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VOL. 595 NO. 12
P20.00
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monday, DECEMBER 20, 2021
by jeraldine billy According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), up to 208 people were killed in the onslaught of typhoon Odette in the country. The report detailed 129 individuals died in Central Visayas, 41 in Caraga Region, 24 in Western Visayas, seven in Northern Mindanao, six in Eastern Visayas and one in Zamboanga.
The instilling fear from atrocious damage left by Typhoon "Odette" in Loboc, Bohol. Thousand families lost their homes and infrastructures severely dismantled. (Photo courtesy of Ian Cruz)
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by jeraldine billy According to BDO Unibank account holders, most of them lost thousands of money in deposits due to online banking scams in which unauthorized transfers were made to a Union Bank of the Philippines account by unidentified culprits. read page 2 turn to page 3
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by kristine shane angela rodriguez Monday in his final New Year's address of his single five-year term, South Korea President Moon Jae-in said that He will continue to fight for "irreversible peace" with North Korea until he leaves office in May. Moon has been attempting to obtain a declaration that will officially end the Korean War. The 1950-1953 battle ended with a cease-fire, but no peace treaty was ever signed, hence the two Koreas are officially still at war.
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December 20, 2021
typhoon Odette from page 1
from page 1 Through phishing links, cyber criminals can access information about depositors' BDO account information that will be used to carry out illegal transactions. BDO clients will only receive an email and text notification telling them that they have successfully processed the money transfer and that their money deposit has been cleared. Arvic Ramos, an OFW in Kuwait which happened to be one of the victims said it was disappointing because he was very careful with his online account and this is how it turns out. To get their grievances to the attention of concerned, Ramos with other victim formed a group of BDO account holders who have fallen victim ithe scam which now has an
WASHED-OUT. Several parts of Southern Philippines left largely devastated from the fury ravage of Typhoon Odette. Copious wave of people put at stake after multiple lives demised. PHOTO: UNICEF
“Northeastern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Palawan were most affected by the typhoon", said the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) . As of writing, there were 239 injured people, 52 are still missing and 98 infrastructures were destroyed and an estimated 1.8 million families were affected by the typhoon. Bohol, one of the deeply marred province hit by typhoon Odette, pressed President Rodrigo Duterte to provide 15-horse power generators that could be sent to towns which will be utilized in water pumping stations. The latest statistics, there were 438,359 individual affected by the typhoon and were temporarily staying at evacuation centers, while several families opt to shelter with relatives in mean time.
been compromised. They must figure out how to secure depositors by adopting modern technology. If they fail to comply with that, that is prima facie evidence that there is a shortcoming in due diligence. They should be made accountable for that," said Zarate. Although the BDO has promised to return the victims' money and tighten their security controls, it has yet to release any results on how many depositors were affected and how much money was stolen. As of now, BDO is in close coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation to cooperate in finding cyber criminals responsible for unauthorized withdrawals. BDO once again reminded the public not to provide any private information and OTP, but
City Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi announced on a Facebook post to add vaccination center at Imus City, Cavite wherein free vaccinations for Covid-19 were held only for a limited time. The vaccination site was held at a local clinic, Community Doctors, near the District mall along the locality and is still accepting residents for walked in . It was also stated that the vaccine is both eligible for both minors and adults. Schedules of vaccination will start at 9 AM to 5 PM (cutting off at 3pm) on December 21 - 22, and 27- 29, 2021.
estimated 200 members. BDO Management has an ongoing investigation regarding this matter. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Carlos Zarate filed a resolution for an investigation into the issue. "They will still go through the needle hossle, it is clear that their system has
by raiden allistair carino
Vaccine inoculation is still on progress at Barangay Buhay Na Tubig, and the announcement by raiden allistair carino for its last batch for the year 2021 The family of certain Rusty Dela Cruz, sought help and reported to the is until further notice. police that he was missing, and the police immediately took a course of action for the search. Unfortunately, the 19-year old student found dead along Bacoor Boulevard, Cavite. Before the incident, Rusty was caught in a CCTV footage at Severino Reyes and Remigio Street, Tondo Manila, entering in a certain rented house of a local businessman. The businessman came out 11 in the evening carrying two large sacks and placing it in taxi trunk. Moriones Police received a call from Bacoor City Police where they found two sacks with chopped body parts inside along Bacoor Boulevard. When the police and the victim's family arrived in the location where the chopped body was found, they confirmed that it was Rusty. The authorities started a follow-up operation to arrest the businessman. According to Manila Police District Director Brigadier General Leo Francisco, they had received information that the victim used the suspect's money for online ‘Sabong’. The family will press murder charges against the suspect. while indoor, except only when actively eating, drinking, and spending time in their stateroom. The cruise line asked the passengers to wear their face mask during outdoors and still observe proper social distancing.
told USA TODAY. In a note sent to passengers last Friday, Royal Caribbean announced that mask restrictions would be tightened until January 5, 2022. They also asked the passengers to remember that their health and On Saturday, December 18, safety came first. Cristine Da Silva, senior vice FREE VOUCHER president of Branding and by innah nina ortega Communication for Norwegian, As the Omicron variant from has laid out her statement coronavirus escalated, the Norwegian regarding the health protocol in Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean the cruise ship. International consolidated the mask “Given the current health protocol in their on board cruise ship. environment, we’ve updated our
only to regularly change passwords The managing personnel required all on board health and safety the passengers to wear a proper mask protocols and requirements” she in their online banking accounts.
December 20, 2021
Call Call Call for for for precautions precautions precautions By Rhon cyrelle boado
After an overseas Filipino worker returned to the country, the country discovered a third case of the Omicron variant. According to the Department of Health, the 36-year-old unvaccinated male patient arrived from Qatar on Nov. 28 and had a travel history to Egypt. When the patient arrived in Cebu, he was quarantined in an isolation facility and tested positive on December 4. After completing his quarantine, he was returned to Cavite. On Sunday, after learning that he was positive for the Omicron variant, the asymptomatic patient was reswabbed and tested negative for COVID-19
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire added that Qatar Airways QR 924 had three close contacts in the case. They are all being quarantined at home and have tested negative for COVID-19 after a retest. According to the World Health Organization, it is unclear whether Omicron is more contagious or causes more severe disease than other variants of concern. However, preliminary evidence suggests that there may be a higher risk of reinfection with Omicron. To prevent the entry of more Omicron cases, the Philippines has imposed travel restrictions on eight countries.
By innah nina ortega The Miss World 2021 competition was scheduled to take place Thursday in Puerto Rico, but it was cancelled after several contestants and staff members tested positive for COVID-19, which they encountered while under quarantine. Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria assured the pageant fans with a separate statement saying that the Miss Philippines’ bet Tracy Maureen Perez had tested negative for the virus.
"We are very much looking forward to the return of our contestant who we have grown to know and love to compete for the Miss World Crown", said the CEO of Miss World Organization Julia Morley. The instructions said that the finale will be rearranged and completed within the next 90 days. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico offers a safe environment and a spectacular backdrop for filming the Miss World Festival.
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By Flone gigante
During negotiations in 2018 and 2019, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation or Moon held multiple summits with Kim MASHAV and the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, have coincluding one in Pyongyang, before talks sponsored the “Hospital-in-a-Bike” Project of Makati Medical Center stalled due to disagreements over Foundation Inc. international demands that the North The project aims to save lives or prevent injuries by giving urgent surrender its nuclear arsenal, as well as medical attention to remote areas across the Philippines. The Pyongyang's call for Washington and Seoul PHP500,000 grant will be alloted for a basic Trauma Kit that will to ease sanctions and drop other "hostile include medical supplies and equipment such as nasal policies." Ambassador Ilan Fluss turned over to MakatiMed tracheostomy tube, surgical tools, and portable oxygen. Specialized "At the time of my inauguration, in the Foundation, President Dr. Victor Gisbert the ₱ 500,000 humanitarian grant for the Hospital-In-A-Bike Project communications equipment will also be included. immediate crisis of war, we talked about dialogue and created a path to peace. According to the Ambassador IlanFluss said in a statement that, it is part of the embassy and MASHAV’s vision to share with While peace is unfinished and tensions the Philippines the know-how technologies which provided the basis for Israel’s own rapid development. sometimes arise, the situation on the A total of 100 cycle responders will benefit from the said project, namely, 25 Tausug Heroes based in Sulu Province, 25 cycle Korean Peninsula is more stable than responders based in Luzon, 25 cycle responders based in Visayas, and 25 cycle responders based in Mindanao. Fluss is ever." Moon affirmed. hoping that there are more communities, especially the far-flung areas, will benefit from this project in the future. " There is still a long way to go," Moon admitted, but emphasized that if interKorean relations improve the world community will follow. This year, Kim Jong Un's New Year's Day address, which is traditionally a platform for Pyongyang's foreign policy objectives, was nearly solely focused on economic matters. Kim asked for an increase in antivirus efforts as well as an upgrade to the agriculture sector as the country continues to confront an economic crisis as a result of near-total COVID-19 border controls.
By lemuel angelo labangco
For years, New York has been a significant center of culture and history from throughout the world, including one from the Philippines. The presence of Filipinos in the Big Apple is obvious, as local culture penetrates the scene—from food to art and everything in between—due to the rising However Kim Jong Un made no mention Filipino community in the city. of Moon's calls for a declaration officially A street corner in Woodside, Queens, is ending the 1950-1953 Korean War, or of delayed denuclearization talks with the US about to be co-named "Little Manila Avenue," according to the Sunnyside Post. in his New Year's Eve address.
On June 12, 2020, a campaign to rename the street corner began. A month later, the "Our Fellow Filipinos posing a victory-like strut at Little Manila" campaign new named Little Manila Avenue at New York was initiated, including metro. over 3,000 signatures on an online petition. The Woodside region, a Filipino Van Bramer told the Sunnyside hotspot, has been dubbed "Little Post, "People were talking about Manila" by many due to the calling the area Little Manila, and I presence of restaurants, stores, and other Filipino institutions. With the wanted it done." "I wanted to pay introduction of the Immigration and tribute to the Filipino and FilipinoNationality Act in 1965, Filipinos American communities, which is a began arriving to the area in 1970's vital element of the Woodside according to Sunnyside Post story. community."
December 20, 2021
EDITORIAL
Philippines' widest arm of information body established since 1950. A daily publish by Argus-Eyed Express under Philippine News Conglomerates Inc. with main post at Philippine News Conglomerate Building, Mapayapa Street, Intramuros, Manila 1002 Trunkline Number: 8888-4589 E-mail Address: feedback@argus.eyed.com Website: www.arguseye.com.ph
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Correspondents/ Desk Writers
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Member
LIFESTYLES LIFESTYLES
A
fter a number of failed attempts over the years, bill establishing the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or National ID was ratified by the House of Representatives and was already signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. National ID has long been opposed by other people and was viewed with suspicion by those who do not trust the government's security procedures. Their primary concern was possible data breaches and inaccuracies, as well as duplication, identity theft, and other cybercrimes. Aside from that, many have complained about how difficult it was to set an appointment online for the process of obtaining a national ID. Many individuals, on the other hand, sighed with relief because having a universal ID will make their transaction in a lot of aspects easier. The PhilSys Act, also known as the Republic Act No. 11055, aims to consolidate and integrate different government IDs by establishing a unified national identification system for all the citizens and resident aliens by collecting basic personal information and biometric data. As it will become the only ID for everyone, the law aims to simplify public and private transactions. Aside the purpose of being a universal ID, it will also serve as a universal database. If we just travelled through provinces, we'd see that only a few people have a PhilHealth ID, let alone any other form of formal identity. In fact, many individuals in slum areas have birth certificates indicating that they were not registered when they were born. In this case, we are urging the government to ensure that those with the least be informed and assisted in obtaining this. In addition, authorities must ensure that fear about data breaches and identity theft are unwarranted. As the President stated, the new ID system is also a tool in combating criminality and terrorism. However, the system must be safeguarded from tampering as this is the first time in the country that a national ID system is being introduced.
entertainment entertainment
By rhon cyrelle boado
a Dec. 22-Jan.19
A solemn homily at Our Lady of the Pillar Church at Imus City, Cavite on its fifth day of Simbang gabi (Misa de Gallo).
Daily DailyByHoroscope Horoscope flone gigante
Don’t spend to much time on social media. Get things done. Concentrate on your or your job. Nothing can stop
academics you from achieving your goals if you are focused on them.
b jan. 20-feb.18
Do not stay at home and work all day. Take a vacation, try something news, and open yourself up to new possibilities and new ideas by getting out of your comfort zone.
c feb.19-mar.20
The Misa de Gallo or Midnight Mass from Spain has been a Filipino tradition from the 16th century, during the age of Spanish Era here in the Philippines. The preparation for the birth of our Lord is extremely important during Advent. One good example is conducting a fiesta celebration for our Parishes’ festival. The nine-day mass practices a spiritual preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It starts every four o'clock in the morning, right before the roosters’ crow as it seems signalling for a new day to begin with. Every year, Catholics celebrate the Misa de Gallo by taking the whole family to church in celebration of the holiday season. Misa de Gallo begins every December 16 up until December 25, as the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, which signals the beginning of the Christmas season. It has been a Catholic tradition to buy puto bungbong and bibingka after the mass. Despite the tightening protocols due to health restrictions in the Plaza, many people still want to visit the church and praise the Lord Jesus Christ during the upcoming holiday season.
Do not lose out on the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. Take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time with your family and loved ones by getting back together
d mar.21-apr.19
g jun 21-jul 22
Try to identify your best and worst characteristics and separate them from each other. Transformation or change will take place in 2022. Do not miss out on great possibilities since you never know when you will get another chance.
h jul 23 - aug. 22
Be patient and do not expect immediate rewards from your efforts in the new year. What you want is heading your way, so do not be afraid.
i aug. 23 - sep. 22
Make sure to spend time with those you care about. Keep in mind that you do not have to be friends with everyone. Relinquish the friendships with those who do not care about you.
j
sep. 23 - oct. 22
Do not let the past of your mistakes hold your back from moving forward. Take everything you’ve learned and keep going, success and contentment are just around the corner.
Make a list of the things you need to accomplish in the New Year. Do not waste your time. Make the most of this year because it will be different from the last two.
To break free from your limitations, you must let go of your anxieties and uncertainties. Attempt new things and do not settle for the easy option.
Toxic friends and family members should be avoided at all costs. These are the people who don’t bring out the best in you.
eapr.20-may 20
f may 21- jun 20
Make the switch to a more healthier diet and lifestyle. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly. A healthy body is your greatest blessing.
k oct. 23 - nov. 21
l nov. 22 - dec. 21
This year, take better care of your funds. Don’t be a squanderer. Make a spending plan and save your money. A better financial management will be a game changer.
VOTE VOTE WISELY. WISELY. FOR FOR BETTER BETTER FUTURE. FUTURE. FOR FOR BETTER BETTER PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES