Mass Resignations of the PNP Top Brass Is the New Way to Fight Drug Trafficking

In the Philippines nobody has workable solutions to the problems plaguing the nation. There are band-aid solutions and magical solutions (astronaut food pills for the poor??) but no one wants to stick to the solutions that are provided for within the confines of the law. Remember when the PNP Chief thought cleaning up their stations would instill discipline and weed out corruption? How about Duterte's pay raise? That was also supposed to put an end to corruption within the PNP. The PNP even resorted to using a Scientology course to stamp out corruption.

Now comes another brain-dead idea on how to weed out corruption in the PNP: mass resignations.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/07/23/marcos-jr-pnp-mass-resignations-new-tack-vs-drug-trafficking

That's right. The idea of asking the PNP's entire top brass to offer courtesy resignations was not a whim of DILG Secretary Abalos but was the plan of Marcos Jr. all along. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713392/weeding-out-ninja-cops-part-of-new-drug-war-approach

Marcos was first asked if he had greenlighted the appeal of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. for all police colonels and generals to tender their courtesy resignation in a bid to purge the Philippine National Police (PNP) of any link to the illegal drug syndicates.

“We have been planning this for a while. Let me be very clear. Remember, during the campaign, when I was being asked about what I will do for the drug war or the drug problem. This is it. We approach it in an entirely different way,” he told reporters.

Marcos said this was part of their efforts to cleanse the police ranks and ensure that the officers who remain in service are not involved with criminal drug syndicates.

"We know that the drugs will not be a problem if syndicates are not allied with some people in the police force. That’s why we must thoroughly look into who is good and involved. Who are really involved? And who will no longer be allowed to return to the service because of their association with drug lords?" he added.

Marcos reiterated that a committee will be formed to review the records of the police officers, and those cleared will be “slowly reinstated.”

“And maybe, we’ll have to decide: What do we do with those implicated to be involved in the drug trade? So we’ll see first. Maybe we’ll file cases against those with severe cases. We’re not yet there,” he added.

Marcos underscored the need to mount sufficient evidence against drug-involved PNP officers before filing a case before the court.

"Speculations and gossip about who is involved here and who is involved there, we’ve gone through that. It didn’t work, so we need to make sure that if we’re going to be filing cases, we’ll win them and really put those proven to be involved in the drug trade behind bars."

While an investigation is underway into whether police personnel have ties with illegal drug syndicates, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and PNP director General Abalos have said that all PNP colonels and generals are expected to perform their duties and responsibilities as usual.

Duterte's way of dealing with the drug problem was killing everyone and Marcos Jr's way is to ask the top PNP brass to resign so they can be investigated for ties to the drug trade. But what is stopping anyone from investigating these men sans a resignation? And its not even a real resignation as everyone is still expected to continue doing their duties. This is nothing less than a total farce. 

What about all the officers in the lower ranks who are involved in the drug trade? Why not have the entire force tender courtesy resignations? Or better yet why not investigate every single PNP officer? The amazing thing is that everyone is eating up and praising this scheme as if it will actually put an end to corruption. The Commission on Human Rights says this is just the first step in the pursuit of justice.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713491/chr-says-asking-pnp-officials-to-resign-only-the-first-step

“While we acknowledge Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.’s expeditious approach, it must be stressed that accountability must be carried out to its fullest extent,” CHR said.

“A resignation or removal from office may only be the first step in the pursuit of justice, and not an omission of liability. In this case, if allegations are proven to be true, criminal and administrative charges should be filed against erring police officers of the [PNP],” it added.

Last Wednesday, Abalos made a surprise announcement, saying that a five-person committee would be tasked to review the profiles of police colonels and generals.  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said that they arrived at the decision because they fear high-ranking officials may be involved in the drug trade already.

Then on Thursday, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. announced that he and his command group have submitted their courtesy resignations, urging other officials to do the same.

CHR noted that they acknowledge the changes that the current administration is trying to implement regarding the drug war — which is a shift from being merely a police matter to demand reduction and rehabilitation.

Despite this, CHR said that they would still like to emphasize that due process must always prevail.

How does asking the entire top brass of the PNP, none of who have been accused of drug trafficking, fall under due process? It doesn't. 

Oddly enough these mass resignations are being touted as a way for the PNP to restore trust with the public. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192054

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Thursday said the call of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. for senior officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be good for confidence-building between the organization and the public.

In a statement, Revilla said this will show that everyone is accountable and no one is untouchable in the government.

"Even the Chief PNP and chaplains are not spared. This shows that everyone is united in restoring public trust in the police especially the highest-ranking officers," he said.

He said there is nothing wrong with Abalos' call, saying the courtesy resignations will not be an indictment against the PNP, but a measure that shows the police organization serves at the pleasure and the best interest of the public.

"The PNP holds its personnel to the highest standards especially those who are in the lower ranks that we see everyday. It's good to show that the organization also holds those in the highest ranks to at least the same standards," Revilla said.

What is the standard that the top brass is being held to exactly? None of them have been accused of a crime yet they have all been asked to resign in order to be investigated for perhaps having committed a crime! Of course they will still have to remain on the job which is not much of a resignation. Furthermore those who do not offer their resignation will be considered questionable!

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/05/23/pnp-chief-azurin-submits-courtesy-resignation

"I heed the call of the Honorable Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and the concurrent chairman of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission). Thus, I am submitting my resignation from the police service voluntarily," Azurin wrote in a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Azurin also wrote that he would allow himself to be evaluated and assessed by a committee created by Marcos to determine if he was in any way involved in the narcotics trade, or if he had been tolerating police officers who were.

He also noted that his resignation would also be considered an application for his retirement, adding that he supports Abalos' call to "rid the PNP of misfits and scalawags." 

 

Abalos earlier said those who offer courtesy resignations could continue working while their records were assessed by a 5-member committee. Those found guilty would have their resignations accepted, he said. 

"If you're not involved, there's nothing to worry about," he said in a press conference, noting that anyone who did not tender their resignation would be "questionable."

"This is the only way to cleanse the ranks in a fast manner," Abalos said. "It's difficult to fight a war when it's your ally that will shoot you in the back."

Abalos said that Azurin himself had recommended the move.

It is not the first time such drastic measures have been used to clean up the Philippine police force.

Former president Fidel Ramos cracked down on police in the early 1990s, ordering all officers over 56 years of age or with more than 30 years of service to resign. The chief of the national police and 9 other senior officers resigned as a result. 

So far there has been no explanation as to exactly how asking every member of the top PNP brass to resign will cleanse the ranks. And what about those in the lower ranks? Corruption happens down there too. It is not limited to the top brass.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192405

Brigadier Gen. Pablo Labra II, the director of the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13), has welcomed the promotions of 1,379 police personnel in the region and told them to refrain from "any forms of corruption and malice."

Labra led Tuesday the mass oath-taking, and the donning and pinning of ranks to the newly-promoted Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) and Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) in the region.

“Continue doing what is right and never get discouraged by any circumstances that may try to challenge a person’s faith in himself, his job, and his organization,” Labra told the newly-promoted officers.

He also encouraged them to continue to "live for the purpose of serving and protecting the country and people."

At least 93 PCOs in PRO-13 got their promotions this year that included three majors, 80 captains, and 10 lieutenants.

Likewise, 1,286 PNCOs were also promoted comprising 66 executive master sergeants, 105 chief master sergeants, 126 staff master sergeants, 119 master sergeants, 229 staff sergeants, and 641 corporals.

“To everyone, do not engage in any illegal activities. Refrain from doing any forms of corruption and malice that may tarnish the uniform we wear,” Labra said.

Why not have every single PNP officer tender a courtesy resignation?

To show just how stupid this whole charade is and how the call for the top brass to resign is nothing but a deceitful piece of theater just take a peek at the following.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192480

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said police officials who have submitted their courtesy resignations will undergo a lifestyle check.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Azurin said the measure is part of the investigation to be conducted by the five-man committee tasked to assess their courtesy resignations and will issue a recommendation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on whether to reject or accept the same.

“As of now we need to ask the members of the committee about the other procedures to be undertaken, but definitely that would be part of the investigation or inquiry that will be conducted by the committee to assess and evaluate all third-level officers,” Azurin said.

The PNP personnel undergo yearly lifestyle checks in accordance with Republic Act 3019 or the "Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices",and Republic Act 6713 or the "Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said around 70 percent of all police generals and colonels have already submitted their courtesy resignations.

Fajardo said they are still checking if the 10 police officials purportedly involved in the illegal drug trade have already submitted their courtesy resignations.

“Right now we don't have information on what the Chief PNP mentioned earlier that less than 10 are being targeted by the investigation if they are included in more or less 70 percent and we will find out and give an update when we get the data,” Fajardo said.

The PNP Chief has said there are LESS THAN 10 top officials who are allegedly involved in the drug trade and yet the entirety of the top brass, which is about 950 men, are being forced to hand in their resignations. Why not just go after the less than 10 officials who are known to be involved in the drug trade?? And what is the good of doing lifestyle checks when these are done EVERY SINGLE YEAR!? Did the results from last year turn up anything damning? 

Thankfully at least a few cops are questioning this order.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1715522/resignation-call-divides-pnp

Some top Philippine National Police officials are having second thoughts about heeding Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos’ appeal to voluntarily step down to pave the way for the government’s campaign to rid the organization of policemen with links to illegal drugs.

In a phone interview with reporters on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said that out of the 956 police generals and colonels who were expected to submit courtesy resignations, around 70 percent or more than 600 had already complied as of Tuesday evening. According to Fajardo, they were hoping that the rest would follow suit by the end of the month.

“We cannot deny that there are some senior officers who have reservations [about] submitting their courtesy resignation,” she said, adding that some had questioned the need for it when those with possible links to the illegal drug trade had already been identified.

“We cannot deny that if one or two PNP personnel are identified and [discovered to be] involved in illegal drugs, [they are not the only ones] being implicated in illegal drug activities, but it is the whole organization,” Fajardo said.

“Once and for all, we need to step up and take the lead of making the supreme sacrifice of submitting our courtesy resignation,” she stressed.

"The supreme sacrifice of submitting our courtesy resignation?" How is that "the supreme sacrifice?"

The fact of the matter is that this new way of weeding out corruption is already a failure as the DILG has admitted that cops found to be involved in drugs but for whom there is not a strong enough case will be allowed to retire in peace.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1716382/abalos-if-case-weak-vs-narco-cops-let-them-retire-peacefully

Senior police officers who are found to be involved in illegal drugs but the evidence against them isn’t “that strong” will be allowed to retire in peace and will not be subjected to public shaming, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Friday.

Abalos said there was no need to publicize the names of the police officials whose courtesy resignations would be accepted by President Marcos due to their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“This is a radical move. Like what I have said, extraordinary times call for radical and bold actions. This is out of the box. In the same token let’s say if you receive a resignation, let them retire silently,” he said during a press conference at Camp Crame.

“Now, if we have enough evidence that would build up criminal cases, pursue them in court as mandated by law. If not, if you do not have that strong evidence but it was seen that they had involvement, let them retire peacefully,” he added.

Abalos clarified that even with the quiet exit of these police officials, “the monitoring and investigation on them must continue” to gather evidence that would lead to their eventual prosecution “because what is important is to eradicate the problem of drugs once and for all.”

Letting known corrupt cops off the hook to retire quietly while still tracking them to build a case is not a radical and bold action. That is a flagrant neglect of the rule of law which contradicts the alleged purpose of requesting the top brass to resign. And who knows but the entire scheme is really a targeted purge that does not require the filing of formal charges and has nothing to do with weeding out corruption.

This pointless exercise is akin to killing a fly with a hammer. It makes no sense, it is redundant, and the intended goal of weeding out corruption will not be met in this manner. If the law were followed and executed properly on a regular basis there would be a lot less problems. If corrupt politicians and bureaucrats knew they would be held accountable for any crimes they commit perhaps they would think twice about stepping out of line. As it is the PNP admits they know exactly who might be involved in the drug trade but instead of going after them by quietly building a case through investigative police work the government chooses this route. It is a farce on a grand scale and the fact that everyone is going along with it is quite maddening. 

Retards in the Government 292

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

  

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713478/navy-man-nabbed-after-allegedly-shooting-tricycle-driver-in-cavite

Police arrested a Philippine Navy officer after he reportedly shot a tricycle driver over an argument on transportation fare  in Trece Martires City, Cavite province, on Thursday, Jan. 5.

In a report Friday, the Cavite police said authorities collared Mark Kevin Francisco, a resident of Paragon Village in Barangay Cabuco, after he allegedly shot Ravi Tizon around 8:30 p.m.

According to the report, Francisco and Tizon had a heated argument over the tricycle fare, which provoked the former to shoot the latter once with his caliber.9mm pistol.

Responding policemen immediately arrested Francisco, who did not resist arrest and seized the firearm.

The victim was brought to the De La Salle University Medical Center in Dasmariñas City for treatment and is now in stable condition.

Police said the suspect was detained at the local police jail and is facing criminal charges.

A naval officer has been arrested for shooting a tricycle driver. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/856550/sandiganbayan-upholds-conviction-of-ex-navy-officer-over-undelivered-medical-dental-supplies/story/

For lack of merit, the Sandiganbayan has junked the appeal of retired Navy Captain Gilmer Batestil in connection with his conviction on multiple counts of malversation of public funds and graft charges over the anomalous procurement of medicines and other medical and dental supplies in 1990-1991.

In a 10-page decision dated January 4, the anti-graft court junked Batestil’s motion for reconsideration where he argued that the prosecution did not present an incontrovertible proof that would warrant his conviction for malversation of public funds through falsification of documents because he would not have signed the subject purchase orders (POs) and disbursement vouchers (DVs) with ‘snopake’ entries or entries with erasures done using paper correction fluid.

Batestil also reasoned out that he is not in authority to disapprove or approve POs that makes the documents he signed doubtful, but the Sandiganbayan was not convinced.

“Accused Batestil's argument that the entries with ‘snopake’ necessarily discredit the prosecution's evidence deserves scant consideration. It must be pointed out that accused Batestil confirmed that he signed the subject documents and affirmed that it was his signature appearing on the subject DVs,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“He testified that when he signed the said DVs, the 'snopake' entries were not there. While there were 'snopake' entries in the same DVs, this will not change the fact that he signed those documents which were made as bases in paying the alleged suppliers but the  items were never delivered,” the Sandiganbayan added.

In addition, the anti-graft court said that Batestil did not categorically deny the signatures appearing on the subject POs and DVs as his and merely testified that when he signed the subject documents, the ‘snopake’ entries were  not  yet there.

“More importantly, the documents  with  ‘snopake’ entries, as testified to by accused Batestil, did not refer to all of the documents subject of the cases for  malversation  of public funds. Only nine out of 20 DVs and POs in the malversation of public funds cases have the ‘snopake’ entries. The other documents accompanying the aforesaid documents like the Requisition and Issue Vouchers, Sales Invoice, TIRCAS and Certificates of Acceptance have no ‘snopake’ entries,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“Accused Batestil likewise admitted that the subject documents were all prepared during his incumbency and he signed the subject DVs and POs. Accused Batestil's active participation in the signing of the important documents, like the DVs and POs, made possible for his co-accused [Edna] Gianan to take huge amount from the coffers of the government without any valid basis,” it added.

Gianan is the owner and operator of the firm that was supposed to supply the above mentioned supplies to the Navy.

“We need not belabor on the elements of malversation of public funds in these cases as the same were exhaustively passed upon by the Court in its assailed Decision. To repeat, the prosecution was able to prove accused Batestil's guilt beyond reasonable for malversation of public funds,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“In sum, the testimonial and documentary evidence of the prosecution clearly proved that the accused-movant is guilty of the crimes. Thus, there is no tenable ground to warrant a reconsideration of the subject Decision,” the anti-graft court added.

Batestil has been sentenced to 12 to 18 years of jail time for the malversation and six to 10 years imprisonment for graft involving at least P24 million of public funds.  

The conviction of an ex-naval officer for graft has been upheld.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/09/23/sandiganbayan-convicts-2-ex-officials-for-pdaf-misuse

The Sandiganbayan First Division on Monday convicted two former public officials over graft and malversation charges.

Former Leyte 3rd District Rep. Eduardo Veloso and defunct Technology and Resource Center (TRC) legislative liaison officer Rosalinda Lacsamana were found guilty by the Sandiganbayan 1st Division on Monday for 2 counts of graft and 2 counts of malversation.

Veloso and Lacsamana were sentenced to be imprisoned for 6 to 10 years for each of the graft cases, with another jail sentence of 12 to 18 years for each of the malversation cases.

The raps stemmed from the misuse of Veloso’s P24.2 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2007.

In a 2017 indictment of the Ombudsman, Veloso specifically requested the TRC as the implementing agency with Aaron Foundation as a partner non-government organization for programs which turned out to be ghost projects.

The Ombudsman noted that Aaron Foundation, according to a Commission on Audit observation, had no financial capability to undertake the projects with a capital stock contribution of only P68,000.

Aside from imprisonment, the court also ordered Veloso and Lacsamana to return to the government, jointly or separately, the total amount of the misused PDAF worth P24.2 million.

Two former public officials have been convicted for misusing PDAF funds. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192289

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has endorsed the filing of criminal and administrative charges before the Ombudsman against South Cotabato officials who appointed an IP representative to the local legislature.

NCIP chair Allen Capuyan endorsed the complaint against Tampakan Mayor Leonard Escobillo, Vice Mayor Anadel Magbanua and other local officials who removed IP representatives in the municipal council and approved the appointment of a replacement, Jimmy Malayon, without undergoing the legal process.

The complaint was filed on Jan. 6 by Tampakan IPs, led by IP Mandatory Representative Domingo Collado Jr. and Municipal Indigenous Peoples Structure convenor Bae Dalena Samling.

They claimed Escobillo and the other officials violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Indigenous Peoples Rights Act in disregarding the authority of their community leaders.

Under the law, particularly the IP Rights Act, indigenous cultural communities (ICC) and IPs are entitled to representation before local legislative bodies.

There are local processes and guidelines in selecting the representatives, guided and validated by the NCIP, the lead government agency tasked to protect and uphold the rights and welfare of IPs.

The law prohibits non-members of the IP community, including public officials, to meddle in the affairs of ICC and IP communities.

A South Cotabato Mayor is being sued for illegally appointing an IP representative. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1714737/retired-police-major-slain-in-south-cotabato-gun-attack

Another retired police officer and member of a civil security unit of Polomolok, South Cotabato, was killed Monday by still unidentified gunmen.

Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Duadua, acting chief of the Polomolok police station, condemned the murder of retired Major Donald Cabigas, the intelligence head of the town’s civil security unit (CSU).

He was the third member of the Polomolok CSU killed since Friday.

“We deeply sympathize with the bereaved family and assure them that a deeper investigation will be conducted,” Duadua said in a statement.

He also asked the community to give the police information that could lead to the culprits’ identities.

Cabigas, 56, was inside his liquefied petroleum gas distribution firm at the Tuazon Subdivision when attacked Monday by a pistol-wielding gunman. The retired policeman, a resident of Agan Subdivision, Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Police found 17 empty shells for a .45 pistol and a 9-mm pistol at the crime scene.

Cabigas’ death came barely three days after his two CSU colleagues–retired police Sergeant Bonifacio Cabisada, 58, and Jessie Arciete, 56–were also killed by unidentified gunmen on the night of Friday, Jan. 6.

The two CSU officers were on separate motorbikes when ambushed in Barangay Bentung Sulit of the same town, according to the police.

Brigadier General Jimili Macaraeg, Soccsksargen regional police director, has ordered the Polomolok police to hunt down the attackers.

A third retired police officer in South Cotabato has been assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/11/ex-member-of-camarines-nortessanggunian-convicted-by-sandigan/

After almost 16 years since his failure to render accounts, a former member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Norte has been convicted and was sentenced to return to the government P25,571 on top of P1,000 fine.

Convicted by the Sandiganbayan for violation of Section 89 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 in 2007 was Angelo Timoteo P. Molina.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and convicted in the decision written by Second Division Chairperson Oscar C. Herrera Jr. with the concurrence of Associate Justices Arturo O. Malabaguio and Zaldy V. Trespeses.

On the return of the unaccounted public funds, the Sandiganbayan said: “The court also finds accused Molina civilly liable and is hereby ordered to pay the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte the amount of PhP25,571.00.”

A former member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Norte has been convicted for failure to render his accounts. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/857142/court-convicts-cops-in-murder-of-ex-sariaya-mayor-s-son-companion/story/

The Lucena City Regional Trial Court on Thursday convicted three former police officers for the March 2019 killing of a mayor's son and his companion.

The three — former Tayabas City Police Station chief Police Colonel Mark Joseph Laygo, Police Corporal Lonald Sumalpong, and Patrolman Roberto Legaspi — were convicted for double murder and sentenced to double life imprisonment, a lawyer of the victim's family said.

The three were charged for the killing of Christian Gayeta, son of then-Sariaya, Quezon mayor Marcelo Gayeta, and his companion Christopher Manalo.

The decision was issued by Judge Dennis Orendain of the Lucena RTC Branch 53.

(The decision was for two cases, one was for the killing of Christian Gayeta and the other case for the killing of Christopher Manalo.)

(Each of the three is sentenced to life imprisonment. They are also sentenced to life imprisonment for the other case. So they received two sentences of life imprisonment.)

The case stemmed from the killing of Christian, then 21 years old, and Manalo in an alleged shootout with police officers who responded to reports of indiscriminate firing at a gasoline station in Barangay Baguio, Tayabas on March 14, 2019.

A probe conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), meanwhile, showed that the two were already in police custody when killed.

Former mayor Gayeta welcomed the decision, saying they waited a long time for it.

(We waited for a long time for this… my children counted each day. We are happy.)

Three cops have been convicted of murdering a mayor's son and his friend.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Tiny Bubble, Extended Shelf Life, and More!

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

Representative Janet Garin, former DOH Secretary, says any response to China's CVID resurgence must be science based. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191978

Iloilo Representative and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin on Wednesday advised concerned government agencies not to make drastic decisions over plans to reintroduce mandatory coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) tests for travelers arriving in the country and refer to science-based responses instead.

Garin expressed concern over the confusion brought about by unverified information particularly the fear that the increased number of cases could result in the development of variants of concern (VOCs).

“Before coming up with a decision on the issue of mandatory testing on travelers from China, our government can first seek some clarification with the World Health Organization and the Chinese Embassy on the real situation,” she said.

“For instance, the most that we can request is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before departure. Realistically speaking, we do not have the systems and processes in place, unlike other countries. Even our vaccination certificates and its corresponding IT system is chaotic,” she added.

Garin, a vaccinology expert, clarifies that VOCs is unlikely to happen in China given its 95 percent vaccination coverage.

“We should be more concerned on how to increase our vaccination and booster coverage so as to sustain the initial gains we have,” she said.

She reiterated the four benefits of vaccination -- prevent deaths; reduce severity; reduce hospitalization; and prevent mutation. VOCs happen among the unvaccinated, immunocompromised patients.

If and when the country decides on imposing restrictions, Garin said decisions should be based on science, saying closing the doors on China will turn away tourists and investors at a time when the country’s tourism is just recovering.

“Let us not lose sight of the current basis for Covid protocols and guidelines. We have shifted to deaths and ICU utilization rather than number of positives,” said Garin, a former Department of Health (DOH) secretary.

“If we base it on science, let’s see there is surge in hospital and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, then that’s a red flag. But if there are many who turned Covid positive, but just like cold and fever only, such is not alarming. We have more deaths from non-Covid ailments and other problems because many people do not see a doctor and they do not take their maintenance medicines,” she said.

Garin has called on the DOH to brief other national government agencies, citing the lack of scientific basis of the Department of Transportation's recommendation.

She also said Filipinos should not take what is happening in China seriously, saying “we have bigger problems to face. Covid is here to stay.”

Garin's statements are a huge 180 from what everyone else is saying. Literally no one else is saying the threat from China should not be taken seriously. In fact Grace Poe is concerned that the government is not concerned. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/23/govt-slammed-for-lack-of-proactive-policy-amid-chinas-fresh-covid-wave

Sen. Grace Poe on Tuesday called on the government to mandate COVID-19 testing for passengers arriving from China amid the fresh outbreak in the said country. 

China is experiencing a huge COVID-19 surge after years of hardline containment restrictions were dismantled last month.

According to Poe, the Philippines' "lack of proactive policies on the matter is concerning."

"The PH government should decide definitively on the matter and inform all travelers beforehand... Our experience in the past three years of the pandemic has shown that delayed and uninformed COVID-related policies are sometimes more deadly than the pandemic itself," Poe said.

The Department of Health earlier said that the country’s current protocols remain effective regardless of what variant of COVID-19 may be present.

But Poe said the Philippines must follow the move of other countries such as US, UK, France, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, which all reimposed their mandatory COVID-19 tests and other rules on arrivals from China. 

Isn't she part of the government?

The DOH is doing its best to call the Feast of the Black Nazerene a super spreader event without actually saying it is a superspreader event. It could merely BECOME one if health protocols are not followed. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/04/prevent-nazareno-2023-from-becoming-a-covid-19-superspreader-event-by-following-health-protocols-doh-exec/

As the threat of the Covid-19 virus still remains, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) urged devotees to strictly follow the health and safety protocols to prevent the activities related to the Feast of the Black Nazarene from becoming a coronavirus superspreader event.

“Any event with mass gathering can be a superspreader event, it can be. But that doesn’t mean that it will really be a superspreader,” said DOH-National Capital Region Director Gloria Balboa in an interview.

“We are not saying na (that) it is really [a superspreader event], [but] it can be because of the crowding,” she added. 

Balboa commended the Quiapo Church officials as they have already set up the necessary safeguards to minimize the risk of virus transmission during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

“All the health protocols are already in place so it is just a matter of implementing them. The role of our citizens, especially those who will join the celebration, is very important in terms of following the health protocols,” she said.

“As long as these health protocols are followed, then chances are this won’t become a superspreader [event],” she added. 

The organizers of this event say the DOH is wrong. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1711889/feast-of-black-nazarene-activities-are-no-superspreader-of-covid-19-organizer

A Quiapo Church official defended the Feast of Black Nazarene on Tuesday, saying its activities are not “superspreaders” of COVID-19.

According to Alex Irasga, a member of the fiesta committee and adviser for the 2023 Black Nazarene Festival, some sectors often point to the event as a key source of COVID-19 transmission.

“The science and data said the celebration of the [Feast of] Black Nazarene in 2021 is not a superspreader. You can check all data,” he said in a press conference in Manila when asked about their plan to ensure that the country’s largest religious activity will not become superspreader events.

Doctors and health authorities had warned that activities to celebrate the Feast of Black Nazarene could turn into a superspreader event for COVID-19. A superspreader event is when a virus carrier infects many others on contact, leading to vast clusters of cases.

“We are not superspreaders. We are spreaders of faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene,” Irasga maintained.

He also pointed out that other mass gathering activities, like the political rallies during the 2022 elections, were not treated like a superspreader event.

(Why were the meetings and the rallies during the elections not treated as superspreaders? Why were the sporting events and concerts not treated as superspreaders?)

(Why, then, do we consider religious activities as superspreaders?)

There was no Christmas surge so I predict there will be no Feast of the Black Nazarene surge either. 

Marcos has not extended the state of calamity but the vaccination program can still continue as the EUA is good for another year. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192187

The emergency use authorization (EUA) of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines will remain valid for a year after the “state of calamity” expiration on Dec. 31, 2022.

In a media forum on Friday, Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the EUA can still be used for another 12 months.

“That’s what we’re using now as basis for us to have a continuity in this Covid-19 vaccination program,” she added.

Currently, there are 17.48 million Covid-19 jabs stored at DOH warehouses.

“Under the law, if the state of calamity lapses, the Department of Health now goes through the usual mode of procurement for vaccines,” Vergeire said.

Through Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, the DOH can obtain new stocks of Covid-19 vaccines when needed.

“In RA 9184, we have a provision there that we can negotiate procurement based on the law,” she said.

Vergeire said there are also offers of donation from other countries.

“We’re working on that so we can also receive within the first quarter these vaccines needed by our population,” she added.

Not only is the EUA extended for another year but the DOH is extending the shelf-life of expired vaccines. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713547/doh-to-extend-shelf-life-of-covid-jabs-near-expiry

Any takers for vaccines whose shelf life has been “extended” after their indicated expiry dates have lapsed?

Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Friday that the agency will “extend the shelf life” of about 6 million expiring COVID-19 doses in the government’s stockpile.

The government currently has 17,488,050 doses. Vergeire said, regarding the estimated 6 million doses in that inventory, that they are due to expire by the first quarter or by midyear.

But that disclosure was just a reiteration of her remarks in September last year, when she also noted that the vaccines could still be in use, after their safety has been verified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in consultation with their manufacturers.

On Friday, she said the DOH was further awaiting approval from the regulator on the “quality profile” of those vaccines.

Meanwhile, the 6 million doses have been “quarantined—meaning, we are still awaiting the evidence … of our manufacturers for us to extend shelf life,” Vergeire said at a press briefing.

Last year, the FDA extended the shelf life of more than 12 million AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Sputnik V doses.

Then FDA Deputy Director General Oscar Gutierrez had said that vaccines with prolonged shelf life remain safe and effective since their “potency” is retained.

“So, that’s what we are using now as basis for us to have continuity in the vaccination program,” said Vergeire, who also pointed out that vaccine jabs up for extension go through tests assessing their chemical and microbiological properties.

Imagine if this extension of shelf life could applied to cheese or milk or meat. 

Perhaps Bong Go will convince Marcos to extend the state of calamity.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1714521/bong-go-backs-extending-state-of-calamity-as-covid-19-lingers

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go backs the proposed extension of the state of calamity in the country while COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to Filipinos.

On Dec. 27, the Department of Health said that it had sent a memo to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. requesting the extension. The state of calamity expired last Dec. 31.

“I’m in favor of this. But it would be up to PBBM [President Bongbong Marcos] if the statement of calamity would need to be extended based on the recommendation of our health officials.  I’m sure he will be guided by experts in whatever decision he makes,” Go said in Filipino in an ambush interview after personally aiding indigents in Montevista, Davao de Oro, on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Marcos has expressed his reservations about the proposed extension, saying that the country was “not in a state of calamity anymore.”

In addition, Marcos said the government was looking for ways to continue giving healthcare workers benefits even without the declaration.

But Go said Filipinos should continue to be cautious.

“For me, as long as there is COVID, times are dangerous. As long as there is COVID, we are in a crisis because we cannot see it [the coronavirus],” he said.

It looks like times will always be dangerous according to Bong Go because COVID is NEVER going away. His college Zubiri thinks the state of calamity should not be extended, not because of the science, but because it doesn't look good and risks the Philippines looking like China. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1715237/zubiri-says-extending-state-of-calamity-due-to-covid-19-not-good-for-ph-image

Extending the Philippines’ state of calamity due to COVID-19 is not good for the country’s image, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Wednesday.

His comment seemed to back the stand of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the matter, as the head of state had previously indicated he was reluctant to extend the state of calamity declaration caused by the pandemic.

The official proclamation for the state of calamity due to COVID-19 lapsed on December 31, 2022.

(Our President has a reason for not asking us for an extension of the state of calamity.)

(First, it will not be good for the Philippines’ image, especially when tourists go online and find out that there is still a state of calamity for COVID-19. It will look like we have many cases like China in which we cannot control COVID-19 or COVID-19 is runaway in our country. It is not.)

According to Zubiri, Marcos wants “it rectified by legislation.”

“My point is, of course, our President does not want to destroy the country’s image by extending the state of calamity. He wants it rectified by legislation. So, we are going to step up to that request of the President,” The senator said.

Actually Marcos' stated reason for not extending the state of calamity is that there is no actual state of calamity, not that it would destroy the country's image. If Zubiri was serious about rectifying the Philippines' image there is a lot he could be doing that he is not. 

China has been very dismissive of other nations imposing travel restrictions on Chinese tourists. BUt take a look at what they did to Marcos' retinue during his visit. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/209542/tiny-bubble-constant-covid-tests-in-beijing-for-ph-delegation

How does a President make a state visit to China while it is struggling with a surge in COVID-19 cases? Well, very carefully.

The Philippine and Chinese governments made sure President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s trip to Beijing this week would be very safe for both sides before and after the visit by requiring constant tests for COVID-19 on members of the Filipino delegation and restricting most of their movements to the hotel where they were staying.

Marcos’ seventh overseas trip as President, which wrapped up on Thursday, was unlike any of the previous six. For one, he did not meet with members of the local Filipino community in the Chinese capital.

“They are somehow disappointed because they wanted to be a part of this visit,” Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime Florcruz told reporters on Wednesday. “But we have a special situation. They understand that the trip was short and there were many protocols to be followed.”

Marcos and his delegation, which included first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and around 200 officials, staff, businessmen and journalists, were placed inside a “bubble”—The St. Regis Hotel in Beijing, which received no other outside guests during the January 3-5 visit.

Whenever members of the party leave the hotel, most of the time they were the VIPs and officials meeting their Chinese counterparts, they were required to get a swab test.

Several minutes prior to landing in Beijing on Tuesday, the presidential staff distributed N95 masks, supposedly more protective against COVID-19 than other masks, to all passengers on Philippine Airlines Flight PR001. It was a requirement by China, according to one of the staff.

Marcos had to take another RT-PCR test for a series of meetings the next day, including one with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On Wednesday night, prior to their departure for Manila the next day, the delegation took another RT-PCR test. It was a Malacañang requirement this time. Everyone joining the PR001 flight back to the Philippines must be negative for COVID-19.

Such a test was not required before flying back home on previous presidential trips. Fortunately, the whole delegation tested negative.

Anyone who would have tested positive would be left behind and quarantined. They must test negative before flying back home.

All that testing was required while the Marcos delegation was IN the country yet China has denounced plans for Chinese nationals to undergo testing before entering a country. Very hypocritical.

Daily average cases continue to drop.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192318

The daily average of new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases decreased by 9 percent from Jan. 2 to 8, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

From 497 daily infections recorded from Dec. 26, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023, the number went down to 447 in the recent week.

The latest case bulletin showed 3,127 new cases and 79 verified deaths.

Of the additional deaths, the DOH said 27 occurred from Dec. 26, 2022 to Jan. 8, 2023.

To date, the country has logged over 4.07 million coronavirus cases and more than 65,476 fatalities.

Don't forget Bong Go said, “For me, as long as there is COVID, times are dangerous. As long as there is COVID, we are in a crisis because we cannot see it [the coronavirus]." The facts plainly contradict this ridiculous notion.