INFLATION QUICKENS TO 2.5 PERCENT IN JUNE AS GOV'T LOOSENS VIRUS LOCKDOWNS

MANILA — Inflation accelerated for the first time this year in June as the

economy began to come out of strict lockdowns, the Philippine Statistics

Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.

Consumer prices rose 2.5% year-on-year in June, up from 2.1% in the previous

month, but still falling within the central bank's 1.9-2.7% projection for

June. Higher transport costs as public transport restarted was a key driver

of prices last month.

Last monthÂ’s inflation marked the first time this year that prices of basic

goods and services gained some pace. From January to June, inflation

averaged 2.5%, well within the 2-4% target of the Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas (BSP) which remained worried consumers now allowed out of their

homes are resisting spending.

“The latest inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s prevailing

assessment that inflation pressures remain limited due largely to the

adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the domestic and global economic

conditions,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement on Tuesday.

But prices becoming less of an issue is not entirely good news. Ahead of the

inflation report, Diokno admitted on Monday consumers continued “holding

back on their consumption,” which in turn discourages business to produce

more, slowing economic activity. Nicholas Antonio Mapa, senior economist at

ING Bank in Manila, agreed.

“With unemployment skyrocketing to 17.7% in (second quarter), demand for

commodities remains weak which should keep a lid on price pressures in the

coming months,” Mapa said in an online exchange.

CORONAVIRUS AIRBORNE? EVIDENCE 'NOT ENOUGH', SAYS HEALTH DEPT

MANILA — The health department said Tuesday there was "not enough" evidence

yet to back a report by more than 200 scientists who warned the novel

coronavirus can spread in tiny airborne particles, which should change

pandemic guidelines.

In an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, 239

scientists in 32 countries said floating virus particles can infect people

who breathe them in. Because those smaller particles can linger in the air,

the scientists urged the Geneva-based agency to update its pandemic

guidance.

"We are studying all of these articles that are coming out everyday and

still there are not enough evidence at this moment to specifically say that

it is already airborne," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told

ANC.

"We are still working on that concept that COVID is transmitted via droplet

infection," she added.

The WHO says SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads primarily

through small droplets expelled from the nose and mouth of an infected

person that quickly sink to the ground.

Even in its latest update on the coronavirus, released June 29, the WHO said

airborne transmission of the virus is possible only after medical procedures

that produce aerosols, or droplets smaller than 5 microns.

Any change in the WHO's assessment of risk of transmission could affect its

current advice on keeping 1-meter of physical distancing. Governments, which

rely on the agency for guidance policy, may also have to adjust public

health measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.

The health department is "still gathering more evidence" on a separate study

saying that a recent surge in COVID-19 cases may be partly due to a mutation

in the novel coronavirus that makes it at least 3 times more infectious,

said Vergeire.

"The evidence is not complete yet... It has been stated in that article that

they still need to have these reviews before they can really provide the

public with complete information," she said.

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE CASES MAY TOP 100,000 BY AUGUST, WARNS UP EXPERT

MANILA — Cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines may

surpass the 100,000-mark by the end of August, an expert from the University

of the Philippines said Tuesday, as he urged the government to tweak

pandemic protocols.

The health department on Tuesday confirmed a record-high jump in "fresh

cases" or those whose results were released in the last 3 days, which

brought the total tally to 46,333.

The cases are increasing by at least 1,000 cases a day and areas without any

COVID-19 case before lockdowns were eased recently became virus hotspots,

said mathematics professor Dr. Guido David, a member of the UP OCTA Research

group.

"Sa nakita ko, iyong trend niya mas mataas pa, hihigit pa sa 100,000 kung

hindi natin baguhin iyong ating sistema, ating pag-handle ng pandemya,"

Authorities should tighten border controls, ramp up coronavirus screening,

and bring those who test positive for the virus to isolation facilities

instead of going on home quarantine, Guido said.

The government should also rethink the transportation of workers, after

scores of MRT personnel caught the virus, he said.

The professor also urged the public to wear masks, and practice physical

distancing and hygiene.

BANGSAMORO SEEKS SEAT IN ANTI-TERRORISM COUNCIL: INTERIM CHIEF

MANILA - The Bangsamoro Transition Authority is now seeking representation

in the anti-terrorism council, its interim chief said Tuesday, less than a

week after it asked President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the controversial law.

Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim last week raised alarms over the anti-terror law's

contentious provisions on the definition of terrorism, method of

surveillance, and the "power of the anti-terrorism council to order an

arrest."

"We issued another statement. We respect the decision of the President and

being in the Bangsamoro Transition government, we'll support the

implementation of the law. But on the other hand, we are again requesting

for the sake of our constituents, na baka pwedeng maging miyembro kami d'yan

sa council. At least we can represent our people," he told ANC Tuesday.

"'Yung mga constituent namin ang very apprehensive. Sila kasi, the

experience of our people during the martial law time...tells them thereÂ’s

danger, risk in this terrorism bill."

The Bangsamoro government is in contact with the Office of the President and

Department of National Defense over the matter, Murad said.

"We are engaging our people now. We have been calling meetings. We see that

the remedy we can have is an effective role in the anti-terrorism council. I

think that would at least send a message to our people that we still have

authority, the chance to defend their rights," he added.

DUTERTE EMOTIONAL, NOT ILL – PALACE

MANILA - President DuterteÂ’s seemingly weak appearance during his visit to

Zamboanga City last week was not health-related but caused by an “emotional

issue” following the death of four soldiers at the hands of police in Sulu,

Malacañang said yesterday.

There were observations that Duterte looked weak when he delivered a speech

before soldiers at Edwin Andrews Air Base last Friday. During his speech,

the President urged soldiers to remain calm and to wait for results of the

investigation as exacting revenge wonÂ’t yield anything beneficial.

“He looked frail because he was really sad. It was the first time I saw the

President that sad. He was like a father who lost children because of a

quarrel among themselves,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in

Filipino at a press briefing.

“He was really emotional. At some point, his voice cracked... he really took

very personally the incident in Jolo... So thatÂ’s not health-related, itÂ’s

more of an emotional issue,” he added.

“He (Duterte) promised to deliver justice... Let’s just leave the

investigation to the NBI because he seems to be the most affected, besides

the family of the slain soldiers,” Roque said.

CAYETANO URGES 'CONSCIENCE VOTE' ON ABS-CBN FRANCHISE

MANILA - House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Monday he is seeking a

conscience vote among his colleagues in Congress on ABS-CBN's franchise as

he said he was no longer personally testifying in the ongoing hearings.

"I cannot speak for the parties kasi nag-uusap-usap din sila. But from the

start, we have been urging a conscience vote," Cayetano said in a media

interview at the sidelines of the turnover of donations of members of the

House of Representatives to Quezon City residents.

"From the start, we've been saying that kung ikaw (ay) pro, open mo yung

mind mo sa mga umaangal; kung ikaw naman isa sa mga umaangal, open your mind

sa sasabihin ng management. That's why we made the hearings public so that

people can decide for themselves," he said.

According to him, lawmakers will have to deal with their own appreciation of

which is right or wrong, and where their constituents stand on the issue.

"When do you exercise leadership na ito tama, mali; whether it's popular or

unpopular; and when naman the people's voice is supreme,” Cayetano said.

"Yung conscience, napaka-importante sa boto."

Since he would no longer attend the hearings, Cayetano said he will just

submit in writing his grievances to the committee and ask ABS-CBN to

respond.

“I thought about testifying today. And siguro, if I was not a member of

Congress and I was not Speaker ay personal ko pong ilalatag sa committee

today yung pananaw ko na nagkaroon ng bias noong 2016 elections, in

particular during the placement ng ads, nung sa coverage, etcetera.”

Cayetano said he does not want to influence the decision of his colleagues

by personally testifying against ABS-CBN.

"I would rather not be adversarial at this moment. Maaring last hearing

ngayon, pero napakaraming nagpalista," he said.

He expected the hearing to be extensive, and pressed the media to understand

what media bias is.

THE REST

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DOH APOLOGIZES FOR MISTAKENLY IDENTIFYING EMERGING COVID-19 HOTSPOTS IN

METRO MANILA

MANILA — The Department of Health issued an apology Monday night hours after

it mistakenly announced that four cities in Metro Manila had been classified

as emerging virus hotspots.

In a televised briefing Monday afternoon, Health Undersecretary Maria

Rosario Vergeire identified the cities of Marikina, Muntinlupa, Makati and

Quezon City as emerging hotspots.

She said Marikina City had 51 cases for a case growth rate of 43.47%, while

Muntinlupa had 30 cases for a case growth rate of 35.16%. Quezon CityÂ’s 406

cases represented a 34.5% growth rate and MakatiÂ’s 135 cases for a 30.18%

growth rate.

The data that Vergeire mentioned, however, were from June.

“The following cities were mistakenly classified as hotspots and was based

on a report last month,” the DOH said in a statement Monday night.

It said that as of July 5, three of the four cities earlier mentioned showed

decline in the growth of COVID-19 cases, with Marikina decreasing by 68%,

Muntinlupa by 10% and Makati by 4%.

But the department said it is closely monitoring the situation in Quezon

City, which has shown an increase by 34%.

“We apologize for the confusion. This is our up to date record. We will

redouble our efforts to keep our reports as current as possible,” the DOH

said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases reached 46,333 Tuesday after the DOH

added 2,099 infections to its tally. The recent spike in virus cases was

attributed to “increased contact among the population” as the government

further eased restrictions on movement nationwide.

MANILA EXCEEDS TARGET FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

MANILA — Education officials in Manila have exceeded the target enrollment

rate for public schools after hitting 100.46 percent.

As of Friday, 270,219 learners have enrolled in public schools in the

capital, higher than the target of 268,972, data from the Manila Division of

City Schools showed.

Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said the increase might be due to the

transfer of students from private schools after the coronavirus pandemic

affected the income of many families and individuals.

"Sabi ko, maghanda tayo ng buffer kasi 'yong mga nasa private school lilipat

'yan ng public school sa hirap ng buhay. Mukhang tumama, maraming lumipat,"

the mayor said in a Facebook Live broadcast.

Domagoso thanked parents for enrolling their children in the coming school

year, which is scheduled to start on August 24.

The local chief executive earlier said he would allocate P1.065 billion to

purchase gadgets that teachers and students may use as schools shift to

distance learning.

Teachers will be issued laptops with pocket WiFi devices while students will

get tablet devices with SIM cards, according to the city government.

In-person classes remain suspended pending the availability of a vaccine

against the new coronavirus disease, which has infected 46,333 in the

country.

The Department of Education has extended enrollment in public schools to

July 15.

MERALCO APOLOGIZES FOR BILL SHOCK

MANILA — The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has apologized for the so-called

“bill shock” as it assured customers that the P47 convenience fee for online

payments will be waived, aside from a swift refund for any overcharging.

Meralco president and chief executive officer Ray Espinosa told the Senate

committee on energy that the countryÂ’s largest distribution utility (DU) is

doing its best to ease the woes of its customers, who have complained about

confusing or high billing during the quarantine period.

“Let me apologize for the continuing inconvenience to consumers brought

about by the concerns on billing matters. We will double and triple our

efforts to address them,” Espinosa told Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs

the committee, during its hearing via video conference. “We would like to

assure all that all our efforts are poured into this direction.”

Espinosa said Meralco is deploying more people to its business centers and

call centers to respond to all customer issues.

He also said that the power company has waived the P47 convenience fee for

customers who pay their bills through its app while the general community

quarantine (GCQ) is still in effect. “So until the GCQ is terminated or

moved to the new normal, we will spare the consumer of the cost of the

convenience fee. It will be absorbed by us.”

For those who have already paid their bills in cash or credit card for their

bills for March, April and May—which were based on estimates—but wish to pay

these, instead, by installment, they may get a refund and will thereafter

receive a detailed letter that they are to be billed in installments.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

JOHN LLOYD, MARIA RESSA JOIN NEW 'GREAT DICTATOR' PROTEST VIDEO AGAINST

ANTI-TERROR LAW

MANILA -- A wide ranging coalition of artists, legislators, journalists,

educators and other multi-sectoral personalities is showcased in the second

version of the much-talked-about “The Great Dictator” protest video against

the recently signed anti terror law.

The video collective, which features playwright Rody Vera's Tagalog

translation of the speech of Hollywood icon Charlie Chaplin in his 1940

movie “The Great Dictator” against tyrants, was posted Monday by its

director Chuck Gutierrez.

Gutierrez worked on the video for three weeks with many personalities

approaching him to volunteer their services for the project.

Among the new participants are National Artist Ben Cabrera, former Chief

Justice Lourdes Sereno, actor John Lloyd Cruz, director Lav Diaz, lawyer

Chel Diokno; and journalists Maria Ressa and Inday Varona.

Filmed in black and white, the video of the nearly six-minute speech

dramatically starts with Cruz declaring: "Ikinalulungkot ko pero ayaw kong

maging diktador."

The video was first released on June 12, Independence Day, after the

anti-terror bill was submitted to Malacanan for approval.

Gutierrez said the new video collaboration is stronger in terms of impact

amid the approval of the terror bill last week; and the increasing media

repression.

The other volunteers in the video are professor Randy David; actors Janine

Gutierrez, Jasmine Curtis Smith, Lotlot de Leon, Mae Paner, Nanding Josef

and Bituin Escalante; Neri Colmenares; directors Baby Ruth Villarama and

Carlitos Siguion Reyna; writer Bibeth Orteza; Chito Gascon, chairman of the

Commission of Human Rights; bar topnotcher Mae Diane Azores; lawyer Ted Te;

party list Rep. Carlos Zarate; businessman Charlie Yu; congressman Kit

Belmonte; economist Winnie Monsod; gender equality activist Queenmelo

Esguerra; and Sister Mary John Mananzan.

One of the speechÂ’s powerful highlights tells of the ultimate triumph of

freedom, which goes: “Ang pagdurusang laganap ngayon ay dulot ng kasakiman,

kapaitan ng ilang takot sa pag-unlad ng sangkatauhan. Ang kapuotan nila ay

lilipas din at papanaw ang mga diktador. Ang kapangyarihang inagaw nila ay

babalik sa mga tao. Sa kabila ng kamatayan ng marami, ang kalayaan ay di

maglalaho.”

It is a direct translation of the ChaplinÂ’s climactic speech in his movie

against the rise of dictators such as Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito

Mussolini of Italy in the late 1930s: “The misery that is now upon us is but

the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human

progress. The hate of men will pass and dictators will die and the power

they tool from the people will will return to the people. And so as men die,

liberty will never perish.”

All previous participants in the first version are also part of the new “The

Great Dictator” video. This includes among others Iza Calzado, director Joel

Lamangan, Joanna Ampil, Bart Guingona, Sue Prado, Ria Atayde, Melvin Lee,

Noel Escondo, Jun Sabayton Jr., Rhenwelyn Gabalonzo, Tad Tadioan, Ian

Segarra, Guelan Luarca, Marco Vian~a, Chynna Ortaleza, Meann Espinosa,

Adrienne Vergara, Qiel Quiwa, Missy Maramara, Gabe Mercado, Julia Enriquez,

Vance Larena, Kean Cipriano, Toni Go, Steven Conde, Joel Saracho, and

Ketchup Eusebio.

The video ended with the call: “Mga kababayan, sa ngalan ng demokrasya,

magkaisa tayo,” before showing the hashtag #junkterrorlaw.

SPORTS

NBA: BUCKS, KINGS CLOSE PRACTICE FACILITIES AFTER POSITIVE COVID-19 TESTS

NEW YORK -- The Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings of the National

Basketball Association closed their practice facilities due to positive

COVID-19 tests, the teams said on Monday, as the league prepared to resume

its season.

Teams across the league are expected to travel to Orlando, Florida, this

week to restart the season, which was abruptly suspended in March due to the

COVID-19 outbreak, with players living and playing at Walt Disney World.

A spokesman for the Bucks confirmed the team had closed its practice

facility after receiving test results from Friday but declined to comment

further.

The team's first scrimmage in Florida is scheduled for July 23 against the

San Antonio Spurs.

A member of the Kings' traveling party to Orlando also tested positive,

prompting the closure of the team's practice center. A spokesman said the

team still plans to travel to Orlando this week. Its first scrimmage is July

22.

The Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets also closed their practice centers

after players tested positive last month.

The Orlando restart officially begins on July 30.

The NBA said last week a total of 25 players and 10 staff members had tested

positive for COVID-19 since June 23, when testing began.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sports do not build character. They reveal it. - Billie Jean King