The Philippines on Friday recorded 8,748 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 1,037,460.

The prescriptions, written on sheets of paper, did not contain the doctors' names, license numbers and professional tax receipt numbers.

"Shout out loud so that President Duterte will wake up from his deep sleep under the kulambo and admit to the nation the truth — that China is not in possession of the WPS," Carpio said.

The government’s task force against coronavirus has lifted its travel ban on foreign nationals starting May 1.

Thousands of workers are determined to make a return to the streets for the first massive in-person Labor Day protest since one of the world’s longest lockdowns began in March 2020.

The Supreme Court has extended the closure of premises of courts in Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine areas but stressed that operations will continue through videoconferencing.

Mayo-Anda said being a lawyer, of course, has value to a community but “it is not a foolproof guarantee that you will not be killed under the Duterte administration.”

The government is placing the province of Ifugao under modified enhanced community quarantine from May 1 to 14, while it is placing the city of Puerto Princesa under general community quarantine for the whole month of May.

The Philippine Pharmacists Association has raised the alarm on the distribution of ivermectin, citing potential side effects on unmonitored usage of the anti-parasitic drug and violation of the country’s pharmacy law.

In a Facebook post, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said the jabs will arrive in Manila by Saturday.