Other News

NTC issues cease and desist order vs ABSCBN Corp.

(Eagle News)–The National Telecommunications Commission has issued a cease and desist order against ABSCBN Corp. In ordering the media giant to stop operating its radio and TV stations nationwide, the NTC noted RA 7966, its congressional franchise, had  expired on May 4. ABSCBN Corp. was also ordered to show cause in ten days why the frequencies specified by the NTC should not be recalled absent the congressional franchise. “Failure to respond within the period herein […]

COVID-19 cases in PHL rise to 9684; DOH says 87 percent of new cases from NCR

(Eagle News)–The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the country has climbed to 9684,  after the Department of Health reported 199 new cases on Tuesday, May 5. Of the new cases, the DOH said 87 percent or 173 were from Metro Manila, 0.5 percent or one was from Region 7, and 12.5 percent or 25 cases were from other areas. The DOH said 93 new recoveries have been reported, bringing the total to 1408. […]

PNP Chief Gamboa to CIDG: Conduct case buildup vs officials involved in irregularities in gov’t cash aid distribution

(Eagle News)–Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa has ordered a case buildup against officials involved in irregularities in the distribution of cash aid. PNP spokesperson Bernard Banac said Gamboa gave the order to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in particular. “CIDG probers will closely examine disbursement records, receipts, and other paper trail evidence, as well as sworn statements of fund recipients to uncover alleged irregularities,” Banac said. Banac said the CIDG would work closely […]

PAGASA: Tuguegarao City’s 40 degrees Celsius on Monday the highest temperature in PHL since 2018

(Eagle News)–Tuguegarao City on Monday, May 4, registered the highest temperature in the country since 2018. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the 40 degrees Celsius registered by the city was the same as the temperature recorded in Echague, Isabela two years ago. Earlier, PAGASA said the Science Garden in Quezon City registered 36.5 degrees on Monday, May 4, the highest temperature during this dry season so far. PAGASA said the PAGASA […]

Doctor who treated first US COVID patient fears second wave

by Alina DIESTE Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The doctor who treated the first COVID-19 patient in the United States said Monday he fears a second outbreak of the disease when lockdown measures are lifted. George Díaz’s first patient, diagnosed in January in Washington state, has already recovered after receiving remdesivir, an experimental drug that the US approved on Friday for emergency use. While he feels encouraged by this anti-viral, Diaz emphasized […]

Immigration bureau: More than 4000 Filipino seafarers to disembark from quarantined vessels at Manila port by May 17

(Eagle News) — More than 4000 Filipino seafarers are expected to disembark from vessels quarantined off a Manila port by May 17, the Bureau of Immigration said on Tuesday, May 5. According to Commissioner Jaime Morente, the 4559 seafarers were working in 14 cruise ships coming from Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan. The BI said that it expects eight other cruise ships and three maritime vessels to arrive within the week. He said the 14 […]

PHL gov’t targets setting up 78 COVID-19 labs, to do 30k tests per day by end of May

  (Eagle News) – The Philippines hopes to conduct 30,000 COVID-19 tests a day by the end of May as government officials pushed for a “test,test,test (T3) approach to beat the virus. Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon, the deputy chief implementer of the National Action Policy (NAP) against COVID-19, said that they also hope to set up a total of 78 laboratories by May 30. Presently, there are 20 laboratories which had […]

Panama announces 30% to 50% discount on electricity rate

Eagle News — During the coronavirus pandemic, millions of people around the world are without jobs and without substantial finances to provide for their needs and basic necessities. Panamanian President, Laurentino Cortizo, has announced that for a million La Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos (ASEP) customers, there will be a 30% to 50% discount from their electricity bill starting from April. This discount will continue to be in effect till June. The President also reassured Panamanians that […]

Virus deaths top 250,000 as billions raised for vaccine push

by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse Global deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topped a quarter-million on Monday, mostly in the US and Europe even as both regions slowly moved away from lockdown and world leaders raised billions towards a vaccine. An AFP tally of official figures showed that Europe is the hardest-hit continent with around 145,000 fatalities, and the United States recorded close to 68,700 — together accounting for more than 85 percent of global […]

NLEx Corp. releases list of toll plazas on NLEx, SCTEx amid extended ECQ in some areas

(Eagle News)–The North Luzon Expressway Corporation has released its list of toll plazas on NLEx and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway amid the extended enhanced community quarantine in some areas. NLEx Corp. said the list was as of Tuesday, May 5: NLEx Corp. said Tambubong northbound and southbound, Valenzuela Lawang Bato northbound entry and exit, Valenzuela Lingunan exit, and Libtong and Pandayan exit remain closed. Frontliners continue to provide 24/7 operations, NLEx Corp. said. The ECQ is […]

DOTr mulls “Hatid-Estudyante” program for students stranded in campuses, apartments, dorms following ECQ implementation

(Eagle News) –The Department of Transportation is mulling a “Hatid-Estudyante” program to bring home students who have been stranded in campuses, dormitories and apartments following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. In a statement, the DOTr said the program will be proposed to the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Tugade has assigned Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo, and Assistant […]

JUST IN: DepEd: Opening of next school year scheduled on Aug. 24

(Eagle News)–The Department of Education on Tuesday, May 5, said the next school year’s opening will be on Aug. 24. Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a Laging Handa briefing that August was the chosen month following discussions with the executive committee, management committee, and widespread consultations with stakeholders. She said this has been reported to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. “Tamang tama naman ito dahil sang-ayon ito sa […]