The ANC Brief: Terms of a friendship

A music video on China and Philippine relations titled “Isang Dagat” is making waves for the wrong reasons. Here are the stories making the headlines on ANC today:

Show of friendship
A music video meant to celebrate the “friendship” between China and the Philippines in the fight against COVID-19 was bombarded with negative comments and dislikes online. Last week, Manila filed two diplomatic protests against China for recent incidents in the West Philippines Sea. Vice President Leni Robredo questioned the terms of our “friendship” with China.

No gambling
The Palace said next year’s budget will be heavy on COVID-19 recovery. But it’s not clear if funding will go to assistance or science and technology. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and other forms of gambling, which contribute to government coffers, are not allowed during the quarantine. As expected collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) dipped by around 26 percent from January to the middle of April.

Military honors
Cpl. Winston Ragos, the former soldier who was shot and killed by police in a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City, was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (heroes’ cemetery) with honors and a 21-gun salute. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Ragos was given military honors that are fitting for a former soldier who served his country. Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay ordered a check on the military’s program for treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Free speech
The Palace denied it had a hand in moves to deport a Filipino worker from Taiwan for posting anti-Duterte content online. Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III said he is leaving the deportation of the worker to the Philippine labor attache.

Daily bread
Kapeng Mainit’s baker-chef Bryan Francisco is still kneading and baking in the south throughout the COVID-19 lockdown so that he can give the community around him its daily bread. ANCX takes a bite of his popular pan de sal, including one that has activated charcoal.