News Roundup 25 April 2023
Apr 25, 2023 • 4 min Read
New PNP chief Acorda vows to maintain cleansing of ranks | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has picked Police Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the new chief of the 228,000-strong Philippine National Police, a move hailed by lawmakers and colleagues.
In his acceptance speech during the change-of-command ceremony led by the President on Monday at Camp Crame, Acorda, the former chief of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, promised to continue his predecessor’s campaign to cleanse the police organization of scalawags.
“My stand on [illegal] drugs is clear—no police should be involved in pushing, using or whatever means of illegal drug trade,” he pointed out.
“You will be charged and removed from the service. This is my warning to each and everyone of you, our fight will be holistic in prevention and aggressive in operations,” he told policemen. “Under my leadership, rewards and punishment will be quick and decisive, it shall be fair and impartial and due process shall be observed.”
Acorda vowed that the PNP would be transparent under his watch: “To the media, our long-time partners, we welcome critics as our independent source of check and balance. We are allies in bringing out the truth… We will be transparent.”
He is expected to lead the PNP for almost eight months, with his retirement set on Dec. 3 when he turns 56 years old, the mandatory retirement age.
Full Story at: New PNP chief Acorda vows to maintain cleansing of ranks | Inquirer News
COVID-19 positivity rate up 11.7% nationwide | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 positivity rate nationwide increased to 11.7 percent, according to independent research group Octa on Tuesday.
Citing data from the Department of Health’s (DOH) data, Octa fellow Guido David said that there are 315 new cases reported for the day, with 138 cases from Metro Manila alone.
Apr 25 2023 DOH reported 315 new cases, 0 deaths (0 in NCR) 396 recoveries 4255 active cases. 11.7% nationwide positivity rate. 138 cases in NCR, 50 in Calabarzon. Projecting 700-800 new cases on 4.26.23 #COVID19 #covid @dzbb @DZAR1026 @ali_sotto @dwiz882 pic.twitter.com/tsvyGahcJw
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) April 25, 2023
“[There’s a] 11.7 [percent] nationwide positivity rate — 138 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), 50 in Calabarzon,” said David in a Tweet.
According to David, 700 to 800 new COVID-19 cases can be expected on Wednesday.
On Monday, David, the NCR’s positivity rate was 10.6 percent.
Full Story at: COVID-19 positivity rate up 11.7% nationwide | Inquirer News
DICT mulls cutting services for users who don’t register SIMs within extension period | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy said Tuesday that his department is considering restricting some services for users who do not register their SIMs within a certain period during the 90-day extension granted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act is clear that unregistered SIMs will only be deactivated after the initial 180-day registration period and the extension period of up to 120 days. The law does not say that the government or telecommunications companies can suspend mobile services of unregistered users during the extension period.
Despite this, Uy said they are mulling to deactivate some services — including social media access — for users who fail to register after some time during the extension period which lasts until July 25.
Full Story at: DICT mulls cutting services for users who don’t register SIMs within extension period | Philstar.com
SC rejects request to pause SIM registration | PHILSTAR.COM – BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Supreme Court rejected Tuesday a request to pause the implementation of the SIM Registration Act and instead directed government agencies to respond to the petition questioning the constitutionality of the law.
Sitting in an en banc session in Baguio, the tribunal directed the following government agencies named as respondents in the petition to comment within 10 days from actual receipt of notice:
- National Telecommunications Commission
- National Privacy Commission
- Department of Information and Communications Technology
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of the Interior and Local Government
- Department of Education
The following private companies also named as respondents were also asked to comment:
- Globe Telecom Inc.
- Smart Communications, Inc.
- PLDT Inc.
- Dito Telecommunity Corporation
- Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc., doing business as Sun Cellular
- Cherry Mobile Communications Inc.
No reason was cited for the basis of the dismissal of the request to issue a temporary restraining order. The voting of the justices was also not disclosed.
Full Story at: SC rejects request to pause SIM registration | Philstar.com
