COVID-19

Cases

DOH reports COVID-19 death toll now at 1,003
The number of deaths linked to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country has exceeded 1,000 on Sunday (June 7), the Department of Health (DOH) said. Based on its latest case bulletin, the death toll is now at 1,003 as the DOH reported nine more fatalities.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star

Health workers with COVID-19 now 2,734; recoveries up to 1,557
The number of healthcare workers who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has climbed to 2,734 as of June 6, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday.
GMA News

DFA reports 24 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad
Twenty-four new confirmed COVID-19 cases, seven new deaths, and six new recoveries were recorded among Filipinos abroad, bringing the total number of overseas Filipinos afflicted with the disease to 5,392, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday (June 7).
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

DOH: 25 heirs of healthcare workers have received P1-M checks
The families of 25 healthcare workers who died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have so far received their P1 million death benefit, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Sunday (June 7).
Manila Bulletin

House member asks Duque to resign
Magdalo Party-List Rep. Manuel Cabochan III called on Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III to resign after the latter threw his own subordinates under the bus for the delay in the compensation of COVID-19-stricken health workers.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

Bayanihan Act has lapsed, no new arrests should be made – Drilon
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday reminded law enforcers they can no longer arrest violators under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act since the law has already expired.
Manila Bulletin

Galvez vows improved quarantine procedures for 42,000 arriving OFWs
The quarantine procedures for 42,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be repatriated this month will be expedited to avoid congestion in isolation facilities in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Mimaropa records its 74th COVID-19 case
The Department of Health Center for Health and Development in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (Mimaropa) reported the region’s 74th coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in a social media post on Sunday afternoon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

7 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Pangasinan
Seven more Pangasinenses tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), local health officials said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

No positive COVID-19 cases in Pangasinan’s mass testing for high-risk workers
None of the workers in high-risk industries who underwent rapid testing on Friday tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Magalong: San Juan Mayor Zamora broke Baguio’s COVID-19 protocols
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Sunday confirmed that the convoy of San  Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora breached the city’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols when his vehicle sped past a quarantine checkpoint and quickly proceeded to a country club.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Israel donates medical supplies to PH
In solidarity with the Philippines against the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the State of Israel, through its embassy in Manila, has donated essential medical equipment to the first responders of the Department of National Defense.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents and Violations

Albay police tracking down van that left quarantine-bound convoy
Police units are in pursuit of a runaway rented van carrying eight people, including a female infant from Metro Manila that broke away from a “Balik Probinsiya” convoy en route to a quarantine facility in Ligao City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Liberalize ICT
It’s now a given that the internet will play a very crucial role under the new environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has altered the way people around the world work, study, shop, and conduct business.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cities with high death rates like Lipa, Naga, and Dumaguete should do more contact tracing
As the COVID deaths in the country surpass 1,000, cities with cases that are fewer than 50, but have death rates higher than 10 percent should be paid more attention. Our resident expert says that aggressive testing and contract tracing should be conducted in these areas.
ABS-CBN News

World

Chinese national dies from COVID-19 complications 2 weeks after discharge
A 41-year-old male Chinese national who recovered from the coronavirus has died from complications about two weeks after he was discharged. This brings the total number of deaths from complications due to Covid-19 infection to 25.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Israel makes high-spec masks against virus resurgence
Israel said Sunday it had opened a factory to make millions of high-spec masks as it prepares for a possible “second wave” of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pope warns:  ‘Be careful’ after lockdowns lifted
Pope Francis is cautioning people in countries emerging from coronavirus lockdowns to keep following authorities’ rules for COVID-19 containment. “Be careful, don’t cry victory, don’t cry victory too soon,” he said Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

S. Korea grapples with COVID-19 outbreaks in Greater Seoul
South Korea reported 57 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, amid rising fears over clusters of infections in the densely populated Greater Seoul area, as 1.35 million more students were set to return to school Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Iran says virus uptick due to increased testing
Iran’s health ministry said Sunday a surge in newly reported coronavirus infections was due to increased testing rather than a worsening outbreak.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

China defends COVID-19 response in new report
Senior Chinese officials, releasing a lengthy report on the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, defended their government’s actions and said that China provided information in a timely and transparent manner.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

China’s exports and imports fall amid coronavirus woes
China’s exports and imports both fell in May as the coronavirus and trade tensions with the U.S. weighed on demand both at home and abroad.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Indonesia’s big players and partners join COVID-19 vaccine race
Indonesia’s major pharmaceutical companies and their foreign partners have joined the race to produce vaccines against the coronavirus that has killed nearly 1,800 people and infected more than 29,000 in the world’s fourth-most populous nation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coronavirus: Thailand offers tax perks to spur pharma investments
Thailand-based firm Bionet-Asia is racing with other companies and institutes across the world to produce a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus. It has diverted all its resources, including 200 people, to accelerate development of a gene-based vaccine.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coronavirus: ‘Pharmacy of the world’ India in overdrive
India’s ability to deliver cost-effective and quality generic drugs, such as those that helped millions living with HIV, earned it the reputation of being the “pharmacy of the world”.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Singapore boosting capacity for fast COVID-19 vaccine production
Singapore is building up vaccine manufacturing capacity so production can be ramped up quickly and safely once a Covid-19 vaccine is found.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South Korea rolls out face masks for summer heat
A new type of face mask designed to be more breathable than the N95 or KF94 respirators while shielding the wearer from respiratory droplets — through which the spread of the novel coronavirus can occur — has been launched in South Korea.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malaysia to reopen more sectors soon as expected spike in coronavirus cases fails to materialize
With no spike in coronavirus cases after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, it is time for Malaysia to reopen more sectors, according to the country’s health director-general.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Adapt and survive’ as Galapagos girds for life without tourism
As much of Ecuador went into lockdown against the coronavirus, scientists shipped out of the Galapagos, leaving important research activity frozen and the Pacific archipelago’s tourism in deep crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cyprus sets stage for tourism recovery as airports reopen
Cyprus opens back up for international tourism on Tuesday, with airports welcoming visitors after an almost three-month shutdown, and a bold plan to cover health care costs for visitors.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte reminisces lessons on governance from his father
Public service is no easy task. It requires having “a heart for the people,” loving the people one serves and finding ways to solve their problems.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte reiterates rejection of reclamation projects in Manila Bay
President Duterte is determined to prevent Metro Manila from getting “killed” by massive reclamation projects proposed by private developers.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace: LGUs must add safety measures related to returning OFWs, residents
Additional safety measures must be put in place at the local level to make sure residents, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), returning to their home provinces are indeed free from the new coronavirus disease, a Palace official said on Sunday (June 7).
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Allowing all modes of transport will defeat quarantine
Malacañang explained that despite understanding the daily plight of workers, it cannot allow the full resumption of all modes of public transportation as the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still present.
Manila Bulletin

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Nograles calls for youth to be optimistic even amid the health crisis
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said job and employment prospects are positive even during the COVID-19 pandemic as some businesses remain resilient and relevant despite the global health crisis.
Manila Bulletin

Andanar exhorts youth to lead the march to new normal
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar urged the youth and community leaders to take the lead in demonstrating the ‘New Normal’ as the country continues to face the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo slams passage of ‘dangerous’ measure
Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday continued to criticize the passage of the “dangerous” anti-terrorism bill in Congress. In her weekly program over radio station dzXL, Robredo said the “railroading” of the measure at the House of Representatives was “appalling.”
Philippine Star

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Drilon says government can tap P13-B contingent fund, P4.5-B intelligence fund for COVID-19 response
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday reiterated that President Duterte has enough funds at his disposal to use to compensate health workers and augment relief programs to poor families who are still suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros: Jeepneys and buses should be allowed to operate
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday renewed her appeal to the government to allow jeepneys and buses to operate again under social distancing rules to ease the problems of commuters.
Manila Bulletin

Revilla urges PNP to allow visitors for De Lima
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. on Sunday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to allow detained colleague, Sen. Leila De Lima, to receive visitors while she is detained at the PNP’s Custodial Center.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House accomplishment report highlights 1,630 measures processed
The House of Representatives has processed a total of 1,630 measures or an average of 27 measures per day during the 60 session days, including six measures that were passed on third and final reading to strengthen the government’s response against COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

House panel will try to approve coconut trust fund bill ahead of SONA
The House Committee on Food and Agriculture is eyeing to pass a substitute bill seeking the creation of Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund within this month or before President Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.
Manila Bulletin

Give motorcycle-riding couples exemption passes — solon
Here’s a “win-win” solution to the motorcycle back-rider ban that has been rubbing couples the wrong way. Ang Probinsyano Party-List Rep. Ronnie Ong pitched Sunday that the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) simply issue special identification cards (IDs) or exemption passes for couples and family members to allow them to ride aboard one motorcycle during the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) period. This, even as social distancing remains the new top rule on the road.
Manila Bulletin

Competitive bidding a must for costly vaccines – Rep. Helen Tan
With the most expensive vaccine tender in the country’s history at stake, Quezon 4th district Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan once again warned against a monopoly in the procurement of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), of which there are two brands in the market.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DOJ’s cybercrime office to probe fake Facebook accounts
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday (June 7) said he will order an investigation into “the apparent proliferation of fake or dummy accounts on Facebook.”
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

NBI arrests ex-PCGG chairman Sabio
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Sunday that it had arrested former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairman Atty. Camilo Sabio in relation to the execution of a judgment in one of the criminal cases lodged against him before the Sandiganbayan.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

First Filipina submarine officer earns warfare insignia
A supply officer serving aboard USS Ohio (SSGN 726), became the first Filipina submarine officer to earn a submarine warfare insignia.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

PNP doctor dies of disinfectant poisoning, 2 other cops hospitalized
Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered a thorough investigation on the death of a police physician due to inhalation of toxic chemicals from the disinfectant being sprayed on police personnel manning a COVID-19 treatment facility.
Manila Bulletin

PNP readies info drive to prevent abuses
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will launch a massive information campaign among its men once the Anti-Terrorism Bill is enacted into law in a bid to allay fears of the public that some of the provisions are prone to abuses and human rights violations.
Manila Bulletin

Recto urges PNP to tone down treatment of protesting civilians
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Sunday (June 7) urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership to ask its members to tone down its treatment of civilians who broke quarantine protocols to rally against the anti-terrorism bill.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BIR closes head office as 20 have symptoms of COVID-19
The national office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Quezon City was closed last Friday noon after some 20 officials and employees were found to have symptoms of COVID-19 following rapid blood tests.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

MMDA suspends ‘until further notice’ modified number coding scheme
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday announced that the modified number coding scheme which was scheduled for implementation starting Monday, June 8, is suspended “until further notice.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

NIA acts on repair of damaged part of Bustos Dam
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has conducted an immediate investigation into the reported damage of one of Bustos Dam’s rubber bladders.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

Limited face-to-face classes in college allowed in MGCQ areas
Higher education institutions (HEIs) are allowed to conduct face-to-face classes but at limited capacity in areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Moratorium on utilities payment during ECQ sought
Citing the recent Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) that led to a time of financial difficulty for Filipinos, a neophyte congressman thinks it’s a good idea to institutionalize an “automatic” moratorium on utility bills for the entire duration of a public health emergency.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

DSWD to base SAP guidelines on bill to be passed by Congress
While it is adopting a wait-and-see attitude on the possible passage of the Bayanihan to Recover as One bill (Bayanihan 2), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Saturday (June 6) that it will base its Social Amelioration Program (SAP) guidelines on the measure to be passed by Congress.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD prepares to distribute SAP to ‘waitlisted’ beneficiaries
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Sunday (June 7) that it is preparing to distribute the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash subsidy to the five million left out or “waitlisted” beneficiaries, even as it vowed to improve its protocols and guidelines for the second phase implementation of SAP.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DENR issues order rationalizing dredging activities nationwide
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued an order rationalizing dredging activities in heavily silted river channels across the country to help restore their natural state and flow and reduce flooding.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

Several empty, duplicate accounts resurface on Facebook
Empty, duplicate, and fake accounts of University of the Philippines (UP) students and alumni resurfaced on Facebook. Tug-ani, the official student publication of UP Cebu, reported that they noticed duplicate accounts of activists arrested during an anti-terrorism bill protest on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

UP reminds students and alumni to doublecheck if names have been used as dummy accounts
The University of the Philippines (UP) on Sunday urged its students and alumni to check if their names have been used to make fake or dummy Facebook accounts.
Manila Bulletin 

NPC alerts Facebook on proliferation of impostor accounts
The National Privacy Commission (NPC) is monitoring reports about the proliferation of alleged impostor Facebook (FB) accounts that have victimized Filipino data subjects.
Manila Bulletin 

Pangilinan asks Facebook to delete fake accounts under his name
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has asked Facebook to investigate and remove five fake accounts that were created using his name.
Manila Bulletin 

The problem with Facebook
I’m writing this on a Sunday, and for the entire day, friends and relatives have been posting and messaging about fake Facebook accounts seemingly popping up overnight. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer