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By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: Insider.com A rooster fitted with a knife around its foot stabbed its owner to death during practice for an illegal cockfight in India. Thangulla Satish, 45, died of blood loss after the rooster repeatedly stabbed him in the grown with a three-inch knife that had been tied around the animal's leg, according to the Associated Press.  Satish was among 16 people organizing the cockfight in the village of Lothunur in the Indian state of Telegana, the AP reported. Authorities are currently searching for the other 15 organizers, who could be charged with manslaughter. They each face up to two years in prison, according to Al-Jazeera.  Animal rights activists say the sport is especially cruel because it takes advantage of the birds' natural survival mechanisms in forcing them to fight. To make matches gorier, some cockfighting trainers fit their birds with what's known as a "gaff" – a long, dagger-like knife attached to the animal's foot. ...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: ABS-CBN News MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday threatened to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) immediately if he finds “hard information” that the United States has stored nuclear weapons in the Philippines. But at the House of Representatives, key leaders threw their support for the Senate’s recommendation to keep the country’s VFA with the US under the new administration of President Joe Biden. “I think it would be in our best interest to keep the status quo at this point, particularly before we sent the notice to abrogate the VFA during the Trump administration,” Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said. Asked about the possible effect of the delivery of China-made COVID-19 vaccines on Philippine foreign policy, Duterte said Beijing has been giving Manila everything but never asked for anything in return. Beijing, however, has refused to honor an arbitral ruling awarding the Philippines sovereign rights over several areas in the West P...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: ABS-CBN News MANILA, Philippines — Abandoning or neglecting the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs) may soon become punishable by law after a bill was filed in the House of Representatives penalizing persons found to have abused that sector of society. “The rising cases of abandonment and abuse experienced by our elderly and PWDs is troubling, especially amid a pandemic where they are most vulnerable,” said Rep. Alfred Vargas, chairman of the House committee on social services and author of the bill titled “Care for the Elderly and Persons with Disability Act.” “We just cannot let this criminal neglect and abuse to continue. We have to take care of them and penalize those heartless individuals for such inhumane acts,” Vargas said. If passed, persons found guilty of criminal neglect would be punished by imprisonment of not less than one year but not exceeding five years, and meted a fine not less than P10,000 but not exceeding P100,000. The measure p...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Presidential Communications President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said the donation of 600,000 doses of Sinovac’s coronavirus vaccines did not come with strings attached. Duterte assured this when the donated doses arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday afternoon. “China never asked for anything. China has been giving us everything and never asked anything from us,” Duterte said in a press conference. However, Duterte said he assured China he will not allow United States to store nuclear armaments in the Philippines. “Sinabi ko na hindi ako papayag, not because it will antagonize China but it is in Philippine Constitution,” Duterte pointed out. The Chief Executive accused U.S. of asking for military base, which would put the country in line of fire. “Ang Amerikano, gusto nila, base. Ang direct consequence, it will start a war diyan sa Spratlys and China, ang lapit sa atin,” Duterte said. The Duterte Administration has been widely criticized over...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Presidential Communications President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday encouraged Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the Philippines will start its vaccination program after the delivery of 600,000 vaccine doses from China-based Sinovac Biotech. “To my fellow Filipinos, please set your fears aside. These vaccines are backed by science and deliberated on by our experts. Filipino experts,” Duterte said in a speech during the turnover ceremony of the vaccines. “I encourage you to get vaccinated at the soonest possible time. And be our partner in preventing the further spread of the disease,” Duterte added. Duterte also reminded those who will get inoculated to follow minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing. Duterte added he expressed hopes that vaccine shipment will serve as a “guarantee” the government is “taking big steps in efforts to overcome” the deadly pandemic. He then ordered government agencies to ins...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Presidential Communications Having spent nearly one year under quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines may have to wait until the first or second quarter of year 2023 before getting back to normalcy, President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday. Speaking in a press briefing, Duterte said the country will fast-track its vaccination program after the arrival of donated 600,000 vaccine doses from China-based Sinovac Biotech. "In about maybe early year [2023,] not in [2022]. Ito ngayon hanggang katapusan ng buwan, paspasan tayo. Early in the first maybe first or second quarter of year 2-3, 2023, baka, tulong ng Diyos," he said. In the same conference, Duterte said the country is expected to have herd immunity against COVID-19 in early 2022, then admitted he has “inadequate and incomplete” knowledge with the matter. The President added the country’s herd immunity will be difficult due to being archipelagic, as well as the apprehension to get immunize...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: ABS-CBN News To bolster public confidence in government’s vaccination program, Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III are set to receive coronavirus vaccines developed by China-based Sinovac Biotech on Monday morning, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Sunday. Interviewed over Dobol B sa News TV, Go made the confirmation that Duque and Galvez will receive Sinovac doses after its delivery on Sunday afternoon. Galvez will get the dose at Philippine General Duque while Duque will receive the dose either at the Lung Center of the Philippines or East Avenue Medical Center. "Kahit hindi pa dumarating ang mga susunod na mga bakuna, mauna na sila. Ibig sabihin nagtiwala sila sa bakunang ito," Go said. "Mauuna na silang magpapabakuna para ipakita sa publiko na magtiwala tayo sa ating gobyerno at sa ginagawa ng gobyerno na tanging ang bakuna lang ang pag-asa," Go added. Go said he and President Rodrigo Duterte will al...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Yahoo News Philippines may finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with the arrival of first batch of coronavirus vaccines on Sunday, February 27. 600,000 vaccine doses from China-based Sinovac Biotech will be delivered in the country with President Rodrigo Duterte and several members of the Cabinet are willing to personally welcome the cargo. “Excited na kami dahil bukas darating na ang bakuna. Personal na sasalubungin ni Presidente,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said over state-run television program. The vaccine turnover will be held at Villamor Air Base at 5:00 p.m. The country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier approved the Sinovac vaccines for emergency use, paving the way for their immediate delivery to the country.  The drug regulators did not recommend the use of the Sinovac vaccines for health workers due to the varying levels of efficacy. The vaccine, however, may be used by healthy individuals between 18 and 59 years old. ...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Philippine Star Malacañang said Saturday only healthcare workers can refuse to be injected with coronavirus vaccines from China-based Sinovac Biotech without losing priority status once other brands are available. Roque earlier said Filipinos cannot afford to be “picky” with vaccines. The pronouncement then criticized even by lawmakers. The Palace official, however, explained that only one brand was expected soon, and anything approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proven safe for usage. This week, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine, which will be the first to be rolled out in the country. The 600,000 doses donated by the Chinese government will arrive on Sunday, to be welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials. The FDA earlier flagged that the CoronaVac is not recommended for medical workers exposed to COVID-19 patients because it has a low efficacy rate of 50.4% for this group. With this recom...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Provincial Government of Bulacan Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando urged Bulakenyos on Friday to have themselves registered for May 9,2022 national elections. While voting is not compulsory, Fernando said it is a civic duty and its part of democracy that determines the country’s future path. “Ang pagpaparehistro para makaboto at ang mismong pagboto po ay libre lamang. Walang bayad at walang mawawala sa atin. Pero kung iisipin pong mabuti, ang mga benepisyo nito ay napakalaki at napakalawak. Kaya naman huwag po sana nating panghinayangan ang sandaling oras na ilalaan natin dito dahil bawat isa po sa atin ay may kapangyarihang mag-ambag sa lalong ikauunlad ng ating bansang Pilipinas,” Fernando said. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has set the voters’ registration this year from February 15, 2021 until September 30, 2021. COMELEC Bulacan Supervisor Atty. Mona Ann Aldana-Campos reminded the wearing face masks, face shields, bringing own pens, and observing ...

By Deighton Acuin and Archie Villaflores PHOTO: The Buzz Files While netizens continue calling out the Department of Education over its plans of academic year extension and shorter summer break, there is no clear indication of two-month summer break this year. Based on the School Calendar and Activities for School Year (SY) 2020-2021 or DepEd Order No. 030 series of 2020 issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones dated Oct. 2, there is no entry indicating the summer vacation period for public school students this school year. After two postponements, classes for this school year officially started in public schools nationwide on Oct. 5. Originally, the SY 2020-2021 was scheduled to start on June 1 but it was moved to Aug. 24 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country. The August 24 opening was postponed after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation seeking to move the class opening to October 5 with accordance to Republic Act No. 11480. Signed la...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: DepEd Amid challenges confronting the education sector, the youth — particularly the students — must practice rational thinking at all times, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Friday. Briones made the statement when asked by Region X Supreme Student Government (SSG) President Queenie Joy Cabatingan about her expectations of today’s students. “I expect our learners to have the capacity to reason, and think rationally,” Briones said. She underscored the importance of thinking critically and rationally among students amid the present challenges in youth participation particularly the presence of fake news and misinformation. Meanwhile, student representatives from Region CALABARZON, VII, XI, X, and XII shared their Kabataan reports, which highlighted various SSG initiatives in the regions. There were also 226 SSG advisers during the event. Secretary Briones also answered questions of the student-leaders related to academic ease measures, sports event plans, ...

By Archie Villaflores and Deighton Acuin Screenshot from PCOO/RTVM GMA 7 Malacañang reporter Joseph Morong on Thursday called out Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque for supposedly cutting-off questions from his colleagues during one of his press briefings.    It all began when CNN Philippines’ Correspondent Trish Terada was poised to ask Roque, only for her to be interrupted by the Palace official. Roque previously berated Terada in May and mistakenly identified her as the writer of an article where he was “misquoted”.   When it was GMA’s Morong turn to ask, he requested Roque not to cut-off the questions of other reporters.    “Sir request lang, can you not cut-off ‘yung audio ng mga nasa online. You could just say na you’re ending and going to end a question and answer this is kind of harsh if you cut-off the audio. This is the second time na na-cut ang audio ng reporter,” Morong said.    Roque however denied that he is cutting of Palace reporte...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: Manila Bulletin Pop superstar Lady Gaga is offering a $500,000 reward for the return of her French Bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, stolen in a violent altercation in Los Angeles that left a man fighting for his life, police and a source close to the singer said Thursday, February 25. Gaga, who was in Rome filming a movie when the dogs were stolen, has not commented personally on the theft. However, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that two French Bulldogs were stolen at gunpoint from a 30-year-old man on Sierra Bonita Avenue in Hollywood Wednesday night. The man, identified in multiple media reports as the singer's dogwalker, was shot with a semi-automatic handgun and remains in critical condition, the LAPD said. A third dog, Miss Asia, escaped and was later recovered. The incident is the latest of several violent thefts of French Bulldogs in the United States in recent months. In January, a woman in San Francisco was attacked by thieves brandishin...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Manila Bulletin/PCOO Malacañang on Friday confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte will personally witness the arrival of donated 600,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines from Sinovac Biotech on Sunday, February 28. “It’s in his sched,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told Philippine Daily Inquirer in a text message. In a recent media conference, Roque said Duterte wanted to personally welcome the arrival of Sinovac vaccines to show a debt of gratitude. The Chinese government will donate 600,000 vaccines produced by Sinovac. Roque said the doses will arrive on Sunday. This was after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization to Sinovac jabs. The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF), meanwhile, said the rollout schedule of the donated vaccines remains on hold as immunization experts are still discussing the allocation of the 600,000 doses. RELATED ARTICLE: Philippine Daily Inquirer DISCLA...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: PhilNews Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday does not believe that the Philippines is reportedly the last country to receive coronavirus vaccines in the ASEAN region. In a televised media briefing, Roque said the gap of dates in vaccine delivery between Philippines and other ASEAN countries is just a “matter of days.” "Walang ibig sabihin yan. Halos sabay-sabay dumating sa atin, at halos pare-parehas ang dumating sa atin na Sinovac," Roque said. "I don't think we're the last. They are only 10 countries that have used the vaccine. So that disproves the fact that we are the last. The rest of the world still have to receive their vaccine," Roque added. In the same conference, Roque announced the donated 600,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech are expected to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday. "I guess all our prayers were answered, and I have gotten information that we are...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: Philippines Lifestyle MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is open to raising the price ceiling of pork products, as it studies suggestions from the pork sector. In an interview on “The Chiefs” aired on Cignal’s One News, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Noel Reyes said the DA is open to raising the price ceiling of pork to around P310 to P340 per kilo. Under Executive Order 124, the government imposed a 60-day price ceiling that limits the price of pork shoulder or kasim at P270 per kilo, pork belly or liempo at P300 and chicken at P160 in Metro Manila markets. The EO took effect on Feb. 8 and will last until April 8. Reyes said the proposal to raise the price ceiling is being studied by the DA’s livestock, Bantay Presyo and agribusiness marketing groups. Earlier, the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (ProPork) urged the government to raise the price ceiling of pork as it will encourage hog raisers to resume produ...

By Mark Angelo Mañez PHOTO: grunge.com Tax records that former President Donald Trump tried to keep secret for years are now in the hands of the New York district attorney. Prosecutors obtained the records on Monday, just hours after the US Supreme Court denied Trump's last-ditch effort to keep the records private, a spokesperson for the district attorney said. The millions of pages of documents, sources say, contain Trump's tax returns spanning from January 2011 to August 2019, as well as financial statements, engagement agreements, documents relating to the preparation and review of tax returns, and work papers and communications related to the tax returns. Though the documents handed off from Trump's long-time accounting firm Mazars won't be released to the public because they're subject to grand jury secrecy rules, their delivery caps off an extraordinary 17-month quest by the former President and his lawyers to block investigators from obtaining the records. Ne...

By Deighton Acuin PHOTO: Manila Bulletin Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Wednesday expressed hopes that his International Anti-corruption award raises awareness on campaign dismantling corruption practices. "Thank you to the U.S. Department of State for this recognition. But more than the recognition, I hope this helps raise awareness," Sotto posted on his social media account. "If we want better long-term governance, we need to fight corruption. We have to denormalize it, get it out of our culture," he added. Sotto, in the same post, said reforms were implemented in Pasig City as he admitted there were lapses during his tenure. "Sa, Pasig marami na rin tayong napagtagumpayang mga reporma. Ngunit hindi ganun kadaling basagin ang mga kalakarang deka-dekada na. We've made mistakes, had failures along the way. May nagalit, may nanabotahe, atbp," he said. Sotto underscored the importance to remain steadfast in implementing the reforms. "Ang mahalaga, h...