News Roundup 28 March 2022
Mar 28, 2022 • 5 min Read
Local bets endorsing Robredo proof that campaign gaining momentum — spox | INQUIRER.NET – The numerous endorsements that Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential candidacy has gotten in the past few weeks is further proof that her campaign has gained momentum, her spokesperson claimed. Lawyer Barry Gutierrez in a statement on Monday said that they are thankful for the support given by several local candidates, which includes National Unity Party (NUP) and Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga who endorsed Robredo — who went against his own party that endorsed another candidate. “We are grateful for the continuing declarations of support for VP Leni’s presidential bid from local leaders,” Gutierrez said. “This is further proof of the tremendous momentum her candidacy has gained, owing to the strength of the People’s Campaign that has shown up to stand with her,” he added. Aside from Barzaga, there were other officials who endorsed Robredo, like Barzaga’s wife and Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga, and Cavite 3rd District Rep. Alex Advincula. Then prior to Barzaga’s endorsement, Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Juliette Uy and her own Team Unity endorsed Robredo — despite being members of the same NUP that is backing former senator Bongbong Marcos. Uy’s Team Unity picked Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio — Marcos’ running mate — as their vice presidential bet. These endorsements are still on top of the shocking announcement made by Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who left the camp of Senator Panfilo Lacson in favor of Robredo. Gutierrez believes more local officials and voters would pick Robredo come election time.
‘Untouchables’ blamed for agri smuggling; group slams ‘inaction’ of local execs | INQUIRER.NET – Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday blamed the “untouchables” for the continuous smuggling of agricultural products into the country, while a group of vegetable farmers and traders from Benguet slammed the “inaction” of local officials in addressing the influx of smuggled items in key markets. “Mayroong untouchables. May mga untouchables. Malakas ang kapit na ayaw nilang habulin. Iyan ang basa ko diyan,” Pangilinan said during the Senate Committee of the Whole’s investigation into agricultural smuggling. (There are untouchables. There are untouchables. They have backers that’s why they are not caught. That’s my suspicion.) “Masyado sigurong malapit sa mga naka-upo kaya ganyan ang sitwasyon,” he said without mentioning names. (They’re too close with those in a position that’s why we are in this situation.) Pangilinan’s remarks came on the heels of a complaint of a group of vegetable farmers that they were losing an average of P2.5 million, representing 40 percent of their daily income, to smugglers who bring in carrots from abroad. Agot Balanoy, public relations officer of the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas, lamented the effects of smuggling on local farmers. “We started complaining last year of July and August. But the Department of Agriculture denied that there is smuggling or smuggled vegetables coming from China entering our markets,” she said. She slammed the “inaction” of local officials on the plight of the farmers. She further cited a resolution filed by ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap which called for a probe similar to that being conducted by the Senate. Yap is the caretaker of the congressional district of Benguet. But Balanoy said her group has “not heard of any investigation” in the lower chamber of Congress yet, unlike in the Senate, which conducted its second hearing on the matter on Monday.
Fuel prices rise for 12th time this year | PHILSTAR.COM – Consumers can expect higher fuel prices this week following reports of a drone attack on a refinery based in the oil-rich Saudi Arabia as well as several developments affecting the global oil market, where the Philippines mainly gets its supply. Starting Tuesday, pump prices will experience another round of hikes. In an advisory, local firm Seaoil Philippines announced a price increase in its gasoline products by P3.40 per liter, diesel by P8.65 per liter and kerosene by P9.40 per liter. This marks the 12th round of weekly fuel price increases this year. This comes just after companies announced a rollback in its fuel products when they were able to buy oil at lower prices in the market. Rodela Romero, Assistant Director of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau told Philstar.com in an online exchange that some global developments are responsible for this week’s price adjustments. These include:
- A recent drone attack on a refinery based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;
- Reports from the IEA (International Energy Agency) that the global oil market can lose three million barrels of Russian oil products per day next month; and
- Storm damage to the crucial Black Sea export terminal
Meanwhile, a Cleanfuel representative told Philstar.com in an online interview that “continuous volatility in the global oil market” caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia contributed to the price increases this week. Gas, diesel and kerosene prices in the Philippines have been constantly increasing since the beginning of 2022 due to tight supply in the global market partly worsened by the Ukraine vs. Russia geopolitical conflict.
DOH records 2,726 Covid-19 cases in the past week; 752 deaths | Manila Bulletin – The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday, March 28, a total of 2,726 new Covid-19 cases recorded in the past week. Among this, there were no additional critical nor severe cases reported by the agency. It’s been a month since the DOH implemented its weekly case report. Data collected was from March 21 to 27. According to the data, the seven-day average daily cases dipped to 389 or 24 percent lower than cases from March 14 to 20. The case bulletin also showed that 758 patients with severe and critical Covid-19 infections are admitted or 11.9 percent of the total Covid-19 admissions. DOH also reported 752 new deaths from Covid-19. Meanwhile, DOH said that more than 65 million individuals or 72.93 percent of the target populasyon have been vaccinated against Covid-19. On the other hand, 11.8 million individuals have received their booster shots while 6.5 million senior citizens or 75.56 percent of the target A2 population have received their primary series.
