1 February 10-16, 2022
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION
www.pnewstoday.com
THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961
Vol. 61 No. 27 February 10-16, 2022
NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST
ELECTION HEAT UP AS PRESIDENTIABLES OPEN CAMPAIGNS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Leony de Guzman, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and VP Leni Robredo
COVID-19 cases continue decline; vaccination pressed MANILA — COVID-19 cases in the country continue to decline and predicted to decline further in two weeks even as the government presses its nationwide vaccination against the virus, to include children five to 11 years old. On February 8, the Department of Health reported only reported 3,574 fresh cases of Covid-19, a significant drop from February 7’s 6,835 new cases and a continuous
downward trend in new infections in the country the past two weeks. It was the lowest in several months, and the sixth straight day with less than 10,000 cases. Health Secretary Francisco Duque made the report to President Rodfrigo Dutere in a televised Cabinet meeting prompting the President to call anew on the people to get vaccinated. The government is Page 8
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said he has already started packing up his belongings and getting ready to exit Malacañang Palace as the election campaign officially kicked off. “Nag-iimpake na nga ako eh. ‘Yung iba ipinadala ko na, ‘yung madala sa barko, binarko ko. You know the small things, ‘yung mga tokens, ‘yung mga bronze, ‘yun ang inuna ko, ‘yung mga mabigat (I am packing up. I
have already shipped some items home, those that can be shipped. You know, the small things, tokens, bronze figures, I sent them ahead, the heavy ones.),” Duterte said in a public briefing. The 76-year-old Chief Executive also said he is ready to leave Malacañang and welcome the new president. “I await the day of turnover. Matikman ko rin ‘yung feeling ng outgoing president. I will be the one to meet the new Page 8
VP and senatorial bets join big proclamation rallies
Biden picks next US envoy to PHL
By ALFRED GABOT and BETING LAYGO DOLOR
MANILA – The political cauldron heated up further in the Philippines as the race for president to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte by June 30, 2022 officially started on February 8 with big and colourful proclamation rallies in the candidates’ bailiwicks. Page 9
Quiboloy, 2 others placed on FBI’s Most Wanted List, faces arrest, extradition
Duterte packing up, says ready to leave Malacanang
PRESIDENT DUTERTE in file photo with spiritual adviser Pastor Quiboloy LOS ANGELES/MANILA national operating businesses out — A second presidential adviser of Davao City, was recommendof President Rodrigo Duterte is ed to be deported and charged under fire. by the Senate Blue Ribbon After economic adviser Mi- Committee over his role in the chael Yang, said to be a Chinese controversial multi-Page 24
NEXT US ENVOY to Manila MaryKay Carlson
WASHINGTON/MANILA — United States President Joe Biden has chosen career diplomat MaryKay Carlson as the next U.S. ambassador to the Philippines. The position had been vacant for more than a year since Ambassador Sung Kim ended his four-year tour of duty in Manila in October 2020 and moved to Indonesia as US envoy in that country. Carlson, who also speaks Spanish and Chinese and has been in the foreign service since 1985, is currently the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She will have to be confirmed by the US Senate and accepted by the Philippine government before she can move to Manila. Heather Variava has been ad interim Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) at the US Embassy in Manila since September last year, succeeding John Law. Page 8
Man behind kill Marcos plot surrenders
US Embassy clarifies FBI action vs Quiboloy VIEWS & COMMENTS
SHOWBIZ
SPORTS
Common problem when applying for Naturalization
Willie junks GMA, joins Villar’s new Channel 2
Hidilyn Diaz Athlete of the Year again
By A�y. Lozano
Page 14
Page 18
Page 21
P3
PESO-DOLLAR RATE
$1.00= P51.37
as of February 10, 2022 1:30am
Page 8
P2