News Roundup 22 June 2020
Jun 22, 2020 • 3 min Read
Philippines adds 630 more COVID-19 cases, total now at 30,682 | PHILSTAR.COM – Confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country soared to 30,682 after 630 new infections were recorded Monday, the Department of Health said. Another 250 recoveries were reported, pushing to 8,143 the total number of COVID-19 survivors in the country. But the nation’s fatality count increased to 1,177 after eight more patients succumbed to the severe respiratory disease.
Vice President backs probe on DOH, DBM response on COVID | PHILSTAR.COM – Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday backed the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to look into alleged irregularities in the handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the country. “I agree with (Ombudsman Samuel) Martires that the government must exert effort to convey (to the public), first of all, that it spends (the people’s) money appropriately,” Robredo said in her weekly program over dzXL. On Friday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to submit documents related to its investigation on the alleged irregularities in the government’s response to pandemic.
US warns PH, allies vs Huawei over security issues | INQUIRER.NET – As governments around the world reevaluate adoption of 5G networks being rolled out by Chinese tech giants due to security issues, the United States is enjoining its allies, including the Philippines, to consider alternatives offered by firms not influenced by China’s government. During a recent telephonic roundtable with international journalists attended by the Inquirer, United States Undersecretary of State for economic growth, energy, and the environment Keith Krach noted that after the United Kingdom decided to reconsider using Huawei’s 5G network, China not only threatened to “punish” British banking giant HSBC but also pulled out of major infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom. “I think governments and businesses around the world are asking a similar question regarding 5G systems: Who do you trust to carry out your most private information and intellectual property?” Krach said. Krach said that for the United States government, “the primary choices are Korean, Samsung; and two European vendors, Ericsson and Nokia.”
DOTr opens all public transport as metropolis recovers from quarantine | Manila Bulletin – As modes of public transportation have gradually resumed, the metropolis is also slowly going back to life with many workers returning in the road after more than two months of being cooped up at home during the hard lockdown. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) rolled out on Monday the second phase of public transport revival, allowing modernized jeepneys to gradually resume operations on 15 rationalized routes. UV Express units, the Department said, will be authorized to operate within the month.
Oil firms to raise pump prices again | The Manila Times – Oil companies will again jack up their pump prices on Tuesday for the third straight week. The price of gasoline will increase by P1.05 per liter, diesel by 85 centavos per liter, and kerosene by 30 centavos per liter. Cleanfuel, Flying V, Petro Gazz, Pilipinas Shell have announced that they will be adjusting their pump prices on Tuesday.
