PHILIPPINES TIPPED FOR RECESSION THIS YEAR, REBOUND IN 2021: BSP

MANILA -- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday

the economy was poised to slide into a recession in 2020, contracting by 0.2

percent for the full year due to an extended lockdown to stop the COVID-19

pandemic.

First quarter growth will be lower than expected, followed by 2 successive

quarters of negative growth, before bouncing back in the fourth quarter,

Diokno told ANC.

An economy is in recession when gross domestic product contracts or posts

negative growth for 2 successive quarters. Official January to March GDP

data will be released on May 7.

Growth in 2021 could go as fast as 7.7 percent, Diokno told ANC.

Further cuts in the benchmark interest rate, currently at 2.75 percent are

"still in the agenda," he said. "We'll do anything to get us through this

crisis."

"We are moving towards normalization, from ECQ to GCQ," Diokno said,

referring to the Enhanced Community Quarantine and the one-notch lower

General Community Quarantine.

DOH RECORDS 2ND HIGHEST COVID RECOVERIES

MANILA — The Department of Health yesterday reported 70 new recoveries from

the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the second highest ever number in a

span of 24 hours.

This brought to 862 the total patients who have recovered from the deadly

infection, the DOH said yesterday.

On April 16, the DOH recorded the highest recoveries at 82.

Yesterday, the department also reported that the number of confirmed COVID

cases nationwide rose to 7,579 with the addition of 285 new cases.

Seven more people have succumbed to the disease, bringing to 501 the

COVID-related fatalities.

ROBREDO WANTS LIST OF CASH AID BENEFICIARIES MADE PUBLIC

MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday urged the social welfare

department to make public the list of the most vulnerable families who would

get cash aid to cope with lockdown measures aimed at containing the COVID-19

pandemic.

Village officials "are bearing the brunt" of the frustration of those who

are not among the 18 million families who stand to get P5,000 to P8,000

each, said Robredo. Some people also go out of their homes to check for

updates on the cash aid distribution, she said.

"Baka it would help everyone that the list be made public para alam ng tao

kung makakakuha siya o hiindi at alam ng tao na hindi naman niya kailangan

isisi sa kaniyang kapitan o isisi sa kaniyang mayor kung bakit siya wala,"

Robredo told CNN Philippines.

NORTH KOREA'S KIM 'ALIVE AND WELL': SEOUL

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "alive and well", a top security

adviser to the South's President Moon Jae-in said, downplaying rumors over

Kim's health following his absence from a key anniversary.

"Our government position is firm," said Moon's special adviser on national

security Moon Chung-in, in an interview with CNN on Sunday. "Kim Jong Un is

alive and well."

The adviser said that Kim had been staying in Wonsan -- a resort town in the

country's east -- since April 13, adding: "No suspicious movements have so

far been detected."

Conjecture about Kim's health has grown since his conspicuous absence from

the April 15 celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather Kim Il Sung,

the North's founder -- the most important day in the country's political

calendar.

His absence has unleashed a series of unconfirmed media reports over his

condition, which officials in Seoul previously poured cold water on.

"We have nothing to confirm and no special movement has been detected inside

North Korea as of now," the South's presidential office said in a statement

last week.

Daily NK, an online media outlet run mostly by North Korean defectors, has

reported Kim was recovering after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure

earlier this month.

Citing an unidentified source inside the country, it said Kim, who is in his

mid-30s, had needed urgent treatment due to heavy smoking, obesity and

fatigue.

On Monday, the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that Kim had sent a

message of thanks to workers on the giant Wonsan Kalma coastal tourism

project.

It was the latest in a series of reports in recent days of statements issued

or actions taken in Kim's name, although none has carried any pictures of

him.

Satellite images reviewed by 38North, a US-based think tank, showed a train

probably belonging to Kim at a station in Wonsan last week.

It cautioned that the train's presence did not "indicate anything about his

health" but did "lend weight" to reports he was staying on the country's

eastern coast.

ROBREDO SAYS EXTENDED ECQ A 'TOUGH BALANCING ACT'

Acknowledging the need for an extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)

in areas with high cases of COVID-19, Vice President Leni Robredo said the

decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to do so was a "tough balancing act."

"Mahirap, pero kailangan. Mabuti the president made the difficult decision,"

Robredo said in an interview with CNN Philippines' "The Source" Monday

morning.

The vice president, however, pointed out that the ECQ is not a cure to the

deadly virus but gives the country time to prepare.

SENATORS: NO NEW TAXES

MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III has asked the Department of

Finance (DOF) not to press Congress for new taxes amid the ongoing

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, saying the people cannot bear

an additional financial burden.

Sotto said other revenue-raising bills could be proposed that would not

burden ordinary Filipinos.

“Please don’t tax the people. Far too many are bearing the brunt (of the

crisis),” Sotto told radio station dzRH yesterday. “Additional taxes that

will burden the Filipino, or the common tao? Now is not the time to impose

that,” he added.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson was also uncomfortable with Finance Secretary Carlos

Dominguez IIIÂ’s push for the passage of pending tax bills in Congress to

fund programs to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

“As they say, there are two things in this world that we cannot avoid: death

and taxes. What IÂ’m saying is COVID or not, the DOF has lined up a tax

package which they are determined to accomplish,” Lacson said.

While he had some misgivings about the tax package, particularly on Package

1 of the Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, the senator said he might

support revenue measures with amendments “as it has done more good than harm

to the country’s economy.”

'WE CANNOT GO BACK': GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE IS THE 'NEW NORMAL,'

MALACAÑANG SAYS

MANILA — Malacañang on Sunday said that the general community quarantine

hoisted over cities classified as low-risk areas will be the new normal for

the time being until a vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19) is developed.

In an interview with DZMM on Sunday morning, presidential spokesperson Harry

Roque said that the Philippines cannot return to life as usual because of

the overwhelming effects of the global pandemic.

“We are no longer back to normal as we know it po. The GCQ is already that,

it is the new normal. For as long as there is still no vaccine, we cannot go

back to normal as we know it,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“We are just giving a chance to local economies in places under the GCQ to

somehow start again, but normal, as we know it, we wonÂ’t be able to go back

to that,” Roque said.

TAIWAN OPEN TO PINOY WORKERS

MANILA — The recruitment association deploying Filipino workers to Taiwan

has welcomed the news that Taiwan is open to accept more workers from the

Philippines by May.

Pilipino Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan (PILMAT) president Aida

Gerodias disclosed yesterday to recruitment consultant and migration expert

Manny Geslani that by the middle of May some 3,000 to 4,000 stranded workers

slated for deployment to Taiwan – who were not able to leave due to the

lockdown imposed by the government – can now join the companies that hired

them last January.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila will resume the

processing of visas after the extended enhanced community quarantine for the

National Capital Region ends by May 16.

THE REST

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LGUS CANÂ’T MODIFY QUARANTINE LEVELS

MANILA — Only the national government will have the authority to modify

community quarantine levels in cities, municipalities, provinces and regions

in the country.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday

clarified the matter as it stressed that local government units would no

longer have authority to declare which level of community quarantine would

be placed even in their areas of jurisdiction.

It will now be the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases

(IATF) that will determine if a city, town or province will be placed under

the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or the more lenient general

community quarantine (GCQ), DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.

LGUs only have the authority to declare lockdowns in their barangays but not

cities or municipalities, Malaya added.

“The IATF is using a new decision tool for all LGUs wherein the parameters

are case doubling time and critical care infrastructure, among others. But

barangays remain under cities and towns,” he said in a text message.

NPC TO PROBE UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF COVID PATIENTSÂ’ INFORMATION

MANILA — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) is looking into incidents of

unauthorized disclosure on social media of personal information of more than

150 individuals who are either suspected or confirmed to have the

coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

NPC said it received 17 personal data breach notifications involving 154

suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients from March 15 to April 23. Of

these, seven were received from personal information controllers (PICs) and

10 from ordinary citizens.

Data breach notifications involve the posting of photo, as well as other

personal details such as name, gender, address, date of birth and phone and

emergency contact on social media.

Privacy commissioner Raymund Liboro said the NPC is investigating the breach

incidents together with the PICs, in relation to the Data Privacy Act of

2012.

“With a view to preventing similar instances of unauthorized disclosure from

happening, we call on health institutions and their Data Protection Officers

to strengthen the protection of patient data. After all, fostering mutual

trust and protection between patients, health institutions and authorities

is crucial in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

LET LABOR-INTENSIVE SECTORS REOPEN – VILLAR

MANILA — Workers from the agriculture, construction and manufacturing

sectors should be allowed to return to work to prevent widespread hunger,

social unrest and criminality that may be triggered by the prolonged

enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and other parts of the country,

Sen. Cynthia Villar said yesterday.

Villar, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture and food, expressed

concern that the extended ECQ meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus

disease 2019 (COVID-19) was already taking its toll on the employment

situation of the poor.

She said the government must implement “more realistic and sustainable

measures should be put in place” to make it easier for the economy to

recover once the lockdown is lifted.

GOVERNMENT AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ‘BALIK-PROBINSYA’ PROGRAM

MANILA — Government agencies have started to draw up measures in support of

Sen. Bong Go’s proposed “Balik-Probinsya” program that aims to redistribute

people and growth to the countryside and ease congestion in Metro Manila.

Go stressed the need to speed up development of the countryside by veering

away from a centralized approach to governance. Congestion in Metro Manila

proved to be a significant factor in the high number of coronavirus disease

2019 (COVID-19) cases in urban areas.

Citing latest data from the Department of Health, he said almost 70 percent

of COVID-19 infection cases are from the National Capital Region.

“Congestion or overcrowding in Metro Manila was a big factor in the swift

spread of COVID-19. Experts warned there will more more global pandemics in

the future so we need a more proactive and long-term solution so we can be

prepared,” the senator said yesterday.

Several officials from the executive branch expressed support for GoÂ’s

proposal.

'PREJUDGMENT, DIFFERING TESTIMONIES': 'SELF-DEFENSE' REMARK OVER RAGOS SLAY

WORRIES PHILIPPINE ARMY

MANILA - The Philippine Army said Monday it was "worried" over a Philippine

National Police official's remarks that the killing of a former soldier at a

Quezon City quarantine checkpoint was done in "self-defense" and a "judgment

call."

The judge advocate general or the lawyer of the Army found prejudgment and

differing testimonies from the policemen and witnesses in the area over the

killing of ex-soldier, Cpl. Winston Ragos, by Police Master Sgt. Daniel

Florendo Jnr last week.

This prompted the Army to coordinate with the National Bureau of

Investigation (NBI) to look into the shooting, according to its spokesman

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

"The pronouncement that worried us were that announcements were being made

that it was self-defense, that it was a judgment call, wherein we were

hoping that would be answered during the trial itself so that investigators

will be impartial," he told ANC.

"The testimonies were different between the witness and the police. The

statements given, there was an image of prejudgment. The videos shown are

different from the testimonies and all that... The final arbitrar of this is

the courts. What we want is to find out the truth. Everyone is innocent

until proven guilty," he added.

Zagala said he believes the "situation can still be remedied by having an

impartial investigation."

"IÂ’d like to emphasize that this incident, although very tragic, has got

nothing to do with the mission of both the PNP and AFP (Armed Forces of the

Philippines) working together," he said.

"We are partners in bringing peace and security and we continue our law

enforcement operations with them. This is another matter and should not

affect the relationship we have."

"If you're a member or a former member of the Armed Forces of the

Philippines it is your privilege to be buried at the Libingan Ng Mga

Bayani," he said.

"We gave him departure honors, grave site honors, gun salute and taps and

the presentation of the Philippine flag to his family for his selfless

service. It is given to all members of the Armed Forces who honorably

served."

"We wish to help them because at the end of the day they are former

soldiers, they contracted their illness because of the service. ItÂ’s only

fitting we help them, so we can help prevent another incident like what

happened to Cpl. Ragos," he said.

"This is a sickness that has been overlooked through the years. The scars

you have are not seen and you're suffering continuously and we in the

Philippine Army want to help."

MAGNITUDE 5.2 QUAKE STRIKES OFF DAVAO OCCIDENTAL

MANILA—A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck off Davao Occidental on Monday

morning, Phivolcs said.

The tremor happened at 7:48 a.m., 164 kilometers southeast of Jose Abad

Santos town.

It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 64 kilometers, according to

Phivolcs.

Instrumental Intensity I was reported in the towns of Malungon and Alabel in

Sarangani.

The tremor was not expected to cause damage and aftershocks.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

HEART EVANGELISTA RESPONDS TO NETIZEN WHO CALLED OUT HER 'ALTRUISM PICTURES'

MANILA – Heart Evangelista clapped back at an Instagram user who called her

out for posting photos of her donations on the image-sharing platform.

According to the netizen, Evangelista should “reduce those ‘altruism’

pictures of yours,” branding it as inappropriate.

“I saw one particular actress from the Philippines who gave a lot and gave a

lot of time to share her blessings to the community but not a single picture

of her with all her donations, time and effort,” the netizen said before

telling Evangelista to do the same.

Responding to the comment, Evangelista said that her donations “are not out

for people to see.”

“These are donations from companies and I post to show them for

transparency,” the actress explained.

Evangelista then advised the netizen to “go on to your real account and do

something good. Maybe pray in a room where no one will see you but God.”

Since a lockdown was imposed in the entire Luzon back in March, Evangelista

has been one of the celebrities spending their time helping those in the

frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also extended help to those badly affected by the crisis, especially the

ones who have lost their jobs due to the current situation.

SPORTS

BOXING: ARUM WORKING ON PACQUIAO-CRAWFORD SHOWDOWN

MANILA -- Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum was working on a possible

welterweight showdown between unbeaten American Terence Crawford and

Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao before the COVID-19 pandemic put

a halt on all sporting events.

Arum revealed in a Boxing Scene interview that there were "tentative talks"

regarding a Pacquiao-Crawford bout.

"I had feelers out before all of this happened with the coronavirus," he

said.

Had everything worked out, Arum claimed that the bout would have taken place

later in 2020.

"Then, of course, everything blew up" because of the novel coronavirus

pandemic, said the promoter.

"But I am optimistic that I will be able to continue with these talks in the

next month or so," Arum added.

Arum promotes Crawford, one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world

with a spotless 36-0 win-loss record, with 27 wins by knockout.

The 32-year-old Crawford was dominant at lightweight and light welterweight

before moving to the 147-pound division in 2018, where he continued his

remarkable run. The American has made no secret of his desire to fight

Pacquiao, as he hopes for a high-profile, star-making bout.

Crawford currently holds the WBO welterweight championship.

Pacquiao, for his part, owns the "super" version of the WBA welterweight

belt. The 41-year-old parted ways with Arum in 2017 after a long partnership

that included several lucrative bouts.

Arum is confident that both fighters want the bout to take place, even if

they are in different promotional camps at the moment.

"It appears to me that Crawford and Pacquiao wanna go ahead with that

fight," he said.

"To make it happen, we'd have to do it outside of the United States, and

outside of the Philippines, of course," Arum also said. "And we'd have to

make it work with a site fee."

There are still several factors up in the air, especially with the COVID-19

pandemic. As optimistic as he is, Arum admits that they are in a

"wait-and-see" situation.

"The world is different from what it was (at) the end of January,

mid-February," he noted. "We'll have to see what it looks like when we get

through this."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Courage makes heroes, trust builds friendship. – Unknown