BREAKING: Bangko Sentral maintains key interest rate at 2%. | @meltlopez

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno: The inflation environment remains benign. Latest trends show an increase in food prices, but this is transitory.

BSP: A resurgence of COVID-19 cases globally tempered economic activity. Optimism on vaccines has lifted market confidence, improved prospects for global growth.

BSP: further easing of quarantine measures should facilitate economic recovery in PH in the next few months.

BSP: Accommodative policy rates together with fiscal support will quicken PH recovery.

THREAD: Senator Ping Lacson delivers a privilege speech on the government’s vaccination plan | LIVE https://t.co/R4i9422ym2

Tweets by our digital producer @daninakpil

Lacson on Sinovac vaccine: Our officials were both tongue-tied and stuttering. I could not understand why we are being kept in the dark with the price negotiations with Sinovac while our neighboring countries cannot be more transparent about it

Lacson says countries like Thailand and Indonesia have been transparent with their vaccine procurement of Sinovac

Thailand has procured the Sinovac vaccine for ₱683. 30 and ₱240, respectively.

Lacson: Will somebody explain the ₱1,814.75 per dose price of Sinovac vaccine?

Lacson: It appears that our initial lock in agreement will not be covered by the ludicrous 300% markdown

THREAD: @iampinkywebb speaks to Sinovac Biotech General Manager Helen Yang on #TheSource | LIVE https://t.co/9vB0Rjs8f8

• Senators question gov't deal with China's COVID-19 vaccine, Sinovac
• Palace: Sinovac price not far from ₱650
• Why should Filipinos consider getting it?

Sinovac Biotech on vaccine deal with PH gov't: We are finalizing the term sheet. It's a non-binding understanding between the buyers and sellers.

Sinovac Biotech adds the deal is not yet sealed.

Sinovac Biotech: FDA should approve the vaccine first

Sinovac Biotech says they have already started producing the vaccine in commercial size late last year

Sinovac Biotech on cost of vaccine: Buying the vaccine is only one factor. Logistics and other factors should also be considered.

THREAD: Presidential Spokesperson @attyharryroque holds a media briefing in Malacañang | LIVE https://t.co/0X6MAKcUyB

Tweets by our digital producers @pplmanuel and @lisbetesmael

Roque recaps the recent hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole on the government's COVID-19 vaccination plan

Roque: Magkakaroon po ng legal na pananagutan ang drug companies 'pag nagbenta sila ng bakuna for commercial use kahit Emergency Use Authorization use pa lamang meron sila

Roque reiterates government is not favoring Sinovac or any particular vaccine: Dahil napakataas po ng demand, gagamitin natin kung ano ang available

Roque: Kung gusto mo makakuha ng supply, dapat bultuhan ang order mo. Halos lahat ng bansa centralized ang purchasing. Wala pa tayong alam na pribadong kumpanya na bumibili dahil hindi pa pwede

THREAD: Senate committee on public services holds hearing on cashless modes along tollways https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt

Tweets by our digital producers @YsabelwithaWhyy and Bamba Galang

Senate committee chair Grace Poe: The Toll Regulatory Board can't even do its job of collecting toll fees - ₱44.24 million in 2017 uncollected, ₱859.94 million in 2019 - almost a billion pesos

Sen. Poe: The TRB, like the NDRRMC and PhilHealth, suffers from a governing board dominated by ex-officio cabinet secretaries who have more important things to do. The future of the TRB is another issue that should be resolved in this hearing.

Sen. Poe: The backlash in the cashless toll collecting service reminded of the importance of careful planning.

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian is present in the hearing.

Earlier, he suspended NLEX Corp.'s business permit over traffic problems caused by its cashless toll-collecting system. He has since lifted the suspension after coming to an agreement with NLEX.