News Roundup 17 May 2021
May 17, 2021 • 4 min Read
5,979 new COVID-19 cases push total to 1.149 million | PHILSTAR.COM – The Philippines on Monday reported 5,979 new coronavirus infections, bringing its overall count to 1,149,925. Today’s development saw active cases down by 669 from May 16’s 54,904. The Department of Health said some five laboratories were not able to submit testing results. “Based on data in the last 14 days, the five non-reporting labs contribute, on average, 0.7% of samples tested and 1.0% of positive individuals,” it added.
- Active cases: 54,235 or 4.7% of the total
- Recoveries: 6,602, bringing the number to 1,076,428
- Deaths: 72, or now 19,262 in total
San Beda alumni to Duterte: Take back remarks on West Philippine Sea row | PHILSTAR.COM – Some alumni from President Rodrigo Duterte’s alma mater sought for a better stand from him on the dispute in the West Philippine Sea, and urged him to retract his remarks on the issue that came under fire. Graduates of San Beda University were particularly concerned about Duterte’s comments that Beijing is in possession of the country’s waters. This includes his likening to the crucial arbitral win in 2016 to a piece of paper that he can just throw away. “When a part of our country’s territory is taken against our will by the People’s Republic of China,” they said in a May 16 statement, “and our countrymen, particularly the fishermen, are threatened with force from exclusively enjoying our nation’s marine resources, the President is solemnly bound to uphold, defend and protect his countrymen and the integrity of our national territory.” Duterte is an alumnus of San Beda Law, who obtained his degree in 1972. Signatories said the president should retract his remarks, given usually during his late night public address. They also urged him to “categorically, demonstrably and publicly uphold” Article 12, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution that government will protect the country’s marine resources within its territories, and ensure that its citizens have exclusive use to it. “This fraternal appeal is respectfully made in answer to clarion call for San Beda, our country, and God,” they added. Experts have since warned of the repercussions of Duterte’s comments. China has ignored the 2016 ruling that invalidated its claim in the waters, but has continued to allow ships and vessels there.
Pangilinan flags ‘double whammy’ effect of Duterte EO lowering rice tariffs | INQUIRER.NET – Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday warned of the “double whammy” effect of President Rodrigo Duterte’s new executive order temporarily reducing tariff rates for rice, adding that he is looking into filing a joint resolution for its withdrawal. “Patay na naman ang rice farmers natin. Dapa na ang ating mga magpapalay dahil sa tuloy-tuloy na pasok ng imported rice. Sumubsob pa dahil sa pandemya. Ngayon, parang ililibing na sila sa hirap sa ulat na pagbaba ng taripa,” Pangilinan said in a statement when sought for comment on the President’s Executive Order (EO) No. 135. (It will kill our local rice farmers. Our rice farmers are at the losing end as more imported rice enter the country. They are already feeling the effects of the pandemic, Now, they’re being buried with reports that tariffs are being lowered.) Under the order, the most favored nation (MFN) tariff rates for rice will be temporarily reduced to 35 percent, from 40 percent for in-quota imports and 50 percent for out-quota imports, according to Malacañang. “Double whammy sa ating mga magpapalay. Mababawasan na ang RCEF (Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund) para sa kanila, dadami pa ang kalaban nila sa merkado. Pahirap talaga,” the senator went on. (This will have a double whammy effect on our rice farmers. Their RCEF will be lower, and they will have more competition in the market. This is torture.) On questions about the powers of the President to lower tariffs two days before Congress resumes session, Pangilinan said he is looking into filing a joint resolution seeking the withdrawal of the executive order.
Studies on VCO against COVID-19 show ‘favorable results’ – DOST | Manila Bulletin – Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has long been considered as nature’s miracle medicine for its numerous benefits and healing properties. Now, VCO is once again in the spotlight as it can be utilized to avoid “further transmission of the virus” and as a “viable and affordable treatment” against the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These were revealed by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña during the virtual “Talakayang HeaRTBeat” on Monday, May 17, as he presented the results of the studies conducted on VCO against COVID-19.
