COVID-19
SWS: 87% of Filipinos worry about a family member getting COVID-19
Eighty-seven percent of Filipinos worry about a family member contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News, Rappler
Cases
COVID-19 cases in Philippines breach 14,000 mark –DOH
The total number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines has breached the 14,000 mark after the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday recorded 258 new cases nationwide.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, GMA News, CNN Philippines
Health workers with COVID-19 increase to 2,369; recoveries now at 1,118
The number of health workers who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has climbed to 2,369, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.
GMA News
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DFA reports 1 new COVID-19 case among overseas Filipinos; 1 recovery, 3 deaths
The latest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tally among Filipinos abroad has recorded one new confirmed case, three new deaths, and one recovery, all in Europe and the Middle East regions, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Sunday (May 24).
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Rappler
Department of Health
DOH: FDA building case vs. unregistered Fabunan injection claiming to be COVID-19 cure
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now conducting a case-build up against the Fabunan antiviral injection that claims to be a cure for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday (May 24).
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
Malls reminded to strictly implement health protocols
Government officials on May 24, Sunday, reminded the public to follow precautionary measures implemented in mall establishments as part of the “new normal” to minimize the risk of the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin
PSMID reiterates warning over COVID-19 rapid testing
The Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) on Friday reiterated that using rapid antibody tests (RATs) for COVID-19 may lead to “unintended harm” given the high possibility of a false positive.
GMA News
IATF
PH winning war vs COVID-19 – Galvez
“I believe, yes, we are winning the war. The country is winning the fight against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).”
Manila Bulletin
Galvez eyes Bohol as ‘model for new normal’
Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr, chief implementer of the national action plan (NAP) on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is considering Bohol in Central Visayas (Region 7) as a “model” province under the “new normal” due to its effective implementation of health protocols.
Manila Bulletin
Mass gatherings for provision of gov’t services, more outdoor sports now allowed
The government has now allowed mass gatherings essential for the provision of government services or authorized humanitarian activities in all quarantine levels, new guidelines showed.
Manila Bulletin
IATF rules testing of private sector employees not required for return to work
A government task force has formally ruled that the testing of all returning employees in private companies is not a condition for the resumption of their operations.
Manila Bulletin
Regions
Lucena City records new COVID-19 patient
Another new confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient has been recorded in this city on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Quezon COVID-19 watch: 6 more ‘probable’ patients die
Six more “probable” coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Quezon have died, the Quezon Public Information Office (QPIO), citing the latest record from the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) revealed Sunday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Frontliner in Bauan, Batangas tests positive for COVID-19
A 25-year-old male frontliner is the latest case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Bauan, Batangas.
GMA News
Quezon City coronavirus cases reach 2,000
The number of coronavirus cases in Quezon City reached exactly 2,000 on Saturday, May 23, according to a new tally of cases from city hall released on Sunday.
Rappler
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Novaliches District Hospital to undergo disinfection from May 26 to 28
The Novaliches District Hospital in Quezon City will undergo a “temporary shutdown” for disinfection from May 26 to 28 after a number of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), its city government announced Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Provincial gov't urges doctors to avoid referring patients to Cebu City
The provincial government of Cebu urged doctors to avoid referring patients to hospitals located in Cebu City to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Rappler
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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
CBCP commission proposes guidelines for seminaries amid pandemic
The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for Seminaries (CBCP-ECS) cited the need to revisit the program of seminary formation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
As donor fatigue hits volunteers amid prolonged lockdown, they keep going
A business process outsourcing (BPO) employee, Jed Rosario sighed in exasperation at home as he struggled to get his internet connection working. If he isn’t able to take calls soon, he won’t receive pay for the day.
Rappler
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Contact tracing for COVID-19 will be the most complex health investigation ever
To halt the spread of the deadly virus, health experts say states need to hire contact tracers to quickly hunt down everyone who’s been exposed.
National Geographic
COVID-19 patients no longer infectious 11 days after getting sick, research shows
After 11 days of getting sick, Covid-19 patients no longer pose a risk of spreading the disease – which means they can be safely discharged.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
QUARANTINE DIARIES: The COVID-19 experience is a beautiful journey of lessons, hardships, wins, and losses
“I am taking up social work because I want to serve my community.” These are the immortal words I will never forget most of us said the first time we entered the College of Social Work.
Mindanews
WAYWARD AND FANCIFUL: What Am I Feeling: Helping People Understand and Cope with the Various Emotions Experienced During the Pandemic
Gail Ilagan delivered this address in a webinar sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education Region XI on 22 May 2020 for an audience of academics in accredited colleges and universities.
Mindanews
Miss that haircut, dine-in, movie? Wait for MGCQ tag
A HAIRCUT, dine-in service and a movie are just among the activities that people who live in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) can look forward to under the government’s latest guidelines.
Business Mirror
How Long Does Covid-19 Coronavirus Last On Different Surfaces?
Did the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) actually “change their minds” this week about the potential risk of Covid-19 coronavirus being spread by contaminated surfaces? Not really. Not even on the surface.
Forbes
World
Muslims celebrate major holiday amid curfews, virus fears
Muslims around the world on Sunday began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a normally festive holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, with millions under strict stay-at-home orders and many fearing renewed coronavirus outbreaks.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Saudi Arabia records 2,399 new COVID-19 cases
Saudi Arabia recorded 2,399 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 72,560.
Arab News
US, China nearing ‘brink of new Cold War’—Chinese foreign minister
The United States is pushing relations with China to “the brink of a new Cold War”, the Chinese foreign minister said on Sunday, with tensions soaring over coronavirus, Hong Kong’s status and other issues.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
New York Times marks grim US virus milestone with front page victim list
As the United States approached 100,000 coronavirus deaths, The New York Times on Sunday marked the grim milestone with a stark memorial on its front page — one-line obituaries for 1,000 victims.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Wuhan lab had three live bat coronaviruses — Chinese state media
The Chinese virology institute in the city where COVID-19 first emerged has three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site, but none match the new contagion wreaking chaos across the world, its director has said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Singapore’s search for a cure and vaccine for COVID-19
Covid-19 arrived in Singapore on Jan 23. There are over 30,000 people here infected with the virus, while the global total has surpassed five million, with more than 330,000 deaths.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Latest: Slight increase in hospitalizations in France
The number of people hospitalized with the virus in France rose slightly Sunday, the first daily increase since mid-April when France’s infections peaked
ABC News
Spain to reopen to tourists as South America named virus hotspot
Spain said on Saturday it would let in foreign tourists and restart top league football in the coming weeks, accelerating Europe’s exit from strict coronavirus lockdowns, even as the disease continued its deadly surge in parts of South America.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
COVID-19 lawsuits spreading like a virus through US courts
While apps for video-conferencing and online courses have flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic, so have something rather more contentious: lawsuits.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Trump hits the golf course as US kicks off summer season
President Donald Trump kicked off the start of the American summer season on Saturday with his first golf outing in two months, underlining his push for a return to normal life in the United States.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
US virus tracking: A patchwork of apps, human tracers
Digital or manual? Bluetooth or GPS? Centralized or decentralized? Efforts in the United States to track the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus — known as contact tracing — have become a patchwork based on differing approaches to technology and civil liberties.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Holiday amid pandemic: Americans divided on how to respond
President Donald Trump played golf at one of his courses Saturday during the Memorial Day weekend as he urged U.S. states to reopen after coronavirus-related lockdowns.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
S. Korea bracing for summer heat in times of COVID-19
Meteorologists around the globe forecast this summer will be the hottest in decades and South Korea is no exception. As a result, the summer kits and plans of Koreans are already changing.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Soaring infections dampen Eid festivities in Indonesia
Millions of Muslims in Indonesia are marking a muted and gloomy holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan — a usually joyous three-day celebration that has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
French churches reopen as coronavirus restrictions loosened
French churches were preparing to hold their first Sunday masses in more than two months after the government bowed to a ruling that they should be reopened — provided proper precautions were taken.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Morocco prisoners make masks for fellow inmates
Prisoners in Morocco are doing their bit in the country’s fight against the spread of coronavirus — by making thousands of face masks for fellow inmates.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte exhorts Muslims to be ‘stewards of peace’
In observance of Eid’l Fitr that marks the end of the month of Ramadan, President Duterte has urged the Muslim community to continue to be “stewards of peace, love and understanding.”
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News
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New frigate signals breakthrough in Navy’s transformation — Palace
The arrival of the country’s first missile-capable frigate is a “testament” to the government’s resolve to modernize the military as well as a “breakthrough” in the Philippines Navy’s transformation journey, Malacañang declared Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Palace: PH Navy’s new warship proof of Duterte’s commitment to modernize AFP
The Malacañang on Sunday welcomed the arrival of the Philippine Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, the future BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Palace sees encouraging signs in fight against COVID-19
Malacañang said there were encouraging developments about the doubling rate of COVID-19 as the government’s pandemic task force continue to work on quarantine guidelines and go over data a week before the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and other lockdown levels lapse on May 31.
Manila Bulletin
PH expected to join COVID-19 clinical trials by last quarter of 2020–Palace
The Philippines is expected to join clinical trials for the development of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the latter part of 2020, Malacañang said Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gov’t to use ICT tools to combat hunger amid pandemic —Nograles
The government will use information and communications technology (ICT) tools in efforts to combat hunger after a survey found that some 4.2 million Filipinos experienced involuntary hunger amid the coronavirus pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Sunday.
GMA News
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo: Ramadan, Eid’l Fitr strengthen bond among Muslims amid pandemic
Although the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may have changed how Eid’l Fitr is celebrated, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said this has “strengthened” the connection among Muslim Filipinos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Robredo hits slow COVID-19 testing for OFWs
Health authorities should revisit its policy on the accreditation of laboratories for coronavirus testing as more quarantined overseas Filipino workers complained of the delays in the release of their test results, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Robredo wants faster accreditation of COVID-19 testing centers
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to fast track the accreditation of laboratories for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing amid reports of repatriates who are unable to return home due to unprocessed results.
GMA News
Robredo advises officials to avoid confusing remarks
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday urged her fellow government officials to avoid making contradicting statements that confuse Filipinos, especially in this time of the coronavirus crisis.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
JBC sets May 28 online interview of applicants to SC post
Four of the 13 applicants to the post of Supreme Court (SC) associate justice that was vacated last May 11 when Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. retired will be interviewed online by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on May 28.
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Drilon wants review of Bayanihan Act before any extension bid
Congress should first conduct a review of the government’s implementation of the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” before it agrees to any request seeking its extension, Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Duque is a hindrance to gov’t fight against COVID-19 — Drilon
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday expressed belief that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is becoming a “burden” to the government’s campaign against the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin
Revamp PhilHealth due to overpricing scandal — Drilon
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday called for a revamp of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth), as he expressed belief that a group within the state health insurance agency is responsible for setting unreasonable prices for COVID-19 test packages.
Manila Bulletin
Go pushes bill establishing medical reserve corps
Senator Christopher Go on Sunday pushed for the passage of a bill seeking to create a group of medical and health professionals who will be assigned to help government respond to healthcare needs during national emergencies.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
Romualdezes felicitate Muslims on Eid’l Fitr
Leaders of the House of Representatives sought on Sunday, May 24 a united global front to end the discrimination against Muslim communities.
Manila Bulletin
Two solons propose postponement of school opening amid coronavirus fears
Postponing the reopening of all public and private schools set for August 24 will give the parents peace of mind, lawmakers said on Sunday (May 24).
Manila Bulletin
‘New normal’ needs to come with an e-govt system, says solon
Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is pushing for the previously-filed e-government bill as a key companion measure to House Bill (HB) No.6623 or the proposed “New Normal for the Workplace and Public Spaces Act of 2020.”
Manila Bulletin
Solons urge fellow lawmakers to pass P568-B proposed economic stimulus act
House Committee on Economic Affairs Chair and House Economic Stimulus Cluster Co-Chair Sharon Garin batted on Sunday, May 24, for the immediate passage of the proposed P568-billion Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (PESA) to boost business confidence and maintain the stability of the country’s labor force.
Manila Bulletin
Solon touts results of ‘e-Dalaw’ program
The “e-Dalaw” initiative has begun to bear fruit as more than 4,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) were released in just a week’s time mainly through videoconferencing, Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles said.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
SAP distribution in Metro Manila completed by May 25 –DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed confidence on Sunday, May 24 that the distribution of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in Metro Manila will be completed by tomorrow, May 25.
Manila Bulletin
DILG: All involved in SAP distribution anomaly to be charged
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) asserted on Sunday (May 24) that all parties, whether barangay officials or private individuals, involved in unscrupulous and deceitful cash distribution anomalies under the social amelioration program (SAP) will be charged accordingly.
Manila Bulletin
Erring barangay officials involved in SAP anomalies will receive demand letter
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño on Sunday said that alleged erring barangay officials who are the subject of cash aid anomalies under the social amelioration program (SAP) will receive demand letters from their respective city or municipal treasurer’s office.
Manila Bulletin
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
PH Navy’s first-ever missile-capable frigate finally arrives
The Philippine Navy greatly boosted its current fleet with the low-key arrival of its first missile-capable frigate, to be named BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), in Subic, Zambales on Saturday.
Manila Bulletin
A timeline: Philippine Navy rides waves of frigates deal
It’s nearly the end of a long journey for the Philippine Navy’s acquisition of its first ever multi-role frigates, envisioned to be the first line of maritime defense in protecting the country’s vast territorial waters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
PNP probes allegations of ‘sex-for-pass’ at checkpoints
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa has ordered a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, especially against sex workers, at quarantine control points (QCPs).
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BIR makes it easier to pay income taxes thru accredited banks
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has eased the procedure in the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) and paying taxes by allowing them to do the chores at Authorized Agent Banks (AABs) nearest their residence.
Manila Bulletin
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
NEDA backs House bill on green public procurement
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has rallied behind a bill seeking to require all government departments, offices, and agencies to establish their respective Green Public Procurement Program.
Manila Bulletin
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
COA to Digos City LGU: Penalize contractor for project delays
The Commission on Audit (COA) urged the local government of Digos City, Davao del Sur, to impose penalties against a contractor over delays in the construction of a P12.26-million public market building.
Rappler
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
Labor group asks DOLE: Where did the money go?
Defend Jobs Philippines said the the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must first report to workers and the people how the billions of public funds were spent and distributed before starting new rounds of salary subsidy, cash assistance measures or programs.
Manila Bulletin
Parallel contagion
“Up to 10 million Filipinos could lose jobs in the Philippines due to COVID-19,” Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said during a Senate hearing on coronavirus pandemic updates on May 20. He said 2.6 million workers have already been laid off due to temporary closure of business establishments (GMA News, May 20).
Business World Online
TRANSPORTATION
MMDA says no bike lanes yet on EDSA, eyes to expand sidewalks for bikes
Contrary to earlier reports that there is now a designated bike lane on EDSA, there is no safe and protected bike lane yet along EDSA as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has not yet implemented its long-term plan for bicycles.
Manila Bulletin
HEALTH
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Dar: P310M worth of loan assistance to agri-fishery MSEs downloaded so far
The Department of Agriculture (DA) through its Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has so far downloaded P310 million worth of loans as assistance to agri-fishery-based micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and marginalized small farmers and fishers (MSFF) to tide the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
P2 billion worth of farm machines ready for distribution
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is ready to distribute to farmer-beneficiaries and organizations the first batch of farm machines worth approximately P2 billion under the funding for mechanization of rice farms.
Manila Bulletin
Pangilinan cites DA’s ‘Sagip Saka’ program
The government should take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to spur its goal to achieve food security and for farmers to boost their income, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Hope in agriculture
This may sound like a broken record, but it bears repeating: The country needs to revive its agriculture sector. The benefits of such a project are immense — poverty reduction in rural areas through job generation, the decongestion of cities, food security for the country, and export earnings from our farm products.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
EDUCATION
Solons: Delaying kids’ education worth it if it will save lives
Calls from members of the House of Representatives to defer the reopening of classes until the availability of a vaccine for COVID-19 are growing louder, as the safety of students in the normal school setting remains the biggest concern for the policymakers.
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
Barbers requests Meralco to slash profit margins
Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Barbers says there’s a way the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) can prove that it is truly willing to help Filipinos get by these very difficult times.
Manila Bulletin
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
TOURISM
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
DICT to conduct webinars for public school teachers on online classes
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will conduct webinars for public school teachers to prepare them for the holding of classes online.
Manila Bulletin
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