News Roundup 04 August 2020
Aug 04, 2020 • 3 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines jump to 112,593 with record 6,352 new infections | PHILSTAR.COM – The country’s coronavirus caseload reached 112,593 Tuesday as Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces returned to stricter lockdown for the next two weeks to buy time for the overwhelmed system to handle the surge in cases. The Department of Health reported 6,352 additional coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections—the biggest single-day increase in the country so far. The number of cases has grown rapidly since the government relaxed movement restrictions in June. The Philippines is now close to overtaking Indonesia as the nation with the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia. The DOH also reported that total recoveries rose to 66,049 after 240 more people have survived COVID-19. But 11 more patients died from the severe respiratory illness, raising the number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 2,115.
Muslim community leaders join legal fight to strike down anti-terrorism law | PHILSTAR.COM – Anchoring their petition on documented Islamophobia and the wrongful arrests of Muslims in cases of mistaken identity, Muslim lawmakers, lawyers and a preacher of Islam joined the legal fight to strike down the anti-terrorism law as unconstitutional. Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman (Basilan) and Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan (Anak Mindanao party-list) led the group of eight petitioners in filing a petition for certiorari to ask the Supreme Court to declare Republic Act 11479 as null and void for being unconstitutional. This is the second plea against the anti-terrorism law filed by Muslim petitioners, following the plea submitted by Bangsamoro lawyers in July.
CHR: Pandemic response needs human rights dimension | INQUIRER.NET – The government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic should not be purely a peace and order approach but also take human rights into consideration, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR ) on Tuesday (Aug. 4). The CHR said the government and its officials must be a source of empathy as a lot of people suffer from the disastrous impact of the pandemic and not resort to brute force to enforce health protocols. The commission, said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia, “sees the value of imposing health guidelines and protocols to ensure that everyone’s health is protected during this pandemic.” “We believe that asserting individual rights must also take into account the obligation to protect other people’s rights,” she said.
Robredo denies fake news on motorcycle barrier | Manila Bulletin – Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday disowned a fake post about motorcycle barriers attributed to her that made rounds on social media. Robredo flatly denied she suggested motorcycle riders carrying passengers should sit back-to-back for them to be allowed not to install the barriers required by the government. “Fake quote pa more!! No, I never said this. Galawang troll nga naman (This is another move of trolls),” she tweeted, attaching a photo of the Facebook post. The post contained a graphic quote which read: “Actually against din ako sa barrier na yan sa mga motorsiklo. Siguro mai-advice ko na lang, dapat siguro nakatalikod ung ankas para hindi na kailangan ng barrier na yan.” (Actually, I’m also against that barriers on motorcycles. My only advice is the motorcycle riders should be seated back-to-back so barrier is no longer needed.) The vice president advised the people not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by social media trolls.
NBI suspends processing of clearance applications | The Manila Times – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday suspended the processing of clearance applications in places under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ). There will be no NBI clearance processing at the satellite offices in the National Capital Region, and in the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna beginning August 4 until August 18. Applicants were advised to move their appointments after August 18.
