COVID-19 TASK FORCE: NO DECISION YET ON EXTENSION OF LUZON QUARANTINE

MANILA — Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Saturday said the Inter-Agency

Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has not yet reached a decision on

whether to extend the quarantine across Luzon and parts of the Visayas and

Mindanao.

However, Nograles said the task force has approved the guidelines which will

be considered in the decision for the quarantineÂ’s extension, partial

lifting or selective implementation in particular areas.

Among the criteria to be considered include local trends in the coronavirus

disease 2019 (COVID-19). Particularly, the diseaseÂ’s epidemiological curve

will be assessed for data like doubling time, acceleration and deceleration.

The capacity of the Philippine healthcare system will also be considered,

alongside social, economic and security factors.

CABINET MEMBERS TO DONATE 75% OF SALARY TO HELP GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19

EFFORTS

MANILA — Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Saturday said that members of

the Cabinet will donate 75% of their monthly salaries while the Bayanihan to

Heal as One Act is in effect in order to help combat the coronavirus disease

2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Philippines.

“Nais din nating ipagbigay alam na karamihan, majority, ng mga miyembro ng

gabinete ni Pangulong Duterte ay boluntaryong ibibigay ang malaking bahagi,

75% ng kanilang buwanang sahod, upang ilaan sa mga programa ng gobyerno

upang sugpuin ang COVID-19 sa loob ng panahong pinapatupad ang Bayanihan

Law,” Nograles said during the Saturday morning IATF virtual press briefer.

“Ilan sa ating kasamahan ay boluntaryong babawasan ang kanilang mga sahod

hanggang Disyembre pa ngayong taon para sa mga programang ito,” he said.

Asked who among the Cabinet officials offered to donate three-quarters of

their salary, Nograles said that he was one of them but would leave it to

the others to disclose their participation in the initiative.

"'Yung mga ibang opisyales, sila na lang po sigurong magsabi kung sinu-sino

sila (The other officials, they can reveal who they are)."

7-YEAR-OLD GIRL IS PHILIPPINESÂ’ YOUNGEST COVID-19 FATALITY

MANILA — A seven-year-old child from Ilocos region has died of the new

coronavirus, becoming the youngest known COVID-19 victim in the Philippines.

In a bulletin dated Thursday but was only released Friday, the Department of

Health reported that a girl identified as Patient 2415 was the countryÂ’s

107th fatality.

The girl who had no travel history died on March 26—five days before her

test results came out.

Hypovolemic shock secondary to acute gastroenteritis, severe dehydration,

pediatric community-acquired pneumonia were listed as the cause of her

death.

The victims of the new coronavirus have been disproportionately elderly, but

a number of recent cases have highlighted that the disease can hit even

young people with seemingly strong immune systems.

In the Philippines, 136 people have died from the coronavirus. DOH on Friday

reported 29 new fatalities.

The new virus has infected 3,018 in the country—only 52 of whom have

recovered.

GOV'T TASK FORCE ADVISER'S NEW PARADIGM VS COVID-19: TURN PUBLIC INTO

FRONTLINERS

MANILA - Turning the public into frontliners in the fight against the spread

of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will greatly help unburden the

country's already swamped hospitals and reduce the number of health care

workers being exposed to the virus, an adviser of the inter-agency task

force on COVID-19 said Saturday.

Dr. Tony Leachon said he plans to bring up his new paradigm before the

Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases,

which leads the response to the pandemic.

“Mayroon akong new paradigm. Dapat ang frontliners natin publiko at last

line of defense mga doktor kasi kumokonti na sila,” said Leachon in an

interview on DZMM.

This was an apparent reference to the recorded deaths of doctors in the

course of battling the contagious disease.

As frontliners, citizens need to be tested, Leachon said.

“Pag ‘di kayo nagkasakit at nasa bahay kayo, kayo magsisilbing frontliners

para 'yung health care system natin ‘di mag collapse,” he said.

Getting the vulnerable sector, including the immunocompromised, tested early

will also enable them to know if they need to be quarantined.

“Kung magpapa-testing kayo, malalaman niyo kung hihiwalay kayo at saka early

cases na ma-diagnose ‘di lalala para magkaroon ng pneumonia or acute

respiratory distress syndrome,” he said.

Those with pre-existing conditions such as people with high-blood pressure,

diabetes or cancer who think they were exposed to the virus should be able

to access a hotline and schedule a home test.

"Pupuntahan para ma swab. Pupuntahan sila dapat,” he said.

DUTERTE FIRES PACC EXEC WHO SOUGHT PROBE ON ROBREDO'S CORONAVIRUS RELIEF

EFFORTS

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night said he fired

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) commissioner Manuelito Luna

for calling an investigation on Vice President Leni Robredo's relief efforts

for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Wala namang kasalanan ang Vice President. Bakit ipaimbestiga?" he said in a

public address.

"Ito naman, may tao ako na abugado sa PACC, commissioner Manuelito Luna.

Gusto nya ipaimbestiga si Leni kung bakit magsolicit. Anak ng. Kaya nung

narinig ko, sabi ko, 'fire him.' As of this moment, he is no longer

connected with government," Duterte said.

Duterte also warned the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials

they would meet the same fate if they would push with the investigation.

Luna earlier said NBI should probe Robredo's fund drive and relief

operations for COVID-19 frontliners, claiming that these "compete with" or

are "calculated to undermine" the Duterte administration's efforts.

Robredo's actions may be in violation of the government's policies in

addressing the pandemic, he alleged.

Responding to Luna's remarks, Robredo shrugged it off, saying she has a lot

of work to do.

"Una, electoral protest. Sunod, impeachment complaint, sedition case,

indirect contempt. Ngayon, ang gusto NBI investigation. Kailangan ba du'n

personal appearance o puwedeng Zoom? Dami pa kasing trabaho," she wrote on

Twitter.

Robredo's office earlier said it had raised over P40 million for the fight

against the virus spread, and had donated medical supplies to over 100

hospitals and local government units nationwide.

MASS TESTING FOR COVID TO START APRIL 14

MANILA — “Massive” testing of persons under investigation (PUIs) for

possible coronavirus disease 2019 infection and those who had close contact

with COVID-19 patients is slated to start on April 14.

Peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the national policy

on COVID-19, said the government is readying facilities that would serve as

isolation centers for people suspected of contracting the disease.

“On massive testing for PUIs and PUMs (persons under monitoring), we are

also determined to fast-track the accreditation of substantial laboratories

so we can start with the mass testing of the PUIs and PUMs,” Galvez said at

a press briefing Thursday night.

“We expect that by April 14, we will be able to start massive testing,” he

added.

DIOKNO SAYS USED TO TIRADES, HOPES DUTERTE WOULD FOCUS ON COVID-19 CRISIS

MANILA - Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno on Saturday urged President Rodrigo

Duterte to instead focus on addressing the coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19) crisis in response to the latter's tirade against him in a public

address Friday night.

In an interview on DZMM radio, Diokno, who ran but lost his senatorial bid

under the opposition ticket in 2019, said the administration should

concentrate on providing relief assistance to poor Filipino families

affected by the crisis.

"Sanay naman tayo diyan sa mga ganiyan na salita ni Pangulo, pero sana hindi

mawala focus niya do'n sa problema ng bayan," he said.

While he was surprised at Duterte's latest tirade against him, the Free

Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chair couldn't help but make light of the

situation.

"Para akong pinatawag sa principal's office at hinahanap ngipin ko," he

said.

Asked what could have irked the President, Diokno said he was as well

puzzled.

"Hindi ko rin alam. Ginagawa ko lang sa tingin ko ano ang tama," he said.

Diokno had on Thursday revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation

(NBI) has summoned social media users who expressed sentiments on the

government's response to the pandemic.

The bureau then explained the subpoenas were issued to those who spread fake

news about the coronavirus crisis.

Putting differences aside, Diokno urged the Duterte administration to move

forward and act as one to overcome the crisis.

"Gawin natin ang gusto ng Kongreso na bayanihan to heal as one. We want the

government to act as one. Naghihintay ang taongbayan para makita ang ayuda

na inaasahan nila," he said.

Diokno also commended the President for firing a government official, who

sought for an investigation on Vice President Leni Robredo's relief efforts

to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Maganda itong leksiyon sa lahat ng nasa pamahalaan. Kung sila'y maglalabas

ng public statement, dala-dala nila siyempre 'yong kanilang tanggapan. It's

something we should all remember. Maayos ako doon sa ginawa ni Pangulo," he

said.

DUTERTE: POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO ARREST LOCKDOWN VIOLATORS

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night reiterated his warning

against Filipinos violating the enhanced community quarantine protocols in

Luzon, saying the national police will continue to arrest those caught

violating the lockdown.

"Sinabi ko 'wag payagan magkaroon ng mga rally, kung ano-ano kasi walang

katapusan ito. Pag nasa ospital na lahat, pag nasa puneyarya na lahat sa

bahay, pag may mga tao pa rin, parang kadena-de-amor ipasa din niya iyan,"

Duterte said in a public address.

"What we're trying to prevent is contaminating your good neighbor getting

the germs, and [being dead].

"Then if the police will find your excuse or your reason valid, they have to

release you. Otherwise, they can be charged for false arrest," he said.

Duterte, who earlier ordered strict home confinement for the people in Luzon

to curb the fast-spreading COVID-19, said that if violators want to go out

and roam around, it's up to them if they want to risk getting infected.

"Pero pag naghirap ka, wag ka magtawag sakin. Eh ginusto mo 'yan eh.

Talagang mamatay ka," he said.

Duterte earlier ordered the Philippine military and police to "shoot dead"

those who would stir trouble and pose danger to authorities.

"My orders are sa pulis pati military, pati mga barangay na pagka ginulo at

nagkaroon ng okasyon na lumaban at ang buhay ninyo ay nalagay sa alanganin,

shoot them dead. Naintindihan ninyo? Patay. Eh kaysa mag-gulo kayo diyan, eh

‘di ilibing ko na kayo. Ah ‘yung libing, akin ‘yan. Huwag ninyo subukan ang

gobyerno kasi itong gobyerno na ito hindi inutil,” he said.

Before that, some residents of Quezon City who said they are starving due to

the lockdown were arrested by the police after they staged a protest near

the main thoroughfare in the city, calling for help from the government.

'WALA AKONG PAKIALAM DIYAN': DUTERTE HANDS OFF ON NBI PROBE VS VICO SOTTO

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte distanced himself from the probe on Pasig

City Mayor Vico Sotto by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), saying

he's only concerned about matters at the national level.

"Yung kay Mayor Vico, isang beses lang ako nagsalita, yung nagproclaim ako

ng [state of] emergency. Sabi ko, 'wag ito, wag yan,'" he said during a

public address Friday.

"Pagkatapos nito, wala na, nandito lang ako. Wala akong pakialam sa

operation ng NBI, kung anong gusto nila. Karamihan diyan mga abogado yan,"

he said.

The NBI earlier claimed Sotto may have violated provisions in the Bayanihan

Act when he allowed tricycles to operate in his jurisdiction despite a ban

on public transportation, but lawmakers underscored that the policy was not

yet even drafted at the time three-wheeled vehicles in Pasig were allowed to

bring some patients to hospitals.

The bureau drew flak after netizens castigated the agency for going after a

"well-performing" mayor who was finding ways to address the coronavirus

crisis in his city.

The hashtag #ProtectVico soared as the top worldwide trend on Twitter after

celebrities and influencers joined the public outcry against the NBI's probe

against the Pasig City mayor.

The NBI denied allegations of persecuting Sotto, saying some individuals

"politicized" and "sensationalized" its investigation of Sotto's possible

violation.

CASH AID DISTRIBUTION STARTS IN NCR, 6 REGIONS

MANILA — The distribution of the P200-billion cash assistance to those

hardest hit by measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic began yesterday,

with poor families in seven regions – including Metro Manila – as initial

beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it began the

distribution of the fund in Regions 1, 2, 3, Calabarzon (Region 4-A),

National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and

the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The remaining regions will receive their subsidies today and tomorrow.

Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said the release of funds for poor

households was part of the government’s so-called “outbreak impact

mitigation efforts.”

In the NCR or Metro Manila, the first to receive up to P8,000 as monthly aid

were poor households in Manila and Parañaque.

“The Philippines is one of many countries that already has social

amelioration measures in place to ensure that vulnerable sectors are

provided for during the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” Nograles said

at the start of his virtual press briefing yesterday morning.

PALM SUNDAY GOES VIRTUAL

MANILA — A virtual blessing of palm fronds will be held on Palm Sunday

tomorrow.

In a circular, Catholic BishopsÂ’ Conference of the Philippines president and

Davao Bishop Romulo Valles urged the faithful to stay at home and listen to

live-streamed masses.

Valles said those who would follow the masses on television could hold their

palm fronds or any branch or leaves during the prayer for the blessing of

palms.

He said a priest would also go around the streets of the parishes to bless

the palm fronds of the faithful waiting in front of their homes.

He said holy water would not be used in the blessing of palm fronds as it

might cause commotion and defeat the physical distancing measure imposed by

the government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19).

Valles urged church officials to allow only two to three ministers to

accompany the priests to avoid gathering of people.

The blessing of the palm fronds is part of the Palm Sunday celebration of

the Catholic Church, which signifies the last day of Lent and the beginning

of Holy Week.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines, several dioceses in Metro

Manila and nearby provinces along with the archdioceses of Cebu, Davao,

Jaro, Caceres, San Fernando, Lipa and Tuguegarao cancelled public masses.

AIR POLLUTION SA MAYNILA, NABAWASAN DAHIL SA LOCKDOWN

MAYNILA - Malaki ang ibinawas sa air pollution sa Maynila dahil nabawasan

ang mga tao at sasakyan sa mga lansangan dulot ng lockdown.

Ayon sa datos ng Clean Air Asia na ipinamahagi ng Manila Public Information

Office, gumanda ang kalidad ng hangin sa ilang parte ng kapital.

Ang particulate matter o tinatawag na PM 2.5 ay air pollutant na delikado

kung dumarami.

Sa Mendiola, bumaba ito ng 13 porsiyento nang magsuspinde ng klase noong

Marso 9.

Bumaba pa ito ng 4 porsiyento noong nagsimula ang community quarantine noong

Marso 16.

At sa ikalawang linggo ng lockdown, bumaba pa ito ng 36 porsiyento.

Sa kabuuan, bumaba ang air pollution sa Mendiola ng 50 porsiyento kumpara

noong bago pa magkaroon ng lockdown.

Ito rin ang sitwasyon sa Rizal Park at sa Freedom Triangle sa may Manila

City Hall noong Marso 9.

Bumaba ang air pollution level sa Rizal Park ng 61 porsiyento kumpara noong

Pebrero. At bumaba naman ng 74 porsiyento ang air pollution level sa may

Manila City Hall.

Nauna na ring sinabi ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources at

mga environmental scientist ng UP na bumaba ang air pollution levels sa

buong Metro Manila dahil sa quarantine.

Ayon pa kay Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, inaasahan na rin yan dahil mas

kaunti ang emissions mula sa mga sasakyan at konti lang din ang basura sa

kalsada dahil naka quarantine sa bahay ang mga tao.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'TRAIN TO BUSAN' FOLLOW-UP 'PENINSULA' UNLEASHES CHAOTIC, ZOMBIE-FILLED

FIRST TEASER

MANILA — Given the times, it’s probably disconcerting to get a picture of a

world ravaged by a deadly virus.

But it will also be extremely difficult to resist not watching the first

teaser trailer for “Peninsula,” the much-anticipated follow-up to the hit

South Korean movie “Train to Busan.”

Filled with non-stop zombie chaos and some truly shocking scenes, judging

from the fresh clip, “Peninsula” will see the return of director Yeon

Sang-ho, who appears to be relishing the opportunity to expand on his world

— painting a picture of a country where most of what’s left are the

flesh-eating undead and survivors forced into lawlessness.

The official synopsis reads: “Four years after South Korea’s total

decimation in 'Train to Busan,' Jung-seok (Gang Dong-won), a soldier who

previously escaped the diseased wasteland, relives the horror when assigned

to a covert operation with two simple objectives: retrieve and survive. When

his team unexpectedly stumbles upon survivors, their lives will depend on

whether the best — or worst — of human nature prevails in the direst of

circumstances.”

It remains unclear when “Peninsula” will be hitting cinemas due to the

coronavirus pandemic, although it has been confirmed that it will be

released in the Philippines.

SPORTS

FIFA CANCELS ALL JUNE INTERNATIONALS OVER VIRUS

All international football matches scheduled for June were postponed on

Friday following the first meeting of FIFA's coronavirus working group.

It was also decided to hold discussions with confederations to draw up a

revised schedule for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers which have been shelved.

"The FIFA-Confederations working group... has unanimously approved a series

of recommendations following its first meeting, which was organized via

conference call today," said a FIFA statement.

It was also decided by the group to postpone all planned women's

internationals in June.

In the aftermath of the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics by a year,

the FIFA group proposed keeping the age eligibility rule of players born on

or after January 1, 1997 and three additional players.

"The FIFA-Confederations working group will continue to hold discussions on

a regular basis as the situation evolves," added the statement.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.72

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Everything secret degenerates; nothing is safe that does not bear discussion

and publicity. - Lord Acton