METRO MANILA GCQ EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 30; CEBU CITY PUT ON ECQ

MANILA — Metro Manila will remain under a general community quarantine until

the end of June, two weeks after the GCQ was announced to help restart the

country's economy.

Cebu City has meanwhile been placed under enhanced community quarantine, the

Palace said.

"[President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] places Cebu City under ECQ; Metro Manila

remains GCQ. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his Talk to the People

Address on June 15, placed Cebu City under enhanced community quarantine

(ECQ) starting June 16," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a

report by News5 AKSYON.

In a statement, Roque said that Talisay City in Cebu will be on Modified

Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Davao City and Zamboanga City in Mindanao will also be under GCQ.

"The rest of the country remains under modified general community quarantine

(MGCQ) until June 30, 2020," he added.

The announcement, which the Palace made in a statement, comes after the

Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases recommended

quarantine levels for areas in the Philippines.

A pre-recorded video of the IATF meeting was airing when Roque made the

announcement past midnight on Tuesday, June 16.

Duterte himself earlier warned the public that a return to ECQ was in the

realm of possibility should the rate of infection speed up.

According to the presidentÂ’s report to Congress on June 8, only 366,423

persons have been tested for the new pathogen, good for 0.0003% percent of

the countryÂ’s population.

Under the 'Bayanihan' Act, the president is supposed to give Congress a

report on how he has used the powers granted him to address the COVID-19

pandemic. The report has yet to be released as of this post.

CEBU CITY REVERTS TO ECQ DUE TO SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque explained that Cebu City will revert

to enhanced community quarantine due to a spike in coronavirus cases. As of

June 14, 2,810 COVID-19 have been recorded in the city with a high-risk case

doubling time of 6.63.

Talisay City was reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine as

COVID-19 cases in the city continue to rise.

SMALL ONLINE SELLERS EXEMPTED FROM TAX REGISTRATION: DTI

MANILA - Small online sellers or those who earn P250,000 and below annually

are exempted from registering their business with the Bureau of Internal

Revenue, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Tuesday.

The tax bureau last week reminded e-commerce firms to register and settle

their liabilities as online transactions boomed during the coronavirus

pandemic.

"Excluded naman talaga dito maliliit na negosyante. ItÂ’s really an important

measure for traceability ng mga binibili natin online," Lopez told ABS-CBN's

Teleradyo. "Kung ang kita nila P250,000 and below, sila ay exempted naman sa

pagre-register."

"This is for consumer protection. At the same time... we also believe in the

principle na kung gusto mong lumaki ang negosyo mo, kailangan magregister

ka," he said.

Lopez advised consumers to buy from large online platforms that have a

rating system and requires sellers to register so they can be traced.

"Pagka bumili sila sa Facebook o Instagram na hindi nila kakilala, may risk

po talaga na mahirap hagilapin," he said.

Resellers who carry the official receipt of the product they are selling do

not need to register, Lopez added.

FREE PRESS SHOULD REST ON ACCOUNTABILITY: RESSA ACCUSER'S CAMP

The right to freedom of the press should come with accountability, the camp

of a businessman who lodged a cyber libel case against Rappler CEO Maria

Ressa said Tuesday, a day after she was found guilty of the crime.

Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. face up to 6 years

in prison for a 2012 article that linked businessman Wilfredo Keng to

alleged illegal activities.

Lawyer Melissa Andaya said Rappler took no action on Keng's 7-month appeal

to take down or correct the article, even after Keng sent the news site a

certification from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that he was not

involved in the narcotics trade.

"Nirerespeto naman iyong karapatan doon sa freedom of the press. Pero sana

po tandaan din po natin na part ng freedom of the press ang accountability,

na sana mas naging patas o balanse ang pagre-report nila," she told

ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

'TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE': US SENATORS SLAM CYBER LIBEL CHARGES 'WITHOUT MERIT'

VS RESSA

MANILA — Three United States senators on Tuesday slammed the conviction of

Rappler journalist and CEO Maria Ressa as an attack on fundamental freedoms,

including the freedom of the press.

In a joint statement, US senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Patrick Leahy

(D-Vt.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called Ressa's charges and subsequent

arrest "an apparent effort to silence her," saying these were "without merit

and an effort to intimidate voices that criticize policies and practices of

the government."

Ressa was found guilty by a Manila court on Monday of cyber libel over a

Rappler article published in 2012, months before the cybercrime law was

passed.

The Human Rights Watch in a separate statement called the verdict a

"devastating blow to media freedom in the Philippines."

“Maria Ressa and her colleagues have spoken truth to power through their

vital work, and she has shown great courage as the government threatens

Rappler, ABS-CBN, and other media organizations,” their statement read.

PALACE: DUTERTE SUPPORTS PRESS FREEDOM, NEVER SUED JOURNALISTS

MANILA — President Duterte supports free expression, Malacañang maintained

yesterday as it disputed observations that the conviction of Rappler chief

executive officer Maria Ressa for cyber libel was meant to silence critics

of the government.

Duterte, according to his spokesman Harry Roque Jr., has not filed libel

cases against members of the media and even backed a broadcaster who was

charged with libel by his former political rival, the late House speaker

Prospero Nograles.

Roque noted that Davao-based broadcaster Alexander Adonis was jailed at the

Davao Penal Colony in 2001 over the so-called “Burlesk King” controversy

involving Nograles.

But Duterte, then mayor of Davao City, provided material support to Adonis,

who went to the UN Human Rights Committee to argue that the libel law in the

Philippines was against free expression, Roque noted.

COVID-19 CASES IN PHILIPPINES NOW OVER 26,000 AS RECOVERIES TOP 6,000

MANILA — More than 26,000 people in the Philippines have been sickened by

the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as President Rodrigo Duterte is set to

decide on the fate of the countryÂ’s virus restrictions later Monday.

The Department of Health registered 470 new COVID-19 infections Monday,

pushing the national caseload to 26,420.

Total recoveries accounted for around 24% of the nationÂ’s confirmed cases.

The DOH on Sunday reported a downward trend in the countryÂ’s COVID-19

fatality rate despite spikes in the number of deaths in the past two days.

The case fatality rate in the Philippines stood at 4.24%—lower than the

global average of 5.6%.

DINE-IN RETURNS: DTI SAYS HEALTH COMPLIANCE 'HIGH' IN LIMITED RUN

MANILA - Most restaurants that resumed limited dine-in servicein areas under

general community quarantine complied with minimum health protocols against

COVID-19, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Tuesday.

Local officials and personnel of the departments of trade and industry,

tourism, and labor and employment inspected food establishments as they

resumed limited dine-in operations Monday.

Restaurants observed the following health measures at nearly 100 percent,

Lopez told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo:

Dine-in operation at 30 percent capacity: 95 percent

Provision of alcohol, sanitizer: 97 percent

Temperature check of personnel and customers: 98 percent

Physical distancing: 92 percent

Observation of 'no mask, no entry' policy: 98 percent

"Marami hong nagbukas at nagko-comply dito sa mga requirement natin, mataas

po yung rate ng compliance," Lopez said.

Food establishments that violate the guidelines will be given warning or

will be closed until they are able to comply, Lopez said.

Small eateries or karinderyas must cover their food menu, observe physical

distancing, and servers must wear masks, he said.

THE REST

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PAL TO KEEP SOME MIDDLE SEATS EMPTY TO FIGHT COVID-19

MANILA -- Philippine Airlines said Tuesday some middle seats in its aircraft

would be left empty starting in July to comply with physical distancing

requirements during the coronavirus pandemic.

The "distancing seats" will be observed in the economy and premium economy

sections, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

"In the social distancing sections, an aisle or middle seat will be left

empty in defined rows per aircraft," Villaluna said.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines are gradually

restarting commercial operations after 11 weeks of lockdown as its global

peers battled bankruptcy.

CEBU CITY TO SEEK LOOSER COVID-19 QUARANTINE, SAYS SPIKE IN CASES DUE TO

AGGRESSIVE TESTING

MANILA — Officials of Cebu City will ask the national government to ease its

coronavirus lockdown to help its economy recover from the pandemic, as it

attributed a spike in its cases of the respiratory disease to 3 months of

massive testing.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday placed the city under ECQ or enhanced

community quarantine, which is stricter than its previous general community

quarantine, after it overtook Quezon City as the area with highest count of

the disease in the Philippines.

Cebu City has tested some 25,000 people since March and confirmed 3,434

cases of COVID-19 as of Saturday, said Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Of the total number of patients, 1,858 or about 54.10 percent had recovered,

which is higher than the national recovery rate of about 22 percent, he

said.

The city tallied 37 deaths due to the disease, which translates to a

fatality rate of 1.08 percent or about a fourth of the national fatality

rate of 4.23 percent, said the mayor.

Massive testing is "the best way to fight this invisible enemy" and Cebu

City "will never stop" this measure even if this pushes the case count up,

said Leballa.

"Kailangan talagang we can go back to general quarantine because kawawa ang

business natin dito. We will make the necessary adjustments and eventually,

in a few days, we will make the necessary appeal," he told ABS-CBN's

TeleRadyo.

LABOR DEPT REMINDS FIRMS TO REPORT QUARANTINE STATUS

MANILA - The Department of Labor and Employment on Tuesday said companies

shutting down, laying off employees or those restarting their operations

should report their status as mandated by the countryÂ’s labor laws.

Employees with a “return to work” notice should report to their respective

offices while employers are expected to ensure health protocols are in

place, said DOLE Asec. Dominique Tutay.

DE LIMA FILES FOR BAIL AFTER 3 YEARS IN DETENTION

MANILA - Detained Sen. Leila de Lima on Monday applied for bail before a

Muntinlupa court, the first time she sought for temporary liberty since she

was detained in 2017 for her alleged involvement in the production and sale

of illegal drugs during her stint as Justice Secretary.

In a petition filed before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch

166, the opposition senator said that she should be allowed to post bail as

"the evidence against her is hearsay."

"Instead of proving her guilt, the prosecution itself provided strong

evidence of accused De Lima's innocence and the regularity of the

performance of her duties as then Secretary of Justice," De Lima said in her

47-page motion.

"Certainly, the granting of bail to accused De Lima will result in upholding

her constitutional presumption of innocence, recognizing her right to due

process, and guarantee her appearance in court for the remainder of the

trial, and allow her to serve her mandate as a duly-elected senator of the

country," it read.

The case alleges that De Lima supposedly demanded money and vehicles for her

2016 senatorial campaign from drug lord Peter Co, who is jailed in the New

Bilibid Prison.

DUTERTE REPORT: 165 INMATES GRANTED PAROLE UNDER RELAXED GUIDELINES

MANILA — More than 150 inmates have been released on parole since the

Department of Justice relaxed guidelines for application in the time of

COVID-19 pandemic.

In his latest report to the Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte said that as

of June 3, the Board of Pardons and Parole received 984 carpetas or

applications and 165 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been granted

parole.

The corrections bureau has so far not responded to media inquiries on latest

COVID-19 tally in their overcrowded facilities. The DOJ last updated the

media on June 4 saying that 222 BuCor inmates have contracted the

coronavirus.

DUTERTE EYES PURCHASE OF RADIOS TO AID STUDENTS IN POOR COMMUNITIES

MANILA — The government is eyeing to buy radios for learners in far-flung

communities as the country moves away from traditional face-to-face

interactions and shifts to distant learning modes.

But the problem is that the government is running out of funds, President

Rodrigo Duterte said in a televised briefing late Monday evening.

The chief executive said the government is considering buying transistor

radios that will be distributed to poor communities that do not have

televisions, mobile phones and access to internet connection.

“Baka kung magtagal ito talaga, sayang ang panahon. We might buy the radio

at 300 maibigay sa lahat ng—sa lahat ng barangay na maabot ng radio para

naman ‘yung mga mahirap may communication sila sa teacher nila,” Duterte

said.

DepEd will implement distant learning alternatives such as online classes,

printed modules or learning through radio and television when classes

formally open on August 24.

The president said he will “look for the money” to purchase transistor

radios.

NLEX HARBOR LINK OPENS, CUTS TRAVEL TIME

MANILA — From more than an hour, travel time from Quezon City to Port Area

in Manila has been cut to only 20 minutes after the opening yesterday of the

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said motorists and Manila port freight

carriers would enjoy the improved driving experience with the opening of the

NLEX Harbor Link elevated section with interchanges at the C3 Road/5th

Avenue in Caloocan and Navotas.

Villar, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president and CEO Rodrigo Franco

and NLEX Corp. president J. Luigi Bautista led the opening of the new

2.6-kilometer elevated C3 to Road 10 section that expands the NLEX network

to Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) and Mel Lopez Boulevard

(formerly Road 10) in Manila.

Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta III yesterday lauded the construction of an exit

ramp to the city, which could spur development in Northern Metro Manila.

Talks are also underway between the Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH) and the Metro Pacific group to further extend the harbor link Segment

10 to Anda Circle in Port Area, Manila.

GOVERNMENT FIRM ON RELIGIOUS GATHERING RESTRICTIONS

MANILA — Malacañang is firm on sustaining restrictions on public masses,

saying Filipinos can foster a relationship with God while at home.

The government has limited to 10 the number of persons who can join

religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) to

prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.

The restriction has drawn flak from Church leaders, including Manila

Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo, who said last Sunday that

religious services should not be categorized as mass gatherings along with

activities in entertainment establishments.

But presidential spokesman Harry Roque maintained that the restriction on

public masses was meant to protect public health.

“Well, Bishop Pabillo, all of us want to go to mass. But we are taking care

of everybody’s health,” Roque said at a press briefing. “We can pray and

foster a relationship with our God even in our homes and by video.”

Areas under GCQ are Metro Manila,Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Central

Visayas regions, the cities of Baguio, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Davao, and the

provinces of Pangasinan and Albay. Masses and other public gatherings are

permitted in areas now under the most lenient modified general community

quarantine but venues may only be half-filled.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

OSCARS POSTPONED TO APRIL 2021 DUE TO PANDEMIC

The 93rd Oscars have been postponed by eight weeks to April 25, 2021 after

the coronavirus pandemic shuttered movie theaters and wreaked havoc on

Hollywood's release calendar, the Academy said Monday.

With many studio blockbusters and indie arthouse movies forced to push back

their release dates until theaters reopen, the cut-off date for

Oscar-eligible films has also been extended from December 31, 2020 to

February 28, 2021.

"Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date, is to

provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films

without being penalized for something beyond anyone's control," said Academy

president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson in a statement.

The movie industry's biggest night was originally scheduled for February 28,

2021.

No decision has yet been taken on whether it will remain a live,

star-studded ceremony, or shift to a "virtual" presentation.

Most US movie theaters remain closed, with fears of a second wave of

COVID-19 cases growing.

SPORTS

TENNIS: US OPEN TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED

NEW YORK -- The US Open tennis tournament is to go ahead as planned pending

formal government approval, the New York Times reported on Monday.

The Times cited four tennis officials speaking on condition of anonymity as

saying that the Grand Slam event would take place in its usual late

August-September slot.

The status of the tournament has been mired in uncertainty for weeks as New

York battles the coronavirus, while a number of top players have expressed

doubts about playing in the tournament.

The Times report said the tournament would take place at Flushing Meadows

without fans from August 31 to September 13 after receiving support from the

ATP and WTA Tours.

The US Tennis Association is expected to announce the decision later this

week, the Times reported.

GOLF: PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TO GO AHEAD WITHOUT FANS

LOS ANGELES -- The PGA Championship will be held in August but without fans,

after California health officials on Monday gave the green light to the

first major championship of 2020, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The tournament scheduled for August 6-9 in San Francisco had hoped to

attract up to 40,000 fans a day at Harding Park golf course but that was

before the USPGA Tour was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The PGA Championship, which is run by the PGA of America, was originally

scheduled to take place in May.

The US Open is rescheduled for September 17-20 in New York.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.34

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. - John

Henry Newman