(Updated 4:25 p.m.) The Philippines on Saturday recorded 12,576 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 784,043.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reiterated Saturday his demand for Chinese vessels to leave the West Philippine Sea, saying they have “no other reason” to stay in the hotly contested waters.

Six senators on Saturday asked the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to swiftly amend its policy on hospital tent coverage following reports that patients were paying P1,000 per hour because the state-run agency would not cover their temporary stay.�...

After more than 100 of its employees contracted COVID-19, the Philippine Orthopedic Center on Saturday announced that it would be halting some of its services. 

Baguio City mayor and contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong said Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

UK envoy to the Philippines Daniel Pruce in a video posted to social media said the new restrictions will take effect at 4:00 UK time —11:00 a.m. Philippine time — on April 9, Friday. 

The warning comes as hundreds of ships suspected to be part of China's maritime militia continue to swarm reefs and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines on Friday recorded 15,310 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 771,497.

A branch of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has failed to pay dues for nine months and is now facing a threat of eviction from the space it occupies in Pasig City.

The group also called for the mass hiring of health workers and demanded the government to provide them decent salaries, benefits and job security to ensure retention and continuity.