News Roundup 21 August 2021
Aug 21, 2021 • 3 min Read
Philippines logs 16,694 new COVID-19 cases in 2nd highest daily rise since pandemic started | PHILSTAR.COM – Local health authorities on Saturday reported 16,694 more COVID-19 infections, bringing the national caseload to 1,824,051.
- Active cases: 123,935 or 6.8% of the total
- Recoveries: 15,805, pushing total to 1,668,520
- Deaths: 398, bringing total to 31,596
This is the second-highest daily rise in COVID-19 cases seen since the start of the pandemic, trailing only behind the 17,231 infections logged on Friday.
Robredo calls on Filipinos to honor Ninoy’s sacrifice | PHILSTAR.COM – Vice President Leni Robredo urged Filipinos to honor the sacrifice of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. as the nation marked the 38th anniversary of his assassination. In a statement, Robredo said Filipinos are challenged to make sure that the fruits of Aquino’s sacrifice remain alive. “Mula sa pagharap sa mga hamon ng pandemya, hanggang sa paninindigan para sa ating mga karapatan, sa bawat pagkakataon, nawa’y ipakita nating sulit na sulit ang sakripisyo ni Ninoy para sa Pilipino,” she said. (From facing the challenges of the pandemic, up to standing for our rights, in every instance, may we show that Ninoy’s sacrifice for Filipinos was very much worth it.) Robredo said this year’s commemoration of Aquino’s killing is sadder, given that his son, former President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III just passed away this June. She said that the Aquino family, together with the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, showed heroism and love for the country. “Si Ninoy, nanindigan na the Filipino is worth dying for; si President Cory, na the Filipino is worth living for; kay PNoy, the Filipino is worth fighting for,” Robredo said. She added, “In Ninoy’s death, President Cory’s life, and PNoy’s fight along the straight and righteous path, they collectively pursued this vision; they showed what we all know to be the truth: That the Filipino is worth dreaming for.”
49 Filipinos still in Afghanistan amid Taliban takeover; 158 evacuated — DFA | INQUIRER.NET – An estimated 49 Filipinos are still in Afghanistan while 158 have already left or were evacuated amid the takeover of the Taliban, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday. According to the DFA’s situation bulletin, 42 Filipinos are still requesting company or government repatriation. Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad has already arranged the evacuation of 30 Filipinos who were flown to Pakistan. Another 10 Filipinos were able to leave Kabul for different destinations: Eight for Dubai, United Arab Emirates; one for Doha, Qatar; and one for Paris, France. “More Filipinos are reported to have been evacuated to the UK. Their status now is being verified by the Philippine Embassy in London,” the DFA reported. Five Filipinos assisted by Indonesia are now in Jakarta. The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta is arranging their flights to Manila. “All evacuated Filipinos who request to return to the Philippines will be assisted. The Department continues to work on the immediate extraction of the remaining Filipinos in Afghanistan,” the DFA assured.
Ninoy Aquino’s sacrifice a guide for Filipinos amid challenges — Robredo | Manila Bulletin – Vice President Leni Robredo urged Filipinos to keep the fruits of the sacrifice of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. alive and let these serve as their guide as they face challenges. Robredo made the statement as the country commemorated the 38th anniversary of Aquino’s death on Saturday, August 21. In her statement, the Vice President lauded the late Senator’s decision to leave a life of comfort behind to sacrifice himself for the country’s democracy. She said this sacrifice changed the course of the country’s history and it’s up to the public to keep the fruits of Aquino’s sacrifice alive.“Ang hamon sa atin ngayon: Siguruhin na mananatiling buhay ang bunga ng sakripisyong ito (The challenge for us is to make sure that the fruits of these sacrifices will stay alive),” Robredo said. “Mula sa pagharap sa mga hamon ng pandemya, hanggang sa paninindigan para sa ating mga karapatan, sa bawat pagkakataon, nawa’y ipakita nating sulit na sulit ang sakripisyo ni Ninoy para sa Pilipino (From facing the pandemic to standing up for our rights. I hope we show that Ninoy’s sacrifice was worth it at all times),” she added.
