News

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5.2 million families hungry: PH records highest hunger incidence since 2014, says SWS

MANILA (UPDATE) – Some 5.2 million Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger in the past 3 months as the country battled the COVID-19 pandemic, the highest since 2014, an independent Social Weather Stations survey showed Wednesday. Of 1,555 adult Filipinos surveyed, 20.9 percent said they experienced “hunger due to lack of food to eat,” up from the 16.7 percent recorded in May.

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Biden: Trump is the first racist elected president

Several of the country’s early presidents owned slaves while in office, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor. Woodrow Wilson was an adamant supporter of segregation in the federal government, and his racist legacy has led to calls for the removal of his name from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs.

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World Health Organization says PH needs better contact tracing, not hard lockdowns

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases here in the Philippines continue to rise, the World Health Organization said the Philippines does not need to reimpose hard lockdowns but instead boost contact tracing.

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2 former Supreme Court justices lead 11th petition vs anti-terror law

The Philippines’ new anti-terror law is facing yet another Supreme Court challenge, this time from legal luminaries which include two former Supreme Court justices.

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2 former Supreme Court justices lead 11th petition vs anti-terror law

The Philippines’ new anti-terror law is facing yet another Supreme Court challenge, this time from legal luminaries which include two former Supreme Court justices.

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Filipino fishermen welcome US decision on South China Sea row

The United States says it is ready to support countries that believe China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea are illegal. It comes after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the US does not recognise most of Beijing’s claims in the strategically important region.

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‘Purely disgusting’: Angel Locsin reacts after Jane De Leon posted about not joining rally due to COVID-19

‘Purely disgusting’: Angel Locsin reacts after Jane De Leon posted about not joining rally due to COVID-19 Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – July 21, 2020 – 10:43am MANILA, Philippines – Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin posted a reaction after new “Darna” actress Jane De Leon released a statement why she couldn’t go out to join the rally supporting the ABS-CBN franchise.

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1 out of 5 Pinoys have gone hungry in last 3 months, highest rate since 2014 – SWS

MANILA, Philippines – At least one out of every five Filipinos have experienced involuntary hunger in the past three months, according to recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), the results of which were released Tuesday.

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ABS-CBN fate up to its owners – former SEC chair

MANILA, Philippines – As President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies in the House of Representatives seek ways to pressure the influential Lopez family to exit ABS-CBN Corp., they might want to first consider the law. Businesses such as ABS-CBN, controlled by Lopez Inc., are covered by the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.

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Solon questions alleged DOH move to block use of PH-made COVID-19 test kits

MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker has questioned the Department of Health’s preference for China-made test kits over locally-made ones which are “reliable” and “cheaper” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said he is “clueless” as to why the DOH is giving UP-National Institutes of Health a “hard time” allowing the use of cheaper Filipino-made test kits.

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Little noticed, Filipino Americans are dying of COVID-19 at an alarming rate

On March 10, Loretta Mendoza Dionisio became the first person in Los Angeles County known to have died of COVID-19. Dionisio was 68, had diabetes and had just returned from a trip to her native Philippines. That made her a precursor of the coming pandemic in more ways than one.

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Quezon City to lose ‘quite a lot’ from reduced ABS-CBN operations – mayor

Asked in an interview over ANC just how much the closure of the company affected the city government, Belmonte said: “Quite a lot. I can’t give you the exact numbers at present, but yes, from the perspective of a chief executive.”

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Lawmakers float more sanctions vs ABS-CBN: P1.97-T fine, seizure of headquarters

Lawmakers float more sanctions vs ABS-CBN: P1.97-T fine, seizure of headquarters Bella Perez-Rubio (Philstar.com) – July 20, 2020 – 3:08pm MANILA, Philippines – Although ABS-CBN’s employees and supporters have promised the fight for the embattled network is not over, its troubles also seem far from over, based on an online discussion by its accusers at the House of Representatives.

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Angel Locsin clarifies alleged shares with ABS-CBN, urges stars to speak out instead of ‘pa-cute’

Angel Locsin clarifies alleged shares with ABS-CBN, urges stars to speak out instead of ‘pa-cute’ Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – July 20, 2020 – 12:22pm MANILA, Philippines – Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin clarified her alleged shares or stocks with ABS-CBN.

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Defensor seeks NBI help to trace person who threatened daughter’s life

MANILA, Philippines – Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to trace the person who threatened to kill his daughter on social media. Defensor said that after posting a photo on his social media account, one person left a death threat against his daughter Juliana.

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Deaths of high-profile NBP inmates raise questions – Sotto

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Vicente Sotto III has “too many unanswered questions” about the death from COVID-19 and cremation of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates, a number of them convicted drug lords, and wants the Senate to investigate the matter.

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‘Cat is coming out of the bag,’ Lagman says of House moves vs ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines – “Slowly the cat is coming out of the bag.” That was Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s response to the plan of some leaders of the House of Representatives to initiate more punitive actions against broadcasting network ABS-CBN.

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John Kasich expected to speak at Democratic National Convention for Joe Biden: report

WASHINGTON – Former Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, is expected to speak on behalf of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at next month’s Democratic National Convention, the Associated Press reported Monday.

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UK’s Oxford University coronavirus vaccine candidate is safe and effective with few side effects, early trial results show

Two candidate vaccines, including a closely watched one being developed at the University of Oxford, showed positive trial results Monday against the virus that causes COVID-19, making it more likely that a safe, effective vaccine can be developed quickly.

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Put charter change proposal on lockdown, ‍opposition solons urge

Opposition lawmakers scored the latest attempt to tinker with the Constitution as just another bid to lift term limits and urged the Duterte administration to quarantine the Charter change (Cha-cha) proposal of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP).

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Locsin blames virus surge on ‘health bureaucrats’

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. blames the resurgence of the new coronavirus in the Philippines on “health bureaucrats,” who, he claims, have wasted the gains of the lockdown imposed in March to halt the spread in the country of the COVID-19 pathogen.

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Jaybee Sebastian: COVID-19 case or murder?

Jaybee Sebastian: COVID-19 case or murder? MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating reports of a recent spate of deaths, particularly of high-profile inmates, at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), an official said yesterday. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he summoned Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag to his office at 1:30 p.m.

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‘How do they sleep at night?’ Anne Curtis slams solons who junked ABS-CBN franchise

MANILA, Philippines – “How do they sleep at night knowing that because of their decision, people are now suffering from sadness, anxiety, panic?” Kapamilya Actress Anne Curtis posed this question on Saturday days after a House of Representatives panel rejected ABS-CBN’s application for a fresh 25-year franchise.

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15,000 foreigners to arrive

15,000 foreigners to arrive Robertzon Ramirez (The Philippine Star) – July 19, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Around 15,000 foreigners with long-term visas are expected to arrive in the Philippines after the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowed their entry amid the rising coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country.

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Dennis Uy, the new oligarch – The Manila Times

GOVERNMENT officials in charge of preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have come out with bizarre ideas. The latest harebrained idea is for policemen to go house-to-house in search of coronavirus patients and compel them to be confined in government-run quarantine facilities.

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PNP appeals to SONA protest groups: Just do it online

PNP appeals to SONA protest groups: Just do it online Emmanuel Tupas (The Philippine Star) – July 19, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday appealed to members of cause-oriented groups not to hold protest actions during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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Metro Manila still has more than 75% of virus cases in PH

MANILA, Philippines – Metro Manila still accounts for nearly half of all the active COVID-19 cases in the country with health officials reporting a national caseload of 65,304 from the 2,357 new cases tallied on Saturday. Of the new cases, Metro Manila accounted for more than three-quarters with 1,824 cases.

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Cops leading house-to-house search for COVID-19 patients? Año says fake news

MANILA, Philippines – Reports of police and military forces leading the house-to-house searches for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients to be taken to isolation facilities are fake news, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday. In a statement, Año said the reports are “part of the disinformation campaign by unscrupulous individuals.”

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Dennis Rodman’s father passes away in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines-Philander Rodman Jr., the father of Basketball Hall of Fame member Dennis Rodman, died in Pampanga on Tuesday. He was 79. Jasmine Rodman, the granddaughter of Philander, made the announcement on her Facebook page. Darling Marie, one of the Rodman patriarch’s daughters, meanwhile, created a Twitter account in hopes of reaching Dennis and help them with the outstanding hospital fees.

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Solon tells Lopez family: Sell ABS-CBN if you love 11,000 workers

MANILA, Philippines – House Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. on Friday urged the Lopez family to just sell ABS-CBN if they really care for its over 11,000 employees, following the denial of its bid for a new 25-year franchise by the lower chamber’s legislative franchise committee.

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‘No audience for Duterte’s SONA in Batasan’

For the first time, President Duterte will deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa with a limited number of lawmakers and an empty gallery in an effort to protect him from coronavirus infection, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.

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Philippines’ ‘Karen Carpenter’ Claire Dela Fuente gets 7 years in prison for tax evasion

Philippines’ ‘Karen Carpenter’ Claire Dela Fuente gets 7 years in prison for tax evasion Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – July 16, 2020 – 4:18pm MANILA, Philippines – Veteran singer Claire Dela Fuente was sentenced to seven years in prison for tax evasion.

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‘Tokhang’ tack for COVID-19

The first country outside China to record a COVID-19 case back in January-has reported not a single case of local transmission of COVID-19 for over 50 consecutive days, thus the recent announcement that the first wave of the outbreak has ended in the country.

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Lagman: ‘Military oligarchy’ should also be dismantled

MANILA, Philippines – If President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against oligarchy is sincere, then all of its forms-including military oligarchy-should be dismantled too, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said Thursday. Lagman said that while Duterte has targeted the so-called “economic oligarchs,” the President “has shielded and built up military oligarchs with inordinate patronage.”

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Duque gets no rebuke from Duterte over booboo on ‘flattened’ virus curve

MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III did not receive a scolding from President Rodrigo Duterte for erroneously declaring that the Philippines has “successfully flattened” the COVID-19 pandemic curve since April, Malacañang said Thursday. “Wala pong pagsabon na nangyari,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a televised Palace briefing.

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Big names among first to go in ABS-CBN ‘bloodbath’

The job “bloodbath” from the rejection of ABS-CBN’s franchise last week has started, with two of the network’s veteran journalists-Korina Sanchez-Roxas and Ces Drilon-among the first to be officially notified that they were being laid off. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Roxas, the longtime host of current affairs program “Rated K,” said the ABS-CBN family was “slowly but surely being torn apart.”

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Longtime Trump aide Brad Parscale removed as campaign manager as president shakes up reelection staff

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he is switching campaign managers amid a reelection effort beset by a series of problems including an underwhelming turnout at a rally in Oklahoma and numerous polls showing Trump trailing the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

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Not mere gossip but valid concern

Why should Filipinos be deemed out of line when they wonder about President Duterte’s health? The nation is imperilled, after all, and needs a leader in prime physical and mental condition to get it through the unprecedented crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The turbulent political landscape likewise requires not only a steady hand […]

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Bayan repeats call for Duque’s resignation: Why is Duterte keeping him?

MANILA, Philippines – Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) repeated its call on Wednesday for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to step down, questioning why he remained in President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet.

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No warrant, no entry – senators

MANILA, Philippines – The order for the police to round up coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients from their homes is not only impractical and dangerous, but also unconstitutional, senators warned yesterday. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen.

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‘Baka gusto n’yo mauna’: Jennylyn Mercado reacts to Dela Rosa’s suggestion for ABS-CBN employees to find new jobs

‘Baka gusto n’yo mauna’: Jennylyn Mercado reacts to Dela Rosa’s suggestion for ABS-CBN employees to find new jobs Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – July 15, 2020 – 4:41pm MANILA, Philippines – Kapuso actress Jennylyn Mercado criticized Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s statement on the 11,000 ABS-CBN employees who lost their job due to the network’s franchise denial by Congress.

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Trump slams Los Angeles for ‘terrible decision’ to keep schools closed

President Donald Trump took aim at Los Angeles school officials for what he called a “terrible decision” this week to keep classrooms closed this fall amid the surge of coronavirus cases in Southern California.

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‘Vendetta?’ Angel Locsin asks those who vetoed ABS-CBN franchise renewal

‘Vendetta?’ Angel Locsin asks those who vetoed ABS-CBN franchise renewal Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo (Philstar.com) – July 14, 2020 – 7:31pm MANILA, Philippines – Days after the Congress junked ABS-CBN’s plea for a 25-year franchise renewal, Kapamilya star Angel Locsin continues to defend the beleaguered network.

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‘I am not my father,’ says daughter of lawmaker who voted to deny ABS-CBN franchise

The daughter of Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, who voted in favor of a report junking ABS-CBN’s bid for a new franchise, does not share his stand, saying that she even tried to discuss the issue with him it at home.

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Gov’t: Transfer of COVID patients from house to quarantine area needed

MANILA, Philippines – The government will be going house-to-house for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms so they can be transferred to monitoring facilities to avoid the further spread of the virus, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday.

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Duterte exults: Oligarchy ended without martial law

MANILA, Philippines – Days after ABS-CBN’s application for a new legislative franchise was denied, President Rodrigo Duterte is “very happy” that he has “dismantled the oligarchy” in the country. “Without declaring martial law, I destroyed the people controlling the economy and the people, and who don’t pay,” he told government troops in Jolo, Sulu province, on Monday afternoon.

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Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook tests positive for coronavirus

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook announced on Monday he has tested positive for Covid-19.

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‘Cruel, abrupt and unlawful’: States sue Trump administration over college student visa rule

WASHINGTON – Seventeen states and the District of Columbia sued President Donald Trump’s administration Monday to block a new rule that would force international college students to leave United States if they’re only enrolled in online classes this fall. Some universities are planning to offer classes entirely online because of concerns about the pandemic.

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Cayetano: We were fair to ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines – Amid the flak, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday called on the general public to be more circumspect in their opinion about the House of Representatives’ refusal to grant ABS-CBN another 25-year legislative franchise. “The House leadership asks that the people read the findings carefully in order to appreciate the reasons for their decision.

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Penalize ABS-CBN if warranted, but give it chance for sake of 11,000 workers – Hataman

MANILA, Philippines – House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman believes that ABS-CBN should be given a chance to so its 11,000 employees could keep their jobs. Hataman, who was against the franchise denial of the country’s largest television network, said that ABS-CBN should be held accountable if it has any shortcomings, but it should not be totally shut down because thousands would face the possibility of being unemployed.

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ABS-CBN defenders grapple with loss: ‘Why only 11?’

Church bells in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Manila tolled on Saturday night to signify support for freedom of the press and for workers of ABS-CBN who risk losing their jobs after the House of Representatives rejected the network’s application for a new franchise.

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QC law enforcers take pictures, videos during Mass

A Catholic priest on Sunday expressed concern over the actions of three uniformed personnel from the Quezon City’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) who took photos and videos during his morning Mass at San Isidro Labrador Parish without the parish’s prior knowledge and consent.

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Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ is still relevant and revealing, 50 years later

Fifty years ago this summer, vibrating with agitation and energy, Marvin Gaye headed down the wood steps into a Detroit studio and made his anthem for the ages. “What’s Going On,” a poignant musical masterpiece crafted in a season of unease, persists as a timely backdrop to another heated summer, half a century later, when the world feels upside down.

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Polls show Trump is losing to Joe Biden. They said the same thing 4 years ago against Hillary Clinton

WASHINGTON – Joe Biden can look at the polls and smile. Cautiously. A double-digit advantage in numerous national surveys, solid leads in a number of battlegrounds and competitive showings in states Donald Trump carried handily in 2016 suggest the presumptive Democratic nominee is the favorite to win in November.

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Rage grows over ‘painful stab at press freedom’ with ABS-CBN franchise denial

The outrage against the rejection of a new 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN grew louder on Saturday as more groups added their voices of protest against the House committee vote that finally closed all the network’s free-to-air radio and television stations.

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Calida hails House for doing ‘job well’ on ABS-CBN franchise bid

Hailing the House committee that voted to kill the franchise application of ABS-CBN, Solicitor General Jose Calida on Saturday paraphrased the opening line of one of Frank Sinatra’s most popular songs, telling the network: “And now, the end has come.”

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Vilma Santos wonders why suddenly only 11 voted to renew ABS-CBN franchise

Vilma Santos wonders why suddenly only 11 voted to renew ABS-CBN franchise Ratziel San Juan (Philstar.com) – July 11, 2020 – 2:26pm MANILA, Philippines – Veteran actress and Rep. Vilma Santos (Batangas 6th District) questioned why suddenly only 11 lawmakers, including herself, on Friday chose to stand by embattled media network ABS-CBN while a landslide 70 others voted to deny it of a legislative franchise.

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Most Filipinos support ABS-CBN franchise, many see rejection as blow to press freedom – survey

Most Filipinos support ABS-CBN franchise, many see rejection as blow to press freedom – survey Franco Luna (Philstar.com) – July 12, 2020 – 9:33am MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:25 a.m.) – An overwhelming four out of five Filipinos believed that Congress should renew ABS-CBN Corp’s legislative franchise, while more than half of Filipinos saw the eventual non-renewal as a blow to press freedom in the country, survey data suggests.

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‘A sword of Damocles over Philippines mass media’

MANILA, Philippines – Senators slammed the voting at the House of Representatives denying ABS-CBN’s application for the renewal of its franchise yesterday, saying the rejection was done for purely selfish political reasons. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he was “deeply saddened by this episode in the history of our nation” and found it “reminiscent of the dark pages in the history of the Philippine press in 1972.”

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House panel rejects new franchise for ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives yesterday rejected the franchise renewal application of ABS-CBN, putting an end to its flagship Channel 2 after 53 years. Seventy regular members of the committee on legislative franchises and House leaders who stood as ex-officio members voted to thumb down the bills seeking to grant the Lopez-owned network a fresh 25-year franchise.

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Robert De Niro’s finances take a hit due to COVID-19 pandemic, his lawyer says

Robert De Nirohas taken a financial hit during the coronavirus pandemic. The 76-year-old actor’s lawyer, Caroline Krauss, said De Niro was experiencing financial setbacks after his estranged wife, Grace Hightower, asked the court for an emergency order to increase her spending limit.

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Trump commutes prison sentence of longtime adviser Roger Stone

Trump acted just after a federal appeals court panel a last-ditch bid by Stone to delay an order for him to surrender at a federal prison in Jesup, Ga. next Tuesday. Stone claimed he suffered from health conditions that put him at serious risk of dying if he went to that prison, which is experiencing a coronavirus outbreak.

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Trump advisers fracture over Roger Stone pardon

Stone was convicted in a case related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russian election interference investigation and has lost repeated appeals to avoid his July 14 commitment date. He suffered another blow when Facebook booted him this week for allegedly posting “inauthentic” information related to his trial and clemency campaign.

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Korina Sanchez lashes out on Congressmen voting ‘no’ to ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Korina Sanchez lashes out on Congressmen voting ‘no’ to ABS-CBN franchise renewal Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – July 9, 2020 – 3:13pm MANILA, Philippines – Kapamilya TV host Korina Sanchez had strong words for congressmen who will vote against ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

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Agot Isidro pleads ‘sensitivity’ from Jinkee Pacquiao after luxury bikes post

Agot Isidro pleads ‘sensitivity’ from Jinkee Pacquiao after luxury bikes post Ratziel San Juan (Philstar.com) – July 9, 2020 – 4:56pm MANILA, Philippines – Actress Agot Isidro is asking socialite Jinkee Pacquiao to read the room after the latter posted a photograph of matching “his and hers” Louis Vuitton and Hermès bicycles at the height of the country’s coronavirus crisis.

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‘I will always speak up for you’: Server on defending Fil-Am family from racist rant

When one restaurant server witnessed a Fil-Am family in California getting caught in a racist rant, she knew she had to step in. “I felt very protective of them,” Gennica Cochran told KGO-TV in a report today, July 9. She has been part of the hospitality industry for 20 years and a yoga instructor for 10 years.

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Duterte: I don’t need to be corrupt

Duterte: I don’t need to be corrupt Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) – July 9, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Amid allegations of corruption thrown his way, President Duterte said he and members of his Cabinet won’t tarnish their reputation in their final years in public service.

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LOOK: 2 Filipino visual artists part of NBA’s Vince Carter tribute

MANILA, Philippines – Paying homage to Vince Carter, the NBA recently launched a website dedicated to the basketball legend, who formally retired last June 25 after a 22-year career-the longest in league history. The tribute site also features a print collection designed by 15 visual artists from all over the world, including Filipinos Jayson Atienza and AJ Dimarucot.

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COVID-19 count crosses 50,000 mark with highest single-day spike in fresh cases

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has breached the 50,000 mark, after it recorded the highest single-day increase in fresh cases at 1,922 infections. ADVERTISEMENT The Department of Health’s latest COVID-19 bulletin, released Wednesday night, said that the total number of cases is at 50,359 – of which 1,314 patients […]

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Ressa: Duterte could be ‘seeing too much fraud from where he sits’

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte may just be “seeing too much fraud from where he sits,” Rappler CEO Maria Ressa said Wednesday as she responded to the Chief Executive’s latest tirades against her. In a tweet, Ressa clapped back at the President, who, in a taped speech aired around 1 a.m.

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Grim projection: 200,000 dead by Election Day

With the nation now reporting more than 50,000 new infections every day, most experts say the concept of a second wave is outdated. The first wave is likely to continue for months, with spikes popping up in various states. That could be followed by a possible surge in the fall when the weather turns, Murray said.

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SoCal Fil-Am family speaks out after man tells them ‘Trump’s gonna f*** you’ in viral video

A Filipino American family from Southern California took a trip up north to Carmel Valley over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate a birthday. What was supposed to be a happy occasion quickly turned into another example of pervasive anti-Asian hate caught on video. “We were having fun, playing games and when we were…

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Fact-checking Trump’s threat to cut off education funding if schools don’t reopen

As the coronavirus crisis expands, President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would “pressure” governors to open schools in time for the beginning of the coming school year.

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Kanye West says he had coronavirus and no longer supports Trump

Kanye West is taking off his MAGA hat.

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QC Mayor Joy Belmonte tests positive for COVID-19

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte tests positive for COVID-19 (Philstar.com) – July 8, 2020 – 10:55am MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:18 a.m.) – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Wednesday that she tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In a statement posted on Quezon City Government’s Facebook page, Belmonte said she is not experiencing any symptoms. “Nagpapasalamat po ako na agad itong natuklasan,” she added.

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Cop dressed as courier tries to arrest rights worker who had already posted bail

Cop dressed as courier tries to arrest rights worker who had already posted bail (Philstar.com) – July 7, 2020 – 10:51pm MANILA, Philippines – A police officer dressed as a courier tried to serve a warrant of arrest on the secretary general of rights group Karapatan on Tuesday despite that her already posting bail for the charge, the rights group said.

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Duterte emotional, not ill – Palace

Duterte emotional, not ill – Palace Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) – July 7, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte’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.

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Top Manila prosecutor shot dead, becomes 50th in list of slain lawyers, judges

MANILA, Philippines – The inquest division chief of the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office was killed on his way to work in a hail of bullets that ripped through his car on Tuesday, police said. Jovencio Senados, 62, who was being driven from his home in Calamba City, Laguna province, died outright from multiple bullet wounds inside his vehicle on Quirino Avenue around 11 a.m.

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SC upholds dismissal of Enrile’s damage suit vs columnist

A division of the Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of a multimillion-peso damage suit filed by former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile against former columnist Yolanda Ong – a piece of “much-needed good news for Philippine journalists,” her lawyer Chel Diokno said.

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‘Symbiotic:’ Dela Rosa believes anti-terror law will also ‘impact’ PH drug war

MANILA, Philippines – Citing a “symbiotic relationship” between drug lords and terror groups, former top cop and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa believes the newly-signed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will also have an “impact” in addressing the country’s drug problem.

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Greta Thunberg joins PH climate activists in call to junk anti-terrorism law

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has added her voice to calls of environmentalists to reject the new Anti-Terrorism Act, which human rights advocates and lawyers have assailed as yet another weapon that the government may use to clamp down on critics.

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TikTok withdraws from Hong Kong as Pompeo says U.S. may ban app

The short-form video app TikTok said Tuesday that it was withdrawing from Hong Kong, the latest tech company to review its involvement in the territory following a sweeping national security law passed by China. Earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. was considering banning TikTok and other Chinese apps.

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US-China tensions heat up in South China Sea

For the first time in six years, two US Navy aircraft carriers are in the South China Sea, the latest show of military might from Washington as it pushes back against China’s sweeping claim to much of the contested region.

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Hundreds of health groups petition against Trump

In a statement, HHS spokesperson Michael Caputo said the CDC “has been at the forefront of this whole-of-America response to the pandemic since day one” and is represented on the White House task force by both Azar and CDC Director Robert Redfield.

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COVID-19 cases may breach 65,000 by end of July, 100,000 by end of August – UP researcher

COVID-19 cases may breach 65,000 by end of July, 100,000 by end of August – UP researcher Bella Perez-Rubio (Philstar.com) – July 7, 2020 – 11:20am MANILA, Philippines- A researcher from the University of the Philippines on Tuesday warned that COVID-19 cases could breach 100,000 in the country by the end of August.

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Framers of Constitution oppose anti-terrorism law

“This law precisely creates a climate of fear, sends a chilling effect, on those who wish to express their legitimate grievances, state their aspirations, and wish to engage in open and democratic debate, and threatens the rights of associations who may wish to dissent and question the actuations of those in power.”

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Virus-free Sagada rejects crew shooting SONA video

Being an “adopted son” of Sagada, Mountain Province, did not help actor Piolo Pascual in entering the popular tourist town where he was supposed to shoot video footage for President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27.

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POLITICO’s Election Forecast: Trump, Senate GOP in trouble

In 2010, Republicans won state houses across the country and redrew electoral maps to their advantage. Now, as President Trump trails in the polls, Democrats see an opportunity to take back power. POLITICO’s Election Forecast is a long-term, qualitative examination of the political landscape, from the presidential campaign down to the congressional-district level.

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NAIA-3 set to resume international operations on July 8

NAIA-3 set to resume international operations on July 8 MANILA, Philippines – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 will resume international operations beginning July 8, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said yesterday. In a statement, MIAA said it is preparing for the resumption of international flight operations at the terminal “as global aviation endeavors to return to normalcy.”

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Critics ask SC for TRO vs anti-terrorism law, citing ‘repugnant’ provisions

MANILA, Philippines – A group of lawyers and educators asked the Supreme Court on Saturday to stop the enforcement of the newly signed Anti-Terrorism Act, saying it contained provisions that were “repugnant” to the Constitution. The 66-page petition for certiorari and prohibition was the first against the measure and filed via email a day after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law.

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Last American mayor of Baguio honored on Fil-Am Day

BAGUIO CITY – The last American mayor of the summer capital was honored on Saturday (July 4) at his tomb on this year’s Filipino-American Friendship Day. The late Eusebius Julius Halsema, an engineer, served as mayor from 1920 to 1937 and is credited for “transforming Baguio from a sleepy mining town of 5,000 people to a settlement of 25,000,” said Mayor Benjamin Magalong in a speech at the Baguio Public Cemetery.

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Trump returns to polarizing themes in Fourth of July address

President Donald Trump on Saturday railed against protesters, China and the media in an address marking America’s Independence Day – typically a non-partisan celebration of national unity. Trump, whose address largely mimicked the tone of his stump speeches, continued his attacks on protesters he said are “lying” about American history by calling for the removal of statues and memorials celebrating slaveholders and colonial and Confederate figures.

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President Donald Trump hosts Independence Day celebration at White House

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed visitors to the White House’s South Lawn to celebrate the Fourth of July.

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Duterte signs anti-terrorism bill

(Philstar.com) – July 3, 2020 – 5:48pm MANILA, Philippines (Update 2, 8:02 p.m.) – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the anti-terrorism bill into law, days after the Department of Justice and the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel submitted their recommendations on the proposal, which human rights groups warn could lead to abuse by security forces.

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‘Very timely, historic’: Senators laud passage of anti-terror bill despite ‘pressures’

MANILA, Philippines – Several senators on Friday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the Anti-Terrorism Act despite “the pressure coming from different directions” against the passage of the measure. “Much credit goes to ( President Duterte).

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Kellyanne Conway’s teen daughter hopes to help ‘educate’ with TikToks opposing Trump, supporting Black Lives Matter

WASHINGTON – White House counselor Kellyanne Conway’s 15-year-old daughter Claudia was not expecting the wave of support she got after TikTok videos opposing her mom’s boss went viral in the last day. But now Claudia says she hopes to use her platform to educate others on social justice issues.

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NUJP: Latest stop order vs ABS-CBN deprives 11 million Filipinos of news, information

NUJP: Latest stop order vs ABS-CBN deprives 11 million Filipinos of news, information MANILA, Philippines – The latest stop order to shutdown ABS-CBN’s affiliates deprives millions of Filipinos of news when information is most vital and would save lives in the middle of a pandemic, said the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

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Los Angeles Lakers begin process of finalizing deal with J.R. Smith

The Los Angeles Lakers have entered the preliminary stages of finalizing a deal with J.R. Smith, two people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The people were granted anonymity since they did not have authority to speak on an internal matter.

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Senate Republicans squeeze Trump over Russian bounties

Senate Republicans are vowing to get to the bottom of bombshell reports that Russia offered bounties to Afghan militants for targeted killings of U.S. troops overseas — and suggesting that retaliation against Moscow may be in order.

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NTC: ABS-CBN to cease Channel 43, TV Plus operations before day ends

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:40 p.m.) — ABS-CBN’s TV Plus services should have been ceased along with its other operations when it went off the air with the expiration of its legislative franchise and will be halted by Monday’s end by the National Telecommunications Commission, commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said Monday.

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Macau firm folds up PH unit as more POGO closures seen

MANILA, Philippines — Online gaming operators in the country may take their business elsewhere if disputes with tax authorities are not resolved soon, according to the government agency in charge of regulating these companies.

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US flexes naval muscle as Asean gets tough vs China

MANILA, Philippines—The United States flaunted its naval strength as countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) took an unusually tough stance against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

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Trump denies knowing about intelligence report that Russia put bounty on U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump denied Sunday that he knew about an intelligence report that concluded Russia had paid a bounty to the Taliban to kill American troops serving in Afghanistan.

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‘Ang Probinsyano’ star KC Montero nabbed for alleged social distancing violation

MANILA, Philippines — TV host KC Montero and his wife were among the 121 people arrested by police in a high-rise resto-bar on the 18th floor of a condominium in Salcedo Village, Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City yesterday.

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Senators: Gov’t ‘mishandling’ led to fast rise in PH virus cases

MANILA, Philippines – The World Health Organization (WHO) report that the Philippines had the fastest rise in new coronavirus cases in the Western Pacific region in the past two weeks was the result of the government’s “mishandling” of the pandemic, several senators said on Sunday.

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More than 500,000 people worldwide have now died from the coronavirus

More than a half-million people have now died from COVID-19 worldwide, and the death toll has doubled in just over seven weeks. That grim milestone – marked Sunday by Johns Hopkins University – is particularly unsettling given warnings by health experts that the pandemic is still in its infancy. The U.S.

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‘Indefensible’: Trump slammed for sharing video where supporter yells ‘white power’ at protesters

President Donald Trump came under fire Sunday after sharing a video in which a supporter twice shouts “white power.” “Thank you to the great people of The Villages. The Radical Left Do Nothing Democrats will Fall in the Fall. Corrupt Joe is shot. See you soon!!!”

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Trump admits it: He’s losing

What should have been an easy interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday horrified advisers when Trump offered a rambling, non-responsive answer to a simple question about his goals for a second term.

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‘Philippines sinks into recession’

A deeper economic slump looms in the second quarter, with gross domestic product contracting by as much as 6.7 percent due to the full impact of the tight lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipnas said.

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WHO: PH has fastest rise in virus cases in Western Pacific

MANILA, Philippines – In nearly two weeks, the Philippines had the fastest rise in coronavirus cases in the Western Pacific region, more than three times that of Singapore which is battling a second wave of infection. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that the country has logged 8,143 new cases since June 16, the highest among 22 countries in the region.

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Appeals court: Trump wrongly diverted $2.5 billion for border wall

The administration has already awarded much of the money, including a $1.3-billion job in Arizona that was announced last month. Trump visited Yuma, Arizona, on Tuesday to mark completion of the 200th mile of border wall during his administration, much of it with the transferred military funds that the 9th Circuit panel found illegal.

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Kris Aquino remembers dad on day renaming NAIA proposed

Kris Aquino remembers dad on day renaming NAIA proposed Ratziel San Juan (Philstar.com) – June 26, 2020 – 2:54pm MANILA, Philippines – Actress Kris Aquino said she fondly recalled her parents’ memory on the day that several lawmakers in the House of Representatives – including presidential son and District Rep.

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Revilla Sr., senator, film’s Agimat, 93

Revilla Sr., senator, film’s Agimat, 93 Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) – June 27, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. died of heart failure yesterday. He was 93. The passing of the former lawmaker was announced by his son, Sen.

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Health workers tell Duque: Just resign, it’s been 5 months without a plan

MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is facing yet another clamor for him to step down, this time from a group of health workers who blamed him for lack of a concrete plan resulting in high coronavirus infection rates in the country.

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Court rejects bid to block Mary Trump book

A revealing book set to be published next month by Mary Trump, niece of President Donald Trump, moved closer to publication on Thursday after a probate court judge in New York turned down a bid to block release of the unflattering account.

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Coronavirus pandemic: The latest updates from around the world

Two passengers of the MS Zaandam cruise ship filed suit against Holland America and its parent company, Carnival Corporation, Wednesday. Leonard Lindsay and Carl Zehner, who are married, accuse the company of mishandling the Covid-19 outbreak onboard. They say it led to Zehner contracting the disease and being on a ventilator for three weeks.

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Duterte son seeks to remove Ninoy from airport name

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte has filed a bill seeking to change the name of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport ostensibly to get rid of the bad image attached to the country’s leading airport and give the facility a fresh start.

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Olongapo court junks case vs teacher who offered bounty to kill Duterte

MANILA, Philippines-The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court has dismissed the case lodged against Ronnel Mas, a public school teacher who was arrested after posting on social media a P50-million bounty to anyone who can kill President Rodrigo Duterte.

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‘Baka kalaban ka:’ Cops intimidate dzBB reporter

MANILA, Philippines – A group of policemen allegedly intimidated a reporter of GMA’s radio station dzBB after doing a live traffic report in Marikina City, suspecting that the journalist “could be an enemy.” In a viral Facebook post, Mark Makalalad, who covers the Philippine National Police and Department of National Defense, narrated how he was questioned by four policemen after his report along Marcos Highway on Thursday.

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Maria Ressa, a rebel without a cause – The Manila Times

MY Times colleague Rigoberto “Bobi” Tiglao in his column on Monday said Rappler came out with the article maligning billionaire Wilfredo “Willy” Keng after the businessman turned down an offer for him to invest in the online news organization. Keng himself confirmed Tiglao’s allegation against Rappler in my telephone interview with him, also on Monday.

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Polls show Biden climbing past Trump in Wisconsin, Ohio

Both surveys underscore that Biden’s ascendance in Midwest states will be key to either candidate’s victory in November. Both Wisconsin and Ohio were won by President Barack Obama in 2012 before flipping to Trump in 2016.

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Roque: Duterte ‘very close’ with Duque’s brother

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is “very close” with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s brother and that he knows that the family will not steal from the government as they are already well-off, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday as the chief executive once again defended his embattled health chief.

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LTFRB chief: UV Express, jeepneys back next week

MANILA, Philippines – UV Express vans and conventional jeepneys will be allowed back on the road next week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief told lawmakers on Wednesday. During an online hearing held by the House committee on Metro Manila development, Caloocan City Rep.

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Villanueva: Why is nobody stopping POGO despite raids, non-payment of tax?

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Joel Villanueva has slammed anew the apparent “VIP treatment” on Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) as he lamented how nobody in the government ever demanded a stop to the gambling trade despite numerous violations during the lockdown and continued non-payment of taxes.

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Obama raises $7.6 million for Biden, warns Democrats against being ‘complacent or smug’

WASHINGTON – Former President Barack Obama warned Democrats against being “complacent or smug” about the presidential race at a grassroots fundraiser for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden Tuesday, calling on viewers to learn the lessons from 2016 and not take the election for granted.

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With record-high 1,150 new cases, PH’s COVID-19 count tops 31,800

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases jumped to 31,825 on Tuesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced a record-high 1,150 new cases. The 1,150 latest cases logged is the new highest single-day increase in new cases, beating May 29’s tally of 1,046.

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Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic among NBA players to test positive for COVID-19

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is among NBA players who have tested positive recently for COVID-19, a person familiar with details told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the Jokic diagnosis.

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Los Angeles council member arrested and charged with bribery

OAKLAND – FBI agents arrested Los Angeles City Council Member Jose Huizar on Tuesday on a federal racketeering charge stemming from his alleged involvement in a sprawling pay-to-play corruption scheme. Prosecutors believe Huizar and his associates solicited bribes and other financial perks like trips to Las Vegas from people with business before City Hall and, in return, helped those benefactors advance real estate projects.

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Prosecutor says he was pressured to cut Roger Stone ‘a break’ because of his ties to Trump

Zelinsky’s testimony is a stunning – and stunningly rare – public rebuke of Justice Department leadership by a sitting official. And it comes as Barr is facing intensifying scrutiny over actions that Justice Department veterans and Democrats have described as dangerous breaches of the Justice Department’s independence from politics.

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This Las Vegas casino company is paying guests $20 to wear masks

LAS VEGAS – Wearing a mask inside a Caesars Entertainment casino? Someone from the company may tap you on the shoulder and slip you $20 to gamble. The operator of five reopened hotel-casinos on The Strip has launched the promotion to encourage guests to wear masks and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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Duterte defends Duque as Ombudsman probes DOH for alleged COVID-19 anomalies

Duterte defends Duque as Ombudsman probes DOH for alleged COVID-19 anomalies MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte once again came to the defense of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who is facing an investigation for alleged irregularities and anomalies over the agency’s handling of the country’s coronavirus response.

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PH not late in making PPE orders, but other countries just acted earlier – Duque

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines was not late in ordering personal protective equipment (PPEs) for health workers. Other countries with higher COVID-19 cases just moved earlier. ADVERTISEMENT Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made this statement on Monday night during President Rodrigo Duterte’s briefing. “On the purchase of personal protective equipment, some people think that we […]

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Dedicated US-based doctor who died of COVID-19 wanted to retire in PH

(Last of two parts) MANILA, Philippines – Even with a successful career as a doctor in the United States, Jessie Ariel Ferreras never forgot his Philippine roots. ADVERTISEMENT Whenever he could, he made sure to be present in high school reunions in Laguna province and get-togethers with members of his class at the University of […]

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2020 Elections

Read the latest streaming news and analysis on the 2020 Presidential Election. Follow today’s top polls, candidates, primaries, debates and more with POLITICO.

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Trump fires Geoffrey Berman, top federal prosecutor in Manhattan after he refused to resign, Barr says

Attorney General William Barr on Saturday informed Manhattan’s chief federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman that President Donald Trump was removing him from office after the prosecutor refused to resign. “Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so,” Barr said in a terse letter to the prosecutor.

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25 more cops infected with virus

25 more cops infected with virus Emmanuel Tupas, Marc Jayson Cayabyab (The Philippine Star) – June 19, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Twenty-five more police officers have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019, bringing to 440 the number of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel who contracted COVID-19.

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Edu Manzano’s son Enzo holds solo protests in New York: ‘PH gov’t is destroying democracy’

Enzo Manzano, son of veteran actor Edu Manzano, decided to hold solo protests in New York to raise awareness on how “the Philippine government keeps coming up with ways to silence us back home.” “Today, I chose to stand outside the United Nations HQ for [three] hours,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday, June 18.

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De Lima in detention: ‘Don’t trust, don’t fear, don’t beg’

One can scarcely blame this fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte for preferring the company of cats to the humans who supervise her life in detention. “My mantra in detention is: ‘Don’t trust. Don’t fear.

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‘Asia’s Best Actress’ Lilia Dizon, Christopher de Leon’s mom, dies at 92

‘Asia’s Best Actress’ Lilia Dizon, Christopher de Leon’s mom, dies at 92 Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – June 15, 2020 – 4:30pm MANILA, Philippines – Veteran actress Lilia Dizon passed away at 8:20 a.m. this morning in her home. She was 92. Reports said that she died due to lung cancer complications.

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23,000 Pinoys displaced in Saudi

23,000 Pinoys displaced in Saudi MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) recently recorded more than 23,000 displaced Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, including some who were caught on video scavenging for food at a supermarket. “We have actually recorded 26,000 but we have already sent home 2,700 of them through special and chartered flights.

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US to provide P126 million for Philippines basic education

US to provide P126 million for Philippines basic education Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) – June 19, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – The US will provide $2.5 million (about P126 million) to help the Philippines implement the basic education learning continuity plan amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the US embassy said yesterday.

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Trump asked China for help getting reelected, Bolton book claims

The Trump Administration is rushing the production of a coronavirus vaccine. But it probably won’t be widely available until next spring or summer – and that’s if it even works. Also on Wednesday night, the director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, issued a statement saying that “regardless of rank or position, every individual entrusted with access to our nation’s secrets has a legal duty and responsibility to protect classified information.”

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Trump has a point about the polls

But some pollsters, especially the relatively few who conduct surveys in battleground states, are still grappling with the problems that plagued those polls four years ago. In fact, most pollsters believe that, on balance, state polls are overstating the scale of Biden’s advantage.

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Rayshard Brooks was kicked, denied medical care: The stunning allegations against ex-Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe

As Rayshard Brooks lay dying in a Wendy’s parking lot – shot twice in the back – Atlanta police officers kicked him and stood on his body, according to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.

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Trump asked China for help getting reelected, Bolton book claims

“Trump then, stunningly, turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election, alluding to China’s economic capability and pleading with Xi to ensure he’d win,” Bolton wrote. The president “stressed the importance of farmers and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome.”

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Anti-terror bill will allow ‘humane’ considerations in freezing of assets – Lacson

While the anti-terrorism bill is seen by its supporters to give more teeth to policies countering terrorist financing, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the measure would still provide for “humane” considerations in terms of freezing assets by allowing partial withdrawal of money for humanitarian needs.

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Ombudsman orders probe on Duque, DOH execs for ‘irregularities’ in COVID-19 response

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered an investigation on Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other officials and employees of the Department of Health (DOH) over alleged irregularities on the agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Tycoon Danding Cojuangco Jr. passes away

Tycoon Danding Cojuangco Jr. passes away (Philstar.com) – June 17, 2020 – 9:05am MANILA, Philippines – Tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. has passed away. He was 85. Cojuangco’s death was confirmed by San Miguel Corp. President Ramon Ang in a report by Bloomberg on Wednesday morning.

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‘It’s been one thing after another’: Americans are unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years, poll shows

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Spoiler alert: 2020 has been rough on the American psyche. Folks in the U.S. are more unhappy today than they’ve been in nearly 50 years. This bold – yet unsurprising – conclusion comes from the COVID Response Tracking Study, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago.

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Trump Justice Department sues to block John Bolton from publishing book

WASHINGTON – Following through on a threat to take legal action to block another potentially critical tell-all book, the Trump administration Tuesday filed a lawsuit to stop former national security adviser John Bolton from publishing his long expected memoir.

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PAL to offer ‘distancing seats’

PAL to offer ‘distancing seats’ MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be offering “distancing seats” starting next month in a move to encourage more people to fly again despite the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

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US voices concern over Ressa, Santos guilty verdict in cyberlibel case

MANILA, Philippines – The United States has voiced its concern over the guilty verdict recently handed down by a Manila court against journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. in a cyber libel case.

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Hillary Clinton says Ressa convicted for doing her job

MANILA, Philippines – Former U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced out her support for veteran journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa following the latter’s cyber libel conviction in the Philippines. Clinton, also former first lady and senator, said Ressa was convicted “for doing her job.”

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Supreme Court grants federal job protections to gay, lesbian, transgender workers

WASHINGTON – A divided Supreme Court further advanced the cause of LGBTQ rights Monday, ruling that a landmark civil rights law barring sex discrimination in the workplace applies to gay, lesbian and transgender workers. The decision was written by Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s first nominee to the court.

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Palace: Duterte supports press freedom, never sued journalists

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte supports free expression, Malacañang maintained yesterday as it disputed observations that the conviction of Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa for cyber libel was meant to silence critics of the government.

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Woman apologizes after backlash from confronting Filipino homeowner

The CEO of a cosmetics company issued an apology Sunday after a video was widely shared online showing her and her husband confronting a man and threatening to call police because he stenciled “Black Lives Matter” in chalk on his San Francisco property.

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Ressa’s case ‘deliberate strategy’ to intimidate journalists

MANILA, Philippines – The guilty decision handed down on Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. for cyberlibel appears to be part of a “strategy” among authoritarian governments that “want journalists to be afraid.”

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Donald Trump says he wants the number of U.S. troops in Germany cut in half

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Monday he is planning to withdraw a little more than half of the U.S. troops now stationed in Germany, despite concerns that such a move would reduce American influence throughout Europe. Claiming Germany is not paying enough toward the NATO military alliance, Trump said the total deployment of American troops in Germany would drop to 25,000.

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‘Two gunshot wounds of his back’: Rayshard Brooks’ death ruled as homicide; Atlanta officer fired

ATLANTA – A police officer was fired, a new chief was at the helm, and a Wendy’s restaurant burned Sunday as the city became the latest epicenter in the urgent, nationwide demand for social change. Rayshard Brooks, 27, was shot outside the Wendy’s late Friday.

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Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, writer found guilty of cyber libel

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa has found Rappler’s Executive Editor and CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. guilty of violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act specifically for cyber libel. Ressa and Santos are the first journalists to be found guilty of cyber libel.

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‘Police abuse’ denounced in arrest of 2 jewelers

The arrest of two traders in Manila in a drug sting by police officers, who neither identified themselves nor presented a warrant, illustrates the dangers of giving law enforcers more powers under the antiterrorism bill, a House leader said on Sunday.

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Manila residents in standoff with cops

Manila residents in standoff with cops Marc Jayson Cayabyab (The Philippine Star) – June 14, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – A standoff ensued between residents of San Andres Bukid, Manila and the police on Friday after two watchlisted suspects were arrested with illegal drugs that the family claimed had been planted.

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Int’l org reminds Duterte on UNCHR report: World is watching

MANILA, Philippines – An international group had a simple reminder for President Rodrigo Duterte, following his spokesperson’s pronouncements on the government’s refusal to fully heed recommendations from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): The world is watching you. ADVERTISEMENT On its message for the country’s celebration of its 122nd Independence Day on Friday, the […]

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2 more groups reject anti-terrorism bill

Two more groups – an organization of outstanding women and a group of lawyers – have joined calls for the rejection of the anti-terror bill recently passed by Congress. The latest to voice their opposition to the bill were the Towns Foundation and the Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties (CLCL).

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White House goes quiet on coronavirus as outbreak spikes again across the U.S.

The coronavirus is still killing as many as 1,000 Americans per day – but the Trump administration isn’t saying much about it. It’s been more than a month since the White House halted its daily coronavirus task force briefings.

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Black Atlanta man Rayshard Brooks ‘fleeing’ police dies after shooting at a Wendy’s drive-thru, investigators say

A 27-year-old Black man was shot by an Atlanta officer while fleeing froma struggle at a Wendy’s drive-thru late Friday night and died after surgery at a local hospital, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. One officer was treated for an injury and discharged.

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‘Mockingjay’ Aling Marie leads masses against anti-terror bill at ‘Grand Mañanita’

‘Mockingjay’ Aling Marie leads masses against anti-terror bill at ‘Grand Mañanita’ Ratziel San Juan (Philstar.com) – June 12, 2020 – 12:48pm MANILA, Philippines – Marie Dinglasan, more popularly known among Filipino netizens as “Aling Marie,” is gaining attention again for bravely speaking out Friday morning against the anti-terrorism bill during the 122nd Independence Day “Grand Mañanita” at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus.

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Protests against terror bill held in the provinces

BAGUIO CITY-From Baguio City to the streets of Cebu in the Visayas, about 200 activists went out on the streets to oppose the antiterrorism bill amid police presence, as the country marked its 122nd Independence Day on Friday. In Baguio, over a hundred protesters, including students and indigenous peoples, staged a “mañanita” rally in front of the University of the Philippines (UP).

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Xi assures Duterte: PH gets ‘priority’ access once China develops vaccine

China has promised to give the Philippines “priority” access to a vaccine it is developing against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Malacañang said on Friday. Chinese President Xi Jinping gave this assurance to President Rodrigo Duterte during their 38-minute telephone conversation on Thursday night.

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Threat of arrest fails to stop ‘mañanita’ rallies vs terror bill

With colorful placards, parody jingles and a giant “Voltes V” figure, protesters practicing physical distancing filled the Oblation Plaza at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman on Friday morning for a “grand mañanita program” to mark the country’s 122nd Independence Day and condemn “state terrorism.”

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China-backed presidential bet possible in 2022 – experts

China-backed presidential bet possible in 2022 – experts Patricia Lourdes Viray (Philstar.com) – June 11, 2020 – 11:12am MANILA, Philippines – Experts warned that China might interfere in the 2022 national elections by supporting a presidential candidate. Retired Rear. Adm.

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UN expert stresses importance of journalism to court set to rule on cyber libel case vs Ressa

UN expert stresses importance of journalism to court set to rule on cyber libel case vs Ressa Kristine Joy Patag (Philstar.com) – June 12, 2020 – 10:35am MANILA, Philippines – Days before the Manila court hands down its verdict on the cyber libel case against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, a United Nations expert sought to tell the court of the role of journalists and freedom of expression.

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UP research: PH virus cases may hit 40,000 this month

The total number of new coronavirus cases in the country could reach 40,000 by the end of June, researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) said on Thursday. Professor Guido David of the UP OCTA Research told an online forum hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) that the projection was based on current trends in coronavirus data.

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Trump rally attendees must agree not to sue campaign over potential coronavirus exposure

Right above a red “register” button on the page, the site includes a short disclaimer, informing attendees that “by clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.”

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Martin Gugino, 75-year-old protester pushed in Buffalo, has brain injury and will start physical therapy

Martin Gugino, 75, of Amherst, sustained a brain injury after an incident with Buffalo Police last week. Gugino was pushed by Buffalo Police officers after a protest, causing him to fall and whack his head on the sidewalk in front of Buffalo’s City Hall.

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USA TODAY Poll: Forceful clearing of Lafayette Square protest was defining moment for president and protests

The police crackdown to clear protesters from Lafayette Square last week looms as a defining moment in the national debate over race and law enforcement that followed the death of George Floyd. An exclusive USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll finds Americans overwhelmingly endorse the right of peaceful protest outside the White House – a view held by nearly 9 of 10 people across racial and partisan lines.

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Palace: Anti-terror bill has enough safeguards

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said yesterday there are enough safeguards in the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act against possible abuse, and that President Duterte would subject the measure to close scrutiny with “public interest” in mind. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said there are appropriate procedures to follow under the law in terms of arrest and detention of suspected terrorists.

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Harsh only on the powerless

What is wrong with this picture? In August 2015, the Supreme Court allowed former senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail for the nonbailable plunder charges he had faced in the P10-billion pork barrel scam. In a 16-page decision, associate justice Lucas Bersamin cited Enrile’s age (91), his supposedly fragile health, and his “social and […]

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Maria Ressa braces for verdict in ‘cyber libel’ case

VIENNA – An award-winning journalist who has aggressively covered President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration is bracing for a verdict in a libel case and says she sees the upcoming decision as “an existential moment” for democracy in the Philippines.

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COVID-19 cases in PH exceed 23,000; death toll stands at 1,027

MANILA, Philippines – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country exceeded 23,000 on Wednesday as the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 750 new cases. The total number of cases now stands at 23,732. Of the new cases, 452 were “fresh” or those whose test results were validated and released within the last three days, while 288 cases were “late” reports.

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PNP, DILG warn terror bill critics planning June 12 protests

A senior Philippine National Police official on Wednesday warned activists that they could be arrested if they joined street protests against the proposed antiterrorism law, as Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reminded the public that mass gatherings were still disallowed under general community quarantine (GCQ).

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Congress probe into surge of dummy Facebook accounts sought

Congress probe into surge of dummy Facebook accounts sought (Philstar.com) – June 10, 2020 – 11:23am MANILA, Philippines – Rep. Rufino Biazon (Muntinlupa) called on the House of Representatives to conduct a legislative inquiry into the proliferation of duplicate accounts on Facebook. Biazon wrote on Twitter that he filed Resolution No.

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Pangilinan: Anti-terror bill prone to abuse with ‘authoritarian bent’ of Duterte admin

MANILA, Philippines – With the “authoritarian bent” of the Duterte administration, the anti-terrorism bill, once enacted into law, will be prone to possible abuse, according to Senator Francis Pangilinan. “Given the authoritarian bent of the current administration…who is to be confident that this law will not be abused or used to go after critics?”

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2 lawmakers clash at ABS-CBN franchise hearing

2 lawmakers clash at ABS-CBN franchise hearing Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) – June 9, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives continued yesterday its hearing on the franchise renewal application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN even after it adjourned sine die.

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PAL resumes flights to 8 domestic destinations, Manila-Los Angeles

PAL resumes flights to 8 domestic destinations, Manila-Los Angeles Rudy Santos (The Philippine Star) – June 9, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) resumed yesterday regular passenger flights to eight domestic and one international destination under new normal safety procedures for travelers from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals.

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Faking Facebook accounts a criminal offense, says DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked Facebook to take down over a hundred of dummy accounts bearing the names of students and alumni of several universities across the country, but the data must be preserved for possible prosecution of the perpetrators.

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Pressures increasing on Indonesia and Malaysia in the South China Sea

Chinese and Malaysian vessels were locked in a high-stakes standoff for more than one month earlier this year, near the island of Borneo in the South China Sea.

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PH COVID-19 cases rise to 21,895; death toll breaches 1,000-mark

MANILA, Philippines – The total number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines is now at 21,895, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday. The DOH said that it logged 378 new “fresh cases,” meaning the test results were released within the last three days.

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20 lawmakers step back from terror bill

Fifteen members of the House of Representatives had their names stricken out as authors of the controversial terrorism bill while at least five others retracted or corrected their vote amid a groundswell of opposition to the controversial measure feared as a potential state weapon against dissent.

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PNP: Cebu arrests not due to protests

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police said eight protesters, including students of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Cebu City, were arrested on Friday because they defied the ban on mass gatherings. “[The arrests] had nothing to do with their protest against the antiterrorism bill.

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2020 election: George W Bush, Mitt Romney, and other GOP establishment figures refuse to support Trump

Several longtime Republicans who have held political and military offices as high up as secretary of state and even the presidency will not vote for Donald Trump in 2020, as criticism of the 45th president’s handling of anti-police-brutality protests intensifies in the wake of the death of George Floyd

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2 more underground clinics for Chinese busted; total now 6

MANILA, Philippines – Police raided a Chinese-run clinic in Parañaque around midnight of Saturday, the third such illegal facility found in the city, as authorities widened the crackdown on clandestine medical establishments allegedly catering to Chinese coronavirus patients.

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NUPL: Constitutional challenge being readied vs Anti-Terrorism Bill

MANILA, Philippines – The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said it would not wait for anyone to be victimized by the impending antiterrorism law and would immediately challenge it before the Supreme Court. “We are actually feverishly preparing the petition through a composite legal team of NUPL lawyers,” NUPL president Edre Olalia said on Friday.

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DOJ starts review of anti-terrorism bill

DOJ starts review of anti-terrorism bill (Philstar.com) – June 7, 2020 – 9:58am MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice is set to begin its review of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, its chief told reporters Saturday.

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‘I feel the gravity of this moment’: Thousands gather on nation’s capital on ninth day of protests over George Floyd’s death

WASHINGTON – Thousands of protesters from all walks of life – black, white, young, old,straight, gay – poured into downtown Washington Saturday to demand an end to police violence against African Americans.

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Colin Powell: Trump ‘lies all the time’

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell called on voters not to reelect President Donald Trump this fall – saying it’s time to make America better for all people, not just a few. “I think he has not been an effective president,” Powell told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview Sunday morning.

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Trump’s former defense secretary Mattis blasts president as a threat to American democracy

WASHINGTON – Former Defense Secretary James Mattis denounced President Donald Trump Wednesday in an statement that hammered his former boss as a threat to American democracy. Trump is needlessly dividing the country and “militarizing” America’s response to the protests, Mattis wrote in a statement published by The Atlantic magazine.

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‘Outraged’: Trump faces condemnation for clearing protesters, threatening military force

“At no time did we think it was appropriate that people who had not violated the curfew or anything else receive that treatment,” Bowser told CNN, saying she could not comment on “what made the federal authorities think it was appropriate to clear the way for that purpose.”

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Trump denies sheltering in White House bunker amid protests

President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied reports that he retreated to the underground bunker beneath the White House last Friday night as protests outside the executive mansion escalated, insisting he only visited the secure facility for a brief time during the day for the purposes of “inspection.” “It was a false report.

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Anti-terror bill approved with no changes in ‘unconstitutional provisions’

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 by a vote of 173-31, with 29 abstentions. The approved version was a virtual copy of Senate Bill No. 1083, which the upper chamber passed in February.

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Clampdown of freedom of expression in Philippines alarms UN human rights chief

Clampdown of freedom of expression in Philippines alarms UN human rights chief Gaea Katreena Cabico (Philstar.com) – June 4, 2020 – 8:33am MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations rights chief sounded alarm over the arbitrary arrests of people who criticize their government’s response to the coronavirus crisis or even simply share views on the pandemic in different Asian countries, including the Philippines.

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Clampdown of freedom of expression in Philippines alarms UN human rights chief

Clampdown of freedom of expression in Philippines alarms UN human rights chief Gaea Katreena Cabico (Philstar.com) – June 4, 2020 – 8:33am MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations rights chief sounded alarm over the arbitrary arrests of people who criticize their government’s response to the coronavirus crisis or even simply share views on the pandemic in different Asian countries, including the Philippines.

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Taylor Swift joins call to junk ‘Anti-Terror’ Bill in Philippines

Taylor Swift joins call to junk ‘Anti-Terror’ Bill in Philippines Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – June 3, 2020 – 12:25pm MANILA, Philippines – International pop star Taylor Swift joined the call to junk the Anti-Terror Bill in the Philippines. In her Instagram story yesterday, Taylor posted ways people can help on the issues surrounding the world today, including Junk Terror Bill.

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Traditional jeepney phaseout to proceed

Traditional jeepney phaseout to proceed MANILA, Philippines – With still no clear timeline as to when they can resume operations amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Philippines’ traditional jeepneys, dubbed “king of the road,” may no longer be plying major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

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Termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US on hold

Termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US on hold (Philstar.com) – June 2, 2020 – 8:53pm MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:15 a.m., June 3, 2020) – The Philippines has suspended the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US “in light of political and other developments” in the region, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

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Calls mount vs ‘urgent’ anti-terrorism bill

Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers on Tuesday made a desperate call to Congress not to approve the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, warning that the measure aimed at crushing terrorism could easily be abused to crack down on dissent and constrict the democratic space in the country.

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Republicans chide Trump for ousting protesters, church photo-op

And Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said it was “definitely not” right for peaceful protesters, who were gathered around Lafayette Park in front of the White House, to be sprayed with tear gas. And he criticized the president for walking to St. John’s Episcopal Church right before the 7 p.m.

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‘Word of God as a political prop’: GOP senators criticize Trump after George Floyd protesters forced out of park

WASHINGTON – Republican senators were split on President Donald Trump’s decision Monday to push back protesters from an area surrounding the White House so he could visit a historic church across the street to take a photo with a Bible.

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Duterte urges House to fast-track passage of ‘Anti-Terror Bill’

Duterte urges House to fast-track passage of ‘Anti-Terror Bill’ MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has certified the proposed Anti-Terror Bill urgent, which would fast-track its passage through the House of Representatives, where the administration enjoys an overwhelming majority.

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COVID-19 cases hit 18,638 as Philippines eases virus lockdown

COVID-19 cases hit 18,638 as Philippines eases virus lockdown Gaea Katreena Cabico (Philstar.com) – June 1, 2020 – 5:08pm MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines said its caseload of novel coronavirus infections reached 18,638 Monday as Metro Manila and other areas at high-risk of virus transmission shifted to a more relaxed community quarantine that allowed more businesses to reopen and workers to return to their jobs.

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‘If I had not been SolGen, I will make you eat your words,’ Calida tells Coco Martin

MANILA, Philippines – “If I had not been the Solicitor General, I would have called his bluff and make him eat his words.” These were the words of Office of the Solicitor General chief Jose Calida during a joint committee hearing at the House of Representatives Monday, breaking weeks of silence following the public uproar over the shutdown of media giant ABS-CBN over its franchise issues.

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Chaos as thousands return to work in Metro Manila

They were raring to go back to work on Monday after three months of being cooped up at home. But the lack of public transportation forced thousands on the first day of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila to walk to offices, hitch rides on the backs of trucks or, if they were lucky, in private vehicles.

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‘Nowhere to be found’: Governors blast Trump after he tells them they are ‘weak’ on phone call

WASHINGTON – Governors including one Republican pushed back at President Donald Trump Monday after he told them on a phone call they are “weak” and need to use force to “dominate” riots that have erupted during protests over the death of George Floyd. Democratic Michigan Gov.

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Military personnel, equipment seen in DC after Trump promised to ‘dominate the streets’

Military helicopters, vehicles and personnel began to descend on the streets of Washington, D.C., Monday night, hours after President Donald Trump promised to “dominate the streets” and protesters demonstrating peacefully were pushed back with tear gas to make way for the president to visit a nearby church.

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Illinois governor butts heads with Trump on conference call

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday called on President Donald Trump to dial back what the governor characterized as incendiary rhetoric in the wake of the death of a black man in Minneapolis police custody.

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Black Protester Confronts White Women Tagging Starbucks with ‘BLM’

Play video content Two white protesters got called out by a black protester for tagging a Starbucks with graffiti repping the Black Lives Matter movement … and the bizarre encounter was caught on video. Check it out …

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J.R. Smith Beats The Hell Out of Alleged Car Vandalizer During L.A. Protests

Play video content Exclusive TMZSports.com NBA star J.R. Smith beat the living daylights out of a man who allegedly smashed his car window during the wild protests in L.A. … and TMZ Sports has the video. You can see … the 6’6″, 225-pounder unleashed a barrage of violent kicks on the man — landing several times in the head.

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Michigan sheriff joins demonstrators in ‘parade’

A Michigan sheriff joined protesters in Flint Township on Saturday, putting down his weapons and saying, “I want to make this a parade, not a protest.”

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Boston Marathon canceled for the first time in 124-year history

The Boston Marathon will not be held in 2020, the first cancellation in the event’s 124-year history. The Marathon was originally postponed from its traditional Patriots’ Day running in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers had hoped to stage it on Sept.

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Trump’s social media order to have agencies review whether Twitter, Facebook can be sued for content

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday designed – in theory – to make it easier to sue social media companies such as Twitter, days after the site placed a fact check label on two of his tweets.

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SC: More than 22,000 detainees released since lockdown

SC: More than 22,000 detainees released since lockdown Kristine Joy Patag (Philstar.com) – May 29, 2020 – 11:42am MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Judiciary has released more than 22,000 detainees through videoconferencing since the lockdown was enforced, Court Administrator Midas Marquez said.

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SC: More than 22,000 detainees released since lockdown

SC: More than 22,000 detainees released since lockdown Kristine Joy Patag (Philstar.com) – May 29, 2020 – 11:42am MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Judiciary has released more than 22,000 detainees through videoconferencing since the lockdown was enforced, Court Administrator Midas Marquez said.

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Duterte ‘sure’ China will be first to develop COVID-19 vaccine

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night expressed confidence that China, where the COVID-19 pandemic originated, will be among the first countries to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. According to Duterte, China is already developing a vaccine and that it may be available by September.

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Willie Revillame defends ABS-CBN after Harry Roque jokes about shutdown on ‘Wowowin’

Willie Revillame defends ABS-CBN after Harry Roque jokes about shutdown on ‘Wowowin’ Jan Milo Severo (Philstar.com) – May 27, 2020 – 7:12pm MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque threw shade at ABS-CBN shutdown in his guesting on “Wowowin” today.

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The next 100 days: How the coronavirus will continue to change your life at home, at work, at school and beyond

It didn’t take much longer than 100 days for the coronavirus to claim the lives of 100,000 Americans, an unimaginable toll when the first person in the U.S. died of COVID-19, believed to have happened Feb. 6 in California.

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Philippines’ task force recommends easing of lockdown in capital

MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines’ coronavirus task force has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte easing lockdown measures in Manila from June 1, despite the country still reporting some of its highest daily numbers of COVID-19 cases and missing testing targets.

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What we know about the death of George Floyd: 4 Minneapolis police officers fired after ‘horrifying’ video hits social media

Government officials and Minnesota locals alike expressed outrage after a video surfaced showing a white police officer kneeling on the neck of a black man and ignoring his pleas for help until first responders put him, unresponsive, on a stretcher. The man, identified at 46-year-old George Floyd, died at a local hospital, according to police.

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Solgen: SC has no power over ABS-CBN case

MANILA, Philippines – Solicitor General Jose Calida on Tuesday told the Supreme Court it had no jurisdiction to act on ABS-CBN’s petition seeking to set aside the shutdown order by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

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Duterte takes responsibility for ‘expensive’ DOH purchases

President Duterte took responsibility for the “expensive” equipment purchases made by the Department of Health (DOH) to help the country stop the spread of the new coronavirus, but he ordered the investigation of the alleged overpriced laboratory equipment exclusively sold by a business couple.

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Duterte defends DOH amid ‘overpriced’ PPEs, medical equipment issue

Duterte defends DOH amid ‘overpriced’ PPEs, medical equipment issue (Philstar.com) – May 26, 2020 – 10:03am MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte defended the Department of Health over the procurement of allegedly “overpriced” protective gear for healthcare workers and medical supplies needed to combat the coronavirus disease in the country.

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Hospitals, senators want Duque axed

A group of private hospital administrators has asked President Duterte to sack Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, saying the country is in need of someone with a “fresh mind” to head the agency at the forefront of the country’s response efforts against the coronavirus disease.

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World Health Organization drops hydroxychloroquine from global coronavirus treatment study

The World Health Organization announced Monday a “temporary pause” on the inclusion of an anti-malarial drug, which President Donald Trump said he used to help stave off coronavirus, in a global study on potential treatments for the disease.

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Desperate rats are brazenly searching for food during the coronavirus pandemic, CDC warns

They are furry and they are furious – and they may be the most desperate of diners to yearn for restaurants to unlock from shutdown. Rats, it seems, haven’t been satisfied with curbside pickup or delivery during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Trump says he’s finished hydroxychloroquine regimen to ward off COVID-19

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said he has finished taking his regimen of hydroxychloroquine, a controversial drug he has promoted as a treatment for the coronavirus despite warnings from his own U.S. Food and Drug Administration and medical professionals about its effectiveness and potentially dangerous side effects.

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SWS: 87% of Filipinos worry about a family member getting COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines – Eighty-seven percent of Filipinos worry about a family member contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results showed. Of the 4,010 working-age Filipinos surveyed from May 4 to 10 via mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing, 13 percent said they are not worried.

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Duterte scouting for new DOH chief?

President Duterte is reportedly scouting for somebody to replace Francisco Duque III as health secretary amid calls for his resignation by members of the Senate and other sectors of society due to his handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

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NBA great Patrick Ewing hospitalized with COVID-19

NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, now the head basketball coach at Georgetown University, is in hospital with COVID-19. Ewing, 57, said on Twitter on Friday he had tested positive for the virus. “This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly,” the New York Knicks icon said in a statement.

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Senators dismayed by Duque’s lack of effort to improve leadership – Lacson

MANILA, Philippines – Senators are disappointed by what they see as a lack of effort by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to improve his leadership after a recent Senate hearing uncovered more lapses in the government’s response to the coronavirus disease pandemic. “Honestly, we were more dismayed, more disappointed.

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‘Government winning war vs COVID’

MANILA, Philippines – The country is winning the war against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the chief implementer of the government’s response to the pandemic. “For two months that we implemented the enhanced community quarantine, where are we now?

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2 NBI informants slain in Taguig drug sting

2 NBI informants slain in Taguig drug sting Ralph Edwin Villanueva (The Philippine Star) – May 24, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Two informants of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were shot dead by police officers during a drug bust in Taguig City on Friday night.

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Sessions claps back at Trump: ‘You’re damn fortunate’ I recused from Russia probe

“3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began,” Trump tweeted. “He let our Country down. That’s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville), the true supporter of our #MAGA agenda!” Sessions followed up on Saturday morning, saying Trump’s thoughts won’t sway Alabama voters’ minds.

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Pompeo blasts Beijing’s national security bill as ‘death knell’ for Hong Kong’s autonomy

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday condemned efforts by Beijing to enact national security legislation in Hong Kong, charging that the implementation of such a measure would represent a “death knell” for the semi-autonomy afforded to the Chinese territory. “Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of liberty,” Pompeo said in a statement.

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Palace debunks DOH: PH still in first wave of pandemic

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is still in the first wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Malacañang said Thursday, refuting Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s declaration that the country is now facing the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. “Tayo po ngayon ay nasa (We are in the) first wave,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a televised Palace briefing.

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SWS: Number of hungry Filipino families nearly doubles due to COVID-19 blow

SWS: Number of hungry Filipino families nearly doubles due to COVID-19 blow (Philstar.com) – May 22, 2020 – 8:53am MANILA, Philippines – The number of Filipino families who experienced hunger nearly doubled in the first quarter, a survey from the Social Weather Stations suggests, as the novel coronavirus outbreak placed millions under lockdowns and ravaged the country’s economy.

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‘Cha-cha effort dead in the water’

‘Cha-cha effort dead in the water’ Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) – May 22, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Nearly two years before President Duterte steps down, efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution and push for a federal system of government may now be dead in the water.

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Ford ‘encouraged’ Trump to wear mask during factory tour, but it came off for the cameras

WASHINGTON – Ford executives encouraged President Donald Trump to don a face mask during his visit to one of its factories Thursday, but he said he chose not to wear it near photographers because he “didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.”

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‘Badge of honor’: Trump now says high number of U.S. coronavirus cases is a tribute to testing progress

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he viewed the number of U.S. cases of coronavirus – the highest in the world – as a “badge of honor” because the still-increasing figure is a reflection of the country’s testing capacity.

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ABS-CBN near ‘very painful’ decision

MANILA, Philippines – Media giant ABS-CBN may have to start letting go some of its 11,000 employees in August if Congress fails to grant its application for franchise renewal soon, the network’s president and CEO Carlo Katigbak told the Senate on Tuesday.

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NBI arrests internet personality Francis Leo Marcos

NBI arrests internet personality Francis Leo Marcos (Philstar.com) – May 19, 2020 – 3:36pm MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday arrested internet personality Francis Leo Marcos over violation of the optometry law.

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PH ‘actually’ on second wave of COVID-19 infections now – Duque

MANILA, Philippines – “Actually, we’re on the second wave” of COVID-19 infection. This was revealed Wednesday by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III during the resumption of the Senate hearing on the government’s COVID-19 response. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

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Illegal hospital treating COVID-19 patients shut

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) on Wednesday ordered the closure and full lockdown of an illegal hospital treating Chinese nationals infected with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) inside an upscale village at Clark Freeport, north of this provincial capital of Pampanga.

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Woman tops PNPA graduating class

Woman tops PNPA graduating class Emmanuel Tupas (The Philippine Star) – May 21, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – A female cadet is this year’s topnotcher among graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). Cadet Lei Anne Bancio Palermo topped the 277 graduates of PNPA Mandayug Class of 2020, which includes 194 male cadets.

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SC defers issuance of TRO on ABS-CBN shutdown – The Manila Times

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday deferred issuing a temporary restraining order on the closure of ABS-CBN that would have allowed it to resume operations. According to unimpeachable sources, the SC en banc during its deliberations on Tuesday, the justices instead ordered the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to file its comment within 10 days on […]

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Calida declines to attend Senate hearing on ABS-CBN anew, cites ‘sub judice’

Calida declines to attend Senate hearing on ABS-CBN anew, cites ‘sub judice’ Kristine Joy Patag (Philstar.com) – May 19, 2020 – 11:01am MANILA, Philippines – SolicitorGeneral Jose Calida has again declined to attend the Senate hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise, saying issues surrounding the matter are part of pending petitions in the Supreme Court.

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Trump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine, the drug he touted as coronavirus treatment, despite FDA warnings

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Monday he is taking hydroxychloroquine, a drug that he’s repeatedly touted as a treatment for coronavirus, despite warnings about its effectiveness. “I happen to be taking it,” Trump said during a roundtable discussion with restaurant executives at the White House.

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500,000 rapid test kits arrive in Philippines

500,000 rapid test kits arrive in Philippines Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star) – May 18, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – The first batch of more than 500,000 antibody rapid test kits for private sector-led Project Antibody Rapid Test Kit (ARK) has arrived in the country.

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COVID-positive OFWs flee quarantine – PCG

MANILA, Philippines – An unknown number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), some of whom tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have escaped from hotels that are being used as quarantine facilities in Metro Manila. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo yesterday confirmed there were OFWs who fled from quarantine.

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Lawmakers on Charter change: ‘Not right time’

Lawmakers on Sunday rejected the insistence of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on introducing amendments to the Constitution for economic and political reforms amid the national struggle to contain the spread of the new coronavirus in the country.

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Lacson flags overpriced medical supplies for DOH

MANILA, Philippines – Billions of pesos in taxpayer money may have lined the pockets of corrupt public officials behind the procurement of allegedly overpriced medical supplies for the Department of Health (DOH), Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Sunday.

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State Department watchdog critical of Trump moves fired

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration fired the State Department’s watchdog late Friday, ousting a career investigator who had uncovered alleged political bias at the agency. The decision – made quietly and without explanation – was the latest in a series of purges the White House has undertaken in recent months to remove government overseers who are charged with reporting on government malfeasance and corruption.

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China flaunts muscle to show coronavirus left might intact – analyst

China flaunts muscle to show coronavirus left might intact – analyst Patricia Lourdes Viray (Philstar.com) – May 15, 2020 – 4:14pm MANILA, Philippines – China’s recent establishment of new facilities in the South China Sea might be Beijing’s way to show the rest of the world that its might was not crippled by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an analyst has said.

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COVID-19 cases in PH climb to 12,305 as DOH records 214 new infections

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) reported Saturday an additional 214 cases of COVID-19, increasing the number of coronavirus infections in the country to 12,305. DOH, at the same time, said 101 patients were able to recover from the severe respiratory illness, bringing the total to 2,561 recoveries, as death toll claimed to 817 with the death of 11 more people.

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Monsod: Arrest of Duterte critic sans libel complaint illegal, unconstitutional

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Christian Monsod, one of the 1987 Constitution’s framers has reminded law enforcers that arresting a cyber-libel suspect for allegedly maligning President Rodrigo Duterte, without a formal complaint, is both illegal and unconstitutional.

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140,000 flee as Typhoon Ambo hits Samar like a ‘Yolanda Jr.’

Tens of thousands of people crammed into evacuation centers while trying to follow social distance protocols for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday, as a powerful typhoon hammered the Philippines.

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Man who called Duterte ‘buang’ on Facebook arrested for cyberlibel

MANILA, Philippines – A 41-year-old man was arrested in Agusan del Norte for his Facebook post criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday afternoon. Caraga police director Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel arrested Reynaldo Orcullo, who is a salesman living in Barangay Triangulo, Nasipit town, for alleged libelous statements posted on Facebook, which supposedly called the President “foolish.”

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Derek Ramsay selling 3 luxury cars, Internet users give funny reactions

Derek Ramsay selling 3 luxury cars, Internet users give funny reactions MANILA, Philippines – “Time to sell my toys. Message me if interested,” Kapuso star Derek Ramsay announced as he put his Aston Martin DB11, Rolls-Royce Ghost and Ferrari F12 Berlinetta up for sale on Facebook.

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Vico Sotto inks deal to employ 500 tricycle drivers for food delivery

To help and support thousands of tricycle drivers and their families in Metro Manila who lost their means of livelihood during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, tech company Foodpanda recently expanded its pandaTODA project in Pasig City in partnership with the city government to provide jobs to at least 500 Pasig City tricycle drivers.

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House OKs ABS-CBN provisional franchise

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill granting a provisional franchise to broadcast giant ABS-CBN until Oct. 31 while Congress deliberates on the network’s application for the renewal of its franchise.

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137 Pinoys in US die of COVID

137 Pinoys in US die of COVID MANILA, Philippines – At least 137 Filipinos in the United States, including 18 medical frontliners, have died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Philippine embassy in Washington reported yesterday. During the Laging Handa televised press briefing, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said 253 Filipinos in the US and Caribbean countries have contracted the disease.

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WHO: Coronavirus may never go away

WHO: Coronavirus may never go away Robin Millard (Agence France-Presse) – May 14, 2020 – 7:50am GENEVA, Switzerland – The new coronavirus may never go away and populations around the world will have to learn to live with it, the World Health Organization warned Wednesday.

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Fauci warns reopening country too fast could be ‘really serious’ for states

The Trump administration’s top infectious disease expert testified Tuesday that the consequence of reopening the country too early could be “really serious” if states don’t have the capability to respond to new coronavirus infections.

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Matt Damon talks coronavirus and ‘Contagion,’ reveals his daughter had virus ‘early on’

Matt Damon revealed his oldest daughter had coronavirus in New York City while the rest of the Damons quarantined in Ireland. The actor, 49, had been in Dublin shooting Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel” when the country began to shut down over coronavirus concerns.

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Ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort released from prison amid coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been released from prison and is now in home confinement as the coronavirus pandemic spreads in the federal corrections system. Todd Blanche, one of Manafort’s attorneys, said the 71-year-old was released Wednesday morning.

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Perjury, graft charges eyed vs Calida, NTC over ABS-CBN shutdown

MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker wants the House of Representatives to look into possible graft and perjury charges against the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) over the shutdown of media giant ABS-CBN. Anakalusugan Partylist Rep.

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Alan Peter blames NTC, vows to fix ABS-CBN mess

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday vowed to “fix the mess” spawned by the closure of broadcast giant ABS-CBN by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

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ABS-CBN’s closure, government’s big blunder – The Manila Times

I AM not a fan of the Lopezes, especially the swaggering Gabby, but I shed copious tears in the last few minutes before the ABS-CBN network went off the air Tuesday night. And I’m sure millions of my countrymen wept with me as the broadcasters of the giant network bade goodbye to their viewers and […]

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Michael Flynn case continues DOJ’s dismantling of Robert Mueller’s investigation ‘brick by brick’

It started almost immediately, with the roll-out of the Russia investigation. Before the results of special counsel Robert Mueller’s 22-month inquiry into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election were made public a year ago, Attorney General William Barr declared that there was insufficient evidence to charge President Donald Trump with obstruction of justice.

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Katie Miller, Pence spokesperson, tests positive for coronavirus

Katie Miller, a spokesperson for Vice President Mike Pence, has tested positive for coronavirus, according to two people with knowledge of Miller’s diagnosis. Miller’s positive diagnosis for Covid-19 puts the potential threat of the infection squarely into the president’s inner circle. Miller serves as the vice president’s top spokesperson, traveling with him frequently and attending meetings by his side.

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US ‘concerned’ over shutdown of ABS-CBN

US ‘concerned’ over shutdown of ABS-CBN (Agence France-Presse) – May 8, 2020 – 8:35am WASHINGTON, United States – The United States on Friday voiced concern over the Philippine government-ordered shutdown of the country’s top broadcaster ABS-CBN, which has been targeted by President Rodrigo Duterte.

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ABS-CBN goes to SC

Citing losses of as much as P35 million daily as well as endangerment of the livelihood of thousands with its abrupt closure, ABS-CBN Corp. has asked the Supreme Court to stop the National Telecommunications Commission from enforcing its cease and desist order against the network giant.

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Cayetano: Congress to fix the mess others made on ABS-CBN franchise

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday broke his silence on the issue of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal, sCongress will rise to the occasion and “fix the mess” others have made. “We would have wanted to do this in an orderly manner.

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ABS-CBN shutdown a ‘shame’ for NTC, Congress, Locsin says

MANILA, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Wednesday berated the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the House of Representatives over the shutdown of television giant ABS-CBN. In a tweet, the outspoken top diplomat said closing down a major media outlet that has provided news, entertainment, and comfort for millions of Filipinos here and abroad is a “shame” for the NTC and Congress.

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CHR, schools, media, lawyers’ groups slam ‘attack on democracy’

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday decried the “chilling effect” of the ABS-CBN network shutdown on the freedom of expression and press freedom, saying that “political whims” should not decide the fate of any media entity.

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