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DUBAI --- As much of the world tightens lockdowns to stem coronavirus, Dubai has flung its doors open, branding itself as a sunny, quarantine-free escape -- despite a sharp rise in cases. While mask-wearing and social distancing are strictly enforced, life in the tourism-reliant emirate looks much like normal, with its restaurants, hotels and mega-malls open for business. Images of sports stars and television personalities enjoying life at beach clubs and cocktail bars have flooded social media -- sometimes to disapproval back home. Emirates, which restored its network to about three quarters of pre-pandemic levels, is again operating A380 super-jumbos - the world's largest ...

Keep on reading: Escaping coronavirus lockdowns, tourists flock to Dubai

An American rock band has been receiving extra attention from Filipinos --- not exactly for its music, but because it has been mistaken for an internet provider. Converge, a band known for its hardcore punk and metal music, released a statement on Saturday, Jan. 16 to clarify to Filipino Facebook users that it is not "an internet provider in the Philippines yet." The actual Facebook page of the internet provider is Converge ICT Solutions Inc. The band shared a screenshot of comments left on one of its posts, some of which include expletives, while others chide fellow Filipinos for complaining on the wrong page. "Hey everyone... still just a hardcore band over here," i...

Keep on reading: Punk band Converge gets complaints from Filipinos over internet woes

MANILA, Philippines --- The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to extend for another 10 years the granting of lifeline electricity rate subsidies to low-income consumers. Voting 19-0, senators approved Senate Bill No. 1877, which seeks to amend the Electricity Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA). Under the EPIRA law, signed in 2001, the lifeline rate or a subsidized rate was given for a period of 10 years to low-income captive market end-users who cannot afford to pay at full cost. In 2011, the lifeline rate was extended until 2021. Under the new bill, the provision of the lifeline rate subsidies will be extended until 2031. READ: Senate...

Keep on reading: Senate OKs 10-year extension of power rate subsidies for poor consumers

MANILA, Philippines --- Even those who have already been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine have to follow travel protocols imposed by the government, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday. During the hearing of the House committee on health, Duque was asked whether those who have been inoculated will be exempted from travel protocols once the vaccination program begins in the country. Duque said that current policies state that inoculated individuals still have to follow protocols. "Perhaps [they can be exempted] down the road when we can get more data as the vaccines are rolled out or administered to a growing number of individuals---both locally and international...

Keep on reading: Inoculated individuals still have to follow travel protocols, for now — Duque

GENERAL SANTOS CITY ---- An early dawn fire gutted the historic Jose Catolico Puericulture Center here on Monday even amid a heavy downpour. Built during the early 1950s along the city hall drive here, the two-story wooden structure had been a popular go-to place for expectant mothers for the affordable services there. The facility was one of the few remaining old landmarks in the city. Maila Ismael, a midwife at the center, said the fire started around 2:30 a.m. when a loud explosion was heard at the upper floor of the building and lights went off, said Ismael. "Flames immediately spread on the second floor," Ismael added. She said they were able to move to a hospital a ...

Keep on reading: Fire guts General Santos City’s historic landmark

MANILA, Philippines --- The House of Representatives resumed its session Monday afternoon following its month-long holiday break. Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the priorities of the lower chamber for discussion are the issues involving the government's COVID-19 vaccination program, aside from other legislative measures previously mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte. Prior to the resumption of the House's session, the lower chamber's committee on health began its inquiry into the national government's COVID-19 vaccination program attended by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. Aside from the COVID-19 vaccine, Velasco said the lower chambe...

Keep on reading: House resumes session with COVID-19 vaccine, other measures as priority

TACLOBAN CITY ---- An alleged rebel was arrested by government forces during an encounter with the New People's Army in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Sunday, Jan. 17. Bienvenido Abagancia, 65, was reportedly left behind by other rebels during the 30-minute firefight. The government troops recovered four improvised explosive devices, an improvised 7.62-mm rifle, a caliber .38 revolver, an M14 magazine, three backpacks containing anti-government documents, and personal belongings. Lt. Col. Oliver Alvior, commanding Officer of 78th Infantry Battalion, lauded the troops for their successful operation and extended his gratitude to the residents for saving the lives of the soldiers....

Keep on reading: Rebel nabbed during clash in Eastern Samar

ILOILO CITY ---- The Western Visayas office of the Department of Health (DOH) has been affected by a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, prompting some services and activities to be conducted online. The number of personnel with the disease reached 24 as of Wednesday as two more cases were confirmed, Dr. Jane Juanico, head of the Infectious Disease Section of the DOH regional office, told the INQUIRER in a telephone interview on Thursday. Juanico said that of the 24 cases, eight were admitted in hospitals, while 16 were in isolation at home or government facilities. All of the infected personnel are symptomatic. The first case was confirmed on Jan. 5, with other cases co...

Keep on reading: 24 DOH-Western Visayas personnel test positive for COVID-19

Samsung vice chairman Lee Jae-yong is going back to prison, casting the future of leadership at the massive tech company in doubt.

MANILA, Philippines --- After making a turnabout last week, Palace said on Monday that the decision on whether President Rodrigo Duterte will agree to receive the first shots of Covid-19 vaccine in the Philippines to inspire public confidence is completely up to him. "Hintayin nalang po natin kung ano talaga ang magiging personal na desisyon ng Presidente," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised Palace press briefing. Duterte initially said he is willing to be the first one to be injected with the coronavirus vaccine to prove its efficacy and safety. The President said this in August 2020, particularly referring to Russia's Sputnik-V vaccine. But his tone chan...

Keep on reading: Up to Duterte if he wants to get first jab of Covid-19 vaccine in PH — Palace

In a new criminal court case against a woman alleged to have entered the US Capitol on January 6, the FBI noted that a tipster raised the possibility of a laptop being stolen from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to potentially sell to Russia.

BACOLOD CITY ---- At least P3.5 million was allocated by this city to assist three cities and one town in the third district of Negros Occidental that was recently struck by massive flooding. Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the city would give P1 million each to the cities of Talisay, Silay, and Victorias, and P500,000 for the municipality of E. B. Magalona. "I commend the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for the quick response and approval of my request for assistance to our neighbors who recently experienced heavy flooding," he said. The P3.5 million allocation will be submitted to the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod for ratification. Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Benitez ...

Keep on reading: Bacolod sets aside P3.5M to help 3 cities, 1 town in Negros Occidental hit by floods

Entertainment newscaster Gretchen Fullido, who is also a known health buff, was not feeling well over the weekend, but she insisted on doing a quick and easy run nonetheless. Fullido spoke about why she went on to run despite having dysmenorrhea, going for 11 kilometers, as per her Instagram post yesterday, Jan. 17. "Wasn't feeling well today so I forced myself to do a quick [and] short run... which ended longer in mileage [and] time and the rain poured so it was extra dramatic," she said. While not feeling 100%, Fullido decided to still run after remembering what her former swimming coach taught her years ago. "I was contemplating on just staying in bed to rest because I was...

Keep on reading: How Gretchen Fullido’s swimming background still helps her these days

BORONGAN CITY ---- The city of Borongan in Eastern Samar was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for two weeks starting midnight of Jan. 18 to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Agda on Sunday signed Executive Order No. 001-0121, which prohibits all forms of mass gatherings. A liquor ban was also implemented, while curfew hours take effect from 8 p.m to 5 a.m. Agda said the city would provide food assistance to those who would undergo home isolation. Under MECQ, strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households, while movements of residents shall be limited to buying essential goods and s...

Keep on reading: Borongan City placed under MECQ to curb COVID-19 spread

MANILA, Philippines --- The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the criminal and administrative complaints filed against Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta and PAO forensics chief Erwin Erfe in relation to the Dengvaxia controversy. In a resolution, the investigating prosecutor said there was no probable cause to indict the two for graft, falsification of public documents, malversation of public funds or property, and illegal use of public funds or property. "The criminal and administrative complaints against respondents are hereby dismissed, for insufficiency of evidence," according to the resolution. The resolution was dated October 3, 2019, and approved by ...

Keep on reading: Ombudsman junks raps vs Acosta, Erfe over Dengvaxia issue

MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has already completed its study for Covid-19 saliva tests, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. In an online press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the PRC was supposed to present the findings of its study on Monday, but asked to have it rescheduled to a later date. "They said that Wednesday na sila magpapresent sa ating lab experts (they will present it before lab experts on Wednesday), but they were already done with the study," Vergeire said. "They are just finalizing the analysis so pagka-present po sa lab experts and it is acceptable, isa-submit na po natin 'yan sa health technology...

Keep on reading: PH Red Cross completes study on Covid-19 saliva test — DOH

MANILA, Philippines --- Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday proposed deferring deliberations on Charter change (Cha-cha) until the 19th Congress in June 2022. Drilon in an online interview questioned the timing of moves to amend the 1987 Constitution even as he expressed support to easing economic provisions in the country's main charter. The House of Representatives has commenced debated to amend the "restrictive" economic provisions of the Constitution. House committee on constitutional amendments chair Alfredo Garbin said proposed changes to economic clauses could be approved soon. "Ako'y hindi tumututol na luwagan natin ang Saligang Batas pagdating sa econom...

Keep on reading: Drilon: Defer Cha-cha talks until June 2022

Lauri Markkanen scored a team-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls overcame a historic triple-double from Luka Doncic to beat the Dallas Mavericks 117-101 on Sunday. Garrett Temple scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half as the Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak. The Bulls shot 50 percent in the first half and led by 19 points at one stage, en route to a 67-52 lead heading into the third quarter. Slovenian sensation Doncic finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists to record his 29th career triple-double to pass Michael Jordan and move into 15th spot on the all-time list. A frustrated Doncic said the blame for the loss rested squa...

Keep on reading: Bulls overcome Luka Doncic’s historic triple-double

MANILA, Philippines --- Areas without Covid-19 transmission may soon transition to the "new normal" where remaining quarantine restrictions will be eased, Malacaang said Monday. According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved "in principle" the declaration of new normal areas in the country. He added that the task force is now formulating guidelines for the new normal. "It has been approved in principle po talaga na magkakaroon ng deklarasyon talaga ng new normal areas. Pero ang binubuo lang po ngayon ay yung mga 'Dos and Don'ts' sa new normal," Roque said. (It has been ...

Keep on reading: IATF eyes shift to ‘new normal’ for areas without Covid-19 transmission

Lobien Realty Group believes that the worst is over with respect to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This belief is based on the existence of several high efficacy and safe vaccines that are now being rolled out in different countries and the Philippines has also started its negotiations for the procurement of the vaccines, with the vaccination expected to start in the second quarter of 2021. State of the Philippine Economy The Asian Development Bank says the Philippine economy is still down but is slowly recovering, as the GDP contraction decreased to 11.5% in the 3rd quarter from a contraction of 16.9% in the 2nd quarter of 2020. Full year GDP growth forecast in 2020 declined to -7.3%,...

Keep on reading: Office and Residential Property Markets in PH Set to Recover in 2021