PHILIPPINES MEETS GOAL OF 30,000 DAILY COVID-19 TESTS: PALACE

MANILA - The Philippines has achieved its target of increasing its

coronavirus testing to 30,000 per day, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the government even exceeded its

goal last May 20, when it conducted 32,100 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

tests in a day.

"Naabot na natin ang ating target na 30,000 PCR tests per day," he said in a

virtual press briefing.

The government wants to ramp up its COVID-19 testing capacity by the end of

the month as it opened swabbing centers to boost its response efforts to the

pandemic.

Roque said the Philippines already has 66 COVID-19 testing centers

nationwide.

As of Sunday, the Philippines has a cumulative 14,035 confirmed COVID-19

cases. This includes 868 deaths, and 3,249 recoveries.

300,000 OFWS TO RETURN TO PHILIPPINES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: DILG

CHIEF

MANILA — Some 300,000 overseas Filipino workers are expected to return to

the Philippines this year as lockdowns meant to curb the coronavirus

pandemic left many businesses struggling to survive, the Department of the

Interior and Local Government said Monday.

The Philippines has repatriated some 27,000 migrant workers and around

43,000 others are expected to come home until June, officials earlier said.

"Sa buong taon ni-expect kasi natin na mga 300,000 na OFWs ang uuwi," DILG

Secretary Eduardo Año told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

"Buong mundo kasi ang naka-lockdown. Pinauuwi talaga nila iyong mga workers

-- hindi lang Pilipinas -- iba't ibang countries. Ito rin ang pagkakataon na

ipakita natin ang importance ng mga OFWs 'pag sila ay umuwi na," he added.

Cash remittances from OFWS hit a record $30 billion (P1.5 trillion) in 2019,

helping drive consumption and strengthening the peso against the dollar.

Some repatriated OFWs stayed in isolation centers for 2 months, 4 times

longer than their supposed 14-day quarantine, due to problems with encoding

and printing of certificates that have been resolved, said Año.

Between Monday and Wednesday, the government will escort some 24,000 OFWs to

their home provinces, who tested negative for the coronavirus and completed

their quarantine in Metro Manila, he said.

Duterte ordered government agencies to bring some 24,000 repatriated

overseas Filipino workers to their home provinces within 1 week, his

spokesman said.

Duterte gave the order to the departments of labor, health, and Overseas

Workers Welfare Administration following reports that some OFWS have been

stuck in Metro Manila for a month due to pending coronavirus test results,

said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.

"Hindi katanggap-tanggap sa ating Presidente na matapos maglingkod sa ating

bayan ang mga OFWs na napahiwalay sa kanilang mga pamilya, nalungkot at

nahirapang magbayad eh ngayon lalo pang mahihirapan habang naghihintay ng

kanilang results," Roque said in a virtual press briefing.

"Sabi niya (Duterte) enough is enough -- 1 week -- otherwise, marami pong

mananagot," he said in a separate DZMM interview.

Agencies can use special powers under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act if

necessary to meet the deadline, he said.

"Kung kinakailangan gamitin ang mga Air Force eroplano, gamitin. Kung

kinakailangan gamitin ang Bayanihan Act para kumuha ng mga pribadong

sasakyan, gamitin," said Roque.

The Philippines will give $200 (P10,000) to OFWs who were left jobless by

the pandemic, the labor department earlier said.

DUTERTE SCOUTING FOR NEW DOH CHIEF?

DAVAO CITY — President Duterte is reportedly scouting for somebody to

replace Francisco Duque III as health secretary amid calls for his

resignation by members of the Senate and other sectors of society due to his

handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I understand the President is now looking around for somebody to replace

Duque,” a source told The STAR.

Another source, however, said the timing of the supposed firing of Duque, if

not his resignation, comes at a time that the country is in the midst of the

“battle against COVID-19.”

“It is hard to change horses midstream, so the President should not take

long to act on it,” the source said.

Several sectors have claimed that Duque has lost the credibility to lead the

countryÂ’s fight against COVID-19 after the Department of Health was accused

of overpricing the procurement of medical equipment to battle the disease.

Duterte has ordered the immediate investigation of the matter.

“We hope the President will not take long to give Duque the way out. He has

to go,” a Duterte Cabinet member, who asked not to be named, said.

The Senate quizzed Duque on overpriced purchases, but he pointed to the

Department of Budget and Management as responsible for “the discrepancies in

the purchases.”

DUTERTE URGES MUSLIMS: BREAK BARRIERS THAT DIVIDE US

MANILA — President Duterte has urged Muslims to be “agents of change” and to

help break barriers that divide the nation as they observe the end of the

Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

In his message for EidÂ’l Fitr or festival of breaking the fast, Duterte

yesterday expressed hope that the MuslimsÂ’ time in prayer had nourished

their “inner strength and fortitude to stay true to the inherent goodness of

humanity as we shun the evils that permeate our society.”

“As you further carry out your role as stewards of peace, love and

understanding, I trust that you will remain committed in breaking down

barriers that divide and further estrange us from one another,” Duterte

said.

“Harnessing the best of our capabilities and perspectives, let us be agents

of change in our communities as we contribute to the enlightenment of our

nation,” he added.

Duterte also wished that the clarity of thought and wisdom that Muslims had

attained from their celebration of Eid’l Fitr would inspire them to be “the

living examples of what is best in the Islamic faith.”

“It is only in our everyday lives that our religious doctrines find

meaningful relevance as it is through our actions and deeds that we attest

to the benevolence and grace of the Creator,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco

Gamboa lauded Muslims in the country for following the health and safety

protocols in yesterdayÂ’s observance of EidÂ’l Fitr.

“I regret that we cannot celebrate Eid’l Fitr this year like we

traditionally do because of the ongoing health crisis but I am grateful for

the understanding and cooperation of our Filipino Muslim communities,” he

said in a statement.

'LESS IN LIFE, MORE IN LAW': PNP CHIEF URGES COPS TO FIND BALANCE IN

QUARANTINE RULE IMPLEMENTATION

MANILA - Policemen are urged to "balance" the implementation of law on the

poor during the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's top cop said on Monday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa made the remark

after Mang Dodong, a fisherman from Caloocan, was detained for nearly 2

weeks because he could not produce a quarantine pass for Navotas, where he

went to fish to make a living during the strict lockdown.

"I will find the details of Mang Dodong and we will issue a directive to

balance--we donÂ’t really know the circumstances sa baba--we will encourage

our policemen to balance between those who have less in life, sabi nga nila,

must have more in law," he told ANC.

"Generally ang guidelines namin sa kapulisan, you have to balance sometimes

yung humanitarian aspect as against kailan mo iimpose ang law."

Gamboa said the PNP updates everyday its list of authorized persons allowed

outside their residence, which includes frontliners.

The PNP also previously gave warnings to quarantine violators as lockdown

measures were imposed in some areas, he said.

PNP BRACES FOR GCQ

MANILA — Police forces are bracing for more challenges in maintaining peace

and order once Metro Manila and other areas transition to a less stringent

modified general community quarantine (GCQ).

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief

for operations, yesterday said they adjusted their security coverage when

commercial establishments in Metro Manila reopened under a modified enhanced

community quarantine (MECQ).

Aside from Metro Manila, other areas under MECQ are Cebu City and Laguna.

The PNP expects the situation to further change under a GCQ where more

businesses are allowed to operate.

In an interview with dzBB, Eleazar said easing into a GCQ means further

reopening the economy and reviving livelihoods, but “we know that this will

be more challenging.”

Eleazar admitted that the PNP had an easier time securing Metro Manila and

other parts of Luzon under ECQ, but they have to make adjustments during an

MECQ.

This includes shifting to modified checkpoints where not all vehicles are

checked to avoid slowing traffic.

Eleazar said crimes might also increase under GCQ as more people will be

allowed outside their homes.

“It’s possible for (crime) to increase. What we’re after, comparing non-ECQ

time to now, is to maintain the low (incidence of crime),” he added.

The crime volume in the country dipped by 60 percent during the community

quarantine from 10,398 crimes from Jan. 9 to March 16, compared to 4,126

cases from March 17 to May 23.

8 RAPED DAILY DURING QUARANTINE – PNP

MANILA — An average of eight people a day have fallen victim to sexual

assault in the country during the community quarantine.

Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed that 602 people across

the country were raped from March 17 to May 23 or an average of eight people

daily.

The PNP did not go into details on the areas with the highest number of

cases and if there were children among the victims.

The figure is lower by 53 percent, or an average of 18 victims a day,

compared to the 1,289 cases documented from Jan. 9 to March 16, before the

government imposed quarantines to contain the coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19).

The PNP recently defended itself from allegations that some police officers

manning quarantine control checkpoints are involved in a “sex for pass”

scheme.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa took exception to what he described

as sweeping allegations by unnamed sources that some police officers are

allowing women passage at security checkpoints in exchange for sexual

favors.

THE REST

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PNP WAITING FOR FORMAL COMPLAINTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY COPS AT QUARANTINE

CHECKPOINTS

MANILA — The chief of the national police Monday urged victims of sexual

abuse at the hands of police officers to come forward and file cases against

them.

This comes in the wake of a report by Rappler of incidents of quarantine

checkpoint officers exploiting sex workers passing through.

Speaking in an interview with ANC, Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP chief,

said that moving a case forward would be difficult without statements from

the victim, but that the PNP would do its best to ensure the victim's

confidentiality in administrative proceedings.

The PNP has, since June 2019, had an Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement

Group "to conduct intelligence build-up and law enforcement operations

against PNP personnel who are involved in any illegal activities such as

drug trafficking, human trafficking, financial crimes, cybercrime,

malversation, graft and corrupt practices, security violations, and others."

The police Internal Affairs Service also has the power to "conduct

inspection and audit of PNP personnel and units" of its own accord,

according to its website and its charter.

"In any case that we want to pursue, there must be available witnesses. But

in these cases, itÂ’s a crime thatÂ’s done privately between the accused and

the victim. And if the victim really doesn't come out, then unless we find

very good circumstantial evidence, then thatÂ’s the only time we can pursue.

Nevertheless we will look into it," Gamboa said in Filipino.

According to Rappler's report, women and men have been forced to offer sex

to cops just to pass through quarantine checkpoints.

Gamboa said that such an offense is punishable by at least 40 years in

prison as well as dismissal from the servoce.

He also encouraged victims to seek help from the national police's Women and

Children Protection Center.

In a separate interview with dwIZ, Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP

spokesperson, said the PNP has yet to receive a formal sexual abuse

complaint against a police officer.

"This is what I can promise them: we will be confidential in terms of

administrative, but when it comes to court, I cannot totally promise that

she won't have to be present in court because it might be vital for the

prosecution of the case. We'll look at our options," Gamboa said.

VALENZUELA COVID-19 CASES INCREASING BECAUSE MORE BEING TESTED, MAYOR SAYS

MANILA — Valenzuela City is entering an artificial increase stage in novel

coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, its mayor said Monday.

According to Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, the city's consultant

epidemiologist coined the term as the Valenzuela pushes to test its most

vulnerable, including OFWs, frontliners and others.

Amid calls for comprehensive mass testing paired with contact tracing,

Valenzuela is among the local government units practicing localized mass

testing — the term that the Palace and government officials claim means

testing everybody — having recently wrapped up its testing of all its

suspect and probable cases.

"This is the stage where we have surges in our positive numbers because we

are massively testing all our frontliners," Gatchalian said in a tweet.

"We need to do this in order to be able to quarantine our carriers right

before the [general community quarantine] period, and also so that we can

[get them] the attention that they need," he added.

GRUPO NG MGA PINTOR LUMILIKOM NG PONDO PARA SA MGA COVID-19 FRONTLINER

MAYNILA -- Naglunsad ng fundraising program ang Filipino Portrait Artists

Guild (FILPAG) para sa mga frontliner ngayong panahon ng krisis dulot ng

COVID-19.

Ayon kay Grandier Bella, kalihim ng FILPAG, naisip ng kanilang grupo na

gamitin ang kanilang talento para makatulong sa mga medical worker at iba

pang frontliner.

Katuwang ang UP Alumni Association, inilunsad nila ang "Handog Lingkod"

fundraising online exhibit na naglalaman ng mga painting at iba pang gawa ng

grupo.

"Ninety percent of the proceeds will be donated to the frontliners affected

by the COVID-19 crisis," ani Bella.

Ilan sa iginuhit ni Bella ay isang guwardiyang kumukuha ng temperatura at

isang motoristang nagpapagasolina na sa sobrang totoo nang pagkakaguhit ay

mukhang picture na.

Noong Marso, nagpa-auction na rin ang grupo ng mga painting samantalang

noong Abril naman ay nagsagawa ang grupo ng live sketching ng mga

frontliner.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BEAUTY GONZALEZ NOW HAS 3 MILLION INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

MANILA – Kapamilya actress Beauty Gonzalez now has 3 million followers on

the photo-sharing app Instagram.

Gonzalez, who starred in the hit afternoon series “Kadenang Ginto,” thanked

all her fans and followers for the support.

“Wow! 3 million is a massive number any which way I look at it, woohoo!

Maybe not so impressive for the many cool tech savvy Manila millennial

influencing superstars with many millions of followers, but pretty fab I

think for a simple introverted probinsyana girl from Dumaguete. Thank you

from the bottom of my heart,” Gonzalez wrote.

Sharing some statistics, Gonzalez said 81% of her followers are women, while

19% are men. Most are between the ages of 18 to 45 years old.

"And all are 100% cool, kind, fun loving, and street smart,” she added.

Gonzalez is now part of ABS-CBN’s new online show “KG Online” with fellow

“Kadenang Ginto” star Dimples Romana.

LOOK: KARLA SHARES SWEET BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FOR BOYFRIEND

MANILA – Actress-host Karla Estrada took to Instagram to share her birthday

greetings to her boyfriend Jam Ignacio.

Posting a workout photo and clips of her and Ignacio, Estrada wrote: “Happy

birthday to this beautiful soul. I'm so grateful for your support and

kindness. After this exercise gawa ka pork steak ha! I love you!”

Estrada said that she fell for her boyfriend, whom she met last June,

because of how upfront he was about his feelings.

Early this month, Estrada fuelled wedding rumors after she shared an

intriguing photo of a pair of rings.

She also posted a clip of a beachside captioned "Soon," followed by a string

of emojis of a blue heart, a diamond ring, and another heart.

SPORTS

PLAYERS HAVE TO BE CONSULTED ABOUT PBA'S RETURN, SAYS GINEBRA'S DEL ROSARIO

MANILA -- Ginebra assistant coach Richard del Rosario, who formulated a

proposal for a "PBA Quarantine Cup," stressed that players must be consulted

regarding any plans about the league's return to action.

Del Rosario unveiled his proposal for a "Quarantine Cup" in a nine-minute

video last week, addressed to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and the Board

of Governors. There, he detailed how the league can hold a compressed

conference in two months, with the teams staying in quarantine facilities

near practice and game venues.

On an appearance on "2OT" with PBA commentators Magoo Marjon and Carlo

Pamintuan, del Rosario made it clear that his idea was just one of many that

can be considered by the league.

"We're all involved," said del Rosario, who is Tim Cone's lead assistant

with the Gin Kings. "So kung meron lang tayong mga ideas na we feel could

help them, then we could offer it to them. Sila pa rin ang matcha-chart ng

course sa atin."

"Ang sa akin lang naman is, suggest lang natin kung ano makakaganda. If they

can build on what I suggested, the better, if you have another alternative,

good," he added. "Pag-usapan natin lahat 'yan."

One thing that del Rosario emphasized is that the PBA players, who have the

most to risk if and when the league returns, should be consulted.

"Before maging okay ang lahat, even before we get it started, I think it's

very important that we ask the players first, how much amount of risk

they're willing to take," he said.

"Kailangan malaman natin sa kanila kung willing nga ba sila, and if they're

not willing, I don't think mapipilit natin sila kasi health nila ang

nakasalalay d'yan, 'di ba?" he pointed out.

Based on del Rosario's proposal, the players will be away from their

families for two months while the conference is on-going, as they have to

remain in the quarantine facility to minimize contact. They will also have

to play a tight schedule that features games on back-to-back nights or three

straight nights.

These are just among the sacrifices and risks that they will have to take if

the PBA considers del Rosario's ideas.

"It has risks, it needs sacrifices," del Rosario acknowledged. "Ano 'yung

medyo acceptable na risk natin, ano ba 'yung mga acceptable na sacrifice for

everybody involved, and I guess, 'yun ang kailangan pag-usapan."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

There are few ways in which a man can be more innocently employed than in

getting money. – Samuel Johnson