Good day, here are the stories for The Manila Times for Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2020.
REVERTING to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in high-risk regions in the country is “not yet needed,” even with the possible post-Christmas surge of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) projected by a team of medical experts. Professor Guido David, a University of the Philippines (UP) Octa Research fellow, in a briefing on Wednesday said an MECQ was not necessary unless the country hits the “critical limit” of 4,000 cases daily. The last time Metro Manila and other regions were placed under MECQ was August 4, when the country averaged around 4,000 cases a day. During that time, all persons aged below 21 and those aged 60 and above were required to stay at home, unless they were obtaining essential goods and services or reporting to work in certain industries.
Read: Post-Christmas Covid surge looms
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the seven-day ban on all flights from the United Kingdom following the discovery of a new and more potent variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in that country. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte approved the suspension on Tuesday. It will last from December 24 to 31. Covered by the suspension are passengers who have been in the UK within the last 14 days and those in transit, he noted. Passengers already in transit from the UK and those who are due to arrive in the Philippines before 12:01 a.m. of December 24 will be allowed entry but will have to undergo stricter quarantine and testing, he added.
Read: Flights from UK halted amid new virus strain
INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday appealed to the public not to condemn the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the killings committed by a policeman in Tarlac last Sunday. In a statement, he said the wrongdoings of some policemen should not be the fault of the 228,000-strong police force. Earlier this week, senior MSgt. Jonel Nuezca shot and killed mother Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank in a heated argument in Paniqui, Tarlac.
Read: Don’t condemn PNP over Tarlac slays – Año
FAR from the excited and boisterous crowds that usually welcome Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries and their grand floats, this year’s Parade of Stars has adapted to new normal and is going online. The parade opens the filmfest, which starts on December 25 and ends on January 7. The 10 entries this year are “Isa Pang Bahaghari,” “Pakboys Takusa,” “The Boy Foretold by the Stars,” “The Missing,” “Father Suarez,” “Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim,” “Coming Home,” “Tagpuan,” “Magikland” and “Fan Girl.” Instead of a traditional cinema showing, the entries will be available for streaming via Upstream PH by Christmas Day.
Read: Metro Manila filmfest to have virtual opening parade
HOPE among majority of Filipinos in 2021 remains high despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the country, according to the latest survey released by pollster Pulse Asia on Wednesday. The poll from November 23 to December 2 among 2,400 representative adults nationwide found that 91 percent of Filipinos wanted to welcome the new year “with hope.” Only 1 percent said they would be facing the coming year “without hope,” while 8 percent were “ambivalent” or undecided on the matter.
Read: Hope remains for most Filipinos in 2021 – survey
In business, the national government’s budget deficit climbed to P128.3 billion in November 2020 as public spending rebounded during the month, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) said on Wednesday. Data from the Treasury bureau showed that the shortfall was more than twice last year’s P60.9-billion budget gap, resulting in a cumulative budget deficit of P1.069 trillion, higher than the P409.1 billion recorded for the January-November 2019 period.
Read: Fiscal gap climbs to P128 billion in Nov
In sports, the Los Angeles Lakers received their NBA championship rings on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Manila) in an empty arena that still felt filled with warmth from their families, friends and millions of fans worldwide. And while they put the blindingly brilliant jewelry on their fingers, the Lakers promised to hold a real party for their 17th championship as soon as everyone can attend.
Read: Lakers get championship rings with empty arena, full hearts
Yen Makabenta, Ramon Tulfo, and Arch. Felino Palafox Jr. are the front page columnists of the Times. Makabenta discusses about countering the so-called brutalism of lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Tulfo talks about cheerful giving during the Christmas season, while Arch. Palafox elaborates the Palafox group’s architecture, planning, urban design and master plan of the Pampanga Megalopolis.
Read: Freedom or lockdown: Countering the brutalism of the lockdown
Read: On cheerful giving
Today’s editorial for the Times hits the Department of Labor and Employment over “poor compensation” for health workers during the pandemic.
Read the full version on the paper's Opinion Section or listen to the Voice of The Times.
Read: Poor compensation for health workers is a travesty
For more news and information, get a copy of The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and Keep Up With The Times.
With Dafort Villaseran, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe and meaningful Christmas season.