ROBREDO: GOVERNMENT FAILED TO 'ACT URGENTLY' AT THE ONSET OF COVID-19 CRISIS

MANILA — The Philippines failed to "act urgently" at the start of the

coronavirus pandemic and was still "catching up" with the response of other

countries despite imposing one of the longest lockdowns in the world, Vice

President Leni Robredo said Thursday.

When the health department confirmed the first COVID-19 cases in January,

the government "dilly-dallied" with the cancellation of flights to and from

China, and was "not very strict on its implementation," she said.

Authorities also appeared to lack "sense of urgency" in purchasing safety

gear for frontliners when the lockdown of Metro Manila and other urban

centers started in March, said Robredo.

"We did not act urgently. Kaya nararamdaman natin ngayon iyong mga gaps,

kasi naging complacent tayo at the very start," she told ANC.

"Hanggang ngayon marami pa tayong kina-catch up instead of sumasabay na sana

tayo sa experiences ng iba."

Robredo said authorities could have sourced "medical-grade" PPEs from local

suppliers, like her office did, instead of competing with other countries

for imported supplies.

"Yung late kasi saka early, relative iyon. 'Pag naunahan tayo ng iba, late

pa rin tayo," she said.

The Vice President also urged the health department to meet its deadline for

coronavirus testing. The Philippines currently runs 12,000 tests a day, less

than half of its 30,000 daily screening target by end of May, she said.

"Sa akin, bilisan na iyon because even if we ease the lockdown already... if

people are still afraid to go out, wala e, iyong negosyo maghihirap. 'Pag

naghirap ang negosyo, damay ang lahat," she said.

'MAHIRAP MAGPALIT NG HENERAL SA GITNA NG LABAN': ROBREDO REJECTS QUIT CALL

VS DUQUE

MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III should stay at the helm of

efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic despite an investigation by the

Office of the Ombudsman into his alleged lapses, Vice President Leni Robredo

said Thursday.

"Mahirap iyong kalaban natin. All hands on deck dapat. Parang mahirap

magpalit ng heneral habang nasa gitna ng laban," the vice president said in

an ANC interview.

The Ombudsman is investigating Duque over allegedly overpriced coronavirus

testing kits, delayed safety gear for medical workers, lapses in the death

of health frontliners and the processing of their benefits, and "confusing"

reporting of COVID-19 cases.

"Naintindihan ko rin iyong pinanggalingan niya (Martires) na sa panahon

ngayon trust is a currency, na 'pag ang tao hindi tumitiwala sa namumuno,

mahirap hingiin ang kaniyang cooperation... That's why he is saying this

investigation is very important because people need to trust DOH," said

Robredo.

Duque should be "open to criticism" and encourage the private sector to join

the COVID-19 fight, she said.

"Unless he does not want to listen, then it would be time for him to leave,"

she said.

150 SAF COMMANDOS TO OVERSEE QUARANTINE IN VIRUS-HIT CEBU CITY

MANILA - Some 150 elite policemen will be deployed to Cebu City to oversee

quarantine measures as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Visayan urban

hub, the Philippine National Police said Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte reverted the city to strict lockdown or enhanced

community quarantine starting June 15 from general community quarantine due

to the rising number of infections.

Residents were "not strictly following quarantine rules," with most "going

out of their homes, not wearing face masks and not observing physical

distancing," the PNP said, citing the observation of the Inter-Agency Task

Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases during its visit in

Cebu City.

The deployment of the Special Action Force (SAF) was "deemed necessary to

compel local residents from unnecessarily going out of their homes" and urge

them to wear face masks when outside, according to Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo

Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.

The group's deployment was proven effective in Metro Manila, Eleazar added,

citing a "significant decline" in the region's number of quarantine

violators.

"SAF commandos are known to be strict in enforcing the quarantine rules

which subsequently compelled hardheaded residents to stay in their houses,"

he said.

Cebu Police regional director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the SAF

deployment would help in quarantine enforcement in Cebu City.

Three senior officers from the PNPÂ’s Directorate for Integrated Police

Operations-Visayas and Directorate for Operations will also be sent to Cebu

City to "serve as our link to closely supervise and assist in the ECQ

implementation," Eleazar said.

As of Wednesday, the city has 4,216 cases of COVID-19, with 328 recoveries

and 68 deaths, according to the health department.

The Philippines has tallied 32,295 coronavirus infections, with 1,204 deaths

and 8,656 recoveries.

HOUSE PROBES CHAOTIC OFW REPATRIATION

MANILA — The House of Representatives will start tomorrow its investigation

into the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded

either abroad or in the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

pandemic.

Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, chairman of the public accounts

committee, will initiate the probe upon the advice of Speaker Alan Peter

Cayetano who recently castigated social welfare officials over the pandemic

cash aid to the poor.

“Consistent with the directive of the Speaker in the case of the Social

Amelioration Program, we want to look into the problems plaguing the

repatriation of our workers overseas who have lost their jobs due to the

COVID-19 pandemic, and find solutionsÂ… We want the living as well as the

dead repatriated as soon as possible. They have been stranded abroad for

months,” he said.

House leaders, he added, are puzzled why it is taking the concerned agencies

so long to fly home the stranded OFWs.

“We have thousands of them in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle

East and Europe who have been waiting to return home since the coronavirus

outbreak,” he observed.

“What are the agencies’ problems in trying to get them home? Are there no

planes that can be chartered to fly them? Are there no government planes or

ships that could be used? Are there sufficient repatriation and related

funds? These are some of the questions we want answered,” Defensor added.

Aside from these, the House also wanted to investigate the problems

surrounding those who have already been repatriated but remain stranded

inside quarantine facilities, in airports or other places before they could

be allowed to go back to their respective provinces.

PALACE: UP TO DUQUE TO ADDRESS CALLS TO GO ON LEAVE, RESIGN

MANILA — Malacañang is leaving it up to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III

to respond to calls for him to go on leave while the ombudsman is probing

the alleged irregularities in his agencyÂ’s handling of the coronavirus

disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Department of Health (DOH) is under fire over supposed anomalies in the

purchase of medical supplies and the alleged delay in the release of

compensation for medical frontliners.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered an investigation on the DOHÂ’s pandemic

response and has required Duque and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado to

submit documents detailing the use of funds for COVID-19-related expenses.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has asked Duque to take a leave of absence to ensure

an impartial probe while Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the health

chief “should save the President from any predicament or responsibility in

his tenure.”

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, called for DuqueÂ’s resignation, saying

the administrationÂ’s response to the pandemic has been slow and inefficient.

Despite the issues hounding the DOH, Duque continues to enjoy the trust of

Duterte. Last Monday, Duterte said Duque does not need to steal government

funds because he is already wealthy.The President also claimed that his

officials are “clean” and that he believes in their honesty and integrity.

BAYANIHAN LAW EXPIRES TODAY; NO MORE EMERGENCY POWERS

MANILA — The Bayanihan to Heal As One Act expires today, and with it

President DuterteÂ’s emergency powers to quickly procure medical supplies

needed for the governmentÂ’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19) pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., however, expressed hope yesterday

that the executive branch would find middle ground with Congress in order to

address the issue.

Roque admitted that the approval of the economic stimulus package prior to

adjournment of the 18th Congress earlier this month hit a snag due to

disagreements among some executive officials, such as Finance Secretary

Carlos Dominguez III, and lawmakers.

“The original proposal was simply to expand the emergency powers and that

would have been no problem, but the pending bills now in both houses of

Congress incorporated the stimulus package, and thatÂ’s where differences

(arose) with the executive,” Roque said. “Secretary Dominguez doesn’t want

the stimulus package to be something that we canÂ’t pay for. But I think

negotiations are continuing.”

The PresidentÂ’s emergency powers, Roque noted, enabled the government to act

swiftly in the procurement of ventilators, personal protective equipment and

test kits, and provide budget for the hiring and deployment of healthcare

workers.

THE REST

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COURT DROPS INCITING TO SEDITION RAP VS TEACHER OVER ANTI-DUTERTE POST

MANILA — An Olongapo Regional Trial Court judge rejected the inciting to

sedition charge against public school teacher Ronnel Mas who offered a P50

million reward for President Rodrigo DuterteÂ’s killing on a tweet.

Olongapo RTC Judge Richard Paradeza granted Mas' Motion to Quash — where the

accused raised the illegality of his arrest — and ordered the dismissal of

the inciting to sedition charge against the public school teacher.

Mas was arrested over his tweet, posted May 5, that read: “I will give P50

million reward kung sino makakapatay kay Duterte.”

National Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Mas on a “hot pursuit”

operation on May 11, but Assistant State Prosecutor Jeanette Dacpano ruled

that the arrest “does not fall within the ambit of warrantless arrest

contemplated by the law.”

The inquest prosecutor held: “Inciting to sedition is not a continuous crime

for which the offender may be arrested without a warrant duly issued by the

proper authority.”

Dacpano also said that this defective warrantless arrest was “immaculately

cured” by Mas’ confession to members of the media.

On warrantless arrest on case assailing a tweet

The court found that Mas’ arrest as illegal, and that it is “disturbing”

that NBI agents accosted Mas based merely on a statement on the ownership of

the twitter account that was given six days later.

“Owing to the appreciable lapse of time between the arrest of the accused

and the commission of the crime charged, it is safe to conclude that the

arrest of the accused is unlawful,” it held.

The court also stressed that under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, a

warrantless arrest is valid if the offense had just been committed and there

is probable cause to believe based on personal knowledge of facts that the

person to be arrested committed it.

The court said that following this rule, the arresting officers of the NBI

must have personal knowledge of the crime, or is a witness of the crime.

“[W]hile the law enforcers may not actually witness the execution of acts

constituting the offense, they must have direct knowledge or view of the

crime right after its commission,” the ruling read.

“Mere intelligence information that the suspect committed the crime will not

suffice,” it added.

FDA WARNS OF UNLICENSED HAND SANITIZERS

MANILA — With many unscrupulous individuals now making money from the

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Food and Drug

Administration is urging the public to buy only hand sanitizers, topical

antiseptics and topical antibacterial products that are licensed by the FDA.

In an advisory, FDA director general Eric Domingo said people, for safety

purposes, should not buy or use products that are not registered with the

agency.

“The public is hereby enjoined to be vigilant in the purchase and use of

these types of products in light of the proliferation of

unregistered/unnotified products that are offered for sale in the market

especially during this time when a state of calamity has been declared due

to the COVID-19 threat in the country,” he noted.

He also advised the public to buy only FDA-registered products from

“reputable establishments.”

The agency asked retailers, hospitals and other government offices and units

to make sure they get these products from FDA-licensed manufacturers and

distributors.

QUANTITY RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON GROCERY ITEMS

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has lifted the quantity

limits for the sale and purchase of essential products, except for alcohol,

sanitizers, disinfecting liquids and face masks.

In its Memorandum Circular 20-36 issued last Monday, the DTI lifted the caps

imposed for the sale and purchase of bath soap, toilet paper, instant

noodles, canned sardines, canned milk, powdered milk, instant coffee,

mineral water, bread loaf, wet wipes, detergent soap, toothpaste, mouthwash,

canned pork, canned beef, cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce and

dried fish.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez explained yesterday that the limits were lifted

after the DTI “managed a healthy inventory for these items, which range from

two weeks to a month and a half.”

He said the caps were set during the enhanced community quarantine amid

reports of hoarding and profiteering. The caps were also meant to prevent

any unreasonable increase in prices of basic necessities, as well as ensure

availability of the products.

The DTI circular also eased the cap in the sale or purchase of disinfecting

alcohol, hand sanitizers and disinfecting liquids to allow a person to buy

up to five bottles for sizes one liter or below, and three bottles for

quantities of more than a liter.

6 AREAS IN VISAYAS IDENTIFIED AS EMERGING COVID-19 HOTSPOTS

MANILA — New coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hotspots are emerging in parts

of Central and Eastern Visayas after seeing a rise in number of infections,

the Department of Health said.

Metro Manila, which accounts for half of the countryÂ’s confirmed 32,295

cases, is still considered the epicenter of the nationÂ’s outbreak.

But in a press briefing Wednesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire

identified Cebu City, Cebu province, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Leyte and

Samar as emerging COVID-19 hotspots.

“Di pa ganun karami ang kaso sa mga nasabing lugar ngunit nakikita na natin

na mas mabilis nang tumataas kumpara sa ibang lugar,” Vergeire said.

15 COPS AXED OVER ESCAPE OF CHINESE POGO WORKERS

MANILA — Fifteen police officers were relieved from their posts yesterday

after six Chinese workers for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO)

detained on charges of syndicated estafa escaped from their cell at the

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters at Camp Karingal on Monday.

Zhang Yi Xin, Ludon Jin Song, Song Qicheng, Lu Yinliang, Huang Yong Quiao

and Chen Bin were recaptured by police on Tuesday night.

The suspects were on the loose for nearly 24 hours when they were recaptured

near a creek at the corner of Mapagkumbaba and Fulgencio streets in Barangay

Krus na Ligas at around 9:30 p.m., according to QCPD director Brig. Gen.

Ronnie Montejo.

The escapees came out from a drainage where they were cornered by police.

Montejo sacked the 15 police officers, led by Maj. Adonis Escamillan, who

were on duty when the Chinese were discovered missing.

The policemen assigned with the District Mobile Force Battalion were

disarmed following a probe conducted by the Criminal Investigation and

Detection Group, Montejo said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'NO MORE EXCUSES': JOHN LLOYD APPEALS TO FOLLOW HEALTH PROTOCOLS TO FIGHT

COVID-19

MANILA – John Lloyd Cruz is using his voice in sending an important message

as the country fights the coronavirus disease.

In a video uploaded in the Facebook page of the University of the

Philippines Medical Alumni Society – Cebu Chapter, Cruz said there are no

more excuses as to why Filipinos should not follow strict health protocols.

“Ako man guilty usahay. (Kahit ako guilty minsan). Pero sugod karon, wa nay

rason. (Pero simula ngayon, wala nang rason). No more excuses,” he said.

“Magsuot ho tayo ng face mask. Maghugas lagi ng kamay. Manatili po tayo sa

ating mga balay (bahay). At kung kinakailangan po lumabas, sundin po ang

social distancing. Naay paglaum. Kita ang paglaum. (There is hope. We are

the hope),” he added.

SPORTS

SPARKING SOCIAL CHANGE IS NBA RESTART GOAL: ADAM SILVER

NEW YORK - NBA commissioner Adam Silver and players' union president Chris

Paul said Wednesday the goal of the NBA restart will be to promote social

justice and combat systemic racism.

NBA and National Basketball Players Association leaders agreed that next

month's planned resumption in Orlando of a 2019-20 campaign halted in March

by the coronavirus pandemic must address the league's role in combating

issues facing the black community.

The Black Lives Matter movement has risen to global prominence after the

death of unarmed black man George Floyd while in police custody last month

in Minnesota.

"The issues of systemic racism and police brutality in our country need to

end," said Oklahoma City Thunder guard Paul.

"As a union of NBA players and as a league, it is our job to use our

collective platform to both put a spotlight on those issues and work to

effect change."

While no specific plans were finalized in a Tuesday meeting, the league and

union agreed to work together to support activism by players as well as to

continue dialogue.

"The league and the players are uniquely positioned to have a direct impact

on combating systemic racism in our country, and we are committed to

collective action to build a more equal and just society," Silver said.

"A shared goal of our season restart will be to use our platform in Orlando

to bring attention to these important issues of social justice."

Talks included studying strategies to increase black representation across

the league, include more black-owned businesses in league activities and

create an NBA foundation to expand educational and economic development

opportunities across the black community.

Players from 22 NBA teams plan to enter a "bubble" atmosphere next month in

Orlando with plans to resume the campaign on July 30 and stage the NBA

Finals in October.

Some NBA players have expressed concern about being quarantined for the

return at a time of major social change for the black community in the

United States.

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is

rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong. - Lao Tzu