AS MORE areas are now under general community quarantine (GCQ), the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved interim guidelines for workplaces to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019
(Covid-19). Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the IATF is pushing for alternative work arrangements, which include working-hour shifts, work from home schemes, and working on a rotational basis. He said prolonged face-to-face interaction
between workers and clients is discouraged and masks shall be worn at all times. Meetings needing physical presence shall be kept to a minimum number of participants and with short durations while video conferencing shall Continue on page 3
No need for Duterte to bare health records FILIPINOS WHO wanted President Rodrigo Duterte to make public his health records will have to abide by the Supreme Court decision junking a petition filed in April by a lawyer seeking the release of medical records and health bulletins of the
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DOH to start clinical trials on Covid patients
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HE GOVERNMENT is set to start clinical trials of the antiviral medicine, Avigan, on people infected with the deadly coronavirus or Covid-19, the Department of Health said. Continue on page 3
US ‘concerned’ over ABSCBN shutdown
Morgan Ortagus
THE UNITED States voiced concern over the Philippine government-ordered shutdown of the country’s top broadcaster ABS-CBN, which has been targeted by President Rodrigo Duterte. “We are concerned by the situation regarding ABS-CBN,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. “An independent media plays a critical role in facilitating the open exchange of information and ideas which is vital to free, prosperous and Continue on page 2
Avigan, also known as Favipiravir, is drug used to treat influenza. It was developed six years ago by Japanese pharmaceutical company Fujifilm Toyama Chemical. (NHK)
NFA rice smell moldy, not fit for consumption, say Zambo villagers ZAMBOANGA CITY residents have complained of receiving rice with moldy smell from their village of-
ficials and said even dogs would not eat the grains. “The rice was dirty, smelly and all those who were
given rice did not even cook it. I washed it thoroughly Continue on page 3
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Duterte says sorry to tycoons PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte has apologized for his “hurting words” about two tycoons whom he openly dislikes, responding to their help in fighting the coronavirus by offering an olive branch to settle a costly regulatory row. Shares in conglomerates Ayala Corp and Metro Pacific Investments Corp , owners of the country’s two largest water distributors, climbed on Tuesday following the president’s late night apology. “So maybe there will be a lot of legal issues but we can talk. I am ready to talk and I would be reasonable,” Duterte said during a televised speech. “My hurtful words to the Ayalas and to (Manuel) Pangilinan, I apologise for the hurting words,” he said, adding that the novel coronavirus outbreak had humbled him. During his four years in office, Duterte has repeatedly lashed out at Pangilinan and the Ayala family for numerous reasons. The billionaires typically do not comment on
his remarks. Between them, their firms have a telecoms duopoly and major interests in real estate, retail, renewable energy, healthcare, power, education and infrastructure. The Philippines was among the first countries to enforce strict home quarantine measures against coronavirus, which has infected 9,485 people in the country and killed 623 of them. The capital, Manila, and several other urban centers have been under a strict lockdown for nearly seven weeks. Private firms have donated much-needed protective gear and other supplies to hospitals and the public, plugging some gaps in government efforts. Ayala Corp rose as much as 8.5% while subsidiary Manila Water Co Inc spiked up to 13.2% and infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific rose as much as 11.6%, all outpacing the 1.8% uptick of the broader index <.PSI>. Duterte had criticized
contracts of Manila Water and Metro Pacific’s Maynilad Water “onerous and disadvantageous” to the public and threatened to strip them of their concessions. His public barbs since December have caused big share price losses for the companies, and rattled investors already wary about regulatory risks from Duterte’s notorious volatility and his influence over courts and Congress. The companies’ concessions, which allow them to service a combined 16 million customers mostly in the capital, will expire in 2022 but are subject to a 15-year extension under review. In a statement, Ayala’s top executives welcomed Duterte’s comments, committing to help the government to save lives and gradually put the country back on a growth path. Pangilinan also welcomed Duterte’s remarks, saying his group was willing to work with the government. (Reuters)
US ‘concerned’ over ABSCBN shutdown Continued from page 1 secure democratic societies,” she said, adding, that free media was especially vital in promoting public health amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. “This is true for the United States, the Philippines, as well as countries around the world,” she said. The Duterte administration shut down ABS-CBN after it failed to renew its franchise amid the coronavirus pandemic. The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) served the notice on ABS-CBN to cease its broadcast operations, including all its radio stations. The closure came after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned the NTC on May 3 against granting provisional authority to ABSCBN, saying, only Congress can grant franchises to public utilities, including broadcasting companies, for them to operate. But Congress did not act on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Former Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo even told lawmakers in February to do their job, saying, it is the responsibility of Congress to deliberate on whether or not to grant or renew franchises. “As far as he (Duterte) is concerned, that issue is in the hands of Congress and he has nothing to do with it. Do their work,” Panelo said. ABS-CBN President and CEO, Carlo Katigbak
also gave his statement on the last hour of its broadcast and said thousands of employees will be affected by the closure. “Alang-alang po sa mahigit labing-isang libong nagta-trabaho sa ABS-CBN at sa kanilang mga pamilya na maaapektuhan ang kabuhayan at maaaring mawalan ng trabaho. Alang-alang po sa milyun-milyong Pilipinong kailangan ang serbisyo ng ABS-CBN, lalo na sa ngayong panahon ng pinakamatinding krisis sa Pilipinas at sa buong mundo. Sa oras na ito, kami naman po ang humihingi ng inyong pagdamay,” said Katigbak. It was the second time the ABS-CBN was shut down. In 1972, Dictator Ferdinand Marcos also closed down the television network and seized all its properties after declaring martial law on September 22. And in February 1986, a military coup backed by over a million Filipinos mounted a revolution that deposed Marcos, ending his corrupt and brutal regime. And ABS-CBN was returned to its rightful owner. Last year, Duterte repeatedly threatened to shut down ABS-CBN for failing to air his paid political advertisements in 2016. Katigbak apologized to the president in February - during a senate hearing into ABS-CBN’s franchise compliance - over the political advertisements that
showed Duterte cursing and several children asking if his actions were right. He said ABS-CBN was just abiding by the laws and regulations that surround the airing of political ads. He said due to an airtime limit, ABS-CBN failed to air around P7 million worth of Duterte’s election advertisements and refunded P4 million, but the remaining was rejected by his camp. Duterte’s spokesman, Harry Roque thanked ABSCBN for its services to the people, but stood firm that the network cannot continue its broadcast operations without the legislative franchise. “We thank the network for its services to the Filipino nation and people especially in this time of Covid-19. But in the absence of a legislative franchise, as we have earlier said, ABS-CBN’s continued operation is entirely the NTC’s decision,” he said. Roque said ABS-CBN is free to exhaust all legal remedies available to it. “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as a matter of record, accepted the apology of the network and left its fate to both houses of Congress. Let the public be informed that broadcast franchises are within the authority of Congress. It has discretion on what to do with the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN and other broadcasting companies similarly situated,” he said. (AFP and Mindanao Examiner)
No need for Duterte to bare health records Continued from page 1 75-year old former Davao City mayor. Lawyer Dino de Leon said the public release of Duterte’s medical bulletins was necessary, given the gravity of the illnesses openly acknowledged by the President. Duterte admitted suffering from muscle spasms, chronic back pains, and migraines and also has myasthenia gravis - a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that weakens skeletal muscles responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body - and has Barrett’s esophagus, a potentially serious complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Buerger’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. He also admitted using fentanyl, a powerful painkiller, because of a spinal injury from past motorcycle accidents. And that he was taking marijuana to keep him awake, citing his hectic schedule. But Presidential Spokesperson Harry
Roque, who welcomed Supreme Court’s decision, said there are no legal and factual grounds to compel Duterte to disclose his health records. “We note the latest decision of the Supreme Court dismissing the petition to disclose the President’s health records. We maintain that the petition has no legal and factual bases. We believe it is designed to distract the President from his job and erode the confidence of the Filipinos in PRRD’s leadership, particularly in this time when we are confronted with extreme health crisis,” he said. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said 13 Supreme Court justices voted against the petition of De Leon while only two magistrates dissented. “Naglabas po ang Korte Suprema ng desisyon doon sa (petition) nai-file nitong abugado na pinipilit ang Pangulong Duterte na maglabas ng findings sa kaniyang kalusugan. Dinismiss po outright,” Panelo said. Panelo also welcomed the high tribunal’s deci-
sion, noting that Duterte need not divulge his health records because he has no serious illness. “So walang batayan. Napakaliwanag naman po kasi na wala siyang malubhang sakit. He has no serious illness,” he said, adding, Duterte can only be forced to divulge his medical bulletins if he is seriously ill. “Under the Constitution, ang pangulo ng bansa ay kino-compel na magbigay siya ng kalagayan ng kaniyang kalusugan kung siya ay may malubahang sakit. Iyan lamang po ang panahon na maaari nating pilitin ang isang presidente ng bansa,” he said. Under Article 7, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution, the President is mandated to declare the real status of his health in case of serious illness. Despite his age and health problems, Duterte repeatedly assured the public that he remains fit to work and can fulfill his mandate as the country’s highest elected official. (Ruth Abbey Carlos and Benjamin Pulta. With a report from Mindanao Examiner.)
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DOH to start clinical trials on Covid patients Continued from page 1 Health Undersecretary Dr Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are now preparing for the clinical trial of the Avigan, also known as Favipiravir, a drug used to treat influenza. It was developed six years ago by Japanese pharmaceutical company Fujifilm Toyama Chemical. “Yung ating trial for Avigan, inaayos na po ‘yung protocol, kumukuha na po tayo ng clearances coming from different institutions,” Vergeire said, adding, the Japanese government would be providing enough supply of Avigan for some 100 patients who will be chosen for the trial. “Pipili po tayo ng ospi-
tal na isasali natin sa trial na ito at sa mga ospital na iyon, magkakaroon tayo ng mga protocol kung paano naman natin pipiliin ang mga pasyente. Ang importante dito ay because this is a clinical trial, the informed consent will be there,” Vergeire said. While there is no solid evidence that Avigan is effective against Covid-19 in Japan, the drug showed some promise in treating the respiratory disease as some patients had recovered from the virus after taking it. However, health experts cautioned against its use because the drug has one dangerous potential side effect or birth defects. “Nais din namin hilingin
sa mga nagsasagawa ng trials at sa publiko na lubos na mag-ingat sa paggamit ng Avigan dahil ayon sa mga datos, ang Avigan ay hindi ligtas gamitin ng mga buntis,” Vergeire said. Avigan has been shown to be effective at inhibiting viral replication. It has already been approved in Japan as an anti-flu drug. However, it has shown side effects on animal embryos during trials. Researchers in China say the lungs of coronavirus patients have improved after receiving Avigan in clinical studies. The government has already included Avigan as one of its officially approved coronavirus drugs.
IATF Oks GCQ guidelines for workplaces, malls Continued from page 1 be used for lengthy discussions among workers, he added. Roque noted that office tables should be arranged to maintain proper physical distancing. Barriers may be provided between tables. Workstation layout should be designed to allow for unidirectional movement in aisles, corridors, or walkways, he said. To maintain physical distancing, Roque said, the number of people inside an enclosed space, such as a room, store, or hall, shall be limited. Elevator use should consider physical distancing and limit the number of persons to observe the one-meter physical distancing while the use of stairs should be encouraged, subject to physical distancing requirements. If more than two stairways are accessible, one stairway may be used exclusively for going up and another for going down. He said roving officers should be assigned to always ensure physical distancing and observance of minimum health protocols.
The online system shall be highly encouraged for clients needing assistance from offices, including the use of video conferencing, Roque said. IATF also approved guidelines on the operations of malls and shopping centers in areas declared under GCQ, Roque said. Mall owners shall monitor foot traffic and enforce safe distancing by limiting the number of people inside to a density of not more than one person per 2 square meters; reducing the number of open entrances; assigning personnel in high-density areas; and standing on every other step of the escalator, he said. They will also mark or reduce the seats available for waiting; create a one-way flow to decongest queues and facilitate movement; increase police visibility; designate a centralized pickup location for delivery service providers; regulate air conditioning to 26°C, and turn off free Wi-Fi, he said. Roque said mall owners should also suspend
sale events, marketing events, and other promotions that tend to attract large crowds; and implement other measures necessary. Since May 1, the GCQ, with relaxed quarantine measures, has been implemented in all low- and moderate-risk areas nationwide. Metro Manila, Central Luzon, except Aurora; Calabarzon, Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo province, Cebu province, Bacolod City and Davao City are still under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). The IATF-EID is authorized to declare, lift, or extend community quarantine in provinces, highly-urbanized cities, and independent component cities. Provincial governors may also impose, lift, or extend the ECQ in independent component cities and municipalities upon the concurrence of the relevant regional counterpart body of the IATF-EID. The task force will determine whether more areas can transition to GCQ before the ECQ lapses on May 15.
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Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO’s chief scientist, told NHK that there is not enough data to determine yet whether Avigan is effective for coronavirus treatment. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo indicated that the government will aim to authorize Avigan as early as this month if its efficacy is proven in clinical tests. The drug has been administered to nearly 3,000 people in the country as part of clinical trials. The government says nearly 80 countries have requested supplies of Avigan. The first batches will be delivered to 43 countries through a UN organization. Recipient countries will then send clinical trial data to Japan. Japanese health minis-
ter Kato Katsunobu also said that he intends to authorize remdesivir as a coronavirus treatment if an advisory panel approves. Kato said US pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences filed an application for its approval. The approval process usually takes a year but the government is fast-tracking it to about a week. To do so, the application has to meet certain conditions. First, there must be an urgent need for the drug in question. (For example, a drug would qualify if it is the only way to treat a virus that poses a serious threat to public health.) Second, the drug must already be sold in countries with similar approval systems as Japan. Remdesivir was origi-
nally developed by Gilead as a treatment for the Ebola virus. The drug prevents the virus from replicating inside the human body. The US Food and Drug Administration authorized its emergency use to treat coronavirus patients on May 1st. A clinical trial in the US showed that the drug reduced the recovery period for the drug by four days. But Professor Morishima Tsuneo, an expert on infectious disease treatment, says the drug’s side effects include increased risk of kidney problems. He said the use of remdesivir should be restricted to medical institutions that are being forced to handle many serious cases. (By Maria Teresa Montemayor-PNA. With a report from Eiraku Maiko-NHK)
The rice ration from DSWD which came from NFA that residents claim are not fit for human consumption. (Zamboanga Post)
NFA rice smell moldy, not fit for consumption, say Zambo villagers Continued from page 1 and cooked and my even my dog would not touch it,” one old man said in describing the relief aid he got from his village leaders. Neighbors claimed the rice was probably from the stocks of the National Food Authority or NFA. “No, we did not eat the rice. We just threw it away. The moment we opened the blue sack containing the rice we immediately noticed the smell. It was horrible. All of us who received the rice just disposed it,” said one store owner. Another said the commercial rice provided by the Zamboanga City government is far better than what they received from
village officials. “We got relief assistance - good rice quality, canned goods and noodles, and vitamins – twice already from the local government, but this one (rice assistance) from our village officials was not even fit for human consumption. We have complained about this to our village officials, but we got no reply from them,” said another man. The sack of rice villagers received had markings of the DSWD and NFA with a production date of 2018. Village officials have also been receiving rice and food donations from various groups and it was not immediately known whether what residents received came from donors.
The NFA said some village officials and other groups were buying rice from its warehouse at P1,250 per a bag of 50 kilos, adding, it also purchases stocks of rice from local farmers since commercial traders are now allowed to import rice from other countries. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered village leaders to provide relief assistance to their constituents and this is on top of the food aid distributed by the local government. However, many residents said they did not get anything, from their village leaders and depend only on the relief assistance from the local government. (Zamboanga Post)
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Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Task Force Covid-19)
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Across : 1. Not all 5. Milky gem 9. Biology, e.g. (abbr.) 12. Singe 13. Talk wildly 14. Zodiac lion 15. Unusual 16. Valentine phrase (3 wds.) 18. Branch 19. Less fatty 20. Poor farmer 22. Slight error 26. Hear 28. Not cooked 29. Author ___ Christie 31. Per person 34. Went first 35. Bemoan 37. Future flowers 40. Most unkind 43. Artists’ stands 45. Originally named 46. Superman’s gal (2 wds.) 49. States further 50. Yoko ___ 51. Finales 52. Red vegetable 53. Prohibit 54. Untidy condition 55. Slips up
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Cebu City elderly to receive financial aid C
EBU CITY – Good news for some 82,000 senior citizens here. Mayor Edgardo Labella said the elderly will get their P3,000 financial aid this week. Aside from the using photos of elderlies as Labella said Cebu City cash aid, Labella said he will proof that the money was Treasurer Jerome Castillo is sign an executive order set- received by them even with- focal person in distributing ting procedures in releas- out signing any document. the financial aid. ing financial assistance for He assured that the Castillo said the disthree months. proper disinfection, social bursing officers will underLabella said the Com- distancing and face mask go rapid testing to ensure mission on Audit has ap- protocols will be strictly ob- they are Covid-free before proved their request to served during the cash aid they are allowed to meet distribute the cash aid by distribution. the senior citizens in their
homes. The P3,000 represents the financial assistance for the months of March, April and May. Castillo said those senior citizens who are residing in sitios placed under lockdown can still claim their benefits once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted. (Ramil Ayuman)
Released juvenile delinquents to undergo Covid test, quarantine Mayor Edgardo Labella (wikipedia)
CEBU CITY – All juvenile delinquents released from holding facilities in Cebu will have to undergo Covid-19 testing and a two-week quarantine to prevent
Follow GCQ guidelines, DTI tells companies
TRADE SECRETARY Ramon Lopez said companies or establishments operating while under general community quarantine status are encouraged to implement work-from-home arrangements. He said about 94% of economic activities are open under GCQ while the others are not allowed to operate even in GCQ status are under Category 4 or high risk. Establishments under Category 4 include libraries, museums, art galleries, botanical and zoological gardens, water parks, beaches, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, casinos and other gambling activities, mas-
sage parlors, sauna baths, facial and foot spa, and waxing salons, and other amusement and leisure places. “The criteria for this is (that) the risk in operating when it comes to transmission, is high,” Lopez said, adding, it will be too risky for those under Category 4 to re-open their operation even under GCQ because these have mass gatherings while physical distancing is difficult to implement. Since the start of the month, some parts of the country are already under GCQ while enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is extended until May 15 in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna,
Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Pangasinan, Benguet, Iloilo, and Cebu. The DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment issued minimum health protocols for businesses that will re-open under the GCQ. Companies should also test their employees who are sick or are suspected of having Covid-19. Among these health standards that should be implemented in the workplace include wearing face masks, observing physical distancing, regular disinfection process, constant checking of temperature, and submission of a daily health symptoms questionnaire. (Kris Crismundo)
the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she issued executive order (EO) 15-A laying down protocols to be followed in releasing CICLs or children in conflict with the law. She said upon receiving a court order for the release of CICLs, the head of the facility is to immediately transfer them to an isolation area for the 14-day quarantine period. The EO also ordered the facility head to immediately inform the Provincial Health Office (PHO) that they have a CICL in isolation so that their personnel can monitor their health conditions. On the seventh day of the quarantine, personnel of the PHO are mandated to take swab specimens from the CICL to be submitted to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory for laboratory analysis. “All expenses relative to the care of the CICL during the quarantine period will be shouldered by the CICL facility but shall be limited to his subsistence and oth-
PAL, Cebu Pacific to resume flights LOCAL CARRIERS Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) are now preparing the resumption of flight operations, as well as the safety measures they would implement, as part of health measures to protect passengers and crews from the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) All local carriers have temporarily suspended international and domestic flights until May 15 in line with the
ARMM
ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other select areas considered high risk for Covid-19. CEB said it will cater to a limited number of domestic routes once flight operations resume, adding, passengers may expect a “new normal”, or what CEB calls a “contactless flights”. Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience, said apart from encouraging pas-
sengers to check-in online, they will also hold their own boarding passes for the staff to scan the barcode. “Physical distancing will be observed in queues and boarding,” she said. As for the crew, they will be required to wear personal protective equipment and will also have to undergo rapid antibody test. PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the resumption of commercial flight operations would depend on the travel de-
Eastern Mindanao
mand, the safety, as well as the travel restrictions imposed by various governments. Since the implementation of the ECQ, both PAL and CEB have been mounting all-cargo flights to carry essential medical supplies. Furthermore, PAL mounted several flights to ferry stranded foreigners out of the country. Both CEB and PAL would require passengers to wear face masks all throughout the flights. (Maria Cristina Arayata)
Western Mindanao
er personal needs,” the EO reads. In case a CICL is found positive of coronavirus, he shall be brought to the VSMMC or any other designated Covid-19 treatment facility where he will remain for proper management and treatment. Garcia also ordered immediate containment and contact tracing to people who were in close contact with the coronavirus-afflicted CICL. If the swab test result turns out to be negative and after completion of the 14-day quarantine period, the PHO will coordinate with the mayors and city or municipal health officers of the town or city where the CICL resides to facilitate his transport. “The PHO shall issue a certification that the CICL has completed the 14-day quarantine,” she said. As part of the protocol, the local government is tasked to send a vehicle or ambulance to fetch the CICL from the facility and transport him/her back to their home town or city. Upon arrival in the residence, the CICL will be turned over to the barangay where he resides. The EO said the parents of the CICL, social worker handling his case, and the focal person of the village’s Gender and Development officer will be notified. It said that the return of the CICL to the community is subject to the protocol established by the LGU in the fight against Covid-19, which may include another 14day quarantine period. It ordered the LGU to issue another certification that the CICL has complied with its Covid-19 protocols. “The release of the CICL should be conditioned upon his compliance with the 14-day quar-
Cebu
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia (wikipedia) antine requirement and such other protocols prescribed by the Province of Cebu and the CICL’s LGU of residence,” the EO reads. Garcia met with the Family Court judges of the regional trial courts from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapulapu as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to establish guidelines to be observed in the release of the minors. The province has three facilities for CICLs - one in Tayud, Consolacion which is called “My Home”, the Women and Children Development Center in Lahug, Cebu City, and the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth in Argao town. DSWD-7 Director Rebecca Geamala said 25 minors are due for release from the RRCY located in southern Cebu which has some 116 CICLs. (John Rey Saavedra)
Manila