STILL TOO EARLY, RISKY TO SAY WE REACHED COVID-19 PEAK, SAYS DOH AS TESTING

EXPANDS

MANILA - The Department of Health on Thursday acknowledged that it would be

“quite risky” to say that the Philippines has reached the peak of its

COVID-19 cases.

This as some have speculated that the country is close to flattening or

“plateauing” the curve.

Flattening the curve refers to efforts to slow down an outbreak and make it

more manageable such as the enhanced community quarantine. Flattening the

curve also refers to how a line graph looks when the number of new cases

daily is no longer increasing or has stayed low.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire has said before that there are

“indications” of flattening but during a virtual briefing with reporters on

Thursday, she said she cannot categorically say that it has already

flattened.

“Kapag tinignan natin pasok ng numero natin araw araw, makikita naman natin

talaga na hindi na sila naglalayo-layo. It is averaging on the 100 to 200s.

Pero napakahirap and itÂ’s quite risky for us to declare now that we really

are plateauing and we really are reaching that peak. Wala pa ho tayo d'yan.

Kahit ako masasabi ko 'yan,” she said.

She said it is too early to say, especially now that the country is able to

test more people in different parts of the country.

“And we expect numbers to increase because of this. Kasi nadedetect na

natin. Mas marami nadedetect (Because we are able to detect. We are able to

detect more),” she said.

Vergeire said they will have to analyze how the cases will increase as

expanded testing continues.

She said all projections will change because of the new data coming in in

the next several days.

COVID-19 infections in Philippines breach 8,000-mark. The Department of

Health reported 254 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the national tally to

8,212.

The Health department also announced 48 new recoveries.

PHILIPPINE FACES 'BROAD-BASED' SLOWDOWN, SPIKE IN BAD LOANS: S&P GLOBAL

MANILA -- The Philippine economy could contract by as much as 2 percent this

year and credit will grow at its slowest pace as the COVID-19 lockdown

chokes the country's growth engines, debt-watcher S&P said Friday.

The lockdown, which started on March 17, covered Luzon Island, including

Metro Manila, which account for 70 percent of the economy, said S&P Global

Ratings associate director Nikita Anand.

"The slowdown will be pretty broad-based," Ananad told ANC's Market Edge,

citing the lockdown's impact on transportation, tourism, investment and

banking.

The enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other high risk areas

will last until May 15. From May 1, the rest of the country will be under a

general community quarantine with fewer restrictions and with some

businesses allowed to open.

Non-performing loans could increase by 1.8 percentage points or the

equivalent of $300 billion, she said.

Should S&P see a deviation from its forecasts it will hold a "re-look" at

the Philippines' sovereign rating, currently at investment grade, she said.

The Philippines is rated the same by Fitch and Moody's.

The Philippines will release first quarter gross domestic product data on

May 7, as officials look to a recession in the second an third quarters due

to a 2-month lockdown in the capital that is scheduled to last until May 15.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas slashed 100 basis points off the benchmark

interest rate and signaled deeper cuts to keep the economy afloat. It also

trimmed 200 basis points off banks' reserve requirement ratio to free up

cash in the system.

On Tuesday, Manila sold $2.35 billion (P119 billion) in 10-year and 25-year

global bonds at the lowest interest rate it had paid for such tenors,

reflecting investor confidence.

'STOP MISREPRESENTING': TAIPEI CALLS OUT ROQUE AFTER HE SAYS TAIWAN 'IS PART

OF CHINA'

MANILA - The Taiwan government on Wednesday expressed "strong

dissatisfaction" after Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the

island-nation is part of China.

Roque earlier said that Manila will leave to Taipei to decide if an overseas

Filipino worker in Taiwan needs to be deported after allegedly making

"nasty, malevolent" posts against President Rodrigo Duterte on social media.

Taipei rejected the deportation request, which was made by the Philippine

labor officials, saying freedom of speech is enjoyed by "both citizens and

migrant workers" in Taiwan.

"We leave that wholly to the decision of Taiwan and China. Taiwan is part of

China," Roque told ANC.

In response, Taiwan foreign affairs spokesperson Joanne Ou said Philippine

authorities should “stop misrepresenting Taiwan as a part of China," adding

they have instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the

Philippines to protest the matter with Manila.

“My country expresses strong dissatisfaction and high regret over Philippine

government officials wrongly accusing Taiwan as part of China,” Ou said in a

statement.

“The (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed our representative

office in the Philippines to immediately negotiate with the Philippines to

express their protests. We solemnly call on the government officials of the

Philippines to face up to the facts and stop misrepresenting Taiwan as a

part of China," she said.

Taiwan insists it is a sovereign and independent country.

Like other countries, the Philippines however follows the “One-China

policy,” which considers the Republic of China-controlled Taiwan as part of

the PeopleÂ’s Republic of China.

Ou reiterated that Taiwan is a free and democratic country where freedom of

speech is protected and that it is not deporting anyone “if they do not

violate our laws and regulations in the case of migrant workers in Taiwan.”

She added that the Philippines should submit a request for mutual legal

assistance to Taiwan “if the Philippine judiciary determines that the

migration is illegal and is wanted in accordance with appropriate legal

procedures.”

“We can negotiate with the Philippine government in accordance with relevant

agreements,” she said.

AS DATA DEMAND PEAKS 'ALL-DAY,' GLOBE KEEPS P63-B EXPANSION BUDGET

MANILA -- Globe Telecom said Thursday it had "enough capacity" to meet

all-day peak demand that has become the new normal, as the COVID-19 pandemic

forced more people to work from home.

The Ayala-led telco is sticking for now to its P63-billion spending plan to

grow its network this year, including building its 5G footprint, Globe CEO

Ernest Cu said.

Sustaining growth at "double-digits" will be "tough" given the uncertainty

on the economic recovery and consumer spending once the lockdown is eased,

he said. "We will surely give it a shot."

As more people use their home WiFi, fixed wireless and fixed broadband are

driving usage at Globe, Cu said. Mobile data demand surged in the first

weeks of the lockdown but demand has since leveled off, he said.

Before the lockdown, home internet use peaked from 8 p.m. to midnight as

people binge-watched after the working day.

"Now, there's no more peak. It's very stable, very high usage all throughout

the day," he said.

Globe subscribers are using more of video conferencing apps such as Zoom,

WebEx, Skype and Google Meet and entertaining themselves with YouTube,

Facebook and Netflix, he said.

"Straining would be too hard a word. There is added load. There's enough

capacity on the fixed side," he said.

Cu advised subscribers to be "prudent" in data use by avoiding illegal

sites.

CEBU PACIFIC BOOKS P1.18-B LOSS IN Q1 AS VIRUS GROUNDS FLIGHTS

MANILA - Cebu Pacific suffered nearly P1.2 billion in losses in the first

three months of the year as flights were canceled due to the COVID-19

crisis, the airline disclosed on Wednesday.

Cebu Air, which operates Cebu Pacific and Cebgo, said its net loss in the

first quarter reached P1.183 billion, representing a 135 percent decrease

from the P3.356 billion net income it earned in the same period last year.

Passenger revenues fell 27.4 percent to P11.4 billion in the first quarter

from P15.7 billion earned in the same period last year. Cargo revenues

dropped 29.7 percent to P1 billion during the period from P1.4 billion last

year, the airline said.

“The overall decline in revenues was brought about by the impact of the

COVID-19 outbreak which started with the cancellation of flights to China,

Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea in varying periods during the quarter due

to the imposition of travel restrictions,” the airline said.

Cebu Pacific said it suspended all scheduled flights starting March 19

because of the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 situation and the Philippine

governmentÂ’s decision to implement an enhanced community quarantine over the

entire Luzon.

The airline said it expects the COVID-19 pandemic may affect its liquidity,

but added that it “remains in a very strong and liquid position at the end

of the quarter.”

The company said it remains resilient despite the adverse impact of the

COVID-19 outbreak thanks to its solid relationships with key suppliers,

together with various measures currently undertaken to mitigate risks.

Cebu Pacific, however, said it also doesnÂ’t know when the situation will

improve.

“Given the volatile nature of this situation and the uncertainty as to when

operating and demand conditions will improve, it will be premature to

provide any guidance with respect to expected impact for full year 2020.”

LOCAL OFFICIALS CAN TAP ENERGY FUNDS FOR COVID-19 FIGHT: ENERGY CHIEF

MANILA - The Department of Energy said Thursday it was now easier for local

governments to use their share of electricity sales, as long as the money is

used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under law, local government that host power plants get a cut from revenue,

but they need to get the projects approved by the DOE.

“It’s their call how to use it as long as it is COVID-related,” Energy Sec.

Alfonso Cusi told ANC's Headstart.

As much as P7 billion in energy funds for local governments has been

accumulated, he said. The money is originally intended for livelihood,

electrification and climate adaptation projects.

He cited Quezon and Davao City that are now using their share of energy

revenues to address the pandemic. The funds can be used to buy personal

protective equipment, rapid testing kits and other equipment.

THE REST

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TAGUIG OPENS SECOND DRIVE-THRU TESTING SITE IN BGC

MANILA — The government of Taguig City opened its second drive-thru testing

site for its residents who were assessed to undergo tests for coronavirus

disease.

This is designed for residents who are vehicle owners and who are unable to

get tested in hospitals and health centers. Each test takes only about five

minutes to finish.

Taguig residents who will opt to get tested in drive-thru facilities must

first call the 878-93200 or 0966-419-4510 so they would be assessed by the

City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit. They will be given a

control number to be presented at the testing center.

Test results are expected to be out between three and five days after

testing.

The drive-thru testing facility is located at the northeast parking area in

front of Kidzania, beside CitiBank and IBM One World Place in Bonifacio

Global City.

The city government earlier launched its first drive-thru testing at

Lakeshore Hall in Brgy. Lower Bicutan.

“We are making testing accessible to the most number of Taguigeños we

possibly can. Testing is a very important part of a successful COVID-19

response. It can save lives,” Mayor Lino Cayetano said.

BUSINESSES COMPLY WITH RENTAL RELIEF FOR MSMES, SAYS DTI

MANILA -- Some businesses waived rentals for their tenants to help their

smaller counterparts ride out the COVID-19 lockdown, a trade official said

Thursday.

Micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs bear the brunt of closures on

so-called non-essential businesses, Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo told

DZMM.

FREE HAIRCUTS SAVE HOSPITAL FRONTLINERS' LOOKS, BARBERS' LIVELIHOOD

MANILA -- The sight of full-body personal protective gear is all-too-common

in the government-run Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila in its

fight against COVID-19.

But not-so-usual are the scissors, combs, and razors wielded by the five

people who wore those suits at the hospital's out-patient building on

Wednesday.

They are barbers and stylists from various areas in Metro Manila, all there

for one mission -- saving the looks of those who are busy saving lives.

Around 55 doctors, nurses, and other frontliners working at PGH got their

hair cut by them that day, for free.

The PPEs were a safety precaution -- along with measures like disinfecting

the hair cutting tools after each hair cut and throwing away gloves and

robes after one use.

The team that brought in the barbers dubbed it "ResCute Operation" -- a

portmanteau on the words rescue and cute.

It's a playful name for a serious effort to address a growing need nearly a

month and a half since the enhanced community quarantine closed down

businesses like salons.

And it's not just for frontliners looking for a haircut, but also for the

haircutters who lost their income with the lockdown.

'HINDI PA LAOS': GOV'T URGED TO LET FIT SENIOR CITIZENS LEAVE HOMES DURING

RELAXED LOCKDOWN

The Philippine government should let physically fit senior citizens leave

their homes under the general community quarantine, a less stringent form of

lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, an advocate for the elderly said

Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, some members of his Cabinet and many corporate

executives are already senior citizens, said lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

"Mr. President, pareho naman tayong mga seniors at alam niyo naman, hindi pa

naman tayo laos at puwede pa tayong magtrabaho," he said in a DZMM

interview.

"What is legal should now yield to what is practical and common sense na

lang siguro ang dapat gawin sa mga pagkakataong ito (is perhaps what should

be done in these times)," he added.

About half of the Philippines' 100 million people in Luzon are locked down

until Thursday to stop the pandemic. Duterte extended the lockdown in Metro

Manila and other COVID-19 high-risk areas until May 15, while all other

parts of the country are under general community quarantine starting Friday.

2019 BAR EXAM RESULTS

MANILA — The Supreme Court announced on Wednesday the results of the 2019

Bar Examinations.

Out of the 7,685 law graduates who finished the 2019 bar exams, 2,103

passed. The 2019 bar exams posted a passing rate of 27.36%.

Mae Diane Azores from University of Santo Tomas-Legaspi topped the Bar exams

with a score of 91.049%

Due to COVID-19 physical distancing measures, Bar hopefuls did not flock to

the Supreme Court to check the list of passers displayed inside the

compound. The SC previously told them to "stay in their respective homes" as

the results would be released online.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ELLEN ADARNA REVEALS CO-PARENTING SETUP WITH JOHN LLOYD CRUZ

MANILA — Ellen Adarna revealed on Wednesday her co-parenting setup with John

Lloyd Cruz, after their son briefly appeared in the actor's Instagram film

with Bea Alonzo early this week.

The live video call was brought up by one of Adarna's followers through a

comment on her Instagram post. It mentioned that Elias was with Cruz in the

April 30 stream.

"How often do you see your son?" the fan asked Adarna.

"He stays with me," Adarna answered. "He sleeps over his dad's place twice a

week because we co-parent."

In the Instagram call with Alonzo, Cruz said he was in Cebu, where Adarna is

known to be based.

Adarna's candid response marked the first time she directly addressed

sharing a child with Cruz. Previously, she admitted being in a long-distance

relationship with a foreigner, thereby confirming rumors of her separation

from the actor.

Adarna, 32, has said she has no plans to resume her showbiz career anytime

soon, as she intends to be a full-time mom to Elias.s

SPORTS

PHILIPPINE SPORTS CONFRONT WORST-CASE SCENARIO: LIKELY NO TOURNAMENTS,

EVENTS FOR REST OF 2020

It was supposed to be a hectic week in domestic sports.

The Season 82 finals in UAAP womenÂ’s volleyball would have been underway, as

other university competitions wound down. The PBA, celebrating its 45th

season, would have been at the midpoint of its centerpiece conference, the

Philippine Cup. The top junior athletes throughout the country would have

been a day away from participating in the annual Palarong Pambansa in

Marikina.

Throughout the country, athletic events would have gone on as they have had

for months, years, decades.

Until the novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic happened.

“It’s safe to say nobody really expected it to be of this magnitude,” said

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag.

Ramon “Tats” Suzara, chief organizer of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, said

he doesn’t think anybody in the sports world — internationally and locally —

was prepared.

“This is very unique,” Suzara said. “Kasi sa mga regulations ng sports

federation merong (measures) ‘in case of typhoon, earthquake’ but it never

mentioned about pandemic. So I think they will make amendments now.”

The health crisis was so fluid that, in a matter of weeks leagues and sports

bodies, which stopped competitions outright, are now looking toward a

grimmer scenario if they haven’t decided on it already — stopping any form

of organized sports activity for the rest of the year.

The Philippine Sports Commission on Wednesday officially became the first

national sports institution to announce shutting down its events.

“Bago nag-lockdown, tiningnan namin ang mga nagkansela ng kompetisyon sa

buong mundo. Reason will really say na we have to cancel our events up to

December,” said PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

Leagues, meanwhile, remain optimistic that they wouldnÂ’t have to make such a

drastic decision, but still they wouldnÂ’t hesitate to go that route if

needed.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said, “We’re playing it by ear.”

If government eases community restrictions and thereÂ’s a clear directive

that the PBA can resume activities, he would reopen team practices first,

Marcial said. The league played one game in its new season — San Miguel Beer

vs. Magnolia on March 8 — before altogether folding the Philippine Cup.

Even with the lockdown in Metro Manila extended to May 15, Marcial said a

June or July opening for a two-conference season can be worked on, or

September for one conference.

“But really we don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re dependent on what

the government will say,” Saguisag said.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what

they make us see in ourselves. - Sarah Grand