A Social Weather Stations (SWS) National Mobile Phone Survey which showed 36% of adult Filipinos expecting their quality of life to worsen in the next 12 months is certainly an issue that concerns the Administration.

There is no truth to the alleged report that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) not to release or share their information to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regarding the recent attacks against right defenders and activists.

It is preposterous that certain quarters have continued to peddle the false narrative of the Singapore trip in relation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s health, notwithstanding the release of the video of PRRD, photos with his family and the Chief Executive’s Talk to the Nation Address, which clearly demolished the circulating bogus information.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) welcomes any group, organization, or individual, outside the members of the IATF, to join the discussion of any of its meetings.

We denounce any form of violence perpetuated against citizens, including activists. We are a nation of laws; and violence has no place in any civilized society.

Reiterating a previous Cabinet meeting presided by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea held on August 1, 2020, the Palace confirms that the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), along with some members of the Cabinet, approved last night, August 18, in consultation with the local chief executives, the following transition protocols in Metro Manila, starting August 19, 2020.

This is to clarify the remarks I made earlier during today’s press briefing when I said, “The President is in perpetual isolation.”

There is no truth that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte left the country this weekend.

We confirm that six (6) Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) regional officers have filed their leave of absence. These six officials, however, are not the “mafia” referred to by Senator Panfilo Lacson. They were, in fact, referred to as “heroes” by PhilHealth board member Alejandro Cabading during his Senate testimonies.

Today, August 15, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific.