COVID-19

Rise of COVID-19 cases in Philippines fastest in W. Pacific region –WHO data
The Philippines has the fastest-growing number of new COVID-19 cases among over 20 countries and territories in Western Pacific Region, based on the data of World Health Organization since June 16.
GMA News

Govt contests claim PH virus cases grew fastest in Western Pacific
The Department of Health on Sunday clarified a report that the rise of new coronavirus cases in the Philippines was fastest in the Western Pacific region.
ABS-CBN News

‘Something is very wrong’ says Sotto as Philippines has fastest rise of COVID cases in region
Lawmakers over the weekend called on the administration to step up its game as the Philippines was identified as the country with the fastest-growing number of new coronavirus cases in the Western Pacific region.
GMA News

Cases

Philippine COVID-19 cases breach 35,000; death toll at 1,244
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines breached the 35,000 mark on Sunday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 653 more infections—485 “fresh” or newly validated and 168 reported late—bringing the total to 35,455.
GMA News, ABS-CBN News, CNN Philippines, Manila Bulletin

Health workers with COVID-19 now at 3,360; recoveries up to 2,515
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported that the number of healthcare workers who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) climbed to 3,360 as of June 27.
GMA News

COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad now at 8,433
One more Filipino abroad contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), raising the total of infections among overseas Philippine nationals to 8,433, the country's foreign ministry said Sunday.
ABS-CBN News

Department of Health

DOH reminds public: ‘COVID-19 does not take a day-off’
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reminded the public to avoid crowded places in order to prevent the further transmission of the coronavirus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Doctors dispatched to Cebu City to help fight epidemic
The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered the deployment of several “Doctors to the Barrios” (DTTBs) to Cebu City to help in its fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Doctors to the Barrios slams DOH's Cebu City transfer order
Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) on Sunday slammed a Department of Health (DOH) order temporarily transferring rural health physicians in Regions VI and VII to private hospitals in Cebu City to bolster its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response.
GMA News

DOH warns public on fake email scam
The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against fake emails made by scammers who are attempting to trick people that they were from the DOH in an effort to steal personal data.
Manila Bulletin

UP Diliman closes health service for disinfection
Due to the sudden increase of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the school’s health service (UPHS) in Quezon City will be temporarily closed from June 29 to July 2 to give way for the disinfection of the premises.
Manila Bulletin

DOST’s REwear face mask conforms to WHO specs
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute’s (DOST – PTRI) Re-useable, Washable, Re-wearable (REwear) Face Mask has been found recently to conform to the recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Manila Bulletin

IATF

IATF identification cards still valid — DILG
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año reiterated on Sunday that the identification cards issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) are still honored beyond their June 20 expiration date.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana: Return of LSIs to parts of Visayas suspended for 2 weeks
The return of locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) to parts of the Visayas will be suspended for two weeks, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Zonal lockdowns effective in addressing COVID-19 threat, task force spokesperson says
The localized lockdowns are effective in addressing the COVID-19 threat, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 spokesperson said.
GMA News

Regions

Cebu City logs 131 new COVID-19 cases, 157 new recoveries
Cebu City on Sunday announced that 157 more patients recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), higher than the 131 new cases recorded on the same day.
GMA News

COVID-19 cases in MIMAROPA hit 104
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region has reached 104, after four cases were recorded on Saturday evening (June 27) in Occidental Mindoro and Palawan.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

6 hospital doctors in Iloilo City contract COVID-19
Six doctors from a hospital in Iloilo City are among the latest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Western Visayas. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas in a statement posted on social media on Sunday afternoon said the doctors belong to a hospital. He did not identify the health facility.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Occidental Mindoro records its 43rd COVID-19 case
Occidental Mindoro recorded its 43rd coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case according to a social media post on Sunday morning by the provincial government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Naga City reports 5 new COVID-19 cases, asks for suspension of LSIs’ return 
Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion is requesting the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) to suspend the return of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to the city where the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases jumped from zero to five in three days.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

4-year-old boy is Batangas City’s 73rd COVID-19 case
A four-year-old boy is the latest case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Batangas City. According to a Saturday “24 Oras News Alert,” this latest patient brought the total number of cases in the city to 73.
GMA News

OFW is 1st COVID-19 case in Sultan Kudarat capital
A 30-year-old woman who had just returned home from work overseas tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and is the first case in Isulan town of Sultan Kudarat, local officials said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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AFP deploys 32-man medical team to Cebu as COVID-19 cases rise
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has sent a 32-man medical team to Cebu City to augment efforts in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Military in Cebu City to deter ‘pasaway’, enforce ECQ measures
The presence of the military in Cebu City will help deter stubborn or “pasaway” people from breaking the quarantine protocols imposed to stem the spread of the new coronavirus disease, according to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Manila Bulletin

Drones deployed in Cebu City for ECQ implementation
Drones have been deployed in Cebu City to assist in the monitoring of the compliance of local residents in the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

Delays in reporting data partly to blame for COVID-19 spike in Cebu, says health expert
Delayed reporting of data could have aggravated the COVID-19 situation in Cebu, a public health expert said Saturday, as the province continues to battle surging infection.
ABS-CBN News

Village in Puerto Princesa City to be placed under ‘localized lockdown’
Certain parts of Barangay (village) Santa Monica in this city would be placed under “localized lockdown” starting Monday (June 29), in a bid to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID – free Quezon town under MECQ to maintain clean slate
The municipality of Quezon on Alabat Island in Quezon province has been placed under modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ) until June 30 to protect its residents from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Local invention shows promise in disinfecting face masks
A local invention in Cagayan de Oro City which showed promise in disinfecting face masks was recently evaluated by the Department of Science and Technology Region 10 (DOST-X).
Manila Bulletin

Incidents and Violations

‘Tuob’ linked to death of COVID-positive CDO vendor
A government physician recently revealed that a woman who relied on “tuob” or steam inhalation therapy for relief from symptoms associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) died early this month.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Youth group protests discrimination vs QC medical frontliners
Allow detained health workers from leaving their condominium unit. This was the call of a youth group following the complaint of health workers who have been restricted by a building administrator from leaving their condominium in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin

LSIs sleep outside North Harbor while waiting for trips back home
Several locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila have been sleeping outside the Manila North Harbor for days while waiting for a trip back to their respective provinces.
GMA News

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

This memoir explores life under the mortal threat of a pandemic over 100 years ago
The bubonic plague came to India in 1896 and lasted till around 1921, during which time an estimated 10 million people died in the country. The colonial administration responded with controversial and wide-ranging public health measures that were strongly resisted and debated by the native population.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TURNING POINT: The Pandemic Lockdown Woes
The Philippines may yet hold the record of having imposed the longest lockdown in the whole COVID-19 pandemic world: already more than 100 days old and is still in place today in a variety of names and levels of restrictions in different areas of the archipelago.
Mindanews

Can mosquitoes, flies transmit novel coronavirus?
With the arrival of summer, many people are worried about contracting COVID-19 through mosquitoes or flies.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

US tops 2.5 million coronavirus cases as infections surge
The United States has surpassed 2.5 million coronavirus cases, as efforts to reopen the world’s economic powerhouse were dramatically set back by a surge of new infections in states such as Florida.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South Korea reports 62 new COVID-19 cases, China has 17
South Korea has confirmed 62 additional cases of the coronavirus over a 24-hour period, as the country continues to grapple with new clusters after easing social distancing rules.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

UK considers first local lockdown in COVID-19 pandemic
Britain’s government is considering a lockdown for the central English city of Leicester amid a spike of COVID-19 cases — the first time that a single U.K. area would face such an extreme measure during the pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Poland holds presidential election delayed by pandemic
Poles began voting in a presidential election Sunday that had been scheduled for May but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, a ballot taking place amid deep cultural and political divisions in the European Union nation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Over 1,000 Covid-19 Patients Recover in a Day for First Time
Indonesia reported a record 1,027 Covid-19 patients who recovered in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of recoveries to 22,936 on Sunday. The previous high was 884 on Friday.
Jakarta Globe

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Pandemic and social issues highlight Duterte’s Year 4
President Duterte’s administration will enter its fifth year on June 30, with optimism somewhat shadowed by current uncertainties.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte’s leadership style praised by Panelo
As he marks his fourth year in office on June 30, President Duterte has so far earned an “excellent” grade for showing “unparalleled leadership skills,” according to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Manila Bulletin

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Panelo rebuts Robredo’s criticisms vs. COVID-19 response
If she has a better idea on how to improve the government’s coronavirus response, Vice President Leni Robredo may send her suggestions to concerned officials through text message or letter.
Manila Bulletin

Drilon’s remarks ‘misplaced, detrimental to public safety’ — Panelo
President Duterte’s top legal counsel took exception to Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon’s comments on the expiration of the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, observing that the senator’s “misplaced” remarks could encourage the public to commit acts that are harmful especially at the time of a global health crisis.
Manila Bulletin

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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP calls for gov’t transparency in COVID-19 response
For Filipinos to cooperate in this time of pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo believes the government should be transparent in its coronavirus response.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo to gov’t: Don’t be ‘onion-skinned’, be open to criticism on COVID-19 response
The Duterte administration should not be too sensitive whenever she criticizes its shortcomings in handling the coronavirus crisis in the country, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo calls for thorough study on suspension of LSIs' trips to provinces
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called for a thorough study on the suspension of trips of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to their respective provinces.
GMA News

ELECTION RELATED

Guanzon hopes Comelec’s iRehistro can begin in September
An official of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is hoping to begin their electronic registration project iRehistro when voter registration resumes in September.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

WHO data shows we have failed to contain the pandemic — Pangilinan
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) data showing the Philippines as having the highest COVID-19 cases in the Western Pacific Region showed the government’s failure to put in place an effective mechanism to combat the spread of the disease through contact tracing and mass testing.
Manila Bulletin

Senate bill to boost work from home scheme
Senator Imee Marcos has filed a bill seeking to make alternative working arrangements mandatory.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Marcos: No ‘one size, fits all’ in education
Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday reminded the Department of Education (DepEd) and all other agencies that there is no “one size, fits all” approach when it comes to education.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos asks utility firms: Suspend disconnection for unpaid electricity, water bills
Senator Imelda “Imee” Marcos on Sunday called on electricity and water firms to suspend disconnection for consumers’ unpaid bills while the government is still battling the COVID-19 crisis.
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Marcos urges creation of medical reserve corps for response to COVID-19, dengue, leptospirosis
Senator Imelda “Imee” Marcos has sought approval of a bill that would make the recruitment for a medical reserve corps a priority of the government as the number of COVID-19 cases outside Metro Manila rises.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

Solon bats for quarantine facilities in every region
With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. has sought the establishment of quarantine facilities in every region in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Solon reminds companies of tax cuts in exchange for ‘adopting’ schools
A House leader is prodding the country’s leading private corporations to avail themselves of tax incentives under the 22-year-old Adopt-a-School Program (ASP) and at the same time provide public elementary and high school students with badly needed online learning tools.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Guevarra lifts lockdown at DOJ
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday, June 28, said the 11-day lockdown at the Department of Justice (DOJ) offices on Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila is lifted starting Monday, June 29.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

PNP urged to be fair in granting travel passes
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been urged to be “fair” and “objective” in granting travel passes to those traveling in quarantine areas, and scrap the “unnecessary processes” that would further burden the travelers, especially the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs).
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BIR extends VAT refund deadlines
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has given value-added taxpayers (VAT) more time to submit input refund claims due to the unprecedented disruption caused by the Coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

Castelo urges BIR not to tax small online sellers
Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo asked on Sunday, June 28 the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to show compassion to the small online sellers by not requiring them to register their business and pay income and other taxes even after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE ready for return of OFWs’ remains by July 4
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is hoping to fly home the remains of 301 dead overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) before the July 4 deadline set by the Saudi government for their repatriation.
Manila Bulletin

‘Pay back naman tayo’: Bello wants gov’t not to touch OWWA funds
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Sunday government should not use funds of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to provide for the emergency needs of displaced and repatriated Filipino migrant workers in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
ABS-CBN News

TRANSPORTATION

3 bishops oppose changing the name of NAIA
Three Catholic prelates oppose the proposal to change the name of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to “Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas” especially since it came at a time when there is a public health crisis due to the COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

NAIA Immigration remains COVID-19-free
Almost all Bureau of Immigration (BI) employees assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been found free of the coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

DepEd reminds parents of June 30 deadline for enrollment; 15M students already registered
The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded parents and students of the enrollment deadline on June 30, Tuesday, as only around 15 million out of the 27 million expected students have registered.
GMA News

DepEd: Enrollees in Bicol reach close to 1 million amid pandemic
The Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol said enrollees in the region reached a total of 933,086 as of Sunday (June 28) despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solon calls on DepEd to extend enrollment until July 15
ACT-CIS party-list Representative Jocelyn Tulfo on Sunday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to extend its online, remote, and dropbox enrollment until July 15.
GMA News

Internet allowance for public school teachers proposed
Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro is proposing that all public school teachers be granted monthly P1,500 Internet allowance to capacitate them and “help them cope” with the requirements of the Blended Learning Program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News

Hontiveros to schools: ‘Do better’ in protecting students from sexual harassment
“Do better.” Senator Risa Hontiveros made this call after allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment by teachers on their students in several universities surfaced online.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

US allocates P126M to support children’s education in pandemic
The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAid), is providing P126 million to help the Philippine government’s implementation of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan to advance education delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Manila Times

ENERGY

Solons hit Iloilo City’s poor electric service
Party-List lawmakers in the House of Representatives have decried the sheer length and frequency of power interruptions besetting Iloilo City, which recently underwent a controversial shift between local power distributors.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

DILG assures payment of all SAP subsidies
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Sunday emphasized that all qualified beneficiaries under the Bayanihan Act will receive two tranches of social amelioration program (SAP) cash aid.
Manila Bulletin

Raw materials, personnel shortage delay family food pack aid — DSWD
The shortage of raw materials and lack of personnel were among the reasons why the delivery of Family Food Packs (FFP) has been delayed in some areas in the country, including in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the coronavirus lockdown, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) explained.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

NBI arrests 21-year-old for allegedly hacking university website
The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested a 21-year-old IT student for allegedly hacking a university website.
GMA News