TRUMP OFFERS ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO DUTERTE

MANILA — In a recent phone call with President Rodrigo Duterte, US President

Donald Trump offered additional assistance to the Philippines as it deals

with the deadly coronavirus disease, which first emerged in China late last

year.

The US Embassy in Manila confirmed that Duterte spoke with Trump last

Sunday.

The embassy said Trump expressed his solidarity with Duterte as both

countries deal with the pandemic that has infected more than 2.4 million

people in 193 countries and territories.

"Both leaders agreed to continue working together as long-time allies to

defeat the pandemic, save lives and restore global economic strength," the

US Embassy said in a statement Tuesday.

The US leader also expressed condolences for the death of 11 Filipino

soldiers killed in a clash with the Abu Sayyaf group in Patikul, Sulu last

Friday.

"The two leaders also discussed how the United States and the Philippines

can continue building upon the string and enduring economic, cultural and

security ties binding the two nations," the statement read.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque described the US-initiated phone call

as "cordial."

According to Roque, the call from Trump lasted for 18 minutes, wherein the

two leaders discussed collaboration on COVID-19.

"The only authority I got from the president is to say that it was about

cooperation, that the Philippines and the US may cooperate on the COVID-19,"

Roque said in a press briefing Monday.

TO EXTEND OR NOT TO EXTEND LUZON LOCKDOWN? DUTERTE 'NEEDS MORE TIME' TO

DECIDE

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte needed more time to decide whether or not

to extend the Luzon lockdown, which was imposed to halt the spread of the

coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an official said.

“It’s not an easy decision to come up with and we still have time for the

President to give his decision,” Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19

pandemic spokesman, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Tuesday.

Members of the country's pandemic task force on Monday failed to reach a

consensus on the government's next step once the lockdown in Luzon expires

on April 30, said Nograles.

"It was a very extensive discussion at lahat ng inputs na maaaring ibigay ng

isa ay nabigay naman pero bitin, bitin pa din so we have to do another round

of discussions," he said in a virtual press briefing.

"[The President] needs more time basically," Nograles said.

So far, Nograles said the pandemic task force has only agreed on a

"framework" and options that Duterte said must be reviewed anew before he

makes his decision.

Malacañang on Monday said Duterte is looking at 2 options once the lockdown

extension ends: he could extend it again, or modify it at the provincial,

city or municipal, and barangay levels.

"He will be guided by science," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque had said.

As of Monday, COVID-19 has so far infected 6,459 people in the Philippines,

with 428 deaths and 613 recoveries.

PHILIPPINES REQUIRES ALL RETURNING OFWS TO TAKE RAPID COVID-19 TEST

MANILA- Filipino migrant workers returning to the Philippines will be

required to undergo rapid testing for the novel coronavirus, the

government's pandemic task force said Tuesday.

The policy covers all arriving overseas Filipino workers including

seafarers, task force spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.

Migrant workers, who were previously required to only undergo

self-quarantine, will also be required to isolate themselves for 14 days in

a provided quarantine facility.

"All arriving overseas Filipino workers, whether land-based or sea-based,

shall be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day facility-based quarantine,

and shall be subject to rapid antibody testing for COVID-19," the Cabinet

official said in a virtual press briefing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs had said that the quarantine facilities

and program will be determined and facilitated by the Department of Health

and Bureau of Quarantine.

Sea-based migrant workers who have been cleared by the Bureau of Quarantine

at their point of departure, however, will still be subject to rapid testing

for COVID-19 and will be monitored by health authorities.

PHILIPPINES SHOULD PROTEST CHINA’S NEW MOVES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA – DEL

ROSARIO

MANILA — The government should protest China’s establishment of two new

districts to govern the Paracels and Spratlys in the South China Sea, former

foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario said yesterday.

The announcement by the Chinese ministry of civil affairs on April 18 on the

establishment of new districts in the disputed waters came at a time when

the world was busy addressing the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019

pandemic. The announcement came in the wake of the ramming and sinking of a

Vietnamese fishing boat by a Chinese vessel, and ChinaÂ’s establishment of

two research stations on its artificial islands in Fiery Cross and Subi

reefs.

“These recent events in the South China Sea remind us Filipinos to be

eternally vigilant in the defense of our countryÂ’s territory and sovereign

rights even as we confront a very grave threat as COVID-19,” Del Rosario

said. “As we struggle against a pandemic that poses a real threat to our

lives, we must not also risk losing our national patrimony upheld by

international law and meant for present and future generations of

Filipinos,” he said.

“China has been relentless in exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic,” he pointed

out.

The former foreign affairs chief said China continues to pursue its illegal

and expansive claims in the South China Sea to the prejudice of Filipinos,

the ASEAN states and the international community as a whole.

“We therefore respectfully urge our government to protest this recent action

of China, as it rightly did over the sinking of the Vietnamese fishing boat

on April 8, 2020,” Del Rosario said in a statement issued on Sunday evening.

'MORE HARM THAN GOOD': LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TOLD TO STOP USING DISINFECTION

TENTS, MISTING

MANILA - The Department of the Interior and Local Government discouraged

local government units on Monday from using disinfection tents, and misting

on people as precautionary measures against coronavirus disease (COVID-19),

saying these “may even cause more harm than good.”

The Department of Health had said that it does not recommend the use of

disinfection tents or misting as these can “cause pathogens to be dispersed

further during spraying.”

“The most important thing is we continue to adapt as we discover new

knowledge about COVID-19. Tulad na lamang na hindi makatutulong ang mga

disinfection mist laban dito kaya naman we discourage the LGUs from using

them sa kanilang mga nasasakupan,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a

statement.

Several local government units have employed such measures as a

precautionary measure against COVID-19.

In some cities, sodium hypochlorite or household bleach is mixed with water

and sprayed on streets using firetrucks, while people are made to enter

disinfecting tents before being allowed inside buildings.

Thr DOH had said the practice shows that disinfection can result in asthma

or dermatitis. It instead advised the public to “soak objects or disinfect

surfaces to kill the virus.”

The DILG chief, however, clarified that misting can still be done on cars,

rooms, buildings, and other inanimate objects.

Local government units are instead encouraged to repurpose materials

initially used for misting on people.

"LGUs are directed to utilize these materials and staff sa iba pang mga

effort laban sa COVID-19,” Año said.

DEPED LEANS TOWARD STARTING NEXT SCHOOL YEAR IN AUGUST, MULLS SATURDAY

CLASSES

MANILA - The Department of Education said Tuesday it was leaning towards

opening the next school year in August and considering Saturday classes in

the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agency consulted officials, education experts and businesses nationwide

regarding the school year, which under the law should start between June and

August, said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

"The leaning is August for opening," she told CNN Philippines. "Whether it's

last week, first week: we'll see how it goes."

The DepEd eyes ending the 2020-2021 academic year in March, just like in

previous years, while complying with the required number of school days,

which is why the agency is considering Saturday classes, she said.

"Kino-consider namin ang possibility, for example, of Saturday classes, pero

hindi iyong mga face-to-face classes. They can do their work at home,"

Briones said.

SSS WEBSITE SCREENING CASH AID APPLICATION DOWN FOR 3RD DAY

MANILA - A website of the Social Security System that was supposed to screen

applications for cash aid for 3.4 million workers of small businesses was

down for the 3rd straight day on Tuesday.

The website "has been on downtime" since Saturday after applications for the

Small Business Wage Subsidy "surpassed the computing capacity of the

system," the SSS said on Twitter.

"Sobrang dami, hindi kinaya ng website so nag-down siya," said SSS Acting

Vice President for Public Affairs and Special Events Fernando Nicolas.

The SSS will e-mail employers on how to send requirements for the subsidy.

Businesses whose e-mail addresses are not on the records of SSS will be

given "most probably tomorrow" a schedule for accessing the website, he

said.

"Hindi po kakayanin talaga ng website na lahat po magsabay-sabay ang ating

employers," Nicolas said.

Some 3.4 million workers stand to get P5,000 to P8,000 from the subsidy

program that mirrors the Duterte administration's cash assistance program

for 18 million poor families during the lockdown of Luzon to stop the novel

coronavirus pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles earlier said.

The national government provided the funds for the Small Businesses Wage

Subsidy program while SSS was only a "conduit" for applications. The

self-employed and voluntary members of the agency are not among the

program's beneficiaries, said Nicolas.

"Baka po may ibang programa ang gobyerno para sa kanila," he said.

ACCESS TO ONLINE STUDY PLATFORM FREE OF DATA CHARGES: DEPED

MANILA -- The Department of Education said Tuesday that its online learning

platform can now be accessed by Globe and TM subscribers without incurring

data charges.

In a statement, the department said it is partnering with telecommunication

companies to provide free access to the DepEd Commons platform, with

PLDT-Smart expected to follow suit in granting free data.

"DepEd is steadily moving forward in bringing educational resources to the

teachers and the learners wherever they may be," said Education

Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua.

DepEd also said the platform integrated the Globe eLibrary, which features

e-books ranging from storybooks to academic textbooks.

Links outside the DepEd Commons domain will not be covered by the free data

charges, the agency added.

MINDANAO'S AURO SHIPS CACAO BEANS TO EUROPE, A FIRST FOR PHILIPPINES

MANILA - Mindanao-based Auro Chocolate has become the first Filipino company

to supply cacao beans to Europe with the first shipment completed last week,

the Trade Department said.

Auro sent 20,000 kilos of 5 varieties of premium cacao beans to Belgium last

April 16, the DTI said in a statement.

European chocolate makers visited cacao farms in Mindanao last year

including Silva Cacao who brought the produce to Belgium, the DTI said.

"By adding their own magic, chocolate makers can bring out the best of the

flavours in each cacao quality – from fruity, to floral, to nutty, to woody,

to caramel, and much more. Chocolate lovers all over Europe will be in for a

surprise," Silva Cacao general manager Katrien Delaet said.

Auro Chocolate said its cacao was of single-origin while its chocolate

products were made from beans sourced from Mindanao.

SEVERAL INMATES, 1 STAFF OF WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL FACILITY TEST POSITIVE FOR

CORONAVIRUS

MANILA - Eighteen inmates and a staff of the Correctional Institution for

Women tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Bureau of Corrections

said Tuesday.

The tally brings the total of COVID-19 positive cases in the Mandaluyong

facility to 19.

The new COVID-19 cases were reported to have mild symptoms while some were

asymptomatic, the BuCor said.

"They are now being monitored and given vitamins, medicines and food

supplements to strengthen their immune system," it said in a Facebook post.

On Saturday, the Correctional reported its first case of COVID-19, a

72-year-old inmate who has a history of diabetes milletus type 2 and was

diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia.

EX-SENATOR ALVAREZ DIES OF COVID

MANILA — Former senator Heherson Alvarez, who served in government in

various capacities and in later years mostly championed the environment,

died yesterday at age 80 following complications from coronavirus disease

2019.

His son, Hexilon, confirmed the death of Alvarez to their fraternity Alpha

Phi Beta.

Alvarez and his wife Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, founder of Philippine

Educational Theater Association (PETA), both tested positive for COVID-19.

COPS WITH CORONAVIRUS NOW AT 71

MANILA — Four more members of the Philippine National Police have tested

positive for the coronavirus disease 2019, bringing to 71 the number of PNP

personnel infected with COVID-19, an official reported yesterday.

PNP Health Service director Brig. Gen. Herminio Tadeo Jr. said the new

patients – three men and a woman – aged 32 to 45 are assigned in Metro

Manila.

Tadeo said 10 police officers have recovered from the disease while three

died.

A total of 663 PNP personnel went on quarantine after showing symptoms of

the virus, he said.

Of the number, Tadeo said 600 police personnel have completed the mandatory

14-day quarantine.

Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesman for the PNP, said they have put in place

biosafety measures to prevent more police officers from getting infected.

Banac said among these are the strict enforcement of physical distancing at

police camps and quarantine control points as well as regular disinfection

of PNP offices.

“Sa mga kampo ay may ginagawa tayong mandatory disinfection of vehicles,”

Banac told reporters.

3 COPS HURT IN SHOOTOUT

COTABATO CITY — A police captain and his two men were wounded in an

encounter with a group that protected a murder suspect in Lanao del Sur on

Sunday.

Capt. Karl Vincent Centinaje, Cpl. Morsed Maliga and Pat. Abdul Khamied Unda

were taken to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds, according to Col.

Madgzani Mukaram, provincial police director.

The officers, backed by personnel of the 5th Marine Battalion, were out to

arrest Meranda Bagnas in Barangay Daguan, Kapatagan when a group of armed

men opened fire at them, triggering a firefight.

The warrant for BagnasÂ’ arrest was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch

12 based in nearby Malabang town. Bagnas escaped as his cohorts exchanged

fire with the lawmen.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BILLY CRAWFORD, COLEEN GARCIA MARK SECOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

MANILA -- Celebrity couple Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia marked their

second wedding anniversary on Monday, April 20.

On Instagram, the couple shared their message for each other accompanied by

their sweet photos.

Garcia is thankful for Crawford, whom she described as a “great man,” for

always being there for her.

“Thank you, love, for the laughs, the constant care and encouragement you

give me, and for never giving up on me, even on days when I feel like giving

up on myself. Thank you for always choosing us, and for simply being here,

‘cause your presence always makes a huge difference to me. Thank you for

making me feel so loved every day — on the best days and the worst! You’re

the best partner I could ever want, because youÂ’re the one God gave me. Our

celebration this year is simple, but this season has taught me that all the

simplest, most basic things we have are what truly matter. IÂ’m so thankful

for you, for today, for the family we have, this home we share, the memories

we keep, and the future we have together. I love you always!” Garcia wrote.

For his part, Crawford thanked Garcia for guiding and loving him.

“Thank you Father for blessing me with an angel to always guide me. Thank

You for this gift of love, commitment, loyalty, trust, passion, and

compassion. To my love, my everything, Coleen, thank you. Thank you for

loving me through my everyday hardhead times, driving you, and giving you

different tones that piss you off. You always keep it a ?? with everything

we do. I love you to the end of time!” Crawford shared.

Crawford and Garcia tied the knot in Balesin on April 20, 2018.

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: ARSENAL PLAYERS AND BOSS ARTETA AGREE CORONAVIRUS PAY CUT

LONDON -- Arsenal became the first Premier League club to agree a

coronavirus pay cut with their players as manager Mikel Arteta and his stars

slashed their wages by 12.5 percent on Monday.

After Southampton and West Ham announced wage deferral agreements with their

players, Arsenal went one step further by securing the pay cut from Arteta

and the first-team squad.

"We are pleased to announce that we have reached a voluntary agreement with

our first-team players, head coach and core coaching staff to help support

the club at this critical time," Arsenal said in a statement.

"The move follows positive and constructive discussions. In these

conversations there has been a clear appreciation of the gravity of the

current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a strong desire for

players and staff to show their backing for the Arsenal family."

The pay deals come after a series of negotiations over the last two weeks

amid a backdrop of criticism for Premier League players over their failure

to agree quick wage cuts while some top-flight teams furloughed non-playing

staff to save money.

The Premier League asked clubs to put a 30 percent pay cut to players, but

the English Professional Footballers' Association said that would affect tax

contributions to the UK's state-run National Health Service.

It was reported that Arsenal initially proposed a 12-month drop in salary

for their players.

After a muted response to their request, Arsenal were able to secure the

agreement thanks to Arteta's influence, according to reports.

Arteta, who has recovered after contracting the virus in March, spoke to his

27-man squad in a video call on Wednesday.

He is said to have made it clear that he would not engage them in

discussions about money normally, but in this case he wanted them to take a

strong collective stance in supporting Arsenal through the unprecedented

financial mayhem caused by the pandemic.

There are reports that Arsenal, whose yearly wage bill is around £230

million ($286 million), will give players their money back in the event that

they bridge an eight-point gap and qualify for the Champions League when

football restarts.

"If we meet specific targets in the seasons ahead, primarily linked to

success on the pitch, the club will repay agreed amounts," the statement

said.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.79

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

New ideas pass through three periods: It can't be done. It probably can be

done, but it's not worth doing. I knew it was a good idea all along ! -

Arthur C. Clarke