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Modi pledges to use India vaccine-production capacity to help ‘all humanity’

NEW YORK — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged at the United Nations (UN) on Saturday that his country’s vaccine production capacity would be made available globally to fight the COVID-19 crisis.

“As the largest vaccine-producing country of the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today,” Mr. Modi said in a pre-recorded speech to the UN General Assembly. “India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis.”

Mr. Modi said India was moving ahead with Phase 3 clinical trials—the large-scale trials considered the gold standard for determining safety and efficacy—and would help all countries enhance their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of vaccines.

Mr. Modi said in August that India was ready to mass produce COVID-19 vaccines when scientists gave the go-ahead.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has been pushing for a “people’s vaccine” that is available and affordable everywhere and expressed concern on Tuesday that some countries were “reportedly making side deals exclusively for their own populations.”

“Such ‘vaccinationalism’ is not only unfair, it is self-defeating. None of us is safe until all of us are safe. Everybody knows that,” he told the General Assembly

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the General Assembly on Friday: “Whoever finds the vaccine must share it.”

“Some might see short- term advantage, or even profit,” Mr. Morrison said. “But I assure you to anyone who may think along those lines, humanity will have a very long memory and be a very, very severe judge.

“Australia’s pledge is clear: if we find the vaccine we will share it. That’s the pledge we all must make,” Mr. Morrison said.

Pope Francis told the United Nations on Friday that the poor and weakest members of society should get preferential treatment when a coronavirus vaccine is ready.

India, the world’s second most populous country after China, has recorded more than 5.8 million cases of COVID-19, second only behind the United States.

Its death toll as of this week was more than 90,000 and it has consistently reported the highest tally of daily cases anywhere in the world as a dense population and often rudimentary healthcare infrastructure hamper attempts to control the pandemic. — Reuters

Thailand tackles unemployment with million jobs expo

BANGKOK — Tens of thousands of Thais on Saturday flocked to a government-organized job expo with more than a million jobs up for grabs as it works to stem mounting unemployment in an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy could shrink by a record 8.5% this year, with its key tourism sector taking a beating, the government predicts, leaving young and old alike searching for work.

More than 570 booths, from public organizations, private firms, and for roles overseas, were set up for job seekers at “Job Expo Thailand 2020” in Bangkok, which runs until Monday.

“I got laid off,” said 23-year-old Chanissara Prommas. “I used to work for Hong Kong Airlines, but the company couldn’t deal with the cost, so they had to let go some of the staff”.

Teera Magaumpai, 50, who lost his job after 30 years in the tourist sector, said the big crowd reflected huge unemployment, and “elders have to fight with first jobbers.”

Some of Thailand’s biggest firms were among those offering jobs, including agribusiness Charoen Pokphand Foods, Telecoms firm True Corp and energy group PTT, which is majority-owned by the government.

Although Thailand, which has suffered just 3,522 coronavirus infections, has lifted most restrictions and daily life and work is mostly back to normal, a ban on foreign tourists remains in place, cutting a swathe through a whole sector of career opportunities.

About 1.24 million jobs will be offered—with most in the private sector, and a little over 100,000 in roles overseas. Of that total, the government will help companies pay half in hiring 260,000 new graduates for a year.

“People are the most important part of the country and for moving it forward,” Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said as he opened the event.

The job offer is part of relief measures as the government has introduced a 1.9 trillion baht ($60 billion) package to mitigate the impact of the outbreak.

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, estimated job losses at a record 2.5–3.0 million this year, with more than a million in the tourist sector. Thailand has a workforce of about 38 million.

The government predicts just 6.7 million foreign visitors this year after last year’s record 39.8 million visitors, whose spending made up about 11.4% of GDP. — Orathai Sriring and Jiraporn Kuhakan/Reuters

House panel approves 2021 national budget

The House Committee on Appropriations approved on Friday the proposed P4.5 trillion budget for 2021 after two weeks of budget briefings, a lawmaker confirmed.

House appropriations committee chairman and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Eric G. Yap told BusinessWorld via Viber that House Bill No. 7727 or the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) will be for plenary debate next week.

Mr. Yap said no amendments were made to the proposed national budget.

“I would also like to thank the House leadership for their undying support and to everyone who helped the Committee in overcoming the first hurdle of the passage of the 2021 National Budget,” he said.

The budget bill hurdled the committee level even if the hearing for the Presidential Communications Operations Office remained suspended.

“As we have said many times, this year’s budget proceedings are both historic and challenging not only because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but also because of other circumstances that this august chamber is in,” Mr. Yap said.

The education sector, which is composed of the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, will get the lion’s share of the funds with P754.4 billion.

The 2021 budget is 9.9% higher than the P4.1 trillion allocated for this year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

President assures no postponement of 2022 elections

THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic is no excuse to postpone the 2022 national and local elections, the President’s spokesperson said on Friday after a deferment was proposed by a lawmaker.

“We must not use the existing global health crisis as a ground to cancel and reschedule the elections as this would not sit well with the public,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said in a statement.

Pampanga 2nd District Representative Juan Miguel M. Arroyo, in a House hearingon Thursday, saidthe polls should be postponed if the health crisis persists by then.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials, in the same forum,asserted that the polls can push through as scheduled with new protocols already being discussed such as extending the voting period to more than one day to avoid crowding at the precincts.

Mr. Roque said the government has “sufficient time to prepare” for the elections and postponing this “presents constitutional challenges.”

The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) also issued a statement Friday opposing a postponement.

“Postponing the elections violates the Constitution, contravenes the principle of regularity in the conduct of an election, extends the terms of elected officials without being elected anew, and deprives the electorate of seeking accountability from elected officials through the ballot,” NAMFREL said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, meanwhile, said the legislature will ensure that Comelec will have the budget for adjustments needed to hold the elections amid a health threat.

“We will provide Comelec with sufficient funds to set up mitigating measures in case the pandemic lasts until that time,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines. — Gillian M. Cortez and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

April is ‘best case scenario’ for COVID-19 vaccine availability

A VACCINE for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be ready, at best, by April, according to the country’s secretary for science and technology.

“The fastest we can start (with trials) is December, the last quarter. The vaccine trials estimated by experts is three to six months,” Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said in a briefing Friday.

“The best case scenario,” he said, is that vaccines will be ready by April.

Mr. De la Peña was referring to the Philippines’ participation in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Solidarity Trial, guidelines for which are expected to be released next month.

DoST has identified 13 medical facilities across the country that will participate.

Meanwhile, the country has also signed bilateral ties with 17 developers ofCOVID-19 vaccine.

“In each of these, the DoST has ongoing agreements on science and technology. So we base it on agreement in approaching these countries to find out what is the status of their vaccines and whether they are willing to enter in a partnership with us in one form or another through trials or through manufacturing in our country,” Mr. De la Peña said.

These developers are: Academia Sinica, Gamaleya Research Institute, Sinovac, Pfizer, Sinpharm, Moderna, AnGes, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, ZFSW, the University of Queensland, Adimmue, Tianyuan, Chang Gung University, Bharat Biotech, Bektop, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the University of Saskatchewan.

Another six pharmaceutical companies are covered by confidentiality data agreements, with three already in Phase 3 of their clinical trials for thevaccines. — Gillian M. Cortez

Coronavirus cases near 300,000

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) reported 2,630 new coronavirus caseson Friday, bringing the country’s total to 299,361.

Of the total, 87% are mild cases, 9% asymptomatic, 2.8% critical, and 1.2% severe.

The DoH recorded an additional 494 recoveries, putting the tally at 232,399.

There were 69 deaths added, placing the total at 5,196.

The National Capital Region logged the highest number of cases on Friday with 1,091. This was followed by the following provinces: Cavite with 196; Laguna, 171; Negros Occidental, 142; and Rizal, 141.

In terms of health facilities’ availability, the DoH reported the following: 52% out of 1,900 ICU beds; 58% of 14,100 isolation beds; 55% of 5,700 ward beds; and 76% of 2,100 ventilators. — Gillian M. Cortez

Solons call for ‘independent’ probe on fake Facebook accounts

MEMBERS of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives called on government agencies to launch “independent investigations” into the alleged involvement of the country’s police and military in the creation of fake social media accounts.

“We cannot rely on the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police), nothing will happen to their own investigation,” BayanMuna Rep. Ferdinand R. Gaite said in an online briefing on Friday.

Mr. Gaite said the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and National Bureau of Investigation, among others, must conduct their own probes into the involvement of security forces as reported by Facebook’s management.

Facebook recently took down 57 accounts, 31 pages, and 20 Instagram accounts linked to the AFP and PNP.

The social media giant said these fake profiles were created to “evade enforcement, post content, comment and manage pages.

The PNP has denied links to the accounts and directed an internal investigation.

AFP’s spokesperson, Major General Edgard A. Arevalo, said the clampdown that included somelegitimate accounts would affect their operations against communist insurgency and terrorism.

“In taking down these accounts, it seems that (Facebook) favors the recruitment of communist-terrorist groups,” he said in a Palace briefing Friday.

Facebook also shut down 155 accounts, 11 pages, nine groups, and six Instagram accounts that originated in China with posts expressing strong support for the leadership of President Rodrigo R. Duterteand his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is rumored to possibly run the in the 2022 presidential elections.

House Deputy Minority Speaker and BayanMuna Rep. Carlos I. Zarate said fake accounts would be a threat to the 2022 national and local elections.

“It will really undermine the democratic processes. It is possible that some (politicians) are elected because the public are being misled,” Mr. Zarate said in mixed English and Filipino in an online breifing.

He said foreign entities, specifically China, might interfere in the 2022 polls. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Amnesty International calls for stronger measures vs Duterte gov’t

HUMAN RIGHTS organization Amnesty International pushed for action from global agencies to prevent further extra-judicial killings allegedly carried out under President Rodrigo R. Duterte’sdrug war.

In its latest human rights report, the United kingdom-based organization called for stronger measures from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and International Criminal Court to end human rights violationsin the Philippines and “provide reparations for thousands of families of victims, and hold those responsible to account.”

“It’s obvious the Duterte administration has no intention of delivering justice to thousands of bereaved families, all while the President repeatedly incites violence and promises to protect perpetrators,” Rachel Chhoa-Howard, Amnesty International’s Philippine researcher, said in a statement.

The report noted that human rights violations continue even during the coronavirus pandemic, including attacks on the media and activists.

Amnesty International further said the current administration cannot investigate itself for the abuses it incited.

“All we know of this panel is it will include the very same agencies responsible for the killings, the attacks, and the harassment which they are supposed to investigate. This is a clear example of being both judge and party,” Ms. Howard said, referring to an inter-agency investigation team established by the government.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Gueverra, in a meeting with UNHRC in July this year, said the inter-agency panel will review more than 5,600 cases of killings during police-led operations.

Amnesty International said the timing and circumstances of such an announcement was designed to shield the government from scrutiny.

“It now falls to the Human Rights Council to mandate a strong, independent investigative body – all while honouring the High Commissioner’s repeated calls to continue monitoring the Philippines’ human rights crisis,” Ms. Howard said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Senator says Duterte must do more than ‘lip service’ in West Philippine Sea assertion

A SENATOR on Friday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “long-overdue” assertion of the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea is mere “lip service” without corresponding actions against China.

“It is unacceptable that four years on, this administration still cannot simply favor the Philippines’ interest. This only makes the president’s pronouncement look like lip service to the idea of sovereignty,” Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a webinar.

Mr. Duterte, in his speech before the 75th United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, invoked for the first time the Philippines’ legal victory over the disputed waters.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, however, said on Thursday that the Duterte administration will “will move on matters that we could move forward” such as trade and investment deals with China.

“Saying that we recognize the arbitral ruling is not enough. This should be followed by concrete actions,” Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in the online forum organized by the International Development Security Cooperation, WR Numero Research, and Analyzing War.

The senator said the government must take steps such as protecting Filipino fishermen and beefing up military presence in the country’s exclusive zone.

“We must resume operations against the poaching in our Exclusive Economic Zone, escort and protect our fishing vessels, reinforce our presence and facilities on the features we occupy, join joint patrols with other nations in the West Philippine Sea,” she said.

The United States in July announced an “updated policy” on the South China Sea, expressing strong rejection of Beijing’s claim.

US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, in a statement on Aug. 26, further said, “In July, I announced an updated policy regarding Beijing’s unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea and emphasized that the United States was prepared to take firm action to oppose Beijing’s campaign of bullying.”

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have also submitted a joint Note Verbale to the United Nations challenging the legality of China’s claims in the disputed waters.

China claims about 90% of theSouth China Sea, a major shipping route and potentially oil-rich.

Aside from the Philippines, other claimants include Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

200,000 more OFWs to get aid

A P2 BILLION fund will be allocated for assisting more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the coronavirus global pandemic under the Bayanihan 2 law, according to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac.

In a briefing Friday, Mr. Cacdac said the budget under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act will benefit 200,000 OFWs with a one-time cash aid of P10,000 each.

“Baka Oktubre na po ito (This might be ready by October),” he said.

The assistance is under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program.

Under the first Bayanihan law, more than 280,000 OFWs have so far received help under the AKAP program. — Gillian M. Cortez

Iloilo City returns to stricter quarantine until Oct. 9

ILOILO CITY has been placed under a stricter quarantine level from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9 due to the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in recent days that mostly local transmissions.

The COVID-19 national inter-agency task force issued the directive late Thursday following an “appeal of the local government unit.”

Earlier on Thursday, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas already released an executive order for stricter protocols while awaiting the official declaration from the national task force.

With the MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) level, restrictions include a total liquor ban, curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., no social gatherings, and no operations for such businesses as gyms and salons.

Public transportation will continue to operate with prescribed health measures.

Several barangays, where there are clustering of COVID-19 cases, have also been placed under total lockdown. — Gillian M. Cortez

Balance of payments stays in surplus for 7th month in a row

The Philippines reported a balance of payments (BOP) surplus for the seventh month in a row in August, mainly due to the government’s foreign borrowings for its pandemic response.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the $657 million surplus booked in August was 33% up from the surplus of $493 million logged a year ago, and significantly higher than the  $8 million surfeit in July. This is also the highest surplus since May’s $2.431 billion. 

“The BoP surplus in August reflected mainly the inflows from the BSP’s foreign exchange operations and income from its investments abroad,” the central bank said.

The BoP shows the country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world within a given period. 

Year-to-date, the BoP posted a surplus of $4.774 billion, 13.6% lower than the $5.529 billion surfeit in the January to August 2019 period. 

“The current BOP surplus was supported mainly by foreign borrowings by the National Government along with lower net deficit in merchandise trade.1 These outcomes offset fully the impact of higher net outflows of foreign portfolio investments, and lower net inflows from foreign direct investments, trade in services, and personal remittances,” the central bank said. 

Government borrowings from January to July reached P1.857 billion, surging by 121% from the P839.7 seen in the same period of 2019, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed. In July alone, borrowings reached P135 billion, of which P67.7 billion came from external lenders.

By end-2020, the BSP expects the BoP position at a surplus of $600 million which is equivalent to 0.2% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The latest BoP position also reflects a final record high gross international reserves of $98.95 billion as of end-August, higher by 15% against the $86.031 billion a year ago and by 0.35% from the $98.6 billion seen as of end-July.

“This is equivalent to 9.8 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. Moreover, it is also about 9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.4 times based on residual maturity,” the BSP said.

The sustained slowdown in imports will likely contribute to a possible surplus in the BOP in the coming months, said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.

In July, trade deficit stood at $1.827 billion, lower than the $3.641-billion gap in the same month last year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. In the first seven months of the year, trade balance stood at a deficit of $12.501 billion, slimmer than the $24.066-billion trade gap in 2019’s comparable seven months. 

The import bill declined by 28.1% year on year to $46.636 billion in the January to July 2020 period.

“Sustained recovery in OFW remittances, exports, as well as in business process outsourcing revenues would also help sustain BoP surpluses in the coming months,” Mr. Ricafort added.

Cash remittances have been recovering since June after the slump seen from March to May due to the pandemic crisis. In July, cash remittances rose 7.8% to $2.783 billion from $2.581 billion. However, inflows year-to-date were still down by 2.4% to $16.802 billion from $17.219 billion.

“The next months until the end of the year, I expect more of the same for the BOP until the veil of the pandemic is finally lifted,”  UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said in a text message. — Luz Wendy T. Noble 

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