News Roundup 24 December 2020
Dec 24, 2020 • 4 min Read
COVID-19 cases reach 465,724 with 1,776 new infections | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health on Thursday, Christmas eve, reported 1,776 new COVID-19 infections, pushing national tally to 465,724. In the days leading to Christmas, the government has been reminding the public to continue observing health protocols as they flag indications of possible surge in cases. Death toll rose to 9,055, with seven more people succumbing to COVID-19. Meanwhile recoveries went up to 430,490 with 533 new additions. This leaves 26,179 active cases in the country or 5.6% of the total recorded infections.
Appeals court again rejects Ressa’s bid to visit ailing mother in US | PHILSTAR.COM – The Court of Appeals has denied Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s bid to leave the country to visit her ailing mother in the United States. The CA’s Special Twelfth Division, in a resolution dated December 18 but made public Thursday, rejected Ressa’ appeal to be allowed to travel to the US, saying she again failed to prove the necessity of her travel. It added that “there exist circumstances sufficient to prohibit her from leaving the country.” The CA is currently handling her appeal to overturn the Manila court’s conviction of her and Rappler’s former researcher Rey Santos on cyber libel. Ressa had also filed separate motions to travel in other courts where she is facing charges. The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 157 where she faces tax-evasion cases and Branch 159 where the anti-dummy and violation of Security Regulations Code cases are pending granted her motion. The Court of Tax Appeals 1st Division where Ressa is facing four tax evasion cases has also given approval to travel. The Makati RTC Branch 147— where a second cyber libel charge against her has been filed — also granted her motion.
Robredo: Pandemic can’t take away essence of Christmas | INQUIRER.NET – For Vice President Leni Robredo, even though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way Filipinos celebrate Christmas, it could not take away the essence of the special holiday. In her Christmas message on Thursday, Robredo said no pandemic or disaster can stop the love of God shown through the birth of Jesus Christ. “Binago man ng pandemya ang paraan natin ng pagdiriwang, hindi maaaring mabawasan ang kabuluhan ng araw na ito, dahil walang pandemya o sakunang kayang umampat sa pagdaloy ng pag-ibig ng Maykapal,” she said. (Even if the pandemic has changed the way we celebrate Christmas, it cannot lessen the essence of this day, because no pandemic or disaster can stop the continuous flow of love from God.) “Walang dilim na kayang magligaw sa atin, dahil tayo mismo ang liwanag ng bawat isa (No darkness can lead us astray, because we ourselves are the light),” the Vice President added. She noted that this Christmas is different from the celebration of the most-awaited holiday in the previous years, as there are no caroling and huge gatherings. But despite these changes, Robredo said there are certain things where Filipinos can source strength amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. “Sa kabila ng napakaraming pagbabago sa mga tradisyong nakaugalian natin, humuhugot tayo ng lakas sa mga bagay na tiyak: Makakaasa tayo sa kabutihan ng ating kapwa; iisa tayong pamilya na sabay-sabay humaharap at bumabangon mula sa anumang pagsubok; lahat tayo, saklaw ng walang-hanggang pagmamahal ni Kristo,” she said. (Despite many changes in our traditions, we source strength from things that are sure: We can be assured of the goodness of other people; we are one family who face and rise from any challenges; and all of us are covered by the eternal love of Christ.)
CHR calls on nation to ‘end injustice, impunity’ | Manila Bulletin – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Thursday that the nation should “hold on to our renewal of faith in our mission to end all forms of injustice and impunity, while extending care and compassion to all individuals living in the margins this Christmas season. In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia called on “our elected and appointed officials to be more circumspect and respectful of their sworn responsibility of protecting and promoting the rights and dignity of every Filipinos.’’ “As we look forward to sharing the joy of Christmas festivities with our loved ones, albeit subdued, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) wishes to convey our prayers for safety and healing of everyone,’’ de Guia said. While the COVID-19 crisis “reminds us of our shared fragility and vulnerabilities’’, de Guia said it also “underpins how everything and everyone is truly connected.’’
Duterte hit for ‘selective enthusiasm’ vs Zarate | The Manila Times – Colleagues of Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate in the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives hit President Rodrigo Duterte’s “selective enthusiasm,” Red-tagging and personal attacks against the lawmaker. The lawmakers were reacting to Duterte’s tirades against Zarate in his public addresses. Duterte on Monday called Zarate a “hypocrite” and a “chauvinist pig” as he questioned the funding of the education of the lawmaker’s son, Xandro, in Europe. Zarate had maintained that his son’s education and expenses came from legitimate sources through his, his wife and relatives’ collective efforts. The Makabayan lawmakers believe the attack on critics was a mere “diversionary tactic” to “cover up” the “failures” of the administration on important issues such as the pandemic and calamities.
