COVID-19

DOH: 84 new COVID-19 cases; 636 active, 38 deaths, 26 recoveries
Eighty-four new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday afternoon by the Department of Health (DOH), bringing the number of confirmed cases in the country to 636.
Manila Bulletin

DFA: COVID-19-positive Filipinos abroad now 172; 90 of them have recovered
The number of Filipinos outside of the Philippines who have tested positive for COVID-19 has surged to 172, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in its latest tally released on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

4 more Filipinos in Singapore get coronavirus; total now at 19
Four more Filipinos tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Singapore, the country's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Wednesday, March 25, as the city-state saw its biggest number of new COVID-19 cases in a day.
Rappler

‘Great pillar’ of PH cardiology succumbs to coronavirus in the line of duty
 Dr Raul Diaz Jara, a coronavirus frontliner and “one of the great pillars of cardiology” in the Philippines, died on Tuesday, March 25, after losing his own battle against COVID-19.
Rappler

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Real COVID-19 situation ascertained soon due to increased testing capacity — DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that the real situation regarding the COVID-19 epidemic in the country may be ascertained in the coming days due to the increased testing capacity.
Manila Bulletin

Bayanihan MD: Volunteer doctors offer free online consultations
As hospitals are swamped with patients, a group of doctors has opened a free online consultation site called Bayanihan MD, Incorporated on Facebook.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana heads COVID-19 national task force
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has been designated by President Duterte to lead the national task force (NTF) created by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to fight COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Gov't urges medical supply exporters to sell 80% of products in PH
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases urged medical supply exporters to sell at least 80% of their products locally, as personal protective equipment in hospitals run low due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rappler

P296 billion needed monthly vs coronavirus, says think tank
The Philippine government would need to spend over P296 billion monthly to provide emergency social protection for poor and low-income families during the coronavirus lockdown, said think tank Ibon Foundation.
Rappler

Año: ‘Draconian measures’ necessary to stave off possibly worse outcomes of COVID-19
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday justified the need for authorities to implement “draconian measures” to control the spread of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t to enlist services of soldiers, reservists, volunteers against coronavirus
The government may tap soldiers, reservists, and volunteers to boost its manpower on the operations against the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Palace official.
Manila Bulletin

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5 COVID-19 patients in Davao Region in ‘stable condition’
The five patients in the Davao Region who tested positive of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are now in a better condition, showing “no symptoms” of the infection.
Mindanews

DOH-12: Region has 4 PUI deaths
The Department of Health in the Soccsksargen region today reported that another Person Under Investigation of possible Covid-19 infection has died, raising the death toll of PUI in Region 12 to four.
NDBC News

Mayor Sara opens Central 911 for ‘telemedicine’
The City Government of Davao has opened the Davao City Central 911 for “telephone medicine” so that patients who need a checkup for their ailments can do so without going to hospitals to avoid the risk of contracting the contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Mayor Sara Duterte said.
Mindanews

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Makati Med denounces Pimentel's 'irresponsible, reckless' protocol breach
The chief of the Makati Medical Center (MMC) did not mince words against Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, who accompanied his pregnant wife to the hospital when he was already exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

#KokoResign: Netizens rage vs Senator Pimentel for breaking quarantine protocols
"Koko Pimentel" and #KokoResign – in reference to Senator Aquilino Pimentel III – topped Twitter's trending list Wednesday evening, March 25, as users raged against the lawmakers for breaking coronavirus quarantine protocols, exposing other people to risks.
Rappler

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Cabanatuan City man caught spreading fake COVID-19 news arrested
A day after President Duterte signed a measure that punishes those who spread fake news about the coronavirus disease, police on Wednesday arrested a village watchman in Cabanatuan City for allegedly committing such offense.
Manila Bulletin

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Dwindling gov’t hospital’s needs at the height of COVID-19 battle saved by the bell
“Godsent gift,” was how the chief of the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) described the donation of the Bangsamoro government of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and medical supplies when the hospital’s resources were dwindling.
Mindanews

When all things fail, the Filipino prays…
AFTER he has done everything within his limited means to protect himself and others against the onslaught of the deadly coronavirus, what does the Filipino do? He prays.
Philippine Star

[ANALYSIS] Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic: How do we 'heal as one?'
We were not alone in underestimating the COVID-19 threat. With every country inextricably linked to China, where this disease started percolating, the rest of the world was similarly caught flat-footed.
Rappler

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Gov’t welcomes help from other countries in COVID-19 fight
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase daily, the government is counting on its allies abroad to help the country “in this hour of need.”
Manila Bulletin

OCD tasked to coordinate local COVID-19 donations – IATF
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was designated on Wednesday as the main coordinating body for all domestic donations relative to the management of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
Manila Bulletin

DOH receives 5,000 test kits donated by Singapore gov’t
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that the Singaporean government donated 5,000 test kits for the detection of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Guangzhou donates masks, thermometers to sister city Manila
From one sister city to another, the Guangzhou municipal government in China donated thousands of N95 masks, surgical masks, and infrared thermometers to aid frontliners battling the novel coronavirus in the city of Manila.
Rappler

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Italy reports 683 more coronavirus deaths: Live updates
Italy has reported 683 new deaths in the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total to 7,503 as the confirmed cases rose to 74,386, appearing to level off but not dropping dramatically from previous days. 
Aljazeera

U.N. launches virus aid plan, says all of humanity at risk
The coronavirus pandemic is threatening the entire human race, the United Nations warned Wednesday, March 25, as it launched a humanitarian response plan featuring an appeal for $2 billion to help the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.
Rappler

Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus
Prince Charles, the eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, is showing mild symptoms of the new coronavirus but "otherwise remains in good health," his office said on Wednesday, March 25.
Rappler

As virus leaves borders shut, European farmers sound alarm
Whether it's served with butter and ham, drowned in hollandaise sauce or topped with a fried egg, nothing says spring in Germany like asparagus.
Rappler

White House, Senate agree on $2-trillion coronavirus rescue plan
The White House and Senate have reached agreement on a $2-trillion stimulus package for the US economy and millions of Americans ravaged by the coronavirus crisis, top lawmakers said early Wednesday, March 25.
Rappler

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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DUTERTE TRANSCRIPTS: On COVID-19. 24 March 2020
his is the official transcript of President Rodrigo Duterte’s address, released by the Presidential News Desk of the Presidential Communications Office.
Mindanews

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

'Worst is yet to come unless DOH, FDA act with urgency' says Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday, March 25, said that the Department of Health and the Food and Drugs Administration must act with urgency to flatten the coronavirus curve in the country.
Rappler

Duterte's special powers law prone to abuse – Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros slammed handing "unnecessary powers" to President Rodrigo Duterte, after Congress approved the measure that gave him at least 30 special powers to deal with the pandemic.
Rappler

Bong Go: Executive branch must be transparent, accountable, in light of Bayanihan Act
Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’Go on Wednesday reminded the executive branch to uphold transparency and accountability in the use of government funds following the enactment into law of the “Bayanihan Act of 2020” designed to combat COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

‘Bayanihan’ law justified, says House leader
Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. said that the enactment of the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” is justified given the huge threat that the COVID-19 epidemic poses to the nation.
Manila Bulletin

House appropriations panel chair Eric Yap tests positive for coronavirus
House committee on appropriations chairperson Eric Yap confirmed he acquired the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), making him the first congressman to publicly disclose his positive results.
Rappler

Gov’t urged to seek Cuba’s help in battling COVID-19
Makabayan bloc solons in the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Duterte administration to seek the help of the Cuban government in ending the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Supply delays push prices up as LGUs keep stopping trucks
Ignoring President Rodrigo Duterte’s warning not to abuse their authority during the monthlong Luzon quarantine, local governments are still turning away food trucks at checkpoints, causing supply gaps that, according to the Department of Agriculture, have pushed prices up by as much as 46 percent.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DOJ: No arrest, no action on Pimentel's breach of hospital protocol sans complaint
The Department of Justice will not yet investigate Sen. Koko Pimentel III, who was admonished by Makati Medical Center for violating “his home quarantine protocol” until a formal complaint is filed.
Philippine Star, Rappler

DOJ defends need to place barangay checkpoints under PNP supervision
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday defended the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) to place barangay checkpoints under the supervision of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Manila Bulletin

3 PDLs die in Bilibid brawl
Three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) died on Wednesday, March 25, during a brawl inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

PNP to supervise all quarantine control points
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered police commanders to supervise all quarantine control points (QCPs) around the country following numerous complaints about varying rules being implemented on the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BIR extends tax deadlines
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has released several issuance extending various tax deadlines, implementing the government’s Enhanced Community Quarantine over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon due to the threat of COVID-19. 
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Foreigners now free to leave PH anytime
Stranded foreign nationals will now be allowed to leave the country as the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases announced new guidelines for the government’s fight against COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

COVID-19 displaces over 200,000 workers
More than 200,000 workers have been displaced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
Manila Bulletin

Task force pushes for P1.5-B financial aid to OFWs, workers hit by lockdown
The government body in charge of running the response to the coronavirus pandemic is pushing for the immediate release of P1.5 billion to fund financial assistance for overseas and local workers affected by lockdowns in Luzon and other parts of the country.
Rappler

Gov’t to prioritize aid for daily wage earners and ‘no-work, no-pay’ groups 
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday that the government has prioritized to provide assistance to the poorest of the poor, as mounting complaints of undelivered food packs have hounded the local government units (LGUs) and the department itself.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

JoyRide launches its own delivery service to help riders and the public
Motorcycle ride-hailing firm JoyRide has ventured into the delivery service as a means to help its riders, as well as people affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

DOT assists over 10,000 stranded foreign travelers amid enhanced community quarantine
The Department of Tourism (DOT) response team assisted over 10,000 stranded foreign travelers amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Air quality significantly improving; earth healing itself due to quarantine
The sudden drastic slowdown in activities in the Philippines and other countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic is allowing the earth to heal itself from environmental degradation.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY