Open-air jeepneys safer against COVID-19 than enclosed modernized counterparts
There are studies which indicate that open-air transport may have advantages over enclosed, air-conditioned transport in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Despite physical distancing, enclosed modern jeepneys can become centers for spreading the virus compared to the natural ventilation of traditional jeepneys.
PH Debt: All’s well that swells
Loans amounting to US$3.95 billion are, at the current exchange rate of Php50.05 to a US dollar, equivalent to Php197.7 billion. This increased the outstanding national government debt which has already risen from Php7.7 trillion by the end of 2019 to an astounding Php8.6 trillion by April 2020. The Php869-billion increment in the last four months far surpasses the full-year increments of the last three years.
Pandemic Forces Judiciary to Hasten Digitalization
Can videoconferencing ensure a speedy and public trial that must be guaranteed under the constitution? How about the right to confront a witness against the accused and the process of authenticating evidence, which is required by due process?
Explore beauty and heritage in the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand while staying at home
In response to the tourism crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, governments of the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand established virtual tours for those who want to explore famous travel locations in Southeast Asia without leaving their homes, and to encourage tourists to visit these places in the future.
Duterte is a paper tiger in strategic terms and is in the process of being torn apart
Despite his betrayal of Philippine sovereignty in his relations with China, Duterte has gotten far less than the loans that he expected to get from China even at the most onerous terms for his much-touted plan of infrastructure-building. It has become obvious that China has preconditioned most of the loans with demands for the most outright and brazen surrender of Philippine sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and its rich oil, gas and marine resources.
Juana Change impersonates NCRPO chief at ‘Grand Mañanita’
Performance artist Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change, impersonates Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office chief Major General Debold Sinas at last Friday’s Grand Mañanita at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
Checkpoints, rains fail to stop ‘Grand Mañanita’ vs Duterte’s anti-terror bill
Organized primarily by the group Movement Against Tyranny, the event may very well be the most creative protest action this year.
These officials flouted lockdown rules in Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines
Sinas insisted that there was no birthday party but only a ‘Mañanita’ — a police tradition that features an early morning serenade for the chief. But the public backlash forced him to issue an apology.
Lawyers group says peaceful protests during quarantine legal
Reacting to a Philippine National Police (PNP) warning that protesters may be arrested if they join planned Philippine Independence Day protests Friday, June 12, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said the anti-coronavirus law does not authorize the arrest of citizens exercising their freedom of expression.
Government employees oppose ‘mass layoff circular’ amid pandemic
COURAGE national president Santiago Dasmariñas Jr. said as many as 600,000 government employees all over the country, especially job-order and contractual employees, are worried.