Metro Manila stays under GCQ, Cebu City downgrades to MECQ

Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

Palace warns of return to MECQ if COVID-19 cases continue to rise in NCR

Metro Manila stays under general community quarantine or GCQ from July 16 to July 31. Cebu City, meantime, is eased into MECQ from ECQ. It is the only area under MECQ in the country.

Unlike ABS-CBN, other newsrooms ‘not playing kingmaker’ – Cayetano

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano says Thursday, July 16, lawmakers junked ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal not to stifle the press, but because the media giant has long been playing ‘kingmaker’ in the country.

No backing down: Briones says classes will open on August 24 ‘whatever form it is’

Despite calls for delaying classes, Education Secretary Leonor Briones reiterates on Wednesday night, July 15, classes will open on August 24.

Twitter hit by major hack targeting high-profile users

Twitter is investigating a massive hack where high-profile users like Elon Musk and Joe Biden had their accounts hijacked by scammers Wednesday, July 15.

FALSE: Robredo quote on 28-day quarantine

A graphic quotes Vice President Leni Robredo saying if two people in one house need to undergo 14-day quarantine, it will add up to a total of 28 days. This is FALSE. – Rappler.com