The ANC Brief: Extended lockdown

The President extended the lockdown in Metro Manila, with a population of 12 million people, for the third time. Here are the stories making the headlines on ANC today:

ECQ and errors
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the National Capital Region (NCR) and other high-risk areas under a modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 31. He also said the country could not afford any second or third waves of virus infections. A COVID-19 response group from the University of the Philippines has pointed out errors and discrepancies in data released by the Department of Health (DOH). And nearly 2 million poor families have yet to get the cash aid promised by the government despite a deadline set for its distribution.

Looming storm
As the country struggles against the pandemic, a tropical storm is threatening to add to our misery. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said some P1.2 billion worth of relief packs and funds were on standby as “Ambo” threatened the country. The Bicol region is now on red alert for the coming storm.

Obvious
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said hearings on the franchise of the ABS-CBN network do not mean there is an automatic renewal. No argument there actually. Meanwhile, a militant lawmaker said the “Wow China” radio program that promotes Chinese culture and history is another misstep by the Palace communications team.

Double standards
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) trumpeted the arrest of public school teacher who offered a reward for the killing of President Rodrigo Duterte. But many Twitter users have been calling for the killing of Vice President Leni Robredo for a while now. None of them have been reported arrested so far.

The skinny
Jigs Mayuga offers effective and detailed advice for guys to take care of themselves in and out of this lockdown. In the latest episode of his video series for ANCX, he answers all your questions about skincare.