News Roundup 19 October 2020
Oct 19, 2020 • 3 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines hit 359,169 with 2,638 new infections | PHILSTAR.COM – The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Philippines reached 359,169 Monday after the Department of Health reported 2,638 new infections. Twenty-six more patients died from the severe respiratory illness, bringing the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 6,675. DOH also recorded the recovery of 226 more people. The department announced Sunday 14,941 additional recoveries as part of its weekly Oplan Recovery Program. Under this scheme, mild and asymptomatic cases are tagged as recoveries following the World Health Organization’s discharging criteria. To date, 310,303 people in the country have recovered from COVID-19.
US carrier strike group resumes South China Sea operations | PHILSTAR.COM – For the third time this year, the US Navy deployed its Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group for maritime security operations in the South China Sea. The carrier strike group comprises forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54). Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) are also part of the group, according to an October 15 report from the US Pacific Fleet. “While in the South China Sea, the strike group is conducting maritime security operations, which include flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises, and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units,” the report read. Read. Adm. George Wikoff, commander of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, said their deployment demonstrates Washington’s commitment to the lawful use of the seas.
Mayors want Metro Manila under GCQ until yearend | INQUIRER.NET – Metro Manila mayors want to keep the general community quarantine (GCQ) over the nation’s capital region until the yearend as threats of COVID-19 persists. According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia, member of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) which comprise of the local chief executives of the 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, the mayors are seeking to keep the GCQ status but are eyeing to gradually ease business, travel, and curfew restrictions to help reboot the pandemic-hit economy.
IRR won’t correct Anti-Terrorism Law’s problems — IBP | Manila Bulletin – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) cannot correct the problems in Republic Act 11479, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. “It is a basic principle in law that an IRR cannot rise above the provisions of the law that it seeks to clarify,” IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa said in a statement. “The IRR may therefore be hounded by the same questions surrounding R.A. 11479 itself,” he added. Cayosa raised this point following the IRR’s registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) last Friday, Oct. 16, and publication over the weekend. “The efforts of the Department of Justice to address the questions, fears, and objections of many over the Anti-Terrorism Law (R.A. 11479) through the publication of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) may be welcome and appreciated,” Cayosa said. “Unfortunately, as DOJ officials themselves correctly admit, they cannot go beyond what the law provides,” he added.
Oil firms raise cost of diesel, kerosene | The Manila Times – Oil companies will raise the prices of diesel and kerosene by 25 centavos per liter and 20 centavos per liter, respectively on Tuesday. The cost of gasoline will go down by 25 centavos per liter. Chevron Philippines, Cleanfuel, Flying V, Metro Oil, Petro Gazz, Petron, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, and Seaoil made the announcement on Monday.
