COVID-19

PH COVID-19 cases may top 60,000 by July 31- experts
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines may climb to over 60,000 by July 31, according to a study conducted by experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) and University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines

Cases

Philippines’ COVID-19 tally tops 36,000 with 985 new cases
The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases topped 36,000 on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 985 more infections—643 “fresh” or newly validated and 342 reported late—bringing the total to 36,438.
GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Doctors, nurses, health workers with COVID-19 in PH reach 3,360
The number of health workers infected with COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak has reached 3,360, according to the latest report of the Department of Health.
ABS-CBN News

COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad up by 34; total now at 8,467
Thirty-four more Filipinos abroad contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), raising the total of infections among overseas Philippine nationals to 8,467, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
ABS-CBN News

COVID-infected PNP personnel now at 671 — Gamboa
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded a total of 671 COVID-19 cases among police officers, its chief said on Monday.
GMA News

Department of Health

Cebu City looming as new COVID-19 epicenter – DILG
Cebu City is “more likely” the new epicenter of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH suspends deployment to Cebu of 40 rural docs from Western Visayas
The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH) has indefinitely suspended a controversial plan to send 40 rural doctors from the region to Cebu City amid protests.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Iloilo City mayor to Duque: Resign for the sake of the country
Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday openly called for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III “for the sake of the country.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solon backs call against DOH order to transfer Doctors to the Barrios to Cebu City
Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago on Monday expressed support for the call against the "abrupt and exploitative" order of the Department of Health (DOH) to transfer rural health physicians from Regions VI and VII to private hospitals in Cebu City to ramp up its COVID-19 response.
GMA News

IATF

PH still ‘doing good’ in containing COVID-19 compared to other countries — DILG
Compared to other countries, the Philippines is still “doing good” in containing COVID-19, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Spike in Central Visayas' COVID-19 cases, improved testing capacity affected WHO findings —Dizon
There are two reasons behind the World Health Organization's (WHO) data showing that the Philippines had the fastest-growing number of COVID-19 cases in the Western Pacific region, according to deputy chief implementer of the national policy against COVID-19 Vince Dizon on Monday.
GMA News

COVID-19 swab test not required for returning stranded individuals – DILG
Locally stranded individuals (LSI) need not to present the results of their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) swab test before returning to provinces, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año clarified Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Galvez: No lifting of COVID-19 quarantine protocols for the time being
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 is not recommending the lifting of community quarantine in any part of the country until October amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to its chief, Carlito Galvez Jr., on Monday.
GMA News

Bars not allowed to open under GCQ, DTI's Lopez clarifies
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez clarified Monday that bars are still not allowed to open under the general community quarantine. “Bars are not allowed under GCQ. But, its restaurant dining function (can open) up to 9 p.m.,” Lopez said in a text message to GMA News reporter Jonathan Andal.
GMA News

Regions

Mindanao’s COVID-19 cases: from 597 on May 31 to 1,170 on June 28
The number of COVID-19 cases in  Mindanao’s six regions, 27 provinces and 33 cities has breached the 1,000 mark, and is still rising, with 1,015 cases recorded on Tuesday, June 23,  a hundred days since community quarantines were imposed, increasing to 1,037 on Wednesday, 1,059 on Thursday, 1,115 on Friday, 1,128 on Saturday and 1,170 by Sunday.
Mindanews

Cebu province COVID-19 watch: 1,054 total cases
Cebu province’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases on Sunday surpassed the 1,000 mark in the number of COVID-19 cases. As of Sunday afternoon,  June 28, the province has registered 1,054 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Police force in Samar town undergoes quarantine
The entire police force of a town in Samar is undergoing quarantine after they were exposed to an inmate who tested positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

W. Visayas COVID-19 update: 10 new cases in Bacolod City, 1 in Himamaylan City
The Department of Health has recorded ten new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Bacolod City and another in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Zambales COVID-19 watch: 4-day clean slate snapped, 2 new cases reported
Two coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported in Zambales  after four zero-infection days, local health officials said on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

81 ROFs, LSIs in Davao region test positive for COVID-19
At least 39 returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and 42 locally stranded individuals (LSIs), or a total of 81, who arrived here have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an official from the Department of Health – Davao region (DOH-Davao) said Monday.
Mindanews

Residents in CDO village with 3 COVID deaths shy away from rapid testing
Despite enticement of free rice and canned goods, many residents of Barangay Carmen have shied away from the COVID-19 mass antibody rapid tests conducted by the City Health Office here.
Mindanews

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Stricter than ECQ? 'Stringent' restrictions soon in Cebu City as COVID-19 cases rise
"Stringent" coronavirus restrictions need to be enforced in Cebu City, the chief implementer of the country's pandemic response said Monday, following a spike in infections in the Visayan urban hub.
ABS-CBN News

More COVID-19 quarantine facilities eyed in Cebu City
The government is planning t put up more quarantine facilities in Cebu City due to the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Virus is invisible’: Cebu City aerial survey triggers concerns on COVID-19 response
Questions on the purpose of the conduct of the aerial inspection to fight the novel coronavirus disease were raised after Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar on Saturday conducted an aerial inspection at the COVID-hit Cebu City.
Interaksyon

Cebu City now the ‘focal point’ of COVID-19 in PH — Galvez
With local cases continuing to spike, Cebu City may now be considered as the new “focal point” of COVID-19 in the Philippines, an official of the COVID-19 National Task Force said Monday.
CNN Philippines

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70 percent of Metro Manila’s cases yesterday were either unknown or not validated
It was one of the worst days of reporting for NCR yesterday as 272 out of 391 cases yesterday were either not validated or were unknown. Data that is clear and accurate is needed for the government to create evidence-based policies, emphasizes our resident expert.
ABS-CBN News

Siargao Island no longer COVID-19 free
After more than three months since Siargao Island was locked down in mid-March to prevent the spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday confirmed the presence of the virus on the island’s Del Carmen town.
Mindanews

QC adds mobile testing unit to spur community testing vs COVID-19
Quezon City has launched a mobile community testing unit to expand its testing capabilities and aid the city’s efforts in arresting the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Priests at the frontlines in M.Manila, Calabarzon Region to undergo COVID-19 tests
Priests serving on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak in Metro Manila and in the Calabarzon Region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) are expected to undergo tests with the help of the private sector.
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 lockdowns in Northern Mindanao render 2,700 workers jobless
The economic slump brought by the tight lockdowns to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has left at least 2,700 workers jobless in Northern Mindanao, an economist said.
Mindanews

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

TV host KC Montero among 100 individuals arrested in Makati City bar
Around 100 individuals including actor and TV host KC Montero were arrested by police in a bar in Salcedo Village in Makati City on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DILG filing raps vs organizers of Cebu City barangay fiesta
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will file cases against the organizers of the fiesta activities that took place in Cebu City, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Lift restrictions in areas with no or few COVID-19 cases, ex-MSU president advises gov’t
Restrictions that suppressed economic, cultural and social activities must be lifted in Philippine areas with no or few coronavirus infections, while “surgical or close quarter” interventions continue in identified hotspots of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a former university head advised the government on Monday.
ABS-CBN News

After a hundred days of lockdown, COVID-19 cases continue to rise so what’s next step?
A lockdown supposedly intended to prevent the spread of  the highly contagious COVID-19  has reached over a hundred days and is said to be the world’s longest but the cases continue to rise so what’s the next step, what are the other options,  MindaNews asked Secretary Carlito Galvez, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and concurrent Chief Implementer of the National Task Force against COVID-19.
Mindanews

Fakery and demagoguery in crisis
“Tuob” is a Cebuano-Visayan term that refers to the practice of inhaling the steam from boiled water. For many rural folk, this type of steam inhalation has served to relieve them of the common cold and cough.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

World hits coronavirus milestones amid fears worse to come
The world surpassed two sobering coronavirus milestones Sunday — 500,000 confirmed deaths, 10 million confirmed cases — and hit another high mark for daily new infections as governments that attempted reopenings continued to backtrack and warn that worse news could be yet to come.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coronavirus: Indonesia’s President Widodo blasts ‘business as usual’ attitude, warns of Cabinet reshuffle
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has threatened to reshuffle the Cabinet as he expressed frustration over the “lack of a sense of crisis” in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South Africa’s surge of virus cases expected to rise rapidly
South Africa’s current surge of COVID-19 cases is expected to dramatically increase in the coming weeks and press the country’s hospitals to the limit, the health minister said Sunday night.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 to spark exodus in Australia from cities to regions
A new migration is under way in Australia from big cities to regional areas as the Covid-19 pandemic enables people to work from home and seek cheaper properties away from bustling central business districts.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Beijing residents worry over takeaway orders after deliveryman diagnosed with COVID-19
Since the coronavirus outbreak in China, delivery rider Wu Jun always took extra precautions on the job. He kept a bottle of disinfectant on his electric scooter to sanitize his hands after every order and made the extra effort not to touch his face.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Revenge outings’ all the rage in Taiwan as COVID-19 fears subside, but night markets see slow recovery
“Revenge outing” is the latest thing in Taiwan, where the Covid-19 outbreak has been kept well in check, with under 450 confirmed cases and just seven deaths since the first case was reported in January.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Italy honors, remembers virus dead with Donizetti’s Requiem
Italy bid farewell to its coronavirus dead on Sunday with a haunting Requiem concert performed at the entrance to the cemetery of Bergamo, the hardest-hit province in the onetime epicenter of the outbreak in Europe.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte to announce decision on quarantine measures on Tuesday – Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte is set to announce on Tuesday his decision on whether to lift, extend, or modify the community quarantine  / lockdown measures imposed nationwide amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic,  Malacañang said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

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Duterte renews franchise of Zambo-based broadcast firm
President Rodrigo Duterte has renewed the franchise of Zamboanga-based firm Golden Broadcast Professional, Inc. (GBP) for another 25 years.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Palace urges public to disprove experts' projection of 60,000 COVID-19 cases by July 31
Malacañang on Monday urged the public to observe precautionary measures so that the country’s COVID-19 cases will not reach more than 60,000 by July 31 as projected by a group of experts.
GMA News

PA for Visayas Diño stays, says Roque
Presidential assistant for Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino will stay in his post for now despite calls for his resignation over alleged anomalies in coronavirus response in Cebu.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Areas without buses, modern PUVs have operating traditional jeepneys
Several provinces and regions in the country without buses and modern public utility vehicles (PUV) already have traditional jeepneys operating in their jurisdiction, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Boat collision in Occidental Mindoro to be investigated under Philippine laws — Palace
Malacañang on Monday said the investigation on the collision between a Filipino fishing boat and a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Occidental Mindoro will follow Philippine laws.
GMA News

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Four years hence
TODAY marks the fourth year in office of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD). Not exactly a leader in the usual mode of presidents we have elected before, Duterte is truly an outlier.
The Manila Times

Dismay, disgust, dissent: How Filipinos online reacted to issues during Duterte’s 4th year
Make no mistake: President Rodrigo Duterte’s term was marked with outrage, criticism, and violent reactions all over social media. With a multitude of historical events and controversies that panned out during Duterte’s fourth year in office – including the looming transportation crisis, multiple attacks on the press, and the seemingly undying coronavirus pandemic – it’s no wonder he earned the ire of many Filipinos online.
Rappler

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP airs message of support for Cebuanos
Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed comfort to affected Filipinos, this time, those living in Cebu City, a new hotspot for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

When disaster strikes, people forget social distancing as seen in Digos gymnasium
Amid COVID-19 crisis, more than 300 families in Digos City rushed to the city gymnasium Monday, June 29, due to flash floods the struck the city's residential areas on Sunday night.
NDBC News

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Next Bar exams to be held not earlier than February 2021 — Leonen
The next Bar examinations will not be held earlier than February 2021, a Supreme Court justice said Monday. In a bulletin, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the 2020 Bar chair, said the court en banc resolved to announce the schedule of the next examinations to a later date to give time for a "more considered deliberation."
GMA News

Guevarra once again nominated for Supreme Court post
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has once again been nominated to a post in the Supreme Court (SC). Retired Sandiganbayan justice Raoul Victorino recommended Guevarra to the position that will be vacated by Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., who will retire on September 18.
GMA News

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

POGOs leaving PH over tax issues?  ‘Huwag natin silang habulin’, says lawmaker
Let them go. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) businesses are not our loss. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said this Monday following the reported looming exodus of POGOs in the country as tax rules on online gaming are imposed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Villanueva on brewing POGO exodus: ‘Good riddance’
Senator Joel Villanueva on Monday said the possible exit of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) would not scathe the country's economy and could rather be considered a relief.
GMA News

‘Let’s all help PRRD’ — Sen. Marcos
All ideas on how to help President Duterte perform better in his last two years in office must be exploited, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Transport protocols should not be changed often — Recto
The government’s protocols for transporting locally stranded individuals home should not be changed “as often as the sea tide,” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

PNP chopper pilot, crew in March 5 crash to face probe
The pilot and crew of the helicopter that crashed in San Pedro, Laguna last March 5, carrying ranking officials of the Philippine National Police, will be investigated if they have any criminal  administrative liabilities regarding the incident.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

100,000 jobs lost in first half of 2020 — DOLE
Nearly 100,000 workers have lost their jobs this year, data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) revealed.
Manila Bulletin

‘Preserve jobs, check all-time high jobless rate’ — Sen. Gatchalian
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday urged state economic managers to appropriate more funds that would ensure the preservation of jobs of many Filipinos in the light of a record-breaking unemployment rate in the country since the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on Philippine economy.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

LTO to suspend issuance of student driver’s permit starting July 1
The issuance of student driver’s permits will be suspended starting July 1, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LTFRB still bent on jeepney modernization program amid COVID-19 crisis
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Martin Delgra III on Monday said the LTFRB was still pushing for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
GMA News

LTFRB vows no fare increase as all public transport resume operations
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday reiterated that there should be no fare increase with the resumption of operation of all modes of public transportation.
GMA News

PUV operators to receive a fuel subsidy from government –LTFRB
Operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) will receive an extra subsidy from the government, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Martin Delgra III said on Monday.
GMA News

Public utility jeepneys now allowed in 13 areas amid COVID-19 crisis
Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) can now operate in at least 12 areas in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said Monday.
GMA News

Ninoy Aquino’s sister says renaming airport is denial of country’s history
Filmmaker Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, younger sister of martyred opposition Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, said over the weekend that “revisionist” lawmakers who moving to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are “attempting to deny their country’s history.”
Rappler

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

With enough rice, gov’t stops current importation
The government will no longer push through with its planned importation of rice due to the country’s sufficient supply of the staple at present, Malacañang announced on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

House to DA: Submit complete FMR project list
Lawmakers asked on Monday, June 29, the Department on Agriculture (DA) on Monday, June 29 to apprise them of the status of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that were “delisted” under the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA), and give them the complete list of FMR projects for this year and those initially proposed for 2021.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd opens online application for SHS voucher program
Amid uncertainties on the continuity of the annual subsidy for Grades 11 and 12 students this school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) opened the online application for the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP) on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Be honest on when classes will be ready to resume, Marcos tells DepEd
The Department of Education should be more forthright to the public as to when it would be ready to reopen classes for the upcoming school year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Senator Imee Marcos said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DepEd urged to prepare for reintroduction of GMRC in curriculum
A lawmaker is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to start preparations for the prepare for the reintroduction of subjects on good manners and right conduct (GMRC) in schools.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Teachers’ group seeks suspension of DepEd order on work arrangements
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Monday urged the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) to suspend the implementation of an order by the Department of Education (DepEd) that sets alternative work arrangements for education workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

NMAT reset to August, will be held online
The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) originally scheduled on April 26, 2020, will be held online between in August, the Center for Educational Management, Inc. said.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Only 1.3M out of 17 M SAP2 beneficiaries served; delay due to verification
A total of 1,345,102 have been served under the second tranche of the government’s social amelioration program (SAP) of the government, Malacañang reported Monday.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD warns public on fake PWD cards
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) asked the public on Monday, June 29 to report the individuals who are illegally using and abusing persons with disability (PWD) identification cards (IDs).
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

Imee backs 'tourism bubbles' in the North to save industry amid pandemic
Provinces in northern Luzon which are free from COVID-19 may subscribe to domestic "bubble tourism" in a bid to boost the local economy amid the pandemic, according to Senator Imee Marcos on Monday.
GMA News

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DENR seeks partnerships to provide livelihood to POs
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Cagayan Valley is working to strengthen its partnership with other government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and academe to sustain the livelihood enterprises provided to people’s organizations (POs) even after the completion of the Forestland Management Project (FMP) in 2022.
Manila Bulletin

Vista’s cutting down of trees in Baguio in order — DENR
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said the issuance of a permit to Vista Residences Inc. to cut down 53 Benguet pine trees and one Norfolk fir tree in its property in Baguio City was done in an open and “aboveboard” manner.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY