COVID-19

Cases

DOH reports additional 2,241 COVID-19 cases; total now at 67,456
The Department of Health (DOH) reported additional 2,241 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the nationwide count to 67,456 as of Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

The Philippines moves to the top 30 in the world of total COVID cases with 2,241 reported
NCR continues to tally four digit COVID cases while Region IVA overtakes Region VII in second place among Philippine regions. Our recovery rate is also down while there are 58 more deaths recorded today. 
ABS-CBN News

105 cops get COVID-19, raising PNP tally to 1,492
The Philippine National Police tally of COVID-19 cases reached 1,492 on Saturday with 105 of its officers testing positive for the disease, according to post on its official Facebook page,
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Department of Health

DOH accredits 4 more labs for COVID-19 testing, total now at 89
There are now 89 laboratories nationwide licensed to conduct independent testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after four more received accreditation, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.
GMA News

UP-developed test kits ready for commercial use: DOH
The Department of Health said Sunday the test kits developed by University of the Philippines scientists are now ready for commercial use.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

Go to DOH: Don’t waste COVID-19 test kits developed by UP scientists
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go  called on the Department of Health (DoH) and other concerned health agencies Sunday to utilize the COVID-19 testing kits developed by University of the Philippines (UP) scientists and not further waste limited government resources.
Manila Bulletin

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Sotto, Villanueva point out DOH’s inadequacies
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Sunday said the Department of Health (DOH) should come clean on the real status of the COVID-19 testing kits that were developed by the University of the Philippines (UP) and inform the public immediately.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

PH contact tracing capacity at 98 percent: DILG
The Philippines' contact tracing capacity is at 98.2 percent as of last Friday, as some 69,000 contact tracers have been deployed in a bid to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Sunday.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

Regions

Candaba, Pampanga mayor tests positive for COVID-19
Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Maglanque on Sunday confirmed he has contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Bohol records 3rd COVID-19 death
Another person died of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bohol, bringing the number of deaths in the province to three, Gov. Arthur Yap announced on Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coronavirus infections slow down in Eastern Visayas — DOH
The number of coronavirus infections in Eastern Visayas has slowed down in the past few days.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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100 EVRMC medical frontliners stay for free at the Leyte Park Hotel & Resort–Romualdezes
Around 100 emergency medical frontliners of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) are staying at the Leyte Park Hotel & Resort for free for a month as part of the government’s efforts to protect healthcare workers and reopen the economy.
Manila Bulletin

Some areas in Pasig on localized lockdown beginning Sunday
Some areas in Pasig City were placed under a localized lockdown beginning Sunday due to the continuous rise of virus cases, its mayor Vico Sotto said.
ABS-CBN News

DPWH helps build COVID-19 facilities in two QC hospitals
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now assisting in the construction of additional health COVID-19 facilities at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) both in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

7,091 motorcycle riders accosted for unauthorized backriding
More than 7,000 motorcycle riders were accosted nationwide since the government allowed the pillion riding for married and living-in couples on July 10 due to public transportation woes amid the continuous implementation of the community quarantine to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

Ilocos Sur governor wants 3 comedians declared persona non grata
Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson says comedians Long Mejia, Dagul, and Gene Padilla had an unsanctioned visit and gig in Sto Domingo town.
Rappler

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

LSIs stranded for 5 months aching to be with families
Several locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who have been stuck in Metro Manila for five months are in better living conditions but still ache to be reunited with their families in the province.
GMA News

Coronavirus: What China got right in preventing a second wave
When there was a sudden outbreak of coronavirus infections at a wholesale market in Beijing last month, there were fears that China was about to face a second wave of the pandemic after having successfully contained it.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

India puts on trial 436 Indonesians linked to an Islamic meeting amid COVID-19 pandemic
More than 400 Indonesian members of Tabligh, a multi-country Muslim missionary movement, were taken to the courts in India over past few days for violating immigration and quarantine policies in the South Asian country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

US records 60,207 cases in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins
The United States on Saturday recorded 60,207 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University reported in its real-time tally.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Texas coronavirus cases include more than 80 infants
A health official on the Texas Gulf Coast said 85 infants have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

As coronavirus surges in some US states, emergency rooms swamped
A fast-rising tide of new coronavirus cases is flooding emergency rooms in parts of the United States, with some patients moved into hallways and nurses working extra shifts to keep up with the surge.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

New face of worship: Online prayer bookings, talks and classes for mosques in Singapore
Mr Mohamed Fadly was delighted when he secured a slot online for a Friday prayer service at the mosque three weeks ago.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EU leaders extend summit as they haggle over budget, virus
European Union leaders on Saturday extended their summit by an extra day, convinced they were finally closing in on a deal for an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund, an EU official said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Police close down packed Barcelona beach amid virus spike
Police in Barcelona closed down access to a large area of the city’s beaches on Saturday after too many sunbathers ignored authorities’ request to stay at home amid a new wave of surging coronavirus infections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Breathtaking virus numbers show normal life still far away
South Africa on Saturday became one of the top five worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, as breathtaking new infection numbers around the world were a reminder that a return to normal life is still far from sight.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Stay home for SONA, Duterte urged
Stay home, boss. This was the appeal of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) spokesman Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel to  President Duterte Sunday amid reports that the Chief Exeutive is entertaining the possibility of physically going to the Batasang Pambansa complex later this month to deliver his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).
Manila Bulletin

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After claiming win over virus Roque admits ‘one life lost is one too many’
Following an earlier declaration that the country was winning against the illness due to fewer deaths, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Sunday said “one life lost is one too many” in the country’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Roque hits back at critics of gov’t response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The government will remain vigilant and work “round the clock” to further enhance the country’s testing, tracing and treatment efforts while gradually opening the economy, Malacañang said Sunday in the wake of criticisms of allegedly mishandling of the pandemic response.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Patients can avail of medical services for COVID of other LGUs in Metro
With more hospitals in Metro Manila starting to max out their bed capacity, Malacañang said the public can avail of the medical services provided by other local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region in case facilities in their own city cannot attend to their needs.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t urged to mandate employers to protect on-site workers from COVID-19
A youth group urged the administration and Congress for the immediate passage of a measure that aims to protect Filipino workers while the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

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PCOO urges Duterte to certify Freedom of Information bill as urgent
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said it requested that the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill to be part of President Duterte’s urgent legislative agenda in his upcoming fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week.
Manila Bulletin

Pangilinan: Certify Anti-political dynasty bill as urgent
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Sunday challenged the Duterte administration to certify as urgent the Anti-political dynasty bill if it truly wants to dismantle oligarchy in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Pacete: The Oligarchs: Now showing in the Philippines
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte promised to destroy the oligarchs who are not delightful to his discriminating taste. He called them “cancer of the society and illustrious idiots”. He destroyed the undesirables, chose his own and aligned himself with them. That is the perception.
Sunstar Bacolod

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Gov’t readies National I.D. System this year
The government is aiming to implement the country’s national identification program this year to enhance the distribution of relief assistance to the country’s poor and vulnerable sectors of society.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

4 OVP employees test positive for COVID-19, Robredo free from virus
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has suspended work after four of its staff who were engaged in its COVID-19 response operations tested positive for coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

VP suggests online portal for COVID-19 response
The government’s inter-agency task force should come up with a single online portal for its coronavirus response to ensure the needs of affected Filipinos are addressed in this time of pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo said.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Robredo on Charter change: ‘Not right time’
Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo on Sunday said the coronavirus pandemic in the country can’t be solved by charter change.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

‘Focus on battle vs COVID-19, not Cha-cha’
Two lawmakers said Sunday that any initiative to amend the Constitution should be put on the back burner, stressing that government should focus all its efforts in the country’s battle against COVID-19. 
Manila Bulletin

Drilon: LMP Cha-cha push meant to ensure ‘no-el’ in 2022
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Sunday that the call of local government leaders for constitutional reform, initiated by the allies of the Duterte administration, is meant to ensure a “no-el” or no-election scenario in the May 2022 national polls.
Manila Bulletin

JUDICIARY

SC reorganizes memberships in three divisions
The Supreme Court (SC) has re-organized the membership in its three divisions with the assumption to office of newly appointed Associate Justice Priscilla J. Baltazar Padilla.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Gov't nurses get overdue pay hike as COVID-19 persists
Government nurses may now avail of their much-needed pay hike, a senator said Sunday following the release of a memorandum circular on their wage increase.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House probe on delayed release of COVID-19 test results pushed
Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo has sought a congressional probe on the Department of Health’s supposed delayed release and reporting of COVID-19 test results.
Manila Bulletin

Executive branch urged to ready funds for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines
House Committee on Health chairwoman Quezon  Rep.  Angelina “Helen” Tan asked the government on Sunday to prepare the funds for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines should it become available in the global market.
Manila Bulletin

Use TV, radio airtime for financial literacy drive, gov’t told
The government should help enhance financial literacy among Filipinos by tapping the free airtime allotted for government public service announcements (PSAs) in television and radio stations, Rizal  Rep. Fidel Nograles said.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

941 local execs face charges over anomalous SAP distribution
A total of 941 people, including Local Government Unit (LGU) officials and employees, are now facing criminal and administrative charges in connection with the alleged anomalous distribution of cash assistance to the poor who were affected by the lockdowns.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian dies of COVID-19
High profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian died on Saturday due to COVID-19. Sources say that a few weeks ago, Sebastian was taken to Site Harry, a COVID-19 facility inside the New Bilibid Prison, after showing symptoms of the virus.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

8 more high profile inmates die of COVID-19
Eight other high profile inmates from the New Bilibid Prison have died of COVID-19, sources said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Guevarra summons BuCor head to report on deaths of inmates
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday said he has summoned Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag on Monday, July 20, to report on the alleged deaths of prisoners, particularly high-profile inmates at the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

2 BRP Jose Rizal ship crew members test positive for COVID-19
Two crew members of the newly-commissioned BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) have recently tested positive for coronavirus, the Philippine Navy said Saturday (July 18).
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

Metro Manila cops allegedly harass family in Taguig residence; NCRPO chief explains move
Cops from the National Capital Region Police Office, including its chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, allegedly harassed a family living in a housing for policemen in Taguig City on Saturday.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BIR tells firms to submit proof of destruction of useless assets
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has required companies to submit videotapes of goods and other assets for destruction or disposal which have been declared wastes and obsolete for income tax deductibility.
Manila Bulletin

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Locsin pays homage to OFWs returning in coffins
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday paid tribute to the deceased overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia whose remains were finally repatriated back to Manila after experiencing delays due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

China defends bet in ITLOS
China has defended the nomination of its candidate to one of the seven vacant judges’ seat at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), a judicial body created to adjudicate disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

PH to repatriate remains of 88 migrant workers in Saudi Arabia
The Philippine government is set to bring home the remains of 88 Filipino migrant workers from Saudi Arabia, the labor department said Sunday. Of this number, 45 died due to COVID-19 while the remaining died of other causes, according to the agency.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Watchdog group asks Tugade to probe LTO-7 Director Caindec
A good governance watchdog group called on Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to probe the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas director over complaints of delays in the processing and release of official receipts and certificates of registration of new vehicles.
GMA News

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

TESDA, SM helping farmers to become more productive
Farmers in both urban and rural areas continue to undergo training under the partnership of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the SM Foundation Incorporated (SMFI).   
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

Gatchalian: DepEd 90% ready for school opening on local level
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Sunday that the Department of Education is 90 percent ready for the opening of classes on the local level next month.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

P37-million illegal wildlife seized
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking the amendment of the country’s wildlife law as culprits appear undeterred by the punishments provided for under it following the confiscation of an accumulated ₱37-million worth of illegal wildlife while the country was placed under community quarantine.
Manila Bulletin

Coral bleaching hits Tubbataha Reef
Coral bleaching in some parts of Tubbataha Reef has been observed from May to June as the corals may have been stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, according to the monitoring results released by the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) last July 13.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY