#SAASCONPH24 organizers Sprout Solutions face members of the media on how it aims to bring "the future of work" by automating & simplifying HR processes through artificial intelligence. | via @james_relativo @james_relativo Besides automating processes like payroll, Sprout COO Kislay Chandra says that they provide AI chat bots that answer basic work-related questions like remaining employee leave credits, etc. — leaving HR with more fundamental work. #SAASCONPH24

Senate President Vicente Sotto III reacts to Pharmally exec Krizle Grace Mago resurfacing under House's protective custody.

"Very good. As long as she is safe. Her testimony given in the Senate is more than enough." | via @BellaPerezRubio @BellaPerezRubio Sotto: The people have heard her already. We were concerned for her safety. | via @BellaPerezRubio

Follow Philstar.com's live coverage of the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national elections. #2022NLE #2022polls

Bookmark our live blog here: philstar.com/headlines/2021… Eyeing a Senate comeback, Rep. Loren Legarda (Antique) is the first to file her certificate of candidacy. #2022polls

BREAKING: DOH logs 14,286 new COVID-19 cases. The total reported cases has reached 2,549,966 on September 30, 2021.

▪️New deaths: 130
▪️New recoveries: 8,268
▪️Total active cases: 138,294

More updates on #COVID19PH here: bit.ly/covid19-livebl… The seven-day moving average of cases continues to decline. Of the 2,549,966 total cases, 138,294 are active cases.

Meanwhile, 8,268 recoveries have also been recorded, bringing the total recoveries to 2,373,378. | via @siggyism

HAPPENING NOW: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumes its hearing on deficiencies in pandemic spending flagged by state auditors. | via @BellaPerezRubio @BellaPerezRubio Pharmally exec Krizle Grace Mago is not in attendance today.

"She is missing," Blue Ribbon staff says.

Mago admitted last week that the firm tampered with the expiry dates of face shields. She said she believed Pharmally was swindling the gov't by doing so. | @BellaPerezRubio

SOON: Opposition coalition 1Sambayan to announce their pick for president in the 2022 elections. | via @XaveGregorio @XaveGregorio BREAKING: 1Sambayan endorses Vice President Leni Robredo for president in the 2022 elections. | via @XaveGregorio

RECORD-HIGH SINGLE DAY TALLY: The DOH logs 18,332 new COVID-19 cases on August 23, 2021, bringing the total count to 1,857,646.

▪️New deaths: 151
▪️New recoveries: 13,794
▪️Total active cases: 130,350

More updates on #COVID19PH here: bit.ly/covid19-livebl… The Department of Health has recorded 18,332 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The daily tally is a new all-time high in terms of single-day tally. | via @siggyism

HAPPENING NOW: Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque holds a press briefing in SM City San Mateo, Rizal on Monday, August 23, 2021 after updates from the IATF, NTF-COVID-19, and other government officials.

Watch: bit.ly/2WbAM8G Roque says more than 30 million people in the country have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose; 13 million persons have been fully vaccinated. | via @alexisbromero

Watch: bit.ly/2WbAM8G

BREAKING: The DOH logs the 3rd-highest daily tally with 16,044 new COVID-19 cases on August 22, 2021, bringing the total count to 1,839,635.

▪️New deaths: 215
▪️New recoveries: 13,952
▪️Total active cases: 125,900

More updates on #COVID19PH here: bit.ly/covid19-livebl… Today's daily tally is lower than the confirmed cases recorded yesterday but this is the third day wherein daily cases went beyond 16,000. | via @siggyism

HAPPENING NOW: Manny Pacquiao faces off against Yordenis Ugas.

Round 1: Pacquiao immediately targets Ugas' body, the Cuban mostly on the defensive.

Follow our live updates here: bit.ly/3gj6o3d Ugas fires slow jabs, Pacquiao accidentally slips to the floor. Clear Round 1 to Manny. | via @dino_mars

Follow our live updates here: bit.ly/3gj6o3d

UP NEXT: Manny Pacquiao will try to regain the WBA "super" welterweight title he was unceremoniously stripped of and now bestowed to Yordenis Ugas, who's already a two-time jackpot winner with the belt and the career-high payday that comes with fighting Pacquiao. | via @dino_mars @dino_mars No better first opponent for Pacquiao in these pandemic times than someone who could remind you to wash your hands. | via @dino_mars

Manny Pacquiao arrives at the T-Mobile Arena. Yordenis Ugas also in the venue already.

Not including the bout already ongoing, two more fights before main event time. | via @mluisamorales_ #PacquiaoUgas WATCH: Manny Pacquiao arrives at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ahead of his WBA (Super) welterweight fight against Yordenis Ugas.

BREAKING: DOH logs 16,694 new COVID-19 cases on August 21, 2021, with total reported cases reaching 1,824,051.

▪️New deaths: 398
▪️New recoveries: 15,805
▪️Total active cases: 123,935

More updates on #COVID19PH here: bit.ly/covid19-livebl… The Department of Health has recorded 16,694 new COVID-19 cases in the country. This is now the second highest single-day tally next to yesterday's recorded cases of COVID-19. | via @siggyism

President Duterte: "I’m sorry but I said, maski mag-isa na lang ako, I will stand for (Health Sec. Francisco) Duque (III) even if it will bring me down" | via @alexisbromero @alexisbromero Duterte: "Sabi pagkatapos nito, hindi na popular si Duterte, yung rating rating niya. Look, tapos na ako. The rating does not really matter to me." | via @alexisbromero

A shipment of 739,200 vaccines developed by Chinese state-owned firm Sinopharm arrived in the Philippines on Friday afternoon. 

philstar.com/headlines/2021… Some 739,200 doses of Chinese-donated Sinopharm have been delivered in the country tonight, August 20, 2021. | via @siggyism

Statements from biz community on ECQ:

George Barcelon, PCCI pres. emeritus: "Basically you're just delaying the infection...Ang concern ko lang is if 'yung infections 'di bumaba, anong prescriptions ng IATF? Extend the ECQ which is very bad for the economy?" | @prinzmagtulis Sergio Ortiz-Luis, ECOP president: "Biglaan eh, anong preparation ang magagawa mo? It’s a good thing. But wala kaming preparation kasi 'di naming akalain. What will happen if they extend ECQ beyond 1 week? Catastrophe." | @prinzmagtulis

Health workers group HPAAC says people die in emergency rooms when they can't be admitted immediately. Wards and rooms are full.

It urges President Duterte to issue EO to order data gathering to create a COVID-19 referral network. Dr. Pauline Convocar of HPAAC: "Kahit na iisa lamang pasyente ang hindii natin maasikaso at mabigyan ng tamang suporta, sintomas na ito na may mali sa sistema."

She stresses need for central data body, integrated response for effective T3 (test, trace, treat).

BREAKING: Government places Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under enhanced community quarantine beginning March 29 to April 4 | via @XaveGregorio @XaveGregorio What's going to happen under ECQ?
• House-to-house contact tracing
• No suspension of transportation, but will operate at limited capacity
• Longer curfew from 6pm to 5am
• No dine-in at restaurants
• No mass gatherings of more than 10 people | via @XaveGregorio

HAPPENING NOW: Palace spokesman Harry Roque holds public briefing to announce new IATF resolution on March 27, 2021.

Watch here: facebook.com/philstarnews/p… Roque: Due to new variants, there is a surge in COVID-19 cases which placed the healthcare system under critical status. | via @xtinamen

Watch here: facebook.com/philstarnews/p…

JUST IN: Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla announces on Facebook that Cavite along with other areas will be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine starting Sunday, March 28 to April 4, 2021. Okay, 'wag kayo magalit samin. 2021 po talaga 'yan, may typo lang si Governor.

Remulla's post has been updated:

The OCTA research group has recommended the imposition of MECQ for at least two weeks to save hospitals and healthcare workers from being overwhelmed. | via @jvrmateo @jvrmateo OCTA: We need to lower healthcare utilization rate. We need a time out and we need it now. We are doing this to save lives and livelihoods. | via @jvrmateo