News Roundup 03 October 2020
Oct 03, 2020 • 4 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines near 320,000 with 2,674 new infections | PHILSTAR.COM – The country’s total caseload of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Saturday reached 319,330 after the Department of Health reported a total of 2,674 new infections. Of these, there are still 58,606 total active cases or patients who are still infected with the coronavirus. The death toll has reached 5,678 after 62 more mortalities were recorded. Meanwhile, the local COVID-19 recovery count stands at 255,046 as the Health department announced 459 additional survivors.
COVID-19 hurting democracies as governments take advantage of crisis — report | PHILSTAR.COM – The condition of human rights and democracy has worsened in at least 80 countries around the world, including the Philippines, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report has found. Based on the analysis of 192 countries and a survey of 398 journalists, civil society workers, activists and other experts, United States-based think tank Freedom House in its report released Friday concluded that global democracy has deteriorated during the coronavirus health crisis. “The research strongly supports the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the 14 years of consecutive decline in freedom. Not only has democracy weakened in 80 countries, but the problem is particularly acute in struggling democracies and highly repressive states—in other words, settings that already had weak safeguards against abuse of power are suffering the most,” read the report. The said crisis in democratic governance is expected to continue even after the pandemic recedes since the laws and norms being established in different countries “will be difficult to reverse.”
De Lima calls for Senate probe on Manila Bay white sand makeover project | INQUIRER.NET – Detained Senator Leila De Lima has called for a Senate investigation on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) P389 – million Manila Bay “beach nourishment project” In a statement issued Saturday, De Lima filed Senate Resolution 532, which calls on the appropriate Senate committee to conduct the probe. The opposition senator said that the budget for project could have been used to feed 5.2 million hungry families, or help boost the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. The project, which includes dumping crushed dolomite into the bay’s shoreline, has drawn flak from environmental groups and experts, saying it poses harmful impacts.
‘We have long moved on,’ Sen. Binay says of issues between Cayetano and ex-VP Binay | Manila Bulletin – Senator Nancy Binay on Saturday, Oct. 3, said she and her family have long moved on from the issues between House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay. Binay was asked in a DWIZ interview about her cryptic tweet last Thursday amid the leadership feud in the House of the Representatives. While she did not specify names and instances, Binay mentioned “palabra de honor (word of honor)”, alluding to the term-sharing agreement between Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco. Cayetano was among those who pushed to investigate the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City parking building which involved the former vice president. “Matagal na kaming naka-move on, kumakain na nga lang kami ng popcorn pinapanood namin sila (We have long moved on, we are just eating popcorn while watching them),” Binay said in a radio interview. “Basta, moral lesson, bilog ang mundo (The moral lesson there is, the world is round),” she added. Still without mentioning names, she said she is also “confused” how former enemies in politics ended up becoming allies. “Parang naguluhan na nga ako eh. ‘Yong mga dating nagbabatuhan ng kung ano- anong salita ngayon parang nagpapakamatay para sa isa’t isa,” she said.
‘Budget, buddies behind Cayetano’s refusal to step down as Speaker’ | The Manila Times – Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco accused Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano of allegedly “blackmailing” President Rodrigo Duterte by using the 2021 national budget as “hostage” to keep his post. “Bakit ayaw bumitiw ni Speaker Cayetano at ng kanyang barkada sa poder? Simple lang po: budget! (Whydoes Speaker Cayetano and his peers refuse to step down from their posts? It’s simple: Budget),” Velasco said in a video message posted on Facebook on Friday nights. Velasco assailed Cayetano’s attempt “to hang on to the Speakership until December on the pretext of the ongoing deliberations for the 2021 national budget” which “only raises suspicions on his true intent.” Velasco said what representatives want is “for Congress to work on a fair and equitable budget for health care and health facilities, poverty alleviation and education”. Speaking in mixed Filipino and English, Velasco said the questions that Cayetano should be asked is whether the budget is “relevant for the country” or “is it big enough for his buddies”? “Is this why Speaker Cayetano and his sidekicks are adamant in fiercely fighting the peaceful transition of House leadership? Is this why Speaker Cayetano is trying to blackmail President Duterte and hold the budget hostage if his term is not extended?” he asked.
