South Africa is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants, according to health experts.

For about three weeks the country has seen increasing numbers of new cases and somewhat higher hospitalizations, but not increases in severe cases and deaths, said Professor Marta Nunes, a researcher at Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.

"We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal and disguise ourselves from ourselves."

—Blaise Pascal

“An election is coming. Universal peace is declared, and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry.”

—George Eliot

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday warned violators of the ban on hiring and movement of personnel during election period.

The Comelec Law Department issued the reminder after receiving complaints of violations of the ban which is prohibited under Comelec Resolution No. 10742, in accordance with Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to improve the regulation of electronic sabong (e-sabong).

This, after PAGCOR Chief Executive Officer Andrea Domingo suggested that e-sabong should have an independent regulator so PAGCOR can concentrate on their present mandate to regulate, operate, authorize and license games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers, particularly casino gaming.

The government is closely monitoring the possible spike of active coronavirus cases in the country by mid-May following the campaign-related mass gatherings and emergence of Omicron subvariants abroad.

NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., also the vaccine czar, noted that some areas will become vulnerable to the disease, in the advent of new cases resurgence, due to their very low vaccination coverage.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metro Rail Transit Line-3 are extending the "Libreng Sakay" program, allowing the commuting public to enjoy the free rides until May 30.

In an announcement Wednesday the DOTr and MRT-3 said the program would "continue helping our commuters ease their financial burden amid inflation and rising fuel prices."

The South Korean-donated K-136 "Kooryong" multi-launch rocket system (MLRS), which is intended for the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), is expected to be delivered as early as June this year.

This was divulged by Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, when sought for an update on the project on Wednesday.