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Virgin Coconut Oil Used In Alternative Therapy Trial Against COVID-19

George Buid
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1

PHILIPPINES. Manila. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is known to have many health benefits. It´s touted as a fat burner, increases good cholesterol, promotes a healthy heart, and may also have antiviral effects. There is an abundant source of the product within the country. Locals even harvest the crop in a typhoon to produce virgin coconut oil. 

Dr. Fabian Dayrit and Dr. Mary Newport presented their research on the potential use of virgin coconut oil against any disease at the World Coconut Day webinar on 2 Sept. of this year. Dr. Fabian Dayrit is the president of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines and a professor at Ateneo de Manila University. He shows that the derivatives in virgin coconut oil can fight viral infection. The elements that act as antiviral agents are lauric acid and monolaurin.

Dr. Mary Newport is the author of The Complete Book of Ketones, where she writes virgin coconut oil can improve the cognitive function of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

More than just a potential antiviral

Dr. Dayrit said, “The VCO is an antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agent.”  His presentation suggests it can enhance neuroprotective factors. In this way it can help relieve the pain or reduce swelling to prevent inflammation. 

Also, VCO is reputed to help boost the immune system and prevent further bacterial or viral infections. In vitro, the lauric acid could potentially enhance the immune system.

Human clinical trials

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) approved the ₱9.8 million (US $201.7 thousand) budget to support four projects to cure COVID-19. Of this budget, ₱5 million (US $102.8 thousand) will be used in human clinical trials with virgin coconut oil.

PhilStar Global reports the positive results of the trials conducted in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Out of the 40 patient volunteers, 30 have already gone home after the treatment at Santa Rosa Community Hospital. The DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said, “About three-fourths have gone home already. It sounds good, but we need to wait until completion for the complete analysis.” Currently, the human clinical trial continues until an undetermined date in October or November.

Transcontinental Times asked the president of VCO Philippines about what comes next after the clinical trials finish. Marco Reyes said, “It is still premature to talk about its efficacy against COVID-19.” Dr. Dayrit added, “The doctors can now recommend it if the clinical trial is a success.” Regardless of the results of the trial, people can still take a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil after a meal as part of a healthy diet.

Textile Artist Raises Funds to Support Filipino Indigenous Community

George Buid
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0

PHILIPPINES. Abra. Textile artist Adrienne Charuel supports the indigenous communities to get through poverty. She is the founder and creative director of Maison Métisse. Her brand embraces Filipino heritage, Japanese art, and slow fashion.

Interest in slow fashion

Charuel studied fashion design in Paris, then moved to New York, where she came across the art of Japanese weaving that inspired Maison Métisse. Her return to the Philippines in 2018 led her to discover the Philippine natural dyes, which she eventually adopted into her creations. Later, she learned the traditional hand embroidery of the Itneg Tribe and the handwoven fabrics of La Paz weavers in Abra.

La Paz weaver makes an Abel fabric.
A La Paz weaver makes an Abel fabric.
Photo credit: Maison Métisse

Now, the textile artist collaborates with the indigenous communities to revive their practice of traditional weaving and hand embroidery through her contemporary creations. It uplifts and showcases Filipino heritage and promotes slow fashion and fair trade.

Getting through poverty

The Itneg Tribe found themselves in poverty even before the COVID-19 pandemic. To survive, they sell their ancestral embroidered fabrics at a low price. Because of this life, children look for work in metro Manila or another country, thus endangering their precious heritage.  

Charuel said, “The poverty causes the children to seek a better life in the city.” Even the government barely supports them. The elders are struggling to revive their traditions when the younger people are leaving. Soon, their traditional practices will disappear if there is no interest from the children to continue them.

Now, the COVID-19 pandemic decreased their source of income. The quarantine protocols prioritize the delivery of essentials. Consequently, their sales are low. Charuel created the Mask for Community to help her indigenous community partners where 50% of the earnings go to the Itneg Tribe and La Paz Weavers.

Charuel and her family started making face masks using Maison Métisse’s hand-dyed fabrics. They sold over a thousand face masks which provided 40 families with basic needs. She said, “The initiative helped put a roof for the La Paz weavers.”

Charuel shared with them with her tutorial video on sewing face masks and donated a sewing machine to the Itneg Tribe to sew their own Abra embroidered face masks. This initiative increased production which increased their income.

Projects that help the community

The support of Maison Métisse’s customers raised more than 981 USD (PH₱48,000) with the face masks produced in March 2020, before the lockdown. Now, the masks are in demand even though everyone is selling the same product. Also, their face masks reached Switzerland and the United States, even during the lockdown, because of well-crafted design and functionality. 

The face masks are hand-sewn and hand-dyed with the use of natural dyes. They will be available in the San Francisco Bay Area in August. She said, “We slowly reach the international market.”

Charuel continues to support the community through the Artisan Fund. It gives 80% of the sales to them for their original products.

On to the next initiative

The textile artist plans to offer more online as she adapts her vision. She said, “We will launch our online boutique, virtual workshops, and offer self-care kits to support mental and emotional health during the pandemic.”

The online workshops will offer the handmade experience and insight into the brand’s creative vision. 

Charuel continues to support the indigenous communities of Abra and gives back to front liners and people in poverty to help them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EMTs in Phillipines Cope With Scarce Resources

George Buid
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0

PHILIPPINES. Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. Glenn Palacio, a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) of the Philippine Red Cross, received an emergency call on 15 July. Before leaping into action, he must follow the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. First, his team has to rush to the scene of a three-way motorcycle accident wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and then they have to analyze the situation. Next, they must administer proper prehospital care as needed. Finally, the team must transport the victims to a hospital or medical facility approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). These are situations that an EMT faces during the pandemic.

EMTs Attending to an Accident
EMTs giving necessary pre-hospital care to the victim of a motorcycle accident. Photo credit: Glenn Palacio

The difference between EMTs and paramedics. While an EMT is an equally important job, paramedics have higher medical training. They are allowed to do intubations, defibrillation, and IV insertions,” Palacio told Transcontinental Times in an interview. An EMT performs the role of nurse, while a paramedic functions more like a doctor . “With our limited resources and equipment in our ambulances, we are [all] just EMTs,” Palacio added.

Backs against a wall because of COVID-19. There are not enough EMTs or ambulances. “Being an EMT during this pandemic is critical”, Palacio shared. Besides the lack of personnel, there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). They have to dispose of their PPE after every emergency run. Each emergency run needs a driver and three personnel in attendance. On top of this is the added expense of disposable PPE, which costs ₱ 1,500 per set. In total, it costs EMTs ₱ 6,000 in PPE for every emergency run. Palacio said, “The office is low on funds for operations alone. The blood and safety service training is what makes money for the Philippine Red Cross.”

Since hospitals get the first claim on supplies for the pandemic, this has forced EMTs to get creative. “We had to ask for donations because of the shortage of PPE,” Palacio said. Eventually, after two months, the EMTs received a donation of reusable PPE from Senator Grace Poe and Pitman Outdoors. Each person can now have two PPE sets for an emergency run that can be washed and reused. These reusable PPE are a cheaper alternative to autoclave machines. Uncertainty remains about how long the the supply will last. Handmade PPE are welcomed as well, as long as they are medical grade.

The new normal. While everyone is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Medical Technicians are direct witnesses. Palacio said, “Anxiety and the question of when will this ever end plagues me, but I guess we just have to sit this one through and hope we make it.” As healthcare workers and COVID-19 pandemic front liners, they can only hope that this COVID-19 pandemic ends. He adds, “I believe our mental health is also important. The sooner we accept that this is not going away anytime soon and what once was will never come to be again, we can adapt quickly to our situation.”

Freelance Photographers Face Shortage Of Work During Pandemic

George Buid
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1

PHILIPPINES, Manila. Threatened, pushed, and exhausted are a few experiences of a photographer as they face the COVID-19 pandemic. Most photographers are freelancers who are losing a combined income of US$5,381,976.48 (₱268,661,175), according to recent statistics ILostMyGig.

Photographers face financial crisis. Freelance photographers are significantly affected because of the quarantine lockdown. It happened to Jilson Tiu, who is a freelance photographer. He lost his livelihood in a snap as he shares his experience in a featured article. He said, “”I usually have a busy year, lots of projects and clients, but when the pandemic started everything was gone. I thought the media outlets who know me will hire me to cover COVID-19 but no one came.” He was one of the first to cover the outbreak in the country. But when he applied for accreditation to cover the COVID-19 pandemic a news outlet left him out. He added, “I was burning through all my resources. As a photojournalist, we don’t really worry too much about electricity or water bill because we are usually out shooting, but now, I’m stuck here at home.”

Jilson Tiu (wearing a yellow shirt second from the right) with other photographers covering the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene.
Photo by George Buid ©2020

In an interview with Transcontinental Times, Voltaire Fernandez Domingo, Co-founder of Next Pictures Pressphoto Agency, (NPPA Images) said, “Photojournalists are going well, but their type of work is very [very] risky. They are completely exposed to the pandemic and had to resort in purchasing out of their own pockets the personal protective equipment (PPEs) for their individual use.” However, he added, “A large part of the photography industry is not doing well at the moment. Photographers for events, weddings, corporate, and others, everything came to a complete stop, with no warning. They had no time to save some funds.”

Photographers shifting focus. Many photographers can’t work at all and have watched as their income depleted. Many have had to give up and sell their equipment. However, some have shifted to a different source of income.

Clark Vinoya is a freelance photographer who runs Clark Vinoya Photography. To support his growing family, he shifted his work online. He now creates content for his YouTube channel about photography and his personal life and conducts webinars. He said, “It is a challenging time, keeping my sanity intact through these activities. At least it helps me to build a sense of purpose and another way of expressing myself, especially during this time of the pandemic.”

Another example is photojournalist Jimmy Domingo. He sells bottled sardines, resells garlic longganisa (Filipino-Spanish sausage), and curated wild boar meat as his business. He continues to seek freelance work while he faces the COVID-19 pandemic, creating university lecture notes online and webinars because the government only allows teaching online. He said, “What is lost are photography services to organizations for their events, both local and international.”

Photographers helping other photographers. In this time of crisis, photographers help other photographers. Domingo helps other photographers by offering to resell their products.

Veteran photographers Richel Mascariñas and Edwin Tuyay also help fellow photographers on a bigger scale. Their idea to make an app similar to Uber or Grab. As a result, the PonD (Photographers on Demand) app exists. It was supposed to launch in March 2020, but because of the quarantine lockdown, it did not happen. Mascariñas and Tuyay launched PonD for news coverage online with the help of photographers like Mel Cortez, Jimmy Domingo, and Voltaire Fernandez Domingo. As a result, news outlets can get visual news coverage in quarantined areas through the app. For instance, photographers in an area that is in quarantined can cover the news and submit it to the app. From the app, news outlets can get copies of the photographs for news coverage.

Because of these innovations and the support within the photographer community, photographers need not abandon their art and their work.

Oldest Orchestra In Asia Continues Sharing Music With The World

George Buid
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0

PHILIPPINES. Manila. Before the first note, the audience is filled with anticipation. The atmosphere is tense as the conductor brings down his baton. From the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Dvorak, to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, the Manila Symphony Orchestra brings music to life.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra performing in Ateneo.
Photo by George Buid ©2017

The oldest orchestra in Asia. The Manila Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1926. As the oldest orchestra in Asia, it has an intriguing history and was a symbol of resistance in World War II.

Performances outside the country. The Manila Symphony Orchestra has performed in many parts of the Philippines and abroad. The musicians have entertained in China, South Korea, and Japan. They also joined the Resonance Gala Concert, a collaboration of the Japan Foundation and Japanese Embassy in July 2019, which brought musicians together from across Asia to perform as an ensemble.

Photo courtesy of Manila Symphony Orchestra

What are they doing now? Under normal circumstances, the Manila Symphony Orchestra performs in packed concert halls. Now, its events are on hold because of the pandemic. Transcontinental Times spoke with Jeffery Solares, Executive Director of the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation. Solares said, “We have some pending projects [but] we cannot execute them because of social distancing protocols.” However, this hasn´t stopped the orchestra from continuing to make music together. They are currently using technology to perform virtual concerts. You can watch them on their YouTube Channel or follow their Facebook page for updates.

The orchestra has been through a lot in the past ninety-four years. It´s a non-profit and non-government artistic group, and because of that, finances are always a challenge.

Three cellos on an empty stage.
Photo by George Buid ©2017

Working through their challenges. The orchestra paid salaries in April 2020 to take care of its musicians. Solares told Transcontinental Times, “We have applied for some aid from the government, but it was small and slow.” The symphony orchestra applied for grants because it needs more funding. It applied to various arts programs in Germany and Japan. “A few individuals have donated,” Solares added.

Sharing their knowledge is a gift. The symphony orchestra’s members continue to give lessons online through the Manila Symphony Orchestra Music Academy because they need to create an income. Sara Maria Gonzales, one of the musician instructors, said, “The school is sustaining the office and other necessary expenses to maintain the rent.”

Sara Maria Gonzales (right) teaches a student to play the violin.
Photo by George Buid ©2017

Beyond making rent, the orchestra members continue to provide lessons to young musicians because they believe that musical education and quality of life are a symphony in their own right.

“We believe that music has the power to touch, to transform, to develop a person’s sensibilities, awaken his consciousness and desire for beauty, goodness, and truth, and engage persons and communities to create a better society.” – MSO Music Academy.

They will continue sharing their talents because of their commitment to this mission. They welcome students of all ages to their academy. Aspiring musicians can inquire here for more information.

Jump Starting Philippine Tourism

George Buid
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0

PHILIPPINES. The Department of Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is ready to open Philippine tourism. They will only allow tourists from countries with zero to low numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat of Department of Tourism in Isabela.
Image by George Buid ©2020

Optimism based on the performance report. Romulo-Puyat said that the tourism sector should recover well from the three months of quarantine. A return to tourism will bring back millions of jobs, which is 13.5 percent of Philippine total employment. The government has already allowed travel agencies to operate in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ). The tourism sector was a casualty of the pandemic in the Philippines.

Tourist destinations close their doors. Popular tourist destinations are not yet ready to open, however, said by Sec. Romulo-Puyat on 2 Jun. 2020. Popular destinations such as are Baguio City, Bohol, and Boracay currentlyhave zero cases of infection, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, prefers to open in September. A modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) will allow travel under restrictions.

The public reaction to tourism. In an interview with Transcontinental Times Voltaire Fernandez Domingo, Co-founder of Next Pictures Pressphoto Agency (NPPA Images), thinks this is a terrible idea. He said, “We haven’t contained the virus, and there is no vaccine developed yet. You can only open tourism if you can do mass testing. Let’s say you’re going to Boracay. When you go to the airport there should be a Rapid Test, at the very least. You arrive at Boracay. You test again after you arrive in Boracay. It is costly.”

A tourist also disagrees with the decision to open Philippine tourism. He doesn’t see how it can take off as other countries have quarantine restrictions, a source shared with Transcontinental Times.

The solution should be dynamic. What can be the solution for Philippine tourism?  The Regional Director of Swiss-Belhotel International Garry Garcia, previous Vice-President of the 1st Philippine Tourism Congress, told Transcontinental Times, “Philippine tourism right now is thinking of binary. Either we open or we close. You only look at that if the problem is something that can immediately resolve overnight. Meaning, you have the COVID-19 virus today, tomorrow it is gone. It is what I mean by binary. We close if the virus is still here. If the virus is not anymore here, then we open. As the COViD-19 issue is an ongoing thing and still changes every day. By the very nature itself, the virus mutates. Philippine tourism should be dynamic with the ongoing pandemic.”

The Fate Of The Kings Of The Road

George Buid
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0

PHILIPPINES. Manila. The transportation sector has been one of the most affected industries during the coronavirus pandemic. The public utility jeeps (PUJ), or jeepneys, are among the many business casualties of the COVID-19 lockdown. Operators have lost their livelihoods since the start of the quarantine in March 2020.

The traditional Philippine jeepney is also called the king of the road in the Philippines.
Image by George Buid ©2018

Stranded without income. The lockdown left the local road kings without a way to make money. Driving is the only means of making a living for many Philippine jeepney operators. A driver was reduced to begging on 11 April. City authorities detained him after seeing him plead for money in the streets. Transcontinental Times returned on 19 April and spoke with the former operator turned beggar. Mang Elvie, the jeepney driver who had been detained for beseeching money, said he´s in a bad situation. He and many other drivers don’t know what to do for money. The local government has offered no financial aid or food packs.  He can’t go back to Occidental Mindoro, where he lives, because of the lockdown. Many of the displaced drivers only receive help from their neighbors or from those passing by and feel motivated to drop a coin into an upturned hat for charity. Sadly, it´s not enough for the nine of them currently living at the jeepney terminal.

Jeepney driver begging on the street.
A jeepney driver begging at the side of the road.
Image by George Buid ©2020

The government finally allowed jeepneys to resume operations. After three months, the government decided to allow the jeepneys to operate as of 3 July. The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), released the guidelines for roadworthy vehicles with Memorandum Circular 2020-026 under the general community quarantine. Each driver has to download their own QR codes from the LTFRB website. Each vehicle has to follow special health protocols. At present, the government is only allowing 49 jeepney routes to resume. A group of drivers told Transcontinental Times that the government succeeded in phasing out the traditional jeepneys. Since May 2017, the government planned to replace the traditional conveyance with more modernized jeepneys. The updated vehicles run on Euro 4-compliant diesel engines or as electric vehicles.

  • The electric jeepney is an eco friendly vehicle.
    Image by George Buid ©2020
  • This is modernized jeepney that will replace the traditional jeepneys.
    Image by George Buid ©2019
  • Jeepney drivers protest against the phase out of the traditional jeepneys.
    Image by George Buid ©2017

The last hurrah for the road kings? Most of the Philippine jeepneys running since 6 July are doing so with shorter routes. The operators are following the health protocols established to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the group of drivers who work the Boni Ave. to Stop and Shop route, which includes Mang Elvie, are dismayed. They said that when their franchise expired on 31 Dec., the government wouldn´t allow them to renew. This could be a sign of the times and the final days of the traditional jeepneys.

An Active Typhoon Season Expected in the Philippines

George Buid
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0
An Active Typhoon Season Expected in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES. Typhoon Ambo is the first storm in the Philippines this year. It is the strongest storm or tropical cyclone that developed from a tropical depression on May 10, 2020. The second storm in the Philippines, Butchoy, made landfall on June 11. The Philippines, in the typhoon belt, is prone to multiple storms.

Two to four typhoons expected in July. The Climatology and Meteorology division of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, or PAGASA, predicts that there will be two to four typhoons in the Philippine Area of Responsibility this month, assigned by the World Meteorological Organization for tropical cyclone monitoring in the Philippines.

Typhoons expected to increase. The second half of 2020 forecasts 10 to 17 typhoons to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility with landfall expected.

Posted by Dost_pagasa on Wednesday, July 1, 2020

PAGASA shows the direction of the storms in the Philippines. Two of the storms will reach landfall on Luzon or Eastern Visayas. The other storms are expected to reach the Northeastern Luzon or curve out to the Pacific Ocean.

To get more updates on this month’s storms in the Philippines, visit the website of PAGASA. Or follow their social media account on Facebook or Twitter.

Public Weather Forecast Issued at 4:00 AM July 02, 2020 DOST-PAGASA Senior Weather Specialist: Ariel Rojas

Public Weather Forecast Issued at 4:00 AM July 02, 2020DOST-PAGASA Weather Specialist: Ariel Rojas

Posted by Dost_pagasa on Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Casualties of the Pandemic in the Philippines

George Buid
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1
Casualties of the Pandemic in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES. Unemployment went up to 17.7% in April 2020. An estimate of 7.3 million Filipinos lost their jobs because of the Covid-19 pandemic according to a report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on 5 June 5 2020.

Massive job loss across tourism sectors. A total of 2,150 airline employees were laid off by Cebu Pacific on 24 June 2020. Followed by 1,400 employees of 1Avation Groundhandling Services Corporation. Philippine Airlines had laid off 300 staff in February, and AirAsia Philippines will also lay off 260 employees by the end of June. In a National Geographic article, the World Travel and Tourism Council forecast a global loss of 75 million jobs and US$2.1 trillion of revenue. The US Travel Association projected a loss of 4.6 million jobs through May. This has affected food, travel, transportation, and tourism due to quarantine lockdowns and restrictions.

Chinese foriegner crossing the street with his trolley luggage.
Chinese foriegner wearing a facemasking crossing along the pedestrian lane with his trolley luggage. Image by George Buid ©2020

The Philippines is projected to lose 520 billion pesos, according to Robert Siy, a public transport advocate and development economist. Trains, buses, taxis, and motorcycle sidecars (locally called tricycles) were the only public transportation allowed to operate. They are not enough to serve an estimated 2 million commuters in Metro Manila. The public utility jeeps, or the traditional jeepneys, were supposed to operate by 22 June. Instead, they are planned to operate this week either by July 2 or 3 according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The drivers of these jeeps are left with no income and begging on the streets.

Jeepney driver begging on the street.
A jeepney driver begging at the side of the street where the jeepneys are parked. Image by George Buid ©2020

In lifting the quarantine restrictions to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), businesses are struggling to generate revenue. This mostly affects small and medium businesses in different industries, from cafeterias to coffee shops, canteens to restaurants, and even live events and entertainment groups. There are not enough resources to comply with health protocols, and there is a lack of customers.

Street vendor hoping for a buyer
A street vendor waiting for a potential buyer at his clothing stall on the streets of Manila. Image by George Buid ©2018

Freelancers most displaced by the pandemic. Professionals in the arts, fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, media, retail, and other sectors that support the finance and tourism of this country have taken the hardest hit. Freelancers lost an income of US$5,381,976.48 (₱268,661,175) as of 10 June (Ilostmygig.com). 5549 projects have been canceled with 4458 people affected. 

Philippine’s tourism revenue went down 35 percent. Compared to last year it earned US$2.65 billion (₱134 billion). Hit by the pandemic it only earned US$1.68 billion (₱85 billion), said Undersecretary Benito Bengzon in a televised public briefing. The reovovery will start with local tourism and then a move to allow foreign tourists to the country.

Press Under Fire In Manila

George Buid
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0
Press Under Fire In Manila

Philippines, Manila. A radio broadcaster was gunned down in Dumaguete City. Rex Cornelio was killed on 5 May 2018. In line with the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) statement, he is the sixteenth journalist to be killed under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. The Philippine President is known to give unethical comments to members of the press. In his press conference on 15 May 2016, the newly elected president wolf-whistled at a television newscaster, Mariz Umali of the GMA 7 News network. Maria Ressa, the CEO of Rappler, posted a video on their Youtube channel that depicts the President’s comments about journalists. She is one of the President’s biggest critics.

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa (left) and former author and researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. (right) found guilty, by Manila Regional Trial Court, of cyber libel both are posting bail. Image by Rhoy Cobilla ©2020

The Manila Regional Trial court found Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr. guilty The case was filed against them in October of 2017 by Wilfredo Keng. The case was filed five years after he was mentioned in an article published on May 29 of 2012. The article is entitled “CJ using SUVs of ‘controversial’ businessmen” written by Rappler’s former author and researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. Then they were arrested on February 13 of 2019 by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). She forthwith denotes bail by the following morning. The president has nothing to do with it in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque. Once the press had an opportunity to interview President Duterte on February 14 of 2019, he claimed he didn’t know Wilfredo Keng. On September 16 of 2019, President Duterted appointed Patricia Anne C. Keng to represent the Youth Sector of the Philippine Commission on Women. She is the daughter of Wilfredo Keng. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said an equivalent statement on the closure of a big broadcasting network.

Carlo L. Katigbak (right), President and CEO of ABS-CBN, answers questions during a senate hearing. With him is Atty. Mario Bautista (center) and Martin L. Lopez (left), Chairman of ABS-CBN Corporation. Image by Rhoy Cobilla ©2020

A cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on the closure of the ABS-CBN network. ABS-CBN is amongst the oldest broadcasting networks in the Philippines. They have been here since 1967. The justice department said that its franchise is to expire on May 4 of 2020. NTC said that it would issue a provisional authority to operate until June 2022 during a senate hearing on March 10 of 2020. The President and CEO of ABS-CBN, Carlo Katigbak said that they did not violate any franchise provision. Also, he apologized to President Duterte for airing political campaigns of the opposition instead of his campaign in 2016 that offended him. President Duterte accepts their apology but is uncertain of their future. The cease and desist order was issued without prior notice on May 5 of 2020.

“The attacks on the free press and journalists are a danger to our democracy and to us Filipinos…. [Filipino] Takot sila, kaya nila tayo pinapatahimik (They are scared that is why they want to silence us),” Senator Risa Hontiveros said and quoted by ABS-CBN in a written article. Academics, media groups, and different news outfits find this a direct attack on the press. Specifically, inculpative the statement of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in a Facebook post on May 10 of 2020. They notice the offensive black propaganda was even shared by Presidential Communications on Facebook. The post was deleted however there’s a screenshot of it in Rappler’s article.

This has been an ongoing conflict since the Ampatuan massacre on November 23 of 2009. And it continues with the House hearing for the franchise of ABS-CBN. Where 11,000 staff are in danger of losing their jobs throughout the pandemic. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano should come to a final vote after seven hearings said by Representative Lito Atienza.

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