With the country still very much under the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission on Elections has laid out its plans on protecting Filipinos who will exercise their right to vote on May 9.

The lofty target of the pill body is to make the upcoming elections "Covid-proof". Included in this plan is to create a medical advisory board.

According to Comelec Commissioner Aimee Neri, the purpose of such board is to “provide additional support in revisiting Covid-19 related guidelines and develop timely and more responsive policies".

This will be the first time that a Philippine election will take place under a pandemic.

Meanwhile, OCTA Research warned of a possible new surge in Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila because of what it called "waning vaccine immunity".

An uptick or resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Metro Manila may occur due to waning vaccine immunity, an OCTA Research fellow warned on Thursday, April 7.

Although OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the resurgence is "just one scenario", it is one that the country definitely wants to avoid.

David said that an uptick of Covid-19 infections is already being monitored in Northern Mindanao.

These are among the top stories this busy Thursday afternoon, April 7, 2022.

1) Living with Covid-19

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/incentives-restrictions-recommended-instead-of-mandatory-vaccination-against-covid-19/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/projections-show-resurgence-of-covid-19-infections-may-occur-due-to-waning-immunity-octa/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/covid-19-response-effectiveness-drives-optimism-on-ph-economy-andanar/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/govt-to-hold-special-covid-vaccination-days-in-barmm/

2) Palace, VP race watch

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/sotto-rejects-calls-for-unity-just-to-defeat-marcos/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/sotto-says-election-surveys-should-be-regulated/
1 million votes pledged by an alliance of educators for Leni-Kiko tandem

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/1-million-votes-pledged-by-an-alliance-of-educators-for-leni-kiko-tandem/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/leni-kiko-tandem-to-boost-eco-tourism-sustainable-development/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/after-4-percent-drop-in-latest-pulse-asia-survey-bbm-saras-uniteam-to-revisit-areas-where-they-campaigned/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/after-4-percent-drop-in-latest-pulse-asia-survey-bbm-saras-uniteam-to-revisit-areas-where-they-campaigned/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/kalesa-movement-declares-support-for-robredo-duterte-in-may-polls/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/no-comelec-rule-prohibits-pres-duterte-to-endorse-any-presdl-candidate-says-jimenez/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/lacson-supports-teachers-call-to-exempt-poll-pay-from-taxes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/robredo-red-tagging-aims-to-stop-momentum-of-peoples-campaign/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/may-nanalo-na-historical-data-shows-bongbong-is-statistically-impossible-to-overtake-in-surveys/

3) Election 2022

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/after-4-percent-drop-in-latest-pulse-asia-survey-bbm-saras-uniteam-to-revisit-areas-where-they-campaigned/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/hontiveros-vows-to-continue-pushing-for-security-of-tenure-bill-measures-to-help-transport-sector-if-reelected/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/trillanes-on-robredos-full-disclosure-policy-it-can-save-govt-billions-of-pesos/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/pilar-abra-mayor-vice-mayor-charged-over-standoff/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/diocese-to-candidates-turn-off-campaign-jingles-when-near-churches/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/legarda-prods-natl-poll-bets-to-present-their-security-platforms/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/comelec-still-validating-areas-of-concern-identified-by-pnp/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/padilla-vows-to-make-govt-health-services-in-top-shape/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/if-asked-by-comelec-doj-will-probe-vote-buying-complaints-in-quezon-city/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/comelec-bares-plans-to-covid-proof-may-polls/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/bautista-hoarding-of-supplies-could-propel-further-oil-price-hikes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/comelec-announces-release-of-1-month-bonus-for-regular-employees-this-april/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/neri-appointed-chairman-of-new-normal-committee-of-comelec/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/bishop-david-urges-voters-not-to-sell-their-votes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/gordon-slams-shooting-of-customs-lawyer-calls-anew-for-strict-implementation-of-law-vs-riding-in-tandem/

4) From the Palace

5) Holy week matters

6) Lawmakers Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/senate-now-has-names-of-4-big-time-smugglers-no-govt-official-on-the-list-sotto/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/drilon-slams-newly-appointed-department-of-migrant-workers-chief-his-actions-are-not-befitting-of-a-secretary/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/senators-laud-resumption-of-fuel-subsidy-program-for-public-transport-sector/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/go-making-covid-19-vaccination-mandatory-is-ideal-but/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/doh-deped-urged-to-intensify-covid-19-protocols-as-more-schools-resume-in-person-classes/

7) Education Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/up-among-worlds-top-universities-for-arts-and-humanities/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/ph-needs-to-build-nationalist-industrial-policy-to-produce-own-capital-goods-up-professor/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/gaps-in-discussing-martial-law-seen-in-araling-panlipunan-books-study/

8) Weather Update

9)  'Araw ng Kagitingan' spotlight

10) DILG chief's warning

11) Judiciary Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/sc-dismisses-rtc-judge-for-blunders-in-disposition-of-17-illegal-drugs-cases/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/36-pdls-freed-from-ciw-in-mandaluyong-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/better-environment-means-better-health-chr/

12) World Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/russia-accuses-us-of-increasing-military-biological-capability-globally/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/china-launches-new-satellite-for-earth-observation/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/new-zealand-reports-11634-new-community-cases-of-covid-19/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/biden-denounces-bucha-killings-as-major-war-crimes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/spain-law-bans-harassment-of-women-having-abortions/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/trump-allies-held-in-contempt-over-silence-in-capitol-riot-probe/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/us-cabinet-members-lawmakers-positive-for-covid-after-gala-dinner/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/hong-kong-police-arrest-six-for-sedition-over-court-nuisance/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/china-reports-most-virus-cases-since-pandemic-start/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/climate-related-health-emergencies-on-the-rise-in-africa-who/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/06/happy-easter-x-charles-darwins-valuable-notebooks-returned-to-library/

13) Business Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/vivant-subsidiary-gets-225mw-bauang-plant/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/stocks-plunge-on-concern-over-us-monetary-policy/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/polymer-bills-available-starting-april-18-bsp/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/bsp-mulls-lower-capital-for-islamic-banks/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/pal-holdings-posts-sharp-turnaround-with-p56-5-b-profit/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/illegal-cigarettes-cost-govt-p26-b/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/filipinos-optimistic-about-economy-in-2022-survey/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/excelerate-topline-to-partner-for-50-m-lng-hub-project/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/inlife-finishes-2021-strong/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/cli-posts-record-profit/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/abs-cbn-ventures-into-podcasts/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/pogo-tax-collections-drop-45-in-2021/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/jobless-filipinos-decline-1-06-million-in-feb/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/home-credit-inks-p7-b-loan-facility-with-unionbank/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/iata-passenger-recovery-accelerating/

14) Metro Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/11-barangays-in-paranaque-city-now-covid-free/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/pasig-citys-economic-sector-slowly-recovering-amid-pandemic-mayor-vico/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/over-p300k-shabu-seized-in-caloocan-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/3-drug-peddlers-nabbed-p396k-worth-of-shabu-seized-in-bulacan-sting/

15) Provincial Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/earthquake-intensity-meter-to-be-installed-soon-at-provincial-capitol-building-in-pangasinan/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/2-women-yield-over-p20-m-shabu-in-nueva-ecija-buy-bust/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/1700-cops-deployed-for-holy-week-in-w-visayas/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/kadamay-organizer-missing-in-bacolod/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/catbalogan-city-reimposes-no-vaccine-no-entry-policy/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/no-more-coronavirus-at-cagayan-de-oro-city-jail-city-health-office-declares/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/18000-doses-of-sputnik-v-expire-in-zamboanga-as-citizens-refuse-to-get-vaccinated/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/07/npa-platoon-commanding-officer-surrenders-to-normin-police/