Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Dealing With Past Failure And Guilt
But with you (speaking to God) there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:4 ESV
A student caught cheating on an exam, stops going to church. A mother of a child with disabilities lives in constant torment, convinced that God is punishing her child because she lived with her husband for a year before they were married and conceived her child during that time. A senior citizen–the victim of three heart attacks–sends a large check to a man who was his business partner forty years before with a terse note saying, “I had to get this off my chest before I meet my maker…”
All three face a common problem–a troubled conscience producing guilt that tears apart their hearts and lives. Many today, not understanding the nature of God’s forgiveness, live lives that are full of frustration and self-condemnation. Take for instance, the man who wrote and said, “I am the most frustrated, confused, defeated individual you will ever hear about. I have a wonderful family, wife, 3 boys, and 1 daughter, all saved, yet I am so miserable. You said something on your program that may be the key to my need. You talked about forgiving yourself…. I just cannot forgive myself for…” He then went on to mention something that had happened years before.
Those skeletons in the closet keep making their lethal forays, stealing our peace of mind and leaving their muddy footprints in our lives. Most messages such as I have just mentioned revolve around moral problems, usually ones that took place a long time ago. They all result from the failure really to understand the nature of God’s forgiveness, which results in the inability to forgive yourself.
The next two minutes can free you from the shackles of a burdened conscience. Observe carefully. First–the case for God’s forgiveness is found in the pages of the Bible. If the Bible is true, as I believe it is, then forgiveness is based upon the nature and character of God Himself. In the pages of Scripture, God promises forgiveness to us provided we turn from our sin to a Savior and confess our need for forgiveness. Have you settled it in your mind that God would not lie? If you have, the next question you must ask is: Did I confess my failure to God?
David, a man who knew the guilt of moral failure, wrote, “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” (Psalms 130:4, NIV). Isaiah spoke of God, saying, “He will abundantly pardon,” (Isaiah 55:7). Micah wrote, “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19, ESV). The New Testament says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Did you confess your failure? Some of you could say, “I have asked God to forgive me hundreds of times!” Well, did He do it? He promised to. Suppose your son came to you and said, “I did wrong, Dad, and I want you to forgive me,” and you said, “It is all right, son. I forgive you.” If he came to you the next day and said the same thing, and the next day, wouldn’t you say, “Son, I told you yesterday that I forgave you. It’s settled!”
Surely God must feel the same way when we refuse to accept the fact that when He forgives us, as though we had never sinned. Forgiving yourself is tremendously important, too.
Resource reading: Psalm 51:1-19
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/dealing-with-past-failure-and-guilt/
Hospitals told to beef up infection control as more health workers catch COVID-19
The Department of Health on Wednesday urged hospitals to implement tighter infection prevention and control policies as many health workers were infected with COVID-19 amid surge in infections.
"Because COVID-19 cases are increasing, many of our health-care workers got sick. That's why we are implementing stricter infection prevention and control management in each of our hospitals," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told Teleradyo in Filipino.
Data from DOH showed that new coronavirus infections among healthcare workers reached their highest weekly tally in the last 6 months.
From April 4 to April 10, the Philippines reported 399 new COVID-19 cases among medical frontliners. Of the new cases, almost half or 170 were nurses, 53 were doctors and 22 were medical technologists.
Coronavirus-related fatalities among healthcare workers also increased by 4 after not having any recorded deaths for more than a month.
To date, the total number of health-care workers who have contracted COVID-19 reached 16,510. Of those, 86 died and 628 are currently infected. The rest have recovered.
In the interview, Vergeire said the DOH regularly provided hospitals personal protective equipment (PPE) and other resources.
Health-care facilities are also urged to regularly test their employees for COVID-19, she added. The tests could be done every 15 days or every month.
Vergeire said the government also provided health-care workers additional incentives, additional hazard pay and risk allowance.
Medical frontliners must also be given accommodation and free meals when they are on duty, she added.
Funding source for Bayanihan 3 yet to be finalized, says solon
Economic managers have yet to find funding sources for the country's proposed third stimulus package for COVID-19 worth P420 billion, a lawmaker said Wednesday.
Lawmakers met with economic managers on Friday to discuss the matter and are expecting a list of potential fund sources by this week, said Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo.
"Ang main obstacle talaga is yung pagfinalize ng ating funding sources. Kapag yan po ay maplantsa na palagay ko mabilis na ang pag-approve, she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
(The main obstacle is finalizing our funding sources. When it's finalized, approving the measure will be quick.)
Government can get funding from savings under the 2020 budget, some P280 billion of which were not used as of December, according to Quimbo.
Another source could be savings of government-owned or controlled companies, she said. The administration can also borrow from the central bank, she added.
Under the proposed Bayanihan 3, a P1,000 cash assistance will be given to each Filipino, while aid will also be given to those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic and owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises, according to Quimbo.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/14/21/funding-source-for-bayanihan-3-yet-to-be-finalized-says-solon
Authorities shut down site illegally mining gold in Camarines Sur
A gold mining site allegedly operating illegally in Lagonoy town, Camarines Sur, was shut down by police and military on Tuesday.
The Joint Task Force Bicolandia said in a statement that about 200 mining shafts, 10 water pumps and generator sets were confiscated from the small-scale mining site in Sitio Pagsimbugan in Barangay Mapid, after being tipped off about the site, which allegedly operated without permit.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said besides the absence of a mining license, operators of the mine also violated Section 103 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, specifically mineral theft.
The agency collected a sample from the site to verify if gold was really sourced from the area.
Police Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bustamante, director of Police Regional Office 5, said his office will implement a cease and desist order.
Authorities alleged that a communist terrorist group at the helm of the mining operation was also behind illegal logging activities in the area, citing the lumber seen at the mine.
Bustamante did not specify further.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
What Is Most Important To God?
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4
When the astronauts on the Apollo 8 were speeding back to planet earth from their rendezvous with the moon, they reflected on the vastness of what they had seen in space by reading the words of the eighth Psalm where David wrote, “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour” (Psalms 8:3-5, KJV).
You don’t have to take a journey into space to be impressed with the vastness of the heavens. But you do have to get away from the lights of the city on a moonless night to look into the vastness of the heavens and marvel at God’s handiwork.
It was the shepherd boy of Israel turned king who wrote the words of Psalm 8. Undoubtedly, David spent many a night on the rocky hills of Judea with his father’s sheep, pondering the vastness of creation. David probably did not know that the closest star is Alpha Centauri, yet that star is 26 trillion miles away. That is 6 with 21 zeros after it.
If you are tempted to feel that you just do not amount to much in the sight of God because of the vastness of the world and the greatness of population, then try to remember that there is a great deal of difference between space and value. We are overwhelmed by the vastness of creation, yet the vastness of empty space is not as significant as the importance of life.
Think of it in these terms. A very wealthy couple live in a home filled with valuable paintings and art objects, yet they have no children. One day God blesses their home with a little baby boy–their only child. The nursery is up on the third floor of the great mansion, and it is fixed up as nicely as any nursery anywhere. Then one night, the smell of smoke fills the house and the father awakens to realize that his home is on fire.
What is his first concern? The paintings hung on the wall, or the stocks and bonds hidden in the safe? No, not on your life. He would run for the baby boy in the nursery, because what money can buy is not as important as life–human life. That child is his flesh and blood.
Friend, that is why you were important enough for God to be willing to send His Son to speak to you of a Father’s greater love. In Psalm 8, David contrasts man and the Son of Man who came to planet Earth. The “Son of Man” was a prophetic term that spoke of a coming redeemer who identified with our humanity–His name is Jesus Christ. Luke, writing in the New Testament, said, “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, KJV).
God is far more concerned with the inner space of your heart than He is the outer space of our great universe. The created universe–the starry hosts of the heavens–have a message. They speak of God’s great power; but the message of the cross speaks far louder, for it speaks of God’s willingness to bring us into harmony with Him. Yes, as David cried, “How excellent is Your name, O Lord, in all the earth.”
Resource reading: Psalm 8:1-9
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/what-is-most-important-to-god/
Duterte, Putin discuss cooperation vs COVID-19 pandemic
(UPDATE) — President Rodrigo Duterte and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin committed to jointly address the COVID-19 pandemic during their teleconference Tuesday, the former's office said.
The two leaders also noted "the steady progress" in their countries' "defense and security cooperation" during their 30-minute conversation, according to a statement issued by Duterte's office. Manila and Moscow are marking the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.
Pledging to "cooperate in the fight against COVID-19", Duterte and Putin discussed the "global and regional vaccine landscapes, noting that vaccines such as Russia's Sputnik V must be mobilized to as many countries as possible."
Up to 20 million doses of Sputnik V have been ordered by the Philippines, according to the statement. Of which, 500,000 are expected to arrive this month, an official said earlier in the day.
Sputnik V is among 4 COVID-19 vaccine candidates granted emergency use authorization by the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration.
Duterte and Putin "stressed the importance of ramping up global production and supplies" of the Sputnik V vaccine as they "underscored the need for continuing and strengthened collaboration to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic", the statement read.
Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed to sustain their countries' security relations as Putin said there are "many opportunities for greater cooperation in the fields of trade and investments, agriculture and energy development," said the statement.
Duterte, who has repeatedly praised Putin, conveyed again his invitation for the latter to visit the Philippines, which the Russian leader welcomed, added the statement.
Duterte met Putin in Russia in 2017 and 2019. Putin, who has been in power for more than two decades, has never made an official trip to the Philippines.
In 2016, Duterte called Putin “my favorite hero.” Last year, Duterte said he was willing to join clinical trials for Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, which the country is looking to procure.
Putin, who consolidated his autocratic rule by amending the Russian constitution, has a long list of opposition leaders, civil groups and journalists who have become “enemies of the people.”
He has emphasized his commitment to stability and security, elevating the status of security forces loyal to him, known as siloviki. These security forces now hold high positions in Russian politics, business and society.
Moscow's ties with Washington are at a post-Cold War low, with US President Joe Biden saying he believes his Russian counterpart is a killer who deserves to be hit with sanctions for meddling in US politics, charges the Kremlin denies.
Biden is an ally of former US President Barack Obama, who Duterte once cursed for criticizing his war on drugs.
In October 2016, while in China, Duterte announced his "separation" from the United States, the only treaty ally of the Philippines.
Duterte has continued to hurl anti-US remarks.
In February, Duterte told Washington to "pay" if it wanted to keep its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Philippines, a pact central to Washington's Asia strategy.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/duterte-putin-phone-call-2021
PH logs 8,571 more COVID-19 cases, total nears 885,000
(UPDATE) — The Philippines on Tuesday posted 8,571 more COVID-19 cases, days after the government eased lockdown restrictions in the capital region and 4 nearby provinces.
This brings the country's total number of coronavirus infections to 884,783.
According to the health department, the day's relatively low figure of newly-reported COVID-19 cases was due to the fewer testing laboratories that operated on Sunday, April 11.
"Noong araw ng Linggo, 36 na laboratoryo ang hindi nagsagawa ng testing operations," the Department of Health (DOH) noted.
(On Sunday, 36 laboratories did not conduct testing operations.)
The health agency also logged 137 new fatalities, raising the death toll to 15,286.
Active infections reached 165,534, accounting for 18.7 percent of the country's cumulative total cases. Of these, 96.9 percent are experiencing mild symptoms, while 1.8 percent are asymptomatic, 0.5 percent are severely ill, and 0.4 percent are critically ill.
The ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group said Tuesday's number of active cases is considered the 5th highest since the pandemic reached the Philippines, following April 3, 2021's 165,602 tally.
The research group noted that the number of active cases reported in previous days has been adjusted for duplicates.
Recoveries, meanwhile, increased by 400 to 703,963, which account for 79.6 percent of the total recorded cases.
ABS-CBN Data Analytics Head Edson Guido noted that the country has been recording an average of over 10,300 new COVID-19 cases daily in the past week.
Out of the 27,900 individuals who last underwent testing for the virus, 18.3 percent turned out positive for the disease.
Meanwhile, 13 duplicates have been excluded from the country's overall COVID-19 tally. Eight of those were recovered cases.
A total of 54 cases initially tagged as recoveries turned out also to be deaths after the health agency's final validation.
Nine DOH-accredited laboratories failed to submit data on time.
Guido had earlier said that the number of new coronavirus cases dips during Tuesdays and Wednesdays because of delayed test results from laboratories during the weekends.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire had admitted this observation, as some laboratories, most especially the private ones, stop operations on weekends to give way for disinfection.
ICU BEDS IN NCR 85 PCT UTILIZED
Hospitals in the capital region and nearby provinces are still filled up due to a stream of fresh admissions, weeks since stricter lockdown restrictions was imposed to stem the alarming virus spread.
To decongest health facilities, doctors have told mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to consider home care instead.
Based on the DOH's latest bulletin, 85 percent of some 700 dedicated intensive care units (ICU) in the capital region are already used up, while 70 percent of some 3,800 isolation beds in the region are likewise occupied.
Some 62 percent out of 800 ventilators are currently being used in Metro Manila, the bulletin also showed.
Nationwide, 66 percent out of the 1,900 ICUs are already utilized, while 51 percent of the 13,500 isolation beds are also filled.
Ventilators across the country are 47 percent in use.
In the coming months, the inter-agency task force will be adding more than 2,000 beds in different areas for moderate and severe cases, as well as for mild and asymptomatic cases, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/ph-logs-8571-more-covid-19-cases-total-nears-885000
Erap now negative of COVID-19, condition improves - son
(UPDATE) — Former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada has tested negative for COVID-19 and is showing signs of improved health, his son Jinggoy said on Tuesday.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, the younger Estrada said the former chief executive and Manila mayor was also wheeled out of the intensive care unit earlier in the day.
"When you’re wheeled out of the ICU and you’re going to be transferred to a regular room, siguro (maybe), for me, being a non-doctor, I think he is off the hook already, " Jinggoy told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.
"Pero siyempre (but of course), I will not preempt what the doctor will say,” he added.
The former senator also pointed out that is a "welcome development" for their family, most especially that Estrada also tested negative for the coronavirus.
"Parang nabunutan na kami ng tinik,” he said.
(It felt like a thorn has been removed.)
In his Facebook post early Tuesday, the younger Estrada pointed out that based on his latest medical bulletin, Erap could now be transferred to a regular room as his condition is improving.
Despite the positive developments regarding Estrada's health, Jinggoy pointed out that his father would still require high flow oxygenation "but at a much reduced rate."
"He has been allowed to resume soft diet... Mentally, he is oriented, conversing normally and appears to be in good spirits," he added.
In a separate statement, JV Ejercito shared a photo of his father at the hospital.
"Prayers indeed moves mountains," Ejercito said in his Facebook page, as he thanked supporters for praying for his father.
On Sunday, Estrada was singing following extubation, based on a video shown by one of his nurses.
Meanwhile, Jinggoy said the Estrada family would implement stricter visiting protocols when the former president is discharged from the hospital.
“I will have to be strict already. Ayoko nang maulit na mangyari sa tatay ko,” said Jinggoy.
(I don't want this to happen again to dad.)
The Estrada patriarch was sent to the intensive care unit last week after catching pneumonia. He was then intubated and mildly sedated.
On April 9, he was removed from ventilator support after supposedly responding well to treatment.
Ejercito earlier Tuesday said another family member tested positive for COVID-19.
"Praying for my Tita Pilarica, the eldest sister of my dad. She is 93 and is positive, having a hard time to breathe," he said.
Estrada, a former actor who served as President from 1998 until 2001, is turning 84 on April 19. He did not finish his six-year term after he was ousted, following accusations of corruption.
He was last in public service as Mayor of Manila City from 2013 until 2019.
He was convicted of plunder in 2007 and sentenced to life imprisonment. But his successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, pardoned him a month later.
The Philippines is battling a new surge of coronavirus infections, with some hospitals in the capital region announcing full occupancy amid a stream of fresh admissions.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/joseph-estrada-erap-covid19-coronavirus-update
DFA reports 889 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad, highest this year
The number of Filipinos abroad who have contracted COVID-19 rose to 18,001 as 889 new cases were recorded Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The DFA also reported 913 new recoveries and 30 new fatalities.
The additional infections, recoveries and fatalities are the highest for 2021, so far. The DFA said the spike is due to the substantial number of new cases and recoveries in the Middle East.
Those currently being treated abroad for the disease are 5,850, as 11,038 of those infected have recovered, while 1,113 have died.
There are currently 91 countries/territories with Filipinos stricken with COVID-19.
Those undergoing treatment are broken down as follows by region: 1,033 in the Asia Pacific, 905 in Europe, 3,827 in the Middle East and Africa, and 85 in the Americas.
In the Philippines, COVID-19 has so far sickened 884,783 people. The tally includes 15,286 deaths, 703,963 recoveries, and 165,534 active cases.
The new coronavirus is believed to have first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.
Data from US-based Johns Hopkins University showed that more than 136 million people globally have contracted COVID-19, with the United States, Brazil, India, France, and Russia leading countries with the most number of cases.
The UK in December last year detected a reportedly more infectious COVID-19 strain, leading some countries to impose new lockdown and travel restrictions to stem its spread. New variants were also reported in South Africa, Brazil and the Philippines.
More than 2.9 million have died worldwide because of the disease, while some 77.8 million already recovered.
Private hospitals group nagbabala kontra 'upcasing' para sa PhilHealth benefit
Tiniyak ngayong Martes ng isang samahan ng mga pribadong ospital na hindi nila kukunsintihin ang kanilang mga miyembro na mapatutunayang nakikipagsabwatan sa mga pasyente para makakuha ng mas malaking benepisyo sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).
Ayon kay Private Hospital Association of the Philippines (PHAPI) President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, sa ngayo'y wala pang napapaulat sa kanilang mga miyembrong ospital na sangkot sa "upcasing" para sa mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth.
Naniniwala si De Grano na mahirap gawin ang pamemeke ng mga dokumento o requirements para lamang makakuha ng mas malaking benepisyo sa PhilHealth.
"Medyo mahirap gawin 'yon ano, because in the first place, itong mga gumagawa ng RT-PCR test are accredited laboratories. They cannot just falsify 'yong medical certificate na 'yan," ani De Grano sa isang panayam.
Bago nito, nauna nang umapela ang PhilHealth sa publiko na i-report sa kanila ang mga insidente ng upcasing.
Sa ilalim ng upcasing, nakikipagsabwatan ang health care provider sa pasyente na may minor respiratory symptoms, gaya ng hika, para palabasing may COVID-19 ito at makakuha ng mas malaking PhilHealth benefit.
Handa umano ang PHAPI na panagutin ang miyembrong ospital nila kapag napatunayang sangkot sa ganoong gawain.
"Initially, we'll have to investigate on it kung totoo bang nangyari 'yon... Kung proven na talagang ginawa 'yon, ang pinaka-sanction diyan, maalis sila sa membership ng aming organization," ani De Grano.
Iniutos nitong gabi ng Lunes ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na huwag magtipid kung ang paglalaanan ng pondo ay para sa COVID-19 response.
Philippines summons China envoy as ships linger illegally in West PH Sea reef
(UPDATE) — The Philippines on Tuesday said it summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Monday over the "illegal lingering presence" of China's maritime militia fleet in Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it demanded the withdrawal of Chinese ships in the waters, the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) within the South China Sea.
China lays expansive claims over the waters despite a July 2016 UN tribunal invalidating it.
"The DFA expressed displeasure over the illegal lingering presence of Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef," the statement said, adding that this has been a "source of regional tension."
"The DFA reiterated the firm demand of the Philippines that China ensure the immediate departure of all its vessels from the area of Julian Felipe Reef and other maritime zones of the Philippines," it said on the meeting between acting Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso and Huang on Monday.
The DFA also reiterated the arbitral ruling, citing how it has invalidated China's historical 9-dash line claim to the resource-rich waters. The Philippines had initiated such arbitration proceedings in a bid to stop Chinese incursions into its EEZ.
"The 12 July 2016 Award in the South China Sea arbitration ruled that claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that exceed the geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under UNCLOS, are without lawful effect," it added, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
China was also reminded of "proper decorum and manners in the conduct of their duties as guests of the Philippines" following its missive against Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana calling him "unprofessional."
"Both sides affirmed the use of peaceful settlement of disputes in addressing their differences on the SCS/WPS issue," the statement added.
'ONLY 9 SHIPS LEFT'
Quoting information from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said there were only 9 Chinese ships left in Julian Felipe Reef, reiterating that it is “time to go.”
Chinese diplomats earlier said the boats anchored near the reef - which numbered more than 200 when it was first sighted on March 7 - were sheltering from rough seas and that no militia were aboard.
The DFA, however, vowed to file a diplomatic protest every day until the last Chinese ship is gone from the reef.
“As I said, while it may well be traditional fishing grounds, tradition yields to law and the law on the matter is UNCLOS and The Arbitral Award and the common rules of statutory construction,” Locsin said.
Locsin said the issue is a “goddamned distraction from the beneficial potential of the good relations” that the two countries have built under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, noting that such incursions "achieve nothing in law."
"Fishing is not an act of possession nor a claim of ownership; fishing is just fishing. [A]nd even if you take your damned time fishing in the same spot it is still only what you claim it is—fishing," the official explained.
He added that China and the Philippines' partnership "has so much potential" that could also benefit the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but it has supposedly gone to waste.
"What a waste of great opportunities for good. Let’s give it a rest,” he said in a tweet.
FORMER TOP DIPLOMATE WELCOMES MOVE
Former Philippine top diplomat Albert del Rosario, meanwhile, expressed support for the DFA's move.
In a statement, Del Rosario said the DFA acted consistently with the country’s constitutional duty to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in deciding to summon the Chinese envoy.
“In doing so, the DFA has acted consistent with our collective constitutional duty to protect our ‘national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.’ This is truly the ‘independent foreign policy’ contemplated by our Constitution, which is to protect our national heritage in the West Philippine Sea,” said Del Rosario, the DFA chief who led the Philippines' arbitration proceedings against China.
Del Rosario said the Chinese vessels violate the country’s fisheries law.
“As long as Chinese vessels remain in Julian Felipe Reef, which is part of our Exclusive Economic Zone, such Chinese vessels violate our laws, especially the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 which provides, in part, that ‘it shall be unlawful for any foreign person, corporation or entity to fish or operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters,’” he said.
“Our law also provides that the ‘entry of any foreign fishing vessel in Philippine waters shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the vessel is engaged in fishing in Philippine waters.’”
“The lingering Chinese presence in Julian Felipe Reef is an open and continuing violation of our laws. It is but right that our leaders do whatever is necessary to address this open and continuing insult to Filipinos,” he said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian last week said that Beijing does not intend to establish permanent presence in the area, but reiterated his country’s claim that Julian Felipe Reef, which they call Niu'e Jiao, is part of China’s Nansha Islands.
Analysts and several countries earlier warned China of its incursions in the West Philippine Sea, as it could threaten regional stability.
The United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have voiced their concerns on the matter. - With reports from Willard Cheng and Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
Duterte's COVID-19 vaccine refusal 'temporary' – spokesman
President Rodrigo Duterte's refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is "temporary", his spokesman said on Monday, as public confidence in the jabs remains low.
Duterte on Monday said he would “waive” his slot in the vaccination drive, and that whoever wanted it could have it. He said those who "would live and live productively" should be prioritized in the inoculation.
"Panandaliang sentimyento po ni Presidente iyong sinabi niya kahapon na habang hindi pa sapat po ang mga bakuna, hahayaan na muna niya na mauna ang ating mga kababayan bago siya," said the President's spokesman Harry Roque.
(The President's statement yesterday–that he will let our compatriots go first while vaccines are not yet enough–is temporary.)
"Siguro po ‘pag talagang dumagsa na iyong ating supply at kinakailangan madaliin na talaga ang pagbabakuna sa lahat, eh iyon po iyong panahon na magpapabakuna ang ating Presidente," he said in a press briefing.
(Perhaps when the supply increases and the vaccination needs to be sped up, that the time when our President will get vaccinated.)
Duterte has said he prefers the COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese state firm Sinopharm, which has yet to secure emergency use authorization in the Philippines.
Duterte last year revealed that some members of his security team took unauthorized Sinopharm shots.
Rejecting talk that the President has been vaccinated in secret, Roque said: “Hanggang speculation lang po ‘yan.”
(That's just speculation.)
Vice President Leni Robredo and several others earlier urged Duterte to get vaccinated in public to boost public confidence in the shots.
About 6 in 10 Filipinos are hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19, a recent Pulse Asia survey showed.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/duterte-waive-vaccine-covid-public-confidence-sinopharm
Labor relations ng Pilipinas, Tsina, hindi apektado ng tensyon sa West PH Sea: DOLE
Malaki ang paniwala ni Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III na hindi magkakaroon ng negatibong epekto sa labor relations ng Pilipinas at China ang tensyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“Sa palagay ko hindi makakaapekto 'yan sa labor relations natin because notwithstanding what is happening in the West Philippine Sea, nakatanggap pa rin tayo ng communication from them that they are willing to finalize our bilateral labor agreement with them,” ayon kay Bello.
Ito'y sa gitna ng hindi pa rin pag-alis ng Chinese ships sa West Philippine Sea, ang exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas sa South China Sea na inaangkin ng Tsina ang halos kabuuan.
Nitong Lunes, ipinatawag ng Pilipinas ang Chinese ambassador sa bansa at sinabing dapat umalis na ang lahat ng mga barko sa Julian Felipe Reef. Nauna na ring naglabas ng diplomatic protest ang Pilipinas laban sa Tsina dahil dito.
Sa panayam sa TeleRadyo Martes ng umaga, sinabi ni Bello na magkakaroon ng bilateral agreement ang Pilipinas sa Tsina, at sa katunayan ay magbubukas din ng tatlong Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) sa nasabing bansa.
“They are asking us already to put up our POLOs and we are already [in] the process of putting one in Beijing, in Shanghai, and in Shenzhen,” sabi ni Bello.
Ang pagbubukas aniya ng mga POLO sa ibang bansa ay indikasyon na mayroong trabaho para sa mga Filipino worker doon.
Isa umano sa trabahong inaasahang madeploy doon ay mga English teacher.
“They are asking for our English teachers. Ang daming teachers. Saka 'yung musicians natin, mga entertainers are very popular in China,” saad ni Bello.
Nasa $US3,000 umano ang inaasahang sahod ng mga English teacher sa China.
Palace: Duterte reappearance proof he is ‘fit, healthy’
President Rodrigo Duterte is “fit” and “healthy,” Malacañang said on Tuesday, after an absence of nearly two weeks fueled concerns on his condition.
Duterte, 76, resumed on Monday his weekly televised address that was canceled last week after dozens in his security team caught COVID-19.
“Ang paglabas ng ating Pangulo ay patunay na ang Punong Ehekutibo ay nananatiling fit, healthy, not to mention, mukhang bumata sa kaniyang edad,” said his spokesman Harry Roque.
(The appearance of our President is proof that he fit, healthy–not to mention, looking younger than his age.)
During Monday's speech, Duterte responded to concerns, saying, “If you are saying that I have a sickness that would prevent me from exercising the powers of the presidency, there's none.”
Duterte, the oldest to become Philippine President, had said he suffers from Barrett’s esophagus, an inflammation of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
The President, in various instances, has said he also struggled with back pains, migraines and Buerger's disease, which is linked to blockages in the blood vessels associated with heavy smoking during his youth.
A former aide last week released videos and photos showing Duterte jogging, golfing, and motorbike-riding in an apparent bid to quell rumors on his health.
"The reason I can swing (a golf club) and ride the motorcycle is because I still can," said Duterte.
The hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo (where is the President) trended on Twitter last week.
DUTERTE VACCINATION
The Philippines is battling one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia, with hospitals in the capital Manila overwhelmed with record daily infections, while authorities face delays in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
Duterte on Monday said he would “waive” his slot in the vaccination drive, and that whoever wanted it could have it.
“Ang unahin natin ‘yong medyo pagka-nabigyan ng vaccine, there’s a chance that he would live and live productively,” he said.
(Let's prioritize people who, if given the vaccine, there’s a chance that he would live and live productively.)
Duterte's vaccine sentiment is “temporary,” while COVID-19 shots are still scarce, said Roque.
“Siguro po ‘pag talagang dumagsa na ang ating supply at kinakailangan madaliin na talaga ang pagbabakuna sa lahat, ‘yon po ang panahon na magpapabakuna ang ating Presidente,” he said.
(Perhaps when our supply increases and the vaccination should be sped up, that's the time when our President will get vaccinated.)
Rejecting talk that the President has been vaccinated in secret, Roque said: “Hanggang speculation lang po ‘yan.”
(That's just speculation.)
Duterte last year revealed that some members of his security team took unauthorized COVID-19 shots.
His government is facing renewed criticism over its handling of the pandemic after a surge in COVID-19 infections that forced authorities to reimpose stricter curbs in a bubble that includes Metro Manila and nearby provinces for 2 weeks.
The restrictions were eased from April 12.
The Philippines has recorded more than 876,000 COVID-19 cases and over 15,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
– With reports from Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News; Reuters
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/duterte-fit-healthy-nasaan-ang-pangulo
Duterte spokesman denies ‘palakasan’ in getting COVID-19 hospital care
President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman on Tuesday denied that he used influence to secure hospital treatment for COVID-19, as infections swamped facilities and forced other patients to wait in line for days.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said he “was in bad shape” when he was admitted to the Philippine General Hospital last week. Like other hospitals, PGH in Manila only admits COVID-19 patients if they have moderate to severe symptoms, he said.
“Hindi po pupuwede ang palakasan dito,” Roque said in a press briefing, when asked to assure the public that he did not use his status to get ahead of other COVID-19 patients.
(There is no use of influence here.)
Roque said he experienced COVID-19 symptoms last Monday, April 5. His doctors, who are all from the state-run PGH, believed that his “condition merited admission,” he said.
He said he knew his long-time doctors before entering government service, back when he was still a professor at the University of the Philippines, which operates PGH.
Roque said he started feeling better on Sunday after taking anti-viral remdesivir.
UN-CHRISTIAN?
The Palace spokesman on Monday was also asked to explain how he got a hospital room, when other COVID-19 patients reportedly died while waiting for admission to healthcare facilities.
Roque had said, “With all due respect… I think that’s an un-Christian question.”
Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Tuesday Roque's statement was “uncalled for.”
“Papaano naging 'un-Christian' 'yon? It was an innocent question,” he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
(How was that 'un-Christian,' it was an innocent question.)
“Ang public figures dapat maging transparent sila sa pagsagot sa mga tao. 'Yan ang problema. Pag nagtatanong, sa halip na sagutin ang tanong, ad hominem ang kanilang sagot, titirahin ang nagtatanong. Hindi naman tama 'yun.”
(Public figures must be transparent in answering questions. That's the problem. When people ask, instead of answering the question, they respond with ad hominem, they attack the person. That's not right.)
In his latest briefing, Roque said, “Kaya siya un-Christian, para bagang ‘pag ikaw ay nakakuha ng kuwarto sa panahon ngayon, e mayroon kang ginawa na nang-isa ka sa kapwa mo.”
(It us un-Christian because if you get a hospital room these days, it's as if you did something to get ahead of others.)
Roque said he has been instructed to look for a temporary treatment and monitoring facility where he could transfer beginning Wednesday. In the meantime, he said his doctors are just monitoring the effect of remdesivir on his heart.
Roque previously underwent a heart procedure, which prompted him to withdraw his 2019 Senate bid. He has also said he was obese and diabetic.
People with health risks are more prone to developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Roque first announced he tested positive for the coronavirus on March 15. He was found negative for the disease 10 days later.
It was unclear when he again contracted the virus, or whether he was suffering from further effects of his earlier illness.
The official was the fifth member of Duterte's Cabinet to contract the illness.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/harry-roque-covid-hospital-unchristian-pgh-palakasan
500 Years of Christianity: 100 tao bininyagan bilang Katoliko sa Cebu
Nasa 100 tao ang nabinyagan bilang mga Katoliko ngayong Martes, ikatlong araw ng triduum, sa The National Shrine ng Our Lady of the Rule sa Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Ang triduum ang paghahanda para sa paggunita sa kauna-unahang binyag na nangyari sa Cebu 500 taon na ang nakalilipas.
Kasama sa mga nabinyagan ang 7 kasapi ng pamilya Magpantay.
Ayon sa inang si Rosemarie, matagal na niyang gustong maging Katoliko at natutuwa siyang matupad ito kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng 500 anibersaryo ng Kristiyanismo sa Pilipinas.
Lahat ng mga nabinyagan ay may edad 20 pataas.
Sinabihan ni Bishop Patrick Parcon ang mga nabinyagan na sila ay mga anak ng Diyos na dapat mahalin at irespeto, at walang sino man ang dapat sumira sa kanilang mga karapatan.
Masaya si Parcon na makabalik sa The National Shrine ng Our Lady of the Rule dahil doon aniya siya nabinyagan 58 taon na ang nakalilipas.
Noong Linggo, unang araw ng triduum, bininyagan ang 100 sanggol sa Cebu City, habang nitong Lunes ay 100 ang nagpakumpil sa Mandaue City.
Sa Miyerkoles nakatakda ang reenactment ng kauna-unahang binyag ng mga Pilipino. Pangungunahan ni Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles Brown ang misa rito.
-- Ulat ni Vilma Andales
'Magtrabaho ka na lang, puro ngawngaw': De Lima says Duterte should focus on pandemic
Detained Sen. Leila de Lima on Tuesday hit back at President Rodrigo Duterte, who mocked her for being in detention over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the national penitentiary.
In a statement, De Lima said Duterte should focus on doing his job as President amid the rising COVID-19 infections and death toll in the country instead of attacking members of the opposition.
"Mr. President, maawa ka naman sa taumbayan. Namamatay na mga mahal nila sa buhay ako pa rin ang problema mo?" De Lima said.
(Mr. President, have pity on the people. Their loved ones are dying and yet you're problem is still about me?)
"Magtrabaho ka na lang Duterte. Kung nagtrabaho ka lang sana hindi tayo umabot sa ganito. Huwag ka na lang puro ngawngaw," she said.
(Just work, Duterte. If you only worked, we would not have reached this point. Stop yapping.)
De Lima also chided Duterte for allegedly going on "photoshoots" that showed him playing golf while millions of Filipinos are struggling with the pandemic.
"Habang nasa kung saang lupalop siya at nagpapa-photoshoot habang nagmemeryenda, nagja-jogging, naggo-golf at kung anu-ano pang pampalipas oras, araw-araw, daan-daan ang binabawian ng buhay at nauulila—ina, ama, kapatid, kaibigan, kamag-anak, katrabaho, mga mahal sa buhay," she said.
In a pre-recorded speech aired on Monday, Duterte said De Lima deserved to "endure prison while we enjoy life."
Duterte verbally attacked De Lima after the senator called out the President for his seeming lack of presence and control over curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The opposition senator has been detained in the Philippine National Police's headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City since February 2017 after she was accused of getting kickbacks from drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison to fund her senatorial bid in 2016.
De Lima has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying the Duterte administration has been using these charges to persecute her for being a vocal critic of the human rights abuses observed during the President's war on drugs.
In February, a Muntinlupa court junked one of the 3 drug-related cases filed against De Lima.
PSA: Nakatapos sa Step 1 ng National ID registration, umabot na sa 28M
Umabot na sa 28 milyon ang mga taong nakapagrehistro na para sa step 1 ng pagkuha ng National ID, ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
“Umabot na kami ng 28 million pero ito po ay para sa tinatawag naming Step 1. 'Yung Step 1, ito 'yung pagkuha ng demographic characteristics, pag-schedule kung kailan ka pupunta sa isang registration center para sa biometric capture. Meron pang Step 2 na kailangang pagdaanan 'yung ating 28 milion,” pahayag ni PSA Assistant Secretary Rosalinda Bautista.
Sa panayam sa TeleRadyo Martes ng umaga, sinabi ni Bautista na kasama na sa 28 milyon ang Metro Manila. Isa rin aniya sa malaking hamon nila ngayong pandemya ay ang pag-capture ng biometrics ng mga nagpapa-register.
“Nag-slowdown kami simula nitong Holy Week while we are actually ramping up doon sa gamit ng aming registration kit. Ibig sabihin magbubukas kami ng more registration centers, nagkaroon naman po kami ng challenge na may mga LGUs na naintindihan naman namin kung bakit kailangang magkaroon ng suspension sa mga operations ng regisration centers dahil hindi ok ang situation ng COVID,” sabi niya.
Ngayong buwan din aniya ay mag-uumpisa sila ng institutional registration kung saan sila mismo ang pupunta sa mga private at government institution para magrehistro.
“Pag nagkakaroon ng lockdown, ginagamit namin ito para hindi masayang 'yung panahon para magparehistro. Dahil bawal lumabas, nakikipagusap kami sa mga institution para magawan sila ng schedule. ito pong NCR, nag push forward kami ng kanilang schedule so beginning April 18 meron na po kaming tinitingnan sa Pateros o sa Muntinlupa ay magkakaroon na po ng registration."
Layon ng National ID na mapadali ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa publiko at mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga low-income families na makapag-bukas din ng kanilang mga account sa bangko.
“Aside from opening a bank account, isa pang vision sa National ID ay para po mapadali ang mga transaction sa gobyerno nung may ID. Kagaya ngayon, maaaring nahuli kami para sa distribution ng ayuda, makakatulong ang National ID. Pero ini-expect namin na pagka ang gobyerno natin ay naka synchronize na lahat ng ID, pag ikaw tumanggap ng ayuda hindi makakatanggap ulit ng panibagong ayuda sa iba pang lugar dahil identified. Ito na po ang gagamitin natin na single ID na recognized by all government agencies,” paliwanag niya.
Target ng PSA na makapagrehistro ng 70 milyong katao para sa taong ito.
“Malaking budget ang kakailanganin para magawa namin ang 70M, alam naman natin ngayon ang pangangailangan ng resources ng atin gobyerno pero kung di po namin maabot ang 70M, siguro maabot po namin ang 50M,” sabi niya.
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