KUWTT: Candidates warned: 'Virus is still here' | Feb. 13, 2022
Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, February 13, 2022, brought to you by Wilcon Depot, the country's leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer. Shop conveniently 24/7 with the Wilcon online store, just go to shop.wilcon.com.ph.
Candidates warned: 'Virus is still here'
WITH the election campaign in full swing, the Department of Health (DoH) has urged local government units (LGUs) to prevent mass gatherings and for candidates to follow health protocols because the "virus is still here." The campaign period for the 2022 national elections began on February 8, amid the lingering presence of the highly infectious Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). In a briefing on Saturday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that while cases were decreasing in the country, she said that the campaign rallies were "a cause for concern" due to the number of people gathering at rally sites. Speaking in Filipino, Vergeire reminded the public that the "virus is still here, the variants are still here" and those mass gatherings, which "these sorties have produced, are still not allowed." She said those attending campaign sorties should take care as they can still get infected with Covid which, in turn, could infect family members, especially those who have yet to be vaccinated. Vergeire said that self-regulation should be the mindset of every Filipino, as the government prepares its roadmap towards a "pandemic new normal," where there would be lesser restrictions on mobility and capacity. She said that a disease that enters the endemic phase should have an acceptable criterion of hospitalization and death, as well as the current environment of settings such as establishments and workplaces.
El Shaddai endorses Marcos-Duterte tandem
CATHOLIC charismatic group El Shaddai on Saturday endorsed the presidential and vice presidential bid, respectively, of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the upcoming national elections. El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde made the announcement at the El Shaddai International House of Prayer in Parañaque City. Velarde had also endorsed Marcos in his failed bid for the vice presidency in 2016. Duterte-Carpio, chairman of the Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats party, thanked El Shaddai and its millions of members for deciding to support her and Marcos. She said the endorsement of El Shaddai will inspire her and Marcos to lead the country. El Shaddai has more than 6 million members. In the past, while the group is known to endorse candidates, they have never engaged in bloc voting. The El Shaddai support comes a day after Marcos and Duterte-Carpio vowed to focus more on their campaign after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed the disqualification cases against the former senator. Speaking to reporters during her visit to Nueva Vizcaya on Friday, Duterte-Carpio said the Comelec decision was a "welcome development for the UniTeam." Marcos, for his part, hailed the dismissal of the petitions, and hoped he can carry on with the campaign "without all of these distractions." Duterte-Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is vying for the vice presidential seat under the Lakas-CMD party while Marcos is running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
Cash-strapped Obiena wins gold in Poland tourney
FILIPINO pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena won the gold in the 2022 Orlen Cup in Lodz, Poland on Saturday (Philippine time). Obiena cleared 5.81 meters in his first attempt to dominate the eight-man competition. The 26-year-old Olympian attempted to reset his personal best and Asian record of 5.93 meters but failed to hurdle the 5.95-meter bar in three attempts. Both Brazilian Thiago Braz and Polish Piotr Lisek jumped 5.71 meters but Braz, the 2016 Olympic champion, claimed the silver for clearing the bar in just one attempt compared to Lisek's two. The win did not come easy for Obiena, who has not received funding from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) since September 2021. Obiena's request for funds has already been approved by the PSC, but its release was put on hold after Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) chief Philip Juico questioned his liquidation reports. Obiena, who arrived on the day of the tournament in Poland, jumped into action with very little sleep. He failed to arrive in Lodz before the tilt because according to his lawyer in Manila, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist could only afford the 4 a.m. budget flight. Obiena has been financing his training and travels since his bitter row with the Patafa.
Vegafria aims to restore Olongapo's old glory
ARNOLD Vegafria described his running for mayor of Olongapo City in the May 9 national elections as a "destiny." During a broadcast of The Manila Times TV show Diretsong Pananaw, Vegafria, a businessman, showbiz impresario and Doctor of Dental Medicine, vowed to restore the lost glory of Olongapo if elected. Vegafria envisioned to revitalizing the city's long-dormant tourism industry and building its economic and industrial zones. He said Olongapo was previously known as a tourist destination and entertainment hub during the 1970's to the 1980's and up until the early 2000. Vegafria lamented the city administration's lack of initiative to restore Olongapo's old glory, adding the city has lost its identity.
Marcos DQ ruling executes CA decision
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution dismissing the three consolidated disqualification cases against presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (BBM) was basically an execution of the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA), an election lawyer said. Lawyer Manuelito Luna issued the statement over the weekend amid a barrage of criticism against the decision written by Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferrolino junking the case against Marcos for lack of merit. He explained that there has been some misunderstanding and the utter mischaracterization of the tax cases against Marcos. Luna said the non-filing of income tax return (ITR) is an administrative lapse and not a case of tax evasion.
Sputnik vaccine safe for pregnant women
THE director of the Gamaleya Research Institute, the developer of the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines, said his vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant women and adolescents 12 to17 years old, while he is now developing a version for kids and infants. In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, his first for a Philippine news organization, Professor Alexander Gintsburg said that the Sputnik Vaccine family, which consists of the two-dose Sputnik V and the single-dose Sputnik Light, were shown to be effective in pregnant women from the 22nd week of their pregnancy. Philippine authorities have not yet recommended the use of both Sputnik V and Sputnik Light for pregnant women, citing lack of data.
Cavite's Remulla endorses UniTeam
AFTER declaring that Cavite is "Marcos country," Gov. Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla formally endorsed presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., assuring him that all the local officials in the province will support his tandem with vice presidential hopeful Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Donned in red, the Marcoses' traditional political campaign color, the governor and his brothers, Cavite Seventh District Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" and former Cavite representative Gilbert Cesar Remulla, joined Marcos in his caravan in the province on Friday. Speaking to reporters, the governor promised to make Marcos win by 800,000 votes in Cavite, the second most vote-rich province with 2.15 million registered voters.
$580M investments from UAE firms seen
In business, companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to invest more than $500 million in the Philippines and create much-needed employment, the Department of Trade and Industry said. During a speech at the Expo 2020 Dubai official ceremony for the Philippines National Day, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that several UAE companies have expressed long-term interest in investing and exploring business opportunities in the country by signing letters of intent and memoranda of understanding during the event's business briefings.
Marlen Ronquillo is our front page columnist for the day. He tackles the family of controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Today's editorial calls on this year's election candidates to campaign responsibly, despite a drop in Covid-19 cases. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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For The Manila Times, this is Paulo Dimaapi.
Source: TheManila Times
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