LEACHON RESIGNS OVER DOH'S 'LACK OF SENSE OF URGENCY,' DATA MANAGEMENT

PROBLEMS

MANILA — Disagreements with how the Duterte administration is handling the

coronavirus pandemic prompted Dr. Anthony Leachon to quit his post as

adviser on Wednesday, joining a number of top officials who left the

government over a much-criticized strategy in confronting the outbreak.

“I left due to my differences with DOH (Department of Health) policies e.g.

lack of sense of urgency, problems in COVID-19 data management, and

transparency in communication process,” Leachon said in an online exchange

with Philstar.com.

“I have to align with my true north,” he added.

LeachonÂ’s departure came days after he went public to say that the

interagency task force on emerging infectious diseases (IATF), the

policymaking body during the pandemic chaired by Health Secretary Francisco

Duque III, was “losing focus” on how to stop the spread of the virus which

so far has infected 27,000 nationwide.

That apparently did not sit well with some of his colleagues. In an

interview with CNN Philippines shortly after he announced his departure on

Facebook, Leachon said he thought he was “asked to resign” after he

criticized IATFÂ’s management of the disease.

"Dr. Leachon's preemptive releases of some information prior to official

announcement jeopardized the communication efforts of the IATF and NTF and

caused unwarranted misundestanding between two entities that shoul be

working together," said Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer at the

National Task Force on COVID-19, in a statement responding to Leachon's

resignation.

"He has been cautioned but remained deaf to collegial advice. Constructive

criticism among colleagues is most welcome to assure improvement, but this

should have been done internally to maintain unity of effort," he added.

Duque has not responded to request for comment as of this posting.

AÑO SAYS LEACHON A 'CRITICAL THINKER', REGRETS HIS RESIGNATION

MANILA - Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said he regrets the

resignation of Dr. Tony Leachon as adviser to the National Task Force

against COVID-19 and whose inputs he values.

“Nakatulong nang husto si Dr. Leachon,” he said in an interview on ANC's

Headstart.

Año described Leachon as a “critical thinker” who wanted real data and real

facts considered in making analysis and assessment of the COVID-19

situation. "I also value his inputs. He's very straightforward," he said.

The DILG chief said Leachon was probably not used to the rigid organization

like in the government and the military. He said disagreements must be

settled within the task force and that everyone must follow the agreed

communication line.

"Malaya siyang nagbibigay ng kaniyang mga ano, although some are already

contradicting policies or even official line of the IATF,” Año said.

In a statement, COVID-19 policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez

said the task force has to let Leachon go because of his "preemptive

releases of some information" prior to official announcement by the

government.

“But I think he did that for good intention. He does not really want to

malign anyone but probably he just wants to emphasize some points, and

sometimes heÂ’s very emotional so I also regret Dr. LeachonÂ’s leaving the NTF

but he has decided to resign, so be it,” said Año.

COVID-19 INFECTIONS IN PHILIPPINES SOAR TO 27,238

The Department of Health reported 457 additional cases of the coronavirus

disease, bringing the national tally to 27,238.

There are 268 new recoveries and five new deaths in the Philippines.

LOCSIN ASKS SOTTO TO DECRIMINALIZE LIBEL; SOTTO SAYS LYING FOUND IN THE 10

COMMANDMENTS

MANILA - Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday asked

Senate President Vicente Sotto III to decriminalize libel.

In a reply to a tweet of a law professor about Rappler CEO Maria Ressa's

cyber libel case, the DFA chief called on the Senate President to craft a

law that would fine erring journalists instead of jailing them.

"Let's decriminalize libel, Senate President Sotto. The money damages alone

are far, far, far, far more painful," said Locsin, a former journalist.

"Bankruptcy hurts more," he said.

Sotto replied to Locsin, saying: "I wish it were that easy."

"Grandpa was the author of the 1946 Press Freedom Law. Unfortunately, lying

(libel) is found in the Ten Commandments," he said referring to his

grandfather and namesake former Sen. Vicente Sotto Sr.

Earlier this week, Sotto tweeted a bible verse about lying shortly after

Ressa and former Rappler writer-researcher Reynaldo Santos were convicted up

to 6 years in jail for not publishing the side of businessman Wilfredo Keng

in an article first published in 2012.

They were also ordered to pay P200,000 in moral damages and P200,000 in

exemplary damages.

On Wednesday, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said that the media

itself can "redress the grievances of people" who have been "hurt by

inaccurate reporting."

"Democracy thrives when truth can be spoken to power freely and without

fear," Recto said in a statement.

"A nation can withstand an occasional reckless press, but it cannot survive

with a repressed one," he said.

LACK OF LIQUIDATION DELAYS RELEASE OF SECOND TRANCHE OF GOV'T PANDEMIC AID

MANILA — The Philippine government will not release the second batch of

assistance for the poorest families in the country to cope with the

coronavirus pandemic until an entire region liquidates the first tranche of

cash aid.

The liquidation is needed to ensure that only one member of a family

received the P5,000 to P8,000 aid, said Social Welfare Assistant Secretary

Joseline Niwane.

"Marami na po ang mga LGUs na nag-fully liquidate. However, 'pag hindi po

siya buo sa region — kunyari ang miyembro sa region ay 7 provinces at kung

nagbigay lang po ay 5 — hindi po sila puwedeng mag-re-book," she told

ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

OMBUDSMAN ORDERS PROBE ON DOH CHIEF

MANILA — Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered an investigation of

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other DOH officials

over alleged anomalies in the response to the coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19) pandemic.

In a text message sent to reporters yesterday, Martires confirmed the

creation of two teams that would conduct a joint fact-finding investigation

on perceived irregularities surrounding DOHÂ’s handling of the pandemic.

Specifically ordered to be investigated were the DOHÂ’s alleged delayed

procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical gear

needed by healthcare workers, and other supposed “lapses and irregularities”

that led to the death or infection of several frontliners, including

doctors.

Also ordered to be investigated were the DOHÂ’s supposed inaction in the

processing and release of financial assistance and other benefits for the

fallen and infected medical frontliners as well as the “confusing and

delayed” reporting of COVID-related deaths and confirmed cases.

The DOH welcomed the investigation - In a statement, the DOH assured the

ombudsman of compliance with all its directives.

POLICE ‘VIP’ SKIPPED BORONGAN CORONAVIRUS CHECKPOINT: MAYOR

MANILA – A police official snubbed a checkpoint meant to prevent the spread

of the coronavirus pandemic in Borongan, Eastern Samar, its mayor said

Thursday, baring another alleged quarantine breach by law enforcers.

Lt. Col. Joel Ana, a resident of the city who is assigned at the Highway

Patrol Group (HPG) headquarters, was on board a white van and accompanied by

2 police motorcycles when he “bypassed” border control around 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, said Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.

“Hindi namin alam kung sinong VIP ang pumasok. This is our first time na

maka-experience na may hagad,” Agda told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo. “Mayroong

matataas na opisyal na pumupunta sa siyudad namin pero walang hagad na

ganoon.”

A city counselor later confirmed that the VIP was Ana, said the mayor. The

city’s legal team is studying the incident that “alarmed” and “angered”

residents who worked hard to keep the cityÂ’s record of zero cases of the

novel coronavirus, he said.

“Nakakahiya ho saka unfair sa mga taga-Borongan iyong ganyang pangyayari

dahil ang expectation nila sa amin lalo na kung nasa gobyerno tayo, we

should know how to abide by the law. Itong pandemyang ito, we can only

defeat this if everybody will cooperate,” Agda said.

The mayor said Agda, who he knew personally, had yet to call him to explain

the incident.

HPG director Gen. Eliseo Cruz said Ana, a logistics officer, went to

Borongan on his order to deliver supplies and firearms.

“Nag-slow down daw sila. Hindi naman daw sila pinara. Kumaway lang daw iyong

mga nasa checkpoint sa kanila,” he said in a separate TeleRadyo interview.

Cruz said he would investigate the incident and coordinate with the Borongan

government.

Under “modified checkpoint” rules, only random vehicles should be inspected

to prevent traffic jams in urban centers. However, all vehicles should be

checked when traffic is light, said Joint Task Force COVID Shield Commander

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

Eleazar said he learned that after AnaÂ’s alleged checkpoint breach, officers

went to his house to get his side. They failed to talk to him after his

housekeeper told them that he was resting. Ana already left when officers

went back the next day, he said.

“Maaaring may hindi pagkakaintindihan doon. Hindi na ito lalaki pa siguro

kung nakausap o nagkapaliwanagan,” he told TeleRadyo.

THE REST

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PROVINCES TO DEPED: DEFER AUGUST 24 SCHOOL OPENING

MANILA — The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) yesterday urged

the Department of Education (DepEd) to defer the opening of classes as it

expressed doubts on the governmentÂ’s readiness to implement distance

learning strategies.

LPP president and Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. said DepEd should

postpone the start of the school year set on Aug. 24 to either October or

November.

Velasco said that instead of opening classes in August, DepEd should conduct

a dry run for the distance learning scheme, especially in far-flung areas

where internet connection is limited.

Velasco cited his home province of Marinduque, which he said has unstable

internet connection. He said not all students have or can afford to buy

computers, laptops or tablets that they will use for distance learning.

“Face-to-face interaction between teachers and students is still the best

option,” he said as he expressed belief this could be achieved in the latter

part of the year when the government obtains a clearer picture on how to

deal with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The situation by August is still unsteady, given the rainy season and the

arrival of more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) required to undergo

quarantine protocols, he said.

“We can try it by November or December. By that time, the fight against

COVID-19 can be clearer,” he said.

Velasco said the school calendar could be adjusted until summer next year so

students can catch up with their studies.

Still prohibited

Graduation rites and other end of school year activities that require

physical interaction remain suspended even in areas without confirmed cases

of COVID-19, DepEd said.

BFP STAFF WITH COVID-19 ATTENDED 'DESPEDIDA' PARTY IN BORACAY: TOURISM CHIEF

MANILA - Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel held a "despedida party"

in Boracay last week, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said

Wednesday, after one of the bureau's staff tested positive for the

coronavirus.

The group said they were attending a conference of the Boracay Inter-Agency

Task Force from June 12 to 14 but the government body had already left the

island by then, according to Puyat.

"Ang nakakagalit ay alam naman nila na bawal at nagsabi pa na kasama daw

namin eh umalis na kami noon. 24 silang pumunta. Bawal 'yon," she said.

"Nakakainis kasi excited na lahat ng taga-Boracay na magbubukas na sila for

Western Visayas. Lahat nag-co-comply. Ingat na ingat sila sa protocols 'tas

mangyayari ito dahil sa kapabayaan dahil sa gusto lang nilang mag-party."

Puyat said the tourism department would revoke the hotel's license to

operate because it did not have permission to operate at the time as the

island reopened on Tuesday, June 16, for tourists coming from Western

Visayas.

All BFP personnel, hotel staff and those they came in contact with have been

placed under quarantine, she added.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has relieved Fire Senior Supt.

Roderick Aguto from his post as regional director of the Bureau of Fire

Protection (BFP) in Region 6.

AIRASIA TO EXPAND DOMESTIC FLIGHT OFFERINGS IN JULY

MANILA - AirAsia Philippines said Thursday it would expand domestic flights

by July as the country prepared to further ease pandemic travel

restrictions.

Flights to Bacolod, Iloilo, Tagbilaran and Palawan will resume by July 1,

said AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla. Coordination local governments is

the key to reopening more routes, he said.

Flight changes and rescheduling should be immediately relayed to passengers

to avoid clogging local airports, he said.

"The moment we go to July and there will be more flights in the future and

more passengers, then the more we really have to request ample time to

communicate with our passengers," Isla said.

Airlines were allowed to restart after Metro Manila transitioned to general

community quarantine on June 1. The capital region and other urban areas

were on lockdown or enhanced community quarantine for 11 weeks, among the

world's longest.

Prices will remain low as passengers adjust to stricter health checks under

the new normal, Isla said. AirAsia is flying below its usual 85 percent load

factor before the pandemic, he said.

AirAsia's Philippine unit earlier said it would lay off 12 percent of its

workforce or about 264 employees due to COVID-19. Isla said the retrenched

employees would be called back once the airline is back to normal.

AirAsia resumed domestic flights on June 5 and will likely fly international

routes by August, Isla said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

APL.DE.AP'S COMMENTS FOR KC CONCEPCION FUEL ROMANTIC LINKS ANEW

MANILA — Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap couldn’t help but comment on the

Instagram Live cooking session of rumored girlfriend KC Concepcion and

actress Judy Ann Santos.

KC asked Judy AnnÂ’s help to teach her to cook seafood curry, a known

specialty of the veteran actress.

The international artist, who has been romantically linked to KC, was seen

in the comments section of the live video.

"Chef KC get it," Apl wrote.

The daughter of "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta also said in the live video that

there are things she misses in her kitchen such as tenderizer.

Apl again commented on the video with “I'm gonna send you a tenderizer."

It can be recalled that KC and Apl reportedly started officially dating on

December 2019. They were also seen together in an exclusive club in Los

Angeles, California last October.

"Started the week quite right with this awesome guy (who makes Monday feel

like Friday!)," KC captioned their photo on Instagram.

Apl, back in 2009, admitted that he had a crush on KC. It was January 2011

when they first met here in the Philippines.

In an interview with Apl in April 2013, he admitted that he courted KC but

later stopped because KC had a boyfriend that time. KC's last reported

relationship was with French filmmaker-businesman Pierre Emmanuelle

Plassart.

KC and Apl have not yet confirmed reports about their rumored relationship.

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: STERLING STRIKES, LUIZ SENT OFF AS MAN CITY OUTCLASS ARSENAL

MANCHESTER, England -- Raheem Sterling scored the first goal of the Premier

League's return to action after the coronavirus lockdown as Manchester City

defeated Arsenal 3-0 behind closed doors at the Etihad stadium on Wednesday.

The result means Liverpool, whose lead has been cut to 22 points by

second-placed City, cannot now win the title on Sunday at Everton in the

Merseyside derby.

But the league table was far from the minds of the few people inside the

stadium at kickoff time, with a minute's silence for victims of the

coronavirus followed by the players and officials taking a knee in support

of the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

Sterling, a prominent supporter of the movement whose slogan featured on the

players' shirts, fired home on the stroke of halftime to put the hosts

ahead.

City had threatened on several occasions to provide the first goal of

"Project Restart" with Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno saving efforts from

Sterling and David Silva and racing out to foil Riyad Mahrez.

The goal came after Arsenal substitute David Luiz failed to deal with a ball

into the box and allowed Sterling in on goal, and the Brazilian was at fault

again for City's second.

Mahrez got the wrong side of Luiz as he burst into the box and the

ex-Chelsea defender put his hand on the Algerian's back. Referee Anthony

Taylor ruled he had pushed him to the ground, awarding a penalty and sending

off Luiz.

Kevin De Bruyne confidently converted the spot-kick and City never looked in

any danger against opponents reduced to 10 men.

City also ended the game with 10 players when Spanish defender Eric Garcia

was carried off on a stretcher after a collision with his keeper Ederson.

City were not able to replace him as manager Pep Guardiola had used all five

available substitutes.

Guardiola's side wrapped up the win in stoppage time when Sergio Aguero hit

the post, after a neat exchange with Sterling, and substitute Phil Foden

slotted home the loose ball.

THE NBA IS COMING BACK. THERE ARE 113 PAGES OF NEW RULES.

An anonymous tip line to report rules violations. Preapproved golf outings.

Protocols for how to properly disinfect basketballs. Table tennis is allowed

— but singles, no doubles.

The NBA on Tuesday night detailed its elaborate plan for resuming play this

summer by sending a 113-page handbook to team personnel, with a heavy

emphasis on health and safety protocols as the league seeks to salvage its

season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The NBAÂ’s handbook, a copy of which was obtained by The Times, is

exhaustive, itemizing the six phases of its restart, the first of which is

underway: voluntary workouts as players make their way back to team training

facilities.

Beginning July 7, teams are scheduled to begin arriving on the Disney campus

“on a staggered basis,” according to the handbook. Once on-site, players and

team personnel must quarantine until they test negative for the coronavirus

twice, at least 24 hours apart. Players, staff and anyone else inside the

so-called bubble will continue to be tested daily.

After that, teams will begin group activities — a training camp of sorts.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.03

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are

willing to give the advantage of a good light. - Ralph Waldo Emerson