Faces of the News: Aug. 16, 2020

ILLUSTRATION BY RENE ELEVERA

Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat supports the appeal of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), the umbrella group of industry stakeholders, to create a P10-billion bailout fund for businesses affected by the pandemic.

The fund’s fate depends on a congressional bicameral committee in charge of the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, or Bayanihan 2. The allocation exists in the Senate version, but not in the House of Representatives.

Members of the House want the P10 billion to go to infrastructure to generate jobs and disposable income to benefit the country’s economy.

In a position paper sent to Congress, Puyat asked for low-interest loans for stakeholders’ operating expenses and funds for their businesses’ upgrades that would comply with the new health standards.

She said the TCP’s inputs reflect the “most immediate and crucial response” beneficial to stakeholders.

Interestingly, congressmen put the P10-billion fund in the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority that Puyat chairs.

—Jerome Aning

Kamala Harris

US presidential hopeful Joe Biden named Sen. Kamala Harris as running mate and created a historic first for American women of color.

Harris, a former California attorney general, is the first person of Indian descent to serve in the US Senate and be chosen as vice presidential candidate.

Supporters consider her a personification of diversity at a time racial tensions are rocking cities all over the country.

US President Donald Trump quickly attacked Biden’s choice, recalling Harris’ supposed wan performance in the Democratic nomination race and for being “the meanest, the most horrible” interrogator of key ally Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing as Supreme Court justice.

Trump supporter Sarah Palin sent her congratulations and a laundry list of campaign tips.

Former US President Barack Obama said Harris “is more than prepared for the job.”

An early poll said nearly nine out of 10 Democrats approve of Harris. Even Republicans chimed in: 37 percent said the choice was a “major milestone” for the United States.

Roger Casugay

Reminiscent of childhood superheroes people have long admired in cartoons and comic books, surfer Roger Casugay was in the middle of chasing a longboard gold medal when he jumped into the water to save his competitor from drowning.

This happened during the 30th Southeast Asian Games hosted by the country last year. The decision to rescue a rival in trouble instead of chasing the gold made Casugay go viral, and gained him accolades from local and international circles.

Fast-forward to today, in a world suddenly crippled by fear and doubt, the La Union native remains reluctant to be called a hero. But in the eyes of many, he remains an idol worth emulating and a source of inspiration during these bleak times.

And it became official recently when Casugay was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin Act of Fair Play by the International Fair Play Committee. For putting the life of a competitor ahead of his quest for personal glory, he became the first Filipino to receive such honor.

—Louie Greg A. Rivera

Randall Echanis

Randall “Randy” Echanis, a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, met a violent death at his rented apartment on Aug. 10.

Police initially claimed the victim found at the crime scene was “Manuel Santiago,” based on an ID card, and insisted on taking custody of his body, resulting in a tug of war for the remains between the cops and Echanis’ wife Erlinda.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) demanded that she present proof to support her claim, like fingerprint records or DNA test results.

But on Aug. 13, the QCPD had no choice but to return the body to Erlinda after a right thumbprint stamped on an ID card issued to Echanis in Barangay Aguho in Pateros proved a match.

With that dispute over, colleagues like former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, remain indignant and want the killing investigated not by the police or the Department of Justice but by the Commission on Human Rights, nongovernmental organizations or international bodies to “ultimately attain justice” for the slain activist.

—Mariejo S. Ramos

Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country had become the first to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Moscow likened the feat to the mid-20th century space race when the former Soviet Union beat its American rival in sending the first satellite into orbit around the Earth. But now, it is about finding an answer to the new coronavirus disease.

Calling their creation “Sputnik V” — after a Cold War satellite — the Russians said regulatory approval meant the vaccine could already be mass produced.

Putin is vouching for its safety, saying it works effectively and forms strong immunity against COVID-19. But health experts, including Russian doctors, have doubts. Sputnik V has not completed the necessary clinical trials for it to be considered safe.

Phase 3 trials that require tests on thousands of volunteers to determine efficacy and adverse reactions are not yet completed. Experts warn skipping this crucial phase means Sputnik V could crash and burn along with Putin and Russia’s prestige.