The country’s healthcare utilization rate due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is at “low risk”, and the lowest single day record of infections was recorded on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.

This as the government is exercising prudence in the downshit to Alert Level 1 even with 62 million Filipinos already full vaccinated against the disease.

A Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official has warned barangay officials against endorsing national and local candidates in the May 2022 elections.

And there is growing clamor for the government to release alleged communist leader Dr. Maria Natividad S. Castro.

These are among the top stories this Monday morning, Feb. 21, 2022.


Firefighters sift through the rubble of a residential property on M. Natividad and Mayhaligue Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila, which was gutted by fire on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Four persons died in the fire. (Ali Vicoy)
  1. PH COVID-19 Update:
PH COVID-19 healthcare utilization rate at 'low-risk', lowest single-day tally in 2022 recorded
Over 62M Filipinos fully vaccinated vs COVID-19—DOH
Hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines continues to drop—DOH exec
COVID vaccines available for LRT 2 riders starting Feb. 22
Booster jabs for children still being studied—DOH
Palace urges Pinoys to get vaxxed: 'Vaccines are the weapon, not the enemy'
PH COVID action plan requires more conditions for downshift to Alert Level 1
OCTA: Lucena now ‘very low risk’ for COVID-19
  • #MatalinongBoto

Presidential bets

Domagoso

Mayor Isko hopes to get endorsement of El Shaddai

Lacson

Baguio Mayor Magalong assures support for Lacson-Sotto tandem
Lacson-Sotto tandem gets warm reception in Baguio; gets delighted over city’s revived tourism

Marcos

Recap: BBM-Sara's Ilocandia swing
Marcos’ camp denies presidential bet was avoiding handshakes
Bongbong-Sara tandem a ‘runaway victory’ in Zambales—Ebdane
Caloocan Mayor endorses Bongbong-Sara tandem and UniTeam senate slate

Pacquiao

Pacquiao: ‘Sari-sari’ stores should be allowed to sell over-the-counter meds

Robredo

BenCab, 100 other artists support Robredo: ‘Competent and incorruptible’
Robredo takes brief break from campaign, spends time with family

Vice Presidential bets

UniTeam to continue PRRD legacy – Sara Duterte
VP bet Pangilinan tells parents: 'Trust science, get your kids vaccinated'

Senatorial bets

‘Kudos!’: Diokno gives Bacolod youth volunteers pat on the back for defending rights
Escudero wants Sorsogon to become top abaca producer in Bicol
Bautista urges gov’t to allow small stores to sell vitamins, over-the-counter meds
Villanueva to re-file 'stop endo' bill; says he was 'hurt' by veto
Senatorial bet Eleazar vows to review bills on online cockfighting

Other election-related reports

'Pink Ribbon' confrontation: Lorenzana orders camp personnel to refrain from meddling in politics
Barangay officials warned vs endorsing national, local bets
  • On EU parliament resolution on human rights
PH condemns European Parliament resolution on its human rights issues, says it's an attempt to influence May polls
  • Missing community doctor
DOH urges authorities to observe 'due process' over arrested community doctor
Groups, batchmates of detained health worker call for her release
FLAG refutes PNP’s claim arrested Dr. Castro ‘is a communist terrorist’
Carlos defends arrest of community doctor
  • ‘Surf-to-sawa’
Pilot testing of the ‘free Wi-Fi for all’ program set on Feb. 21 – PCUP
  • Love scam
3 Nigerians nabbed for 'love scam'
  • Major blow to communist insurgency
NPA ‘secretary,’ wife slain in Misamis Oriental encounter
  • Repatriated from Macau
Over 200 Pinoys return home from Macau
  • Weather Update
Scattered rains likely in northern, central Luzon due to ‘amihan’ – PAGASA
  1. Education Corner
Online education community page for students, other stakeholders launched
Individualized homeschool program offered to Senior High School students
Over 3,000 Filipino youth to receive free skills training
DLS-CSB to return to face-to-face classes
'Post-pandemic' to bring disruption in higher education — educational specialists
  1. Judiciary Corner
JBC sets public interview of applicants to 2 vacant CA associate justice posts
IBP seeks PNP, NBI protection for lawyer attacked in his home in Bislig City Feb. 10
SC affirms filing of graft, malversation charges vs ex-Rep. Jaraula, others on fertilizer purchase
  1. Legislative Corner
House OK’s bill forbidding use of trans fat in food chains
Solon praises ratification of Judicial Marshal Service bill
Wife of detained Pharmally exec thanks Senate for allowing hubby to visit sick son
  1. Religious Corner
Caritas PH to launch 'Adopt a Family' project
Diocese warns public on scam
  1. Science Corner
DOST gives P500-K livelihood aid to marginalized communities in Biliran
  1. Metro Roundup
Elderly man dies in car collision in Manila
Over 200 pcs of explosives, firearms recovered by QC police in a house basement
Ex-Marikina City vice mayor and congressional bet Cadiz dies, 61
Muntinlupa’s active COVID-19 cases stay below 100 in last 10 days
Over 800 QC residents receive livelihood cash assistance
Six public schools in Binangonan, Rizal ready to start limited face to face classes on Feb. 21
2 holdup suspects killed by police in QC shootout
4 die, 1 hurt as fire hits homes in Sta. Cruz, Manila
Elderly woman dies, child injured in Makati City fire
  1. Provincial Roundup
DPWH improves road network in Zamboanga del Norte

Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/21/mb-daily-news-update-692/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mb-daily-news-update-692)