News Roundup 10 July 2020
Jul 10, 2020 • 3 min Read
Filipino journalists up in arms over Congress’ killing of ABS-CBN franchise bid | PHILSTAR.COM –The House of Representatives’ vote to kill the franchise bid of ABS-CBN Corp., the biggest broadcasting network that employs 11,000 employees, made it “an enemy of democracy,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said. Out of 85 lawmakers, an overwhelming 70 voted to adopt the resolution of a technical working group that recommended the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise. Only 11 lawmakers voted to grant the network a fresh franchise. “Today, this chamber has lost all claim to represent the people and our interests,” NUJP said in a statement. NUJP stressed that the Congress’ action did not only deprived thousands of their jobs, but also stripped off millions of their “right to know and their right to choose how to access the information that allows them a respite from the hardships of life.” “Let us prove that it is not the ‘will of Congress’ but the WILL OF THE PEOPLE that ultimately prevails,” NUJP vowed.
Philippines posts 1,233 new COVID-19 cases; total at 52,914 | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health reported 1,233 cases. The Philippines, which has seen a renewed surge in infections following the easing of quarantine measures nationwide has a total caseload of 52,914. The department also listed additional 286 COVID-19 survivors, raising the number of recoveries to 13,230. But 42 more people succumbed to the severe respiratory disease in the Philippines. This pushed the death toll to 1,360.
Solon hits ABS-CBN franchise denial: Conscience vote? We pray for them to live with that day and night | INQUIRER.NET – “They say this was a conscience vote. We respect that, and pray for them to live with that day and night.” Magdalo Rep. Manuel Cabochan III said this Friday as he blasted the decision of the members of the House committee on legislative franchises to deny the application for a 25-year franchise of media giant ABS-CBN. “This is a sad day not only for the thousands of employees of ABS-CBN, but for the nation,” Cabochan said in a statement. “As the proceedings both in the Senate and the House have revealed, ABS-CBN had no tax violations or any pending case to prevent its renewal of franchise. All requirements concerning its franchise are also complied with,” he added. Cabochan argued that even if the “accusations and nitpicking” against ABS-CBN were valid, the courts should have been the one to deal with the issues and not Congress.
Manila prosecution office calls for justice for slain chief inquest prosecutor | Manila Bulletin – Employees of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Manila on Friday (July 10) gathered to call for justice for Manila Chief Inquest Prosecutor Jovencio Senados, who was killed by unidentified gunmen. The employees donned black shirts, lit candles, and carried banners bearing their demand for justice. Prosecutors League of Manila President Bernardino Almeda called on the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and President Duterte to help prevent the “merciless killing” of prosecutors. “The killing of Chief Senados is not only an assault [on] a hard-working, brilliant and dedicated public servant who devoted decades of his life to public service, but also an assault [on] the rule of law,” he said in a statement.
WHO: Indoor airborne spread of coronavirus possible – Associated Press | The Manila Times – LONDON: The World Health Organization is acknowledging the possibility that COVID-19 might be spread in the air under certain conditions — after more than 200 scientists urged the agency to do so. In an open letter published this week in a journal, two scientists from Australia and the US wrote that studies have shown “beyond any reasonable doubt that viruses are released during exhalation, talking and coughing in microdroplets small enough to remain aloft in the air.” The researchers, along with more than 200 others, appealed for national and international authorities, including WHO, to adopt more stringent protective measures.
