Coronavirus Lockdown: Public Health Emergency Extended, More Filipinos in Poverty, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.

Recently US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken visited the Philippines and affirmed that the US gave $50 million dollars worth of assistance to fight the pandemic. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/840736/blinken-us-provided-50m-worth-of-assistance-for-philippines-covid-19-response/story/

The United States has extended at least $50 million worth of assistance to help the Philippines mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday.

This was disclosed by Blinken during his attendance at a COVID-19 assistance event in Manila, where he also witnessed the vaccination of children ahead of the opening of classes later this month.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in support of the Philippines’ PinasLakas vaccination and booster campaign, initiated a pediatric vaccination activity with handover of COVID-19 aid and logistical equipment on Saturday at the Manila Zoo.

Aside from Blinken, present during the event were US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, and Manila City Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna.

"We’ve been proud to have donated more than 33 million safe, effective vaccines to the Philippines, [with] no political strings attached," Blinken said in his speech.

Through the COVAX Facility, the US has donated more than 33 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines which consisted of Pfizer, Moderna and J&J platforms, DOH said.

"We’ve provided more than $50 million to your COVID-19 response to help train healthcare workers, to boost the vaccine rollout, [and] to support the economic recovery," Blinken said.

"We’re also providing supplies for the continued fight against COVID-19, and we have some here with us here today—testing kits, laboratory equipment. All of that will go to the Philippines Genome Center, the Bulacan Medical Center, and our other partners who are here with us today," he added.

Vergeire thanked the US government "for helping the Philippines get back on its feet and build back better."

Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, who was also present at the event, thanked the US government "for helping the Philippines get back on its feet and build back better."

"The Filipino people will never forget the kindness you have shown during these trying times," she said.

Not China. Not Russian. The United States donated all the assistance. The DOH OIC says the Filipino people will never forget such kindness but I have my doubts. Many people probably don't even know this happened and others will certainly claim there are strings attached.

School is starting again and the OCTA says outbreaks are unavoidable. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1645466/covid-19-outbreaks-unavoidable-during-face-to-face-classes-octa

With the resumption of face-to-face classes starting soon, independent COVID-19 monitor Octa Research warned that possible COVID-19 outbreaks in schools can’t be avoided.

Octa fellow Dr. Guido David said that schools should have policies in place for COVID-19 and parents should manage their expectations when their children return to school for in-person classes.

(We cannot avoid outbreaks, not surge per se but there will be outbreaks in schools. Infections will be expected).

Despite this, David stated that infection among children is unlikely to become severe but it is still possible.

(Most kids who are infected have mild or asymptomatic cases, since their bodies are healthy. But there might still be severe cases).

David advised schools to take precautions during face-to-face classes, such as vaccinating teachers and ensuring proper ventilation in classrooms.

Finally they are admitting that being healthy mitigates the effects of the virus. This is what many have been saying all along. Without comorbidities such as obesity or diabetes the virus is more than 99% survivable. 

Churches were one of the many causalities of the pandemic. Mass was forbidden in come cases and when everything started reopening churches could only be partially filled. Everyone was live-streaming Mass which is of course impossible because Mass includes partaking of the body and blood. Now Churches are struggling to refill their pews. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/14/2202516/bringing-people-back-physical-mass-challenge

Bringing people back to physical masses is perceived by an official of the Catholic Church as a challenge when the COVID pandemic is over, as the faithful are now used to attending masses online due to movement restrictions in the early days of quarantine.

In an episode of The Chiefs on Thursday, St. John Paul II parish priest Aris Sison said that a lot of Catholic faithful are already attending physical masses now that some COVID restrictions were lifted, but many still favor online or live-streamed masses.

“Many have come back, but I will admit, it seems there are those that have gotten used to online mass,” Sison said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Asked about the positive impact of online masses, Sison said the Catholic faithful have learned to pray, as he emphasized that online or live-streamed masses served as one of the people’s sources of spiritual nourishment, especially during the early days of the pandemic.

“So many have said that during the difficult times of the pandemic, many were saying that online masses really became a source of strength for them. They could not go to church. They were so afraid to go out of their homes and the online mass was their only source of spiritual nourishment,” he said.

However, Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Public Affairs Commission executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said it would not be hard to bring people back to physical masses.

“It’s not a challenge. It is more challenging to invite people to attend masses either physically or online,” Badong said, as he emphasized that online masses are a big help for people, especially those who are living alone and those who are suffering from depression.

He added that hearing the word of the Lord, either physically or virtually, helps people nourish their spiritual needs.

Secillano echoed Badong, saying online masses have become another form of family bonding, more people were given access to liturgical masses and social media platforms have been used for “sacred purposes” as they have been the modern medium for holy masses and other religious activities.

The obvious thing to do would to stop hosting online masses. But that's not likely. 

The nation is not on lockdown anymore and most of the nation is at alert level 1 but there are still many restrictions on social distancing and wearing face masks everywhere. The DOH say the nation must boost its immunity in order to lift those restrictions. You know what that means. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/14/22/ph-must-boost-immunity-before-lifting-covid-restrictions-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) said the Philippines will gradually follow the United States' model of loosening COVID-19 restrictions.

DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country is taking the same direction as the US, where the healthcare system will only "protect the most vulnerable."

"We are here to live with the virus because we know that the virus will stay. Ang importante sa ating lahat, and I think the US government also has that kind of objective, that we will protect the most vulnerable, we will protect our healthcare system from being overwhelmed, and will try to prevent as much as possible severe and critical cases and deaths," Vergeire said last Friday.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had earlier recommended the lifting of the following restrictions: physical distancing, quarantine, and testing for asymptomatic patients with no exposure.

It has also recommended limiting contact tracing to healthcare personnel and other high-risk settings.

The CDC said the United States is now in a better condition to protect the public from severe COVID-19 infection.

Although the loosening of restrictions does not mean that the pandemic is over, it aims to help the public to return to their normal lives without having to worry about the coronavirus.

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” CDC Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch chief Greta Massetti said.

“We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives," she added.

For Vergeire, the Philippines needs to increase its immunity before lifting restrictions. But for now, she said the DOH is pushing for individual responsibility among Filipinos for everyone's protection.

The Philippines needs to increase its immunity before lifting restriction and the DOH is "pushing for individual responsibility" in this regard. That means they really are flirting with making the vaccine and booster shots mandatory.

LGUs are being accused of allowing the surge for not being vigilant enough in enforcing health protocols. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/13/2202318/lgus-told-be-more-vigilant-enforcing-health-protocols

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has directed local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the enforcement of health protocols as projections from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that COVID-19 cases could hit over 10,600 cases daily by October.

“We are calling for LGUs to closely monitor COVID cases in their areas. We are still in a pandemic and we count on our local officials to lead this war, especially in the coming months when alarming numbers of COVID-19 cases are projected,” Abalos said yesterday in a statement.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government chief noted that the DOH projection is a clear warning for local chief executives that they should not relax their COVID-19 measures. He stressed that the DILG is trying to avoid a spike in the National Capital Region (NCR) as this could also spread to other parts of the country.

“Many of our countrymen are working in Metro Manila, it is the country’s economic center, so the defense here must be strong to prevent the increase in cases that could spread in other areas,” he added.

Because we all know not wearing face masks properly is what actually spreads the virus. 

Here is a tale of two pandemics. Tale 1:

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/460658/the-gift-of-the-pandemic-to-anne-curtis-as-mom-and-wife

Each parent has his or her own unique journey, according to new mom Anne Curtis.

“When it comes to parenting, what you do won’t always be right in the eyes of others, but it’s the right way for you. This is the best parenting tip I’ve received from my own mom. I think what she is trying to say is, you’re not the perfect parent, no one is, so don’t let what other people say affect you,” declared the mom of 2-year-old Dahlia Amelie.

The wife of vlogger and restaurateur Erwan Heussaff also claimed that she is a “super hands-on” mom and wife. “I think that’s the gift of having to go through the series of lockdowns because of the pandemic; it really gave me an opportunity to focus on being a mother and a wife,” she pointed out.

Isn't it great that this rich starlet was forcibly locked down with there family which gave her "an opportunity to focus on being a mother and a wife." Now here is tale 2:

https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/08/15/2202777/pandemic-pulls-more-filipinos-back-poverty-2021

More Filipinos ended poor in 2021 compared to three years ago after the pandemic wiped out gains in poverty reduction that took years to achieve.

A survey of 165,029 families nationwide showed there were 19.99 million Filipinos living below the poverty line last year, up from 17.67 million recorded in the comparable period in 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Monday. Poverty is measured every 3 years.

This translated to a poverty rate among the country’s population of 18.1% last year, higher than 16.6% rate posted in 2018.

The latest data indicates that the Duterte administration ended its six-year term missing its watered-down poverty reduction goal for its final year in 2022, when a poverty reading will not be conducted. Economic growth rebounded to 5.7% year-on-year in 2021 from a historic crash in 2020.

The previous administration originally hoped to cut the poverty rate by 13-14% this year for the Philippines to become an upper-middle income economy. There were notable gains in 2018 when the proportion of poor Filipinos was lowered from 22% in 2015, but those wins appeared to have been lost when the pandemic struck.This prompted the government at the time to temper that goal: to reduce the poverty rate to 15-17.5% this year.

Meanwhile the Marcos Jr. administration wants to cut poverty rate to 9% in its final year in 2028. To do this, the government is targeting to slash the current poverty rate by 5 percentage points by midterm of the nascent government.

"The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including income and employment losses, caused the poverty incidence to rise," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told a press conference.

"Restrictions on mobility and low earning capacity of poor households due to limited access to regular and productive jobs made the lives of Filipinos difficult," he added.

For the rich it was certainly the best of times. But for the poor it has been the worst of times and might even get worse. 

There are a lot more stories from the pandemic this week. Monkeypox has halted international flights at Cebu Airport. 20 million COVID vaccines have been wasted. Despite the wastage the DOH has set aside funds to procure vaccines against other variants of COVID.  The US CDC has issued a travel warning for the Philippines because of COVID-19 while the DOT says they have safety measures in place. The DOH says COVID cases are plateauing. ICU admissions are up but the Philippines remains low risk for COVID. There is more of course but I can't put it all here. 

The most important thing to know for this week is that Marcos has decided the state of emergency will remain until the end of 2022 at least.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/17/2203298/marcos-says-extend-state-public-health-emergency-until-year-end

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he will be extending the state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until year-end.

Asked by a reporter whether he will lengthen the state of public health emergency, which is different from the state of national calamity also declared due to COVID-19, Marcos answered in the affirmative.

Saying that amending emergency procurement laws could take time, he told reporters at the sidelines of a vaccination event in Manila that “we will likely extend it (state of public health emergency) until the end of the year.”

The Department of Health had warned that lifting the state of calamity would affect the emergency use authorizations granted to vaccines and medicines for COVID-19 and also the benefits enjoyed by healthcare workers.

Do you see? This is a way for the government to hold on to power in the name of public health. Now they can procure vaccines easily without all that red tape because it's an emergency. 

The Media's Role In Nation Building?

If you have been paying attention for the past six years you would know that the media has been relentlessly attacked by politicians and pundits. From Rigoberto Tiglao, himself a media personality, to President Duterte the media and journalists have been excoriated as being nothing more than a bunch of liars. Duterte himself even condoned the killing of journalists saying they deserved it. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/788543/duterte-endorses-killing-corrupt-journalists

“Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch,” Duterte said when asked how he would address the problem of media killings in the Philippines after a reporter was shot dead in Manila last week.

“Most of those killed, to be frank, have done something. You won’t be killed if you don’t do anything wrong,” Duterte said, adding that many journalists in the Philippines were corrupt. 

From the closure of ABS-CBN to the harassment faced by Rappler the media has come under fire lately and journalists turn up dead with alarming regularity.  That makes this recent pronouncement by the Speaker of the House, who is a nephew of Imelda Marcos and a cousin of the President, all the more puzzling. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181065

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday highlighted the role of media as the fourth estate of Philippine democracy tasked to inform and educate the public and check up on the three branches of government.

During his meeting with the United Print and Multimedia Group (UPMG) officials in his office, Romualdez said the government should consider media as a partner in nation-building instead of shunning them away.

“From day one in government, I have considered the Philippine media not as an adversary but a partner in nation-building,” Romualdez said. “Some say we in government should be wary of journalists as the media usually focus on the negatives rather than report the positive. They say, good news don’t make headlines. My experience with Filipino journalists debunks this myth."

Romualdez said he has met a number of journalists who are decent and responsible members of the profession.

“They are nosy, yes, but they are just doing their job. And they are helping us do our job, too. With their help, we galvanize popular support for measures that are needed to uplift the living condition of our people,” he said.

He said while he had been at the receiving end of negative media reports, it serves as an opportunity to explain his side to the public and expound on the issues involved.

"Media reports - be it positive or negative - give us, government officials, relevant and timely feedback from the public with regard to our official acts. They also provide us with a platform on issues that need discussed with a bigger public,” he said.

He urged the members of the media to continue giving "valuable space" in their publications for the government's discussions with the public regarding its policies, programs, and goals.

“We need your help in getting across this administration’s message to a larger audience. Our message: unity for a bigger purpose. Our vision: a Filipino nation with its people living comfortably and secured in their environment,” he said.

“The media industry is called the Fourth Estate for a purpose. It is incumbent upon you to provide public service like what we do in the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The task ahead may be full of challenges, but there is nothing we cannot achieve in unity with our people,” Romualdez said.

That any politician would ever consider the media to the an enemy speaks volumes. However I do not believe he is talking about independent media here. He mentions that they need help "getting across this administration's message." What does the mean exactly?  Press Secretary Trixie Cruz tells us explicitly. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180980

The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) is prioritizing the granting of interviews to government media under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said this is her agency’s “standout policy” since Marcos assumed office.

“Under the single messaging policy for President and, we also give a premium to government media first,” she said in an interview over state-run Radyo Pilipinas on Wednesday.

Cruz-Angeles said private media will also be accommodated, but state media will be given "a premium first."

“Although napagbigyan naman natin iyong iba (we grant interviews to other media outlets), there are some stations that we allowed interviews, we usually give a premium first to our government station” she added.

If you remember during the campaign season Bongbong Marcos shunned the media.  He gave no interviews and did not attend any debates.  He did give interviews with SMNI which is run by Apollo Quiboloy who thinks he is Jesus Christ but he shunned everyone else. As President he will continue to do the same. 

This is called propaganda. Bongbong knows that as President and as his father's son he will be under a lot of scrutiny and what we see here is an unwillingness to be forthright with the people. Instead of dealing with traditional media he will give preference to the government's media outlets. So, what it means for the media to be partners in nation building according to this cousin Martin Romuladez is that the people have to listen to and believe state run propaganda. Anything contrary to that will be heresy.

Insurgency: Subversive Books

We hear so much about various surrenders spelling the doom of the insurgency or boosting the anti-insurgency drive that it's easy to forget that these people are enemies of the state who have killed and should be killed themselves.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180794

The recent deaths of a commanding officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas and his staff member in clash with government forces in Samar is a big loss to the communist terrorist group in the region, a Philippine Army (PA) official said on Monday.

Col. Lenart Lelina, commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade said the death of Rodrigo Mejica Lorezo, 60, commander of the regional operation command of the NPA Eastern Visayas regional party committee (EVRPC) and his staff Rosco Rotalano, 58, is a big accomplishment in the government’s campaign to end the armed conflict.

Lelina said the duo were killed in a 10-minute gun battle between government forces and a band of six rebels in upland Hilumot village in San Jose de Buan, Samar on August 1.

“All directives to launch tactical offensives against government came from Lorezo since he was the commander. He’s been with NPA for decades as one of the original members. This will further weaken their organization,” Lelina told the Philippine News Agency

The clash was part of a series of offensives against armed rebels from Las Navas, Northern Samar to the mountains of Samar province. The remaining NPA members have been evading intensified operations of the PA and Philippine National Police (PNP).

Why shouldn't this boost the anti-insurgency drive? The point is to destroy them. Recently more AFP soldiers received combat medals for engaging the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180837

Three soldiers under the Army's 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) were honored Monday for their contributions to the government's anti-communist insurgency campaign in Misamis Oriental province.

Governor Peter Unabia led the pinning of the Gold Cross Medal to Private 1st Class (PFC) Rogen J. Rollon over the success of the encounter against Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City, in December last year.

Rollon was cited for engaging against two NPA combatants and seizing an M16 rifle, an AR18 rifle, two AK47 rifles and one 203 grenade launcher from the rebels' positions.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, the 58IB commander, also pinned the Silver Cross Medal to Cpl. Junaide Alger, who was recognized as the agent handler during the case operation plan “Magilas.”

That operation led to the three apprehensions of NPA personalities in Barangay Talusan, Balingasag town, in October 2021.

A Military Merit Medal was also given to Pfc. Gabriel Sisayan, who contributed to the success of the Army's encounter in Barangay Libertad, Gingoog City, in June last year.

Sisayan was responsible for the seizure of an M15 rifle and one Carbine rifle from the NPA hideout.

Unabia, who also provided cash reward for each of the awardees, expressed the provincial government's gratitude for the soldiers for maintaining peace and order.

“The reward, amounting to PHP25,000, is nothing compared to the (life-threatening) job that they do,” he said.

Did those soldiers get the money?  I hope so.  

There is a new sheriff in town. Actually it's a new AFP Chief. He has some guidance on defeating the insurgency.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180985

Newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro has ordered all military commanders to increase their operational tempo to defeat the remaining communist insurgents in the country.

Bacarro issued this order during his first command conference as military chief on Wednesday, AFP acting spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in an interview with reporters.

While there is no set timeline to do the measure, Bacarro said there is an "urgency of completing the task".

"That is why ang kanyang (his) instruction is to increase yung(the) operational tempo so that we can defeat the armed (communist) group, so kung pwede nga sana tapusin ito kaagad agad, yun ang (if it is possible to complete this task immediately, that is the) objective, but we also understand that insurgency is multi-faceted," Aguilar said.

Aguilar said increasing the operational tempo does not mean the deployment of additional forces in rebel-infested areas but just maximizing the use of all available forces.

When asked how many New People's Army (NPA) insurgents or fighters are still remaining, Medel said that more than 2,000 are still active.

"Nasabi na naman to dati na more than 2,000 na lang sila (We have earlier mentioned that they (NPA) number to just more than 2,000)," he added.

The AFP spokesperson also expressed hope that the NPAs, during Bacarro's three-year term, could be totally defeated provided that the momentum established during past operations are maintained.

He also added that the AFP is providing information to other government agencies on the nature of the insurgency threat and recruitment so that they can take appropriate action from their end.

These are really interesting numbers.  First of all they say there is less than 2,000 active NPA. Then they say the AFP is providing information to other agencies to defeat the insurgency.  What about the 300,000 to 400,000 the NICA said have infiltrated the government? I fail to understand why they ignore this alleged threat. 

Last week we learned that Marcos wanted to defeat the insurgency within his six year term but now we are told they can be defeated within the three year term of the newly instated AFP Chief if everything goes well. And this would be not not due to deploying extra forces but "maximizing the use of all available forces!!!"

What? Has the AFP not been doing this all along? This is hubris and I hope it works out but I don't believe them and neither should you. 

More books are being banned for being subversive but this time there is a twist.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1645315/language-agency-joins-book-purge-tags-5-subversive-works

In a move denounced by artists and academics as signaling the “death of scholarship,” the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) ordered the pullout and stopped the publication of five books it deemed “subversive” for promoting “antigovernment ideologies.”

In a memorandum dated August 9, KWF commissioners Carmelita Abdurahman and Benjamin Mendillo ordered one of their units, the Sentro ng Wika at Kultura (SWK), to cease printing the Filipino-language titles they said contained “political, subversive and creative literary works with subliminal ideologies that encourage to fight the government.”

The memo was addressed to Rochelle Rosita, supply officer, and Minda Blanca Limbo, SWK coordinator.

The five books are “Teatro Politikal Dos” by Malou Jacob, “Kalatas: Mga Kuwentong Bayan at Kuwentong Buhay” by Rommel Rodriguez, “Tawid-diwa sa Pananagisag ni Bienvenido Lumbera: Ang Bayan, ang Manunulat, at ang Magasing Sagisag sa Imahinatibong Yugto ng Batas Militar 1975-1979” by Dexter Cayanes, “May Hadlang ang Umaga” by Don Pagusara, and “Labas: Mga Palabas sa Labas ng Sentro” by Reuel Aguila.

However, three of the books – Teatro Politikal Dos, Kalatas and May Hadlang ang Umaga – had already been published by the commission and featured in the “KWF Publikasyon Paglulunsad 2022” on April 29.

All SWK directors were advised to refrain from distributing the books so that “we would not be accountable to Republic Act No. 11479, particularly Section 9 on inciting to commit to terrorism,” the memo read in part.

How do they know there are "subliminal ideologies?" What exactly do they mean? Based on the titles it appears that these books are all about theater. The twist comes because earlier in the year they were approved by the KWF and three were even published. The KWF is a government agency. So now the government is approving communist propaganda? 

We have not been told exactly what is in these books which is so alarming but from another news source we get a little more information.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/12/2202214/academics-culture-orgs-fight-back-vs-kwf-pulling-red-tagged-books

In a YouTube video, three hosts of the SMNI tagged books written by Reuel Aguila, Rommel Rodriguez, Don Pagusara, Malou Jacob, and Dexter Cayanes, and more than a dozen more books published by KWF as “subversive” allegedly because they cited references written by the CPP-NPA. 

The program also red-tagged prominent art critic Alice Guillermo and the late National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera. After the program was aired, the KWF issued a memorandum calling on schools and libraries to pull out the "subversive" books for being "anti-government." 

The KWF is the official government agency and regulating body of the Filipino language in the country and is an attached agency under the Office of the President. 

In a separate statement, KWF chair Arthur Casanova categorically denied the accusations and added that calling books "subversive is a dangerous accusation which may already be stepping on the boundaries of freedom of expression and academic freedom."

"These books which are alleged to be subversive passed through the review process of the KWF. All the books underwent the usual scrutiny that all publications of the KWF must pass, including receiving the imprimatur of the other two full-time commissioners. I did not railroad nor force any publication," he said. 

"The KWF should be at the forefront of the efforts to enrich our language. Contrary to the misguided allegations, the KWF is not limited to publishing dictionaries and technical linguistic materials. Rather, we are tasked to develop and enrich the Filipino language," he added,

Casanova — who did not sign the purported KWF memorandum stopping the publication of the books — said he was willing to divulge any pertinent information at the proper forum but urged authorities "to look into these allegations and see for themselves that they are baseless and malicious."

Not only does the red-tagging of these books published by the government make the NTF-ELCAC look even more petty and foolish than usual but they also put the lives of the authors in danger.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1645809/authors-unbowed-after-govt-purge-of-books

Rommel Rodriguez, writer of “Kalatas: Mga Kuwentong Bayan at Kuwentong Buhay,” one of the discontinued titles, said the KWF’s decision only emboldened him further to write stories about the Filipino people.

“Censorship is my muse,” he told the Inquirer on Friday, adding: “The more an artist or writer is prevented from writing, the more enthusiastic we become and the more we want to write.”

Rodriguez, a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Filipino and Philippine literature department, said he felt “very challenged” by the KWF’s actions but also “afraid [for] my security and safety because of the Red-tagging,” with his writings being linked to the communist insurgency.

He acknowledged that his book, a social-realist anthology of flash fiction, contained political themes. “I used the word ‘revolution’ in my work. But I did not tell my readers to take up arms and fight the government,” Rodriguez said.

In a joint statement on Friday, the five authors demanded that the KWF commissioners, as well as the hosts of pro-government media network SMNI who called their works subversive, recant their allegations.

“What is this travesty? Their claims are libelous and would put our lives in grave danger,” they said.

Of course Lorraine Badoy and her ilk will say there is no such thing as red-tagging, only truth telling. That would be one more lie coming out of her vile mouth. If these books really are indeed communist propaganda then the Philippine government needs to surrender and join the reform program like these people:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181098

To prepare them for community reintegration, 15 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are undergoing a 10-day crop production and entrepreneurship training in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

The training, dubbed Land Preparation for Agricultural Crops Production and Entrepreneurship Training, started on August 9 and organized by the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion (IB), in partnership with the local government, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Caraga Region.

“The training aims to empower the former rebels to be more economically resilient by enhancing and developing their skills and capability toward sustainable livelihood,” the 26IB said in a statement Thursday.

Lt. Col. Sandy Majarocom, the 26IB commander, said the support of the local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict has sustained the needs of the former rebels as they prepare to return to their families.

“This training will help our former rebels rebuild their lives and become responsible and productive citizens,” Majarocom said.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the crooks in the government were to "rebuild their lives and become responsible and productive citizens?" 

Despite the AFP and NTF-ELCAC warning about the evils of communism the government is still actively engaged in partnering with the Communist Chinese government. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1646275/ph-resumes-talks-with-china-on-chinese-funded-transport-projects

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Chinese ambassador to the country met in a formal meeting, said the agency on Sunday, officially restarting the negotiations on Chinese-funded transportation projects.

According to DOTr in a statement, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian discussed the resumption of negotiations on several projects during their first meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Makati last Thursday, August 11.

“The two officials discussed the resumption of talks for the major China-funded railway projects such as the PNR South Long Haul Project (North-South Commuter Railway), Subic-Clark Railway, and Mindanao Railway (Tagum-Davao-Digos),” said the DOTr.

Apart from these projects, the two also discussed maritime cooperation projects, specifically the hotline communication and legal affairs cooperation arrangements between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard.

They also discussed a possible collaboration on Maritime Traffic Safety, Ferry Safety, and the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Maritime Search and Rescue, as well as the capacity building for maritime governance, safety supervision, and vessel safety inspection.

The DOTr said that the Chinese government’s funding support for these projects will serve to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance the partnership between the Philippines and China.

Does anyone in the government not see the irony in waging a war against a Maoist insurgency and partnering with Maoists to build infrastructure? Not even the opposition with call this out though. 

Overcrowded Philippine Prisons Keep Inmates Beyond Sentencing Date

Imagine going to prison in the Philippines. You would be subject to all kinds of inhumane conditions including overcrowding.

https://www.ucanews.com/news/packed-like-sardines-philippine-prisons-provide-inhumane-reality/89492

Certainly you would want to leave once your time was up. But what if they refused to let you go? That is the accusation of the Supreme Court.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/05/release-prisoners-who-have-served-jail-termsunless-further-detention-is-warranted-by-law/

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the immediate release of prisoners who have served their jail terms even without release orders from the courts, unless they are being held further for other lawful cause.

“Any further delay in the release from imprisonment of a person deprived of liberty (PDL), except for reasons allowed by law, is nothing but unjust,” stated the circular issued last Thursday, Aug. 4, by SC Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva.

Villanueva said the circular was issued when several government agencies “have expressed concerns over delays” in securing release orders from courts for PDLs who have served their jail terms and the delays also “delayed the release of PDLs from imprisonment.”

The circular issued to all trial courts also stated:

“Considering Release Orders are not necessary for the extinguishment of criminal liability and have no bearing on a PDL’s completion of his/her sentence of imprisonment, all first and second level courts need not issue any Release Order for a PDL who has (a) completed his/her service of sentence and (b) when there is no other lawful reason for him/her to stay incarcerated.”

It's a no-brainer that prisoners should be released once they have served their time. But in the Philippines employees of the BJMP have no brains and prisoners are held over for unlawful reasons. It's more evidence that the Philippine justice system is corrupt and inept beyond belief. 

A Filipino Remake of The Lord of the Rings

The new Rings of Power TV show is set to debut on September 2nd and the whole world is excited. Even the fan boys who have examined every detail of every frame of the trailer and of the cast interviews and absolutely hate it are excited. They are going to meme the heck out of it.

One of the things about this new series we keep hearing about is "representation" meaning, "We need more people of color in the show." But why? Do people have to look like you in order for you to enjoy or relate to a show? Squid Game was a massive worldwide success and it's a South Korean TV show. I enjoy the films of Akria Kurosawa and I am not Japanese.  Neither are the many Weebs who binge anime!

That is all a prelude to this, a Philippine version of the Lord of the Rings.

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/breaking-news/2018/04/03/123785/abs-cbn-remake-lord-of-the-rings-poll-facebook/

ABS-CBN seems to be delegating casting decisions to social media in conducting informal polls on a supposed Filipino remake of “The Lord of the Rings” franchise.

Last week, the Kapamilya network polled Facebook users on actors and actresses they think would be best to play the main characters in JRR Tolkien’s classic trilogy — Lady Galadriel, Arwen Undómiel, Legolas Greenleaf and Frodo Baggins — if a remake were in the works.

"Among these Kapamilya actresses, who would you like to play Galadriel if there is a remake of 'The Lord of the Rings'?" one of the posts says.

ABS-CBN, however, has yet to formally announce if there is any serious pursuit to produce a Filipino version of the epic. The polling came ahead of the network’s Holy Week Filipino-dubbed television broadcast of Peter Jackson’s acclaimed trilogy.

Whether ABC-CBN was serious about remaking the Lord of the Rings or not is moot now since the bootlickers in the Duterte administration denied them a franchise renewal. 

But what is important to note is that Filipinos, who are not British, and anyone who knows Tolkien knows he wrote the Lord of the Rings as a myth and legend for his own country of Britain, care about his world. 

While many chose their picks, not everyone welcomed the idea. Fans questioned the television giant’s ability to equal the award-winning production.

“Dear ABS-CBN, please don’t ruin the movie. You will just humiliate yourself. I’m pretty sure you cannot give justice to it,” commented one Facebook user.

Another Facebook user asked to respect the vision of the author: "LOTR is the best movie with good graphics and good story. If you can't match it, don't remake it!"

Just look at those comments. These people know what's up. Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film series was a flash in the pan. It was lightning in a bottle. It will never be repeated. Yeah he changed some things because that is what happens during an adaption but the Spirit is there. Christopher Tolkien hated them but of course he would since he was the gatekeeper of his father's life work. Sadly Simon Tolkien, the grandson of Professor Tolkien, who is the new gatekeeper says Peter Jackson was too faithful which is why he wanted him to have nothing to do with the new Rings of Power series. 

Facebook ABS-CBN

What's important to note here is this work of fiction is beloved by so many people all around the world. People that nave nothing to do with the ethnic group for whom Tolkien wrote. This is because the themes are universal and timeless. In fact Tolkien confessed that it is a Catholic work and there are billions of Catholics. The world does not need a black elf or the first black female dwarf to be able to get lost in Middle Earth.  All we need is a cozy nook in which to crack open Tolkien's books. The magic works all on its own. Even, perhaps especially, in the very Catholic Philippines.

Retards in the Government 271

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1641155/21-policemen-face-criminal-administrative-charges-over-death-of-fellow-cop-in-masbate

The police in Bicol region filed criminal and administrative charges on Thursday, August 4, against two officials and 19 personnel of the 503rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) in Masbate province in connection with the death of Patrolman Jaypee Ramores allegedly due to hazing.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 filed the charges against the 21 police officers of the said unit for violating Republic Act (RA) 11053 which amended RA 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 at the Masbate prosecutors office.

Police Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of Bicol police, said the administrative case of grave misconduct was also filed by the Regional Internal Affairs Service against the suspects.

They were earlier relieved from their posts and were placed under the custody of RMFB 5 in Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City in Albay province.

Ramores, 32, a resident of Talisay town in Camarines Norte, died while being treated at the Ticao District Hospital in San Jacinto town in Masbate around 9:30 p.m. on July 26.

He had severe bruises, burns on his chest, wounds on his feet and knees and other body injuries.

The autopsy conducted by the hospital on July 28 revealed that the victim died due to cardiorespiratory arrest, deep vein thrombosis secondary to pulmonary embolism, and multiple physical injuries secondary to blunt trauma, but the 503rd Maneuver Company reported that he died solely of cardiorespiratory arrest, and urine and blood infection with severe high blood pressure.

21 cops have been charged in the death of a fellow cop during a hazing incident.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180684

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested two suspected drug pushers, including a police officer, and seized PHP3.4 million worth of shabu in Caloocan City, as part of the strengthened anti-drug campaign of the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In a report released Friday, the agency said members of its northern district office in Metro Manila arrested Cpl. Mark Jefferson Lopez, a member of the Caloocan City Police Station Sub-Station 13, and John Raster Muñoz, in an operation along Zabarte Road in Barangay 172 at around 5 p.m. Thursday.

The suspects yielded around 500 grams of shabu in three transparent plastic bags, two mobile phones, and boodle money.

Authorities also seized Lopez's Philippine National Police (PNP) ID and his issued firearm Glock 17 with Serial No. 2102, pistol magazine, and 19 pieces of 9mm live ammunition.

The suspect, detained at the PDEA headquarters, will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Meanwhile, Northern Police District (NPD) chief Brig. Gen. Ulysses Cruz ordered the administrative relief of the Sub-Station 13 commander, assistant commander, shift supervisor, and Lopez's team members.

“All of them were disarmed of their service firearm and placed under camp restriction pending the in-depth investigation which covers Lopez's current and previous designation. We do not condone the wrongdoings and irregularities of our erring personnel, I will assure the public that they will feel and face the full force of the law,” Cruz said in a statement.

A PNP officer was arrested for drugs and everyone in his substation was let go and placed under camp restriction pending an investigation.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/840466/sc-affirms-dismissal-of-ex-dfa-employee-for-bigamy/story/

The Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal from service of a former employee of the Department of Foreign Affairs after she was found guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude.

In a 10-page decision promulgated on June 15, the High Court affirmed the 2018 resolution of the Court of Appeals and denied the petition for review filed by Rosa Gonzalbo-Macatangay.

“The petition is not meritorious. The Court affirms the CA ruling; the imposition of the penalty of dismissal from service is proper,” the Court said.

According to the SC, Macatangay did not contest that she is guilty of the administrative offense of conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude and that bigamy involves moral turpitude.

Citing the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, the Court said that conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude is punishable with dismissal from service.

In 2014, the Civil Service Commission-National Capital Region found Macatangay guilty of the administrative offense and meted the penalty of dismissal from service, along with imposable accessory penalties.

This was after a complaint was filed before the CSC alleging that Modesto Macatangay Jr. married the petitioner in February 1997 while married to another.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling of the CSC in August 2017.

However, Macatangay argued that the CA erred in not considering the mitigating circumstances in her case.

For the Supreme Court, mitigating circumstances such as length of service, first commission, and outstanding performance, cannot be applied.

“The Court rules in the negative. The CA is correct in not appreciating the mitigating circumstances petitioner invokes. The facts of the instant case do not justify the mitigation of the prescribed penalty,” it said.

The High Court stressed that bigamy cannot be taken lightly.

“Bigamy cannot be taken lightly as its commission reflects the person's character. It involves moral turpitude as settled in jurisprudence,” it said.

“Petitioner flagrantly disregarded the law in marrying Modesto despite her knowledge of his prior and existing marriage; as the appellate court aptly observed, this ‘shows her moral depravity and cast[s] serious doubt on her fitness and integrity to continue in the public service’,” it added.

The SC has affirmed the dismissal of a DFA employee for bigamy.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180779

Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have arrested two ex-police officers wanted for violation of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in separate operations in the provinces of Pangasinan and Rizal.

In a statement on Sunday, Brig. Gen. Samuel Nacion, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), said their operatives together with Taytay Municipal Police Station (MPS) personnel initiated a search warrant operation that led to the arrest of retired Pat. Ephraim Ferrer Jr. in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal last August 4.

Nacion said Ferrer is responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs and a protector of drug personalities operating in the areas of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City and C6 in Taytay. He is also involved in carnapping, gun running and carrying unlicensed firearms.

Confiscated during the search was one unit Armscor .40 caliber pistol and assorted live ammunition.

The arrested suspect was brought to Taytay MPS for documentation and proper disposition.

Meanwhile, SPO1 Armando Arenas Junio Jr., a dismissed member of the Quezon City Police District's Station 6-Batasan, was arrested by virtue of a search warrant by members of the IMEG and Pangasinan Police Provincial Office operatives in Barangay Tambac, Bayambang, Pangasinan last August 2.

“The dismissed policeman was reported for indiscriminate firing whenever he is under the influence of liquor and still introducing himself as cop. The suspect was arrested and was brought to Bayambang PS. The search was done in an orderly manner which was witnessed by the barangay officials,” Nacion said.

Confiscated during the search were a .45 caliber pistol with defaced serial number and inserted magazine containing eight live bullets, as well as other ammunition.

The arrested suspect is now under the custody of Bayambang Municipal Police Station for documentation and eventual filing of case.

Two ex-cops have been arrested. One of them for catnapping, gun running, and drug dealing and the other for indiscriminate firing while drunk.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180736

The City Legal Office here has recommended the filing of administrative charges against the city veterinarian and eight others found to have “euthanized" 11 stray dogs, five of them puppies, in Barangay Navais, Mandurriao on July 20.

In a report furnished to the local media on Friday, lawyers Joseph Edward Areño and Lloni Viterbo submitted their recommendation to the mayor’s office on Thursday.

In their findings, the city lawyers noted that the city veterinarian, Dr. Thomas Forteza Jr., has failed to prove that the dogs were dangerous, suffering from pain or discomfort, or diagnosed with a disease.

“The policy of the state is not to outrightly euthanize stray dogs but to impound them, make them available for adoption, and only under exceptional situation, such as when they are found sick or rabid or vicious or some other justifiable purpose, that the law sanctions killing them, whether instantly or after observation period,” the lawyers said in their report.

They added that the 11 dogs could have been impounded for three days and if suspected to be rabid, they should have been “isolated and observed accordingly” and submitted to laboratory examination upon death.

In a talk on July 27 with the investigating team, Forteza admitted that he and his team, composed of Restituto Ebrada, Junivel Sampiano, Joseph Sesbreño, Raymund Rovido, Lito Amonador, Elanger Suating, Julio Forteza, and Markwel Clamor, conducted an operation in Barangay Navais to catch stray dogs but “in the process killed or euthanized” them, including the five puppies.

Forteza pointed out that there were “rampant stray dogs in the area”, rabies victims at the adjacent barangay, and “consistent positive cases for nine years.”

The city veterinarian also cited provisions of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 as among his legal basis for the mercy killing of the dogs.

Forteza was acting in response to the request of Navais Punong Barangay JJ Jhanneigh L. Mercado on July 14 to “send a competent team in order to catch stray dogs as (they) cause danger” to his constituents.

Forteza also told the investigating team that Mercado requested that the dogs be euthanized, directing them to a spot in the barangay where the team could kill and bury the animals.

They city veterinarian of Iloilo is accused of wrongfully euthanizing 11 stray dogs. In his defense he claims he did it at the behest of a barangay captain. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1642155/pcso-gave-p144-m-aid-to-10-hospitals-despite-incomplete-papers-coa

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gave P144.011 million in financial aid to 10 government hospitals to purchase medical equipment even with incomplete documents, according to a Commission on Audit (COA) report.

State auditors said the donation cast doubts on the “impartiality, objectivity, and consistency” of the PCSO’s evaluation and approval of grants from 2020 to 2021.

This was one of the COA’s findings on the PCSO’s financial assistance for the procurement of medical equipment program.

“The complete documentary requirements serve as basis in confirming the appropriateness of the medical equipment to the level and capability of the hospital to operate and maintain the same, therefore these are vital in the proper evaluation of the eligibility of the applicant to receive the grant of financial assistance,” said the COA’s 2021 audit report on the state lottery agency.

State auditors noted that on different dates from June 2020 to Dec. 2021, the PCSO issued checks to the hospitals in amounts ranging from P1.4 million to P29.9 million.

The money was meant for the purchase of medical equipment of the hospitals, six of them military or police hospitals.

But the hospitals lacked one or more documents needed in evaluating whether they were qualified to receive PCSO financial assistance.

In another block of financial aid from 2017 to 2021, the COA called out the lottery agency for the P144.674 million granted to 13 hospitals for the medical equipment, which remains unliquidated as of end-2021.

The PCSO has been flagged by the COA for giving money to several hospitals but not properly documenting the process.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/08/2201101/gang-leader-ex-cop-nabbed

A former police officer tagged as leader of a criminal group has been arrested in Tayug, Pangasinan, authorities reported yesterday.

Former Lt. Col. Wilson Magpali was collared in Barangay Legaspi based on a warrant for murder, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement.

Magpali, who was arrested by personnel of the PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, is reportedly the leader of a gun-for-hire ring targeting politicians in La Union and Ilocos region.

Recovered from the suspect were a 9mm pistol and ammunition.

Magpali denied he is the head of the criminal group.

An ex-cop accused of being the leader of a gun-for-hire group has been arrested. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1644623/coa-flags-lack-of-due-diligence-in-p1-38-b-ppe-purchase

The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) did not exercise due diligence in buying P1.386 billion worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19 front-liners as these were found to be unauthorized for sale or public use, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

State auditors said the seven contracts for PPE lacked the required documents such as the certificate of medical device notification (CMDN) and a product notification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In its 2021 audit report on the PS-DBM, the COA said the agency “cannot assure its client-agencies of the safety of the PPEs” meant for health-care workers directly exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

The PS-DBM is an attached agency of the budget department that has been under fire for questionable procurements on behalf of other government agencies, the latest of which involved the purchase of pricey but slow laptops for the Department of Education.

“The [PS-DBM] did not exercise due diligence in procuring the PPE items, neither in crafting the technical specifications nor in the review and evaluation of the technical capacity of the supplier to deliver the goods to be procured using the nondiscretionary criteria,” the COA said.

It added: “In the absence of the CMDN for the PPE items procured, the PPE were not authorized for sale or for public use.”

The COA found that all seven contracts lacked the CMDN, which is proof that the product has been notified with the FDA prior to its manufacture, importation, export, sale, distribution, transfer, or use in testing, promotion, advertisement and sponsorship.

The CMDN is a requirement under FD Circular 2020-031, which states that importers and manufacturers of PPE should secure a CMDN prior to the commercial sale and distribution of such medical devices.

The COA has called out the PS-DBM for buying PPE's that were not fit for use. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1644588/coa-questions-lto-for-undue-payment-of-it-contractor

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the “undue payment” given to its foreign information technology (IT) contractor, Dermalog, despite the incomplete turnover of deliverables for the P3.19-billion Road IT Infrastructure project.

In its 2021 Consolidated Annual Audit Report (CAAR) for the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the COA said that LTO’s “acceptance of customized core applications with missing processes had caused undue payment to the vendor, which is disadvantageous to the government.” 

These core applications include the Driver’s Licensing System (DLS) and the Motor Vehicle Inspection and Registration System (MVIRS), which were included in Component A of the said IT project also known as the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).

According to COA, the DLS and MVIRS have unresolved issues as of December 2021 and their functionalities and processes are not yet fully configured, which caused disruptions in the operations of various LTO sites. In Quezon City Licensing Center, for example, the LTMS automatically rejects transactions of all motorists aged 65 years old and above and has inadequate examination terminals to cater to the big volume of applicants.

The new IT system has also caused massive delays in motor vehicle registration in LTO Baguio as reported by a local news channel Regional News Channel – RNG Luzon on its Facebook page last May 5, 2022. 

According to the report, LTO clients are lining up early in the morning in the hopes of getting the documents they need, only to be told to return the other day. The LTO Baguio admitted that the delays in transactions were due to the rollout of LTMS, which requires more processes, and other factors such as slow internet connection. 

The COA says the LTO paid for a new IT system that is awful.