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  By Elyjah Rosales PHOTO: Sun Star It is not right to contrast “apples” to “oranges,” the Department of Health (DOH) defended yesterday following the Philippines’ 79th rank finish over 98 countries in the COVID-19 control operations study. Although DOH told that they would acknowledge the report and “all research about COVID-19 and the opportunities to learn from good practices of other countries,” they argued that the Australian think tank researchers from Lowy Institute “did not capture the complex nature of [the] pandemic response,” in their index methodologies. They also emphasized that these are “very dynamic and the capture of proper context is crucial in assessing the performance of a country.” “The indicators of performance used by the Philippines are multidimensional, with both strategic and operational indicators of health and economic performance and across the Prevent - Detect - Isolate - Test - Treat strategies,” they stated. Meanwhile, having a higher ranking than Un...

  By Gwyneth Morales PHOTO: ABS-CBN News Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) chief Dante Gierran said on Tuesday he had already "liquidated" 92% of the controversial P15 billion "stolen funds." "Sa totoo lang po, hindi nawawala. Andiyan lang, on record po. Ang utos po ng Senado at ng lower house ay sabi i-liquidate. Sa ngayon po, 92% na ang liquidated. Kakaunti na lang po," the state insurer said in a Palace briefing. Gierran assured PhilHealth has enough budget to continue its operation despite the pandemic.  "Kung PhilHealth lang po, we have money. As a matter of fact, sige-sige naman po ang ating collections. May collections naman tayo," he added. He also affirmed he would not allowed the public's money to be pickpocketed. "I will not allow that na 'yung pera ng Filipino ay mawala. Galing ako sa NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) po. Hindi puwede mangyari 'yan," he said. In August last year, PhilHealt...

  By Arvin Migallos PHOTO: Ribo Bren Esports' gold laner Cj "Ribo" Ribo is now the winningest player throughout the professional Mobile Legends scene. Ribo, along with Coco, are the only two remaining players from the legendary Aether Main squad. Ribo has bagged different titles, local and international, with the franchise owned by Bernard Chong. In the Philippines, the veteran player already achieved two Mobile Legends Professional League championships along with one in The Nationals. While in the international stage, he and Bren won the Southeast Asia Cyber Arena and the Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup in 2018, Summit Singapore, and the Southeast Asian Games gold medal. Also, Bren Esports coach Francis "Duckeyyy" Glindro carved his own path as he becomes the first coach with two world titles, getting his first one alongside evos Legends way back 2019's M1 World Championship. Bren Esports sure have to keep their title "Bren Lang Malakas" as they...

  By Rjay Zuriaga Castor PHOTO: One News MANILA, Philippines — Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, 69% of Filipino families said they received money-help from the national government, Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed Thursday.  According to the November 21-25 survey, 1,500 respondents were asked the question: “Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, did your family receive help like money from any branch or agency of government?" The poll body said results were similar to the 71% in September 2020 and the 72% in July 2020, implying that there has been no increase in the recipients of the government’s cash subsidy between July and November 2020.  The survey showed that the proportion of those saying their families received financial aid from the government was highest in Metro Manila (83%), followed by Balance Luzon (68%), the Visayas (67%), and Mindanao (63%).  Further, the survey noted that the proportion of those saying their families rec...

  By Jennylou Canon PHOTO: Manila Bulletin/PCOO After Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana unilaterally terminates the 31-year UP-DND accord, President Rodrigo Duterte supports the termination, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reported. In a televised press briefing, Roque said that since Lorenzana is an “alter ego” of the President, he supports the decision. “Si (Defense) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana po is an alter ego of the President. Of course, the President supports the decision of Secretary Lorenzana,” Roque said. The UP-DND accord was signed on 1989, and prohibits unauthorized and unannounced entry of state forces.  However, in the letter sent to University of the Philippines President Danilo L. Concepcion, Lorenzana said that this agreement has become a “hindrance to operations against communist rebels, especially the recruitment of cadres in UP.” Lorenzana then stressed that the deal is now “obsolete” and that the country’s premier university is now “a safe haven f...

  By Elyjah Rosales PHOTO: Rappler/PCOO-OPS Reminiscing his past honor and excellence back in the University of the Philippines (UP), presidential spokesperson Harry Roque shared how he never felt violations in the academic freedom to back up the Department of National Defense-UP agreement termination. “Personally po, ako po ay 15 taon nagturo, 10 taon nag-aral sa UP. ‘Yung 25 years ko po sa UP, di ko po naranasan na nandoon ang pulis,” Roque told in an online briefing. “Nasa mga taga-UP rin po yan. Ang tingin ko naman po, dahil ang napakatagal kong nagtagal sa UP, 25 taon, hindi po nila papayagan na mabalewala ang kanilang karapatan sa academic freedom,” he added, The spokesperson, although no one asked, also backed out that police has access to schools abroad given that there’s no “distinction between the city and the campus” but academic freedom is still upheld  “Pero tingin ko naman nung pag-aaral ko sa abroad, wala naman pong special police sa mga campuses sa Amerika at I...

  Ni Gwyneth Morales LARAWAN MULA SA: ABS-CBN News "I'm a comedian, you're the clown." Bagamat hindi siya nagbanggit ng pangalan, lumalabas na ito ang patutsada ni Showtime Host Vice Ganda matapos siyang paringgan ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.  Matatandaang pinuna ni Vice ang naging pahayag ni Roque na bawal maging mapili ang publiko sa bibilhing bakuna laban sa COVID-19. "Sa sabong panlaba nga choosy tayo e sa bakuna pa kaya. Ano to basta may maisaksak lang?! Vaklang twoooaahhh!!!" aniya sa isang tweet nitong Enero 12. Subalit, kumagat si Roque sa parinig at sinabing, "Kung hindi naman po natin pagtitiwalaan ang mga experts…sino ang ating pagtitiwalaan? Siguro po hindi mga komedyante." Sumagot naman pabalik si Vice kinabukasan at tinanong ang madlang pipol kung okay lang sa kanila na maturukan ng bakuna ng Sinovac. Ngayong Miyerkoles, hindi pa rin umawat si Vice sa pagpaparinig laban kay Roque. "Hindi ako clown. I'm a comedian...

  Nina Deighton Acuin at Gwyneth Morales PHOTO: ABS-CBN News Tila hindi pa rin nagpapatinag ang komedyante na si Vice Ganda pagdating sa isyu patungkol sa bakuna laban sa COVID-19 Nitong Martes, muli na naman niyang hinayag ang isyu sa pagbabakuna. “Okay ba sa inyo ang Sinovac? Baklang twoaaaah,” tanong ni Vice sa “It’s Showtime." Naganap ang patutsada matapos siyang sagutin ni Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque sa nakaraang briefing na kailangang makinig sa mga eksperto at hindi sa mga komedyante. “Di ko sinabing hindi puwede magsalita kahit sino. Pero pagdating sa bakuna, kinakailangan na ang dapat pakinggan ay ang eksperto sa bakuna,” ani Roque. Nag-ugat ang kanyang tugon sa tweet ni Vice Ganda na "choosy" ang mga Pilipino sa sabong panlaba kaya dapat mapili rin ang taumbayan sa bakunang tatanggapin. “Sa sabong panlaba nga choosy tayo e sa bakuna pa kaya. Ano to basta may maisaksak lang?! Vaklang twoooaahhh!!!” ani Vice sa kamakailang tweet. May mga Pilipinong nababah...

  Nina Deighton Acuin at Gwyneth Morales PHOTO: Daily Tribune Hinamon ni Senador Bong Go nitong Martes si Bise Presidente Leni Robredo na magpabakuna laban sa COVID-19 kasama si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para makuha ang kumpiyansa ng mga Pilipino. Sa isang interview kasama ang reporters, sinagot ni Go ang mungkahi ni Robredo na magpabakuna ang Pangulo sapagkat isa itong sikat na personalidad. "Pagkatapos ni Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte o sabay, ikaw naman VP Leni [Rob]redo ang magpaturok eh ipakita mo... sabay-sabay tayo. Ako po ay hinahamon kayo na para makuha ang kumpiyansa ng bawat Pilipino. Ipakita natin na sabay-sabay tayong [magpabakuna],” ani Go. Hinimok din ng mambabatas sina Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. at Health Secretary Francisco Duque III na magpabakuna upang mapagkatiwalaan ang biniling gamot kung sakaling mayroon nang supply sa bansa. “Nagsalita na po ang pangulo, willing po siya mauna ano? Importante po rito to gain confidence of the Filipino people. [Health] Sec...

  By Girald Gaston PHOTO: SPIN PH After a breakout season, Most Improved Player nomination, Raul Soyud earned a surprise National team call-up. Alongside TNT stalwarts Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario, they are the next batch of PBA players to join the Gilas Pilipinas training pool inside the Calambubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna. Gilas team manager Gabby Cui confirmed that the three will enter the bubble this Friday, when the  training camp officially begins as they prepare for the 3rd window of FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers that will take place on Clark, Pampangga next month. “We’ve undergone PCR testing earlier as one of the prerequisites in entering the bubble,” said Cui on Tuesday. Soyud, a seven-year and former UP Fighting maroon, bloomed at the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, averaging 10.0 points on 74-percent shooting from the field and 6.82 rebounds in 11 games played. Just recently, the 6-foot-6 center's hardwork paid off after being signed to a new, two-year contract...

By Arvin Migallos PHOTO: Bren Esports official Facebook Page Philippine Mobile Legends teams Bren Esports and Omega Esports take half of the upper bracket slots for the playoffs of Mobile Legends Bang Bang M2 World Championships. Both Filipino teams tallied 4-0 in their respective groups after the group stages phase 1 on the first 2 days of the prestigious tournament. Omega Esports was the first team to qualify in the playoffs as they dominated their matches against Impunity KH (Cambodia) and the opening match of the event against Todak Esports (Malaysia), both via 2-0 sweep. On the other hand, the most eyed team to contest the championship, Bren Esports, spiced things up in the "bloodiest group in the whole tournament" as they managed to defeat 10s Gaming Frost(Japan) with KarlTzy achieving a Savage against the latter team in their first match. Their next and last battle of the group stages was against their Indonesian nemesis Alter Ego, with the former redeeming their reven...

  By Elyjah Rosales PHOTO: Manila Bulletin It all depends on President Rodrigo Duterte, the Palace explained on Monday regarding the president's promise on a publicized COVID-19 vaccination. In a televised press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque asked Filipinos to 'wait' for the president's 'personal' decision on this matter. Duterte, however, has aired some hint of breaking his initial plan after he told that government officials would be inoculated 'last' in an address announcing secured vaccine doses from China's Sinovac Biotech last week. This is contrary to his earlier statement last August 2020 that he is willing to be the first person to ever receive such  to increase public confidence. Meanwhile, vice president Leni Robredo believed that it would help people gain trust if he would grant his 'promise.' “Sobrang popular ni Pangulo, so makakatulong sana to boost ‘yung confidence ng ating mga kababayan kung makita siya [magp...

 By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Rappler The priority list formed by the government for coronavirus vaccination rollout will be followed, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday. During a House hearing, ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro asked for assurance from the health chief that VIP vaccinations already stopped. “Yes, madame chair, your honor. We will do our level best to ensure that the prioritization formula is followed. Sundan po natin 'yung prioritization program,” he said. The Department of Health (DOH) issued the list of priority citizens for vaccine rollout last December, with senior citizens, indigent citizens, and uniformed personnel are on top of the list. The same month, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that some military personnel already acquired vaccines from Sinopharm, a Chinese pharmaceutical company. The Presidential Security Group (PSG) admitted getting vaccine doses on their own, receiving unregistered vaccines for free from a donor that ...

  Ni Gwyneth Morales PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Senate PRIB "Magtatampo po 'yung ibang countries sa kanila." Ito ang naging rason ni Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez nitong Lunes kung bakit hindi maaaring malaman ng publiko ang presyo ng mga bakunang galing sa Tsina.  Ayon kay Galvez, ito ang naging "kabilin-bilinan" ni Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian sa kanila. "Importante din po kasi talaga 'yung tinatawag nating CDA [confidentiality disclosure agreement]. Hindi po pwedeng i-reveal po 'yung trade secrets at pati 'yung price, kasi po pwede pong mag-withdraw immediately ang ano po natin at hindi na po sila magtiwala sa atin," aniya pa. Matatandaang nag-ugat ng kontrobersiya ang naging pahayag ni Galvez nitong Miyerkoles na mas mura ang bakuna ng Sinovac, isang Chinese pharmaceutical firm, kaysa sa ibang mga brand. Sinasaad kasi ng datos ni Senate committee on finance chair Sonny Angara na pangalawa sa pinakamahal na baku...

  Nina Gwyneth Morales at Archie Villaflores LARAWAN MULA SA: Philippine Daily Inquirer Pinagbubugbog ng isang auxiliary police officer sa Singapore ang kanyang girlfriend matapos sabihin ng isang Horoscope reading na hindi raw sila bagay magpakasal. Sinaktan niya ang kanyang kasintahan, na kanya ring supervisor, sa Police Coast Guard Base sa Brani dahil nadismaya siya sa kanilang pagkakahiwalay. Nang tinawagan muli ang biktima, nagbanta siyang papatayin at ikakalat niya ang nude photos ng kanyang ex sa internet. Ni-record naman ng biktima ang buong tawag at nagamit bilang ebidensya sa nasabing krimen.  Inamin din ng ex-girlfriend na hindi na siya masaya sa kanilang relasyon bago pa noong lumabas ang Horoscope. Matagal na raw siyang sinasaktan ng pulis; pinagbawalan din siyang gumamit ng social media; at pinagawan siya ng listahan ng mga “maling” gawain. Subalit, tinanggihan ng pulis ang alegasyong binugbog niya ang kanyang girlfriend at sinabing tinulak niya lamang ito sa pan...

  By Elyjah Rosales and Archie Villaflores PHOTO: UNTV Following the death of 23 Norwegian senior citizens who were inoculated with Pfizer vaccine, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. assured the public that the government will be more cautious. In an interview with “Dobol B sa News TV,” Galvez was firm to not repeat such an incident in the Philippines given that the vaccinations are set to begin. "Ang ating goal is zero casualty and as much as possible, very close watch," he stated. The vaccine czar, accordingly, also explained that he already contacted Health Secretary Francisco Duque III regarding this matter. "Sinabi namin na mas maganda 'yung original plan namin na 18 hanggang 59 [years old] lang muna at hahanap tayo ng bakuna na pang-matanda talaga," Galvez told, noting how dangerous this is for 80 years old and above. As per the Norwegian Medicines agency, the 23 deaths were connected to the vaccinations — Pfizer vaccine, specifically — with more than a half ...

  Nina Gwyneth Morales at Archie Villaflores LARAWAN MULA SA: Philippine Star Dapat daw mauna si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagpapabakuna laban sa COVID-19 upang tumaas ang kumpiyansa ng taumbayan, ayon kay Bise Presidente Leni Robredo. “Sobrang popular ni Pangulo, so makakatulong sana to boost ‘yung confidence ng ating mga kababayan kung makita siya [magpabakuna],” hayag ni Robredo sa kanyang programang panradyong “Biserbisyong Leni” nitong Linggo. Nakatamo si Duterte ng 70 porsyentong approval rating at 62 porsyentong high trust rating, base sa sarbey ng PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. nitong Disyembre. Pinunto rin ni Robredo na bagama’t “general rule” nang mahuhuli ang lingkod-bayan pagdating sa pagtanggap ng mga benepisyo, ibang usapan ang pagpapabakuna. Para sa kanya, makatutulong kung magpapaturok ang mga ‘tinitingalaang lider’ sa harap ng madla upang mapataas ang public confidence sa bakuna.  “Makakatulong na kung sino ‘yung tinitingala nila eh makita nila, ipakita sa kanila na wa...

  By Girald Gaston PHOTO: Screenshot from One Sports Celebration from last year's triumph has been resumed on Sunday, as several Barangay Ginebra San Miguel players bagged the prestigious awards in PBA's 45th Season Special Awards night. Gin Kings star Stanley Pringle ended his impressive campaign on the season being named as Best Player of the Conference, after spearheading the Ginebra's journey in All-Filipino tourney. The crafty Filipino-American guard claimed his first-ever BPC honors, a cherry on top after the championship last conference that capped Ginebra's 13-year drought. Pringle led the star-studded Elite Five, joining his teammate Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva of Phoenix Super LPG, and Poy Erram of TNT Tropang Giga. From one ka-baranggay to another, as Scottie Thompson earned the Samboy Lim Sportmanship Award, while the Bubble wonder, Prince Caperal, won the Most Improved Player honors. Caperal stepped up on the bubble after the departure ...

  By Elyjah Rosales PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer President Rodrigo Duterte’s statements against women’s capability to lead tarnish Filipinos’ fight for women empowerment and gender equality, Vice President Leni Robredo hit back. In her Sunday radio show, Robredo slammed Duterte anew for “deflating” these campaigns with his machinist words.  “We are fighting a lot for women empowerment and gender equality. But if the president says something like this, it is not helping us in our fight. It deflates the campaign,” she argued in Filipino. The vice president also emphasized its effect on the Filipinas themselves considering how Duterte is a “president” and “not an ordinary person whose statements will only be heard by those around him.” “When the president says such remarks, it affects everyone. This is not just about me or Mayor Sara or other women leaders. These are not the values that we believe in. What we believe in is respect for women and the importance of women’s parti...

  By Girald Gaston PHOTO: SPIN PH/AP Considered as a title contender already before the season, the Brooklyn Nets might have become more firm with its new addition. James Harden asserted his sorcery with a triple-double special on his Brooklyn Nets debut, to overcome the skidding Orlando Magic, 122-115, Saturday night at Barclays Center, Brooklyn. After a sluggish start, Harden managed to post 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, in his first time donning the Nets jersey, to improve their season record to 8-6. The former Houston guard was cleared to play Saturday afternoon after all the teams from the four-team blockbuster trade had completed their physicals.  He wasn't able to join any practice of Brooklyn before the game, but the rest was history as he became the first player in Nets franchise to record a trip-dub in debut. He was also the first in NBA to do such feat with 30-point output. Harden also had nine turnovers, and his coach Steve Nash lovingly roasted him. "Wow,...

  By Girald Gaston PHOTO: SPIN PH Kyrie Irving's absence from the past week has become a costly one, not just for his team but for his pocket also.  The Brooklyn Nets guard has been fined $50,000 by the NBA on Friday for violating the health and safety protocols, and will forfeit over $800,000 on his salary for the games he missed. Irving has been non-existent for the Nets in the last five games for undisclosed personal reasons. He was seen on the video at the party during his absence. "In the videos—which began being widely shared Monday night—a smiling Irving is dancing with his sister Asia on a confetti-covered floor and clapping as she blows out candles," per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The 28-year-old star could be eligible on Saturday after the five-day quarantine if he'll continue to test negative for COVID. However, he will not be able to suit up against the Orlando Magic on that night.   "We are aware of a video on social media featuring Kyrie Irving ...

  By Rjay Zuriaga Castor PHOTO: The Epoch Times MANILA, Philippines — Following President Rodrigo Duterte's dictum discouraging his younger daughter not to seek the presidency, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio "will win" if opted to run for president in the next elections. Locsin's remarks came after the Chief Executive declared anew that he had cautioned his daughter against seeking the presidency, even saying that the highest government post is “not for women.” "To enemies of Duterte especially whiners: keep insulting him as he walks away from power he all but owns—dragging his daughter with him—and he might tell her to run," he said in a tweet.  "She will win, hands down. And any prospect of charges dropped without trial evaporates for the next  7 1/2 years," he added.  On Thursday, Duterte himself said his daughter is not pursuing the highest government post of the land and tha...

By Girald Gaston PHOTO: Sporting News Filipino-blooded prospects Jalen Green and Kai Sotto dropped their position in the latest mock draft of American website Bleacher Report on Thursday. Pegged to be the third overall on 2021 by some mock draft outlets, Green went down to No.5 on Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman's projection, to head to Oklahoma City Thunder via Houston Rockets. Sotto, alongside his NBA G League ignite teammates Daishen Nix, Isaiah Todd and Princepal Singh, were not included the list. Even if ignored multiple times now, Sotto has already said that he doesn't mind the mock drafts that snubs him, and focused on just getting better. Ignite forward Jonathan Kuminga placed at third, eclipsing Green, with the Washington Wizards forecasted to take the star. Many analysts and mock drafts like NBA Draft room, ESPN, and Bleacher Report bet on Cade Cunningham of Oklahoma State to be the top overall pick of the year. Meanwhile, Team Ignite continues to work hard a...

  By Girald Gaston and Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: Open Court Basketball Filipino unicorn Kai Sotto's growth spurt continues, as he bared his new measurements a month ahead of NBA G League opener. The 18-year-old prospect jotted down his new height and wingspan on his official twitter account on Thursday, January 14. "New Facts: Height 7'3, Wingspan 7'5, Continue to WATCH ME WORK," he tweeted. Few months ago, his initial recorded wingspan and height was 7-foot-1 only, and he grew four and two inches respectively. Sotto's growth is well within as his dad, Ervin Sotto's projection of maximum height at 7-foot-6, according to a previous report by the Olympic Channel.  The flamboyant bigman is still training under the California-based team, as they prepare for the restart of 18-team G League tourney on February 8 at Disney bubble on Orlando, Florida. RELATED ARTICLE: Rappler DISCLAIMER

 Ni Gwyneth Morales LARAWAN MULA SA: ABS-CBN News "Hindi ito pambabae." Ito ang sinabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte nitong Huwebes tungkol sa pagiging presidente matapos pagbawalan ang kanyang anak na si Mayor Sara Duterte na tumakbo sa 2022 elections.  "I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinadaanan ko... The emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging g*go ka rito," ani Duterte.  Matatandaang nangunguna si Sara Duterte sa listahan ng opisyales na nais patakbuhin ng publiko sa pagkapresidente sa susunod na eleksyon, ayon sa sarbey ng Pulse Asia. Nagkaroon na ng dalawang babaeng presidente ang bansa — Corazon Aquino noong 1986-1992 at Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo noong 2001-2010.  Naging tanyag din ang mga babaeng presidente dahil sa kanilang tugon sa pandemya tulad ni Jacinda Ardern, prime minister ng New Zealand. Noong 2016, ilang beses ding tinanggi ni Digong na tatakbo siya sa halalan bilang pangulo kahit na tumakbo...