Elections in the Philippines always tend to get heated, and it's not because it's held in the middle of summer.

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), there are 300 candidate "areas of concern" in connection with the May 9, 2022 polls.

This announcement from the poll body came after after visits from areas in the Philippines "where usual armed conflicts occur ahead of the elections". However, the places being monitored aren't considered "hotspots", at least not yet.

As the election season nears its climax, it's easy for one to dismiss the Covid-19 pandemic as just one, bad dream. But the World Health Organization (WHO) likes to remind everyone that it is real.

In fact, WHO said it's still possible that a more dangerous variant of concern than the Omicron variant of Covid-19 could appear.

“Based on what we know now, the most likely scenario is that the virus continues to evolve, but the severity of disease it causes reduces over time as immunity increases due to vaccination and infection,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

These are among the top stories this busy Thursday afternoon, March 31, 2022.

1) Living with Covid-19

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/govt-should-require-covid-19-vax-booster-cards-starting-june-concepcion/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/doh-seeking-ways-to-increase-covid-19-vaccine-booster-coverage/?swcfpc=1

2) Palace, VP race watch

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/lacson-thumbs-down-rep-atienzas-call-for-him-to-withdraw-prexy-bid/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/every-vote-is-important-says-bongbong-as-he-bounces-all-over-mindanao/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/pangilinan-says-rising-cost-of-chemical-fertilizers-prompts-shift-to-organic-farming/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/robredo-tours-lanao-del-norte-vows-to-maintain-peace-and-order/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/final-na-pala-asan-na-mayor-isko-dares-bbm-to-pay-familys-estate-tax-debts-now/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/mayor-sara-vows-to-deliver-bisaya-votes-to-ilocano-prexy-bet-marcos/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/atienza-eyes-withdrawal-from-vp-race-calls-on-lacson-to-do-the-same/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/pacquiao-vows-to-make-the-proposed-panay-guimaras-negros-bridges-a-reality-if-elected/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/ping-thumbs-down-hakot-political-rallies-assures-supporters-lacson-sotto-tandem-will-pursue-issue-based-politics/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/30/atienza-prefers-sotto-to-replace-him-as-pacquiaos-running-mate/?swcfpc=1

3) Election 2022

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/comelec-looks-to-secure-adequate-power-supply-for-may-2022-polls/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/harry-roque-boasts-his-back-up-dancers-may-nanalo-na/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/escudero-urges-graduates-to-be-govt-partners-in-nation-building/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/more-than-46k-bets-in-2022-polls/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/comelec-monitoring-300-areas-of-concern-nationwide-for-may-2022-polls/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/comelec-reports-more-than-93k-lav-applicants/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/comelec-on-candidates-with-vote-buying-raps-we-can-suspend-the-proclamation/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/nbi-agents-ordered-to-mingle-in-election-rallies-sorties-to-arrest-persons-engaged-in-vote-buying/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/comelec-approves-dohs-petition-for-exemption-from-election-spending-ban/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/comelec-says-ballot-printing-at-94-6-complete/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/robin-padilla-has-big-problem-with-chop-suey-voting/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/robredo-sisters-are-vp-lenis-secret-campaign-weapon/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/uniteam-senate-bets-hit-back-at-bongbongs-bashers-nobody-else-is-palace-worthy/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/gatchalian-to-govt-ramp-up-distribution-of-fuel-subsidy-amid-new-round-of-oil-price-hikes/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/rufus-optimistic-of-leni-victory-possible-fuel-excise-tax-suspension/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/look-digos-davao-del-sur-uniteam-rally-attracts-mammoth-crowd/?swcfpc=1

4) E-sabong issue

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/guevarra-fate-of-e-sabong-up-to-congress/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/young-police-official-arrested-over-cases-rooted-to-online-sabong-addiction/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bir-slaps-franchise-tax-to-e-sabong-casino-operators/

5) World Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/iran-slams-new-us-sanctions-as-sign-of-ill-will/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/trudeau-visits-former-indigenous-residential-school-where-graves-discovered/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/finally-we-can-protect-women-japans-hpv-vaccine-battle/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/un-urges-world-to-halt-worsening-afghanistan-crisis/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/germany-welcomes-ukraines-jews-77-years-after-the-holocaust/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/7-0-magnitude-quake-hits-tadine-new-caledonia/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/sri-lanka-faces-13-hour-blackouts-hospitals-stop-surgery-as-crisis-deepens/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/uk-apologises-for-hospital-scandal-over-200-baby-deaths/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/who-warns-of-virulent-covid-variant-risk/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/south-africas-covid-death-toll-tops-100000/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/russians-start-to-withdraw-from-chernobyl-us/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/biden-gets-second-covid-19-booster-shot-says-virus-no-longer-dominates/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/ukraines-zelensky-dismisses-russian-claims-of-scaleback/?swcfpc=1

6) Taal unrest

7) Education Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/deped-reminds-public-not-to-be-complacent-during-early-registration/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/ust-releases-results-of-ustar/

8) Weather Update

9) EJ Obiena saga

10) Magnitsky sanctions vs Digong?

11) Judiciary Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bir-slaps-franchise-tax-to-e-sabong-casino-operators/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/ca-sandiganbayan-cta-back-to-8-hours-daily-work-on-april-4-on-4-day-workweek/https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/sandiganbayan-junks-graft-charges-vs-late-tesda-chief-augusto-l-syjuco-jr/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/19-pdls-freed-from-nbp-in-muntinlupa-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/chr-urges-more-investments-in-public-transport/

12) On Dr. Naty Castro

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/doj-can-hold-another-preliminary-investigation-on-criminal-charges-filed-vs-dr-natividad-castro/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/flag-lauds-junking-of-dr-naty-castros-cases/

13) Business Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/sbcorp-readies-another-p4-b-fund-for-msmes/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/cebu-based-company-advances-in-the-construction-industry/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bsp-finalizing-review-of-rural-banks-capital/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/sss-extends-acop-compliance-deadline/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/stocks-rise-on-window-dressing/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bank-lending-up-8-8-money-supply-expands-to-p15-2-t/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bankcom-marks-successful-debut-at-pse/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/luzon-power-peak-demand-surpasses-pre-pandemic-level/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/meralco-to-power-pldts-largest-data-center/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bdo-bags-4th-bank-of-the-year-award/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/mindanao-container-terminal-into-green-fleet-expansion/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/bsp-sees-higher-3-7-march-inflation/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/govt-debt-reaches-p12-1-t-in-feb/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/land-sales-boost-dmw-earnings-to-p1-88-b/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/allhome-profit-jumps-46-as-economy-reopens/?swcfpc=1

14) Metro Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/muntinlupa-candidates-get-creative-amid-social-distancing-rules-in-election-campaign/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/pcgh-records-zero-covid-admission-for-15th-straight-day/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/8-drug-suspects-arrested-in-las-pinas-and-paranaque/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/man-arrested-for-stabbing-girlfriend-japanese/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/qc-stands-for-transparency-in-using-peoples-fund-mayor-belmonte/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/no-water-in-parts-of-rizal-province-starting-march-31/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/4-nabbed-p2m-shabu-seized-in-gma-cavite-buy-bust/?swcfpc=1

15) Provincial Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/man-jailed-after-taking-hostage-his-live-in-partner-inside-comfort-room/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/drug-peddler-nabbed-in-guagua-during-police-operations/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/mabuwaya-foundation-urges-public-not-to-harm-crocodiles/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/female-biker-dies-in-quezon-road-accident/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/isabela-congressional-candidates-headquarters-sprayed-with-bullets/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/51-npa-rebels-surrender-in-calabarzon/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/lapu-lapu-city-downgraded-to-covid-19-alert-level-1-status/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/31/most-wanted-persons-in-cebu-bohol-fall/?swcfpc=1
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/30/doh-7-chief-asks-lgu-officials-to-regulate-public-gatherings/?swcfpc=1