Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, July 23, 2022.
READ: NCR Covid cases have yet to peak
THE Covid-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila continues to rise, an indication that infections have not yet peaked in the region, according to OCTA Research. Based on the graph shown by OCTA Research senior fellow, Dr. Guido David, Metro Manila's positivity rate was at 14.6 percent on July 20, up from 14 percent last July 15 and 12 percent last July 17. David said it is not yet clear what is driving the uptrend, and there is no telling when it will peak before it goes on a down curve, David said. OCTA projects that the daily Covid count across the country could hit 3,000 on Friday, with 1,100 cases predicted in NCR alone. David also noted that cases are now increasing in many parts of the country and urged the public to observe caution because the subvariants of Omicron remain immune-evasive. Department of Health (DoH) Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DoH's own positivity rate is 13.9 percent, slightly lower than OCTA's. She added that the DoH's projection is much higher than OCTA's 3,000-case per day projection, hovering at around 11,000 cases nationwide. Vergeire said the National Capital Region is now classified as moderate risk for Covid after its average daily attack rate hovered at 6.25 cases per 100,000 population.
READ: Rodriguez shoots down rumors he has resigned
EXECUTIVE Secretary Victor Rodriguez on Friday brushed aside rumors that he has resigned from his post due to pressure from the "inner circle" of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. He made the denial during his meeting with the officers of the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC). He was in a jovial mood as he talked with the reporters. Unverified reports circulated that the 48-year-old Rodriguez, who was Marcos' campaign manager in the last elections, offered to quit after close associates of Marcos insist he is not qualified to be the "little President." His choice of appointments for Malacañang positions was also questioned. Another report had it that a religious organization told Marcos that Rodriguez's camp was asking for P100 million in exchange for a Cabinet post. Rodriguez refused to comment on the rumors, saying "we cannot be held to explain on something" that is "unverifiable or chismis (gossip)."
READ: US committed to stand by ally PH, says envoy
NEW United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson on Friday reaffirmed America's commitment to help defend the Philippines' sovereignty and independence. She said the alliance between the two countries "is a bedrock of our bond, and our Mutual Defense Treaty and other agreements are at the heart of our commitment to help defend the Philippines' sovereignty and independence." Carlson succeeds Sung Kim, who led the US Mission in Manila from 2016 to 2020.
READ: Marcos expected to back AFP modernization plan
THE Department of National Defense (DND) is confident President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will affirm his support for the continued modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) when he delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told a press briefing Friday that based on the statements of Senior Undersecretary and DND Officer in Charge Jose Faustino, the President is supportive of the long-term plan to modernize the military. Andolong said Marcos is looking to improve the reserve forces of the AFP as well. The modernization program is currently under Horizon 2, or the second phase, which runs from 2018 to 2022.
READ: 'No extension for voter registration'
THE 18-day voter registration set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on December 5 will end on Saturday as scheduled. During the July 4 to 23 registration period, applications for registration, reactivation, change/correction of entries and inclusion/reinstatement of records in the list of voters shall be personally filed at the Office of the Election Officer of the city/district/municipality where the applicant resides, during office hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays. The law-mandated system of continuing registration of votes started on July 4 and will end on July 23 or only for 18 days because of a prohibition in the law and also to allow the Comelec to comply with other poll-related activities. Under Republic Act 8189 or the "Continuing Voter's Registration Act," voter registration is prohibited within 120 days prior to elections.
BUSINESS: Study: PH benefit from GSP+ limited
Topping business, the Philippines' ability to benefit economically from the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) of the European Union is limited. This is according to a study released on Friday by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and written by Brynn Jonsson Julia, an administrative officer at the Department of Trade and Industry, titled "Analyzing the Diversity and Inclusivity of Philippine Exports to the European Union Under the GSP+." He said GSP+ is a trade deal that waives EU tariffs in return for developing nations abiding by international treaties, such as those pertaining to human and labor rights, environmental protection and good governance.
SPORTS: St. Benilde sweeps season to win title
Over to sports, the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers dethroned Arellano University with a 26- 24, 25-12, 25-9 victory in Game Two of the Finals to complete a season sweep and capture the championship of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 women's volleyball tournament. The Lady Blazers are the first NCAA women's volleyball team to finish the season without a loss since the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in 2012.
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras tackles the country's language debate, Makabenta discusses "Greenflation", and Remoto tells overseas Filipinos on going home to see the country's tourist attractions.
Today's editorial believes a new railway system is a chance for the Department of Transportation to get things right. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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This is EJ Gomez reporting.