COVID-19

Cases

DOH: COVID-19 recoveries now at 2,337
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 86 more patients who have recovered from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on May 14, Thursday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

EPD headquarters locked down after 20 cops test positive for COVID-19
The Eastern Police District (EPD) headquarters in Pasig City was placed under lockdown after at least 20 of its police officers tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

PH health workers positive for coronavirus reach 2,165
A total 2,165 health workers in the Philippines have tested positive for the novel coronavirus as of May 13, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday, May 14.
Rappler

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DFA reports 17 recoveries, 12 new cases of COVID-19 among Filipinos overseas
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday reported 12 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 17 recoveries among Filipinos across 46 countries and regions around the world.
Manila Bulletin

No confirmed COVID-19 cases among Filipinos in Indonesia
The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta has not received any report of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among Filipinos in Indonesia, Ambassador Leehiong Wee said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

81 COVID-19 patients in PH participate in WHO Solidarity Trial
According to the Department of Health (DOH), there are currently 81 COVID-19 patients in the country who have participated in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Solidarity Trial, which aims to discover effective treatment for the dreaded illness.
Manila Bulletin

DOH cautions LGUs on social distancing if evacuation centers are set up
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the local government units to ensure that physical distancing and other minimum health standards will be observed in their respective evacuation centers, amid the threat of typhoon “Ambo.”
Manila Bulletin

1,500 or 591,848? Conflicting reports in the number of testing kits underscore data problems
Refer to the link DOH.gov.ph  or up-to-date data or to COVID19.gov.ph. (The latter is not a secure site.) The new site for the Department of Health is user friendly, provides more information where a COVID19 tracker is seen. Readers can check their official site where Data Drop for raw data can be found. 
ABS-CBN News

Philippines surpasses 9,000 mark in daily tests conducted for COVID-19
The Philippines has breached the 9,000 mark in the number of tests conducted daily for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with only a day to go before the May 15 target date for conducting 15,000 tests per day.
GMA News

Number of COVID-19 testing centers rises to 31 as 29th PCR facility gets nod
The number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing centers for the coronavirus disease 2019 climbed to 29 on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced that one more laboratory received accreditation, bringing the total number of COVID-19 testing facilities in the Philippines to 31.
GMA News

IATF

From ECQ to modified ECQ and modified GCQ, what do these phases mean?
The national government recently introduced new phases from the enhanced community quarantine to a modified general version that will be implemented in some areas beginning Saturday or May 16. 
Interaksyon

Roque: Nation under GCQ except Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City
Except for three high-risk areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the entire country will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting this Saturday in a bid to stem the spread of the new coronavirus disease, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

No corruption in purchase of P20B worth of PPEs- Galvez
Secretary Carlito Galvez, Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan on COVID-19, said on Thursday that there is no corruption involved in the procurement of P20 billion worth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that would be used in govenremnt response against the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

‘Cheap’ PPE sets will give health workers false sense of protection, says Galvez
Cheap personal protective equipment (PPE) sets will give healthcare professionals a “false sense of protection” in the workplace, the chief implementer of the government’s coronavirus response said Thursday.
GMA News

Galvez threatens legal action vs. Inquirer, Rappler over ‘malicious’ PPEs report
The chief implementer of the government’s coronavirus response on Wednesday threatened to take legal action against Rappler and Philippine Daily Inquirer over their “malicious” articles on the procurement of P20 billion worth of personal protective equipment (PPE).
GMA News

Regions

Second confirmed COVID case in Caraga recovers
The second of three persons in Caraga Region who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared to have recovered.
Mindanews

Sorsogon reports first confirmed COVID-19 case
The Provincial Information Office of Sorsogon on Thursday confirmed the province's first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient.
GMA News

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RITM okays COVID-19 testing in Northern Mindanao Medical Center
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has given the green light to the Northern Mindanao Medical  Center (NMMC) to start testing their medical laboratory for COVID-19.
Mindanews

Border lockdown in Region 12 stays until July 31
Border highways and other entry routes in Region 12 or Soccsksargen will remain on lockdown in the next two months due to the continuing threats posed by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mindanews

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Gov’t-private sector tie-up to clear backlog in COVID-19 tests
The government is joining hands with private sector partners to address the backlog of 7,000 coronavirus tests within in two weeks, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vivencio Dizon announced Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Pacquiao donates COVID-19 testing kits to DOH
The Manny Pacquiao Foundation (MPF) today turned over an additional 50,000 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing kits to the Department of Health to help the government increase its mass testing capacity.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents and Violations

DSWD-12 to file charges vs 5 persons for receiving SAP twice
An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Soccsksargen region said the agency will file charges against persons in Tupi and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato proven to have received Social Amelioration Fund (SAP) more than once.
NDBC News, Mindanews

Pangasinan mayor under fire for celebrating birthday amid quarantine
Mayor Timoteo Villar III of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan has been under fire for celebrating his birthday and allegedly violating community quarantine protocols.
GMA News

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Quarantined decision making?
Because of our increased accessibility to local officials via the Internet on the program AGENDA, I have discovered how disconnected things can get especially in the area of policy and decision making between the Inter-Agency Task Force and local governments around the country.
Philippine Star

[ANALYSIS] Citizen entitlements during the coronavirus crisis
In his book Politics, the philosopher Aristotle said that governments are meant to embody the “most authoritative good of all.” He argued that since it is in our nature as human beings to band together “for the sake of living well,” then the government has the obligation to guarantee the eudaimonia or welfare of all its citizens.
Rappler

Week 9 of coronavirus quarantine
WEEK 9 of the coronavirus quarantine posits the point that we will soon go into double digits on this event. For that matter, figures in our supposedly modern times, like digital data that could help pandemic alleviation policies, are inadequate and in some cases downright wrong.
The Manila Times

Legal, media experts on fighting false information in the time of Covid-19
AS THE Covid-19 pandemic infects millions around the world, the World Health Organization's (WHO) digital business solutions manager, Andrew Pattinson, called out the only one other thing that is spreading faster than the virus itself: an infodemic of false information.
Sunstar Manila

‘Accurate, relevant, timely data’
Accurate data being fundamental to any serious and effective response to the COVID-19 crisis, it is troubling to hear that the University of the Philippines’ Resilience Institute has flagged some “alarming errors” and “inconsistencies” in the Department of Health’s (DOH) data on COVID-19 cases in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

Covid antibody test a 'positive development'
Public Health England said the antibody test, developed by Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, was a "very positive development". The blood test looks for antibodies to see if a person has already had the virus and might now have some immunity.
BBC News

Mental Illness and Child Deaths Will Surge Amid Coronavirus, U.N. Warns: Live Coverage
The pandemic will claim millions of indirect victims, the U.N. says, by blocking vaccinations and other medical care. It is reaching into some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, in places like Bangladesh and Yemen.
The New York Times

EXCLUSIVE - ‘Coronavirus and unabated violence creating havoc in Kashmir’
Expressing concern at the rapid transmission of coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic in Indian-administered Kashmir, President of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan has said that India is utilizing the time to increase operations on the ground and wipe out Kashmir from the international diplomatic agenda.
Anadolu Agency

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

OFWs, except health workers, now allowed to go abroad
Malacañang announced that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), except for health workers, may now go abroad as the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed their deployment.
Manila Bulletin

Palace to businesses: Provide shuttle service to workers
Malacañang told businesses allowed to operate under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to stay closed if they cannot provide a shuttle for their employees as public transport remains suspended for the rest of the month.
Manila Bulletin

Palace urges prompt payment of taxes, says gov’t needs resources to fund COVID-19 response
The government has appealed to taxpayers to file and pay their income tax returns to help generate additional revenues to fund its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Financial aid to poorest families is top priority, before gov’t considers subsidy to airlines
The government will give priority to the distribution of financial assistance to the country’s poorest families before aiding large businesses like airline companies.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace orders probe on NCRPO chief Sinas
Malacañang has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the so-called “mañanita” of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas for violating the COVID-19 protocols, particularly on mass gatherings.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo bashers to be arrested too? Spox says they don’t mind, VP not distracted
Vice President Leni Robredo and her office would rather put their efforts into solving problems brought by the COVID-19 pandemic than paying attention to threats and bashers, her spokesperson said on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo calls for ‘new normal’ post-quarantine measures
Anticipating the normal life that people have known will not be back soon, Vice-President Leni Robredo said the public, as well as private businesses, must innovate and adapt to the changing conditions of the times, brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

2 missing, 1 injured in E. Samar as ‘Ambo’ makes landfall
Two persons were reported missing from the island village of Tubabao, Oras town, while one was injured by flying debris in Can-avid town, as Typhoon “Ambo” made landfall in San Policarpio, Eastern Samar at 12:15 p.m. Thursday (May 14).
Manila Bulletin

DILG activates Oplan Listo to minimize typhoon damage
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it has ordered the localities affected by typhoon Ambo to activate their respective “Oplan Listo’’ protocols to minimize possible casualties and damage to properties.
Manila Bulletin

Typhoon‘Ambo’ prompts PCG to suspend operations of cargo vessels, fishing boats nationwide
Operations of all cargo vessels and fishing boats around the country were suspended Thursday due to Typhoon Ambo, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
Manila Bulletin

‘Family distancing’ to be implemented in evacuation centers as ‘Ambo’ hits PH
Malacañang said physical distancing will be implemented on a “per family basis” in evacuation centers in areas where Typhoon Ambo is expected to make landfall.
Manila Bulletin

266,000 hectares of rice, corn farms at risk as Typhoon Ambo hits PH
Nearly 266,000 hectares of rice and corn farms are at risk as Typhoon Ambo hit the country, prompting the Department of Agriculture (DA) to release portions of its Quick Response Fund (QRF).
Manila Bulletin

Cavite’s coastal residents stay alert for flood, storm surge as Ambo nears
Residents living in coastal areas in Cavite have started preparing for possible evacuation as they brace themselves for the effects of Typhoon Ambo.
GMA News

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Courts in MECQ areas remain physically closed
All courts in the National Capital Region (NCR), in the province of Laguna, and Cebu City — areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) – are still physically closed until May 31, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta said on Thursday, May 14.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Pimental thanks Japan for Avigan clinical trials, says Philippines is ‘a friend to all nations’
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on May 14, Thursday, expressed support for the clinical trials of Japan-made anti-viral drug Avigan in the Philippines as part of the government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, crediting such development to Philippine foreign policy of being “a friend to all nations.”
Manila Bulletin

Balik-Probinsiya opens better opportunities — Sen. Go
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong’’ Go said today better opportunities are in store for informal settler families (ISFs) in the crowded Metro Manila area should they join the “Balik sa Probinsya (Back to the Province) program.
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Hontiveros calls on the NBI to take down child pornographic pages on Facebook and prosecute those behind them
Senator Risa Hontiveros on May 14, Thursday, called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to put a stop to Facebook and online pages that sexually exploit children amid reports of continuing and thriving child prostitution even with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Senator seeks rehab assistance for Taal eruption victims
Over 900 families displaced by the Taal Volcano eruption in January are still residing in evacuation centers in Talisay, Batangas and should receive assistance from the government as their ordeal has been coupled with the threats of COVID-19, according to Senator Francis Tolentino on Thursday.
GMA News

House of Representatives

Zarate throws shade at Sinas, gets his own birthday ‘mañanita’
Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Thursday threw shade at National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Major General Debold Sinas as he got his own "mañanita" in celebration of his birthday.
GMA News

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG orders 43 mayors to explain SAP infractions
Forty-three mayors will be issued show cause orders for allegedly committing various infractions in relation to the distribution of the cash aid under the social amelioration program (SAP), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

CIDG will investigate barangay officials on SAP anomalies
With zero tolerance for corruption, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday stressed that rogue barangay officials involved in social amelioration program (SAP) anomalies will not receive show-cause orders but will be investigated directly by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Manila Bulletin

Bautista expects LGUs to finish SAP distribution this week
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is eyeing the completion of the local government units’ distribution of the first tranche of emergency subsidies under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) “by end of this week.”
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DOJ sets raps vs. teacher who made offensive social media post vs. Duterte
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file next week charges against teacher Ronnel Mas for having offered in social media a P50 million reward for anyone who could kill President Rodrigo Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

NBI, police probe possible social media hacking to ‘frame’ people into issuing threats vs. Duterte
Is there a group behind a series of social media postings goading people to kill President Duterte in exchange for cash rewards?
Manila Bulletin

159 employees/inmates at BI detention center test negative for COVID
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said that 75 of its personnel assigned at the agency’s detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City, as well 84 foreign detainees have tested negative for COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

No parents, guests at PMA graduation on May 22
The commencement exercises for the graduating Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masidlawin” Class of 2020 have been set for May 22, but parents and guests will not be allowed to attend to spare cadets from being infected with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), officials said on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine National Police

Spare PNP, other agencies from insults and generalization–Eleazar
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now the subject of hate messages and insulting jokes following the celebration of the birthday of a high-ranking police official which is deemed to be in violation on the rules against mass gathering amid the threat of the coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

Sinas apologizes, but will have to face consequences –DILG chief
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said he has accepted National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas’ apology regarding his hosting of a birthday party, but doesn’t mean he will not be held liable for it.
Manila Bulletin

PNP says Sinas remains in post during investigation
Embattled Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas will remain in his post despite the ongoing investigation on the propriety and for possible violations of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) during the celebration of his birthday on May 8, officials said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

NCRPO chief denies having a hand in removal of reporter’s name from media Viber group
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas clarified on Thursday he has nothing to do on the removal of a Rappler reporter from the official Viber group of the NCRPO and the media following criticisms on his hosting of the controversial mañanita or birthday party.
Manila Bulletin

Diokno hits PNP for arresting salesman who criticized Duterte online
The Philippine National Police (PNP) shouldn’t have performed a warrantless arrest on a salesman in Agusan del Norte for posting criticism on social media about President Duterte, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno said Thursday (May 14).
Manila Bulletin

Int’l body asks Sinas: No double standards? How come you get to party while others face restrictions?
If there are no double standards, why does National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas get to celebrate his birthday while people are facing tight restrictions due to the pandemic?
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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PNP reports more cops infected by COVID-19
Thirty-nine more policemen were tested positive for COVID-19, bringing to 179 the total number of cops infected by the virus while performing their duty as frontliners during the national health emergency.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Sen. Villar supports BSP Gov. Diokno’s proposal to provide emergency employment for Filipinos
Senator Cynthia Villar has expressed support for the proposal of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno to provide emergency employment for Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

State workers’ union hits delay in release of midyear bonus
The delay in the release of midyear bonus is a “massive disservice” to government workers who are on the frontlines during the coronavirus pandemic, a government workers’ union said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

Construction of four key infra projects in Metro Manila resumes
Construction works on four key infrastructure projects in Metro Manila have resumed, following an approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on May 14, Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE receives P1B funding to aid OFWs
The Department of Labor and Employment received an additional funding of P1 billion for its Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong program for overseas Filipino workers.
Manila Bulletin

DOLE proposes flexible work arrangements to help retain workers
To avoid the displacement of more workers, the Department of Labor and Employment has urged companies to consider adopting special or flexible work arrangements.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

DOTr urges LGUs: Develop more facilities to make biking safer
Since the use of bicycles will be allowed in more areas after May 16, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) urged local government units (LGUs) to enable safer biking.
Rappler

DOTr helps 11 students stranded in Metro Manila return to their hometowns
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) assisted 11 students stranded in Metro Manila to return to their hometowns in Central Luzon on Thursday (May 14).
Manila Bulletin

Fuel subsidy for shuttle buses extended anew to end-May
The fuel subsidy assistance for buses participating in the government’s free ride service for health workers in Metro Manila has been extended anew until the end of the month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Agrarian reform farmers earn P22.93 M from selling their harvests
Agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) in Eastern Visayas have earned P22.93 million in just a month of selling their agricultural products in areas critically affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the region.
Manila Bulletin

NFA dispatched a total of 27 trailer trucks filled with bags of rice 
The seventh batch of 27,000 bags of freshly-milled local rice from Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon has been successfully delivered by the National Food Authority (NFA) to various warehouses in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd assures senior high voucher program will continue amid COVID-19 crisis
The Department of Education (DepEd) assured that the implementation of the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP) will continue, despite the disruptive effects of the national health emergency.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd issues school calendar, activities for incoming school year
The Department of Education (DepEd) has officially issued the school calendar and activities for School Year (SY) 2020-2021.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd to conduct pre-opening activities prior to Aug. 24 school opening
Weeks before the formal school opening set on Aug. 24, the Department of Education (DepEd) will be conducting various informal or pre-opening activities devoted to the attainment of learning objectives for the upcoming school year.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Sen. Marcos questions Meralco rate increase
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has no valid reason to increase electric bills during the current lockdown caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Senator Imee R. Marcos, chairwoman of the Senate economic affairs committee, said today.
Manila Bulletin

Solons, consumers sound off on shocking Meralco bills
“Paki explain nga #Meralco (Please explain, #Meralco),” Ben Gines, Jr. of Palar Village, Pinagsama, Taguig City wrote on his Facebook Thursday after getting hold of his electric bill for the month of May. He didn’t seem amused.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Mobile app to make faster, contactless distribution of SAP emergency subsidies
The beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) can now expect faster, efficient, transparent, and contactless payout of emergency subsidies with the launch of a mobile application.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD, LTFRB partner with GCash for faster, contactless SAP distribution
Transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and public utility vehicle (PUV)-driver beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in Metro Manila may get their cash subsidies via GCash from any Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nationwide, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday, May 14.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

TOURISM

Boracay lockdown costs Aklan more than P11-B in lost revenues
Aklan province, where the famous Boracay Island is located, lost up to P11.33 billion in tourist receipts due to coronavirus lockdowns, according to estimates from the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Rappler

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

DICT calls on gov’t agencies to update ICT equipment, software amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has called the government agencies to review and assess their current information and communications technology (ICT) equipment and software amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin