From forthcoming vaccine supply, planned easing of lockdown rules, to the controversial police raid in Cebu, here are some of the top news stories as of 5 p.m. February 18, 2021.
1. Barring last-minute changes, the country's vaccine supply from AstraZeneca is arriving soon.
2. Sinovac, on the other hand, has decided to wait for an emergency use approval from local drug regulators before sending its supplies to the country.
3. To boost the country’s vaccine supply, the government has relaxed the vaccine procurement rules so local government could may advance payments for supplies to benefit their constituents.
4. Is the proposal to place Metro Manila under modified general community community (MGCQ) a bad idea? According to OCTA Research Team, the move may not just be risky but also "contrary to sensible epidemic management.”
5. As the government mulls relaxing movement restrictions in the country, more than 1,000 schools are ready for “contextualized face-to-face classes,” according to Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
6. With the proposal to expand public transportation operations, the government is prepared to strictly enforce health protocols to prevent the COVID-19 transmission.
7. Several persons are facing kidnapping and child exploitation charges after the police "rescued" Lumad children at a university in Cebu City.
8. Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero is taking up the cudgels for several indigenous children following the controversial police raid at a university in Cebu City.
9. Hope is not lost for bar exam flunkers. Law graduates who failed the bar exams three times can avail of refresher courses to increase their chances of passing.
10 . Business magnate Fernando Zobel de Ayala is among kind-hearted people who adopted animals rescued during the Taal Volcano eruption.