US 'CONCERNED' OVER ABS-CBN SHUTDOWN

WASHINGTON - The United States on Thursday voiced concern over the

Philippine government-ordered shutdown of the country's top broadcaster

ABS-CBN, which has been targeted by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"We are concerned by the situation regarding ABS-CBN," State Department

spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

"An independent media plays a critical role in facilitating the open

exchange of information and ideas which is vital to free, prosperous and

secure democratic societies," she said.

Ortagus said that free media was especially vital in promoting public health

amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is true for the United States, the Philippines, as well as countries

around the world," she said.

WHY ONLY ABS-CBN? NTC SAYS 'NOBODY' COMPLAINED VS OTHER NETWORKS

MANILA - The National Telecommunications Commission, which shut down ABS-CBN

Corp because of an expired franchise, said Friday the broadcaster's peers

who faced the same predicament in the past were allowed to operate for

simple lack of opposition.

The NTC issued a "cease and desist" order against ABS-CBN, on the prodding

of Solicitor General Jose Calida, who had also questioned the franchise

before the Supreme Court. The network signed off late Tuesday.

"Nobody raised issues about these," Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios

told ANC's Matters of Fact, referring to other firms that were allowed to

broadcast on a provisional basis until their licenses were renewed.

ABS-CBN's case is different because "there are issues that were raised," he

said. "There are those that are challenging the validity of the franchise.

Opinions have been raised by prominent individuals. Hindi na puwede (It

can't go on), we cannot just keep quiet."

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said earlier Friday that the NTC "succumbed" to

the "unconstitutional meddling by the Solicitor General."

CAYETANO: NTC 'AMBUSHED US' WITH ABS-CBN CLOSURE, 'SUCCUMBED' TO SOLGEN

PRESSURE

MANILA — Days after ABS-CBN shutdown after its franchise expired and bills

for its renewal were stuck at the Congress, House Speaker Alan Cayetano on

Friday deflected the blame on the network going off air to the National

Telecommunications Commission and Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Cayetano kept mum for three days since the broadcast giant stopped

operations following the NTCÂ’s cease and desist order issued Tuesday, which

he said was an “ambush.”

Finally on Friday, the House speaker broke his silence and vowed that there

will be “reckoning” for the “flip-flopping of the NTC and the

unconstitutional meddling by the solicitor general in the business of

Congress.”

Cayetano stressed that the “exclusive Constitutional authority to grant,

deny, extend, revoke or modify broadcast franchises” remains to the

Congress.

And the Congress will do its job, he added.

“The Committee on Legislative Franchises will conduct hearings” that are

“fair, impartial, thorough and comprehensive,” Cayetano said but failed to

indicate a day for when a hearing may be held.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denied that Solicitor General Jose

Calida, a member of the presidentÂ’s cabinet who warned NTC of graft charges

if it issues provisional authority to ABS-CBN, influenced the decision of

the telecommunication regulation body.

PALACE: DUTERTE TO SIGN NETWORKÂ’S FRANCHISE BILL IFÂ…

MANILA — Amid the controversy, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr.

yesterday assured the public that President Duterte would sign the franchise

bill for ABS-CBN once it gets the approval of the House of Representatives

and the Senate.

“Unless there’s any further constitutional infirmity, I don’t think we would

veto, but it depends because itÂ’s still speculative, thereÂ’s no bill or law

yet,” Roque said at virtual press briefing.

Duterte has been keeping a neutral stance because the Chief Executive wants

to respect the independence of a co-equal branch of government, he said.

“It’s enough that he has cleared the air, he is now neutral as far as the

franchise of ABS-CBN is concerned,” Roque added.

“When it comes to political issue, the Presdent has done what he can. He has

ordered his allies to be neutral on the ABS-CBN case,” he said in Filipino.

“If before the President was angry, he had accepted the apology of ABS-CBN

and even told his allies to vote according to their conscience,” he added.

On the fate of the networkÂ’s 11,000 workers, Roque said Labor Secretary

Silvestre Bello III has assured them that they are protected under the law

despite the networkÂ’s closure.

SENATORS URGE NTC TO 'RECONSIDER' ABS-CBN HALT ORDER, CITE 'AUTOMATIC

EXTENSION' POLICY

MANILA - Several senators on Thursday filed a resolution urging the National

Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to "reconsider" its order that halted

ABS-CBN's broadcast operations, citing the agency's own memorandum that

automatically extends all franchises expiring within the period of the

enhanced community quarantine.

ABS-CBN's franchise expired on May 4, well within the enhanced community

quarantine in Metro Manila, which was extended until May 15, 2020.

"This suggests that there is enough basis in policy and in practice to allow

ABS-CBN corporation and its subsidiaries and/or affiliates to continue their

operations pending the renewal of its franchise," according to Senate

Resolution No. 395.

It was signed by 13 senators.

The resolution noted that NTC did not issue a cease and desist order against

at least 8 other networks and telecoms firms whose franchises expired while

Congress was still tackling their respective renewal bids.

"So bakit parang sa ABS-CBN lamang naging selective ang paghihigpit ng NTC?"

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the primary author of the resolution, told reporters

in an online press conference.

"Now, more than ever, in the middle of the biggest public health crisis of

our generation, the Filipino people deserve access to up-to-date news

provided by a free and unfettered media, and multiple sources provide the

best pathways for the truth to emerge," the resolution read.

"I urge my colleagues to fast track the franchise renewal bill as a measure

of commitment to defend and promote press freedom," detained De Lima said in

a note.

COVID-19 CASES IN PHILIPPINES NOW AT 10,343

The Department of Health reported 339 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the

national tally to 10,343.

The Health department also announced 112 new recoveries and 27 new deaths.

PHILIPPINES' PATH TO FIRST 'A' CREDIT RATING STALLS AT FITCH DUE TO PANDEMIC

MANILA -- Fitch Ratings said Friday it lowered its outlook for the

Philippines to "stable" from "positive" citing uncertainty over the COVID-19

pandemic, keeping the nation's credit score at one notch below what would be

its first ever A rating.

The outlook downgrade reflects the "deterioration" in the country's

near-term macroeconomic and fiscal outlook while the retention of the BBB

rating highlights its fiscal and external buffers, Fitch said.

A stable outlook means the credit score will be retained while a positive

outlook means a government or debt issuer is under evaluation for a ratings

upgrade. The highest in the B tier, BBB, means risk of default is low and

capacity to pay is adequate.

The Philippines gross domestic product unexpectedly contracted by 0.2

percent in the January to March period and is expected to worsen in the

succeeding quarter as Metro Manila and other urban centers remained on

lockdown until May 15 at least.

Fitch said the Philippine economy could contract by 1 percent this year,

from 6-percent growth in 2019.

"The 2020 forecast is uncertain and subject to considerable downside risks

depending on how the virus runs its course globally and domestically and the

possibility of a further extension or re-imposition of lockdown measures,"

it said.

The Philippines is rated at investment grade on all 3 major debt-watchers:

Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investor Service and S&P.

In a reflection of the investment grade score, the Philippines on April 28

sold $2.35 billion (P119 billion) in global bonds at the lowest ever

interest for its 10-year and 25-year notes.

"Structural reforms and sound economic management over the years have

provided us with monetary and fiscal space to safeguard lives and support

livelihoods at this critical time," BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said.

THE REST

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WATER IN ANGAT DAM CONTINUES TO RECEDE

MALOLOS — The water level in Angat Dam continues to recede.

Monitoring by the Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management

office showed that the water level was at 189.26 meters or only 9.26 meters

above its minimum operating mark as of 8 a.m. yesterday.

The water level, which was monitored at 190.17 meters on Friday last week,

dropped despite moderate to heavy rains this week.

Sevillo David, National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director,

said water in Angat Dam is still within its normal operating level, but is

seen to further recede as the heat index soars.

If the water level reaches the 180 meter mark, irrigation allocation for

farmlands in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga will be suspended.

The NWRB said it is coordinating with the Metropolitan Waterworks and

Sewerage System (MWSS) and National Irrigation Administration to ensure a

steady supply considering the importance of water to prevent the spread of

the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Angat Dam supplies over 90 percent of Metro ManilaÂ’s water needs.

The NWRB has maintained an allocation of 46 cubic meters per second for the

MWSS.

David said the water level in the dam is not expected to hit its critical

mark, citing the projection of the state weather bureau on the onset of the

rainy season this month.

However, he urged the public to conserve water.

CONTACTLESS, CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS TAKE HOLD DURING LOCKDOWN: ENTREGO

MANILA - Delivery firm Entrego said Friday the coronavirus pandemic hastened

consumers' shift to contactless and cashless transactions that will soon

become the new normal.

The less cash handled, the better, Entrego Express Corp director Nicky Gozon

told ANC. Technology allowed firms such as Entrego to thrive despite the

threat of COVID-19, he said.

Demand spiked for essentials as well as for small firms and supermarkets

that saw the need to deliver goods straight to consumers' homes.

"We believe that the new normal will be a contactless environment...ItÂ’s

really a changing behavior for everyone," Gozon said.

Safety of employees is "paramount," he said.

WATER SUPPLY IN METRO MANILA ENOUGH TILL END OF MAY: REGULATOR

MANILA - Water supply in Metro Manila will last until the end of May, the

National Water Resources Board said Friday.

"Kaya pa rin [ng Angat Dam na] matugunan 'yong pangangailangan natin

hanggang sa buong buwan ng Mayo," executive director Sevilla David Jr. told

radio DZMM.

Sevilla said the water level in Angat Dam is currently at 189 meters, nine

meters higher than the operating level of 180 meters.

He added that they are expecting rainfall in June in order to replenish the

supply of water enough for the year.

MALL OF ASIA ARENA MEGA SWABBING CENTER TO TEST 20,000 OFWS: DIZON

MANILA - A mega swabbing facility at the SM Mall of Asia Arena that can

accommodate 1,000 swabs per day is set to open Friday.

Vince Dizon, deputy chief implementor of the governmentÂ’s COVID-19 response,

said the facility will test in the coming days the estimated 20,000 overseas

Filipino workers already under quarantine in Metro Manila.

“We need to swab them because we need to establish whether or not they are

positive or negative for COVID-19 while they are undergoing quarantine,” he

said in an ANC Headstart interview.

If they test positive, the OFW has to continue undergoing quarantine. Once

they test negative, the OFW will be given a certificate allowing them to go

home to their respective provinces and undergo home quarantine.

“After we have completed and finished the 20,000 more or less OFWs, we are

then going to proceed to partner with our local government units so that the

suspects and the probable in the communities are going to be brought here

and swab here,” he said.

CANNED SARDINES CATCHING UP WITH PANDEMIC DEMAND, MAKERS SAY

MANILA -- Manufacturers of canned sardines said Friday they were catching up

with demand after panic buying at the start of the pandemic lockdown wiped

out stocks.

Stocks were "almost totally wiped out" during the first 3 weeks of the

enhanced community quarantine when manufacturers were just building

inventory after a fish ban, said Canned Sardines Association of the

Philippines President Greg Tung.

"More or less the panic buying has kind of subsided already and gradually,

weÂ’re able to catch up in building our inventory," Tung said.

Restrictions in some areas still hinder full production with workers unable

to go to report for duty due to curfews and reduced capacity due to social

distancing protocols, Tung said. Some manufacturers are operating with 1

shift, he said.

Delays in ports are also disrupting the delivery and supply chain, he said.

Discounts were offered to help cushion the pandemic's blow to consumers, he

said.

'FULL-FLOWER SUPERMOON' RISES ON WORLD STARTING TO EMERGE FROM PANDEMIC

LOCKDOWNS

The last "supermoon" of 2020 rose in the night sky on Thursday over a world

beginning to re-emerge after weeks of coronavirus-related lockdowns.

The supermoon phenomenon occurs when the moon is within 10 percent of its

closest distance to the Earth at the full moon. May's full moon - at the

height of the Northern Hemisphere spring - is also called a "flower moon" -

hence Thursday's "full-flower supermoon."

The year's 2 previous supermoons occurred in March and April.

Clouds over much of Europe and Asia obscured views of the moon, which

appears slightly larger than usual - and the streets remained relatively

quiet, with many countries still imposing coronavirus-related restrictions.

But from Hong Kong to Jerusalem to Caracas, some locals donned masks and

ventured out to take photos of the celestial spectacle.

COMMUNITY GARDENS CAN HELP FEED PEOPLE POST-PANDEMIC

LUPAO, Nueva Ecija — With movement in many parts of the Philippines

restricted to slow the transmission of the new coronavirus, the government

has renewed a call for people to plant at home as an alternative food

source.

A Nueva Ecija-based agriculturist said community quarantines could provide a

boost to urban farming and backyard gardening, which he said could address

the stability of food supply during the coronavirus crisis and even in the

long run.

“If you know how to plant, how to produce, you will be confident that you

have food to eat even during a crisis or an event when there is food

insecurity,” Jaypee Estigoy, an agriculture professor at the Central Luzon

State University in Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija, told Philstar.com in Filipino.

In an interview for Earth Day in April, community gardening was among the

"easy but essential local community solutions" that Greenpeace Philippines

country director Lea Guerrero said should be supported in anticipation of

similar future crises.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

8 MILLION VIEWS IN ONE NIGHT: PINOYS TUNE IN AS 'TV PATROL' RETURNS — ONLINE

— AMID ABS-CBN SHUTDOWN

MANILA — Despite the government shutdown of its broadcast operations,

ABS-CBN on Thursday carried on its mission of being in the service of

Filipinos, with the return of its flagship newscast "TV Patrol."

Since its 1987 premiere, "TV Patrol" has reached Filipinos nationwide

through ABS-CBN's free TV channel — until the May 5 order that forced the

network off air.

Two days after the halt of ABS-CBN's TV and radio broadcast, "TV Patrol"

announced it would continue delivering the news, but through the network's

other platforms, starting that same night.

By 6:25 p.m. on May 7, the iconic music of "TV Patrol" opened the program on

ABS-CBN News' official website and pages on Facebook and YouTube, ANC, and

the streaming service iWant. Overseas, it also aired live via The Filipino

Channel.

For Filipinos who have long relied on "TV Patrol" for information, Thursday

night meant trading their television viewing for streaming through their

smartphones, tablets, or computers.

In photos tagging "TV Patrol's" social media pages, viewers shared their

home setup for keeping up with the news. One family had a phone screen on

their dinner table, while others had the YouTube livestream on their smart

TVs.

Those images accounted for a mere few of the millions of Filipinos who tuned

in as "TV Patrol" returned.

On Facebook, the newscast's stream reached 7.5 million views just within

hours. Its concurrent viewers, or the number of people watching at the same

time, peaked at around 218,000.

On YouTube, the livestream had over 73,000 peak concurrents, with a total of

720,000 playbacks, as of writing.

The comeback of "TV Patrol" was similarly celebrated on Twitter, as the

program title ranked atop the list of trending topics in the Philippines,

with comments ranging from "revenge" memes to those emphasizing the vital

role of media especially during a public health crisis.

SPORTS

NBA: LEAGUE, PLAYERS TO HOLD CORONAVIRUS CONFERENCE CALL

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the head of the players union, Michele

Roberts, will host a conference call on Friday as the league attempts to map

out a possible return to action, ESPN reported.

The call between Silver and NBA Players Association executive director

Roberts is an opportunity for players to air concerns and quiz basketball

chiefs about how the league may resume.

The NBA has been in shutdown since the coronavirus pandemic brought sport to

a standstill in mid-March, forcing the suspension or postponement of every

professional league in North America.

Since then, the NBA has been exploring ways for the sport to resume.

Friday marks the first day that teams in the league will be allowed to

reopen practice facilities for limited workouts, which will take place under

strict safety protocols.

A handful of teams have indicated they plan to take advantage of the green

light to return to practice facilities but many franchises have said they

intend to wait.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Wednesday he is in no rush to

reopen the team's El Segundo training base, believing that any resumption of

the NBA was still a distant prospect.

"There's a competitive balance element to this that I personally am not

really all that concerned about," Vogel said.

"I think we're still a long way away from returning to play."

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is also lukewarm about returning to

practice while there remained so much uncertainty about the testing of

asymptomatic individuals for COVID-19.

"Even though we can try and take all different kinds of precautions, it's

just not worth it -- particularly when our guys are staying in shape and

they're going outside and shooting on outdoor hoops and working out in

various ways," Cuban told The Athletic website's "77 minutes in Heaven"

podcast. "I just don't think the risk is worth the reward."

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.56

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. - John F. Kennedy