NCR PLUS: METRO MANILA, 6 NEIGHBORING PROVINCES STAY UNDER GCQ TILL JULY 15

Metro Manila and the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan should be under general community quarantine (GCQ) "with some restrictions" until the middle of July, the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) said Monday.

In a taped meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III recommended placing the National Capital Region, Rizal and Bulacan under GCQ "with some restrictions" until July 15, while Laguna and Cavite will be under GCQ "with heightened restrictions" within the same period.

NCR Plus was under GCQ with "heightened restrictions" until June 30.

Starting July 1, gyms and fitness centers in NCR, Rizal and Bulacan will be allowed to accept up to 40 percent of its total capacity, while other indoor sports courts are allowed at 50 percent capacity, according to the IATF's recommendations.

Museums and historical sites, as defined by the Department of Tourism, are also allowed to accept up to 40 percent of its total capacity, while still adhering to minimum public health standards.

Gyms and fitness centers, indoor sports courts, museums and other historical sites, on the other hand, are not allowed to open in Laguna and Cavite.

The congested capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities and a municipality, account for about two-thirds of the country's gross domestic product.

Extended coronavirus curbs will continue to hurt the Philippines' economy, which posted a record 9.6 percent slump last year.

Here is the complete list of areas under MECQ and GCQ.

MECQ

Region 2: Cagayan

CAR: Apayao

Region 3: Bataan

Region 4-A: Lucena City

Region 4-B: Puerto Princesa

Region 5: Naga City

Region 6: Iloilo City, Iloilo province

Region 7: Negros Oriental

Region 9: Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte

Region 10: Cagayan de Oro City

Region 11: Davao City, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte

CARAGA: Butuan City, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur

GCQ

NCR Plus: National Capital Region, Rizal and Bulacan — with some restrictions until July 15

Region 4-A: Laguna and Cavite — with heightened restrictions until Juyl 15

Region 4-A: Batangas and Quezon

CAR: Baguio City and Ifugao province

Region 2: City of Santiago, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino

Region 6: Guimaras, Aklan, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Antique and Capiz

Region 9: Zamboanga Sibugay, City of Zamboanga

Region 10: Iligan City

Region 12: General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Cotabato, South Cotabato

BARMM: Cotabato City

The rest of the Philippines, meanwhile, are under the lowest quarantine classification, or MGCQ, allowing businesses to fully operate while minimum health protocols are social distancing and wearing of face masks and shields are observed.

MORE CORRUPT? DUTERTE CHALLENGES PACQUIAO TO PROVE CLAIMS, NAME NAMES IN GOV’T

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night dared Sen. Manny Pacquiao to name corrupt officials and agencies so he can do something about it.

Otherwise, Duterte — the chairman of the administration PDP-Laban party — said, he will campaign against Pacquiao, who is the party's acting president.

Members of PDP-Laban have been urging Duterte to run for vice president and to pick the presidential canddiate he will run alongside, an option that he said is "not at all a bad idea."

He said, however, that he cannot work with someone who opposes him.

"Kasi kung mag-vice president ako then kala — kalaban ko kontra partido kagaya ni Pacquiao, salita nang salita na three times daw tayo mas corrupt," the president said.

"So I am challenging him, ituro mo ang opisina na corrupt at ako na ang bahala. Within one week may gawain ako (Name the office and I'll take care of it. Within one week, I'll do something)," the president said in a recording of a meeting of the pandemic task force.

"If you fail to do that, I will campaign against you because you are not doing your duty. Do it because if not, I will just tell the people: 'Do not vote for Pacquiao because he is a liar'," Duterte also said.

It is unclear where Pacquiao supposedly made the comments, but he is quoted making general statements about corruption in a December 2020 podcast interview on Nas Daily.

"I am not saying that all of them (are corrupt). If they are affected by my words, I think they're guilty of corruption," Pacquiao, who has been a vocal supporter of the Duterte administration, also said then.

The president on Monday night said that Pacquiao should have come to him to raise his concerns over corruption in government.

"Wala ka naman sinabi noong all these years, puro ka praises nang praises sa akin tapos ngayon sabihin mo corrupt," Duterte, who often reads out names of government officials removed from their posts for graft and corruption, said.

Duterte's comments on Monday night indicate rising tension within the administration party, whose members held a national assembly despite protests from Pacquiao, who said that meetings need the endorsement of the party's president and chairman.

The Palace said that the decision to hold the PDP-Laban assembly came from Duterte, who recorded a video message for party-mates who attended.

NBI’S RAP VS TEACHER OVER DUTERTE BOUNTY OFFER JUNKED FOR 3RD TIME

MANILA — The Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office has junked yet again the National Bureau of Investigation’s inciting to sedition complaint against Ronnel Mas, the teacher who was arrested without a warrant last year for allegedly offering on social media P50 million to anyone who could kill President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a resolution dated June 22, Olongapo City Assistant City Prosecutor and Zambales Acting Provincial Prosecutor JT Leonardo Santos denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the NBI which aimed to further prove that it was Mas who tweeted the controversial post.

“To be clear, it is not that a crime has not been committed that the case has been dismissed. It is the insufficiency of evidence to prove that indeed the respondent is the perpetrator of the crime, i.e., he owns the twitter account and that he is the one who posted it,” Santos said.

“The complainant has failed the required quantum of evidence required in a preliminary investigation, i.e., probable cause,” he added.

Probable cause is defined in Supreme Court cases as the “set of facts and circumstances which would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent person to believe that the offense charged in the information… has been committed by the person sought to be arrested.”

This is the 3rd time the NBI lost its case against Mas.

An Olongapo court last year quashed the information against Mas, saying the latter was illegally arrested and his subsequent media confession did not cure the invalidity of the arrest.

In February this year, the same prosecutor junked a new complaint filed by the NBI due to its failure to present additional evidence that it was Mas who tweeted the controversial post.

The NBI also failed to provide a recording of Mas’ supposed confession to the media.

The Olongapo Prosecutor’s Office, however, said the NBI can still re-file the inciting to sedition complaint vs Mas.

GROUPS SEEK TO SUE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

MANILA — Civil society groups sent notices to the National Solid Waste Management Commission and government agencies that they may face a suit for failing to address the country’s plastic pollution problem.

The organizations led by marine conservation group Oceana said this was the first step in compelling the commission and representatives of its member-agencies to implement Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Under the two-decade-old law, the NSWMC is mandated to prepare a list of non-environmentally accepted products within a year after the law’s effectivity and to update the list annually.

“We can no longer bear the inaction of the NSWMC which has failed to implement its mandated task to prepare a list of non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging (NEAPP),” Oceana Vice President Gloria Estenzo Ramos said.

“Their lack of concern for 20 long years is far too deplorable and inexcusable. The groups believe it is time to interpose and take the necessary action on this issue,” Ramos, an environmental lawyer, added.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, who serves as NSWMC’s alternate chair, welcomed the move as “this will serve as a motivation to all government officers and people who are really serious on solving the solid waste problem in the country, especially when it deals with single use plastics.”

CIDG ORDERED: INVESTIGATE VACCINE SCHEDULE 'FIXERS'

MANILA — The national police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has been directed to look into allegations that "fixers" are making money from vaccine scheduling in local governments.

This comes after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto disclosed that two fixers were caught asking for fees in exchange for allowing persons to get COVID-19 shots ahead of their schedules in Pasig City’s vaccination program.

“It's possible this isn't happening in Pasig only and this needs to be resolved immediately. We will closely coordinate with our LGUs to prevent the proliferation of this modus,” Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP chief, said in a statement.

Eleazar appealed for the public to patiently wait for their scheduled vaccination to avoid falling prey to the scheme.

MMDA DEPLOYS TRASH TRAPS TO EASE FLOODING IN METRO

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Monday installed floating trash nets to block garbage from entering its pumping stations and prevent further damage from clogging.

In a statement, MMDA chair Benhur Abalos said that two truckloads of garbage are being hauled daily in the area while a total of 32 truckloads of trash are being collected from all the 57 pumping stations across Metro Manila.

The trash traps are intended to serve the cities of Manila and Taguig, he said, after he oversaw the hauling of garbage from the trash traps on one of the tributaries of Estero Tripa de Gallina.

According to the MMDA chief, the existing amount of collected trash might still increase as the rainy season starts.

"As we expect the volume of trash to increase because of the rains and inclement weather, we also plan to gradually install trash traps on all waterways such as canals and esteros to lessen the effect of flooding in Metro Manila," Abalos said.

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PHIVOLCS: PEOPLE, NOT TAAL, SOURCE OF HAZE OVER METRO MANILA

MANILA — The haze seen over Metro Manila is from pollution caused by human activities and not because of emissions from Taal Volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Tuesday in response to public concerns about volcanic smog, or 'vog'.

Phivolcs on Monday warned people living near Taal Volcano to take precautions against volcanic smog formed because of atmospheric conditions and sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano, where Alert Level 2 remains raised.

But that doesn't mean air in Metro Manila is safe, with Switzerland-based IQAir reporting on its website that Manila has an "Unhealthy" Air Quality Index score of 153.

"PM2.5 concentration in Manila air is currently six times above WHO exposure recommendation," the company, which sells air purification systems, said.

PM2.5, or particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter, is the most dangerous kind of airborne pollution. According to the World Health Organization, PM2.5 dusts are small enough to enter the bloodstream via the respiratory system and travel throughout the body, causing asthma, heart disease and lung cancer.

IQAir recommends wearing a mask outdoors, closing windows to keep dirty outdoor air out and running an air purifier. Outdoor exercise is discouraged.

The Environmental Management Bureau, which measures PM10, recorded generally "Good" air quality in the National Capital Region except at the Pasig Station, which recorded PM10 at 70, or "Moderate/Fair".

CASE OF SLOPPY VACCINATION IN MAKATI ‘AN ISOLATED’ ONE, DOH ASSURES

MANILA—A vaccinator's failure to inject the COVID-19 shot into a recipient in Makati City was an "isolated case," the Department of Health said Tuesday.

Government has "specific safeguards" in place to ensure that inoculated individuals get their jab, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire added.

"Ginagarantiyahan po ng ating gobyerno . . . na ito po ay isang isolated case. We will be strictly monitoring all of our vaccination sites para po hindi na mangyari ang ganitong pangyayari at sana bigyan natin ng kumpiyansa ang ating vaccination process," Vergeire told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Meron ho kaming reverse logistics. All of our vaccination sites are instructed na bilangin isa-isa base sa kanilang talaan ang hiranggilya, ang ating vials ng vaccine, para tayo makasigurado po wala tayong namimimiss at kumpleto ang ating nakukuwenta."

The DOH has authorized the Makati government to investigate the incident, Vergeire said.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay has said the incident was caused by "human error on the part of the volunteer nurse that was immediately corrected."

"Nabakunahan po yung taong nasa video. Naintindihan po niya ang nangyari at siya mismo ang nagsabi na huwag tanggalin ang nurse. We ask simply for the public’s understanding," she said.

Vergeire, meanwhile, reminded health workers to be "aware and cautious" during their work.

Some 2,527,286 Filipinos out of a target of 58 million have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sunday, the government said.

SAN JUAN SEEN TO VACCINATE ENTIRE TARGET POPULATION BY MID-JULY

MANILA — San Juan City, Metro Manila's second-least populated political subdivision, is targeting a mid-July date to inoculates all its residents with coronavirus vaccines.

In a statement sent to reporters, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said that the city government has been able to vaccinate 75% of the target population or 63,950 out of 85,400 with at least one dose as of last Friday.

"We are targeting to reach 100% by the middle of July. We are targeting to vaccinate 100% of the target population with two doses by end of August," he said.

To speed up its vaccination program, the city government said it would be opening a third vaccination site soon at the V-Mall of the Greenhills Shopping Center.

According to Zamora, a third site would allow the local government unit to increase its daily vaccination capacity to "around 4,000 up to 5,000 a day."

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

NADINE LUSTRE CONSIDERS JAMES REID HER 'GREAT LOVE'

MANILA – For the first time, Nadine Lustre revealed that her breakup with James Reid actually happened in November 2019, although they only announced their separation in January 2020 after nearly four years as a couple.

In an interview with Karen Davila for the broadcaster’s vlog, Lustre said they were already talking about going their separate ways in late 2019 but stressed that it was not a bad breakup at all.

“We just wanted to work on ourselves. I get that people are sad about it but for us, it was a mutual decision. He had to take care of his family, focus on his career. I had to focus on my career and take care of my family as well and myself,” she said.

Stressing they remain friends up to this day, Lustre said: “There’s no bad blood or anything. No [third party]. Wala talaga. It was a mutual decision.”

According to Lustre, she began the new chapter of her life when she decided to finally move out of their place together.

Despite this, she remains very grateful for Reid, especially because he became her foundation when her brother passed away.

“Naging stand siya for me kasi I was so depressed. I could not eat. I had no appetite. Down talaga ako. Siya talaga 'yung humawak sa akin and kept me standing.”

Calling Reid her “great love,” Lustre said: “We learned a lot of things. We grew a lot. We were helping out each other. Hindi siya 'yung basta basta na pa-sweet lang. Marami akong natutunan sa relationship namin. A lot of me changed because of that, for the better of course. I opened up myself to a lot of new things. Great love talaga siya.”

When asked if she thinks she will fall in love again, Lustre said: “We’ll see. I am sure naman. Kasi love naman, hindi lang naman iyan pang isang tao. Hindi lang siya for an intimate kind of love. It’s for everyone.”

Nonetheless, Lustre believes that if two people are meant to be together, they will find each other and things will fall into place at the right time.

SPORTS

JAPAN OLYMPICS CHIEF: ‘NO WAY’ TO ENSURE ZERO VIRUS CASES AMONG ARRIVING TEAMS

Japan's Olympic chief said Monday there was "no way" to ensure zero virus cases among teams arriving for the Tokyo Games, as officials prepare to tighten screening procedures.

Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita said "thorough measures" would be necessary at airports, after two members of Uganda's team tested positive last week following their arrival in Japan.

"No matter what measures are put in place, there is no way we will have zero positive cases arriving," Yamashita told reporters.

"Even if you've had two vaccine doses, it doesn't guarantee every individual will be negative."

On Sunday, a Games official had said teams should be immediately isolated if they arrive in Japan with an infected team member.

"In order to make sure no clusters arise, we need to have thorough measures at the border at the time of entry to Japan," Yamashita said, adding that daily virus testing would also help reduce the risk of infections spreading.

But he hoped athletes would have "positive memories" of the Games, despite "severe restrictions" that mean they can't even leave the Olympic Village to buy souvenirs.

Yamashita, a former Olympic judo gold-medallist, said he sympathised with the athletes, who will be confined to the Village when they are not training or competing.

"How can international athletes have some time to relax and create some positive memories?"

"Of course, the top priority is to make it safe and secure, but I think we need to make an effort to give athletes that kind of space," Yamashita said.

Several high-profile athletes have already said they will not compete in Tokyo, with tennis star Serena Williams the latest to drop out on Sunday.

Williams did not give a reason for her withdrawal, but a ban on family members at the Olympics would have separated her from her daughter.

NBA SCORES JUNE 27

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Bucks2-1       27        29        27        30        113

5 Hawks1-2       32        24        29        17        102

GAME 3: MIL LEADS 2-1, STATE FARM ARENA, ATLANTA, GA

SCORING LEADERS

K. Middleton MIL

38 PTS 11 REB 7 AST

T. Young ATL

35 PTS 4 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.64

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

There is all the difference in the world between treating people equally and attempting to make them equal. - F.A. Hayek