us,” said Philippine chef de mission Francis Carlos B. Diaz in a short message to BusinessWorld.

The Tokyo Paralympic Games is to kick off on Tuesday, Aug. 24.

The Philippines was to be represented by six para-athletes — two athletes for para athletics (Jerrold Mangliwan/wheelchair racing and Jeanette Aceveda/discus throw), two for para swimming (Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino), and one each for para taekwondo (Allain Ganapin) and powerlifting (Achelle Guion). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

NBA releases full schedule

August 22, 2021 | 7:31 pm

THE National Basketball Association (NBA) released the full schedule for the 2021-22 season on Friday, outlining just how it will celebrate its 75^th season.

The league will do so by highlighting the teams and events that have shaped the league’s history, including a showcase of the three franchises — the Knicks, Celtics and Warriors — that have been a part of each season.

Earlier this week, the NBA released its opening day schedule -— play will begin Oct. 19 — and the five marquee matchups set for Christmas Day.

The 2021-22 schedule is a return to the typical 82 games per team after a reduced number of games over the past two seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league is holding what it calls “NBA 75 Classic Matchups” to mark its diamond jubilee year. — Reuters

Liverpool and Brighton joint top; Man City rebounds

August 22, 2021 | 7:30 pm

LONDON — Liverpool welcomed a full house back to Anfield and rewarded them with a 2-0 victory over Burnley to move top of the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion also showing impressive early form to post a second win on Saturday.

Jürgen Klopp’s side started slowly with Burnley hitting the post inside the opening five minutes, but goals by Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane eased them to a comfortable win.

Brighton joined them on six points later with a comfortable 2-0 win over Watford — Shane Duffy and Neal Maupay on target.

Champions Manchester City rebounded from their opening day defeat at Tottenham Hotspur to demolish promoted Norwich City (5-0) with record signing Jack Grealish scoring on his home debut.

Brentford maintained their impressive start to their first top-flight campaign for 74 years as they fought out a 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace while Everton and Leeds United also shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Elland Road.

Newcastle United suffered a second consecutive loss as they went down 2-0 at Aston Villa.

It was an emotional day at Anfield where the first capacity crowd since March 2020 paid a tribute to lifelong fan Andrew Devine, the 97^th victim of the Hillsborough tragedy who died in July, 32 years after suffering life-changing injuries.

If anything, the atmosphere hampered Liverpool early on and Dwight McNeil hit the post for Burnley.

But Jota settled the nerves in the 18^th minute, heading in the opener past Nick Pope.

Burnley had a goal by Ashley Barnes disallowed for offside, but Liverpool dominated after the break with 17 goal attempts, but had to wait until the 69^thminute to make the points safe when Mane pounced for his 50^th Liverpool goal from an assist by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“Everybody was really looking forward to this football festival, to this game, and I think nobody leaves this place today with any kind of disappointment because I think all of our dreams were fulfilled today, atmosphere-wise,” Klopp said.

“How the game was as well, was pretty special, because Burnley is Burnley — and Burnley causes you problems.”

Brighton claimed back-to-back wins at the start of a top-flight season for the first time in their history with Duffy powering in an early header and Maupay seizing on a mistake to make it 2-0 shortly before half time.

Manchester City were off the pace last weekend against Tottenham, but were ruthless against a Norwich side dealt a cruel fixture list to launch their return to the top flight.

City took the lead in the seventh minute when Gabriel Jesus’s cross forced a panicky clearance that rebounded into the net off Norwich keeper Tim Krul before 100 million pounds man Grealish bundled in a Jesus cross in the 22^nd minute.

Aymeric Laporte made it 3-0 in the 65^th minute before substitutes Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez completed the rout.

“This result was the consequence of how many good things we have done,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

“We are still not at the top — there are still many things to do. We trained, we were refreshed, happy for these first points…. hopefully they will not be the last!”

While Grealish scored on his home debut for City, Danny Ings did likewise for Aston Villa, producing an acrobatic bicycle kick volley to open the scoring against Newcastle.

Anwar El Ghazi’s penalty sealed the points.

“We have seen Danny Ings do it against us so it is good he is an Aston Villa player now,” Villa boss Dean Smith said of the striker they signed from Southampton.

Leeds twice battled back to draw with Everton in a scintillating clash at Elland Road.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty gave Everton a lead that was cancelled out by Mateusz Klich, but Demarai Gray restored Everton’s advantage.

Raphinha lashed home a superb effort with 18 minutes remaining to give Leeds their first point of the season.

Patrick Vieira got his first point as manager of Crystal Palace in a drab stalemate with London rivals Brentford who are yet to concede.

Chelsea face Arsenal on Sunday after Southampton host Manchester United and Tottenham go to Wolves. — Reuters

Medvedev collides with camera in shock loss: ‘I almost broke my hand’

August 22, 2021 | 7:29 pm

A COLLISION with an on-court camera spelled disaster for in-form Daniil Medvedev on Saturday when he was stunned (2-6, 6-3, 6-3) by fellow Russian Andrey Rublev in their Western & Southern Open semifinal in Cincinnati.

Rublev will play Alexander Zverev for his maiden Masters 1000 title on Sunday after the German downed Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4)) in a thrilling second semifinal at the warm-up for the US Open.

Medvedev was top seed and favorite to take the title, but was beaten for the first time by Rublev after crashing into an on-court camera and knocking it to the ground while chasing the ball at the baseline in the second set.

The world number two offered his hand to the camera operator as the chair umpire walked over to make sure both were okay. Medvedev then kicked the camera, telling the umpire, “Take it away. I almost broke my hand”.

Tournament organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Medvedev, who won the tournament in 2019, did not meet with the media on Saturday, but Rublev said the incident had been concerning.

“Of course, in these moments it’s really dangerous… it’s not good for athlete because he might get hurt,” he told reporters.

“But I hope everything is fine with him. At least, the way he was playing, looks like nothing serious happened.”

Zverev is also in fine form, having beaten world number one Novak Djokovic on his way to claiming the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo at the start of the month.

He whipped through the first set against fellow young gun Tsitsipas and was a break up in the second before the Greek world number three battled his way back into the contest.

After evening up the match at one set apiece, Tsitsipas went two breaks up in the decider, but this time, it was Zverev’s turn to launch a comeback and the engrossing contest was decided in a tie break after two hours and 41 minutes on court.

“This is only the beginning of the rivalry, I hope,” Zverev said on court. — Reuters

Yuka Saso struggles in third round with 74, slips to joint 27th

August 22, 2021 | 7:28 pm

Uuka-Saso — FILIPINO-JAPANESE YUKA SASO slipped to joint 27th place at the AIG Women’s British Open after the third round. — LPGA MEDIA

FILIPINO-Japanese Yuka Saso struggled in the third round of the AIG Women’s British Open late Saturday (Manila time), finishing with a 2-over 74 to slip to joint 27^th place.

The 20-year-old Ms. Saso, the world number eight player, could not sustain the strong showing she had in the first two rounds of the tournament at Carnoustie, Scotland, finishing the day with three bogeys and only one birdie.

The reigning US Women’s Open champion now has an aggregate 3-under 213 heading into the final round, six strokes behind current leaders Anna Nordqvist of Sweden and Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark, who have identical cards of 9-under 207.

Ms. Saso started strong, with an opening round score of 4-under 68, good for joint fourth place. In the second round, she fired a 5-under 71 to stay within striking distance at solo fifth.

In the final round set for later on Sunday, Ms. Saso was to tee off with Mina Harigae of the United States.

Entering the AIG Women’s British Open, the last major tournament in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) for 2021, Ms. Saso said she was expecting a tough challenge but was looking forward to it, seeing it as an opportunity to grow as a player and have fun.

Prior to competing in the tournament, Ms. Saso represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympic Games where she finished tied for ninth place. She also competed at the Trust Women’s Scottish Open, winding up inside the top 15. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Delle Donne returns

August 22, 2021 | 7:27 pm

Elena Delle Donne hasn’t been in a sanctioned match since Oct. 10, 2019. Success met her then; it was the end of an outstanding season that saw her turn the only 50-40-90 line in league history to a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and, ultimately, a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) championship. And then the pandemic struck, and, in the midst of the league’s refusal to grant her a medical exemption, she had two back surgeries on three herniated discs with which she had hitherto been playing. To argue that convalescence was difficult would be an understatement. Which, in a nutshell, is why she can’t wait to burn rubber anew.

As late as in June, there was little indication that Delle Donne was close to returning to the court. Even as she remained hopeful, she knew enough not to put a date on a comeback. The disposition continued when she met members of the media for the first time in a long while early this month. “Truly, it is still day by day,” she said. “Am I doing more and more each day? Yes. Some days, am I doing the same thing I did the day before to see how I can handle this type of load? Yes.” In other words, it was too early to rejoice, the strides she had been making notwithstanding.

Under the circumstances, the Mystics’ upgrading of Delle Donne’s status to probable for their set-to today is nothing short of remarkable. If nothing else, it underscores her fitness for competition. Not that she will be getting anywhere close to the 29 minutes she normed in 2019; her progression to the regular rotation will be gradual. That said, it’s a positive development that speaks to her full recovery as a matter of when and not if. And, certainly, it couldn’t have come at a better time — with the Storm on tap. Going up against the defending champions should provide her with a good indication of where she stands.

Needless to say, the Mystics will be all the better with Delle Donne around. They’ve been struggling to play .500 ball, so her return should be a boost, never mind that they have shifted focus and featured former MVP awardee Tina Charles out of necessity in her absence. Whether or not 2019 Finals supersub Emma Meesseman opts in, they will be noticeably improved once she regains her bearings. And since they’re just half a game out of a playoff spot, the intervening month before the end of the regular season should prove ample. Even as she’s turning 32 early next month, only a fool would dare bet against her — and them.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Police catch 150,000 quarantine violators

August 22, 2021 | 7:12 pm

face-mask-commuters — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

PHILIPPINE police on Sunday reported 149,963 quarantine violators during the two-week strict lockdown in the capital region that ended on Aug. 20.

Of the total, 100,946 did not follow minimum health standards such as wearing face shields and masks, 40,705 violated the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew and 8,312 unnecessarily went out of their homes, police said.

Police also apprehended 437,598 quarantine violators in four provinces near the Philippine capital — Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal.

Of the total, 335,871 violated minimum health standards, 79,910 were curfew violators and 21,817 unnecessarily went out.

Nationwide, there were 690,320 quarantine violators during the two-week period. Most of them or 79% got a warning, 13% were fined and 7% were subjected to community service.

The lockdown in the capital region has since been eased to a modified enhanced community lockdown until Aug. 31.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will start making its own vaccines as early as 2022 so it does not suffer from global supply issues in the future, according to the Department of Science and Technology.

The country will use fill-and-finish manufacturing, where manufacturers import antigens in bulk and then package them in vials for commercial distribution, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña told BusinessWorld Live on One News.

The agency is leading vaccine evaluation and selection, while the Trade department helps companies that seek to make vaccines locally, he said.

“Realistically, we probably will have the kind of arrangement where some (of the vaccines) will be locally produced and some will be procured outside,” he added.

The country struggles to vaccinate its entire adult population amid a spike in infections believed to be triggered by the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant.

DAILY TALLY
The Health department reported 16,044 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 1.84 million.

The death toll rose to 31,810 after 215 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 13,952 to 1.68 million, it said in a bulletin.

There were 125,900 active cases, 93.8% of which were mild, 3.4% did not show symptoms, 1.2% were severe, 0.94% were moderate and 0.6% were critical.

DoH said 460 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 427 of which were recoveries and one was a death. It added that 120 recoveries had been reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on Aug. 20.

Mr. Dela Peña said the long-term plan is to “develop vaccines on our own” under a local virology and vaccine institute.

Presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. last week said the P1.28-billion budget for the Virology Science and Technology Institute would be included in the 2022 national budget.

He said the government would set aside P45.37 billion for coronavirus booster shots under the proposed P5.024-trillion budget for next year. The budget for the booster shots would only be provided if the government can raise money for it.

The Philippines has approved the emergency use of eight coronavirus vaccines, including those made by Pfizer, Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Moderna, Inc., Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and Sinopharm Group Co., Ltd.

The country has received about 48.5 million doses of coronavirus vaccines.

As of Sunday, 12.88 million or 11.91% of Filipinos have been fully vaccinated, according to the John Hopkins University’s COVID-19 dashboard.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte last week relaxed the lockdown in Metro Manila after placing it under an enhanced community quarantine for two weeks until Aug. 20.

The increase in Metro Manila’s coronavirus cases was 48% two weeks ago and 72% three weeks ago, the OCTA Research Group from the University of the Philippines said on Sunday. The seven-day positivity was 22%.

“The lockdown in the form of enhanced community quarantine helped reduce the growth rate of new COVID-19 cases,” it said in a report. “While new cases are still increasing, the decreasing growth rate is consistent with a decreasing reproduction number. In other words, the surge has slowed down in the National Capital Region.”

The reproduction number in Metro Manila decreased to 1.67 from 1.9. But the decrease was slower this month compared with April due to the presence of the Delta variant and as people moved more freely, OCTA said.

“The downward trend in new cases may happen in the next few weeks, but this will require sustained efforts in pandemic management over the next four weeks by the local, National Government and the public,” it added.

Health authorities have said the effects of the strict lockdown in the capital region would not be felt immediately. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Bianca Angelica D. Añago

ICC probe of Duterte’s drug war inevitable, political analysts say

August 22, 2021 | 7:11 pm

THE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court (ICC) will probably proceed with its investigation of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s war on drugs, political analysts said at the weekend, a week after the deadline for victims to submit information on alleged violations.

“Regardless of whether the Duterte administration likes it or not, the ICC, if it finds probable cause for crimes against humanity, the case will roll,” said Marlon M. Villarin, a political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

“The ICC is an independent international body that is governed by the Rome Statute,” he said in a mobile phone message, adding that it could start the probe before Mr. Duterte’s term ends.

The Supreme Court in March ruled Philippine withdrawal from the ICC does not discharge its officials of criminal liability.

“Whether he is President or not, the ICC can issue an arrest warrant” as long as the court has enough evidence to move forward with the case, Ateneo de Manila University School of Government Dean Antonio M. La Viña said in an e-mail.

The decision of the ICC would be reasonable and Philippine officials would be given due process, Mr. Villarin said.

The ICC might also opt to dismiss the case or launch a formal investigation that could take years, Mr. La Viña said.

He noted that if the latter happens, Mr. Duterte and other key players in the drug war like Senator Ronald M. de la Rosa — the President’s former police chief — could be criminally charged for human rights violations and would be asked to respond to the charges.

Former ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda conducted a preliminary investigation of alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines under Mr. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign from the start of Mr. Duterte’s presidency in July 2016 to March 2019, when the Philippines withdrew its membership from the ICC.

On May 24, Ms. Bensouda asked the ICC’s pre-trial chamber for an authority to investigate the Philippines after finding “a reasonable basis to believe that the crime against humanity of murder has been committed.”

If the request is granted, the new prosecutor, Karim Khan will handle the investigation. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Fully vaccinated Pinoys may enter Hong Kong by Aug. 30 — DoLE

August 22, 2021 | 7:11 pm

vaccination — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will be allowed to enter Hong Kong starting Aug. 30 after presenting certificates issued by the Bureau of Quarantine, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

The Hong Kong government “has already agreed to let OFWs who received COVID vaccines in the country to come and work starting Aug. 30, provided they can present validated COVID vaccine certificates issued by the Bureau of Quarantine,” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said in a statement on Sunday.

About 3,000 migrant Filipino workers who have been waiting to be deployed to Hong Kong would benefit from this, he said.

On Aug. 10, the Hong Kong government rejected the entry of OFWs vaccinated in the Philippines as it refused to honor vaccination cards not “connected to a single source,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. tweeted this month.

The Quarantine bureau-issued vaccination card is temporarily provided to Filipinos who need to travel overseas, while the National Government is still working on uniform digital vaccination cards with a quick response code. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago