QC Mayor Belmonte orders probe into spike in COVID-19 cases - GMA

Philippines remains competitive as BPO destination - PHILSTAR

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Up to $8.8 trillion global losses due COVID-19 - TRIBUNE

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Liquor ban retained in Paranaque - JOURNAL

Quezon City eases liquor ban, allows tricycles - PHILSTAR

Workers’ return triggers warning - MANILA STANDARD

Street vendors alive again with modified ECQ - MANILA STANDARD

Meralco explains spike in May bills - INQUIRER

200-M stimulus fund to help Baguio businesses - INQUIRER

Typhoon Ambo leaves 1 dead, extensive damage in Philippine towns - INQUIRER

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The 33-year-old Ragos, who was discharged from the service in 2017 and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was seen having an argument with Florendo as residents urged the police officers to calm down, citing the ex-soldier’s mental condition. But Ragos reached into his sling bag, prompting Florendo to shoot the ex-soldier twice, fatally wounding him. In statements issued on Thursday, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo maintained that Florendo exercised “maximum tolerance” and that he only made a “judgment call” with his life in imminent danger. ‘Evidence has to be secured’ Investigators, Montejo said, found a loaded .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver with a defaced serial number inside Ragos’ bag—a claim strongly disputed by the ex-soldier’s family who said he was unarmed.

The Bureau of Immigration said Friday it will temporarily allow foreign nationals with approved visas but who are still awaiting the release of their Alien Certificates of Registration Identity Cards to leave the country.

The agency says the move is in light of the Enhanced Community Quarantine and Stringent Social Distancing Measures directive from Malacañang. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente says the regular procedures require departing aliens with approved visas but pending ACR I-Cards to secure a waiver at the agency’s main office. ‘Hospital ships’ Senator Francis Tolentino is urging the Transport department to use vacant passenger ships as “hospitals ships” because of the rising COVID-19 infections, which he says has resulted in overcrowding in the hospitals. He says the agency could initially convert three ships as temporary medical facilities.

The national budget for 2020 has been signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday. The General Appropriations Act of 2020 is ₱4.1 trillion, 9 percent higher than the previous year’s 3.76 trillion budget. The budget wasn’t signed at the end of 2019 because the President requested “thorough” scrutiny of the bill. President Duterte said in his speech that this year’s spending plan would support the government’s goal of making the Philippines an upper bracket-income country, and lowering poverty to 14 percent by the end of his term. He remarked that just like in previous years,