COVID-19

Cases

Philippines’ COVID-19 tally breaches 32,000 with 470 new infections
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines breached the 32,000 mark on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 470 more infections—357 “fresh” or newly validated and 113 reported late—bringing the total to 32,295.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cebu cop dies of COVID, PNP death toll now at 9
Another policeman from Cebu died of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the fourth of the four consecutive coronavirus-related death in the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the Central Visayas region.
Manila Bulletin

Seven UP frontliners positive for COVID-19
Seven frontliners at the Kanlungan Palma and University of the Philippines Health Service (UPHS) have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

DOH: PH COVID-19 cases to continue to rise as economy opens up, testing increases
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it was expecting the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to rise as the government relaxes its restrictions on businesses and transportation following over two months of a strict lockdown and as the country's testing capacity rose. 
ABS-CBN News

COVID-19 emerging hotspots in Cebu, Ormoc, Leyte, Samar, says DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday identified several areas in the Visayas as “emerging hotspots” of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News, ABS-CBN News

DOST, UP-PGH to conduct convalescent plasma transfusion as possible cure for COVID-19
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), together with the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), will be conducting a project on convalescent plasma transfusion as possible therapy to prevent disease progression among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

RapidPass validity extended until Dec. 31 — DICT
The validity of RapidPass QR codes issued to frontliners and other authorized personnel has been extended until December 31, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Cebu City reports 60 new COVID-19 cases, total now at 4,539
Cebu City on Wednesday reported 60 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), raising the total to 4,539 as the national government moves to deploy more security forces to restrict movement in the area.
GMA News

3 more E. Visayas residents, cop infected with Covid-19
The Department of Health (DOH) has reported four new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Eastern Visayas, bringing the region’s total to 435.
Philippine News Agency

Zambo’s 195th COVID-19 patient is 10-yr-old girl
The city’s latest COVID-19 patient is a 10-year-old girl, which raised the coronavirus tally to 195, according to the local government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Cimatu to meet Cebu City barangay officials to map out strategies vs COVID-19
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, the newly-appointed overseer of the government’s anti-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response in Cebu City, plans to hold a dialogue with barangay officials in the city to map out strategies to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Año imposes strict '1-pass-per-family' rule in Cebu City
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año is imposing a one-pass-per-family order here to ensure “strict home quarantine” particularly in high-risk villages, the chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-EID) said on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

Palace backs cancellation of quarantine passes in Cebu City
Malacañang on Wednesday supported the cancellation of quarantine passes in Cebu City, which has been placed on lockdown amid an upward trend in COVID-19 infections.
GMA News

Cebu province reels from independent Cebu city's COVID-19 surge
As Cebu City struggles to contain its rising number of COVID-19 cases, the rest of the province is waging another battle to correct misimpressions that the health crisis is just as bad there. 
ABS-CBN News

Cebu City COVID-19 lockdown likely to go ‘granular’
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, President Rodrigo Duterte’s COVID-19 point man here, suggested the city be lifted out of a hard lockdown and added a new term for what he wanted to do next—granular lockdown.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 lockdown: A checkpoint for every village in Cebu City
The city is now saturated with checkpoints, with 93 of these set up to keep residents from leaving their villages in a bid to stop coronavirus transmission in an area now being tagged as the virus’ epicenter.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Negros Occidental halts entry of LSIs from Cebu
The Negros Occidental provincial government has suspended the entry of its own residents coming from the neighboring province of Cebu, whose capital city has the highest coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the country.
Philippine News Agency

100 percent increase in COVID-19 cases in Mindanao region attributed to returnees
The number of COVID-19 cases in two Mindanao regions—Soccsksargen and Caraga—doubled as more overseas Filipino workers and stranded individuals started returning to their hometowns.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Davao City offers free COVID-19 RT-PCR tests for returnees amid COVID-19 pandemic
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday called on individuals who have returned and will be returning to the city from being stranded elsewhere to avail of a free COVID-19 test paid for by the city government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

‘Hatid Probinsya’ in Caraga temporarily stopped
Fetching home locally stranded individuals (LSIs) through the “Hatid Probinsya” program was temporarily stopped in Caraga Region in the wake of rising positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Mindanews

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

DILG files charges vs Olongapo City mayor for ECQ violations
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday that it has filed charges against Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. before the Office of the Ombudsman for the issuance of local policies that violated national enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols that were enforced by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).
Manila Bulletin

Netizens slam Cebu governor for shaming critics of steam inhalation
Netizens slammed Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for shaming doctors who criticized her advocacy to promote steam inhalation to ward off the coronavirus disease.
Rappler

‘Fowl play’? Where are Cebu City’s ‘missing’ 17,000 chickens?
Cebu City Councilor Joy Augustus Young raised the issue earlier this week that 17,000 dressed chickens meant to feed residents under lockdown “went missing” without a trace last May. This issue was taken up by the Cebu City council during its session on Wednesday, June 24.
Rappler

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

COVID-19 should make Filipinos realize the importance of life — prelate
A Catholic priest on Wednesday called on Filipinos to value their lives in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the world and has caused thousands of deaths.
Manila Bulletin

How civil society is fighting back against coronavirus crackdowns
A mid the coronavirus pandemic, a rogues’ gallery of emboldened authoritarians and tin-pot populists have used newly granted emergency powers to consolidate control, undermine human rights, and crack down on civil society. But could this insidious assault on fundamental freedoms backfire?
Open Democracy

Allies and enemies
Third time’s the charm? Not in this case. Health advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon’s departure from his post as special adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) marks the third resignation in weeks by a Duterte administration official or insider in frustration at the government’s response to the pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A new strategic response plan: Consolidate forces in fighting COVID-19
The Philippines, as of June 21, has one of the world’s longest lockdowns, at 98 days, counting from March 15. It is time we raise two consequential questions: 1) With 98 days of lockdown, are we winning the fight against the COVID-19 threat? 2) Are our sacrifices from the draconian lockdown measures enforced by the government for 98 days worth it? To both questions, my answer is NO!
Philippine Daily Inquirer

After 108 days: Time to end lockdown
IT is definitely time to end the lockdowns that started March15, modified in various ways, aimed at containing Covid-19. It will be the 108th day of the quarantine on June 30, and we’re setting some record on the longest such lockdowns.
The Manila Times

World

IMF warns against cutting Covid-19 support too early as Coalition considers Australia's measures
The International Monetary Fund is forecasting a deeper global recession than anticipated in 2020, and a more sluggish recovery next year, as the world battles the economic shock associated with the Covid-19 pandemic – and the organisation has warned an abrupt withdrawal of fiscal support could deepen the downturn.
The Guardian

In this indigenous village, two nurses care for hundreds of Covid-19 patients
Deep in the heart of Peru's central Amazon, the indigenous Shipibo people have for thousands of years lived off the land, thrived as healers, and defended their territory against loggers and other foreign invaders that threatened their very existence.
CNN Philippines

Global report: India has highest rise in Covid-19 cases as Latin America toll passes 100,000
India has recorded its highest daily rise in new infections and the death toll in Latin America has passed 100,000 as countries from Croatia to Iran and Portugal to Bulgaria stepped up efforts to contain ongoing and fresh outbreaks of Covid-19.
The Guardian

Denial of community transmission hurting India’s fight against COVID-19
Ever since the first case of Covid-19 was detected in the country on Jan 30, India has steadfastly denied community transmission of coronavirus. The term refers to a person-to-person spread of an infection where the source is difficult to trace.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Florida Covid-19 Cases Rise Most Ever; Hospitalizations Jump
Florida reported its biggest daily increase in Covid-19 cases ever Wednesday and new hospitalizations jumped the most in a month.
Bloomberg

UAE and China launch Phase 3 clinical trial in humans for COVID-19 vaccine
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China have launched a Phase 3 clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) and UAE state media.
CNN Philippines

First vaccinations begin in Africa for COVID-19 trial
Africa’s first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial started Wednesday as volunteers received injections developed at the University of Oxford in Britain, while officials said the continent of 1.3 billion people cannot be left behind.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Health leaders urge review of UK's readiness for Covid-19 second wave
The UK’s top health leaders have written to all political parties asking them to work together to ensure the country is ready to contain a second phase of coronavirus as Brexit approaches.
The Guardian

COVID-19: Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers in from next week
Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers into the country starting next week, as it eases restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, a senior official said on Wednesday (Jun 24).
Channel News Asia

COVID-19: Germany hit by local infection spikes
Germany has reimposed coronavirus lockdown measures in two northwestern districts on Wednesday after local outbreaks linked to a meat processing factory.
Anadolu Agency

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Palace: Cimatu can exercise all powers to address COVID-19 situation in Cebu City
Malacañang said Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu can exercise all powers in order to curb the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City which passed the 4,000-mark this week.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace not considering delaying implementation of UHC law
Malacañang has never considered deferring the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law especially while the country is battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

PhilHealth chief Morales may face charges if he delays UHC implementation — Roque
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president Ricardo Morales may face criminal charges if he delays the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, Malacañang said Wednesday.
GMA News

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Palace: President still needs emergency powers
As the Bayanihan To Heal As One law expired on Thursday, Malacañang said President Duterte still needs the emergency powers granted to him by the measure despite the country being “in good shape” for the time being.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: UV Express has higher chance of returning in NCR than jeepneys
Malacañang said on Wednesday that UV Express units have a higher chance of being allowed to operate again in Metro Manila compared to traditional jeepneys because UV Express passengers are facing one direction compared to the latter.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Supreme Court affirms dismissal of gov't employee for tickling co-worker's knee
The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the dismissal from the service of a government employee who had tickled the knee of his co-worker in an act the court found indecent and unprofessional.
GMA News

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Sotto to gov’t: augment funds to help MSMEs
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday urged the government to augment the budget allocated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program which is aimed at helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Gordon calls for nat’l health info system
Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), today pointed to the need to set up a national health information system at the Department of Health (DOH) to be able to implement a better public health program.
Manila Bulletin

De Lima calls for transparency in budget realignments to address COVID
Detained opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the Executive branch to be transparent in its public reporting of budget realignments and funds utilization in the country’s fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Hire Filipinos first — Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros today asked the administration to prioritize the hiring of Filipinos in its multi-billion-peso flagship projects as a positive step towards addressing the rising unemployment among Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

Villanueva wants answers from PNP on Chinese doctors illegally working in PH
Sen. Joel Villanueva wants an explanation from the Philippine National Police regarding its initial failure to arrest and detain Chinese doctors who were caught in raids amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
ABS-CBN News

House of Representatives

Pursue DOH probe, Makabayan urges Ombudsman; says gov’t has ‘failed to deliver’ on COVID-19 response
The Makabayan bloc on Wednesday, June 24 asked the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) to maintain its “independence” and continuously pursue its investigation against embattled Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over the anomalies in the Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 response.
Manila Bulletin

Solon wants LTFRB abolished amid public transport woes
Senior Citizens party-list Representative Francisco Datol Jr. is pushing for the abolition of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) amid the transportation woes the public is experiencing.
GMA News

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

BuCor: 163 PDLs granted parole subjected to rapid antibody tests
A total of 163 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) who were granted parole have undergone rapid antibody tests as part of the requirement for their eventual release, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Guevarra directs NBI to monitor fake news
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Wednesday (June 24) directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to set up a system of monitoring the spread of false or malicious information on social media for prosecution of those involved.
Manila Bulletin

NBI, AMLC to probe Wirecard’s $2.1 B ‘loss’
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Wednesday (June 24) said he has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the involvement of certain individuals in alleged accounting irregularities in Wirecard AG that reportedly led to the loss of US$2.1 billion in its Asian operations.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP completes 2 more quarantine facilities
Two more units of Emergency Quarantine Facility (EQF) have been constructed and will soon be used as additional triage to decongest hospital wards as part of government’s efforts in battling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Avisado: DBM working to submit proposed ‘labor-intensive’ P4.3-T 2021 budget before SONA
Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado on Wednesday said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is working on the proposed “labor-intensive” P4.3-trillion 2021 budget before President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month.
Manila Bulletin

BIR releases list of 230 prescription drugs exempt from 12% VAT
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has released the generic names of additional 230 prescription drugs and medicines exempt from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT).
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Maritime expert says China's planned air defense zone in disputed waters may spark global backlash
The chief of the United States' Pacific Air Force raises alarm over China's possible establishment of an air defense identification zone in the disputed South China Sea. This plan is expected to result to a global backlash.
ABS-CBN News

LABOR

12,600 OFWs back in Hong Kong soon; PH, HK gov’ts to ensure their health, safety
More than 12,600 overseas Filipino workers are slated to go back to Hong Kong soon but will have to go through stringent quarantine procedures as part of the HK government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

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6,752 Pinoys return from Saudi; more expected back, says DFA
Since February 2020, a total of 6,752 Filipinos have been repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Bello to work for repatriation of deceased OFWs’ remains
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday said he will discuss with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) the appeal for the repatriation of the bodies of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in Saudi Arabia.
Manila Bulletin

Drilon urges OWWA to facilitate speedy repatriation of 150,000 OFWs
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday urged the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to facilitate the immediate repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) first before asking for additional funds for the agency.
Manila Bulletin

OWWA will go bankrupt if COVID-19 crisis persists — Cacdac
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will go bankrupt by the end of 2021 if the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the next few months.
Manila Bulletin

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36,086 Filipinos lost their jobs in June despite reopening of businesses — DOLE
The coronavirus crisis threw 36,086 more Filipino workers out of work this month despite the gradual reopening of businesses around the country.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos: DOLE advisories should be changed to resolve floating status of employees due to COVID
Senator Imee R. Marcos, chairwoman of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee, on Wednesday said advisories issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should be changed immediately to resolve the floating status of employees who continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic without any income.
Manila Bulletin

Employers should shoulder extra expenses of workers amid work from home setup —DOLE official
Employers should shoulder or reimburse the additional expenses incurred by workers during work from home arrangements, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday.
GMA News

TRANSPORTATION

40 car drivers nabbed for using bike lanes
At least 40 motorists have been apprehended for using bike lanes as parking spaces as the Philippine National Police (PNP) started the crackdown against those who encroach on the portions of the roads allocated for bicycle riders.
Manila Bulletin

31 rationalized city bus routes now open — LTFRB
All 31 rationalized routes for city buses are now open in the hope of easing the limited public transportation in the metropolis, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

PhilHealth, hospitals groups agree to settle alleged debt mess
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), hospitals groups and medical association have agreed to sit down and discuss ways to settle the alleged unpaid claims of hospitals from the state insurer.
GMA News

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

BFAR issues red tide alert
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued a red tide alert on Tuesday in some coastal areas where shellfish are positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd: No Filipino learner will be left behind
With a very challenging school year ahead, Education Secretary Leonor Briones assured on Wednesday that the Department of Education (DepEd) will exhaust all possible means to ensure that no Filipino learner will be left behind in terms of education as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd trains over 300,000 teachers for ICT-based teaching
To prepare for the implementation of new learning modalities this coming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been training public school teachers in Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based teaching.
Manila Bulletin

Teachers shun laptop loan offer, ask DepEd to provide gadgets for free
Like how security forces are given firearms before they are deployed for combat, teachers urged the government to equip them with necessary tools as they face challenges in the implementation of new learning modalities this coming school year.
Manila Bulletin

Teachers to gov’t: ensure stable Internet connection for blended learning
Teachers warned the government that all efforts of Department of Education (DepEd) for introducing blended learning and assuring continuity of learning in the so-called “new normal” will be futile if it will not decisively address the glaring need to provide stable Internet connection.
Manila Bulletin

Private schools to DepEd: suspend readiness checklist
Groups on Thursday urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to temporarily suspend its order requiring private schools to comply with the readiness assessment checklist for learning delivery modalities in their Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) pending proper consultation with stakeholders.
Manila Bulletin

CHED clarifies: No face-to-face classes in July
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) clarified on Wednesday that the guidelines it is currently drafting with health authorities are for possible limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas only as part of the blended mode of learning under the “new normal.”
Manila Bulletin

CHED names new UniFAST OIC exec
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the designation of lawyer Ryan Estevez as the new officer-in-charge of the Office of Executive Director of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Duplicate assistance to SAP beneficiaries now at over P458M
The “duplicate” assistance received by Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiaries now amounted to over P458 million, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday, June 24.
Manila Bulletin

SAP 2 aid payout awaits clean-up of beneficiaries’ list, reports DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday, June 24, that it will start distributing the second tranche of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) emergency subsidies to non-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) after the completion of its deduplication process.
Manila Bulletin

Go urges DSWD to fast track grant of benefits to centenarians
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned agencies to fast track the provision of benefits for centenarians as provided by law.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

Wanderlust | Mindanao islands prepare for tourism in the new normal
The COVID-19 pandemic halted all tourism activities in the country as government locked down destinations and ceased operations of all forms of transportation since March. This resulted to sudden drop of visitor arrivals in what would have been a peak season for tourists especially to the country’s island destinations.
The Mindanao Times

Baganga mayor orders temporary prohibition of tourism activities in Poo Island
The municipal government of Baganga in the province of Davao Oriental has ordered the temporary suspension of tourism activities in the Poo Kinablangan Sandbar following reports of improper waste management and illegal structures deemed to be harmful in preserving the marine life in the area.
Mindanews

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY