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Sa gitna ng epidemya, panggigipit sa mga kritiko ang pinupuntirya sa kasong quo warranto sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at sa file ng mga kasong inciting to sedition kay Sen. Trillanes at iba pa.

Walong araw na nang ipataw ng pamahalaan ang travel ban sa China, pero tumatanggap pa rin tayo ng mga report na nakakalapag pa rin sa mga paliparan natin sa Boracay, Davao, at kung saan-saan pa ang mga eroplanong galing China.

Araw-araw, nadadagdagan ang mga kaso ng kumpirmadong nCoV. Ayon naman sa ating DoH sa kanilang ulat kaninang tanghali, 262 ang persons under investigation; 48 ang discharged at mino-monitor, at 441 contacts ng unang dalawang kaso ng nCoV sa Pilipinas ang na-trace na.

Sapat na ba ito? Alam ba natin kung totoo nga ang patuloy na pagdating sa Pilipinas ng mga galing sa epicenter ng sakit?

Tutukan ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan sa epidemya, hindi ang panggigipit at pananakot sa mga kritiko at sa media.



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Sen. Nancy Binay expressed hope that the House of Representatives would not be hindered from hearing the network's franchise renewal despite the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN pending in the Supreme Court.

Binay stressed the need for the legislative branch to not sit on the franchise's approval, as it is the job of legislators to discuss and study the merits of granting or refuse franchises to those who apply for them.

"Iyon nga iyong kailangan eh. Paano natin mapag-uusapan kung ano ang aayusin natin doon sa franchise kung hindi naghi-hearing," said the senator.

While acknowledging that the SC has already acted on the petition by asking ABS-CBN to submit its comment in 10 days, Congress still has time to discuss 11 bills seeking to renew the network's franchise and send it to plenary for debates and voting.

"I'm not comfortable sa idea na ila-lapse na lang ang pag-expire ng franchise nang hindi dumaan sa proseso. Parang ang dating is we're not doing our job," Binay pointed out.

In spite of the pending matter in the SC, Congress has its own power to grant or reject legislative franchises for media and other public utility companies and services, regardless of a pending court case.

According to Binay, the issues raised against ABS-CBN could be cured through amendments.

"Naiintindihan ko din naman iyong mga reklamo against ABS-CBN but mas mahalaga iyong freedom to information, access to information. I think kapag nawala itong ABS[CBN], malaking dagok iyon sa access natin to information," said the senator.

Binay said that the allegations of abuses by the network as well as other issues would also best be discussed during legislative hearings.

"I hope that our colleagues in the Lower House would start weighing which bills should be tackled before Congress goes on break on March 11. With regard the ABS-CBN franchise, the Senate's hands are currently tied on the issue until the House of Representatives transmits the approved bill to us," said Binay.

Though the network's coverage of the Binays may not have been friendly, the senator said she will support ABS-CBN's franchise renewal when it comes time for the Senate to vote on whether to approve it or not.

"I will vote for the approval of the franchise of ABS-CBN," Binay said on the sidelines during a hearing of the Committee on Tourism, which she chairs, on Tuesday.

When asked why, she said that her vote "is not about me."



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(as delivered)

Mapagpalang araw po sa ating lahat.

Isa lang po ang intensyon ng mga resolusyon at panukalang batas na pag-uusapan natin ngayong araw dito sa joing committee hearing: para suriing mabuti kung ano nga bang pakinabang ng paglago, kung meron man, pakinabang ng paglago ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators o POGO industry sa ating bansa. Mahigit tatlong taon na po ang nakakaraan, December of 2016, mula nang punahin at talakayin natin dito sa Senado ang pagdagsa ng mga illegal workers sa Pilipinas. Kung maaalala po ninyo, humantong sa pag-aresto kina dating Deputy Commissioner ng Bureau of Immigrations Argosino at Robles ang serye ng mga imbestigasyon noon dahil sa pagtanggap nila ng 50-milyong pisong na suhol para mapagtakpan ang mga ilegal na nagtatrabaho sa "Next Games" na operator ng sugal doon po sa Clark airbase.

Aaminin ko po, I'm not a fan of gambling, but I'm not also an extremist. It is just that gambling comes with corruption, comes with ... may kakambal na krimen, prostitusyon, at ngayon katulad ng mga naririnig natin, even kidnapping. Ilang beses na po nating napatunayan 'yan. Kaya noon pa tayo nananawagan na, in fact noong nasa Kamara de Representantes pa tayo, alam nila dating Congressman Bello iyon, na ang PAGCOR ay pag-aralan natin ng Mabuti kung ito ba ay regulator or bangkero. Ito yung hanggang ngayon ay nais nating pag-aralan anong bang mas makakabuti sa ating bansa.

Today, we are confronted with this question: Do we really need POGOs in this country? Is it good or bad for the country?

If we examine the figures submitted by different government agencies, and I'd like you to comment on this, it appears that POGOs do not really generate jobs for Filipinos because these POGOS employ primarily foreign nationals. When you look at foreign nationals with our problem na tinatalakay nitong mga nakaraan na hearings sa committee on labor, maganda po ang binigay na datos ng Bureau of Immigration. Bumaba po ang bilang ng Special Work Permits, meaning na scrutinize nila ng mabuti. Perhaps this is the fruit of the interagency task force initiative. But we wanted to find out kung ano ang kalagayan ng mga foreign workers na pumapasok sa atin at kung nadadagdagan ba yung mga illegal foreign workers.

Let me also point out that I am not against foreign workers here in the country. Pag meron tayong foreign nationals na nagtatrabaho na legal, uulitin ko, legal, dito sa ating bansa, it's a good thing for our country because na-sha-share nila yung technical know-how. That's why we have a bill here that we are trying to espouse, na yung technical know-how we make sure there is a mechanism para ma transfer yung knowledge sa ating mga kababayan so that time will come we will no longer need to hire foreign nationals for a particular job.

This problem is even confounded by the fact that the system of issuing employment permits appears to be not working. The tally of different government agencies, and I'd like to get your figures because it does not match yung mga sinubmit niyo sa committee. Magkakaiba-iba ang mga datos ng mga nadiskubre na illegal workers at nakita natin dito na umaabot sa 6,678 illegal workers sa hanay pa lamang ng mga POGOs na nainspeksyon na ng DOLE. Kung ganyan po sila kadami sa mga legal na POGO, sa mga may lisensya, paano pa doon sa illegal?

Nakakabahala rin po na sa bawat sampung POGO worker, wala pa pong dalawang Pilipino ang nagkakatrabaho. Halimbawa, ang pinakamalaking POGO licensee na Oriental Game, LTD na may kabuuang 21,976 workers ay may 2,000 plus o 10.7 percent Pinoy workers

Malinaw po ang "Filipino First" Policy na nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon. Article 12 Section 12 Kaya nga nandyan ang Labor Market Test (LMT). If you would recall, we have been on pounding this sa Bureau of Immigration before because the only agency that has the capacity to vet whether or not a particular job can be given to a foreign national is lodged with the Department of Labor and Employment. Kaya po importante po ito ang armas ng ating mga kababayan para matiyak na hindi nananakawan ng trabaho at oportunidad ang mga Pilipino.

Ang tanong ho: nagagawa po ba itong Labor Market Test para sa pangangailangan ng mga POGO? Kailangan bang ibang paraan o special mechanism or initiative para i-pursue ito. Naghanap na po ba tayo ng mga Pilipino na magaling magsalita ng Mandarin?

What's worst is that foreign workers in POGO-related establishments are not properly paying taxes! We want to hear from the DOF, from the BIR ano na nga ba ang estado nito.

Hindi pa po natin nababanggit ang pabigat na dulot ng POGOs sa peace and order situation sa ating bansa. Imagine po, in our record, 733 fugitives entered our country in 2019. This is not a joke. 733 fugitives. Most of them came under the pretense of working here. Paano nakapasok ang mga fugitive na ito?

Bukod pa dito, nagsitaasan rin ang presyo ng mga condominium and office units sa bansa, lalo na sa mga lugar kung saan maraming mga POGO companies. There have been reports in other residential condominiums of tenants leaving their units due to the sharp rise of rents of up to 30 percent.

Yes, we are aware that appropriate actions have been taken and are still being taken on account of our problems with POGOs. Yet, as we all know, these actions may not be enough. That's why we are all here. May kababayan po tayong lumapit sa atin, ang sabi, Senator Joel, ang pangarap ko lang ay magkaroon ng aking sariling unit dyan malapit sa Senado, sa Macapagal avenue, pero tila baga unti unti nang nawawala ang pangarap ko dahil dyan sa real estate bubble. Ito ang isang simpleng pangrap ng isa nating kababayan. Paano pa kaya yung gusto mag negosyo at mataas ang presyo ng renta ng space. Yung BPO na more than one million direct jobs ang ibinibigay sa atin, mas mababa na ang demand kaysa sa POGO office space.

We must heed the utmost urgent importance of finding concrete solutions for these concrete concerns on think very seriously of the propriety of suspending the licensing of POGOs for now until our concerned government agencies get their acts together.

Simple lang ang gusto nating sabihin: Sumunod kayo sa patakaran, o umalis na lang kayo sa aming bansa. Kung nagbabayad kayo ng tamang buwis, at sumusunod sa mga tamang patakaran, wala pong dapat ikatakot ang mga POGO sa pamahalaan.

May God help and guide us in this noble and tremendous task at hand.



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On the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement

SP Sotto: That means that the termination will be after 180 days. In 180 days after the receipt of notice, pag natanggap yung notice, kung natanggap yung notice ngayon, in 180 days terminated yung agreement.

Q: But the Senate still wants to, yung kahapong inadopt ninyo na resolution, do you still want to...?

SP Sotto: Pinasa namin yun. That is the sense of the Senate. The sense of the Senate is for the President to reconsider because we want to review the VFA. Well, it appears that the President does not want to review the VFA, and that he does not want to consider. It's as simple as that.

Q: Will you still send the resolution to Malacañang?

SP Sotto: It is only proper that we will send the resolution and of course, remember, there is also another resolution pending in the Senate wherein members of the Senate were asking or looking at the possibility that what it means is that we approve, we ratify, we should also be consulted when it is terminated. That is the thinking of some of us.

Q: There was a Senator who said that he was willing to elevate that thinking to the Supreme Court. Will you support that motion?

SP Sotto: Yes, why not? So that we will be able to once and for all find out whether the provisions that we include in the new resolutions that we passed is correct, di ba? Kasi meron na kaming nilalagay na ganoon ngayon sa mga resolutions namin.

Q: Do you share the same sentiment na dapat nga talagang may concurrence from the Senate yung pag revoke?

SP Sotto: Siguro. I am inclined. I don't need to say that I am 100 percent behind it, but I am inclined to support it because in this case, we thought a review is proper. We thought that we should have been consulted and we were giving out our sense that it should be reconsidered, knowing that there are very serious implications on EDCA and the (unclear) so we thought that we should have been consulted but nevertheless, the chief architect of the foreign policies is the President, the buck stops with him, so be it.

Q: Will you continue to discuss the resolution?

SP Sotto: Yes. I am inclined to support that resolution that we look into that. If need be, then let us ask the proper courts to decide.

Q: Can the Senate still reverse the withdrawal?

SP Sotto: I don't think so.

Q: (Unclear)

SP Sotto: What I am saying is I am inclined to support the resolution of the Senate saying that we were tasked by the Constitution to ratify, we should also be given the power to, we should also have the right to ratify the termination.

Q: Are you still hopeful that within the 180 days, he can still change his mind?

SP Sotto: I'd rather not venture into second guessing the President.

Q: Pero yung review na gagawin ng Senate, itutuloy pa rin even if terminated na yung VFA?

SP Sotto: If terminated na, there is no use to review.

Q: Ihihinto niyo na po?

SP Sotto: Oo, but at this point hindi naman sa directly ihihinto kungdi we will look into the intent of Resolution 305 muna. Because Resolution 305 says that we should be not only consulted, but we should also be asked to agree with a termination because we were asked to agree on ratification.

Q: What can you say about this, kasi it seems like hindi kayo binigyan talaga ng Presidente ng pagkakataon, or hindi kayo pinakinggan dito sa Senado despite your appeal to just go on with the review and wait for the recommendation.

SP Sotto: Ano ang masasabi namin? Let me just try to get muna the sense of the members of the majority, to find out more or less. Especially, as far as Senate Resolution 305 is concerned.

Q: Do you think the Supreme Court should play a role...?

SP Sotto: Palagay ko may possibility na makarating sa Supreme Court yung issue namin, which is we should be consulted before termination.

Q: You will support that pag umakyat ng SC?

SP Sotto: Yes, I will support.

Q: Will the Senate initiate that?

SP Sotto: Most probably. I will not be surprised if one of our members would elevate it.

Q: Di ba meron na sa SC nun during the last Congress?

SP Sotto: Hindi ko matandaan.

Q: (Unclear) Ihahabol yun sa VFA?

SP Sotto: Oo, because the decision of the Supreme Court becomes law, di ba? Ganun yun.

Q: Hindi ba pwedeng istop sa Supreme Court kung may pending na (unclear), yung resolution will stop the termination?

SP Sotto: Ang nakalagay sa agreement kasi, when the other party gives notice, it is deemed terminated after 180 days.

Q: There is still time kung 180 days. Are you going to file an injunction before the Supreme Court?

SP Sotto: I will talk with the other members of the Senate first or we will take it up in caucus.

Q: Do you see the Senate moving to reverse the Palace's action?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman sa reverse kungdi you know, the thinking of some of the members of the Senate is if we were asked to ratify, by the Constitution, then it means that we must be able to ratify also upon termination.

On ABS CBN

Q: Many of your colleagues are asking your counterparts to hear the ABS CBN franchise. Do you join the call?

SP Sotto: I say this in response to those asking me na sabi, why are we giving up the right of Congress to allow to approve franchises. Para daw ang nangyayari doon sa quo warranto, we are giving it up. I don't believe that, because what we can do, even with the quo warranto, is Congress passes the franchise, brings it up to the Senate, we discuss it, we either approve it or reject it. We are not giving up anything.

Q: (Unclear)

SP Sotto: No, it can't stop us. No quo warranto can stop the Congress from approving a franchise.

Q: In that case, the House should actually act (unclear)?

SP Sotto: Yes. Dalhin nila dito, we will act on it swiftly.

Q: Going back on the VFA and raising it to the Supreme Court, will that not put Congress at loggerheads with the Executive branch?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman, talaga namang meron talaga tayong separation of powers so it is just automatic.

Q: Are you for approving the franchise personally?

SP Sotto: Alam naman nila kung ano yung kalooban ko when it comes to broadcast. Alam ninyo naman ang kalooban ko doon pero aakyat sa amin dito, I am not pre-empting anything, but I have always been supportive of any broadcast media, whatever channel that is, or whatever radio station that is.

Q: What is your belief? Pag hindi umabot, hindi naapprove ng Congress yung franchise, can ABS CBN still operate? Provisional authority by NTC daw?

SP Sotto: Yes. Even provisional authority is not necessary because as long as there is a pending franchise, or pending bill for extension of franchise, they are deemed extended. Ganun yun.

Q: Even if magbreak kayo sa March 14?

SP Sotto: They can still operate. If it is not approved until March of 2022, that is the only time that it is terminated. As long as may nakafile na bill, it is deemed extended. Nakafile eh, kahit na (unclear) ulit yan. It has happened so many times in other franchises.

Q: (Unclear) of law?

SP Sotto: That is the operation of law.

Q: Wala daw legal basis?

SP Sotto: Hindi lang nila narereview. I used to be chairman of public services in the 10th Congress, (unclear).

Q: (Unclear) Congressional extension?

SP Sotto: It is deemed extended, no. Until matapos yung 18th Congress, kung nakapending pa rin at hindi nireview. Ang akala ninyo ba pagdating ng March 14, kailangan hinto na sila? Hindi, no, that is not true. That's not correct, better check on the copy of law covering franchises. That has happened so many times.

Q: Baka pwede ninyo po mareview kung ano yung franchise na ganun?

SP Sotto: Sige, iche-check ko pero I am very sure of that. Tanungin ninyo yung mga experts on broadcast.

Q: Nangyari na before na paso na yung franchise, basta nakapending?

SP Sotto: Nakapending. Ang masama, napaso yung franchise, at hindi pa nagfafile, magfafile pa lang. Terminated ka. Pero yung may nakapending na (unclear), inabot ka ngayon ng whatever, hindi mapasa-pasa, it is deemed extended.

Q: Pano kung halimbawa, pwede bang habulin yung committee who did not act on a pending bill?

SP Sotto: Hindi, it is part of the power of Congress. Ang mangyayari diyan, kung talagang ayaw ng Congress na bigyan, ideny na nila yung franchise.

Q: Para mas clear?

SP Sotto: Oo. Ayaw pala nilang bigyan, eh di ideny nila.

Q: And then sa court na?

SP Sotto: Oo. Iba na yun, terminated na. Pero nakapending, hindi terminated yun.

Q: Any court to determine that...?

SP Sotto: No, (unclear).

Q: The company concerned can refile the franchise?

SP Sotto: It is already filed.

Q: After 2022, kung halimbawa adopted?

SP Sotto: Nakafile pa rin yun.

Q: Kung tapos na yung 18th Congress?

SP Sotto: In 2022, wala pa ring nangyari? Yun na yun, doon siya deemed terminated. Hintayin nila yung bagong Congress, magfile ng bagong franchise.

Q: (Unclear) magdecide ang Supreme Court sa quo warranto?

SP Sotto: Walang kinalaman yun. Sa franchise? Eh kung magpasa ng franchise ang Congress, the quo warranto is for the old franchise. (Unclear) does not matter.

Q: Ang argument daw, pag nag rule yung quo warranto, igrant yun, ano ang irerenew ng Congress, eh it did not exist to begin with? Yung ABS CBN?

SP Sotto: May nakafile na bill eh, eh di may pending siya na bill for a franchise.

Q: New franchise ang lalabas?

SP Sotto: Pwede nilang amyendahan sa committee yun. Yun ay kung gusto nila talaga. Ganun lang kadali ang usapan.

Q: Paano kung (unclear) for renewal? Paano kung nagdecide ang Supreme Court na wala yan from the start?

SP Sotto: Kaya nga what I am saying easily in the committee ang proposal nila amyendahan nila, (Unclear) file a new franchise.

Q: It will be considered as a new filing?

SP Sotto: In my opinion, yes.

Q: Given the importance of this issue, and you have this regular meeting with your House counterparts, would you feel it necessary to also check on them?

SP Sotto: Oo. Wala pa nga eh. We haven't been called into the mini LEDAC, but perhaps it's just proper that I initiate it already. I might initiate it already para magkaalaman na. Mabuti na yung magkaalaman.

Q: Initiate the?

SP Sotto: The mini LEDAC. Para malaman na natin, para (unclear) na natin ang gagawin ng House.

Q: Kung ano yung position nila?

SP Sotto: Oo. Ano ba ang nangyayari. Nag-aantay ba kami sa wala or what? Because you know, at the moment, we are handcuffed. Until it reaches the Senate, we cannot do anything about it, kaya nga I try to avoid giving out a comment on whether I am in favor or not, kaya ko iniiwasan talaga yun, kasi wala pa naman sa kamay namin, we can't do anything about it. We can only voice opinion, and sometimes our opinion are not, really does not matter to other people.

Q: Ano ang info mo sa House? Wala ka bang nakausap sa House?

SP Sotto: Wala eh. Wala, hindi namin napapagusapan.

Q: Paano kung nagdeadlock?

SP Sotto: NPC? Very supportive yun.

Q: (Unclear)

SP Sotto: Bihirang bihira. I am trying to recall a franchise na hindi inapprove (unclear). Iniisip ko nga. 1998 pa ako sa public services, that means in the Senate, the chairman of franchises, wala akong matandaan. Hanggang ngayon iniisip ko nga. Merong mga franchise na hindi binigyan. Hindi yung nagrenew? Wala akong matandaan na (unclear).

Q: You intend to talk to Speaker Cayetano?

SP Sotto: Mini LEDAC sana, para mapagusapan namin paano itong mga nakapending na (unclear).

Q: (Unclear) for mini LEDAC?

SP Sotto: Hopefully next week.



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Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto has filed a bill seeking to impose a 30-percent income tax and five percent franchise tax on offshore online gaming operations in the country.

Recto said Senate Bill No. 1295 seeks to establish a tax regime for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) which are duly licensed and authorized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to provide online gambling services to players outside the Philippines.

The bill covers POGO companies in the Philippines, local gaming agents and POGO service providers. Despite the fact that POGO is a growing industry in the Philippines, Recto said the nature of its business activity creates confusion in the enforcement of the country's existing laws.

Under PAGCOR rules and regulations on POGO operations, licenses are issued to Filipino-based or foreign-based operators. Service providers that form part of the components of the POGO gaming operations such as gaming software provider, business outsourcing provider and content streaming provider are likewise required to secure a license.

"Both Philippine-based and foreign-based POGO operators are taxable on their income from gaming operations and other related services," Recto said.

"Establishing the tax regime of POGOs and incorporating the same in the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, is necessary to remove any doubt and avoid the confusion as to whether or not POGOs are taxable in our jurisdiction," he explained.

Under the bill, licensed Philippine-based POGOs, local gaming agents and service providers shall be subjected to a 30-percent income tax, the taxable amount will be derived in the preceding taxable year from all sources within and outside of the Philippines.

Foreign-based POGOs shall also be subjected to a 30-percent income tax based on their gross income derived from game offerings or facilities located within the Philippines.

On top of the 30-percent income tax, Recto's bill also proposed the imposition of a five-percent franchise tax on all gross receipts derived from gaming operations of both Philippine and foreign-based POGO operators.



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Given our ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea, this move favors China and no longer comes as a surprise given how meek and subservient the Administration has been toward China in matters not only of sovereignty but even on matters of public health and safety, as in the coronavirus epidemic.

The Administration cited the cancellation of the US visa of Senator dela Rosa and the supposed US interference in the country's human rights record as basis for terminating the VFA. If the Administration thinks such an act will prevent their accountability for the impunity and the blatant disregard of human rights in the murderous drug war then they are mistaken. Sooner or later those behind the mass murder of our citizens, mostly poor, will be brought to justice.

In addition, we believe such a notice is only valid with the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate therefore must assert its constitutional role in concurring with such a termination before it can take effect.



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Together with the Filipino people, the Liberal Party of the Philippines has been here before. In 1972, when the ousted dictator imposed martial law, he also arrested his critics and shut down major media outfits like ABS-CBN.

This confluence of events was obviously deliberate, aimed at slowly maiming the broadcast network: the President's incessant and open attacks, the absence of movement from the lower chamber to tackle the pending franchise renewal bills and recently, as if aiming for the kill, a quo warranto petition two months before the franchise of the network expires.

Stacking the government with his supporters, cracking down on the opposition, and silencing the media using all resources at his disposal are indications of the country's slide into authoritarianism.

Freedom-loving Filipinos should come together and resist authoritarianism in all its forms.

A nation cannot be governed by way of threats, insults, intimidation, and violence.



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Let the Supreme Court deal with the Solicitor General's quo warranto petition. That gives no reason why the House of Representatives should not report out and debate in plenary the application for legislative franchise filed by ABS-CBN and transmit the bill to the Senate for our immediate deliberation.

As I have earlier mentioned, there is no jurisdiction issue here. Rather, it is about merits in the SolGen's allegations regarding an existing 25-year franchise that is expiring and over which the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction under the 1987 Constitution; and the merits of ABS-CBN's application for a legislative franchise that Congress has the sole power to grant or deny under the same Constitution.



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Like it or not, bad or good, nothing much can be done now but do a 180-day countdown upon receipt of the notice by Washington. What is certain is that the 1951 PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty will now be reduced to a mere paper treaty as far as the US is concerned.

Having said that, there's no more intelligence information sharing in our fight against domestic and foreign terrorist acts, no more US military aid and financing that accounts for a good 52% of what they extend to the whole Asia-Pacific region.

That may not include other intangible economic benefits and security from external threats in the West Philippine Sea, as well as humanitarian aid in times of disasters, epidemics and other crises.



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After reports that the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019 n-CoV) has surpassed the global death toll of the 2003 SARS outbreak, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday encouraged the private sector to ensure the protection of workers and to provide a 'work from home' option for its employees.

"Dapat ligtas ang lahat. Ito ang priority natin," Hontiveros urged. She expressed concern that the coronavirus has infected approximately 40,000 people and killed at least 910 people in the span of one month, while the 2003 SARS outbreak killed 774 people in the span of 8 months.

"Para sa mga empleyadong pwede namang 'work from home,' dapat may ganoong option," Hontiveros detailed. "Kung hindi naman kailangang mag-commute ang empleyado araw-araw, mas mapapangalagaan ang kalusugan nila kapag pwedeng magtrabaho sa bahay," she added.

The Senator also urged employers to provide necessary protective measures for their employees inside the workplace. "Dapat may access sa running water, sabon, alcohol, at hand sanitizer ang mga empleyado sa loob ng pagawaan," Hontiveros said.

"Lalung-lalo na sa mga empleyadong nasa frontline at nasa maraming tao, kailangang i-provide ng kumpanya ang mga mahahalagang gamit kagaya ng mask at alcohol," she furthered. "Kagaya ng mga salesladies, mga cashier at iba pang nasa service sector, dapat sagot na ng kumpanya ang pang-araw-araw na protective gear nila," she also said.

Hontiveros reiterated that precautions in terms of maintaining proper hygiene and frequent handwashing must be observed.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go attended on Tuesday, February 11 the turnover ceremony of 74 fire trucks to local government units (LGUs) at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand of Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The Senator accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte who handed the ceremonial keys of the fire trucks to three representatives from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

"These new equipment are testament to the government's full support for the BFP's mandate to promote public safety by saving lives and protecting property from destruction during natural and man-made disasters and other emergencies," the President said in his speech.

Go is the author of Senate Bill (SB) No. 204 or the proposed Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2019. In his welcome remarks, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Jose Embang Jr. acknowledged the benefits of the proposed law.

"Hayaan ninyo akong pasalamatan ang ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang panawagan at suporta na maisulong ang modernisasyon ng Bureau of Fire Protection. Malaking tulong po ang PhP10-billion Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2019," Embang said. The amount is allocated in a bill pending in the House of Representatives.

The President has urged Congress in his fourth State of the Nation Address in July 2019 to pass a law mandating a modernization program for the BFP, along with several other laws.

Embang said that 287 or nineteen percent of the 1,489 municipalities in the country do not have fire trucks yet. "Sa aming hakbang tungo sa modernisasyon, layunin namin ang pagkakaroon ng bagong fire trucks at emergency vehicles sa bawat bayan," he emphasized.

At the BFP's 46th Fire Service Recognition Day on December 14, Go said that he is pushing for the passage of SB 204. "Kaagapay ninyo ako sa inyong mga hangarin...Isa ito sa sampung priority bills na inuna kong pinasa noong Hulyo."

SB 204 seeks to establish a Fire Protection Modernization Program to be implemented by the BFP and will include hiring of more personnel, acquiring modern fire equipment and trainings for firefighters, among others.

The bill also mandates BFP to respond to disasters and conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drive in all local government units, particularly in informal settlements and economically depressed areas.

"It is high time that we upgrade the facilities and capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection. Let us add more services and hire more men and women who would dare to become the respected and admired firemen and women of our nation," said Go.

Go also said in previous statements that he will push for the arming of firefighters so they can also help the government in its campaign against illegal drugs and criminality.

"I will study and check, nabanggit na rin ni Pangulo ang arming of firefighters. Makakatulong din sila sa paglaban ng kriminalidad at proteksyunan ang kanilang mga sarili. Pati sa kampanya laban sa droga, makakatulong din sila," said Go in an interview.

Go also shared before that he supported the plan to procure more fire trucks for the bureau. "Suportado ko po ang hangarin ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte na i-modernize ang hanay ng BFP. Kaya naman, sa mahigit PhP22 billion budget ng BFP ngayong 2020, nagdagdag po tayo sa Senado ng mahigit PhP232 million during the (bicameral conference) para makabili ang BFP ng additional fire trucks," he said.



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To preempt possible spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) and as preparation for similar situations that may occur in the future, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Tuesday, February 11, that he will push for the establishment of quarantine facilities in all 73 hospitals all over the country that are retained by the Department of Health (DOH).

"I'm planning to file a bill na maglalagay tayo ng separate quarantine facilities sa lahat ng mga DOH-run hospitals or kung kakailanganin po ay hiwalay na lote or structure doon sa may ospital," Go told reporters in an interview in Caloocan City, where he distributed financial and relief assistance to victims of a fire.

"Paghahanda ito hindi lang sa posibleng pagkalat ng nCoV. Kung saka-sakaling meron pang dumating ay handa na po tayo at hindi na po tayo magtuturuan sa ibang lugar na ayaw naman nilang tanggapin, at para magkaroon na rin po ng peace of mind ang bawat isang mamamayan natin sa kanya-kanyang lugar," Go added, referring to the difficulty of the government in finding quarantine facilities for the Filipinos from Hubei province in China who decided to return home.

Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, said that he will seek the help of President Rodrigo Duterte to ensure the passage of this measure. "I will also ask the President for support. Kakailanganin naman natin 'to sa ngayon. Kita niyo naman sa ibang bansa madali silang nakakagawa ng structure. Bakit hindi natin kayang gawin ito?"

The Filipinos from Hubei are currently staying at the Athletes' Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac for a fourteen-day quarantine. "Ngayon nagagamit pa ang Athletes' Village. Para po 'yun sa mga atleta. Ginagamit natin sa quarantine purposes sa ngayon. Kung meron na tayong separate quarantine area at facilities, ang mga ito ay primarily for that purpose only," Go said.

The Senator said he will file the bill as soon as possible and will urge his colleagues in the Senate and concerned agencies to support the measure.

"I will request that the measure be certified as urgent. Huwag na natin antayin pang magkandarapa tayo na maghanap na naman ng pasilidad. What if it will spread in Mindanao? Meron po tayo dapat na handang pasilidad na nandidiyan po ang mga doctor dahil malapit lang po sa mga DOH-run hospitals," he also said.

In the meantime, the Senator calls for immediate identification of quarantine facilities in DOH-run and provincial hospitals. "Kailangan na nating magkaroon ng identified quarantine facilities in each region or maybe in each province, especially po 'yung mga sentro dahil unang-una, hindi naman natin malalaman kung sino po 'yung matatamaan," he said, adding that the government should always be proactive in dealing with these kinds of crisis situations.

"Kung kakailanganin, magrenta tayo for the meantime kung sakaling dumami talaga (ang Persons Under Investigation)," he added.

Meanwhile, Go extended assistance to Caloocan City residents who lost their homes on February 6 in a fire that started at No. 151 on 9th Avenue, Barangay 63, eventually spreading to Barangay 59 and affecting 75 families in both barangays.

Aside from giving the victims financial and relief assistance, Go offered to provide for the fare of those who want to relocate to the provinces and for the uniforms and school supplies of the affected children.

He also offered to assist in the medical needs of the residents, even those who are not affected by the fire. "Sa mga nangangailangang magpa-opera, magpa-dialysis o may cancer, ako na hong magpapagamot sa inyo. Yung mga bill ninyo sa ospital, tutulong po kami," Go said.

He explained that patients can now easily ask for help at the Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop for medical and financial assistance from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

He also mentioned that Malasakit Centers had been opened at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, and in the cities of Valenzuela and Novaliches.

So far, 62 Malasakit Centers have been opened in different parts of the country, and the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, which was based on the bill that Go filed in the Senate, mandates the establishment of a Malasakit Center in each of the DOH-run hospitals in the country. Local government-run hospitals may also have their own Malasakit Centers provided they meet the minimum standards and set criteria.

Aside from the assistance from Go, the fire victims also received various kinds of aid from the DSWD, DOH, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

In his speech, Go asked the residents of Caloocan to continue supporting the government's three-point campaign against illegal drugs, crimes and corruption. "Galit kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa mga kriminal at durugista," he said.



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Senator Win Gatchalian expresses dismay over a report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that only 30% percent of barangays nationwide, or an estimated 12,614 out of 42,045, are practicing segregation, emphasizing that the waste heirarchy of 'reduce, reuse, recycle' (3Rs) is a failure.

"The 3Rs is a failure, yung reuse, reduce, recycle because only 30% of the barangays conduct 3Rs, 70% ay tinatapon lang sa kung saan-saan," stresses Gatchalian.

The Chairman of the Committee on Energy at the Senate calls out the DENR to failing to fully implement the Solid Waste Management Act with 331 illegal dumpsites still operational in the country. Part of the DENR's mandate is to close illegal dumpsites.

The Senator believes that it is now the time for the government to consider the adoption of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facilities in the treatment and disposal of solid waste.

Gatchalian's Senate Bill No. 363 or the Waste-to-Energy Act (WTE Act) seeks to provide a framework for the entire value chain of WTE facilities, and, in turn, ensure the uninterrupted supply of waste as feedstock.

Gatchalian believes that the immediate passage of the WTE Act will not only encourage the development of new technologies in the treatment and disposal of solid waste, it also supports the expansion of bioenergy to attain sustainable energy.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian has pressed the DENR, DOE, and the Department of Science and technology (DOST) to come up with their own collaborative study to look at the capacity, potential for energy and environmental concerns for them to have some preliminary idea on how energy can solve our solid waste issues in the country.



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Q: The President says he is really going to terminate the VFA, what will happen to the resolution and the Senate review of the VFA?

SFMD: If the President finally terminates the VFA, there is no sense reviewing it, because what we will review if the VFA has been in fact terminated. And if the VFA is terminated, the EDCA cannot stand alone, because the basis of the EDCA is the VFA, and if the VFA is terminated, the EDCA cannot be effective. If the VFA and EDCA are no longer effective, then the MDT, as mentioned by Sec. Locsin, would be inutile and would serve no purpose.

Q: What do you say to the statements of the President that the told to those who are appealing to him that he won't listen?

SFMD: That is his privilege insofar as the VFA, at this point, is concerned. He has the prerogative. We recognize that. That is why we introduced a resolution in the 17thCongress that expressed the sense of the Senate that the termination of treaties should carry with it the consent of the Senate. A treaty is part of the law of the land. The moment the Senate concurs in the ratification of a treaty, that treaty becomes the law of the land.

In our view, the termination of the treaty, like the repeal of any law, must carry the concurrence of the Senate. In fact, there are about 20 resolutions concurring in the ratification of treaties where the consent of the Senate is specified that must be secured in order to make the termination effective. However, there is a debate as to whether or not that will apply to the VFA because as that time VFA as ratified, there was no such requirement in the ratification.

Q: How will it impact the country?

SFMD: The question raised by a number of our colleagues are at this point, insofar as the military relationship is concerned, are we prepared to stand on our own? Here it is the shortcomings of all the administrations when we failed to prepare adequately our security capability. It is a rule in foreign relations that a foreign policy is always to the benefit of the country that enunciates the policy. In other words, no foreign policy is altruistic in character. It is always to the benefit of the country promulgating it. so, it is up to us to protect our own national interest. At this stage, the view is, our national interest would fall for the continued existence of the VFA. But the President has another view and, at this point, he is the principal actor insofar as foreign relation is concerned and insofar as the VFA is concerned.

Q: Sir, don't you think the President should give due course to those appeals?

SFMD: We can give advice. But the matter of whether or not the President will listen to advice is the prerogative of the President. We cannot do anything. That's a political issue.

Q: Are we ready for the impact?

SFMD: Well, whether of not we are ready for the impact is a matter that the President would have to consider in the course of his decision making. As I said, this is a political decision and he is the political leader. He holds himself responsible for the people for the consequences of the political decision. But, I repeat, this is a decision that he will make - the advice of all others being considered.

Q: On the ABS-CBN franchise, what's your school of thoughts about this?

SFMD: I do not understand it. the ABS-CBN franchise will expire on March 30 and that is barely 50 days from today. I don't think the court can rule on the petition and in 50 days, the issue will become academic if the franchise is not renewed. Now, if the Congress will grant the franchise, it must be Congress which will hear of the arguments of the alleged violation of the existing franchise and take this into account in renewing or not renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN. The jurisdiction is with Congress at this point. At this point, I really could not understand the action of the Solicitor General. I repeat, in 50 days time the issue will become academic if the Congress does not renew the franchise. The court will not rule on an academic question. They will not rule simply for the information of the public. They will rule if it affects the rights of a person or parties and they will rule on this if the franchise is still valid after 50 days. If Congress is not renewing it, there is no sense in the ruling on a legal issue which will just be theoretical and academic. If Congress is going to renew, it is Congress that has the jurisdiction and which should hear the arguments or the grounds for non-renewal of the franchise.

Q: Can the committee be held accountable?

SFMD: No, you cannot hold them accountable. They are not required to act on this recommendation. This is an exercise of a political judgment. The members of Congress are answerable to the people insofar as this is concerned. You cannot even go to court and compel Congress to renew the franchise.

Q: What happens to ABS-CBN after March 30? Can it still operate legally?

SFMD: No, they need a franchise to operate.



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2/11/20

The indictment of Sen. Sonny Trillanes and nine others, including two priests, for Conspiracy to Commit Sedition shows the depths to which this administration is willing to sink in order to harass or persecute those who dare to search for truth and demand for accountability.

'Bikoy', a certified liar, has turned from an enemy of the state to a weapon to silence dissent. For him to be the cornerstone of a criminal case is just another reminder of the willingness of Duterte to use lowlifes, criminals and other deplorables who share his values, if it serves his own malevolent designs.

There is no Conspiracy to Commit Sedition here. An indispensable element in a crime of sedition under Art. 139 of the Revised Penal Code is a public and tumultuous uprising which has been found wanting in the DOJ Resolution itself, as quoted in media reports. Any conspiracy to commit sedition under Art. 141 must necessarily involve such proposed act of public and tumultuous uprising, which is also clearly wanting here. So are the other elements of "force, intimidation or by other means outside of legal methods," in order to attain any of the stated objects under Art. 139, which include creating a supposed "hatred or revenge against the President and his family," as cited in the Resolution. This charge is wantonly baseless!

The Constitution and the law protect our rights to freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. The administration has yet to show proof of anything resembling seditious act or intent beyond their wild imaginings.

The lawyers' oath, in part, says: "I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent to the same; I will delay no man for money or malice." I challenge our courts to uphold this oath, protect our justice system and put an end to these abusive machinations of the administration.

Let's stand with Sonny Trillanes, Fr. Flavie, Paring Bert and others unjustly indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Sedition.

Let's fight Lawfare that targets critics, dissenters and truth-seekers.

(Access the handwritten copy of Dispatch from Crame No. 716, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_716)



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2/11/20

Who does this quo warranto serve? Who asked for this? Definitely not the Filipino people whom Calida claims he represent. This is nothing but another attack by a vulture against a vulnerable institution already weakened after months of badgering by the President with the acquiescence of Congress.

A case meant to intimidate a private institution premised on questionable legal and factual bases is an abuse of office, much like a senior government official exerting influence in order to secure contracts for security services with the government for his family corporation.

ABS-CBN has been a cornerstone of our democracy which has survived the darkest days of the Marcos martial law and dictatorship, and emerged at the forefront of our national consciousness. They are our partners in nation-building and they deserve our support.

We have seen under this administration how the law is being twisted to serve the ends of tyranny. Our laws should help the oppressed, not the oppressors.

The resolution of this case will reveal the true character of our Supreme Court and our commitment to democracy and the rule of law.



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Sen. Cynthia Villar pushed for a bill that will mandate local government units (LGU) to set aside funding for the development of agriculture.

Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, authored Senate Bill 1138 or the "Local Government Agriculture Development Act." The bill seeks to institutionalize a 10 percent budgetary allocation from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of LGUs for the implementation of programs, activities, and services for agriculture and fisheries.

"We need to strengthen local government participation in agriculture development by making sure programs for agriculture will be funded and consistently implemented whoever gets elected-- advocate man ng agriculture ang mayor o hindi," Villar said.

"Just like how LGUs were required to allot budget for Gender and Development Program, we want local agriculture development programs to be funded also," she added.

The bill seeks to mandate cities, municipalities and barangays to allocate a minimum o f 10 percent of their annual development fund to the agriculture and fishery sector's value chain of production, processing, and marketing. The bill also seeks to amend for the purpose Sections 17, 106, 107, 110, 287, 443, 454, 482 (A), and 511-A of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code.

The Nacionalista Party senator also said LGUs will have more money to fund local agriculture development programs after the Supreme Court affirmed its ruling to increase their IRA.

The bill also seeks to professionalize the position of agriculturist for better extension services and will also make mandatory the appointment of agriculturists in cities and municipalities where agriculture and fisheries are a significant industry.

Under the bill, Local Agriculture Development Program shall focus on the areas identified as factors contributing to the competitiveness o f the agriculture and fisheries industry. These are inputs including but not limited to seeds, labor, research and development, mechanization and post-harvest equipment, irrigation maintenance, production, marketing, credit, guarantee, insurance, farming systems, and organic farming.



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If legitimate Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) companies generated only two jobs for Filipinos out of every 10 available jobs in the sector last year, the trend could even be worse in illegal offshore gaming firms, according to Senator Joel Villanueva.

"If legitimate POGO companies in this sector employ few Filipinos, we can only surmise as to how worse it is in illegal POGOs," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development. "The data we have now is just the tip of the iceberg. It's a grim picture for our labor force."

As of December 2019, of the 118,239 workers in POGO establishments, eight out of 10 workers (82.3 percent) are foreigners, and the remaining two workers (17.7 percent) are Filipinos, data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) showed. This trend exactly presents a clear problem from a labor policy perspective, Villanueva said in a statement.

Villanueva said he intends to scrutinize the relevant government data when the Senate labor committee resumes its long-running investigation into the influx of illegal foreign workers on Tuesday, February 11.

Of the 10 biggest POGO licensees, six companies have less than five percent Filipinos workers, according to a Pagcor report that Villanueva sought. Meanwhile, Pagcor reported to the labor department that only 153 of the 243 POGO-related establishments (63 percent) hire Filipino workers.

Citing reports from the labor department and the immigration bureau respectively, Villanueva also disclosed that more than nine out of 10 foreigners (91.34 percent) carrying alien employment permits (AEP), and over half of the holders of pre-arranged work visa are foreigners working in the POGO industry.

Other issues associated with the surge in offshore gaming operations include payment of correct taxes, rise in real estate prices for both residential and commercial property, increase in crimes involving foreign nationals, and even the entry of fugitives who work at POGOs.

The unhampered operations of the POGO industry highlight the country's lack of a clear labor immigration policy which Villanueva hopes to flesh out at the Senate labor committee hearing.

As chair of the Senate labor committee, Villanueva spearheaded the public hearings into the issue in the 17th Congress after taking notice of a steady rise in reports showing an influx of illegal foreign workers in late 2016.

The committee inquiry uncovered a racket at a satellite office of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) where foreigners seeking to have their special work permits expedited pay P5,000 "without receipt" in exchange for the document. Immigration top brass sacked the entire staff of the satellite office, including security guards manning the door, after the investigation established everyone had a hand into the scam.

It likewise prompted Villanueva to question the BI's authority to issue work permits, a mandate vested with the Department of Labor and Employment, which has the technical capacity to vet the entry of foreign workers. The senator sought an end to the BI's practice through an introduction of a special provision in its 2019 budget, but it was among the line items vetoed by the President in April last year.

Meanwhile, the government organized an inter-agency task force to consolidate data and efforts to stem the rise of illegal foreign workers, and to ensure that POGOs and POGO service providers and their employees pay their correct taxes. Initial estimates of the Department of Finance pegged potential tax collection from the sector ranging from P2.5 to 3 billion a month.



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We are grappling with the three Vs--virus, volcano and the VFA--and each will cost us money.

Hopefully, the virus will not spread, Taal will not erupt, and the VFA will not be scrapped for now.

Taal's behavior is up to the God above, or whatever geological factors there are below. But how hard the coronavirus will hit us would depend on the government's ability.

The saling-pusa of the three--the man-made VFA, if abrogated, will also have budgetary repercussions but in a scale smaller and more surmountable than what nature would inflict.

But I believe that we Filipinos will be able to handle what an angry volcano, an aggressive virus, or an aggrieved U.S. will throw at us.

This is not a time to be nationally depressed, but to be energized by a can-do spirit.

Government should now call for a general mobilization of all its resources in fighting the nCoV, acting as one, and speaking as one.

From a symphony of voices, it must put up front a face that reassures, from whom all information must come, so credible as to serve as a one-person vaccine against fake news.

This should be matched by actions on the ground, and on the frontline, to project the comforting message that the government is on top of the situation.

In crisis, actions speak louder than words. There is eloquence in deeds that no rhetoric can equal.

To support the frontliners, government should set a logistical pipeline, beginning with relaxing procurement methods in the stockpiling of essential supplies the first-responders would need.

As to Taal, which is still a simmering crisis, government should now focus on reconstruction. There are thousands of houses to be repaired, livelihood to be restored.

In competing for government attention and resources, one crisis should not displace another. A country which hosts an annual expo of disasters must have a government which can multi-task.

As smart actions are based on sound plans, government should now start computing the economic cost, under various scenarios, so it would know where to effectively and economically apply the remedial measures. Foresight is an essential part of being 'laging handa'.

For example, tourism is a P2.2 trillion peso annual industry which accounts for 10 percent of the GDP and employs nearly 6 million.

Top three sources of arrivals come from three Asian countries north of us: Korea, China, Japan, the so-called kimchi-dimsum-sushi travel markets.

Outnumbered only by the Koreans, Chinese visitors totalled 1,626,309 from January to November last year, and each one on the average spent $296 a day, per the Department of Tourism (DOT).

According to DOT data, they are more galante than the Japanese ($126 a day) and the Americans ($65 a day). They are, however, outspent by people from the land of K-drama ($341 a day).

The drop in arrivals will tow down our tourism receipts. What help can we extend to the workers in this sector?

We should also run the numbers on the fallout from a pullout from the VFA.

From 2016-2019, the peso amount for security cooperation programs obtained amounted to P28 billion. In the pipeline for the next two years is about P12 billion worth of assistance.

The Department of National Defense impact assessment should reveal whether these are essentials or hand-me-downs from some desert ukay-ukay depot. If there will be value replacement, what will be its budgetary impact?



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The Senate today adopted a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his plan to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States. Senate Resolution No. 312, introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, was adopted with one abstention by Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

Mr. Duterte reiterated his call for the termination of the VFA after the United States decided to cancel the visa of dela Rosa last January 24, 2020.

But senators asserted that the decision to terminate the agreement must be reviewed seriously such that it will not affect the security and economy of the Philippines and its neighbors in the Asia Pacific region.

They urged the President to reconsider his plan to terminate the VFA while the Senate is conducting a thorough review of the agreement.

"Fully recognizing the authority of the Chief Executive and without intending to disrespect a co-equal body, prior to unilaterally terminating the VFA, the Senate should be given the opportunity to conduct a review and assessment of the impact of the withdrawal on the country's security and economy, specifically with regard to intelligence information sharing, military aid and financing and technical assistance extended by the US relative to the continuing threats posed by domestic and foreign terrorist groups, and ultimately to the stability and security in the Asia Pacific region," the resolution said.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, sponsor of Senate Resolution No. 312, quoted Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. who said during a public hearing conducted on the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty last February 6, 2020, that "the termination of the VFA must be weighed in terms of the overall interest of the country."

According to Pimentel, Locsin listed four areas where direct benefits are derived from the VFA, mostly in the Philippine defense, military and security arrangements.

In the same hearing, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana told senators that the US donated $1.3 billion to the Philippine's defense since 1998. The biggest donation, he said was in 2017 when the US gave the Philippines $217 million.

For his part, Sotto pointed out that international relations are essential for the cooperation between nations, promotion of successful trade policies, advancement of human culture as well as the maintenance of the peace and order for the country's stability.

"In a developing country like ours, it is more beneficial and prudent to maintain if not gain allies than to challenge our status quo. Our country is currently benefitting from our partner states which include the United States of America," Sotto said.

"It is my view that the better way to go is to review the agreement and ask the executive department to reconsider its intent of abrogation while the Senate, who is a partner in this agreement, is reviewing it," Sotto added.

Drilon has moved to include Senate Resolution No. 305 expressing the sense of the Senate that termination or withdrawal from treaties and international agreements concurred in by the Senate shall be valid and effective only upon concurrence by the Senate.

The VFA between the Philippines and the United States was entered into and came into force upon the ratification of the Senate on May 27, 1999. Its primary goal is to facilitate the promotion of optimal cooperation between American and Philippine military forces in the event of an attack by a common foe.

The VFA provides the "regulatory mechanism" by which United States military and civilian personnel may visit temporarily in the Philippines in connection with activities approved by the Philippine Government.

Another agreement was entered into between the two countries in the form of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) on April 28, 2014 with the goal of supplementing the existing VFA through mutual cooperation in developing their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attacks.



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Question: Ma'am ano na 'yung implication muna 'nong may quo warranto habang hindi pa dinidinig sa House 'yung ABS-CBN franchise?

Sen. Grace Poe: Hiwalay naman kasi ang kapangyarihan ng hudikatura sa Kongreso o sa lehislatura so habang dinidinig 'yan, pwede naman patuloy pa ring dinigin ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.

Q: Ma'am gaano katagal, will it take?

Poe: Sa Senado kasi hindi naman ganon katagal basta kumpleto lang ang dokumento at 'yung mga nais magbigay ng kanilang pahayag o 'yung mga oppositors o kaya'y 'yung supporters ay makakadalo agad, mabilis lang 'yun. Ang problema kahit na dinigin natin sa Senado at mapasa ito dito, kapag ito naman ay hindi naipasa sa Kongreso, hindi pa rin makakapasa.

Q: Tama ba 'yung pag-estimate ni Senator Migz, three weeks daw, fastest, here in the Senate?

Poe: Posible 'yun kasi ang una naman d'yan talaga ay public hearing, pagkatapos n'yan ay maggagawa ng committee report tapos ididipensa sa plenaryo. Marami na rin akong nakausap na ating mga kasamahan dito sa Senado at marami namang sumusuporta sa panukala na 'yon.

Q: So likely to pass sa Senate, can you say that?

Poe: Sa ngayon ang masasabi ko lang bukas ang pananaw ng ating mga kasama dito sa Senado, hindi naman natin masasabi na sila ay kontra dito o siguradong suporta kasi lahat naman 'yan malalaman natin ang merito kapag nagkaroon na tayo ng pagdinig.

Q: Do you expect a lengthy debate?

Poe: Siguro meron pero kaya naman natin 'yon. Pero para sa akin, nirerespeto ko ang kapangyarihan ng Solicitor General, pati na rin ang ating mga Korte kaya sana umaasa rin kami na respetuhin rin nila ang kapangyarihan ng Kongreso at ng Senado.

Q: Wala bang constitutional crisis na mangyayari, well in the long run magkaiba kayo ng desisyon, pinasa nyo tapos kunyari sa SC ma-quo warranto?

Poe: Kasi ganito 'yan eh. 'Yung didinigin ngayon sa Korte Suprema ay para sa prangkisa nila ngayon. Ang ibibigay namin sa kanila kung saka-sakali ay prangkisa magmula 2020 hanggang sa 25 years after that. So kung kinansela man ng Korte ang aking pananaw dito ay para dito sa nananatiling prangkisa nila. Ngayon, kung hindi sapat 'yun, pwede namang magbayad ng multa, pwede namang sabihin nating may ibang paraan para mapunuan ang pagkukulang. Alam mo wala namang perpekto, wala namang santo, lahat ng humihingi ng prangkisa dito ay may kakulangan. 'Yung ibang prangkisa nga dahil sa pagkakamali nila may nababawian ng buhay, naibabalik ang prangkisa nila, wala pang multa, wala pang pagbabayad utang. Kaya sa panahon na ito, tignan nating mabuti, maging patas tayo, balansehin natin. Anong pagkukulang, ano naman nagiging kapalit na serbisyo? Bagama't ang pag hindi sunod sa isang batas ay isang puntos laban sa kanilang prangkisa, puwede naman nating sabihin na ang batas ay nariyan para balansehin at magbigay ng patas na pagtingin.

Q: So ma'am even if the Court grants the quo warranto, pero ini-grant naman ang 'yung bago ng franchise, they can continue to operate from... ?

Poe: That is my view. Unless of course the Court has a detailed explanation as to their decision that might prohibit further operations. But in my view and I think in the view of many of my colleagues, there's separation of powers, may pagkakahiwa-hiwalay ng kapangyarihan. Kapag nagbigay ng prangkisa ang lehislatura, ito ay mandato namin. Kapag nagbigay ng desisyon ang hudikatura o ang Supreme Court o ang mga ibang korte, 'yun ay karapatan nila pero dapat nakadetalye kung bakit nila binigay 'yun at bakit nakabangga sa batas na nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon o kung saan mang iba pang nakasulat.

Q: So you don't feel na parang nawi-weaken 'yung mandato niyo to renew or revoke 'yung franchises nitong quo warranto na ito?

Poe: Ganon talaga sa isang demokrasya, may pagsasalubong ng kanya-kanyang opinyon pero para sa akin, igigiit ko ang mandato ng Senado na dapat ay madinig man lang ang mga bagay-bagay ukol sa prangkisa. Bakit tayo magkakaroon ng opinyon, hindi pa nga natin nadidinig dito? Paano maipiprisinta? Sila ba talaga'y nagkaroon ng pagkakamali? Sila ba talaga'y nakatulong? Papaano natin malalaman 'yun at ang pagdinig dito sa Senado ay bukas para mapakinggan ng ating mga kababayan.



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Henry Omaga-Diaz: Sa ating linya ng telepono, si Senator Grace Poe, magandang umaga po.

Sen. Grace Poe: Magandang umaga rin, at sa lahat ng mga nakikinig.

Diaz: Reaksyon po doon sa pag-file ng OSG ng quo warranto laban sa ABS-CBN.

Poe: Well unang-una nais kong malinawan kung ano ba talaga'ng basehan nito kasi sinabi nila abusive practices, diumano, or mapang-abusong gawain, pero hindi naman nadetalye pa sa ating pagsasaliksik o sa news na lumabas kung ano ba itong mga ito. Unang-una, siyempre may kanya-kanya namang kapangyarihan, ang hudikatura may kapangyarihan, pero ang Kongreso, kasama ang Senado ay meron din namang mandato kung ito ay nais magbigay ng isang prangkisa sa katulad ng media company ng ABS. Para sa akin, hindi naman tayo lahat santo, wala namang perpektong kooperatiba o kumpanya, lahat ay may pagkakamali. So siguro sa mga pagkakamali na 'yon dapat maidetalye kung ano-ano ang mga 'yan. Kung ano ang angkop na kaparusahan, pero ito ba ay nangangailangan ng pagkansela. Kaya nga ito ay isang bagay na akin talagang pinag-aaralan at para sa akin ang pinakaimportante dito ay dapat magkaroon ng patas na pagbusisi na pagdinig, sa Kongreso man o sa hudikatura.

Diaz: 'Yun nga po nakatakda na 'yung mga pagdinig na ito, although hindi pa kina-calendar. Pero meron na pong pahayag sa liderato ng Mababang Kapulungan, for example na ika-calendar nila ito at nakatakda na itong dinggin para madinig ang mga panig sa pagbibigay o pag-extend ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at dumating nga po itong pag-file ng OSG sa Korte Suprema. Kanina po, ang sabi po halimbawa ni Congressman Rufus Rodriguez maaring violation ito ng Saligang Batas, dapat daw sa Kongreso na ito ipinaubaya 'yung naturang desisyon na 'yon, ano po'ng masasabi n'yo rito?

Poe: Hindi ako abogado pero malinaw sa akin ang pagbibigay ng prangkisa ay prerogatiba ng lehislatura. Ngayon ang problema dito ay hindi pa dinidinig sa Mababa o sa Mataas na Kapulungan. Para sa akin bilang chairman ng Committee on Public Services, nagbibigay ako ng paggalang sa Mababang Kapulungan na dinigin nila 'yan sapagkat dapat nag-uumpisa sa kanila pero dahil malapit na nga ang expiration baka mawalan naman ako ng prerogatiba kundi didinggin na lang 'yan kaagad para at least mabigyan ng pagkakataon, hindi lamang ang mga empleyado ng ABS-CBN, kundi yung mga nagrereklamo laban sa ABS-CBN na ilabas nila ang kanilang mga saloobin at ang kanilang mga pruweba. At para sakin kapag ikaw ay nagkaroon ng violation or hindi pagtugon sa iyong kasunduan, meron 'yang karampatan na kaparusahan kung hindi man ito ay multa, puwedeng suspensyon. Pero sabihin para kanselahin dapat ay napakabigat talaga ng iyong pagkakasala para ito ay mangyari. Ang masasabi ko lamang ay ito, ang pagdinig at siguro ang pag-usap tungkol dito ay tungkol sa kung ano ang tamang business practices kung may pagkakamali ba ang ABS dito kailangan talaga sila ay masingil. Pangalawa, kung mayroon ba talagang pagkakamali sa pagtrato ng empleyado, kung anupaman, ano ang puwede nating gawin pag-aayos dyan para magkaron ng datos na dapat ay kanilang ibigay pero ang pinaka importante sa lahat ano nga ba ang kabutihan laban sa pagkakamali, kung maninimbang tayo ano ba ang maari nating sabihin para sa ating mayorya ng ating mga kababayan. Nakabuti ba ito or nakasama, sapagkat ang prangkisa ay isang pribilehiyo pero ito ay para sa serbisyo ng mas nakakarami, kaya kung anuman ang nagiging isyu natin, ang pinakaimportante, Henry, at para sa ating mga kababayan, timbangin natin, ito ba ay nakabuti sa kalaunan or nakasama. 'Yun ang dapat nating talakayin.

Diaz: Maraming Salamat po, Senator sa inyong panahon na binigay po sa amin. Thank you po, ma'am.

Poe: Salamat.



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We do not have a copy of the petition yet. We will not pre-empt the Court from resolving questions raised to it. In any case, every franchise undergoes a public hearing and I intend to tackle these issues in a fair and a deliberative manner.

As the Constitution mandates, the Senate's jurisdiction over franchises remains despite the existence of the petition.

Well, I trust that the Court will decide on the basis of fairness and for the interest of the greatest number of people.

I think this is not just an issue of franchise, but this is in a broader stroke, a concern for fair and sound business practice, press freedom, and jobs for all the employees of the television network.


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Sa gitna ng epidemya, panggigipit sa mga kritiko ang pinupuntirya sa kasong quo warranto sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at sa file ng mga kasong inciting to sedition kay Sen. Trillanes at iba pa.

Walong araw na nang ipataw ng pamahalaan ang travel ban sa China, pero tumatanggap pa rin tayo ng mga report na nakakalapag pa rin sa mga paliparan natin sa Boracay, Davao, at kung saan-saan pa ang mga eroplanong galing China.

Araw-araw, nadadagdagan ang mga kaso ng kumpirmadong nCoV. Ayon naman sa ating DoH sa kanilang ulat kaninang tanghali, 262 ang persons under investigation; 48 ang discharged at mino-monitor, at 441 contacts ng unang dalawang kaso ng nCoV sa Pilipinas ang na-trace na.

Sapat na ba ito? Alam ba natin kung totoo nga ang patuloy na pagdating sa Pilipinas ng mga galing sa epicenter ng sakit?

Tutukan ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan sa epidemya, hindi ang panggigipit at pananakot sa mga kritiko at sa media.



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Congress has the duty to give due process to ABS-CBN's application for franchise renewal.

We are mandated under the law to give proper course to any application, which Congress has granted smoothly to other networks.

(As provided for in Republic Act 3846, or "An Act Providing for the Regulation of Radio Stations and Radio Communications in the Philippine Islands, and For Other Purposes," commercial broadcasting corporations have to secure a legislative franchise, also called a congressional franchise, for them to operate.)

Complaints against the network should be formally lodged before Congress to be tackled in the hearing, giving opportunity for all sides to be heard.

While networks are here for profit, they also exist for public service and as watchdog of government. Their continued operations should not be at the mercy of the government in power that they seek to guard.



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Numerous flights that continue to arrive from China are testing the limits of a mandatory 14-day quarantine in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, Senator Imee Marcos said.

Marcos cited that airports in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao and Kalibo took in at least 15 direct flights from the cities of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanning and Wuxi on Sunday. (See list below)

Local airlines with recorded landings included Royal Air Philippines and Philippines Air Asia, while foreign airlines included Cathay Pacific / Cathay Dragon, China Southern Airlines, and Hong Kong Airlines.

"Kung tuloy-tuloy ang kalakarang ito, maaring mawalang-bisa ang quarantine para sugpuin ang paglaganap ng nCoV at nagsisimula pa lamang ang buong mundo na labanan ito," Marcos said.

Quarantine guidelines for local government units (LGUs) were rushed last Thursday, days after the government banned the entry of non-resident foreigners and imposed a quarantine on Filipinos and Philippine permanent resident visa holders returning from or via China and its special administrative regions.

Marcos urged LGUs to speed up the creation and staffing of barangay isolation units and to strictly monitor returning residents who choose voluntary home confinement, in accordance with guidelines from the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

"Kailangan tutukan kung aling mga LGU ang sumusunod at kung sino ang mga pasaway para hindi tayo mapako sa sisihan at hindi na lumaki ang problema natin sa nCoV," Marcos said.

Marcos added that the Bureau of Immigration has a duty to inform local government officials of their returning residents.

LIST OF DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM CHINA (9 February 2020):

CEBU (3)
Hong Kong Landed at 11:10 Cathay Pacific
Guangzhou Landed at 12:03 China Southern Airlines
Hong Kong Landed at 18:44 Cathay Pacific

CLARK (1)
Hong Kong Landed at 10:01 Cathay Pacific

DAVAO (1)
Hong Kong Landed at 15:38 Cathay Pacific

KALIBO (2)
Nanning Landed at 06:04 Royal Air Philippines
Wuxi Landed at 07:50 Royal Air Philippines

MANILA (
Hong Kong Landed 05:23 Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Landed at 10:56 Cathay Pacific
Guangzhou Landed at 06:14 Philippines Air Asia
Guangzhou Landed at 10:38 China Southern Airlines
Guangzhou Landed at 16:00 China Southern Airlines
Hong Kong Landed at 18:35 Cathay Pacific
Shenzhen Landed at 23:10 Philippines Air Asia
Guangzhou Landed at 22:30 China Southern Airlines



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It is a matter of different jurisdictions. The quo warranto petition is under the original jurisdiction of the Court. Approval or renewal of legislative franchise is the jurisdiction of both houses of Congress. As such, I see no conflict in jurisdictions.

As in the case of former Chief Justice Sereno, under Art VIII, Sec 5, Paragraph 1 of the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court exercises original jurisdiction over a petition for quo warranto, among other petitions filed by the State through the Office of the Solicitor General.

Hence, Solicitor General Jose Calida cannot be prevented from filing the petition in the case of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN.

Likewise, Congress is likewise not prevented from exercising its powers under the same Constitution to act on the application for renewal or a new franchise which is now pending before the House of Representatives.



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It should be clear to any government in a modern democracy that the free press is not our enemy. Ang media ay hindi kalaban. It is in this light that I see the Solicitor-General's quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN as an attack on the free press and a vindictive move against critical journalism.

Furthermore, Section 1(c) of Rule 66 of the Rules of Court does not apply to ABS-CBN because the provision attacks a corporation that was not legally incorporated. ABS-CBN, is, of course, legally-incorporated.

The free press plays an important role in democratic checks and balances and in ensuring that the powerful can be made accountable.

Critical, fair, and free journalism is an essential element of our democracy. We should all work to protect it.



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On VFA

I will wait for the announcement of the President. If the President directs the termination of the VFA, a Senate review of the agreement is a waste of time.

Without the VFA, EDCA cannot stand legally. EDCA is an Executive Agreement. The legality of EDCA is drawn principally from the VFA. The Supreme Court in 2016 upheld the legality of EDCA because the US and the Philippines have an existing treaty that is already concurred into by the Senate, which was the VFA. Specifically, the Supreme Court, in Saguisag v. Executive Secretary, ruled, "EDCA seeks to be an instrument that enumerates the Philippine-approved activities of U.S. personnel referred to in the VFA."

Now if you terminate the VFA, EDCA is dead. Without the EDCA, MDT is rendered inutile. I agree with Foreign Affairs Secretary Locsin that without the VFA and EDCA, MDT "is just a piece of paper."

To me, the termination of the VFA is a death sentence to long-standing Philippines and United States defense alliance.

This is because the presence of US personnel, vessels and aircrafts in the Philippines is allowed by virtue of the VFA. If and when the VFA is terminated, the US is likely to terminate ongoing activities by its troops and personnel in the country and halt information, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

The pullout of US rotating troops and military equipment out of the country will leave some parts of the country vulnerable (Mindanao, Sulu and the West Philippine Sea).

On Quo Warranto vs ABS-CBN

I do not know what the SolGen wants to achieve in filing a quo warranto case against ABS-CBN. The franchise of ABS-CBN will expire on March 30. Hence, a quo warranto becomes moot by then if Congress does not act on extension.

If between now and March, Congress decides to hear the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN- all these issues raised by SolGen Calida in his quo warranto petition can be taken up during the hearing.

On the DOJ filing of a case vs Sen. Trillanes, et. al.

My understanding of the crime of conspiracy is that it is committed when two or more persons come to an agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decide to commit it. The parties, in agreement, must have made up their minds to commit the crime, and must have intended to bring about or achieve a common objective.

I am very interested to find out how the prosecution panel was able to resolve that Trillanes et. al., plotted to commit sedition, considering that the crime of conspiracy deals with the state of mind of the defendants, and especially given the fact that the information was solely based on the testimony of one person.

It is incumbent on the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Trillanes et. al., unified by the common design and purpose, agreed to rise publicly and tumultuously, through the use of force, intimidation or other illegal means, to attain the ends of sedition enumerated under the Revised Penal Code.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Saturday, February 8, that he supports and respects the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States of America.

"Nirerespeto ko po ang magiging desisyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo. Ako naman, bilang isang Senador, kung kailangan pong dumaan sa amin ayon sa batas ay aming tatalakayin po ito," Go said during a radio interview on DWIZ 882's "Usapang Senado."

"Kung naaayon naman sa batas na pwede naman niyang diretsong i-terminate with valid reason as chief executive and as President of the Philippines ay rerespetuhin ko po ito," the Senator added.

"The President, after all, is the chief architect of our foreign policy," said Go.

On February 7, the President ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to send to the United States the official notice to terminate the VFA. The President brought up this issue after the US cancelled the visa of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

Some senators, meanwhile, filed a resolution on February 3 appealing to the President to reconsider his decision until after the Senate has finished "conducting a review and impact assessment" of the termination of the VFA.

Go said he respects the move by Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III with Senators Panfilo Lacson and Franklin Drilon. "Separate branch of government naman po kami, at karapatan po ng bawat senador to express our views, their views. 'Yung resolution naman po ay isang suggestion... baka magbago pa ang isip ng ating mahal na Pangulo," Go said.

Asked if he would vote for the resolution, Go answered, "Susunod po ako kung ano 'yung batas. Kung naaayon naman sa ating batas na pwedeng i-terminate ng Presidente ang VFA at kung di na po kailangan ng concurrence ng Congress ay respetuhin dapat po 'yun."

He added that he will also welcome the decision if the President reconsiders the position. "Ang importante po rito ay mapaintindi po sa bansang Amerika na huwag po kayong manghimasok," he explained.

The US has not given any explanation so far on its decision to cancel Senator dela Rosa's visa, but many believe it is related to US Senate Resolution No. 142. Passed on January 9, the measure gives the US executive branch the power to impose visa and travel restrictions on alleged human rights violators anywhere in the world.

"'Yung mga ginawa ng mga senador doon ay talaga pong nakikialam sila sa ating judicial process. This is an internal domestic process of a sovereign democracy," he said.

Go further said that "as fellow allied democracies, this process must be recognised as part of the rule of law."

"By that act, wala silang respeto. Meron silang pagdududa. Alam niyo naman po 'yung nangyari kay Senator Leila de Lima ay prosecution 'yun. It was upheld by the Supreme Court at may kaso po iyon na ongoing sa korte," Go said.

"'Di muna nila inalam. Pumunta sana sila rito at inalam muna nila 'yung facts...Hindi po ugali ni Pangulong Duterte na gantihan (ang mga kumakalaban sa kanya) sa politika," he added.

"Insulto po 'yung ginawa nila dahil po sa trabaho lang na ginawa ni (senator) Bato during his time as PNP (Philippine National Police) chief. Kung 'yun man po ang naging dahilan ay atake po 'yun sa ating gobyerno, sa ating kampanya (laban sa iligal na droga). Kung 'yung kay Senator de Lima naman po ang naging dahilan eh panibagong atake rin po 'yun sa ating judicial system at sovereignty. Huwag ho kayong manghimasok. Just mind your own business," Go also said.

The Senator said that the details of the termination of the VFA are still being discussed.

"Ang posisyon ng Palasyo is that the President can unilaterally terminate the VFA, so antayin na lang po natin. I'm sure next week po ay magre-report naman po 'yung Ambassador natin sa Amerika kay Pangulong Duterte kung ano 'yung posibleng maging implikasyon at ano ho bang napag-usapan nila doon sa Amerika ni Ambassador (Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez). I'm sure as a representative of the Philippines to the United States, marami po silang napag-usapan. Magre-report po siya kay Pangulong Duterte."

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told the media on February 7 that President Rodrigo Duterte instructed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to send the United States the official notice to terminate the VFA.

During the radio interview, Go was also asked about the President's remarks that he is planning to run for President next elections because he goes around the country to help victims of fires and other calamities.

"Mapagbiro po ang ating Pangulo. Kung tatakbo po ako, di niya po 'yun sasabihin sa publiko. Ang aga pa po para pag-usapan ang politika," Go answered.

"Kakatakbo ko lang noong nakaraang taon. Pagod na pagod na po ako katatakbo, kaya hayaan niyo muna akong maglakad sa ngayon. Patungo naman itong direksyon ko sa pagseserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Wala po akong plano at hindi ko po inaambisyon iyan," he added.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon said that President Rodrigo R. Duterte, being the architect of the country's foreign policy, has the power to enter into international agreements, such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). However, he pointed out that the reasons for withdrawal from such an agreement must be made clear to the public since it affects national security.

Hence, Gordon noted that the Senate, as representatives of the people, should speak up to find out the reason behind and the safety nets or measures that are going to be set in place to minimize the anticipated downside due to the termination of the VFA.

"I submit to the power of the President to enter into an agreement and have that agreement ratified - that is in the Constitution. But on matters where the national security is concerned, at the very least, the Senate must express its position to the President. 'Mr. President, we ratified this agreement, we debated it. Now you're removing it, we want to know why you are removing it? What are we going to do? What are we going to do with our military?'" the senator said.

"Whether or not he cancels, we have to discuss it, we have to educate our people so they will know what's going on...The Senate should speak up, as representatives of the people, to find out what is the reason. People ought to know, are we being put in a harm's way, are our troops being put in a harm's way?" he added.

Gordon also stressed that the national interest should be the only consideration when entering into or withdrawing from international treaties or agreements.

"It is really important for us to really make a determination and to make the decision on the basis of the total security of our people. Protect our people first. We can play with any country but the only consideration should be ano ang kabutihan nito sa Piipinas? What is the good thing that we will get out of this?" he said.



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With the growing number of persons under investigation (PUI) for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) heightened its preparation by providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to its frontline staff and volunteers to ensure their safety while handling cases of suspected Coronavirus.

PRC Chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon said, "The Philippine Red Cross is ready to respond to the Coronavirus scare. As it is important to us that we guarantee the protection of our staff and volunteers who are handling suspected cases of Coronavirus, we provide them with PPE sets for them to use during operations. We want our people to be protected and for us, prevention is of highest importance."

There are two different types of PPEs being used by the PRC. The basic set is the standard set used by frontline workers coordinating with the families of suspected patients, while the frontline set is for staff who has direct contact with confirmed cases such as those assigned in ambulances. These staff are required to wear a three-layered clothing, double masks (medical N95 and surgical masks), and double gloves for extra protection.

"We have prepositioned PPE sets to our key chapters with international airports and to PRC regional warehouses because we want to make sure that the PPEs are available to chapters whenever needed. We will purchase more of this equipment because we'll never know when will the spread of the virus stop. Better safe than sorry," Gordon said.

The PRC has been very vigilant in monitoring suspected cases of nCov in the country and has been promoting health and hygiene activities such as the proper washing of hands as part of its prevention intervention.

As part of its response mechanism, the PRC ensures that ambulance crew are properly trained in infection precaution. Welfare desks are also established in airports and in hospitals, while sufficient blood supply is ensured. Likewise, the PRC will be ready to provide medical tents to key hospitals in order to provide additional space to manage patients.



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Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the amendment to the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 by empowering the Local Government Units (LGUs) and strengthening existing local disaster risk reduction and management offices. This will increase the capability and capacity of communities to maintain basic functions during disasters.

The former mayor of Valenzuela reiterated his call for a review of the law amid proposals to create a separate department of disaster management at the local level, stressing that the current law has fundamental flaws that restrict the disaster response and risk reduction capabilities of LGUs.

Gatchalian cited the glaring inequity on the allocation of calamity funds to LGUs. To illustrate his point, the senator pointed out that Makati City, one of the richest cities in the country, can have as much as P700 million-calamity fund annually while Batangas, where an active volcano is located, has lesser calamity fund.

He said funds to be allocated and used in creating a new department can be utilized by LGUs to strengthen their disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

"The Framework laid down in the NDRRMC law is working but needs to be enhanced by studying how we can reallocate and provide funds for disaster preparedness, risk reduction, response and recovery to help cities and municipalities that are within geohazard areas", Gatchalian said.

"Naniniwala ako na dapat balanse ang lahat ng LGUs. The only way to empower the LGUs is to give them more funds. We cannot push our LGUs too much kung wala naman silang pondo. This is where the national government should come in and make it equitable," he added.

Gatchalian also cited that the current law does not include the designation of an officer-in-charge of disaster risk management, making it difficult for LGUs to institutionalize and implement Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) plans even with a change in administration.

The creation of permanent positions in the local disaster risk reduction and management office will transfer the functions and responsibilities from the governor or mayor to the officer-in-charge.

"There's no person in charge and we can assume that the mayor or the governor is the one in-charge, but they are busy on some other concerns on a day-to-day basis," Gatchalian said. On July 24, 2019, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 746 (SBN 746) or An Act Expanding the Application of The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund by Amending the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

SBN 746 proposes the use of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) in funding infrastructure projects designed to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. The bill will allow the LGUs to use the LDRRMF to pay for obligations incurred in funding projects related to disaster preparedness and mitigation, including the hiring of necessary personnel.


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Senator and Senate Committee on Health chair Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go expressed that proper protocol will be strictly followed regarding the repatriation of overseas Filipinos from Hubei, China. A chartered plane is leaving this Saturday, February 8 at 10:15 pm and is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday early morning. Go emphasized that the welfare of repatriates and the safety of Filipinos in the country are always being considered.

Go, through a radio interview on Saturday, February 8, told listeners that the repatriated Filipinos from Hubei will be treated with utmost care as it was not their fault to be in the center of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) outbreak in China, adding that the public should not be scared as strict quarantine protocols are already in place once they arrive in the country.

"Para sa akin naman po, kawawa naman po ang ating mga kababayan na gustong umuwi na. Sundin lang po ng mga opisyal ang protocol. Meron naman pwedeng gawin para di mahawa ang mga kasama dyan," Go said in the interview.

"Ongoing na po ang preparasyon (at) bukas ng madaling araw, uuwi na sila (at) tutuloy sila sa New Clark City. 'Yun ang napagkasunduan ng inter-agency at (Bases Conversion and Development Authority). 'Yun po ang in-offer ngayon. Let's cooperate na lang po, magtulungan na lang. Kawawa naman ang ating mga kababayan," Go added.

The senator also noted that a strict fourteen-day quarantine process will be followed. Quoting Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, the Senator lamented that the Filipino public should show compassion to repatriated countrymen and women from Hubei and not make them feel unwelcome in their own country due to the 2019-nCoV ARD outbreak in China.

"Sabi nga ni Sec. Duque, nakakalungkot dahil lahat ng kanilang pinupuntahan kinokontra ng komunidad. Ako naman po, mga Pinoy din po 'yang mga (uuwi), mga bayani po 'yan na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa," Go said, emphasizing that their sacrifices for their family, their sadness and homesickness to provide their loved ones is priceless.

If no one else will welcome them, Go said he is willing to accept them and find a place in Mindanao that can accommodate them during the fourteen-day quarantine period.

"Di nababayaran ang lungkot, kailangan nila magtrabaho doon. Kung wala na tatanggap sa kanila, willing ako tumanggap sa kanila, maghahanap po ako ng lugar�sa Mindanao, sasamahan ko po sila, di ako takot mahawa," Go added.

Meanwhile, Go also cited that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año is already coordinating with DOH regarding the concern of locals in Capas, Tarlac where the repatriated Filipinos from China will be quarantined.

The Senator said that he cannot blame the residents for fearing for their safety but also encouraged the public that the repatriates need support and care.

"Kinausap na po ni Sec. Año kanina. Di ko po sila masisisi. Nirerespeto ko po ang kanilang stand dahil takot sila mahawa ang mga constituents sa lugar nila."

"Ako naman, bigyan natin ng sapat na aruga ang mga (mga quarantine) dahil hindi naman nila kasalanan na magawi sila sa lugar na apektado. Ang sa atin ma-clear sila, maibalik sa normal na pamumuhay. Kung ako naman, tatanggapin ko sila, sasamahan ko sila," Go said.

When asked if another hearing is needed to address more concerns regarding the 2019-nCoV ARD in the country, Go said that he is willing to hold another hearing on a later date since health officials and concerned agencies should be given time to focus on their job and accomplish the tasks at hand to protect the welfare of Filipinos.

"Kailangan hayaan muna natin ang inter-agency task force na magtrabaho muna. Mas marami sila dapat gawin kaysa nakaupo sa Senado," Go said adding that the important thing is that issues surrounding the 2019-nCoV ARD situation in the country, such as who actually needs to wear face masks, had been clarified in the previous Senate committee hearing.

"It was well explained na ang kailangan ng face mask ay ang ating medical health workers at mga may sakit para di sila makahawa. Hindi po tayo na wala namang sintomas na naradamdaman," he said.

"Marami pong naliwanagan na mga isyu and I am sure nung lumabas po ang Pangulo noong Lunes at mga opisyales noong Martes medyo kumalma naman ang sitwasyon," Go added.

The senator has also urged Filipinos to continue to be vigilant and follow protocol and advisories from health officials to prevent the spread of the 2019-nCov ARD in the country.



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Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry on the implementation of the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013" or the K to 12 Law.

According to Gatchalian, the inquiry's findings will craft policy recommendations and complementary laws to ensure the K-12 program's effective implementation. The lawmaker said that the inquiry aims to support the Department of Education's (DepEd) shift of focus from "access" to "quality" education, which is central to its national reform plan "Sulong EduKalidad."

"Isang mahalagang reporma ang K-12 sa ating sistema ng edukasyon upang siguruhin ang kahandaan ng ating mga kabataan para sa ating mga industriya. Ngunit nitong mga nakaraang taon, nakita natin ang iba't ibang mga hamong kinakaharap ng programa. Nais natin itong matugunan upang patuloy nating maiangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Part of the challenges hounding K-12 is students' learning outcomes, including the declining National Achievement Test (NAT) scores. In the 2018 NAT, Grade 6 and Grade 10 students garnered mean percentage scores of 37.44 and 44.59 respectively, both fall under the "low mastery" level.

The poor NAT performance is also reflected in the 2018 results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global triennial survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development which measures students' proficiency in Reading Comprehension, Science, and Mathematics. The said survey showed that out of 79 countries, the Philippines ranked lowest in Reading Comprehension and second lowest in both Science and Mathematics.

Another challenge is how K-12 is living up to its promise of producing employable graduates. A 2018 survey of 500 companies by online portal JobStreet revealed that only 24 percent of employers are willing to hire K-12 graduates. Most employers still prefer candidates with college degrees.

Gatchalian added that the inquiry should also look closely at the readiness and capacity of schools to implement the K-12 program, which allows senior high school students to choose specializations such as academic, technical-vocational-livelihood, sports, or arts and design.

A quantitative service delivery study conducted by the World Bank shows that teachers were also ill-prepared for senior high school as evidenced by their low performance in terms of knowledge of subject matter using the K to 12 curriculum.



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Workers at Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) companies who returned from areas where an nCoV outbreak has been recorded should strictly observe quarantine procedures implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) which is to undergo a 14-day isolation, among others. All government agencies and regulators should issue related guidelines bearing in mind DOH's protocol as the bare minimum.

The state gaming regulator, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), which has oversight on POGOs should fulfill its mandate, and not merely rely on other agencies like the interior department to conduct surveillance on industries they are supposed to monitor. They issue licenses to POGO workers so they can work legitimately, thus it is Pagcor's job to ensure workers comply with relevant health regulations. If there is any doubt with regard to health protocols, they can always seek guidance from the DOH.

We remind POGO operators that they must operate within the bounds of Philippine laws and statutes. Any regulation enforced as a result of the nCov outbreak takes into consideration public safety and welfare. If they cannot comply with our laws, regulations, and standards, they have no place to do business in the Philippines.



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The government is stepping up efforts to improve the quality of products and services produced in the country in order to boost demand, not only domestically, but globally with an unprecedented increase in the budget of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 2020.

To carry out initiatives intended to support this effort, Senator Sonny Angara said funding was provided for various programs in different agencies, primarily the DTI, as the government's "primary coordinative, promotive, facilitative and regulatory arm" with regard to trade, industry and investment activities.

"We cannot be contented with what we have and what we have already achieved. Our growth has been fueled by consumption and if we are to progress to the next level, we must work on making a shift from a consuming society to a producing society," Angara said.

From a total of P4.67 billion in 2017, the DTI's budget has steadily increased to P5.86 billion in 2018, P6.1 billion in 2019, and P7.98 billion in 2020.

The amounts include the budgets for the DTI's attached agencies, excluding the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, which was placed under the supervision of the Department only in 2019.

One of the items funded under the DTI's budget is the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project (P574m) which seeks to improve the quality and productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises through the provision of processing machines or equipment for their common use.

Since the initial implementation of the project in 2013, the SSFs have proven to be effective in improving the productivity of many MSMEs, particularly those in the food manufacturing industry.

As a result of the improved manufacturing processes, the income of the MSMEs that used the SSFs have also seen marked increases.

Funding has also been provided for the establishment of more Negosyo Centers around the country (P790.7m) to help MSMEs in getting their businesses up and running faster.

The Negosyo Centers help facilitate the business registration of MSMEs and provide them with mentoring and advisory services so that they could better navigate and access the various credit and financing sources, as well as markets, suppliers and buyers.

To build on the gains of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) initiative, the DTI also receives support for its OTOP Next Gen program (P200m), which aims to level up products and services through innovation in the areas of quality, product development, design, standards compliance, marketability, product capability and brand development.

"Innovation is key to improving the products and services that we already have in order to make them more marketable and economically-viable both domestically and abroad," Angara said.

In order to encourage more enterprises to develop innovative solutions in their products and processes, the 2020 GAA also provides P300 million for the Innovation Fund as mandated by Republic Act 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act.

As mandated by RA 11293, the innovation fund will be established "to strengthen entrepreneurship and enterprises engaged in developing innovative solutions benefitting the poorest of the poor."

To provide assistance to the marginalized sectors of society such as the indigenous peoples, displaced individuals due to war and calamities, P200 million is allocated to the Livelihood Seeding Program and Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay.

The goal of these programs is to provide entrepreneurial training and livelihood kits to help them get back on their feet and stimulate economic activity immediately.

A total of P133.5 million is also provided for the Breakout Economy, a campaign that seeks to narrow the trade deficit, encourage investments, generate jobs and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers through policy interventions and engagement in trade agreements.

For the modernization and revitalization of the DTI's Bureau of Philippine Standards Testing Center, the 2020 national budget contains an allocation of P80 million.

The DTI will strengthen the presence of MSMEs in the global marketplace through increased participation in overseas trade promotion events, particularly for the food and lifestyle sectors (P80m).

"These initiatives are all part of what I would like to call the Tatak Pinoy campaign. Tatak Pinoy is not only about improving Philippine products and services, but also the processes involved in making them; increasing the value of our exports; and most importantly, creating opportunities for our people," Angara said.

"We want to see innovation, we want to see a productive society once again. Otherwise, all these investments that we are making in education and in health ay tinutulungan lang natin ang industriya ng mga ibang bansa. We are just educating for migration. We want to educate for domestic production. We want to help our domestic industries," Angara added..

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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, in a radio interview on Friday, February 7, said that he has no plans to vie for the country's highest government seat in reaction to President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks in his speech last night in Malacañang.

"Alam niyo naman na mapagbiro ang ating Pangulo. Lively naman talaga siyang magsalita. But allow me to clarify, wala po akong plano o ambisyon na tumakbo bilang Pangulo," Go said.

Speaking before newly-appointed government officials in Malacañang yesterday, President Duterte reiterated that he would retire from politics but implied that Go might pursue the presidency.

"Do not nurture a personal loyalty to me. I don't need it and I cannot run anymore so I don't give yang papulitika pulitika(playing politics). Wala na ako diyan, bahala kayong maiwan (I'm out of it, it's up to you to stay) except Bong Go. Maybe he wants to be president kasi lahat ng sunog nandun siya (because he is in all the fire scenes)," Duterte said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Go, in response, said that the presidency is God-given and not something to aspire for. "Ang posiyon na 'yan ay hindi 'yan ina-ambisyon. Galing po 'yan sa Panginoon kung sinuman ang kailangan sa panahon na 'yun," he said.

Go recounted Duterte's path to the presidency, saying that he was elected because he is the kind of leader the people needed.

"Katulad ni Pangulong Duterte, ayaw niya talagang tumakbo noong unang panahon. Wala hong drama 'yun. Talagang nag-unfold na lang ang mga pangyayari dahil gusto talaga ng mga Pilipino. Siya 'yung kailangan noong mga panahon na 'yun," he said.

Instead of talking about politics, Go said that he would rather focus on his work as a Senator and serve the Filipino people.

"Alam niyo, si Pangulong Duterte, isang mayor na ginawang Presidente. Ako, isang probinsyano na ginawang Senador. Wala na akong hihilingin pa sa Panginoon. Ibabalik ko sa tao 'yung serbisyong para sa tao. Magtatrabaho na lang po ako. Masaya po akong makapagserbisyo na lamang sa aking mga kababayan," he said.

As for the President's remarks regarding the Senator's penchant for visiting fire victims all over the country, Go said that he is simply fulfilling his promise to all Filipinos.

"Nabanggit ni Pangulong Duterte, bakit po ako pumupunta sa mga nasusunugan. 'Yun ang pangako ko noong unang panahon, 'yun ang puhunan ko rito. Ang mga salitang binitawan ko. Ang sabi ko kahit saang sulok sila ng Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko po kayo. 'Yan po ang aking pangako sa Pilipino, tutuparin ko po 'yan," he said, adding that he cannot bear just sitting in his office in the Senate.

"Hindi ko matiis na nakaupo lang sa Senado at magpalamig," he added.

Go also said that not all Filipinos can come to his office to seek help, which is why he is taking the initiative to go to them, listen to their concerns, address their immediate needs, and find solutions to their daily struggles as part of his mandate as an elected Senator.

"Trabaho namin sa Senado ang legislation, constituency at representation. Hindi naman lahat ng mga Pilipino makakapunta ng opisina mo para humingi ng tulong. Kaya tayo na ang bababa sa kanila at pakinggan ang kanilang mga hinaing at makapagbigay man lang ng kaunting solusyon sa kanilang problema," he said.

Go said in a previous statement that he will support whoever would continue the work that President Duterte has started in bringing in positive change in the country and in the lives of every Filipino.

"Ayaw ko pa po pag-usapan ang pulitika, mas gusto kong unahin ang pagseserbisyo. Pero kung tatanungin ninyo ako tungkol sa 2022 elections, I am willing to volunteer as campaign manager sa kung sinuman ang makakapagpatuloy ng pagbabago na inumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte," he said.



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More than a year after the destruction of Typhoon Ompong, the strongest typhoon to hit Luzon since Juan in 2010 and the strongest to make landfall in the Philippines since Yolanda in 2013, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) enabled affected families in Cagayan get back their lives.

Senator Richard J. Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, led on Friday the turnover of houses to some 244 families in Amulung Gattaran, and Alcala, among others, in Cagayan.

"Like what the Red Cross Hymn says, 'When the world no longer watches, we do what must be done.' We don't take people for granted, especially those who are suffering. That is why we are here today. This time, we want to ensure that the families affected by Typhoon Ompong are able to recover. We want them to get back on their feet again with dignity because our mission in the Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering and to uplift human dignity," he said.

Typhoon Mangkhut, locally known as Typhoon "Ompong," made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan on Sept. 15, 2018, affecting more than 2.5 million people when it badly hit Regions I and II. State of calamity has been declared in the following areas: Provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Abra, Kalinga, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Quirino, Apayao and Mountain Province; Cities of Vigan, Ilagan, and Tuguegarao; and the Municipalities of Luna (La Union), San Fabian (Pangasinan) and Mayoyao and Aguinaldo (Ifugao).

The PRC, upon instructions of its chairman, immediately extended assistance. The country's foremost humanitarian organization served 17,778 individuals with hot meals; 3,700 families with food items, consist of 2-3 days ration and assorted packs; and rescued 53 individuals, among others.

To enable the affected families to get back on their own feet again, the PRC, in partnership with its Movement Parters, provided 244 families with full shelter assistance, the houses complete and latrine with septic tank; and distributed agricultural assistance worth P15,000 each to some 198 families so they can make their damaged farms become productive again.

"With the help of our partners, we will provide humanitarian assistance to families affected by the buffet of disasters that visit our country, especially those who are most vulnerable," Gordon assured.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called the recent testimony of a convicted Chinese drug-lord as "pure concoction" after the government prosecution presented him during a hearing on the trumped-up illegal drug charges filed against her.

De Lima's statement came after Peter Co, a Chinese national convicted of the illegal sale and delivery of dangerous drugs, claimed that he and other inmates contributed millions of drug money for De Lima's senatorial campaign.

"Peter Co originally said that the funds were for the 2013 elections, but were supposedly delivered when the filing of candidacy for said elections was already over. I never filed any certificate of candidacy for said elections. Everybody knows that," De Lima, who placed 12th in the 2016 Senatorial elections, said.

"Ganyan ba katanga ang drug lord na ito na basta-basta na lamang siya nagbibigay ng milyones base sa sabi-sabi ng isa pang drug lord para sa isang kandidatura na hindi naman mangyayari at alam niyang hindi mangyayari?", she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 711.

Peter Co is one of the last witnesses to be presented by the Department of Justice (DOJ) at one of the cases lodged under Judge Liezel Aquiatan of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court, Branch 205.

Last Jan. 24, Judge Aquiatan gave the prosecution until this coming May 29 to present all their witnesses in the two cases against De Lima as the hearings spanning almost two years were peppered with resets and delays.

In his testimony last Jan. 31, Peter Co claimed that in 2012 - four years before the 2016 elections - De Lima, through another Bilibid inmate Tony Co, allegedly solicited PhP10 million for her senatorial campaign.

"As of 2012, running for any elective post was farthest from my mind. I decided to vie for the senatorial post in the 2016 elections only during the second half of 2015. So, how could I have solicited for campaign funds four years back?" De Lima said.

"Besides, I would NEVER, never did or do and will never ask or receive any illicit money, drug money or otherwise, from any inmate or anyone," she stressed.

De Lima's camp also pointed out that Peter Co has conveniently pointed to Tony Co to be the one who collected illicit funds from other unnamed inmates in NBP. Peter Co alleged that he himself contributed PhP1 million for De Lima's campaign.

Tony Co, who was convicted of drug trafficking in 2001, was killed in a prison riot in 2016.

"Recall that Tony Co was fatally stabbed in a staged prison riot last Sept. 28, 2016. Also stabbed were Peter Co himself, Vicente Sy, and Jaybee Sebastian. After they were stabbed and allowed to recover by their jailers, they suddenly became then SOJ Aguirre's willing witnesses," De Lima recalled.

"We have it from credible sources that these inmates initially refused to testify until they were stabbed. Need I say more?" she added.

Peter Co is scheduled for cross examination by De Lima's camp on Feb. 7 who are expected to press the witness on the glaring inconsistencies of his allegations.

De Lima, recognized globally as the most prominent political prisoner of the Duterte regime, has been in detention since Feb. 2016 after trumped-up charges based on accounts of persons convicted of heinous crimes and dubious personalities who had grudges against her.

Despite being detained for crimes she did not commit, and with the continued persecution against her no less by the President himself and his sycophants, De Lima has continued to advocate for justice, human rights and observance of the rule of law.



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"Creating a sustainable future for all is an integrated responsibility. We all need to do things together to achieve our goals."

Thus said Senator Pia S. Cayetano as she called for stronger public-private partnerships in fulfilling the country's commitment to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The whole point of the SDGs is to look at it from an integrated point of view. Public-private partnership is so important. It's important that as we lead, we also follow. As we inspire people, we also aspire to be better," the senator said in a speech before top executives of the Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) during their SustainAGIlity Conference on Thursday (February 6).

Cayetano stressed that private companies and corporations also carry the role of educating the public on the 17 Global Goals that the country seeks to achieve by 2030.

"A lot of people still don't know what SDGs are. So the big challenge we have, and I'm sure all of you are onboard, is to share with everyone what these goals are. Right now, we lack information campaigns on the SDGs, so maybe you can help us share the news," she said.

The chair of the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, Cayetano recently filed a resolution declaring 2020s as the "SDGs Decade of Action."

This initiative seeks to encourage participation of experts from both government and the private sector to work towards achieving the SDGs.

"We need people who can take a step back and ensure that we are thinking of the future. Because otherwise, we get stuck in the now. We need to think of this on a national level [and determine] our baselines," the senator said.

"It's really necessary for people to be able to think creatively. Without sustainable plans, well-intended policies may not necessarily give us the outcomes we expect," she added.

Furthermore, the senator also urged companies to look at the SDGs as a set of intertwined goals, instead of treating each goal separately.

"It is erroneous to think that we have the option to choose just one goal that we want to deal with. It's not meant to work that way. These goals are all integrated and indivisible," she emphasized.

"These goals balance the dimensions of sustainable development of the economy, society, and environment. So for any activity, it's not just about identifying one goal. It's about tying them all together," she added.

In particular, Cayetano said private companies can be drivers of SDGs by helping make the country's cities and communities more sustainable, and by promoting the practice of sustainable consumption and production.

"A lot of these companies are involved in building cities, communities, and places where people live. In a way, they are also planning the lives of these people, as they play a part in deciding how these people manage their families and improve their quality of life. So they need to consider that as they plan for sustainability," Cayetano said.

"There is also a need for innovation on how they produce their services for everyday life. They need to reinvent our manner of consumption by making sustainable alternatives more available to consumers," the senator concluded.



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We need all hands on deck. We have a serious health crisis. We expect the cooperation of everyone to implement the ban. Continuous arrival of tourists from China contradicts the necessary precautions we have to take given the situation. It is irresponsible to disregard the ban for profit.

Allowing tourists from China, particularly Wuhan, to arrive in Boracay is irresponsible. It exposes workers, other tourists and residents at risk. It strains our limited resources, particularly our capacity to respond to public health emergency.

We need everyone to cooperate so we can prevent the spread of the disease and limit the exposure of the public. Let's follow the ban.



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Thank you very much my esteem colleagues, our government officials, ladies and gentlemen. first of all we would like to thank you for being here, for joining us in this momentous occasion. This was a dream decades ago, as early as 1995, and we are glad that sometime in the 15th Congress Sen Ping Lacson picked up the idea and brought it back to the senses of the members of the Senate. We've been renting for decades and so finally we will see the dream come true that the Senate will have its own building. The resolution was first passed by the committee on accounts headed by Sen. Ping Lacson, in March 17, 2017 and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 18, 2019, almost a year before the first concrete pouring. The projection, the entire project will be completed within 40 months from its groundbreaking until July 2021. That is the promise of Sen. Lacson that none of you will ever have to break, you must not break. The new Senate building will be otherwise known as Bagong Senado and is envisioned to be green, functional, secured and iconic and one that will relive the greatness of history. The would-be Senate building is approximately three times the current Senate building. So, we would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the committee on accounts more particularly to Chairman Sen. Ping Lacson, the Senate Secretariat who has been very cooperative, the DPWH who has been very diligent in this undertaking and of course our contractors and the engineers behind this and all of you men and women, who are helping in putting up this great Bagong Senado, ikalawang-siglo building, as the DPWH has done its thorough inspection and declared this site as complying and ready to receive its first concrete puring. In behalf of the Senate I would like to declare the Bagong Senado concrete pouring to commence. Thank You.

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VFA-exit could come later, not yet time to do a Pelosi and rip it up This is not the time to do a Pelosi and rip up the VFA.

A VFA-exit could come later, in a manner that is not rushed, but planned and programmed, and not out of pique.

Certainly not this time when an intruder has built and continues to build what have become the bases of our insecurity right under our belly.

If we abrogate the VFA, this sharp contrast will not escape our people's attention: On how we could let the red carpet stay for someone who has taken our land while booting the one who has been on our side in protesting such occupation.

The VFA is far from a perfect agreement. It has kinks to our disadvantage too many to count.

But these flaws are compensated, in part, by the help we get from the United States in times of natural disasters, of which we are one of the world's most prone.

They have become first responders, dispatching entire carrier groups to our aid during the powerful typhoons of the past decade, like Frank, Milenyo, Yolanda.

Because we are too poor to modernize our military, we have relied on Americans to become a de facto disaster response unit. And that is the inconvenient truth.



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Sen. Grace Poe has registered her strong adherence to the Senate's constitutional mandate and power to review treaties being entered into by the government.

Poe made her position clear during the hearing on Thursday of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Sen. Aquilino "Koko"Pimentel III, to review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.

"It is our Constitutional duty to uphold the principle of separation of powers especially checks and balances which gave rise to the need for Senate action on treaties. Hindi natin ito pribilehiyo lang. Tungkulin nating busisiin ang mga treaty na pinapasok at inaalisan ng Pilipinas," Poe said.

Poe said the VFA should be assessed based on its own merit and beyond political noise.

"Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada ng VFA, nakabuti ba sa atin ito?" Poe said.

"If we are to withdraw from any bilateral agreement, let it be with basis. If we are to concur in any executive action, let it be ultimately for the interest of the people," Poe stressed



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Magandang umaga po Mr. Chair at sa lahat ng ating mga panauhin ngayon. It is our Constitutional duty to uphold the principles of separation of powers especially checks and balances which gave rise to the need for Senate action on treaties. Hindi natin ito pribilehiyo lang. Tungkulin nating busisiin ang mga treaty na pinapasok at inaalisan ng Pilipinas.

In the fulfillment of this duty, we need to evaluate the Visiting Forces Agreement beyond the political noise and assess it on its own merit. Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada ng VFA, nakabuti ba sa atin ito?

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who was former Chairperson of the Legislative Oversight Committee on the VFA and a world-renowned international law expert, reminded the Senate body over and over again to assert its position that the Philippine government must "renegotiate or abrogate the VFA".

Over the years, Senator Miriam passionately argued in favor of Philippine sovereignty as well as the rights and dignity of its citizens which she said, and I quote, "suffered immensely due to the lopsided provisions." Hindi naman natin sinasabing walang benepisyo ito sa atin, pero pwedeng talakayin kung ano ang ikinabuti natin dito at kung ano naman ang pwede pa nating igiit sa kanila.

If we are to withdraw from any bilateral agreement, let it be with basis. If we are to concur on any executive action, let it be ultimately for the interest of the people. Maraming salamat po.



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As the Senate probes on the abrogation of the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, Senator Richard J. Gordon stressed that the country's foreign policy must be dictated by the nation's needs and pointed out that national security is what "ultimately matters."

"Is it a national interest to abolish the VFA at this point in time? Hindi naman tayo nakikipag-agreement dahil gusto natin pero dahil kailangan natin. Kung hindi natin kailangan, huwag tayong makipag-agree. But we have to be on our own, he said."

Gordon underscored the importance of the VFA and said that the military "will be all air and no force, and all coast and no guard" if the agreement will be abolished.

"The people must know that our military has been bereft--leaving us dependent on our relationships with other countries. Strengthen the military, enrich the country. We have to look at the interest of our nations," he said.

Gordon also pointed out that more equipment from other countries could have been bought when the US military was still in the country, which could have strengthened the armed forces' capabilities.

"If we were beefing up our military when the US military was there, then we would have been able to have a more interdependent foreign policy," he explained.

The VFA between the Philippines and the U.S. was established in 1999 upon ratification by the Senate of the Philippines. The agreement allows defense forces cooperation between the two nations and permits the U.S. military to participate in the training programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Since the creation of the VFA, the US has been providing military support to the Philippines in countering threats such as terrorism, and assisting on the country's internal security operations.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon filed on Wednesday a Senate resolution "Honoring and Remembering Gabino "Gaby" De Guzman Tabuñar, Jr. for His Exemplary and Outstanding Contribution to Journalism and Press Freedom".

Senate Resolution No. 317 states that Tabuñar, who passed away Tuesday due to pneumonia, "was a proponent of honest and accurate journalism exemplifying the highest ideals of courageous, compassionate and committed journalism in his coverage of the news through the ever-changing landscape of the Philippine history from the post-World War II era to the various political transition in the succeeding decades."

It also recognizes Tabuñar's commitment to "responsible and fearless reporting" during his stint as a journalist. Among the major events that he covered were the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991 and the closure of the U.S. military bases in Subic Bay.

"Gabby, who deserves to be honored for his dedication on journalism, has always helped spread truthful news, which became contributory to the fast transformation of Subic in early '90s and when our country's tourism faced the challenges brought about by the issues on SARS, terrorism, and kidnappings by Abu Sayaff," Gordon said.

Tabuñar is one of the co-founders of the Foreign Correspondence Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), established in 1974 during the Martial law era, and was a respected foreign correspondent of CBS News in America from 1986 to 2006.

Prior to that, he worked for the Philippine Liberty News after World War II, the time when his career in journalism blossomed.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Thursday, February 6, that he is coordinating with concerned government agencies to hasten the repatriation of Filipinos in Wuhan City and other parts of Hubei province in China who have expressed desire to return home amid the ongoing 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) outbreak in China.

In an interview during his visit to fire victims in Quezon City, Go said that the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may be repatriated "anytime soon". He also expressed his concern for the Filipinos who are currently in Wuhan, the ground zero of the global health emergency.

"They will come (home) soon. Anytime in the next few days, kaya inihahanda na po ang possible quarantine areas," Go said, urging officials to expedite the repatriation process.

"Dapat sa lalong madaling panahon, while observing our health protocols. Kung pumayag na ang bansang China, ready na po, pauwiin na po (agad). Kawawa din sila roon. Hindi nababayaran ang lungkot at pangamba sa ibang bansa," he added.

The senator, who is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, shared that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs Vince Dizon is in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) in preparing the Athletes' Village in New Clark City in Tarlac as a quarantine area for repatriated Filipinos.

"Na-offer po ito ni Vince Dizon ng BCDA na ready po at mas kumpleto ang pasilidad sa Athletes' Village. Ready to accommodate po sila (ng mga Pilipino na) coming from China," Go said.

"Kung saan komportable (at ligtas) ang mga Pilipino, 'yun ang preference ng Pangulo," he added.

Go also said that New Clark City would be a strategic site for the quarantine protocol because its location is near the Clark International Airport.

"'Yung Clark din po, malapit sa airport. Kung sakali, pwede silang i-diretso roon at makababawas pa sa pangamba ng mga Pilipino," he said.

According to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, there are 45 Filipinos so far that will be repatriated from Wuhan City. They are currently finalizing the documents needed, with the help of foreign affairs officials and Chinese authorities, in order to be allowed by the Chinese government to be repatriated back to the Philippines. Once granted permission by the Chinese authorities to exit China, the repatriation is tentatively scheduled on February 8 and the repatriates are expected to arrive in the Philippines the next day, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Moreover, the government will be assigning officers to help in the repatriation, including doctors and nurses from DOH. Personal protective equipment shall be provided to the team.

The IATF clarified further that the repatriates must have Public Health Clearance as well as Customs, Immigration and Quarantine clearance from China. Briefing and counseling for the repatriates will be conducted by the Philippine embassy.

A chartered commercial plane shall be used to fly the repatriates back to the Philippines. Before boarding, thermal scanning and assessment shall be conducted again by the DOH team. While on-board the plane to the Philippines, DOH shall conduct orientation on quarantine rules and procedures. Upon arrival in the Clark International Airport, thermal scanning shall again be conducted prior to disembarkation.

From Clark International Airport, the repatriates shall be transported to the Athletes' Village. Pre-arranged rooms will be assigned to all OFWs, packed food will be served by DOH Regional Office and routine nursing care will be available for their healthcare needs. If there are repatriates with developing cases, they will be brought to the nearest referral hospital. Five DOH hospitals in Region 3 shall deploy medical teams for the whole duration of the repatriates' stay in NCC. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will be in charge of the send-off after fourteen days of quarantine.

Go reiterated his advice to Filipinos to remain calm and help the government in protecting the country and its people from this global health concern.

"'Wag na po kayong magpanic. Magtulungan na lang tayo. Sa mga nag-spread ng fake news, trolls at mga bashers, dapat kayo ang i-quarantine," he said.

Go aids fire victims in QC

Meanwhile, Go extended help to around 60 families affected by a fire that started on February 4 at Astor Street, Barangay North Fairview, Quezon City.

Aside from relief and financial assistance, Go also offered to provide for the uniforms and school supplies of the affected students. He also extended help to those who need to undergo medical operations.

"Kung sino gusto magpagamot, kahit hindi po kayo nasunugan, tutulong po kami. Kung kailangan niyo ng operasyon sa puso, o kidney transplant, magsabi lang po kayo, tutulong kami para sa inyong pamasahe, pagamot, pa-opera hanggang makauwi kayo sa inyong bahay. Mayroon din tayong Malasakit Centers para maka-avail kayo ng financial at medical assistance," he said.

Go also explained that the Malasakit Center aims to cut time, money and effort spent by Filipinos in moving from one office to another just to seek government financial and medical assistance.

With the medical assistance programs coming from the four participating agencies already available in the Malasakit Center, the target is to reduce the hospital bill of indigent and poor patients to the lowest possible amount.

Aside from the aid provided by the Senator, several government agencies also visited the fire victims to provide relief, livelihood, housing and other forms of assistance to the community.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were present and provided different kinds of assistance to the fire victims.

"'Yung mga national government agencies natin, mayroon din silang ibibigay na tulong sa inyo. 'Yung mga biktima, makakatanggap ng assistance mula sa PCUP at DSWD. Nandito rin ang TESDA at DTI, may dalang skills training at livelihood assistance. Ang NHA naman, magbibigay ng housing materials," he said.

Go was also asked by the media to comment on politicians who recently transferred from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to the National Unity Party (NUP).

"Ako po PDP-Laban member... karapatan nilang lumipat ng partido. This is a democracy. It's their choice kung saan sila lilipat. Kami ng Pangulo, kung saan kami nanggaling, doon na po kami magpapaiwan. Kung kaming dalawa na lang ang maiwan sa partido, then kami na lang pong dalawa," he said.



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More than a year after the destruction of Typhoon Ompong, the strongest typhoon to hit Luzon since Juan in 2010 and the strongest to make landfall in the Philippines since Yolanda in 2013, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) enabled affected families in Cagayan get back their lives.

Senator Richard J. Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, led on Friday the turnover of houses to some 244 families in Amulung Gattaran, and Alcala, among others, in Cagayan.

"Like what the Red Cross Hymn says, 'When the world no longer watches, we do what must be done.' We don't take people for granted, especially those who are suffering. That is why we are here today. This time, we want to ensure that the families affected by Typhoon Ompong are able to recover. We want them to get back on their feet again with dignity because our mission in the Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering and to uplift human dignity," he said.

Typhoon Mangkhut, locally known as Typhoon "Ompong," made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan on Sept. 15, 2018, affecting more than 2.5 million people when it badly hit Regions I and II. State of calamity has been declared in the following areas: Provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Abra, Kalinga, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Quirino, Apayao and Mountain Province; Cities of Vigan, Ilagan, and Tuguegarao; and the Municipalities of Luna (La Union), San Fabian (Pangasinan) and Mayoyao and Aguinaldo (Ifugao).

The PRC, upon instructions of its chairman, immediately extended assistance. The country's foremost humanitarian organization served 17,778 individuals with hot meals; 3,700 families with food items, consist of 2-3 days ration and assorted packs; and rescued 53 individuals, among others.

To enable the affected families to get back on their own feet again, the PRC, in partnership with its Movement Parters, provided 244 families with full shelter assistance, the houses complete and latrine with septic tank; and distributed agricultural assistance worth P15,000 each to some 198 families so they can make their damaged farms become productive again.

"With the help of our partners, we will provide humanitarian assistance to families affected by the buffet of disasters that visit our country, especially those who are most vulnerable," Gordon assured.



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Senator Win Gatchalian called on Filipinos to help support our local tourism industry as he expects the temporary travel ban on mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau to hurt the tourism sector. He said avoiding out of the country travels can also contain the spread of the virus which experts say looks increasingly like a pandemic.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) show that Chinese tourists are the country's second largest tourism market next to South Koreans. DOT records also show that 1,626,309 out of the total 7.4 million international tourist arrivals from January to November of 2019 came from mainland China. Visitors from mainland China are also regarded as the second biggest tourist spenders in the country, as Chinese tourists reportedly spent US$979.4 million or around ₱51 billion in the country in the first half of 2019.

Gatchalian also called on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to embark on an aggressive marketing campaign to intensify the promotion of domestic destinations. This will help the micro and small entrepreneurs and even the menial workers in the regions to cope with possible economic vulnerabilities.

"It is during this time when we must show our 'Bayanihan' spirit to help our kababayans, whose livelihoods are affected by the travel ban. Instead of planning a trip abroad this year, let's explore the Philippines more for a change," he said.

"Maraming apektado sa travel ban, nandiyan ang mga bangkero, tour guides, mga ordinaryong vendor, lahat yan apektado kapag walang turista. Kaya imbes na magbakasyon tayo sa ibang bansa, dito na lang at matutulungan pa natin sila", shared Gatchalian.

The tourism industry of Negros Oriental experienced a big wave of booking cancellations immediately after it was reported that the two persons who tested positive for 2019-nCoV visited the province.

The lawmaker, though, weighs in on the full economic impact. During Tuesday's Senate hearing, Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez said it is too early to ascertain the economic effects of the virus scare. Although he did mention that in the immediate term, the temporary closure of factories in China which can cause possible global supply reduction might have a minimal impact on the country's exports.

Meanwhile, data from the global ANZ Research published last February 3, 2020 show a 75% decline in the number of visitors and tourists from China in three months which could shave 0.11% points off the Philippine economic growth.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has expressed strong support to the ongoing Senate inquiry into the supposed rising industry of underground prostitution, which is reportedly catering to Chinese nationals working for offshore gaming firms.

De Lima also commended the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros for leading the probe into the sex trafficking of women, including minors, to Chinese nationals.

"Tiwala po tayo na sa pangunguna ni Sen. Risa para imbestigahan ang nakababahalang paglaganap ng prostitusyon bunsod ng paglago ng mga POGO sa bansa," she said.

"Tutukan nating maigi ang pagsisiyasat na ito upang makapaglatag ng agarang aksyon para masagip ang mga kababaihan, at mapanagot ang sindikatong sangkot sa mga kalakarang ito na lumalapastangan sa ating pambansang dangal," she added.

During a Senate inquiry last Jan. 28, Hontiveros exposed chat groups where Filipino and Chinese women are being advertised for sexual services, disguised as massage appointments.

To stop the on-going sex trafficking of women, including minors, Hontiveros called for the immediate suspension of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations to ensure that "safety nets are in place to protect our women and children."

"I fully agree and support Senator Risa in pushing for a serious investigation into the social costs brought about by POGO-related gambling in the country," the former justice secretary said.

"We should stop the continued trafficking of our women and children by syndicates who blatantly ignore our laws and treat women as commodities or food orders meant to be delivered for their enjoyment," she stressed.

De Lima has always called to strengthen laws regulating firms under the POGO industry, determine the social costs of the surge of POGO employees and curb the rise in related crimes committed by Chinese nationals, including killings, kidnapping and torture.

In May 2018, De Lima filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 751 that seeks to investigate the influx of Chinese nationals, both illegal and legal in the country. The immigration surge, she claims, steals employment opportunities from Filipinos and has triggered property surges in developed areas.

In Nov 2018, she filed SR No. 953 urging the appropriate Senate committee to look into what she called "loose regulatory policies" on the operations of casino-entertainment resorts, online gaming sites and junket casinos in the country.

It can also be recalled that in March 2019, she filed SR No. 1030 urging for a Senate probe into the alleged failure of many POGO employees to pay personal income taxes faithfully, resulting to revenue losses in the Philippine economy.

"Ang ipinagtataka natin: Bakit nga ba walang kangipin-ngipin ang gobyerno ni Duterte sa pagbabantay sa mga POGO at sa pagpapanagot sa mga anomalyang kinasasangkutan nito?" the lady Senator from Bicol said.

"Ano ba talagang ikinatatakot ni Duterte sa Tsina; mula sa usapin ng pang-aagaw sa ating teritoryo at mga pinapasok na kontrata ng gobyerno, hanggang sa pagkalat ng nakamamatay na epidemya, tila nakatali ang kanyang kamay at hawak siya sa leeg kaya't laging inuuna pa ang interes ng mga dayuhan," she added.



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Sen. Cynthia Villar stressed the importance of home gardening as a strategy for food security and alleviation of nutrient deficiency.

Villar made this statement during the opening of the 13th Agricrops Production Training program at the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite.

"During periods of stress like typhoons, occurrence of frost or volcanic eruption, we are often confronted by shortage of food supply which leads to a spike in prices. Home gardens may become the principal source of food for the household during these times," Villar said.

Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform also added: "Not only can home gardening help enhance food security, it will also help families alleviate micronutrient deficiencies by providing direct access to nutritious foods that they don't have to buy."

Villar SIPAG partnered with East-West Seed Foundation to conduct this site-based vegetable production training program wherein participants are capacitated with basic knowledge and skills on vegetable production - from land preparation to harvesting, including urban gardening and nutrition education. The participants are also trained on the proper ways of preparing natural fertilizers and pesticide control measures including their proper usage and application.

Villar also noted that the focus for this batch is on promoting home gardens as a food security strategy by ensuring steady supply of fresh and safe vegetables for families of trained participants.

The lady senator also said home gardening can be practiced by anybody in small patches of land, vacant lots or in containers, making it appealing to families living in urban areas.

"We re encouraging the participants to seize the opportunity to generate savings from the harvested vegetables and explore possibilities of generating income from the planted crops through selling and processing," Villar said.

From February 5 to 13, about 250 participants from NCR and Region 4A will be taught basic understanding on the principles on tropical common vegetables production; improved techniques on crop management to sustain vegetable production at the household level; proper techniques in setting up urban/container garden; knowledge on the nutritional benefits of vegetables; and formulation of organic inputs using locally available materials.



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On DICT Sec. Gregorio Honasan and the oversight committee

Sen. Panfilo Lacson: Under Rule 10, Section 14 nung Rules of the Senate, nakalagay naman doon na whenever necessary, a special committee pwedeng icreate, eh nacreate na ito nung 17th Congress so we are just reconstituting it. Not solely for the purpose of looking into some insinuations involving former Senator Honasan, pero icocover naman ito lahat ng intelligence and confidential funds ng buong bureaucracy.

Q: Yung trigger was because of what happened to Sen. Honasan?

PL: No, we filed it even before.

Q: Kailan kayo magdedecide kung ipapatawag na si Sec. Honasan?

PL: Hindi, ipapa-adopt muna namin yung resolution kasi resolution yun na kailangan iadopt sa floor ng buong body.

Q: After maadopt?

PL: Once maadopt, magcoconstitute kami ng membership, four from the majority, two from the minority. Senate President and magdedesignate.

Q: Ano ang magiging treatment kay Sec. Honasan since best friend ninyo siya?

SP Sotto: We will take everything as laid out. This is in aid of legislation so kung may inquiry, kung meron dapat baguhin sa sistema ng funding or whatever, not only in the DICT but the other agencies especially when it involves intelligence funds and confidential funds, then the committee or the oversight committee, which in this case will be handled by the National Defense chairman, Sen. Lacson, we'll take everything on face value. Kung ano yung iprisenta, kung ano yung reklamo, kung ano yung makita, yun ang pag-uusapan. It will always be public hearing, it will not be closed-door or executive session para walang masabi.

Q: (Unclear) confident you are dealing with confidential...

PL: May mga matters siguro na pwedeng itake-up in an executive session, pero generally, dapat open as the Senate President mentioned.

Q: Will it happen at the soonest possible time?

PL: The moment maadopt yung resolution, ang kasunod noon, icoconstitute yung oversight committee and then pwedeng magmeeting yung committee members to decide when to schedule, if at all, kung merong necessity.

Q: Does it affect your impression of Sec. Honasan?

PL: No, hindi. Kasi alam ninyo, nag-usap kami, very brief lang ang usapan namin. Ano, these are insinuations. Wala namang prinipresent na concrete na allegation to back the allegation of Usec. Rio. In fact, they are close friends, kinakapatid pa niya yan and all. Professor namin sa PMA nung graduating na kami. And ito, medyo irrelevant ito sa issue at hand, pero I just happened to know na hindi naman nagprisinta si Sen. Honasan na maging Secretary ng DICT. In fact, it was his lobby for the appointment as a permanent Secretary kasi OIC noon si Undersecretary, or OIC Rio. Nilolobby niya, pinakikiusap niya sa Malacañang pwedeng maging permanent, eh yung paglolobby niya that brought him there na maging Secretary. I won't delve anymore into the details pero ganoon ang nangyari. So, siguro, napagusapan namin ni Senate President, si Sen. Honasan, I am sure he is more than willing to air his side kasi these are insinuations and gusto rin niya makita o malaman ano ba talaga yung puno't-dulo nuong mga allegations na ibinabato sa kanya.

Q: Posible nga na maging subject siya ng hearing dito sa Senado?

PL: Alam niya yun.

Q: And what did he say?

PL: Mas maganda, sabi niya.

SP Sotto: As a matter of fact, this will be a good chance for the DICT to be able to explain their side, not only Sen. Honasan because the insinuation, if I take it at face value, is not particularly centering on Sen. Honasan. Even in the letter, the Senator was never mentioned. Pero, again, this will give DICT a chance to explain everything.

Q: Process wise, sa budget, may mali ba doon sa pagtransfer sa confidential fund?

PL: Wala. Pag sinabing confidential funds, look, DICT, tama rin in a way si Usec. Rio ano, pero remember, yung DICT, sila yung nasa frontline doon sa pagdetermine ng cyber-attacks and as per Sec. Honasan, when we talked briefly about this, sabi niya pinapasa niya sa mga agencies yung nadedetect nilang possible cyber-attack. Kailangan din niya ng confidential fund. Kaya nga mas magandang ma-crystalize, maclarify.

Q: Pwedeng hindi lang naintindihan ni Rio?

PL: Hindi natin alam, kasi kung ano yung alam ninyo, yun din ang alam namin. Nababasa sa diyaryo.

Q: When do you think possible maconstitute yung committee?

SP Sotto: If we pass the resolution on Monday, that week we can constitute the membership.

Q: So possible na next week na yung hearing?

SP Sotto: Well, hindi rin siguro dahil sa three-day rule. Baka the week after. At the earliest, the week after.

On the novel coronavirus.

Q: Kailangan na ba ng pag-audit ng mga Chinese tourists and other tourists na nagpupunta dito ngayon sa Pilipinas?

SP Sotto: Nakalock down, naka ban na di ba?

Q: May mga Chinese and other nationalities na nasa condos, mga hotels na nandito lang temporarily.

PL: Ako tingin ko, let's leave it to the Executive Department, kasi trabaho nila ito. Kahapon, we conducted a hearing in aid of legislation of course, and mukhang may mga wake-up call namang nangyari doon na I think Sec. Duque is now addressing, and the inter-agency created for the purpose.

Q: Do you think the PNP can actually contribute sa contact tracing?

PL: Even during the time of former President Aquino, namobilize yung PNP noong SARS ba yun or yung MERS? Trabaho naman ng PNP yun.

SP Sotto: Ang pagkakaalam ko yung Department of Health, yung epidemiologist nila, isa lang ang tao doon per region. Paano maghahanap yun, di ba? Dapat yun talagang tinap na kaagad ang PNP, NBI.

Q: Nakapag-usap na po kayo ni Sen. Honasan?

SP Sotto: Hindi pa.

Q: But knowing Sen. Honasan, sa tingin ninyo hindi naman siya maiinvolve in any irregularity?

SP Sotto: Sa pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, hindi yun maiinvolve sa anomalya.

Q: In that case do you think he can clearly explain himself?

PL: If it comes to that, hayaan natin siya at saka hayaan natin si Usec. Rio. We cannot answer for Sec. Honasan or for Sec. Rio.

SP Sotto: My answer is just based on track record niya.

Q: (Unclear) to investigate the other offices?

PL: All-encompassing naman yung special committee. Lahat ng CIFs pwede talagang tingnan yun.

Q: Binanggit kanina ni Sen. Migz yung LGUs, sila rin may sariling confidential funds...

SP Sotto: Correct.

Q: How about yung confidential fund ng Office of the President?

SP Sotto: Covered din yun.

PL: Yes, pero tingnan rin natin yung inter-departmental courtesy, kasi Executive Department, Legislative Department or branch, tingnan din natin yun. Kung wala namang nakitang anomalya, walang report anomalies, bakit naman tayo, nagwi-witch-hunt ka naman siguro noon?

SP Sotto: I was about to say that. Kung walang complaint, kung walang pagbabasehan, bakit naman namin bubulatlatin yun?

On DICT Sec. Gregorio Honasan and the oversight committee

Sen. Panfilo Lacson: Under Rule 10, Section 14 nung Rules of the Senate, nakalagay naman doon na whenever necessary, a special committee pwedeng icreate, eh nacreate na ito nung 17th Congress so we are just reconstituting it. Not solely for the purpose of looking into some insinuations involving former Senator Honasan, pero icocover naman ito lahat ng intelligence and confidential funds ng buong bureaucracy.

Q: Yung trigger was because of what happened to Sen. Honasan?

PL: No, we filed it even before.

Q: Kailan kayo magdedecide kung ipapatawag na si Sec. Honasan?

PL: Hindi, ipapa-adopt muna namin yung resolution kasi resolution yun na kailangan iadopt sa floor ng buong body.

Q: After maadopt?

PL: Once maadopt, magcoconstitute kami ng membership, four from the majority, two from the minority. Senate President and magdedesignate.

Q: Ano ang magiging treatment kay Sec. Honasan since best friend ninyo siya?

SP Sotto: We will take everything as laid out. This is in aid of legislation so kung may inquiry, kung meron dapat baguhin sa sistema ng funding or whatever, not only in the DICT but the other agencies especially when it involves intelligence funds and confidential funds, then the committee or the oversight committee, which in this case will be handled by the National Defense chairman, Sen. Lacson, we'll take everything on face value. Kung ano yung iprisenta, kung ano yung reklamo, kung ano yung makita, yun ang pag-uusapan. It will always be public hearing, it will not be closed-door or executive session para walang masabi.

Q: (Unclear) confident you are dealing with confidential...

PL: May mga matters siguro na pwedeng itake-up in an executive session, pero generally, dapat open as the Senate President mentioned.

Q: Will it happen at the soonest possible time?

PL: The moment maadopt yung resolution, ang kasunod noon, icoconstitute yung oversight committee and then pwedeng magmeeting yung committee members to decide when to schedule, if at all, kung merong necessity.

Q: Does it affect your impression of Sec. Honasan?

PL: No, hindi. Kasi alam ninyo, nag-usap kami, very brief lang ang usapan namin. Ano, these are insinuations. Wala namang prinipresent na concrete na allegation to back the allegation of Usec. Rio. In fact, they are close friends, kinakapatid pa niya yan and all. Professor namin sa PMA nung graduating na kami. And ito, medyo irrelevant ito sa issue at hand, pero I just happened to know na hindi naman nagprisinta si Sen. Honasan na maging Secretary ng DICT. In fact, it was his lobby for the appointment as a permanent Secretary kasi OIC noon si Undersecretary, or OIC Rio. Nilolobby niya, pinakikiusap niya sa Malacañang pwedeng maging permanent, eh yung paglolobby niya that brought him there na maging Secretary. I won't delve anymore into the details pero ganoon ang nangyari. So, siguro, napagusapan namin ni Senate President, si Sen. Honasan, I am sure he is more than willing to air his side kasi these are insinuations and gusto rin niya makita o malaman ano ba talaga yung puno't-dulo nuong mga allegations na ibinabato sa kanya.

Q: Posible nga na maging subject siya ng hearing dito sa Senado?

PL: Alam niya yun.

Q: And what did he say?

PL: Mas maganda, sabi niya.

SP Sotto: As a matter of fact, this will be a good chance for the DICT to be able to explain their side, not only Sen. Honasan because the insinuation, if I take it at face value, is not particularly centering on Sen. Honasan. Even in the letter, the Senator was never mentioned. Pero, again, this will give DICT a chance to explain everything.

Q: Process wise, sa budget, may mali ba doon sa pagtransfer sa confidential fund?

PL: Wala. Pag sinabing confidential funds, look, DICT, tama rin in a way si Usec. Rio ano, pero remember, yung DICT, sila yung nasa frontline doon sa pagdetermine ng cyber-attacks and as per Sec. Honasan, when we talked briefly about this, sabi niya pinapasa niya sa mga agencies yung nadedetect nilang possible cyber-attack. Kailangan din niya ng confidential fund. Kaya nga mas magandang ma-crystalize, maclarify.

Q: Pwedeng hindi lang naintindihan ni Rio?

PL: Hindi natin alam, kasi kung ano yung alam ninyo, yun din ang alam namin. Nababasa sa diyaryo.

Q: When do you think possible maconstitute yung committee?

SP Sotto: If we pass the resolution on Monday, that week we can constitute the membership.

Q: So possible na next week na yung hearing?

SP Sotto: Well, hindi rin siguro dahil sa three-day rule. Baka the week after. At the earliest, the week after.

On the novel coronavirus.

Q: Kailangan na ba ng pag-audit ng mga Chinese tourists and other tourists na nagpupunta dito ngayon sa Pilipinas?

SP Sotto: Nakalock down, naka ban na di ba?

Q: May mga Chinese and other nationalities na nasa condos, mga hotels na nandito lang temporarily.

PL: Ako tingin ko, let's leave it to the Executive Department, kasi trabaho nila ito. Kahapon, we conducted a hearing in aid of legislation of course, and mukhang may mga wake-up call namang nangyari doon na I think Sec. Duque is now addressing, and the inter-agency created for the purpose.

Q: Do you think the PNP can actually contribute sa contact tracing?

PL: Even during the time of former President Aquino, namobilize yung PNP noong SARS ba yun or yung MERS? Trabaho naman ng PNP yun.

SP Sotto: Ang pagkakaalam ko yung Department of Health, yung epidemiologist nila, isa lang ang tao doon per region. Paano maghahanap yun, di ba? Dapat yun talagang tinap na kaagad ang PNP, NBI.

Q: Nakapag-usap na po kayo ni Sen. Honasan?

SP Sotto: Hindi pa.

Q: But knowing Sen. Honasan, sa tingin ninyo hindi naman siya maiinvolve in any irregularity?

SP Sotto: Sa pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, hindi yun maiinvolve sa anomalya.

Q: In that case do you think he can clearly explain himself?

PL: If it comes to that, hayaan natin siya at saka hayaan natin si Usec. Rio. We cannot answer for Sec. Honasan or for Sec. Rio.

SP Sotto: My answer is just based on track record niya.

Q: (Unclear) to investigate the other offices?

PL: All-encompassing naman yung special committee. Lahat ng CIFs pwede talagang tingnan yun.

Q: Binanggit kanina ni Sen. Migz yung LGUs, sila rin may sariling confidential funds...

SP Sotto: Correct.

Q: How about yung confidential fund ng Office of the President?

SP Sotto: Covered din yun.

PL: Yes, pero tingnan rin natin yung inter-departmental courtesy, kasi Executive Department, Legislative Department or branch, tingnan din natin yun. Kung wala namang nakitang anomalya, walang report anomalies, bakit naman tayo, nagwi-witch-hunt ka naman siguro noon?

SP Sotto: I was about to say that. Kung walang complaint, kung walang pagbabasehan, bakit naman namin bubulatlatin yun?



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Yesterday's hearing should be a wake-up call for the inter-agency committee and its whole-of-government approach. The health secretary was clearly in the dark as to his department's efforts to trace the passengers of the two flights which flew in the two nCoV patients. This most basic intervention was at 17-percent success rate two weeks into the outbreak. Worse, the secretary was unaware and only found out during the hearing that it was a dismal 17 percent.

Kung hindi alam ng DoH secretary, na siyang commander ng medical operation na ito, ang update dito sa pinaka-basic na intervention, malamang hindi rin ito alam ng buong inter-agency committee at ng buong bansa.

Nagpapasalamat tayo na dininig ng pamahalaan ang mungkahi ng ating tanggapan kasama ang ordinaryong mamamayan na huwag munang magpapasok ng mga galing sa epicenter ng sakit. Ang mungkahing ito ay para makatuon sa pagsiguro na hindi tayo mahahawahan at kung mahahawahan man ay may sapat na gamit at medical personnel na gagamot sa atin. Kaya napakahalagang bahagi ang contact-tracing sa pagsugpo ng pagkalat ng sakit. Kung alam natin ang pagkalaganap ng nCoV, alam natin ang karampatang lunas. Nagawa na ng DoH yan sa MERS-CoV nung 2014.

Para hindi mag-panic ang ating mamamayan, dapat magkaroon ng masusing pag-aaral at agarang pagpapasya sa mga mungkahing ito:

Manawagan sa lahat ng mga nanggaling China noong nakaraang dalawang linggo na nakakaramdam ng sakit na umiwas muna sa mataong lugar, magpatingin, at magpa-test sa nCoV. Saan pwedeng pumunta ang mga tao para magpa-test?

Magkaroon ng tamang screening ang Bureau of Quarantine sa mga points of entry para sa mga biyahero.

Magkaroon ng massive info drive tungkol sa tamang kilos sa mataong lugar at ang regular na paghugas ng kamay.

Sama-sama nating harapin at solusyunan ang sakit na ito.



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During his visit to fire victims in Pasay City, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go demanded justice for the death of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende in Kuwait which prompted the government to impose again a deployment ban to the Middle Eastern country.

The Filipina, who hailed from Norala, South Cotabato, was allegedly killed by her employers in December last year. The suspects are currently in custody.

"Magkakaroon ng ban ng deployment sa Kuwait. Hintayin muna natin ang pahayag ng Pangulo kung ano ang magiging decision niya. I'm sure he will decide based on the interest of Filipinos," Go said during his visit to fire victims in Brgy. 145, Zone 16, Santo Niño, Pasay City on Saturday, January 4.

Asked on whether the President will still push through with his visit to Kuwait this year, Go said that no changes in his plans have been made so far.

"Sa ngayon, wala namang pagbabago at plano niyang pumunta ngayong quarter na ito or some time in March or April sa Kuwait. Dahil after ng agreement sa Kuwait noong 2018, naging maganda ang relasyon sa parehong bansa at OFWs na nagta-trabaho dun. Maraming mga hiling natin ang naibigay nila," Go said.

However, the senator decried the murder of Villavende, adding that justice must be served.

"Sana maiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari. I want justice para sa namatay nating kababayan," he said.

Meanwhile, Go also expressed his sympathy for the 118 individuals affected by the fire in Pasay City during his visit to them, saying that his visits to victims of disasters intend to fulfill his promise to Filipinos that he will come to their aid when needed to bring smiles to their faces and address their concerns.

"Gusto ko lang na magbigay ng ngiti sa inyong mga mukha sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati ngayon," Go said, adding that he goes around the country to listen to the concerns of ordinary Filipinos and find solutions to their daily struggles.

He added, "Kaya ako narito dahil pangako ko ito sa taong bayan. Kung ano ang ipinangako ko, 'yun ang tutuparin ko. 'Yan lang po ang pinanghahawakan namin ni Pangulong Duterte."

Comprising of 75 families who have lost their homes in the fire which broke out only a few days after Christmas, Go distributed relief and financial assistance for them. He also told students affected in the fire incident that he will provide them a new set of uniform and school supplies to enable them to resume their studies immediately.

"Narito po ako para dinggin ang inyong mga hinanaing," Go told fire victims. He added that his priority has always been the Filipinos and that wherever he is needed, he will immediately respond to the distress calls of the people.

"Apat na araw lang usually ang hearing sa Senado at ayoko na masayang ang natitirang tatlong araw (sa isang linggo). Minsan, sinisingit ko rin ang mga pagbisita sa mga araw ng aking trabaho sa Senado dahil hindi ko matiis ang aking mga kababayang nahihirapan," Go explained.

The victims also received additional assistance from concerned government agencies. They received housing materials assistance from the National Housing Authority (NHA), livelihood assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and financial assistance from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gave immediate financial assistance and additional assistance under the agency's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

As for those who were injured or have serious medical conditions, Go urged them to visit the nearest Malasakit Center to seek medical and financial assistance from the government.

"Gusto ko rin ibahagi na kung may nararamdaman kayong sakit o may nasugatan sa insidenteng ito, mayroon na po tayong Malasakit Center na handang tumulong sa inyong medikal na mga pangangailangan, lalo na ang pinansyal na aspeto ng pagpapa-ospital," Go said.

The country's 30th Malasakit Center was opened last March 2019 at the Pasay City General Hospital.

The senator explained to the fire victims that the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for all Filipinos, particularly the poor and indigent patients, where they can ask for assistance from the different government agencies now housed under one roof.

"Naipasa na kasi ang Malasakit Center Act of 2019, batas na ito at hindi na mapipigilan ng kahit sinuman ang pagpapatakbo ng programang Malasakit Center na tiyak na mas makakatulong pa sa sambayanan," Go added.

Go also warned the public against scammers who victimize unknowing people for money, saying that they should not be quick to trust scammers who use his name for their own personal interests.

"Huwag po kayong magpaloko diyan, walang katotohanan 'yan. Kapag ginamit ang pangalan namin, hindi totoo yon. 'Wag kayong maniwala kapag may gumamit ng pangalan ko, hindi 'yun totoo," said Go.

"Walang manloloko kung walang magpapaloko. Sa mga nanloloko, makonsensya naman kayo. Maawa naman kayo sa mga kababayan natin," he added.

Ending his message, Go told that he will continue to work hard to fulfill his promises to the people.

"As promised, dalawa na po ang piority bills natin ang naipasa - iyan ay ang Malasakit Center Act of 2019 at ang postponement ng barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Rest assured 'yung iba kong pangako, I will push for them," Go said.

"Patuloy po tayong magseserbisyo para maiparamdam sa bawat Pilipino ang tunay at tuloy-tuloy na positibong pagbabago sa ating bansa," he added.

After his visit to Pasay, Go immediately went to Parola compound in Tondo, and Brgy. 833 in Pandacan, Manila to provide similar assistance to fire victims there.



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During an interview on the television morning show "Unang Hirit", Senator and Senate Health Committee Chair Christopher "Bong" Go said that the government is on top of the situation in managing the impact of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in the country.

"Huwag po tayong mag-panic. Nagsalita na po ang Pangulo noong Lunes ng gabi at kahapon po, narinig ninyo ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, ang mga cabinet secretaries, ang mga miyembro po ng Inter-Agency Task Force, at nasagot naman po nila ang inyong mga katanungan. Naroon din po ang World Health Organization (WHO)," he said.

He urged the public to remain calm and help the government protect the country and its people from the virus.

"Sundin lang po 'yung tama, 'yung mga payo ng ating mga health authorities. Magtulungan na lang po tayo. Huwag na tayong magsisihan," he added.

Go said that he is satisfied with the outcome of the public hearing conducted yesterday at the Senate saying, "Ang importante po sa akin, maraming issues na naliwanagan at nasagot po ang mga katanungan ng ating mga kababayan."

During the interview, Go also belied criticisms against President Rodrigo Duterte amid the 2019-nCoV ARD concerns saying, "Sa totoo lang po, bilang ama ng ating bansa, inuuna palagi ni Pangulong Duterte ang kapakanan, kalusugan at interes ng bawat Pilipino."

He added that the President simply wants to make informed and balanced decisions.

"Sa pagdeclare ng travel ban, inisip n'ya muna lahat po. Binabalanse po niya ang lahat. Ang desisyon niya ay base rin sa naging declaration ng WHO. Hindi naman basta basta na unang araw pa lang, ide-deklara na ang travel ban. Binabalanse po ni Pangulo ang lahat bilang ama, (at) kapakanan ng pangkalahatan ang nasa isipan nya," he said.

With regards the depleting supply of surgical masks amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus, Go said that the government has allotted budget for the procurement of such masks and other equipment.

"Meron po tayong local manufacturer diyan sa Bataan. Nagpromise po sila na makapag-produce ng 100,000 pieces ng face mask ngayong linggo na ito and another po sa mga susunod na linggo," he said.

"The President has also approved a budget of around PhP2 billion for the procurement po ng protective equipment para sa 5,000 health workers na nangangailangan po ng kagamitan," he added.

In a letter addressed to the President, dated February 4, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III asked for supplemental funding amounting to PhP2,039,916,866.19. Around PhP2.035 billion of which will be used to purchase masks and personal protective equipment for both Persons Under Investigations and health care workers. The remaining P4.52 million will be for the accommodation and care expenses in connection with the quarantine of repatriated Filipinos.

As to who gets face masks first, Go said that health officials have advised to prioritize those who are sick to prevent the further spread of the virus.

"Sa ngayon naman, ang payo ng ating mga health officials ay dapat ang unang bibigyan ng face mask ay ang may sakit para hindi sila makahawa," he said.

Go also mentioned that officials have already identified possible sites to quarantine persons affected by the virus.

"Kakayanin naman po. Ang importante dito ay magkaroon tayo ng lugar kung saan sila ilalagay for quarantine for 14 days," Go said.

"Meron na pong na-identify ang ating health officials kung saka-sakali man na kailangan silang i-quarantine. Willing ang ilan na ilagay po doon sa Fort Magsaysay at marami rin pong ibang lugar na tinitingnan," he added.

In the meantime, Go said that health officials advised people with flu-like symptoms to undergo self-quarantine.

"Sa ngayon naman ay self-quarantine muna ang payo ng ating mga health officials, at ang mga ospital naman, merong isolation room po na nakalaan para d'yan."



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima today filed a motion asking the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its earlier resolution dismissing her habeas data petition which seeks to protect herself from President Duterte's continued threats and verbal attacks.

In the Motion for Reconsideration filed on her behalf by her counsel, Atty. Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno, De Lima asked the High Court to reconsider its Oct. 15 resolution which has unduly broadened the scope of presidential immunity to acts that have nothing to do with presidential powers, duties, and responsibilities.

She principally argued that the Resolution "has twisted the doctrine of presidential immunity out of all sense of meaning".

"The Resolution has twisted the doctrine of presidential immunity into a grotesque version of itself, inoculated the President from accountability for egregious conduct, and placed an insurmountable barrier to the search for truth and the vindication of basic rights," she said in her 20-page resolution.

Last Oct. 15, the SC issued an en banc resolution dismissing De Lima's habeas data petition, a legal remedy she sought to protect her from Mr. Duterte's continued threats and verbal attacks against her as a human being, a woman, and a senator,

It dismissed De Lima's petition on the ground that Mr. Duterte is immune from any criminal, civil and administrative suit during his presidency which expires on June 2020. The SC"s resolution was only made public last Jan. 22.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, also pointed out that the Resolution has given President Duterte a "blanket license to slut-shame, discriminate, insult, offend, and bad-mouth her womanhood and assassinate her character and dignity."

"The Resolution gives President Duterte untrammeled and unbridled power to slut-shame, discriminate, insult, offend and bad-mouth the petitioner for as long as he sits on his presidential throne," she said.

The lady Senator from Bicol cited, for instance, that Mr. Duterte has once again resumed his verbal attacks against her during his speech on the occasion of the Ceremonial Distribution of Benefits to Former Rebels in San Isidro, Leyte, last Jan. 23, or the day after the release of the SC Resolution.

"The Resolution also gives President Duterte unchecked power to do the same to any other woman who tickles his fancy - and whoever becomes his next target will have no legal remedy at all to stop him as long as he occupies the highest position in the land. His next target could be anyone even someone we know or someone to whom we are close to or related," she pointed out.

In her habeas data petition, De Lima has recalled how Mr. Duterte admitted his personal grudge against her way back when she was chair of the Commission on Human Rights investigating his link with the dreaded Davao Death Squad.

Such personal and oftentimes sexist tirades against her escalate when she opened a Senate investigation into the spate of extrajudicial killings and summary executions in the administration's all-out war on drugs, she noted.

According to her, President Duterte's continued verbal attacks and threats also deprives her of an effective remedy in violation of her rights guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

"It is not disputed that petitioner is the victim of slut-shaming, discrimination as a woman, and psychological violence perpetrated by the highest executive official of our government," she said.

"It is not disputed that President Duterte gathered information about petition's private life - including, by his own admission, information from a foreign government - and broadcast it to the entire nation," she added.

De Lima, however, maintained that these acts clearly involve the wrongful collection and publication of her alleged private affairs, which she argued constitute unlawful interference with her privacy and unlawful attacks on her honor and reputation.

She said the SC's resolution violates the ICCPR which imposes a duty on the Philippine government to provide victims of gross human rights violations with the right to an effective, prompt and adequate remedy.



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Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today on a question of personal and collective privilege.

In June 2012, almost eight years ago, I sponsored the National Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Act, with the primary objective of spreading awareness on liver cancer and viral hepatitis. In that bill, we declared January as the Awareness Month. And today, that is Republic Act No. 10526. This [speech] is a few days delayed because it is actually February 5, but it is my solemn and personal duty to help create and steer awareness on this very deadly virus.

Hepatitis B is a potentially deadly virus and the leading cause of liver cancer, liver disease. Per the WHO, about 8.5 million Filipinos are living with Chronic Hepatitis B virus, so for a visual, my dear colleagues, consider that similar to the number of OFWs we have. I am equating them with OFWs. I am simply saying that in terms of number of people who are living with chronic Hepatitis B, ganoon karami 'yun. WHO's 2019 shows that 1 in 10, so a tenth, of Filipinos have Chronic Hepatitis B. Hepatitis is a silent killer. It has no symptoms but quietly damages the liver. In fact, what is sad here is that it's known to hit you at the prime of your life, the productive stages of your life, usually someone in their 40's. when they are fathers and mothers of their families, when their children are fully dependent on them.

WHO data show that hepatitis caused 60 percent of liver cancer ailments in the Philippines in 2019. Many of you will recall that my father was a senator. He was at the prime of his life. He was 68 years old, I think 67, when the Hepatitis B virus that he had at that time mutated and there is no medication for that mutated virus. There is one in the US, but by the time it literally arrived here via FedEx, his liver was very damaged, and it was no longer of use to him. Thus, he was told he needs a liver transplant. And we did that in the United States. My brother Lino, who is now Mayor of Taguig City was my dad's surprise donor. My dad did not know that Lino was his donor.

So, we had that liver transplant in 2003, and those who are not familiar with liver cancer, with liver transplants, Lino lived with a third of his liver, because he gave two-thirds of his liver to my dad. And that is possible. Interestingly enough, four months after his liver transplant, Lino and I ran a duathlon. We were told he was the first liver donor who was able to do such a physical feat. Sadly, although the procedure was very successful, and if you look at the color of my dad there [gestures to screen visuals] versus the picture before that, he was healthy and he was recovering. But apparently, some of the cancer cells might have been microscopic size, and they were probably in other parts of his body, so he was eventually diagnosed with stomach cancer and that's the cause of his death.

Fast forward, I became a senator in 2004 and at that time, my dad had just passed away, and it was one of my passions, one of my personal convictions, that I would also help spread information about this virus. I found out that the budget allotted for Hepatitis B vaccination was about to run out because at that time it was sponsored by UNICEF. And without a budget coming from Congress, the children, the millions of children that were now vaccinated by the funding of UNICEF would run out. So, by our initiatives, along with a lot of medical practitioners and advocates, we were able to eventually include this as part of the regular budget of the DOH. And then, eventually, we were able to pass a law where we provided more details on the importance of the Hepatitis B vaccination that must be administered within 24 hours of birth, because the most common mode of transmission is from mother to child. So, if a child, a baby is vaccinated within 24 hours, they get that immunity. My dear colleagues, there is so much more that we can do to save lives against these diseases. Per UNICEF's 2018 report, the proportion of Filipino children aged 12 to 23 months who received basic vaccinations including Hepatitis B dropped from 77 percent in 2013 to 70 percent.

My dear colleagues, you will recall that for the past decade, we are already around 90 percent. And in previous deliberations in the Senate floor, including the one I had with the Senate Minority Floor Leader, we established the fact that our vaccination rates have gone down, and it includes Hepatitis B and many others. The percentage of children with no vaccination also rose from 4 percent in 2013 to 9 percent in 2017. And that is why you will also see the rise in the case of polio.

There was a case reported in the papers two weeks ago about a child who was immunized with the polio vaccine, and yet got polio. What I want to emphasize, because I didn't find the explanation of DOH to be as clearly as it could have been, the herd immunity that was created when there is a high level of vaccination does not work if there is a low level of vaccination. So, itong bata, kahit pinabakuna siya ng nanay niya, 'yung mga classmate niya, mga kapitbahay niya, hindi nabakunahan. Siya ngayon, with poor health, kapag hindi maganda ang kalusugan natin, tayo ang pinaka-vulnerable. Kahit napabakunahan, wala nang herd immunity. Kaya naman, vaccination for all is very, very important.

I will now stress that this is part of our commitments under our objectives to have sustainable development in our country, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Goal Number 3 is to ensure healthy lives and promote wellness for all ages. This includes ending the epidemics on AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combating hepatitis, waterborne diseases, and other communicable diseases. It also includes reducing by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and through the promotion of mental health and well-being.

So, my dear colleagues, there is so much for us to do, but with increased awareness, and the right information, because just the other day also, I read that the WHO has issued a statement that we are also in the epidemic situation on the spread of wrong information. So, the spread of wrong information is just as deadly as the spread of the virus itself. That's why I emphasize increased awareness with the right information, and implementation of our policies and our laws with the help of everyone. Mr. President, I believe we can beat viral Hepatitis and other communicable diseases including the novel coronavirus.

Thank you, Mr. President.



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Topic: PIFITA, CITIRA

Question: This is just an initial hearing but what are the committee's thoughts on several salient points?

Sen. Cayetano: Basically, these are the recommendations of DOF, and I'm an administration senator, so my job is to try to support the DOF position as much as possible. But we have an open mind on everything that they are presenting. Given that this is intended to be a revenue-neutral measure, it's not intended to take away income, revenues per se, from our constituents, our sectors. Even our colleagues say it should be a fairly easy bill to pass. I hope.

Question: On the proposal of Senator Drilon on the abolition of several non-performing GOCCs.

Sen. Cayetano: That's no longer the scope of this committee, but I have said to the extent that we can gather information through this committee and it can be used not just to confirm their passive incomes but also what subsidies they are receiving, [then] we could transmit those data to our colleagues so proper steps would be taken. It's so difficult on my part na ang trabaho ko is to raise taxes, and may leakages tayo, 'di ba? So, syempre, open ako diyan so we can maximize our limited funds.

Question: What is the status of CITIRA in the Senate?

Sen. Cayetano: We have been going over this. It's quite complex because there's a lot. Not just the Internal Revenue Code, but also a lot of other laws are affected because there are charters of the different IPAs [Investment Promotion Agencies]. So we had to go through that, and we have continuous discussions with the other sectors. We now have a piece of draft legislation that I can defend, taken into consideration the concern of many sectors. I hope nakikinig kayo: I hope you will be happy with the committee report that we will come up with because it will already be the product addressing many of your concerns.

Question: We will cut to 20 percent, is that still on the higher end?

Sen. Cayetano: For the information of everyone, CITIRA is corporate income tax. [For the first part,] we will bring down from 30 percent to 20 percent our corporate income tax over a span of ten years. And then the other part is the rationalization of fiscal incentives, which over the decades were given to different sectors and industries. So, bina-balance 'yun dahil bababa ang income habang bumababa ang corporate income tax, at the same time, nira-rationalize natin 'yung incentives na pinamimigay natin because why would we give incentives to an industry that is either non-performing or not giving benefits to the public? So, DOF has the task to balance that. Inasmuch as I want to bring corporate income tax down faster and with bigger amounts, we also have to recognize that the government is in Build, Build, Build mode, so it has a lot of expenses. For now, I am supporting that version of the DOF.

Question: Regarding CITIRA, the sectors are asking about the rates being set with PIFITA before CITIRA.

Sen. Cayetano: Don't worry. CITIRA is the priority. I think it is important for the sectors involved that the Senate Committee on Ways and Means is cognizant of this bill, and we want to push it forward, but with CITIRA, the sectors, a lot of businessmen, I believe, will have peace of mind as Secretary Dominguez has been assuring them of. We will set standards in very clear terms so that there is no room for second guessing what will be the future in two years, three years, five years. No guessing games. We will indicate very clearly what the incentives are and we will streamline the granting of incentives with FIRB (Fiscal Incentives Review Board).

Question: What is the status of the committee report?

Sen. Cayetano: We are in the very final stage of proofreading. The commas, the periods, and the erasures. We are working on that over this week, and I hope to sponsor it next week.

Question: What is the difference with previous forms?

Sen. Cayetano: Basically, the flow will be the same, except that there are clearer parameters. There are clearer numbers, so that the industries can make their computations. They can know what their futures would be like, which is what I have gathered in the many talks I have with them. There will be sunset provisions on a particular date, and the new dates are very clearly identified, so they know what they deal with. That is what I want. A vibrant economy that is predictable for our investors.

Question: What will be the timetable because DOF has also set a timetable to pass the measure?

Sen. Cayetano: Ginawa nga akong sprinter. By nature, I'm a marathoner. So, if you recall the interviews, kaya ko 'yan, 15 to 18 months. Bigla na lang naging three months. So, ngayon, imbes na nagmamarathon ako, nag-high intensity training na ako. Nagshift ang mind ko sa mabilisan, but it's true. That's my analogy. Pero okay lang. All packages, ako kaya ko siyang i-sponsor. But as you can see, it's not my sole decision. PIFITA, it appears that there will be very little resistance. We will list all the concerns of the sectors, but as far as the senators are concerned, wala masyadong issue 'yun. CITIRA there are also a lot of sectors, but what I'm hoping is that when the different sectors see the final committee report, they'll be happy. Because it is predictable, it is fair, para maka-move forward na tayo.



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Not only does a telecommuting work arrangement save workers the need to leave their houses to do their jobs, it likewise minimizes the risk of getting infected with illnesses such as the 2019 novel Coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019 nCoV-ARD), Senator Joel Villanueva said.

Villanueva urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to encourage the private sector to consider implementing telecommuting work arrangements for their employees as global health authorities grapple with containing the outbreak.

"We also expect our friends from the labor department to urge the private sector to adopt 'telecommuting' for workers whose tasks can be done remotely to minimize possible spread of the disease. Ito po ay ilan lang sa mga batas na pwede nating magamit para makatulong sa DOH na mapigilan ang pagkalat ng nCoV," Villanueva said in his opening remarks at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography on Tuesday morning.

In a statement, Villanueva explained that telecommuting work arrangements maintain the productivity of workers while reducing their need to commute to get to their offices or workplaces, thereby lowering the risk of getting infected by the nCoV.

"Working at home will help disperse crowds, decrease the number of people on the streets, on the trains and other in public mass transport vehicles, which will ultimately help mitigate the spread of the infection," said the senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development.

He reiterated the obligations of employers to adhere to prevailing Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) law, urging the Department of Labor and Employment to continue reminding their stakeholders that noncompliance to the law is punishable.

"Let me reiterate that non-compliance with occupational safety and health standards is a crime. Buhay at kalusugan po ng ating mga manggagawa ang nakataya sa pagpapabaya," he said. "I'm glad that the DOLE family is here because we want to know from them the extent to which our employers provide information about nCoV, monitor the health of their workers, and provide personal protective equipment or PPE most especially to health care workers."

Villanueva also sought assurances from the Department of Health that it has enough facilities and personnel to help contain the spread of the virus.

"Ano po ang capacity ng DOH-supported hospitals, which are already, according to news, crowded even prior to the 2019 coronavirus outbreak? Our point is: we have limited resources, kung marami ng patients under investigation (PUIs) sa San Lazaro, for example, hindi na po ba magagamit ang ospital para sa ibang sakit ng mga Pilipino at 'yun nga po, magkukulang talaga ang mga personnel, resources at facilities natin," he said.

"We need to discuss these issues so we'll be certain that we are going to do something about these," he added.



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It is important to have a daily official bulletin that will provide our people with the latest information about the virus.

We also need to sustain a massive information campaign to let the public know how to prevent getting the virus, when to undergo quarantine, where to go for check-up and what to do in case one has contact with a suspected case.

This can be through brochures, comics, electronic billboards, or online, among others.

Arming the people with the right information will not leave any space for fake news, misinformation and speculations, which, if left unchecked, can spread like a deadly virus.



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Lack of leadership is the main problem in alleviating the actual spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV) and the fear of infection among Filipinos, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said Tuesday.

Pangilinan took Health Secretary Francisco Duque to task for seeming unprepared for the worst, and not knowing basic numbers involving the spread of the disease, including the number of flights from China and other affected areas over the last two weeks.

At the Senate hearing, Pangilinan, who called on a travel ban from China on January 27, said these figures would make the government realized "how exposed we are".

"If we knew the volume, then we would know what we need to do," he said.

Pangilinan wanted to know how DoH is tracing all visitors from Wuhan, but Duque initially did not know the numbers right away; later the DoH secretary said 31 of the 80 patients under investigation are from Wuhan.

"That flight came from Hong Kong. For all you know you have 15 to 20 asymptomatic passengers. You err on the side of caution, you go the whole mile and figure out where these 300 are. You cannot try to minimize the problem and say apat lang, dito lang, eh kung labinglima nga dalawampu galing doon asymptomatic, eh 'di lahat 'yun nagkahawa-hawa. And that's why that 17 percent of having contacted, 17 percent of those passengers is completely unacceptable," Pangilinan said.

"I do not think that it is just a failure of communication but a failure of leadership from the Secretary of Health," Pangilinan said at the Senate hearing on the 2019 nCoV.

On detailed questions from the senators, Duque started pointing fingers to other agencies and his own staff on the low rate of contact-tracing among the fellow flight passengers of the first confirmed case of the disease who arrived in the country in January 21, or 14 days ago.

In his defense, Duque said no issues on contact-tracing were raised.

"This is quite operational and I have been in touch with our epidemiology bureau. In fact, for the record, I would like to state his name. His name is Director Ferchito Avelino and in all of our meetings, there has been no indication or no issues raised to me that this is a problem. He is saying that he has already spoken to my undersecretary but I am not aware that this is the -- As Secretary of Health, I don't know the specific measures of how this should be done," Duque said.

"I can see here an issue of lack of transparency on the part of some of my people here. I would like to investigate this," the health secretary said.

Pangilinan also appealed to some Cabinet secretaries who were asking permission to leave the Senate hearing to address the problem of communication.

"May we just appeal to the other Cabinet secretaries who are meant to leave that can we get the problem of communication addressed so that we can-at least when you leave, we are given the assurance that the matter will be addressed," Pangilinan said.

Duque blamed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Bureau of Immigration and even the Bureau of Quarantine under his department for being only able to trace 17 percent of the 331 passengers who shared the same flight as the first confirmed case who travelled from Wuhan to Hong Kong to Cebu to Dumaguete to Manila.

When Pangilinan asked Duque if the national government will follow the World Health Organization's declaration of public health emergency, the health secretary said not yet as no local transmission has been noted.

Pangilinan also suggested that the DoH hotline be manned 24-7 so that those who have nCoV concerns will have someone informed respond to their queries.

"Minsan kailangan lang may makausap. Doon sa maraming sisipunin, sana may makakasagot agad. Kung merong pupuntahan, mababawasan ang takot," he said.

Earlier, Pangilinan suggested that to remain on top of the situation, government agencies concerned should identify and try to locate all potential carriers of the virus from the list of all passengers of flights that arrived in the country from Wuhan and other Chinese cities in the last two weeks or so.

He said these agencies should should start with all the passengers on the flight from Wuhan that arrived last January 21 together with the two confirmed nCoV carriers.

Pangilinan said the concerned government agencies must as best as they can identify, quarantine, and monitor all suspected carriers as the first step in containing the spread of the disease.

"Nababahala tayo dahil kulang ang nakikitang proactivity sa pamahalaan sa kabila ng lahat ng disaster na ito," Pangilinan added.



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In light of the Philippines having the first 2019 Novel Coronavirus death outside of China, Senator Risa Hontiveros stressed that the Department of Health (DOH) should be prepared for the worst case scenario.

"Handa ba tayo? We don't want our countrymen and women to panic. But we have to assure them and answer the most fundamental question: are we prepared for the worst?" Hontiveros asked during a hearing in the Senate on Monday.

The Senator also urged the DOH to implement a stronger community health surveillance system. "Kung hindi nagpa-check-up, hindi pa natin malalaman na may coronavirus na pala sa bansa?" asked Hontiveros referring to the 38-year old Chinese woman who is the first nCoV case in the country.

"Ang worry ko dito ay marami-rami na ring kaso ng mga kagaya ng ating first confirmed case. Pwedeng mamasyal pa kung saan-saan, at dumarami ang contact points," Hontiveros remarked. The first nCoV case in the country also reportedly traveled to Cebu and Dumaguete before she was diagnosed in Manila.

"Alam ba natin kung ilan na ang nakapasok sa bansa bago ang ating travel ban?" Hontiveros furthered.

The Senator urged the DOH to advise travelers from China who arrived in the Philippines in the past three weeks to report to local health authorities.

"Alamin natin kung ilan at nasaan na itong mga nakapasok bago ang lock down at travel ban, lalo na yung mga galing sa Tsina in the past 2-3 weeks, magkaroon ng mandatory reporting, i- monitor ang kanilang kalagayan at mabigyan ng angkop at sapat na healthcare interventions," she detailed.

"The Department of Health DOH needs to step up. Hindi mo masisisi ang ilan nating kababayang mag-alala kung hindi naman ka-level ng Japan ang healthcare system mo," she remarked. "We need to assure the public that we are prepared," Hontiveros concluded.

OPENING STATEMENT

Mr. Chair, I am in this hearing today not only as a legislator but as a concerned mother and a concerned citizen.

Bibihira lang ito mangyari, but I do genuinely welcome the President heeding the call to impose a China-wide temporary travel ban. I was one of the first to recommend it. Siguro sa usapin ng public health emergency and preparedness, we should all be on the same side.

Ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit ako nanawagan ng temporary China-wide travel ban, Mr. Chair, is to give time to our local health authorities to properly set up safeguards in our health systems to effectively respond to 2019 nCoV.

Ngayon, nakakalungkot at nakakabahala at the same time na ang pinakaunang namatay sa nCoV sa labas ng Tsina ay nasa Pilipinas.

I think this hearing should boil down to one thing: handa na ba tayo? We don't want our countrymen and women to panic, that's why we have to assure them and answer the most fundamental question: are we prepared for the worst?

Mr. Chair, I'd like to go back kung paano tayo nagkaroon ng first confirmed case of nCoV in the country.

*May I please confirm these details with the DOH, she is a 38-yr-old Chinese woman, who traveled from Wuhan to Hong Kong on January 20 and arrived in Cebu on the 21st. Is this correct, Mr. Chair?

*Is it also correct that she was asymptomatic, ibig sabihin, walang sintomas: walang ubo, walang sipon, walang lagnat?

*Is it also correct that she travelled pa from Cebu to Dumaguete on the 22nd?

*Is it also correct that she spent three days in Dumaguete before flying to Manila on the 25th?

*And then January 30, 9 days after niya lumapag sa Pilipinas, she became the first confirmed case of nCoV in the Philippines. Is it also correct that she voluntarily went to the hospital to have herself checked? At iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya naconfirm, tama ba?

*Ngayon, ang China-wide travel ban ay nitong Linggo, February 2. Ang worry ko dito Mr. Chair, ay marami rami na ring kaso ng mga kagaya ng ating first confirmed case. Pwedeng mamasyal pa kung saan-saan, dumadami ang contact points. Mr. Chair, alam ba natin kung ilan na ang nakapasok sa bansa simula nung nag-lockdown ang Wuhan noong January 23 at bago ang ating travel ban? Nakapag-report ba sila sa ating mga health authorities, alam na natin kung ilan at sino sa kanila ang may simtomas, at nasaan na sila sa bansa ngayon? Namomonitor ba natin sila?

*Ano'ng gagawin kapag ang isa sa mga travelers na ito ay magkasimtomas pero hindi magrereport?

*Paano kung may isang Pinoy, nagkaroon ng contact, at nagkaroon ng simtomas, pero dahil Pinoy tayo, takot tayo sa ospital at sa gastos at kung simpleng ubo, hindi naman automatic nagpapa-check-up. Handa ba ang DOH sa ganitong scenario?

Mr. Chair, nakakabahala ang mga ganitong sitwasyon at scenario. I am grateful to the hard work of our Department of Health, I am sure hindi pa kayo natutulog and on call 24/7, and the public would be grateful if a stringent community health surveillance be put in place right now.

Alamin natin kung ilan at nasaan na itong mga nakapasok bago ang lock down at travel ban, lalo na yung mga galing sa Tsina in the past 2-3 weeks, magkaroon ng mandatory reporting, imonitor ang kanilang kalagayan at mabigyan ng angkop at sapat na healthcare interventions.

May mga nagsasabi na huwag magpanic, Mr. Chair. Tama naman iyon. Pero hindi mo rin masisisi ang ilan nating kababayan kasi hindi naman ka-level ng Japan ang ating healthcare system. So, I really believe we really need to do all of these necessary precautions.

*Kaugnay nito, Mr. Chair. Sa ilalim ng RA 11332 o Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease, may dapat nakatalagang Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) sa bawat LGU, health facilities, point of entries?

*Ilang ESU ang naitayo simula ng maipasa ang batas? Ilan ba ang target na maitayo? Ilan ditto ang functional?

*Lahat ba ng ating established ESU ay may kakayanan at handing tumugon kung sakaling magkaroon ng local outbreaks?

Mungkahi ko Mr. Chair na i-audit ang kasalukuyang bilang ng mga ESU at siguraduhing functional ang mga ito sa susunod na mga araw at linggo lalo na sa mga lugar na pinaglagian ng mga bisitang nanggaling at dumaan sa China at sa mga lugar na may confirmed cases ng nCoV.

*Kaugnay nito, gusto kong malaman mula sa DILG kung naihanda ba nito-policy guidelines, programs, plans-ang ating mga LGU sa kanilang mga responsibilidad sa ilalim ng RA 11332? May baseline ba ang DILG at DOH kung anong capacities ang kailangan ng mga LGU in relation to RA 11332?

*Mr. Chair, nitong Linggo, naglabas ang DILG ng memo upang gabayan ang ating mga local chief executives sa kanilang paghahanda sa mga lokalidad at komunidad. Gusto kong malaman kung may maasahan bang tulong o suportang pinansyal o teknikal ang ating mga LGU mula sa ating national government upang makatugon sa posibleng nCoV local outbreak?

Mahalaga para sa atin ang mga inter-LGU collaboration for public health emergencies and preparedness, gaya ng posibleng local outbreak ng nCoV, kaya minumungkahi ko na paigtingin ng DILG-DOH ang pagtutulungan upang makapag-abot ng assistance to our LGUs, lalo na iyong mga low-income.

*Noong nakaraang linggo, nanawagan ako ng full assistance para sa ating mga OFWs na mangagailangan ng tulong sa kanilang repatriation kung kinakailangan. Maari bang magbigay ng update ang ating DFA kung ano na ang plano at aasahan mula sa mga magbabalik bansa mula sa mga lugar na apektado ng nCoV outbreak? Ano ang ginagawang paghahanda para dito? Lalo na sa kanilang reintegration sa kanilang pamilya at komunidad?

*Sa mga maapektuhan nating kababayan na nasa bansa, may na-designate na bang mga public and private health facilities bilang point of care lalo na sa mga posibleng pasyenteng may preexisting conditions? Saan ang mga designated point of care? At kung may hinahanda bang benefit package ang PHILHEALTH para sa maapektuhan ng nCoV?

*Bilang bahagi ng entry point sa ating healthcare system, kumusta ang paghahanda ng ating mga private hospital sa posibilidad ng outbreak? What are the regulatory powers is the DOH exercising to ensure their cooperation and compliance with the standards and do we have a baseline on the capacities of private clinics and hospital?

*Mr. Chair, sa ibang usapin, na-convene ang Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (as provided for EO 168, s. 2014) nito lamang katapusan ng Enero. Tama po ba?

*Mula January 20, simula ng nagkaroon ng reported case ng nCoV sa ibang bansa at pagkakaroon ng person under investigation, medyo natagalan ang pagku-convene? Gusto ko malaman, what are the reasons for the delay? *Mr. Chair, matapos ang ating kinakaharap na public health emergency, nirerekomenda kong magpatawag ng pagdinig upang tingnan kung sapat pa ba ang kasalukuyang Task Force set up para health emergency responses o kailangan na nating pag-isipan ang isang public health emergency authority to harmonize policies programs, and plans in the exercise of effective leadership and efficient governance future health emergencies.

*Mr. Chair, mahalaga ito sa tingin ko bilang nitong nakaraang 2018, nagkaroon ng joint external evaluation to assess our international health regulation capacities. It recognized that the PHL has developed capabilities in public health emergency preparedness and response demonstrated at the national level and in the human health sector.

Ilan sa mga recommendations ay to develop over-arching national action plan for health security; designating an overall high-level, multi-sectoral body, with leadership from the health sector and set direction for continued implementation of national action plan; fostering institutional capacity of health sector to lead; and further optimize public health emergency preparedness and response action at regional and local levels.

*May we ask for an update on priority actions taken on these recommendations. If not now, may we request for a written update from the agencies concern and submit it to the body for consideration to aid us in crafting strategic national policy when it comes to public health emergency preparedness.

At this point Mr. Chair, I would like to commend our health professionals and frontline workers-from DOH, to the Epidemiological Bureau, to the Bureau of Quarantine, to our dedicated health workers in RITM and San Lazaro Hospital and others-for taking the lead in our defense against the 2019 novel coronavirus especially given the public demand and pressure.

Thank you for putting public's health and safety as your top priority.

Moving forward, I urge the DOH to ensure a fully functional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit in all local government units; to designate a public and private health facilities as point of care nationwide, especially for high risk groups; and to develop PHILHEALTH benefit package as part financial risk protection.

I would also expect our DILG to provide assistance local government units, specially lowincome, to effectively roll out collaborative preparedness and mitigation plans; and for concerned government agencies, such as DSWD and OWWA, to develop assistance to vulnerable groups like our OF.

Our experience in dealing with the 2019-nCoV showed the need to develop a strategic response and an overarching national action plan on public health emergencies and international health regulations and to institutionalize an authority/body, with the health sector as a lead, to harmonize policies, programs, and plans in the exercise of effective leadership and efficient governance of public health emergencies.

Once again, I join our health authorities in calling on the public to continue to frequently hand wash, avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infection, and practice cough etiquette.

Be safe, be well.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.



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To survive epidemics or pandemics caused by emerging and re-emerging diseases such as the novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCOV, Senator Richard J. Gordon proposed stockpiling on strategic medical supplies to ensure adequate supply in the country.

Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said the government could also encourage local investors to venture into the production of medical supplies such as face masks, medical gowns and other protective gear to ensure that the high demand for them, during public health emergencies, would be met.

"Other countries, like the United States, spend billions for a secret stockpile of supplies, food, medicines, and vaccines, among others. This is to ensure that there would be adequate supply of food, medicine, vaccines and other necessary supplies to tide them over until the emergency ends. We should also invest in warehouses in strategic areas across the country where they could be prepositioned," he said during a committee hearing on the nCOV.

The Red Cross maintains warehouses in different parts of the country where stockpiles of food and non-food items such as face masks, gloves, other personal protective gear, sleeping kits and hygiene kits, among others, along with response vehicles are prepositioned for easier mobilization.

"Ang Red Cross, may mga warehouses sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa gaya ng Cebu, Passi, Iloilo, Ilocos, Subic, Cagayan, dito sa NCR (National Capital Region) at iba pang lalawigan. May mga response vehicles na kami sa mga 'yun, gaya ng rescue truck, payloader, at iba pa; pati mga supplies para mabilis kaming makapagresponde kapag may mga kalamidad dahil naniniwala kami na Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology = a Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready and Always There!" he explained.



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During a Senate public hearing on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD), Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Tuesday, February 4, sought answers from concerned officials and health experts on how the government can step up its efforts and ensure that the virus will not spread further throughout the country.

"Nandito po tayo para maliwanagan ang publiko tungkol sa isyu na ito," he said.

"Unahin natin ang kapakanan, kalusugan at interes ng bawat Pilipino. Sa mga panahong tulad ngayon na ikinakakaba natin ang magiging kalagayan ng ating pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay, dapat ay mas lalong magtulungan tayo. Magkaisa at magbayanihan tayo para sa ikabubuti ng bawat Filipino," he added.

Key government officials invited in the hearing took the opportunity to communicate to the public the precautionary measures already in place to protect Filipinos from the spread of the virus.

In his opening statement, Go also assured the public that the government has been on top of the situation and is committed to assist Filipinos and the rest of the world in laying down measures to mitigate the impact of the 2019-nCov ARD on the worldwide community.

"Since day 1, the whole Duterte Administration has said that it has been on top of the situation and is doing everything it can to address the issue. The President, and even a key official from the World Health Organization, have commended the efforts of this government in responding to this worldwide health concern," Go, who is chair of the Committee on Health, said.

"Gayunpaman, gamitin natin ang pagkakataong ito para makinig at makatulong. Hindi naman po basta-basta lang ang pag-decide sa mga ganitong klase ng problema. Kailangan masusi ang pag-aaral at evidence-based po ang ating mga desisyon," he added.

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the Philippines, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, affirmed the senator's statements, lauding the government for its efforts and response to the disease.

"WHO lauds PH government for its efforts and response on the spread of novel coronavirus, cites travel ban was announced after WHO's declaration that the deadly virus is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," he said.

The WHO representative also reissued its plea to the public to remain calm even as the novel coronavirus threat persists.

Seeking to further enlighten the public, Go posed questions to the government officials and experts regarding the nature of the disease, severity of the problem, its impact on the country including the economy, and the best way forward for the government to mitigate its effects.

The first to address Go's questions, Department of Health (DOH) Francisco Duque III gave updates on the novel coronavirus in the Philippines.

"80 patients are under investigation in the Philippines, 67 are currently admitted and isolated, 10 discharged under straight monitoring," Duque said during his presentation. The secretary cited that the fatality rate of 2019-nCoV ARD is much less than SARS and MERS-CoV but it is more easily transmissible.

Duque also clarified the mode of transmission of the disease, saying "Ang ating pinaka-available na info ay coronavirus can survive and stay for as long as ten hours on inanimate objects like keyboards, tables, and fomites."

DOH also mentioned that President Duterte has approved the budget needed for the procurement of personnel protective equipment for around 5,000 workers who will need them amid the threats of the 2019-nCoV ARD.

As for the economic impacts of the disease, Department of Finance (DOF) Carlos Dominguez III said that the economic costs of the infection on the economy will most likely be centered on the tourism sector. That said, the secretary also said that "it's too early to estimate the economic impact of the novel coronavirus."

To counter the identified economic impacts, Dominguez said that the Department of Tourism will further strengthen the promotion of local destinations.

While these developments may slightly restrain economic expansion, Dominguez stated that the country is standing by DOF's Gross Domestic Product growth projection at 6.5-7.5 percent for 2020.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also gave updates on the President's directives amid the threats of the 2019-nCoV ARD.

"President Rodrigo Duterte has expanded the travel ban to include travelers to and from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau amid the threat of the novel coronavirus," Medialdea said, adding that President Duterte "has also ordered the establishment of repatriation and quarantine facility for novel coronavirus."

Medialdea also mentioned that the establishment of quarantine facilities is still being studied.

In his statement, Go expressed his trust and confidence in the health officials, saying "I know that you are all working double time to address this current threat. Not only those who are present here today, but (all) health workers and practitioners who sacrificed their time and their own lives to serve their country and protect fellow Filipinos."

Further, he expressed his appreciation to the frontliners of the government who are first to respond to initial complaints and criticisms against the government. He also reminded local governments regarding their duties and responsibilities in combating the disease.

The senator also hit back against critics who continue to spread false information with the view of misleading the public and causing widespread panic.

"Yung mga panay dada naman diyan para lang makapagsalita, mga bashers na sumasakay sa sitwasyon para sa pansariling interes, mga taong gusto lang magdulot ng panic, at mga nagpapakalat ng fake news, kayo ang dapat i-quarantine para hindi kayo makahawa," he said.

Go urged the public to cooperate with the government and help address the issue, adding that now is the right time for the nation to unite.

"This is a very emotional issue for all of us, but I appeal to everyone for your cooperation. We have our officials here and our health experts to provide us with answers. We are doing this because we care for your families, our country, and the worldwide community," he added.

Ending his statement, Go reminded the public that the President will always prioritize the health and welfare of Filipinos.

"Alalahanin niyo rin po na inuuna ni Pangulong Duterte at ng gobyernong ito ang kapakanan, interes at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Bilang siya ang tumatayong ama nating lahat, concerned po siya sa kapakanan ng kanyang mga anak," he said.

"Nakikinig ang President sa hinaing ninyo pero ang desisyon niya ay base na rin sa kung ano ang tama at kung ano ang makakabuti sa pangkalahatan. Binabalanse niya lahat. That is why we elected one leader. We chose one leader to decide and to lead our country especially in these trying times," he added.



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The proposed institutionalization of Basic Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in high school will boost the youth's capacity as responders in times of disasters.

This is the view of Senator Win Gatchalian as he underscored the need to build on the skills of the youth in responding to disasters such as the recent eruption of Taal Volcano. He emphasized that in his proposal to restore ROTC, disaster preparedness and capacity-building for risk-related situations is given premium.

Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education Arts and Culture, cited the World Risk Report 2019, where the Philippines ranked ninth among 180 countries in terms of disaster risk. This is because the country's geographic location makes 74 percent of its population vulnerable to the effects of hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and droughts.

"Napapanahon ang ating panukalang ibalik ang ROTC upang mabigyan ng kaalaman at kakayahan ang ating mga kabataang rumesponde sa mga kalamidad. Bilang mga susunod na mamumuno sa ating bansa, mahalagang maituro ng maaga sa mga kabataan kung paano ba rumesponde sa mga sakuna na madalas tumatama sa ating bansa," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 177 or the Senior High School Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Act last year. Under the proposed measure, basic ROTC for students in Grade 11 and 12 will be part of the basic curricula for Senior High School Education. Aside from military and civic training, basic ROTC enhances students' skills on needs assessment, search, rescue and relief, and early recovery during disaster response operations.

The lawmaker reiterated how the youth bear the brunt of disasters. Taal Volcano's eruption, for instance, affected more than 8 million learners in 7,900 schools, according to a situation report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Gatchalian added that if students are skilled in disaster response, they can be mobilized to take part in relief and recovery efforts not just in schools but also in their local communities.



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PH Ambassador to the US Babes Romualdez and DFA Secretary Teddyboy Locsin are trying hard to convince US officials that I am going through the regular Philippine judicial process. They obviously want to impress upon them that I'm no victim of persecution.

A superficial report by Amb. Romualdez on the status of my cases will not convince the US Senators to change their minds on the questionable character of the charges against me. What they need are answers to questions about my persecution - the intensity of the vilification, slut-shaming, and character assassination, the coordinated assault of a whole government machinery on my person, and Duterte's declaration of my guilt way before any official investigation or trial even started.

As articulated already by the proponent US Senators, they have not seen any credible evidence against me. The fact that there is an ongoing trial does not at all negate the fact of persecution. The trial is based on fake charges and manufactured evidence. The trial is the mere backdrop to the stage of persecution in Duterte's theater of the macabre.

SFA Locsin reportedly told his US counterparts that the Philippine justice system is a mirror image of the United States'.

It's the perfect analogy, Mr. Locsin, because a mirror image is actually a reverse image of reality, even while it superficially replicates it. A mirror image of "justice" is its reverse, in this case injustice and oppression, its mimicry only successful in reflecting the superficial aspects of justice, its window dressings, but all the while its underpinnings epitomize the travesty of justice.

This is the Philippine justice system under Duterte, which only makes sense when understood from the perspective of Lawfare, or the weaponization of the law and the deployment of the strong arm of the State to immobilize and obliterate opposition and dissent.

Unwittingly, Mr. Locsin has made it perfectly clear to the US what justice is in the Philippines in the time of Duterte.



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Amid the novel coronavirus scare, many of our countrymen have expressed dismay and anger on the incompetence of our leaders, especially Mr. Duterte's languidness and apathy in addressing the pandemic threat to the Filipino people. My staff told me that netizens took to Twitter to express their indignation by trending the hashtag, #OustDuterte.

Talagang magagalit nga ang ating mga kababayan, kung imbes na pangalagaan ang mga kapwa Pilipino, ay pipiliin ng gobyernong ito na pagsilbihan pa rin at unahin ang interes ng mga dayuhan. Tama lang na makaramdam na tayo ng pagkasuklam.

Sa mga pumapayag na maging kasangkapan para magkalat ng maling impormasyon para pagtakpan ang katamaran at pagka-iresponsable ni Duterte, ipagtanggol ang kapalpakan at kawalang malasakit ng gobyerno, at siraan ang mga totoong tumutulong sa oras ng krisis at kalamidad gaya ni VP Leni, mag-isip-isip naman kayo, lalo na kung may natitira pa kayong konsensya.

Kung nakikinabang kayo sa fake news, nalalagay naman sa peligro at nasisira ang buhay ng napakaraming tao sa pinagkakakitaan ninyo. Sa panahong ito, napakahalaga ng tamang impormasyon at pagtutulungan para mapanatag ang loob at masiguro ang kaligtasan nating lahat.

Panatilihin po sana nating matibay ang ating malasakit sa ating kapwa, ang ating pagmamahal sa bayan, at ang ating pananalig sa ating Panginoon.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has asked Mr. Duterte to stop ignoring the growing global concerns by two reputable human rights organizations about the worsening human rights abuses under the government's all-out war on drugs.

De Lima posed the challenge after Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) - both highly regarded human rights research and advocacy groups - reported continuous human rights abuses in the country over the past three years.

"Since he became President in 2016, Mr. Duterte has consistently and arrogantly ignored damning reports, based on solid research and investigation, from HRW and AI," De Lima, the most prominent critic of Duterte's anti-human rights policies, said.

"He would brag about his participation on murder, rape and other crimes in his public speeches, but will also conveniently deny his involvement in encouraging extrajudicial killings and summary executions in his skewed public order policies," she added.

In its 2020 World Report, New York-based HRW claims that the Duterte administration continued its deadly drug war in 2019 "with new cases appearing in the media daily." HRW cited local estimates that there are about 27,000 drug related killings in the Philippines.

"The modus operandi for the killings involved police raiding homes to apprehend alleged drug dealers or users, who instead of being taken into custody would be reported dead, with the police claiming self-defense," HRW said in its report.

"Research by Human Rights Watch and credible media outlets such as Rappler and Reuters indicate that these vigilante-style killings were perpetrated by police officers themselves or by killers linked to the authorities," it added.

Similarly, the AI Review of 2019 claimed that members of the police force have continued in apprehending drug suspects using "unsubstantiated 'drug watch lists'" and justified killings in anti-drug operations when "poor and marginalized" victims allegedly violently resisted.

"Police continued to allege that victims fought back requiring the use of deadly force, despite witness accounts that they were killed in cold blood," the London-based human rights advocacy and research group said.

"Families were unable to obtain justice for their loved ones, due to enormous obstacles to filing cases against perpetrators, including fears of retaliation. There remained no meaningful accountability for the killings at the national level," AI added.

In 2016, even before he was sworn in as President, Duterte heavily campaigned and won on his platform to eradicate illegal drugs in the country, using any means necessary - including summary killing of alleged users, pushers and other suspects.

Both HRW and AI reports also bewailed the Duterte regime's crackdown and harassment on human rights defenders and administration critics, including De Lima, noting that she has been detained since February 2017 based on "fabricated drug charges," according to HRW.

"The government continued to repress human rights defenders. Senator Leila de Lima, the President's most prominent critic and a prisoner of conscience, remained in detention since February 2017 on politically-motivated charges," AI said for its part.

Due to her impassioned advocacy of justice, human rights and observance of the rule of law for the Philippines, the lady Senator from Bicol was subjected by the President and his allies to vile accusations and sexist remarks.

Less than eight months into her term as a neophyte Senator, she was arrested and detained based only on accounts of persons convicted of heinous crimes and dubious personalities who had axes to grind against her.

"Instead of burying his head in the sand in face of the growing global uproar on the descent of humanity and accountability in the country, Duterte should face these reports head on instead of beating his chest in his public appearances," the feisty lawmaker said.

"The walls of justice are closing in on you, Mr. President. Despite your numerous attempts to evade it, history has repeatedly proven that accountability is sure to come to those who abuse power for their personal gain," she added.



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Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill to increase the bed capacity of the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City from the current 600 to 1,000.

A tertiary hospital under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health, the EAMC is constantly operating at overcapacity so in order to accommodate more patients in need of medical attention, Angara said there is an urgent need to increase its bed capacity.

The last time the EAMC was able to increase its bed capacity was in 1997 when Congress passed Republic Act 8345, which added 250 beds to its then 350-bed capacity.

Established in 1969, the EAMC has been providing quality service to marginalized Filipinos from Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

The EAMC is designated by the DOH as a training and teaching center for its medical and non-medical staff in order to provide them with opportunities for professional development and competency-building.

According to the DOH, this has resulted in the EAMC having well-trained and competent professionals who have helped the hospital in continuously providing quality health care services to its patients.

Following the enactment of RA 8345, the manpower compliment of the EAMC was raised to 1081 employees consisting of 269 Medical, 534 Nursing and 278 Paramedical and Administrative.

"As the EAMC continuously provides quality health service for over 50 years to marginalized patients, it is only proper that the hospital be given support through a legislation that would increase their bed capacity to 1,000 to reinforce the center's capabilities for the benefit of even more Filipinos," Angara said in filing Senate Bill 1291.

The bill also calls for the upgrading of the existing facilities, professional health care services and health human resource of the EAMC to complement the increase in its bed capacity.

Once the bill is enacted into law, the Secretary of Health will include the funding required for the increase in EAMC's bed capacity, as well as the upgrading of the service facilities and professional health care services.

The additional bed capacity must be implemented within a year after the law's enactment.

At present, a DOH-run hospital can only increase its bed capacity and upgrade its service capability through legislation.

Angara said this policy must be changed because waiting for laws to be passed in order to increase bed capacities of hospitals is detrimental to the best interests of the Filipino people.

In July last year, Angara filed Senate Bill 698, authorizing the DOH to set and approve the bed capacity and service capability of all of its hospitals.

"It makes sense that it is the DOH and not Congress that determines the requirements of these hospitals that are under its jurisdiction anyway. By doing this, these hospitals would be able to operate more efficiently and better serve its patients," Angara said.



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Senator Imee Marcos said the government must move on from a belated travel ban and think up more comprehensive measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Government directives must now cover social interaction beyond the country's points of entry because infected persons may have already slipped in before the travel ban was imposed, Marcos explained.

Marcos issued the statement after the government's inter-agency task force officially announced a ban on the entry of all nationals who have been to China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau, except Filipinos and permanent resident visa holders who will instead undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

"Walang OA pagdating sa kalusugan at sa mismong buhay ng tao. Ang mga dating pwedeng pagpilian na gawin dapat ay mahigpit nang ipatupad ngayon," Marcos said.

Among the stronger precautionary measures that could be taken, Marcos proposed to extend random temperature checks by nurses or trained personnel at the entrances of court offices, conference venues, and even meeting rooms; to install dispensers of antiseptic hand sanitizers not just in toilets but also along hallways and other strategic places; and to require the use of face masks by frontline, public desk, service, and utility personnel.

Marcos added that government must assess events daily, even hourly, and determine if compulsory leaves of absence may have to be imposed in schools, health care centers and other places especially where children and the elderly converge, since they are considered most vulnerable to the virus.

Sketchy government advisories before the travel ban have led airlines, universities, call centers and other offices to resort to their own restrictions, Marcos said.

The government must also start assessing the economic impact of the ongoing epidemic on trade and tourism in the country and take necessary action to minimize its effects, Marcos, who is the chair of the Senate economic affairs committee, added.

Amid fear and uncertainty over the true extent of the viral epidemic, various countries have imposed bans on travel to and from China, disregarding the World Health Organization's praise for China's aggressive efforts to stem the spread of the 2109-nCoV virus and a caveat that travel and trade restrictions were not necessary.

Marcos noted that Singapore was able to gain headway in its fight against the virus by imposing a travel ban January 23, one week before the WHO declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.



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"In times of conflict, can China shut down our power grid?" This was the question posed by Senator Risa Hontiveros as the Senate Committee of Energy probed the operations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Monday.

Hontiveros said that the country must implement better safeguards to address China's influence over the country's power infrastructure, given the reported use of Chinese software and equipment, as well as the previous hiring of Chinese personnel in the NGCP's daily operations.

The Senator took notice of the State Grid Corporation of China's 40% ownership of NGCP. "SGCC owns 40% of our grid. But SGCC is no ordinary company. It is owned by the Chinese Communist Party," Hontiveros detailed.

"They are bound by Chinese laws to gather intelligence and report to the Chinese government. Now, paano tayo secured sa ganitong set-up? Paano sa panahon ng conflict sa pagitan ng China at ng Pilipinas, kanino sila papanig?" asked Hontiveros.

At present, Hontiveros argued, China may not even need to hack into the Philippine's transmission grid to remotely disable it, given that the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) network used to monitor and control the NGCP's power transmission facilities, is supplied by a Chinese state-owned entity, NARI Group Corporation (NARI).

She said that since 2009, NGCP has not been subjected to any external audit, and that the corporation has barred inspections - even by government agencies- of their operations, particularly the source code audit of the software and firmware used in the SCADA system.

"Ever since the computer system was installed in 2009, hindi nabigyan ng pansin ang importanteng cybersecurity issues dahil walang audit na nangyari," Hontiveros said.

The hearing also took exception to Chinese nationals in the managerial position of NGCP.

"Nasa Constitution mismo, executive and management positions should always be held by Filipinos. Tapos nagkaroon ang isang Chinese national ng special visa to act as a technical officer. Alin ang mas mataas at alin ang mas dapat sundin, ang konstitusyon ba o ang isang special visa?" Hontiveros remarked.

"It is true that the Constitution and the law implement safeguards to ensure control of our power infrastructure remains in Filipino hands. However, it is clear that these safeguards are not being enforced, much to the disadvantage of the Filipino people," she concluded.



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Amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCOV which has triggered an increased demand for face masks, Senator Richard J. Gordon called on the country's lone manufacturer of medical masks to ensure that they are able to meet the high demand.

Gordon said the MedTecs Group, which produces masks and other personal protective equipment and medical supplies, should augment their machines to meet the demand, pointing out that even China, which can produce 25-million masks a day, is also ordering mask from them. The company produces 80,000 face masks per day.

"Nakiusap na din ako dun sa kumpanya na magpasok na ng mga dagdag na makina para makagawa ng mas maraming masks. Right now 80,000 a day lang production nila," he said.

The chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) also disclosed that he is already working out an arrangement for the said medical firm to supply face masks at a lower cost to frontline agencies in the country, such as the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, airports, seaports, hospitals, all PRC chapters and others.

He added that he is also working on having face masks distributed, also at lower prices, to overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, where there are large concentrations of Filipino workers.

"Nagnenegotiate kami na lahat ng frontliner natin sa gobyerno, kung pwede unahin natin yung mga ospital, yung mga nurses, mga doctor, meron tayong supply. Nakikiusap ako (sa MedTecs) kung meron kayong mga extra supplies, bigay niyo sa 'min. Magpapadala tayo sa Hong Kong at sa Macau, sumulat na ko sa Chinese Red Cross, para sa mga Pilipino doon. Inaaral pa namin kung paano ang magiging distribution. Ibebenta ng mura," Gordon said.

"Kung marami pang sobra, sa lahat ng Red Cross chapters sa buong Pilipinas maglagay ng masks at pwedeng bumili ng mura, hindi yung sobrang mahal. At a controlled cost. Kung magagawa iyan, hindi na matatakot masyado ang tao, relax na kayo," he added.

The Department of Health on Thursday announced that the country has its first case of the nCOV infection after confirmatory tests done on a 38-year old Chinese woman from Wuhan City came out positive for nCOV.



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In response to a recent Forbes article reporting that the Philippines has become a more corrupt and less democratic state under Duterte, Andanar points out that there are no "sacred cows" under Duterte, and inevitably points to me as an example of a "sacred cow" who was arrested for corruption and criminality.

In his overly pathetic defense of Duterte's dismal record insofar as curbing corruption and fighting criminality is concerned, Andanar reveals that he does not even know the definition of "sacred cow". It comes from the Hindu tradition of holding the bovine species as holy and therefore should not be treated as the mere cattle that they are. Figuratively, it means someone who cannot be attacked or be the subject of legal action because a public official is beholden or indebted to said person.

By such definition, I can never be Duterte's or this government's sacred cow. I was never in alliance with this President. In fact, I am this President's mortal enemy, the one who pursued him since his days as the leader of the Davao Death Squad and now as the head of a drug war bent on exterminating poor Filipinos.

For the education of Sec. Andanar, let me enumerate some of the real sacred cows of this administration. On top of the list are the President's own son and son-in-law, who were implicated in the smuggling of billions of pesos of shabu. This was never investigated by any law enforcement agency, and merely resulted in the arrest of a warehouse caretaker.

Second is the infamous Nicanor Faeldon, under whose nose said tons of shabu were spirited into the country. He is also the same official who approved the premature release of Bilibid inmates, including drug convicts, using the GCTA Law. Again, no investigation or prosecution was conducted and no case was filed with the Ombudsman against this most incompetent and corrupt Duterte official.

Then of course there is former DOJ Sec. Aguirre, caught red-handed arranging the shake down of gambling lord Jack Lam for 50 million pesos, or probably more. Only his underlings were charged with plunder while he remains scot-free.

We can also mention the Tulfo siblings for their record heist of Department of Tourism funds in the millions of pesos. Up to now, the mastermind boasts in the face of Duterte that he will not return their heist. Again, no investigations and arrests.

So Mr. Andanar, your pathetic example of me as a "sacred cow" reeks of hypocrisy. You point your finger at me, while several Duterte relatives and officials are allowed to smuggle shabu, shake down syndicates, and steal public funds without Duterte lifting a finger. Let's not forget also the political rehabilitation, under this regime, of some top plunderers who were rightfully prosecuted under the Aquino administration but judicially favored under Duterte.

This is Duterte's dismal anti-corruption record, which is actually all about being pro-corruption insofar as his family and allies are concerned.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has decried anew the recent rash of killings of poor civilians purportedly perpetrated by masked men and motorcycle gunmen akin to the violent implementation of the Duterte administration's "war on drugs."

De Lima, a staunchest critic of the government's war on drugs, said it is alarming that summary killings have once again resumed in areas where killings supposedly died down after the supposed "epicentre" of assassinations shifted to other regions.

"Uulitin ko ang aking panawagan sa ating mga kababayan: Kailan tayo lalaban at tatayo para sa ating mga karapatang pantao? Hanggang ilan ang kailangang mapatay para tayo ay tumindig at magsabing: 'Itigil na ang patayan!'", she said.

De Lima recalled the recent killings of a certain Vicente Rufino, 33, a father and husband from Caloocan, who was reportedly shot multiple times by two masked assailants in the head and body around 2AM last Jan. 29.

According to Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Rufino and his brother were released last Dec. 2 due to lack of evidence on illegal drug charges against them.

Eerily similar to deaths caused by the administration's anti-drug operation Oplan Tokhang, De Lima also cited the death of a certain Carlos Sanchez, 37, who was shot and killed last Jan. 29 in Caloocan City by motorcycle gunmen.

Based on Caloocan prelate's accounts, two sachets of what was believed to be illegal drugs were recovered from Sanchez corpse.

The lady Senator from Bicol also lamented the untimely death of Rhonjay Furio, an eight-year old boy from Manila who was hit by bullets intended by assassins for Robert Cudal, 52, an incumbent Barangay Councilor.

Furio, a grade three pupil, was buying food when the shooting occurred. Footage from a closed-circuit television camera showed that he was clutching his chest before he fell after several gunmen open fired on Cudal and those beside him.

"This brutality has to stop. Not only should authorities investigate the summary executions, that also put children in the crosshairs of assassins, but also ensure that the killers and their enablers are unmasked and prosecuted," De Lima said.

"It is dishearthening that many of these killings are left unreported by media, even ignored. Hindi na 'news' ito para sa karamihan, dahil tila normal na normal na ang mga patayan sa ating lipunan," she added.

De Lima pointed out that the recent streak of killings all the more makes the International Criminal Court's (ICC) intervention urgently imperative, noting that Mr. Duterte has done almost nothing to prevent the mass atrocities happening under his watch.

"Para sa akin, wala nang duda na dapat nang buksan ng ICC ang formal investigations nito sa crimes against humanity na nangyayari dito sa ating bansa sa ilalim ni Duterte," she said.

In October 2017, De Lima filed an official communication to the ICC regarding the glaring human rights violations allegedly committed by President Duterte and other state actors under his administration.

The ICC, led by its Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, said it will finalize its preliminary examination and will present a report sometime this year on the situation of alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines. As early as 2016, De Lima was the first lawmaker to initiate a Senate investigation into the glaring human rights violations being committed under the Duterte administration's all-out war on illegal drugs.

Due to her vocal opposition to violent war on drugs, she was subjected to verbal attacks and vilification as well as unjustly and illegally charged with trumped-up drug cases based on testimonies by convicts and persons with questionable integrity.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has decried anew the recent rash of killings of poor civilians purportedly perpetrated by masked men and motorcycle gunmen akin to the violent implementation of the Duterte administration's "war on drugs."

De Lima, a staunchest critic of the government's war on drugs, said it is alarming that summary killings have once again resumed in areas where killings supposedly died down after the supposed "epicentre" of assassinations shifted to other regions.

"Uulitin ko ang aking panawagan sa ating mga kababayan: Kailan tayo lalaban at tatayo para sa ating mga karapatang pantao? Hanggang ilan ang kailangang mapatay para tayo ay tumindig at magsabing: 'Itigil na ang patayan!'", she said.

De Lima recalled the recent killings of a certain Vicente Rufino, 33, a father and husband from Caloocan, who was reportedly shot multiple times by two masked assailants in the head and body around 2AM last Jan. 29.

According to Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Rufino and his brother were released last Dec. 2 due to lack of evidence on illegal drug charges against them.

Eerily similar to deaths caused by the administration's anti-drug operation Oplan Tokhang, De Lima also cited the death of a certain Carlos Sanchez, 37, who was shot and killed last Jan. 29 in Caloocan City by motorcycle gunmen.

Based on Caloocan prelate's accounts, two sachets of what was believed to be illegal drugs were recovered from Sanchez corpse.

The lady Senator from Bicol also lamented the untimely death of Rhonjay Furio, an eight-year old boy from Manila who was hit by bullets intended by assassins for Robert Cudal, 52, an incumbent Barangay Councilor.

Furio, a grade three pupil, was buying food when the shooting occurred. Footage from a closed-circuit television camera showed that he was clutching his chest before he fell after several gunmen open fired on Cudal and those beside him.

"This brutality has to stop. Not only should authorities investigate the summary executions, that also put children in the crosshairs of assassins, but also ensure that the killers and their enablers are unmasked and prosecuted," De Lima said.

"It is dishearthening that many of these killings are left unreported by media, even ignored. Hindi na 'news' ito para sa karamihan, dahil tila normal na normal na ang mga patayan sa ating lipunan," she added.

De Lima pointed out that the recent streak of killings all the more makes the International Criminal Court's (ICC) intervention urgently imperative, noting that Mr. Duterte has done almost nothing to prevent the mass atrocities happening under his watch.

"Para sa akin, wala nang duda na dapat nang buksan ng ICC ang formal investigations nito sa crimes against humanity na nangyayari dito sa ating bansa sa ilalim ni Duterte," she said.

In October 2017, De Lima filed an official communication to the ICC regarding the glaring human rights violations allegedly committed by President Duterte and other state actors under his administration.

The ICC, led by its Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, said it will finalize its preliminary examination and will present a report sometime this year on the situation of alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines. As early as 2016, De Lima was the first lawmaker to initiate a Senate investigation into the glaring human rights violations being committed under the Duterte administration's all-out war on illegal drugs.

Due to her vocal opposition to violent war on drugs, she was subjected to verbal attacks and vilification as well as unjustly and illegally charged with trumped-up drug cases based on testimonies by convicts and persons with questionable integrity.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has commended Nueva Ecija Court's decision finding two illegal recruiters guilty of large-scale illegal recruitment of Filipino household service workers, including Mary Jane Veloso who was convicted of illegal drugs in Indonesia.

De Lima made the commendation after Presiding Judge Anarica Castillo-Reyes of the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 88 found Christina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao guilty of large-scale illegal recruitment.

"I applaud Judge Castillo-Reyes' guilty verdict to the illegal recruiters of Mary Jane, Lorna, Ana Marie, Jenalyn, and all other victims unwittingly duped in their unlawful business," she said.

"It must have been a harrowing five years of waiting, but now they can start a new chapter of their lives using the justice and reparations that they have received," she added.

Last Jan. 30, Judge Castillo-Reyes ruled that the weak defenses of Sergio and Lacanilao - including their denials and alibis - cannot trump the positive and credible testimonies of the complainant-witnesses.

Court records show that complainants - Lorna Valino, Ana Marie Gonzales and Jenalyn Paraiso - decided to press charges against their recruiters because they hoped that it would help the cause of Veloso and save her from execution.

The lady Senator from Bicol also lauded the handling public prosecutors and the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) for their victory and for untiringly fighting for the cases of Veloso and other victims of illegal recruitment.

"Their righteous pursuit of justice has to be largely credited for this important win. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong serbisyo at sakripisyo," she said.

"Ang atin pong dalangin: Magbigay daan po sana ang nakamit na hustisyang ito ng mga biktima sa pagkakamit din ng katarungan at paglaya ni Mary Jane," she added.

It can be recalled that De Lima had been in the forefront of the Aquino administration's efforts to reverse Veloso's execution after the latter was pronounced guilty for allegedly smuggling in more than two kilos of heroin to Indonesia.

In 2015, as DOJ Secretary, De Lima created a special task force to study Veloso's case and assisted her in filing separate charges of human trafficking, simple illegal recruitment and estafa against Sergio, Lacanilao and a certain "Ike".

She also personally appealed to Indonesia's Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Human Rights to suspend Veloso's execution, in view of the materiality and importance of Veloso's testimony against her recruiters.

As of this writing, Veloso's case against her illegal recruiters, which is also lodged at the Nueva Ecija RTC Branch 88, is still awaiting decision.

In 2016, less than two months after she was elected as Senator, De Lima filed Senate Bill No. 961 seeking to amend the definition of illegal recruitment by a syndicate by lowering the number of perpetrators from three to two personalities.

De Lima earlier said that persons accused of illegal recruitment by a syndicate often evade by "simply alleging that the victim failed to establish that the crime was carried out by a group of three or more persons" conspiring with one another.



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Following the Palace's announcement of a travel ban for all individuals coming from the province of Hubei, China on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri joins the call urging for a wider temporary travel ban covering mainland China. This call comes on the heels of the World Health Organization's declaration of the novel coronavirus outbreak as a global health emergency.

Singapore, Mongolia, North Korea, Pakistan, Italy, Israel, Australia, and the Caribbean countries of Dominica, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago have already banned arrivals from China in light of the international outbreak, with many others like the United States setting tightened quarantine measures. Zubiri is calling for the Philippines to follow suit, and set a China-wide travel ban until the outbreak is under control.

"We need to step up our quarantine measures and safeguard our people, and we can protect our people from the virus by putting a temporary restriction on entry for all those coming from China. There are confirmed cases all over China, we need to take that in mind. A temporary China-wide travel restriction is a necessary precautionary measure. We already have one confirmed case, after all. We cannot afford more," Zubiri explained.

"I don't believe that our friendship with China will suffer as they fully understand the need to control the spread of this deadly virus. As a goodwill gesture, we can offer to extend the visa of Chinese visitors who were already here before the crisis and who don't want to go home to avoid catching the disease."

The 2019 novel coronavirus first broke out in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, but has since spread to every region in mainland China, including Tibet. China has reported eleven thousand confirmed cases, with two hundred and fifty-nine deaths. All fatalities as of yet have been in China, but the virus has reached at least twenty-five other countries. The Philippines reported its first confirmed case on Thursday.

"As soon as the threat is gone, we will gladly reopen our doors," Zubiri said. "But until then, the safety of our people should be our priority.



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SENATE President Vicente C. Sotto III has called for the creation of an inter-agency body to update the public on the medical status of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) and of government actions to control its spread.

Sotto said the people should have easy access not only to clinical concerns but other issues such as travel restrictions, market conditions, economic impacts, tourism-related announcements, and local government advisories, among others.

"Mabuting magkaroon ng isang information agency kung saan lahat ng datos na kailangan ng mamamayan ay madali nilang ma-a-access. Abala ang ating mga health officials sa pag-control ng pagkalat ng nCoV. Mas makakabuti kung hahayaan natin silang mag-concentrate sa medical concerns ng mga pasyente," Sotto said to justify his call.

The Senate President said the inter-agency body shall have representatives or resource persons from the DoH for health updates, the DOT for travel information, the DTI for market concerns, the DOF for economic and business matters, the DOT for tourism guidelines and local government units for community announcements. A daily media briefing can be held to update the public on the latest news about the virus and its effects on various industries.

Information coming from the body will serve as official statements of the government, Sotto said.

Sotto said the body will likewise directly respond to fake information being peddled to the media by unscrupulous individuals or groups which are taking advantage of the situation to discredit government efforts.

"Ang daming kumakalat na fake news ngayon na dumadagdag lang sa public panic. During this time when our country needs to deal with a global threat, we do not need false reports that tend to scare families. What we need now is an official body which will be the sole source of all official information on the nCoV," Sotto said.

The Senate President said the inter-department agency can later be made permanent and serve as the official government instrument for disasters and other calamities.



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"We welcome the total travel ban in order to prevent the spread of the disease. How we wish it came much earlier as hundreds of possible carriers have been able to enter the country in the last several days but better late than never. Now we can effectively focus our efforts on tracking all those who are suspected of being carriers and work on quarantine and isolation."

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To enhance its disaster preparedness and risk management capabilities, the government should take a cue from big, successful companies: invest big on research and development (R & D).

On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson pushed for bigger investments in R & D, which he lamented accounts for only a minuscule 0.4 percent of the national budget.

"Science entails research. Science can greatly help especially during disasters. Yet, why do we appropriate only 0.4 percent on the average for R & D?" said Lacson, who chaired a Senate hearing on disaster management last Wednesday.

Lacson noted science and technology can have a great impact on efforts to deal with disasters - from tracking cyclones and mapping high-risk areas to developing better ready-to-eat meals as well as methods to ensure the health and hygiene of evacuees.

Yet, for the P4.1-trillion 2020 national budget, he noted the government initially proposed a mere P16.1829 billion for R & D - or just 0.39 percent of the entire budget. From 2016 to 2019, R & D accounted for only between 0.34 and 0.46 percent of the entire national budget.

In contrast, he noted a multinational technology company reinvests as much as 15 percent of gross earnings to R & D to keep up with new developments in technology.

"Even if we bump up the percentage to 1 or 2 percent of the national budget, I'm sure this will mean a lot to agencies such as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)," Lacson said.

For the 2020 budget, Lacson proposed R & D budget hikes for the Department of Science and Technology, including a P100-million increase for the Space S&T Program: Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) and a P50-million increase for the Science for Change Program.

"I believe the government can do much more if we enhance R & D," he said



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With only one manufacturer of surgical masks in the country amid the growing demand for masks and other personal protective equipment, Senator Richard J. Gordon pointed to the need for Filipino businessmen to build medical supply factories or to encourage foreign medical supply companies to open up business here.

Gordon pointed out that with the possibility of other outbreak of diseases, such as the current novel Coronavirus (2019-nCOV) outbreak, in the future, the Philippines should be self-reliant in terms of medical supply production since the country is currently only importing from China majority of the medical supplies needed here.

"I am encouraging Filipino businessmen to put up factories for face mask and medical supplies para kung may mga lalabas na medical emergencies, meron tayong supply ng gamit. Kung may mga ganyan pang lalabas, buong mundo mamimili yan, saan tayo kukuha kung wala tayong sariling kumpanya?" he said.

Gordon also reminded the public not to go into panic buying for masks because it only triggers price increases that only benefit only the greedy and not the needy public, adding that practicing proper personal hygiene precautions, such as washing hands properly and frequently, is still the best way to avoid contracting nCOV and other viruses.

He added avoiding going to hospitals unless necessary, avoiding crowded places and maintaining a distance of at least one meter from someone who has respiratory illness will also keep viruses away.

The chairman of the Philippine Red Cross said one needs to wear a mask if he or she has respiratory illness; if one is taking care of another person who has respiratory illness; if one is going to a hospital; or if one has to go to a crowded place.

"'Yung face mask araw-araw papalitan mo 'yan. Hindi pwedeng, kunwari ginamit mo, ibababa mo habang naglalakad ka o itinataas mo habang nagsasalita ka. It defeats the purpose. Sa tingin ko, kung pupunta ka sa ospital, dapat mag-face mask ka. Hindi naman tayo dapat maging reckless, mag-ingat lang. Kung may aalagaan kang may respiratory illness, may cough, dapat mag-face mask ka para sa safety ninyong dalawa. 'Wag ka lang magpabaya. Dapat tulungan mo ang sarili mo," Gordon stressed.

"Kung ikaw ay galing sa isang lugar, at may tama doon, dapat pagpaalam ka sa mga awtoridad na galing ka doon, magkulong ka muna sa bahay ng 14 days at sabihin mo kung sino ang mga nasa bahay para kung sakaling meron ka, mahahawa 'yun, kailangang matulungan din mga 'yun doon," he further reminded.



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Upon the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) and Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, President Rodrigo Duterte will order the expansion of the temporary travel ban over the 2019-nCoV ARD or the Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease to include travelers coming from any part of China and its Special Administrative Regions to help combat the spread of the disease.

Go confirmed the President's decision in a statement and in various radio interviews on Sunday morning, February 2.

"During my discussion with President Rodrigo Duterte last Saturday night on the government's efforts to address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease situation, I recommended to the President to implement a temporary travel ban on travelers coming from any part of China and its Special Administrative Regions, on top of the existing temporary travel ban imposed on those coming from Hubei province and other affected areas," Go said.

The move is based on and in line with the recommendations of DOH and members of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Go confirmed that the President agreed to adopt the proposal, saying "(t)aking into consideration the concerns raised by key government officials and health experts, the President made an informed decision and has agreed to adopt this recommendation and implement it immediately as an additional precautionary measure to protect Filipinos and everyone in the Philippines."

He added that the Office of the President (OP) will release further details to explain to the public the scope of the order.

Go also clarified that the order covers all travelers from China to the Philippines, regardless of nationality.

"I wish to emphasize that we are not singling out Chinese nationals. This order covers all travelers from China to the Philippines, regardless of nationality," Go said.

A statement released by Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo states that the temporary travel ban will apply to all travelers coming directly from China and its Special Administrative Regions.

The ban also applies to travelers who, within fourteen days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, have been to China and its Special Administrative Regions.

While Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visas issued by the Philippine government are not covered by the ban, they will be subjected to a fourteen-day quarantine period immediately upon arrival in the country. A repatriation and quarantine facility will also be established for Filipinos coming from affected areas.

Filipinos will also be temporarily banned from traveling to China and its Special Administrative Regions.

The statement also mentions that "the President will be presiding the next meeting of the Task Force on Monday and to be attended by other concerned agencies" while all government agencies are also directed "to adopt, coordinate and implement the said guidelines, and such other guidelines which the Task Force may subsequently issue on the matter."

The military and other law enforcement agencies were also instructed "to give the necessary assistance to ensure the implementation of this directive to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone."

The IATF was also given the authority, if necessary, to ban the entry of travelers from other areas with confirmed widespread 2019-nCOV ARD.

Meanwhile, Go also expressed his empathy to China, adding that the government is committed to helping all countries affected by the outbreak.

"We empathize with China given what they are going through but we are doing this to protect the country and its people. The Philippine government is committed to help China and other affected countries address this worldwide health concern," he said.

As for the 40 Filipinos in Wuhan, China who have volunteered to return home, Go said that the government is ready to deploy aircrafts to bring them back home.

"Handa ang pamahalaan na mag deploy ng aircrafts for the airlift," he said.

"Sa mga naiwan dun, handa naman tumulong ang gobyerno. Nandiyan ang Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at ang ating foreign affairs (department). Ready po silang tumulong sa mga naiwan po dun," he added.

Meanwhile, asked on the objectives of the upcoming public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health on Tuesday regarding the virus, Go said that he aims to discuss the next steps to deter the spread of the disease in the country.

"Sa hearing natin this Tuesday, alamin natin kung ano ano ang mga hakbang ngayon at ano ang kailangan pang gawin nating lahat upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng Novel Coronavirus," he said, adding that all concerned agencies will be present in the meeting, including representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and health experts from various fields.

Go also stressed that, as Chair of the Committee on Health, the welfare and interest of the Filipino people remain his top priority.

"Lahat ng desisyon ng gobyerno, hindi basta-basta. Pinag-aaralan po lahat 'yan. Binabalanse lahat. Kailangan pong pag-aralan 'yan bago ginagawa... Rest assured, inuuna ang interes ng bawat Pilipino," he added.

As for those who criticize the government's efforts to combat the virus, Go urged them to help provide solutions instead.

"Sa bashers and netizens, walang naitutulong ang pambabatikos nyo... Hindi iyan solution. Magtulungan na lang tayo," he said.

Ending the interview, the Senator urged all Filipinos to listen to government officials and health experts. Go also encouraged the public to unite amidst the current global health concern brought by the 2019-nCoV ARD.

"I am urging the public to be informed and listen to our officials and health experts. Do not panic. Magtulungan tayo. Unahin natin ang kapakanan, interes, at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino," he ended.



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During my discussion with President Rodrigo Duterte last Saturday night on the government's efforts to address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease situation, I recommended to the President to implement a temporary travel ban on travelers coming from any part of China and its Special Administrative Regions, on top of the existing temporary travel ban imposed on those coming from Hubei province and other affected areas.

This is in line with the recommendations of the Department of Health (DOH) as affirmed by members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Taking into consideration the concerns raised by key government officials and health experts, the President made an informed decision and has agreed to adopt this recommendation and implement it immediately as additional precautionary measure to protect Filipinos and everyone in the Philippines.

I wish to emphasize that we are not singling out Chinese nationals. This order covers all travelers from China to the Philippines, regardless of nationality. We empathize with China given what they are going through but we are doing this to protect the country and its people. The Philippine government is committed to help China and other affected countries address this worldwide health concern.

I am urging the public to be informed and listen to our officials and health experts. Do not panic. Magtulungan tayo. Unahin natin ang kapakanan, interes, at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino.

Para klaro po sa publiko, maglalabas ng mga detalye ang Office of the President para ipaliwanag ang sakop ng rekomendasyon na ito.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has filed a measure regulating the use of mobile phones and other electronic gadgets among students in private and public schools to improve their academic performance and achieve academic excellence.

In filing Senate Bill (SB) No. 1271, De Lima said it is the duty of the State to provide students with a more focused, positive and supportive learning environment that is free from any distractions that prevent them from performing poorly in school.

"Making life easier and more efficient are just some of the benefits brought about by the advancement of technology. However, excessive use of mobile devices can also lead to an array of negative effects and hazards," she said.

"Regulating the use of mobile phones and other electronic gadgets in schools is one of the immediate solutions that the government can take to improve the learning conditions for our students and help them towards better performance in our schools," she added.

The Philippines ranked last among 79 countries in reading comprehension among 15-year-old students, with the country ending up below ranks 70 in mathematics and science, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

De Lima, however, noted a study which found out that unrestrained use of mobile phones poses risks to students, leading them to fare poorly in elementary and junior high school primarily due to lack of sleep that affects their concentration and retention.

"Other noted adverse effects include psychological and physiological complications, and mental health issues, which interfere with education, diminish academic performance, and contribute to increase in teenage anxiety, depression and suicide," she added.

In addition, she continued, a 2015 study by the London School of Economics and Political Science found out that "schools could significantly reduce the education achievement gap by prohibiting mobile phone use in schools."

While mobile phones and other electronic devices can also be useful in bringing higher quality teaching and learning, De Lima maintained there is a need to balance student performance with integrating mobile devices in educational system.

Under SB No. 1271, De Lima explained that the Department of Education (DepEd) is mandated to promulgate clear-cut guidelines regulating the use of mobile devices and other electronic gadgets in the schools.

"These guidelines shall likewise establish the procedure to be observed in cases of abuse of mobile devices and electronic gadgets in the commission of other student misconducts such as cheating and bullying, as well as promote the responsible use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets," she said.

De Lima, who chairs the Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Committee in the Senate, said the measure shall apply to all public K-12 institutions under the control and supervision of the DepEd.



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Now that the alert level for Taal Volcano has been lowered from four to three, Senator Sonny Angara urged all the concerned government agencies to immediately conduct an assessment of the damage brought about by the eruption two weeks ago.

Angara, who is chairman of the Finance Committee that went over the P4.1 trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2020, said there is a significant amount of funding available for use of the different government agencies for the repair and rehabilitation of the affected areas in Cavite, Batangas and Laguna under the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Fund (NDRRMF) or what is more commonly known as the calamity fund.

Based on the 2020 GAA, a total of P16 billion has been allocated for the NDRRMF, which can be used for the relief, recovery, reconstruction and other works or services related to natural or human-induced calamities.

Apart from the NDRRMF, Angara noted that there is also P6.8 billion in quick response funds (QRF) lodged in the budgets of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense, and the National Electrification Administration.

Angara explained that the processes for disbursing the two funds are very different.

"With the QRF, the agencies such as the DPWH and DSWD will be able to download the funds to the affected communities immediately because as the name implies, the utilization of the funds must be quick," Angara said.

"With the calamity fund, the specific programs and projects will have to undergo assessment on the ground and certification by the local government units before they are submitted to the President for his approval. So the process is a little longer than the QRF," Angara added.

On top of the P22.8 billion (NDRRMF+QRF), Angara said there is around P7 billion left from the P20 billion calamity fund of 2019 that can be used this year.

Following the eruption of Taal, the President has relayed his intention to seek a P30 billion supplemental budget from Congress to cover the needs of the affected communities.

Because the eruption of Taal was unexpected and came very early in the year, Angara said that the supplemental budget would serve as a buffer fund for calamities that will take place later this year.

"So I think gusto lang maghanda ng ating Pangulo at kami naman sa Kongreso, handa rin kami na tugunan at bigyan pansin itong panawagan ng ating Pangulo," Angara said.

Angara has filed Senate Resolution 298 calling for an inquiry into the total damage of the Taal Volcano eruption for the purpose of assessing the total financial requirements for the aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood support to communities adversely affected by the catastrophe.

While waiting for the House of Representatives to act on the call of the President, Angara said the Senate could already work on determining just how much is needed to cover all the bases in the effort to bring the lives of the affected communities back to normal.

In the past two weeks, Angara said the agencies on the ground have experienced difficulties in coming up with an accurate assessment of the damages because of the lockdown imposed on the affected areas due to the strong possibility of another eruption.

"But now that the alert level on Taal has been scaled down by the Phivolcs, the agencies on the ground, together with the local government units, should act swiftly to assess the situation and report back to Congress so that we can already get the ball rolling on the recovery of the affected communities," Angara said.

"May available na pondo at dapat as soon ma-verify na nila yung pangangailangan ng mga komunidad, dapat ibigay nila agad yan. Yun ang dinadaing ng ating mga kababayan dahil hindi nila agad nararamdaman yung ayuda," Angara added.



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"I have been to Batangas several times since Taal volcano erupted. Quakes before and after and the eruptions damaged farms, fishpens, homes and vital road, power and communication infrastructure," said Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri as he urged Congress and the Executive to support a Marshall Plan-like recovery program for Batangas.

"On the housing needs, I propose that the Executive direct Local Government Units to review and recast their Comprehensive Land Use Plans.

National Government agencies and LGUs should put into consideration the following actions:

1. Allocating resources to the NAMRIA in coordination with PHIVOLCS for the survey and multi-hazard mapping of affected and contiguous areas, within 180 days;

2. Releasing land in Batangas owned by the National Government and LGUs for agricultural, industrial and residential uses for programmatic land distribution to constituents - displaced by the volcanic activities and consequently to be resettled- , at subsidized cost, within 180 days;

2. Directing the DENR, LRA, DOJ and agencies concerned to issue appropriate titles and instruments to beneficiaries of the aforementioned land distribution program, at no cost , as to survey and titling of land parcels, within 12 months;

3. Directing the DSWD, NAPC, and the DA to determine and identify the beneficiaries of the land distribution program which will prioritize the most vulnerable sectors of affected towns and barangays, within 60 days;

4. Mandating the BIR and the DOF-BLGF to craft the appropriate Internal Revenue Regulations to provide tax exemptions, fee privileges and fiscal incentives to displaced families, within 60 days ; and

5. Creating new townships in coordination with the DOH and the DEPED to ensure health and educational infrastructure are built for the use of resettled families.

It is important that families are able to recover and rebuild lives with the least cost shouldered by them. They practically start from zero resources with the declaration of no build zones.

For a long time, much of the affected areas will be no man's land. They will live the motto "Leave no trash, Pick no flowers, Leave only footprints, Take only pictures". In time, the tourism industry that is also greatly affected will be revived. For now, Batangas needs all the help they can get."



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SENATE President Vicente Sotto today urged Malacañang to order a temporary ban on all foreigners coming from any parts of China in light of reports that all of its regions have been infected by the novel coronavirus.

Sotto said the restrictions should not only cover Chinese citizens since other nationalities have also been traveling to and from China.

Flights from China do not only have Chinese people aboard. There are other nationalities on these flights and they, too, should be barred from entering our country. The virus does not discriminate whom it will affect. It can affect anyone," Sotto said.

The Senate President stressed that "our country cannot take this lightly because anyone can catch the virus without them knowing it, like the case in Germany. A traveler from China who did not know that he had the virus infected a German . The government should take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and health of our people."



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HALOS ubos na ang mga face mask o surgical mask sa mga drug store sa Metro Manila at karatig probinsya isang araw matapos ideklara ng Department of Health (DOH) ang kauna-unahang kumpirmadong kaso ng 2019 novel coronavirus o 2019-nCoV sa bansa.

Sinabi ni Senador Imee Marcos na chairperson ng Senate committee on economic affairs, wala nang mabiling face mask sa malalaking drug stores at maging sa mga maliliit na botika sa Metro Manila.

Ayon kay Marcos, bukod sa face mask, halos nagkakaubusan na rin ng suplay ng alcohol, Lysol disinfectant spray at vitamin C supplement sa mga drug store at iba pang pamilihan sa Kamaynilaan.

Halos pila ang mga tao sa mga drug stores para lang makabili ng ilang pirasong face mask bilang proteksyon ng kani-kanilang pamilya laban sa virus, lalo na ngayon na idineklara na ng World Health Organization ang global emergency dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga kaso ng nasabing sakit.

"Panic buying ang nangyayari at halos wala ka nang mabiling face mask sa mga drug stores at kahit sa mga maliliit na botika. Kailangang kumilos ang kinauukulan para hindi naman maabuso ang ating mga mamimili," pahayag ni Marcvos.

Ayon kay Marcos, nagtaas din ng presyo ang face mask at iba pang produkto na ginagamit bilang prevention laban sa coronavirus at hindi malayong samantalahin ito ng ilang tiwaling mga negosyante para kumita ng malaking tubo.

"Kailangang kumilos ang DTI para maiwasan ang hoarding na maaaring gawin ng mga mapagsamantalang negosyante. Dapat may price freeze na ipatupad ang DTI sa mga produktong tulad ng face mask," pagdidiin ni Marcos.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Friday, January 31, joined in the opening of the 61st Malasakit Center in the country at the Mayor Hilario A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that streamlines the delivery of medical and financial assistance from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for poor and indigent patients seeking help from the government.

"Para ito sa mga tao. Walang politika rito. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka," Go said in his speech. He also shared that the establishment of Malasakit Centers was his suggestion to President Rodrigo Duterte when he was serving as Special Assistant of the President.

"Noong mayor pa siya ng Davao, sobrang daming humihingi ng tulong sa kaniya para pampa-ospital. Ang iba, galing pa sa malalayong lugar," he said, emphasizing that the government has to do something to address this problem.

When Bong Go was elected senator, he immediately filed a bill that served as the basis for the Malasakit Center Act of 2019. The law mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in each of the 73 DOH-run hospitals all over the country as well as in the Philippine General Hospital.

Go explained that the Malasakit Center aims to cut the time, money and effort spent by Filipinos in moving from one office to another just to seek government financial and medical assistance.

With the medical assistance programs coming from the four participating agencies already available in the Malasakit Center, the target is to reduce the hospital bill of indigent patients to the lowest possible amount without wasting time seeking help from different government offices.

"Ubos panahon niyo, ubos din pamasahe niyo sa kapipila. Alam niyo po, kawawa 'yung Pilipino. Minsan po, sa hangarin pong humaba lang ang kanilang buhay, pipila ng madaling araw para humingi ng tulong. Sa totoo lang, pera nila iyan, kanila iyan. So ngayon po, mayroon na tayong Malasakit Center sa loob ng ospital, naroon na yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno na nasa iisang kwarto para makapagbigay ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyong pang-medikal sa lahat ng Pilipino," Go said.

Before the opening in Ozamiz, Go also joined earlier in the day in the opening of the 60th Malasakit Center at the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

In an interview after the program in Ozamiz, Go encouraged Filipinos to be informed and listen to the public hearing that the Senate Committee on Health will conduct on Tuesday, February 4 to further explain necessary measures being done by the government to address the recent outbreak happening all around the world.

"Ang target ko rito sa committee hearing, pakinggan natin ang lahat, kung papaano tayo magtutulungan. Hindi ito 'yung panahon na magsisihan tayo. Tanungin natin ang ating mga health officials ano ba ang dapat nating gawin araw-araw, step by step," said the Senator, who chairs the committee.

"Sa lahat ng mga bashers diyan, mga netizens, pumunta kayo doon, magsalita kayo. Batikusin niyo doon sa harapan. Kung meron kayong idea na makakatulong naman sa ating mga kababayan, you are welcome to participate po sa hearing na 'to. Papakinggan kayo doon," he also said.

Go further advised the public to take the threat seriously, cooperate with authorities, and help each other in order to ensure that Filipinos will not be affected by the virus.

"Huwag tayo magdagdag sa problema ng Pilipino. Tulungan natin ang ating kapwa Pilipino," he added.

Go said the Senate Committee on Health invited key government officials and health experts to attend the hearing, such as department secretaries, airport officials and officials of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as doctors who are known experts especially on infectious diseases.

"Bantay sarado dapat tayo sa sitwasyon para makagawa rin tayo ng maayos na rekomendasyon," he said.

The Senator also advised the public to be careful with the information that they share, especially on social media. "Magtulungan lang tayo. Hindi tayo dapat mag-panic, at hindi tayo dapat magsiraan. Huwag tayong mag-spread ng fake news. Huwag tayong magkalat ng takot sa ating mga kababayan."

He further advised, "Interes at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino ang aming uunahin. Ako po, bilang committee chair, nakatutok po ako diyan. I'm very much concerned, and I will do everything to protect the interests of Filipinos."

According to a DOH advisory, severe cases of 2019-nCoV ARD may result in pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney problems and death. DOH has advised the public to wash their hands frequently, avoid contact with live animals, drink plenty of water and make sure that food being consumed are cooked properly.

DOH also advised the public to avoid those who have cough and colds and to always cover one's mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to stop the possible spread of viruses. Those with flu-like symptoms are also advised to consult a doctor.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Friday, January 31, witnessed the launch of another Malasakit Center, this time at the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The center aims to assist poor and indigent Filipino patients in the southernmost province of the country who are in dire need of swift medical and financial assistance from the government.

The center is the 60th in the country after the latest one opened at the General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City in Cavite on January 22.

Serving as a one-stop shop inside government hospitals where the process of providing government medical and financial assistance is expedited, Malasakit Centers were conceptualized and initiated by Go when he was still Special Assistant to the President to provide quick access to government medical services for all Filipinos.

"Dito po sa bagong Malasakit Center sa Tawi-Tawi, nasa iisang bahay na lamang ang apat na ahensiya ng gobyerno na handang magbigay ng tulong sa mga pasyente," Go said in his speech.

The said agencies represented in the center are the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which have their own programs providing medical and financial assistance to poor and indigent patients in need.

"Noon, kailangan pa ninyong pumila sa iba't ibang opisina ng gobyerno para lamang sa financial assistance. Ubos na ang panahon ninyo, ubos pa ang pamasahe ninyo. Ngayon dahil may Malasakit Center dito sa Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital, magtutulungan (ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno) para i-cover ang hospital expenses ninyo," Go said.

"Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center," he added. The Senator also said that senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be prioritized in the centers through an express lane.

The office covers patient services and expenses, such as laboratories, medicines, surgeries or operations, with the exemption of professional fees and private room accommodation.

The process of seeking assistance has also been simplified through the Malasakit Unified Form, which means that there is only one form to fill up for Filipinos requesting medical assistance.

"Tuloy-tuloy po ito sa lahat ng mga DOH-run hospitals dahil napirmahan na ni Pangulo ang Malasakit Center Act of 2019. Ayon po sa batas, 73 na DOH-run hospitals ay lalagyan ng Malasakit Center," Go shared.

He added that the law, in addition to the DOH-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital, also allows local government units (LGUs) to establish Malasakit Centers provided that they meet the standards and criteria to ensure sustainability and consistency in the services provided by the centers.

Go reiterated his commitment that as senator, he will make sure that all Filipinos feel the positive change happening in the country through the efforts of the Duterte Administration.

"Pera niyo po ito. Ibinabalik lang sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo para sa lahat ng Pilipino," he said as he emphasized that in serving Filipinos, no one should be left behind.

During his speech, Go also expressed his and President Rodrigo Duterte's compassion for Filipino Muslims, citing the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance in Davao City as one of the reasons they continue to earn love and support from the Filipino Muslim community in the city.

"Mayroon po kaming Anti-Discrimination Ordinance sa Davao City, kaya naman napakarami naming mga kababayan na Muslim doon na nagmamahal sa amin ni PRRD," said Go.

He added that Duterte, when he was still mayor of Davao City, would visit Filipino Muslims from far-flung barangays and assist them in their pilgrimage to Mecca.

"Nung mayor pa si Tatay Digong, sa Davao dati, pinupuntahan namin ang mga pinakamalalayong barangays na puro Muslims. Tinutulungan namin sa kanilang pilgrimage sa Mecca," he added.

The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, also known as the "Hajj" is a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims that must be done at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage usually occurs from the 8th to 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. In 2020, the Hajj is expected to commence on July 28 and will last until August 2.

After the Tawi Tawi launch, Go went to Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental to witness the opening of the 61st Malasakit Center at the Mayor Hilario A. Ramiro, Sr. Memorial Hospital.



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Following the Department of Health's announcement that the Philippines has its first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Senator Win Gatchalian underscored the need for schools to be more vigilant and ensure that protocols are in place to prevent students from getting the infection.

Gatchalian also emphasized that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the 2019-nCoV outbreak is now a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern," which should prompt the Department of Education (DepEd) to work more closely with the Department of Health (DOH) in the implementation of safety guidelines.

"Ngayong may kumpirmadong kaso na ng novel coronavirus sa Pilipinas, mahalagang paigtingin natin ang pangangalaga sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral. Kung may mga mag-aaral tayong nakikitaan ng mga sintomas kaugnay ng virus o history ng pagkakaroon ng respiratory infections, mahalagang handa ang ating mga paaralan, local health officials, at mga magulang sa pag-responde upang maiwasan ang mabilis na pagkalat ng sakit," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Intensified information dissemination is also more critical in schools at this point, Gatchalian added. According to him, raising awareness on the disease and its prevention should emphasize DOH reminders on proper hygiene and sanitation. These include frequent proper handwashing, cough etiquette, staying away from people with flu-like symptoms, and thorough cooking of food.

Gatchalian maintained that Chinese schools who have not yet suspended classes, especially those with high numbers of students from mainland China, should announce suspensions immediately. According to Gatchalian, this would help contain the virus as most of the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus are from China.

The country's first case of the 2019-nCoV is that of a 38-year old Chinese woman who arrived in the Philippines from Wuhan via Hong Kong on January 21. The patient was admitted in one of the country's government hospitals on January 25 after seeking treatment for a mild cough.

DOH officials also said in interviews that the number of persons under investigation (PUI) on novel coronavirus in the country as of Friday, January 31, has reached 31. One person from China who was under investigation died of pneumonia at the San Lazaro Hospital.



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Again, this whole story about me soliciting campaign funds for the 2013 elections from Bilibid inmates is pure concoction.

Peter Co originally said that the funds were for the 2013 elections, but were supposedly delivered when the filing of candidacy for said elections was already over. I never filed any certificate of candidacy for said elections. Everybody knows that.

Ganyan ba katanga ang drug lord na ito na basta-basta na lamang siya nagbibigay ng milyones base sa sabi-sabi ng isa pang drug lord para sa isang kandidatura na hindi naman mangyayari at alam niyang hindi mangyayari? Kung ganoon eh nakakapagtaka kung bakit hindi pa nalulugi sa negosyo ang drug lord na ito. Nakakapagtaka din kung paano naging drug lord ang ganito katangang tao na kayang-kaya palang lokohin nang ganoon kadali ng mga kapwa niya drug lord.

At kung para sa 2016 elections naman ang binigay nila kuno, ayon sa pagpapalit-palit ng kanilang kwento, aba eh sobrang advanced naman sa info ang mga drug lords na ito na 2012 pa lang alam na nila ang plano ko para sa 2016, habang ako mismo hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang ihahanda ko noon para sa noche buena ng 2012, pagtakbo pa kaya sa eleksyon ng 2016?

As of 2012, running for any elective post was farthest from my mind. I decided to vie for the senatorial post in the 2016 elections only during the 2nd half of 2015. So, how could I have solicited for campaign funds four (4) years back? Besides, I would NEVER, never did or do and will never ask or receive any illicit money, drug money or otherwise, from any inmate or anyone.

It's so convenient a story that these prosecution witnesses would point to a fellow dead inmate, Tony Co, as the one who allegedly collected the bulk of the funds for a non-existent election campaign from other unnamed inmates.

Recall that Tony Co was fatally stabbed in a staged prison riot last Sept. 28, 2016. Also stabbed were Peter Co himself, Vicente Sy, and Jaybee Sebastian. Said stabbing incident occurred before they testified at the kangaroo hearing of the House Justice Committee. After they were stabbed and allowed to recover by their jailers, they suddenly became then SOJ Aguirre's willing witnesses.

We have it from credible sources that these inmates initially refused to testify until they were stabbed. Need I say more?

I'm confident that the cross-examination of Peter Co at the next hearing will convincingly and absolutely demolish his false testimony, as it was with the case of the other lying prosecution witnesses before him.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has chided Mr. Duterte for making her the object of slut-shaming as she continues to gain support from the international community, particularly from members of the US Congress.

De Lima, who believes that Duterte's recent verbal attacks against her were also triggered by the recent US decision revoking Sen. Bato dela Rosa's visa, warned the President that his continued spread of lies against her would eventually backfire.

"Duterte, huwag mo nang masyadong ipagyabang ang mga kaso mo laban sa akin. Dahil kapag lumabas na ang katotohanan sa pagmamaniobra mo sa mga kaso ko, mapapahiya ka lamang," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 707.

"Malalaman ng lahat na ang mga akusasyon mo laban sa akin, kasama na ang pang-aalipusta, panlalait, paninira, at pang-aabuso mo sa akin -- na pinayagan ng Korte Supremang tumiklop sa isang pangulong lasing sa kapangyarihan -- ay pawang mga gawa-gawa lamang at kagagawan lahat ng isang baliw at sira-ulong tao na sinuwerteng maging pangulo," she added.

Duterte earlier accused De Lima for having been involved in criminal deeds to supposedly fund her senatorial and subsequent presidential campaign, which the former justice secretary has denied.

"I am not a criminal. You are! A mass murderer and a pathological liar," said De Lima, who remains unjustly and illegally detained over politically motivated and trumped-up illegal drug trade charges fabricated by the present administration.

Mr. Duterte further claimed that the US Senators who are supportive of De Lima's plight only fell for her lies about her innocence. The President called the US lawmakers as "foolish," "crazy," and "idiots."

He has earlier lashed out at US Senators Richard Durbin and Patrick Leahy for introducing a provision in the US Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill banning the entry of local officials involved in De Lima's "wrongful imprisonment."

Duterte ordered immigration authorities to deny the two senators entry to the country.

De Lima also pointed out that the recent Supreme Court ruling junking her petition for habeas data against Mr. Duterte has legitimized "the unmitigated, conscious, and deliberate commission of criminal acts by a sitting President who chooses to treat his office like a toilet."

"Because of this SC decision, any future president, as crazy as the current one, can now subject any Filipino to absolute ridicule, shaming, and oppression using the most powerful office in the country without any restraint or viable legal remedy whatsoever," she said.

De Lima, who was recognized by Amnesty International as one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders Under Threat, has been the perennial object of shameful and misogynistic attacks by Duterte and his minions but she continues to stand up to an abusive regime.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has denounced the recent arbitrary arrest and temporary detention of a Davao-based radio reporter who was purportedly harassed by the police for interviewing protesters.

De Lima, a known human rights defender here and abroad, said the highly irregular arrest of Radyo ni Juan reporter Glenn Jester Hitgano should not be tolerated because it is a shameless attack on press freedom.

"Mariin nating kinokondena ang hindi makatarungang pag-aresto at panandaliang pagpapakulong kay Mr. Glenn Hitgano na walang ibang nais kundi ang magampanan lamang ang kanyang trabaho bilang tagapagdala ng balita sa publiko," she said.

"This deplorable attack by the authorities who are expected to uphold and respect the rights of the people at all times does not only undermine the media's role as messengers of truth to the public, but also promotes harassment and intimidation against them," she said.

Last Jan. 21, Hitgano was reportedly arrested and temporarily detained by authorities after interviewing the protesting workers of the banana company Philippine Dream Farm Development in Carmen, Davao del Norte.

Based on Hitgano's accounts, the policemen who were insulted by the interview attempted to confiscate his phone and ordered him to delete the recordings. He was detained for an hour and was released only after he promised not to report about the protest.

Hitgano further confirmed that he covered the protest after supposedly receiving information that the workers were being harassed by uniformed men during the previous night.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, pointed out that the recent incident should prompt the media and the public to step up their efforts in defending press freedom and demanding accountability for all the abuses against the members of the press.

"By not speaking out against the abuses against the press, we are indirectly giving the policemen and other abusive leaders the license to supress the truth," she said.

"Manindigan po tayo para sa katotohanan at huwag nating hayaan ang mga mapang-abuso at sinungaling na patuloy na maghari-harian sa bayan," she added.

In the 17th Congress, De Lima filed Senate Bill No. 1860 requiring media entities to provide insurance coverage and hazard pay to journalists and other media persons, especially to those assigned in conflict or disaster areas.



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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon called on the government's economic managers to conduct a speedy review of state assets that could be sold off immediately in order to generate funds for COVID-19 crisis and to counter the growing budget deficit due to the pandemic.

The President last week said he is ready to sell government properties as a last resort to get more funding for the people affected by the pandemic.

"Let us turn this COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity to better utilize government assets. Better utilization of these state assets is long overdue as a national policy," Drilon stressed.

"As I said before,the government does not have to look far to raise additional revenues. There are 'low-hanging fruits' the government can immediately tap to provide the much-needed resources for our country to survive this pandemic," he said.

Drilon noted, for instance, that the privatization of the gaming industry will generate funding for the government to provide more relief to affected Filipinos and, at the same time, manage the country's growing budget deficit.

In the Senate Committee on Finance's hearing on the budget of the Department of Finance (DOF) last year, Drilon recalled that Sec. Carlos Dominguez III admitted that privatizing the gaming industry will yield around P300 billion in additional revenues yearly.

"We have an untapped 'goldmine' that can generate up to P300 billion in fresh revenues yearly. I hope our economic managers will move faster on this this time, because the effects of COVID-19 pandemic will go beyond 2020," Drilon said.

Drilon said a widening budget deficit is expected as an aftermath of the pandemic.

The minority leader said that if budget deficit is not arrested early on, programs, including much-needed social and health packages, will suffer in the long run.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier said that the budget deficit is expected to increase anwyhere between 3.2 percent to 5.3 percent. The government's original target is 3 percent.

Drilon said that the law that he authored, the GOCC Governance Act, allows the President to amend the charter of state-owned corporations, including PAGCOR and PCSO, without going to Congress.

"If the government really wants to generate more funds to help the COVID-19 affected families, let's privatize PAGCOR and PCSO," he added.

Aside from privatizing the gaming industry, Drilon said disposing of Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame can also help finance the budget deificit and generate funding for COVID-19 response.



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As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic fuels fears of a cybersex trafficking surge among children in Southeast Asia, Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for increased vigilance and protective measures.

Gatchalian warned that since the community quarantine in the country gave children more time to spend online, traffickers would take advantage to target more victims. He emphasized that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) already identified the Philippines as the global epicenter of the livestream sexual abuse trade, with eight out of ten children and youth at risk of online sexual abuse.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Cybercrime Office reported that in 2018, it received 600,000 tips of images and videos of naked, sexualized, and abused Filipino children, an increase of more than 1,000 percent from 45,645 cases in 2017. The United States (US) Department of Labor's "2018 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor" also reported that at the direction of paying customers, victims in the Philippines were induced to perform sex acts for live internet broadcasts in small internet cafes, private homes, and "cybersex dens."

"Bago pa dumating ang banta ng COVID-19, isang hamon na sa atin kung paano natin lalabanan ang online sexual abuse sa mga kabataan. Ngayong mas nakatutok sa internet ang mga bata, kailangan nating palakasin ang mga hakbang upang mabigyan sila ng proteksyon at mapanagot ang gumagawa ng krimeng ito," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian urged DepEd to leverage its online learning platform 'DepEd Commons' to increase awareness on the dangers, prevention, and reporting of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC). Aside from teaching children about these, the senator also said parents should monitor their children's online activities and ensure the strictest possible level of their privacy settings.

He also urged the DOJ and the PNP to use their communication platforms to likewise raise awareness while mobilizing their cybercrime units to track down predators. These efforts should also involve women and children protection units such as the PNP-Women and Children Protection Center and the NBI-Violence Against Women and Children Desk, the lawmaker said.

Gatchalian last year filed Senate Bill 735 or the Human Trafficking Preventive Education Program Act to orient Filipino children and youth about their rights, government protection measures, and the dangers posed by different forms of trafficking, including online sexual exploitation



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go reiterated his appeal to provide additional support for the middle class, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their employees affected by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Go said that most MSMEs were forced to temporarily, totally or partially close down due to the global health crisis and the extended enhanced community quarantine measures.

"Malaking parte ng bumubuhay sa ating ekonomiya ay ang mga MSMEs. Tulungan natin silang buhayin ang kanilang negosyo at maiahon ang kanilang mga empleyado habang nasa panahon ng krisis ang buong bansa," Go said.

He further explained that he has seen MSMEs struggle in keeping their businesses operational considering the adverse socio-economic impact of COVID-19. "Mahirap kumita ngayon. Maraming napilitang magsara kaya hindi nila matustusan ang mga sweldo ng kanilang mga empleyado."

The Senator, who also sits as a member of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee overseeing the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, lauded the efforts of some MSMEs who have adopted online business transactions in order to ensure availability of basic necessities, such as food in the market and, at the same time, keep their businesses afloat to take care of their employees.

"Marami pong negosyo na nag-adopt ng skeletal workforce at nag-implement ng tamang social distancing measures para patuloy na makapagserbisyo. Bagamat nananatiling bukas ang iba, hindi pa rin ito sapat para maalagaan lahat ng empleyado. Lugi na ang negosyo, kawawa pa ang empleyadong walang sweldo," he explained.

Based on Go's discussions with Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the latter said that the government is now preparing a subsidy program to provide assistance to MSMEs and their employees which is set to be rolled out in the coming weeks. This program will provide subsidies for about four million MSME employees.

This is after President Rodrigo Duterte recently said that the DOF must do what it can to ensure that there will be available funds for other affected Filipino families, as most of the already allocated budget are for programs prioritizing the most vulnerable sectors or the "poorest of the poor."

"Ang prayoridad natin ngayon ay mabigyan ng ayuda ang pinaka-mahihirap. Kung mayroon mang hindi maisama sa 18M families para sa emergency cash subsidy, mayroon ring ibang mga programa ang gobyerno na makakatulong sa iba pang mga apektadong mamamayan," Go said.

"Huwag natin pabayaan ang iba pang mga apektadong Pilipino na nangangailangan rin ng tulong," Go added as he urged the DOF and other concerned agencies to immediately implement measures that would also help them overcome this predicament.

To avoid duplication and to ensure that more Filipinos benefit from various government programs, Go said that the beneficiaries of the subsidy program for MSME employees must be different from the eighteen million families being assisted by programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

DOF also clarified that they will only implement such assistance once the DOLE, through its COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), has finished its assistance programs to avoid duplication. For affected workers in the formal sector, the DOLE's CAMP provides qualified beneficiaries a one-time financial assistance of P5,000 and employment facilitation services.

The DOF will get the list of qualified beneficiaries for the subsidy program from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. They will be paid directly through the Social Security System and the amount of assistance may range from P5,000 to P8,000 depending on the region.

The DOF has already exerted efforts to help the middle class by imposing a moratorium on payments of loan amortization, disallowance of compounded interest and penalties, as well as exemption from Documentary Stamp Tax.

Moreover, Republic Act No. 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" directs all public and private banks and other financial institutions, including the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System and Pag-ibig Fund, to implement a minimum 30-day grace period for the payment of all loans including salary, personal housing, motor vehicle loans, and credit card payments, which fall due within the period of the ECQ, now extended until April 30 in Luzon.

"Importante ang 'palugit' na ito para mapagaan ang pinapasan ng taumbayan. Kung gusto nating mas mabilis manumbalik ang sigla ng ating ekonomiya, mas mainam na ngayon pa lang ay tulungan na natin ang maliliit na negosyante na makabangon," Go said.

"Sisiguraduhin natin na walang maiiwan na Pilipino. Lahat ng apektado ay matutulungan natin lalo na sa health crisis na nangyayari sa bansa ngayon," the Senator added.

According to data collected in 2018 by the Department of Trade and Industry, over 998,342 businesses are MSMEs and make up 99.52% of the total enterprises operating in the country.



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"Pasko ng Pagkabuhay ngayon pagkatapos ng anim na linggo ng Kwaresma, ng pagninilay, ng sakripisyo.

Sa panahon ng COVID-19, mas tumitingkad ang mensahe ng Easter -- pag-asa na makakaalpas din tayo sa kumakalat na sakit at sa pagtigil ng nakagawian. Hope that we will overcome the pandemic and the halt to the customary.

Sa pagsugpo ng pandemya at sa kaligtasan ng ating mga komunidad, nakaasa tayo sa mga tamang datos at makataong pagpapatupad ng mga patnubay ukol sa enhanced community quarantine.

Ilan ang may sakit? Ilan ang malamang may sakit? Ilan ang nabawian ng buhay kaugnay ng COVID? Ilan ang mga gamit-medikal (masks, gloves, PPEs, testing kits, testing labs, ventilators)? Ilan ang mga medical staff?

Nabibigay ba ang kailangang pagkain at tamang protocol para mapanatiling malusog sila at lahat ng ating mga mamamayan? Nakakatulong ba sa pagsugpo ng pagkalat ng COVID ang pagkulong sa mga lumabag ng curfew o ang patuloy na mga panloloko sa social media?

Easter and resurrection spring from truth and solidarity."



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