AUGUST 24 SCHOOL OPENING A GO, ENROLLMENT STARTS JUNE 1: PALACE

MANILA — The school year opening will push through on Aug. 24, 2020,

Malacañang said Wednesday, following President Rodrigo Duterte's rejection

of face-to-face classes without a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

"Ang sigurado po, tuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga kabataan. Ang isyu na lang, ano

ang sitwasyon pagdating ng Agosto 24: ito ba ay sapat na para tayo ay

mag-face-to-face [classes] o blended," said Presidential Spokesman Harry

Roque.

Face-to-face classes will only be allowed in areas where community

quarantines are lifted totally by the start of the school year, Roque

earlier said.

Areas which are still under quarantine by Aug. 24 will use "blended

learning" which taps the internet, radio and television to teach students,

he said.

Enrollments starts Monday, June 1, said Roque. "Tuloy po iyan dahil hindi

naman po pupuwedeng wala tayong preparasyon," he told DZMM.

Duterte earlier said he would not allow physical classes until a novel

coronavirus vaccine is developed.

Schools can open "as long as minimum health standards are met," Health

Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Twitter.

"If standards are not met, best to wait for a vaccine," he added.

PHILIPPINES LOGS 350 NEW COVID-19 CASES, HIGHEST SINCE APRIL 6; TOTAL AT

14,669

MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday said it has logged 350 new cases of the

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the highest in the last 50 days or

since April 6, bringing the country's cumulative total to 14,669.

It also recorded 89 new recoveries, raising the number of recovered patients

to 3,412.

“Kasama po sa mga naitalang naka-recover ay ang mga pasyenteng naka-confine,

at mga pasyenteng may positive mild at asymptomatic cases na naka-recover

mula sa kanilang self-isolation at home quarantine,” Health Undersecretary

Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a televised briefing.

The death toll is up by 13 to 886.

During the briefing, Dr. Takeshi Nishijima, technical officer of the World

Health Organization - Western Pacific Regional Office, reminded Filipinos to

continue to practice physical distancing, proper hygiene and coughing

etiquette.

“In the Philippines, we have seen the new number of cases which is kind of

stabilized a bit. We are hoping that it will decrease in the future,”

Nishijima said.

The past several days though have seen an increase in new cases although it

is unclear if it is because of actual increase in COVID-19 patients or

improved validation by the Department of Health.

While there are 14,669 confirmed COVID-19 cases, there are actually 21,585

individuals who tested positive from COVID-19 on Monday. This could mean

almost 7,000 cases may be added in the countryÂ’s list of confirmed cases.

CRITICS GO AFTER ABS-CBN IN HOUSE FRANCHISE HEARING

MANILA — Critics of ABS-CBN Corp on Tuesday called on Congress to reject its

application for a new operating franchise, accusing the shuttered broadcast

network of violating tax and labor laws.

A position paper, read during the highly anticipated committee hearing on

the franchise, raised legal issues against ABS-CBN, from alleged tax evasion

to unfair labor practice and foreign ownership violations, many of which the

network had clarified in the past.

The critics said they would show “with clear and convincing evidence” in

subsequent hearings that the network had “deliberately and with impunity

violated” the terms of its previous 25-year franchise and the constitution.

“It is but right for the House of Representatives to deny this time the

franchise of ABS-CBN,” according to the paper read by Deputy Speaker Rodante

Marcoleta, who had also raised many of these issues during House

deliberations last week.

Save for a March 10 meeting on “ground rules,” the joint committee hearing

was the first since ABS-CBNÂ’s application for a new franchise during the

present Congress.

Several other bills seeking to renew its operating franchise had not moved

in the House of Representatives since 2014, until the networkÂ’s free TV and

radio channels were forced to shut down last May 5.

TuesdayÂ’s hearing, held after Houjse leaders dropped a plan to grant a

6-month provisional franchise, set off what could be a protracted process by

the media network to resume regular broadcasts.

The next sessions are expected to tackle in detail accusations, for

instance, of “unfair labor practice” with most of ABS-CBN’s employees

allegedly not hired as regulars.

DUTERTE DECISION ON POSSIBLE METRO MANILA GCQ OUT BEFORE WEEKEND: DILG

President Rodrigo Duterte will decide before the weekend whether or not to

further loosen the coronavirus lockdown of some 12 million people in Metro

Manila, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Wednesday.

An inter-agency task force on Wednesday will finalize its lockdown

recommendations for Duterte, said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.

"Ini-expect natin na bukas hanggang Friday ay makakapagdesisyon ang ating

Pangulo," he told DZMM.

Mayors want only one type of lockdown to be imposed across the whole Metro

Manila, he said.

The region, which accounts for a third of the gross domestic product, is

under modified quarantine until May 31, which reboots the economy by

allowing select industries to to operate up to 50-percent capacity.

A looser general community quarantine or GCQ will let almost all industries

will be allowed to operate up to 75 percent except amusement centers and

those with mass gatherings.

GCQ also allows "zoning" or stricter lockdown in certain barangays or

streets, said Año.

AIRLINE INDUSTRY GROUP APPEALS FOR AID UNDER PROPOSED STIMULUS PACKAGE

MANILA - An industry group representing the country's largest airlines on

Tuesday appealed for government aid under a bill aiming to stimulate

economic activity following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) said COVID-19 as well

as the measures implemented to control it, had a "catastrophic" impact on

the aviation industry.

ACAP said it is appealing for long term credit facility, working capital

credit lines, credit guarantee arrangements, and temporary relief from

navigational and airport charges under the proposed Philippine Economic

Stimulus Act (PESA) bill.

Roberto Lim, ACAP executive director and vice chairman, said the group is

not asking for a bail-out or dole-out from the government.

"What we are asking for is a hand-up to help airlines recover. The liquidity

problems faced by the Philippine aviation industry are very similar to the

challenges that airlines all over the world are dealing with,” Lim said.

ACAP's members include AirAsia Philippines, Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine

Airlines and PAL Express.

The group however said that the aviation industry is composed of not just of

airlines, but also catering companies, food-related enterprises,

manufacturing firms, manpower agencies, and other allied and support service

providers—majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

ACAP said the entire industry generates over 543,000 direct and indirect

jobs and is intertwined with the travel and tourism industry, as well as

with the logistics industry.

Airlines are now ready to resume passenger commercial flights, with stricter

safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, ACAP

added.

“While details may vary among individual members of ACAP, the new normal for

flights will include minimized contact between passengers and the airline

staff, increased utilization of online and digital processes for check-in

and boarding, intensified cleaning and disinfection of all aircraft and

facilities, among others,” Lim said.

WILKINS VILLANUEVA IS NEW PDEA CHIEF

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA) North Mindanao director Wilkins Villanueva as new

director-general of the anti-narcotics agency.

The President signed VillanuevaÂ’s appointment paper on May 22, according to

a copy seen on Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed the appointment of

Villanueva. He didn't explain why outgoing PDEA chief Aaron Aquino was

replaced.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon said Aquino was "relieved" and did not

step down.

"We all know that movement in key positions in government offices is the

sole prerogative of the President. In this case, outgoing DG (Director

General) Aquino will be assuming another position in the bureaucracy, but we

are not at liberty to disclose further details po," he said in a statement.

Villanueva thanked Duterte in a Facebook post.

“After almost 2 decades of serving our country on the field of DRUG LAW

ENFORCEMENT through different capacities and positions both with PNP

Narcotics Group and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, I finally achieved

what I was aiming for... DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PDEA,” Villanueva wrote.

“My utmost gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for giving me his

trust and confidence to lead our country's WAR ON DRUGS. I will never fail

you MR. PRESIDENT!”

Aquino meanwhile said he was grateful to the President for giving him the

opportunity to serve the public.

“I sincerely thank President Rodrigo Duterte for his trust and confidence

and for giving me the opportunity to serve our people and his

administration,” he said in a statement.

“I also thank the men and women of PDEA for their support to my leadership

and dedication to the agency.”

THE REST

========

ALL METRO MAYORS BACK SHIFT TO GCQ

MANILA — All the 17 Metro Manila mayors yesterday voted in favor of shifting

the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions in the nationÂ’s capital

from modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to general community

quarantine (GCQ) starting June 1.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia

announced this after a meeting of the Metro Manila Council.

Under GCQ, however, mayors will still have the mandate to impose lockdowns

in certain barangays or areas where there are several cases of COVID-19.

The development came as the government is poised to decide today whether to

relax the restrictions in Metro Manila, which has been under community

quarantine since March.

Members of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious

Diseases are set to meet to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country.

“Let’s wait for the decision of the IATF because by tomorrow, they may come

up with a decision,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in Filipino at

a press briefing yesterday.

“What is important is that we will look at the doubling rate and the

critical care capacity and, of course, we will pay attention to our

economy,” Roque added.

Religious leaders were scheduled to meet with officials yesterday to discuss

protocols for religious gatherings.

Filipinos, according to the Palace spokesman, should get used to social

distancing because of the risks posed by the virus.

“We need to adjust to a new lifestyle... Even if we are under MGCQ or the

‘new normal,’ social distancing is already part of our life. All activities

will have to observe social distancing. Well, the future of these events

(and) industries will really depend on our ability to adopt to a new

lifestyle,” he said.

Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales and

Angeles City have been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine,

a transition between the strictest ECQ and GCQ.

Only Cebu City and Mandaue City in the Visayas remain under ECQ, while the

rest of the country is now under GCQ.

RJ NAMED DICT USEC

MANILA — President Duterte has appointed his adviser on economic affairs and

information technology communications Ramon “RJ” Jacinto as undersecretary

of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. expressed confidence that Jacinto

would serve the DICT with dedication and integrity and contribute to

achieving the departmentÂ’s mandate under the administration.

Jacinto accepted his appointment as DICT undersecretary, replacing Eliseo

Rio Jr., whose resignation was accepted by Duterte last week.

A musician and broadcaster, Jacinto was appointed presidential adviser in

2016 to lead the common tower policy and improve the countryÂ’s internet and

mobile connectivity.

“I will do my best to galvanize telecoms reforms. The country needs 50,000

towers and we only have less than 20,000 after two decades,” Jacinto said in

a statement on Tuesday.

An economics graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, Jacinto is the founder

of radio sation dzRJ.

SWS: 4 IN 5 FILIPINOS WENT OUT 1-3 TIMES LAST WEEK FOR ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES

At least four out of five working-age Filipinos went out of their house one

to three times in the past week, according to a Social Weather Stations

mobile phone survey.

The poll showed that 81% went out of their house to buy food, 98% to buy

medicine and 98% for financial transactions.

"On average, respondents went out 2.6 times to buy food, 1.3 times to buy

medicine, and 1.2 times for financial transactions," SWS said.

The mobile survey was conducted from May 4 to 10 among 4,010 respondents

nationwide using mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

'PWEDE NA PALA IKAW LUMABAS': SOLON ROASTED AFTER PLAYING KIM CHIU VIDEO AT

ABS-CBN SESSION

MANILA — Netizens are telling Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP) to

go home after starting his long argument against granting ABS-CBN a new

franchise by playing Kim Chiu’s viral “Bawal Lumabas” video during the

Tuesday House joint session between the Committee on Legislative Franchises

and Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

“Meron po akong prinepare na konting slides sana maipakita muna bago ako

magpatuloy,” the House Deputy Speaker said with a straight face, before

presenting a 30-second snippet of the now-successful Kim Chiu rant.

This did not sit well with social media users, who came to KimÂ’s defense and

pointed out that MarcoletaÂ’s move was completely irrelevant to the topic at

hand.

After the video, Marcoleta was able to cite an exact Bible verse (John 8:32)

yet still failed to provide specific references to back up his allegations

against the media network.

Inconsistencies and misinformation in the lawmakerÂ’s arguments were observed

by online users, including veteran journalist Karen Davila.

While it appears that Marcoleta failed to present a legitimate case against

ABS-CBN, he did successfully further Kim's career by giving the "Bawal

Lumabas" video free publicity.

It may have even worked in the Kapamilya starÂ’s favor, having reached two of

three government branches in just over a week.

As of this writing, the Supreme Court is the only government branch that has

not yet quoted Kim's "Bawal Lumabas."

ONLY 153 PER TRIP: MRT 'READY' TO REOPEN WITH NEW CORONAVIRUS PROTOCOLS

MANILA — The MRT-3 is ready to re-open with new coronavirus protocols if

Metro Manila is placed under a looser general community quarantine next

week, an official said Wednesday.

Trains that can ferry 1,200 people will only carry up to 153 per trip to

ensure physical distancing or a 1-meter gap between passengers and prevent

virus transmission, said MRT director for operations Michael Capati.

The entry of passengers into train platforms will be limited. All passengers

will be required to wear face masks and have their temperatures checked, he

said.

The MRT-3 is off-limits to pregnant women and those aged below 21 or above

60 -- who are most vulnerable to the disease, he said.

The MRT's 19 train sets will be disinfected twice every trip, at the North

Avenue and Taft stations, said Capati.

"Kung kami po ay bibigyan ng order at nag-GCQ na tayo by June 1, ready naman

po ang MTR-3 mag-mobilize," he said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'LET'S GROOOW': JAMES REID APPOINTED AS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AMBASSADOR

MANILA -- James Reid has been appointed as the ambassador of the Department

of Agriculture's (DA) "Plant, Plant, Plant' program aimed to ramp up the

country's food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reid made the announcement on Tuesday on Instagram, where he has more than

6.2 million followers, with the caption: "Can't wait to show everyone what

we've been working on during quarantine!"

By appointing Reid as its food security ambassador, the DA said that

Kapamilya star has committed "to inform the public on the main advocacies of

the department specifically its campaign on ensuring sustained food

security, food accessibility and affordability."

He will also "encourage the youth and other advocates on the important roles

of farmers and fishers, their hard work, and their valuable contributions to

the country."

Reid is an award-winning musician and actor who runs his own music label,

Careless.

More details can be found about the "Plant, Plant, Plant" program on the

DA's website.

KATHRYN BERNARDO, DANIEL PADILLA MARK 8TH ANNIVERSARY AMID LOCKDOWN

MANILA —Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla celebrated their 8th anniversary

as a couple on Tuesday, May 26.

On Instagram, BernardoÂ’s mother, Min, shared how her daughter and Padilla

spent their special day amid lockdown.

“Di man na celebrate sa fav place nila ang special day at ito ginawa na lang

worthy ang day by continuing painting the wall of (flowers) then I decided

now to call this place, virtual wall,” she wrote.

She added: “They decided to make the day simple lang pero thanks to all fans

and friends at nagpadala ng food.”

Before the lockdown, Bernardo and Padilla were set to work on a new TV

series. Their last project together was the 2018 movie "The Hows of Us".

SPORTS

FIBA RELEASES GUIDELINES FOR RETURN TO BASKETBALL

FIBA, basketballÂ’s international governing body, has released guidelines for

national federations to follow once basketball is allowed to return in the

wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The document, which is entitled “Return to Basketball – Restart Guidelines

for National Federation” on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 and it outlines

recommendations for national basketball federations to adhere to once

basketball is allowed during this pandemic.

“FIBA is now working towards a restart of basketball competitions in support

of professional Leagues and National Competitions. Due to the risks

associated with COVID-19, this is a slow and careful process that needs to

be well planned. Most National Federations will restart by following

guidance and the lifting of restrictions by their governments and public

health authorities,” read the Fiba document.

However, FIBA made it clear that the guidelines are by no means mandatory

and only serve as a guide. It also emphasized that national federations must

recognize their governmentÂ’s decisions regarding mass gatherings.

Amongst the recommendations found in the 13-page document are the holding

off of unnecessary contact between players, referees and other game

officials. This includes handshakes, high fives, and engagement with fans

just to mention a few examples.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.53

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. -

Winston Churchill