News Roundup 23 August 2020
Aug 23, 2020 • 3 min Read
China urges Philippines to stop ‘provocations’ in West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – Beijing has accused the Philippines of infringing on its security and sovereignty by sending military aircraft over the West Philippine Sea, the portion of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Li Jian issued this statement at a press briefing in response to Manila’s diplomatic protest over the Chinese Coast Guard allegedly confiscating Filipino fishermen’s fish aggregating devices in the area. “China urges the Philippines to immediately stop illegal provocative activities,” he said. “The Philippines infringes on China’s sovereignty and security by sending military aircraft into air space adjacent to Nansha islands and reefs garrisoned by China.” The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China’s sweeping “nine-dash-line” claim over most of the South China Sea has no basis in international law. Beijing, however, has refused to acknowledge the award and did not participate in the arbitration case.
Who’s profiting from imported PPE? – Pangilinan | INQUIRER.NET – Senators on Saturday scored the “unscrupulous people” who were undermining local industries in the acquisition of medical equipment and supplies that were in high demand and favoring imports while the country was in its worst recession in decades. “It seems unscrupulous people are using the Procurement Service (of the Department of Budget and Management, or PS-DBM) to steal billions of people’s money set aside for PPE (personal protective equipment),” Sen. Francis Pangilinan said, following an Inquirer report on the grievances aired by the Confederation of Philippine Manufacturers of PPE (CPMP). “We could not help but ask: who is profiting from imported and overpriced PPEs?” he said after the group complained that the government was favoring imports from China and other countries although it was the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that asked them to produce the medical safety products. CPMP, composed of five manufacturers of garments and electronics, responded to the appeal of the DTI to retool their production lines amid the public health emergency. But after investing in new equipment, the government ignored them and stepped up importation of medical products and supplies, particularly PPE.
Opposition solons hit Mendoza’s SC petition favoring Anti-Terrorism Act, scoff at his offer to be ‘friend of the court’ | Manila Bulletin – Opposition lawmakers on Sunday scoffed at veteran lawyer Estelito Mendoza for asking the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 for lack of “actual controversy” and for also urging the High Court to allow him to participate as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to help resolve the 29 petitions against the ATA. Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said the petition filed by Mendoza asking the SC to allow him to be friend of the court in the anti-terrorism cases “does not befriend the High Court but demeans its jurisdiction.” “An amicus curiae (friend of the court) must impartially advise the court on the issues pending adjudication, but never deceive the court by misleading arguments,” he said in a statement. The human rights lawyer noted Mendoza served as solicitor-general and justice minister of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos during martial law “whose repressive policies are replicated in the ATA.”
QC to open 2 more quarantine facilities | The Manila Times – Anticipating a spike in the number of coronavirus disease cases, the Quezon City government has established two more quarantine facilities, Mayor Josefina ‘Joy’ Belmonte said on Sunday. The facility at the Talipapa Senior High School building will open next week. It will be the fifth HOPE community-caring facility in the city and will have a 67-bed capacity for mild and asymptomatic cases. “Isolation is one of the key strategies in controlling the spread of Covid-19. Since we have seen a rise in numbers, we need to expand our quarantine facilities in order to accommodate those who cannot self-isolate in their homes,” Belmonte said. Another quarantine center will soon open at the compound of the Quezon City General Hospital, which will have a 336-bed capacity. The city government has procured four dialysis machines and 10 beds for Covid-19 dialysis patients in this facility.
