30 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

HEADLINES

COVID-19 cases mild, manageable

By J.Lo

“Average number of daily reported cases for the week of May 14 to 20 is 202, less than half compared to around 500 per day at the start of this year and also compared to around 1,750 per day in the middle of May 2023,” Department of Health (DOH) said cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines remain mild and manageable amid flagged Omicron subvariants like KP.2 and KP.3 that have likely entered the country.

All regions remain at low risk for COVID-19.

As of May 18, average daily reported severe, critical and intensive care unit COVID-19 admissions were much fewer compared to the same period last year,  DOH noted. 

Of the new cases reported for the said week, 16 were severe or critical. 

There were 12 deaths, with five recorded from May 7 to 20. 

Only 12 percent of dedicated COVID-19 ICU beds and 14 percent of total COVID-19 beds were occupied. 

Severe and critical cases admitted to hospitals account for nine percent of total admissions. 

There is still no scientific basis for travel restrictions,  DOH said. 

Bureau of Quarantine is closely watching points of entry nationwide. 

Health care workers, senior citizens and immunocompromised persons should be vaccinated against flu and pneumonia to combat COVID-19 “FLiRT” variant, according to Rep. Janette Garin. 

Omicron subvariants KP.2 and KP.3 are part of FLiRT variant,  novel virus that is spreading globally. 

They came from JN.1 subvariant that was reported in late 2023 and responsible for this year’s earlier increase in infections. 

Garin, served as late president Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s health secretary, also advised Filipinos to wash their hands frequently, practice proper hygiene and have adequate rest and  nutritious balanced diet. 

FLiRT variants have reportedly been detected in Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Israel, Australia, New Zealand,  United States and 14 European countries.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 56:4

⁴     In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

29 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Ph, Brunei forge pact on maritime coop

By Nidz Godino

“We hope to expand  partnerships that we have begun and we feel that there is much potential that we can examine,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  in his first trip to Brunei as head of state,  witnessed along with his host Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah  signing of  maritime cooperation agreement covering information and research sharing, pollution control and skills training, among others.

Memorandum  of understanding on maritime cooperation was one of  four deals whose signing was witnessed by Marcos and Bolkiah.  Other  MOUs were on tourism, seafarers’ training and food security.

It was not clear if  signing of  MOU on maritime cooperation had anything to do with Marcos’ pre-departure statement that he would discuss with Bolkiah “ways for further cooperation with Brunei in ensuring  defense of our countries and of our region.”

Philippines is embroiled in  dispute with China over maritime claims in  South China Sea.

Two Southeast Asian countries also forged MOUs on mutual recognition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates and on boosting tourism.

Also signed was  letter of intent to renew  MOU on food security and agricultural cooperation.

Two leaders witnessed  signing of  deals at Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei leader’s official residence. It was one of the first events during Marcos’ two-day visit here.

 “I think  MOUs that are being signed today that we shall witness, Your Majesty, will be  very good start to once again re-energize, and I think  areas that we have talked about  that we have paid attention to for these MOUs are certainly rich with potential,” he added.

Sultan cited  two countries’ stronger people-to-people exchanges and economic ties.

“I’m looking forward to further enhancing our friendship in areas of future interest,  I believe will greatly benefit our countries and people,” Bolkiah said.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said  MOU on maritime cooperation is “crucial for maritime nations like Philippines and Brunei.”

MOU on  recognition of certificates issued under  provisions of  International Convention on STCW for seafarers permits  two countries to recognize  national certificates issued by each other’s agencies. It replaces and updates  prior MOU inked by  two countries in 2001.

MOU on tourism cooperation, meanwhile, was signed between Philippines’ Department of Tourism and Brunei’s Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. It seeks to generate cooperative tourism projects, boost tourist arrivals between  two countries, support niche tourism development, particularly in area of Islamic tourism, and promote Muslim-friendly destinations.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said  agreement sets  stage for  “dynamic” partnership between  Philippines and Brunei.

She noted  deal includes collaborations to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, medical and wellness tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition tourism and to increase tourism investments.

“Collaboration is expected to enhance  overall tourist experience, strengthen economic ties and contribute to  sustainable development of  tourism industry in both countries,” Frasco said in  statement.

Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and Brunei’s Agriculture and Agrifood Department also inked an LOI to pursue further cooperation aimed at achieving food security by increasing production of agricultural products and further modernizing farming technologies.

Letter  is  product of  third Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between  two countries convened in Manila on Aug. 15 last year.

“It underscores  interest of both  Philippines and Brunei to explore further cooperation and collaboration on field of agriculture for food security and sustainable agriculture between  two countries,” PCO said.

29 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

HEADLINES

Women support divorce bill

By Nidz Godino

“We urge our senators to seriously consider and pass  bill finally legalizing divorce,” Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa-Women said in  statement ,women workers  expressed support for  immediate passage of  absolute divorce bill, saying it would protect women and families from abuse.

 “Instead of  collapse of morality that conservatives are obsessed about,  legalization of this practice is  needed respite for  many women and families that are forced to suffer in silence,”  group noted.

Sentro called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to certify House Bill 9349 as urgent.

House of Representatives on May 22 approved on third and final reading  absolute divorce bill, voting 131-109 with 20 abstentions.

Bill’s transmittal to  Senate for concurrence is on hold pending questions on how votes were counted, as  House leadership had erroneously reported 126 affirmative votes, later correcting it to 131.

Its passage on third reading is positive development that must be followed by  Senate, Sentro said.

Philippines,  secular state, is  last country in the world outside  Vatican that has not legalized divorce.

Fate  of  divorce bill remains uncertain in  Senate, with five senators  including  Senate President  so far against it, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada.

Estrada surveyed 24 senators on their stance on divorce bill.

Among those who replied, Senate President Francis Escudero, majority leader Francis Tolentino, Joel Villanueva, Ronald Dela Rosa and Estrada himself are against divorce.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, main proponent of  Senate version of  divorce bill  Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Raffy Tulfo support  measure.

Senate version of  bill was approved by Hontiveros’ committee on women and family relations last year but it has yet to be forwarded to  plenary for interpellation.

Escudero  explained he opposed  House version of divorce as it lacked  provision allowing  Public Attorney’s Office to take on divorce cases for indigents.

Estrada’s survey did not include positions of former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri, minority leader Koko Pimentel, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Cynthia and Mark Villar.

Zubiri,  has been vocal about his position against divorce,  is  “conservative senator. I’m pro-family and pro-life.”

Pimentel  cannot vote for the measure after seeing  contents of  House bill on divorce.

Binay on May 25  has always been against divorce ever since she ran for Senate in 2013.

Angara, Revilla and Ejercito  are still thinking about their positions. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 103:17-18

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

‘Eddie Garcia’ law  protecting movie, TV workers

By Cynthia Montojo

Employers  to meet  minimum labor rights standards as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  signed into law  measure aimed at safeguarding rights and welfare of entertainment industry workers.

Republic Act 1196, signed into law on May 24, is named after the late actor Eddie Garcia, who died after tripping over loose wires while filming  series in 2019.

Law  requires employers to provide workers or independent contractors with  copy of  contract specifies  number of work hours, job position and description, period of employment, details of compensation and other conditions that will affect person’s work.

Under the law, entertainment industry workers must also be provided wage-related benefits, social security and government-mandated benefits and insurance. They are also entitled to overtime pay.

RA 1196 also acknowledges  entertainment industry workers’ exposure to occupational hazards and requires employers to comply with  occupational safety and health standards laid out in the Labor Code of the Philippines and Republic Act 11058 or “Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations.”

In  statement issued upon Congress’ passage of the bill in March, Olivia Lagman Romero, Manoy’s long-time partner, said  measure achieves what  late actor had long sought for during his lifetime: to uplift  lives of all those working in television and movie industry.

Romero called the bill Garcia’s “best gift and lasting contribution” to the local entertainment industry.

House and Senate versions of  bill were unanimously passed in February 2023 and March 2024, respectively.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Medical cannabis bill backed

By J.Lo

“In  ecosystem of innovation, you need enabling policies and laws so that  innovation can be produced,” Department of Science and Technology(DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.  said at  press conference organized by  DOST and Bauertek legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines would enable  award-winning company  developed  cannabis-based product to further develop and commercialize it locally.

Solidum congratulated Richard Nixon Gomez and his son Rigel Gomez for winning three gold medals and Grand Prix 2024 at E-NNOVATE International Invention & Innovation Summit in Krakow, Poland last week.

Gomezes’ Bauertek Farmaceutical Technologies won awards for CanCur, PiCur and its Black Garlic food supplement developed with Mariano Marcos State University.

“If  country is not fast in facilitating  mass production of very good innovation… you cannot stop our innovators from going to other countries,” he added.

CanCur is intended to help patients with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and pain management.

PiCur is reportedly  powerful natural antioxidant intended to help stop angiogenesis around tumor cells and help induce apoptosis of tumor cells. It is used for  treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer and other common illnesses. 

Black Garlic is intended to help patients with nerve disorders and those with certain forms of cancer.

This year’s E-NNOVATE featured more than 200 entries from 25 countries.

All three gold awards garnered by Philippine delegation belong to  Pharma category.

“We came in with three entries: PiCur,  flagship invention; black garlic,  collaboration with Mariano Marcos State University; and also our latest project CanCur,  our medical cannabis project,” Rigel said.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Vegetable retail prices higher by P5/K

By J.Lo

“Movement should not exceed P5 per kilo…  maximum that we can see,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for operations U-Nichols Manalo in  chance interview during  2024 National Farmers and Fisherfolk Month celebration at  Bureau of Soils and Water Management convention hall in Quezon City  noted  increase in  retail prices of vegetables amid  impact of Typhoon Aghon in at least three regions in the country.

Manalo said P5-per-kilo increase in retail prices affected  lowland vegetables from Calabarzon (Region 4-A), Mimaropa (Region 4-B) and Eastern Visayas.

Based on DA monitoring of Metro Manila markets,  retail price of ampalaya (bitter gourd) ranged between P90 and P170 per kilo; string beans, between P80 and P160 per kilo; pechay tagalog, between P70 and P120 per kilo; squash, between P35 and P75 per kilo; eggplant, between P55 and P130 per kilo and tomato, between P55 and P90 per kilo.

“We have enough supply in the market…what should be monitored are those who will take advantage of  situation,” Manalo said.

He also said  21,000 hectares of plantations in  three regions are threatened amid rains brought by Typhoon Aghon, although DA central office is still waiting for field office reports on extent of damage on standing crops.

“Validation is being done in field offices to determine if  crops were totally damaged or partially damaged and can still recover,” Manalo added.

He gave assurance  DA has at least P1 billion in quick response fund,  can be used to assist  affected farmers.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Chiz open to talk with Migz

By Nidz Godino

“Since we are not enemies, I see no reason why  relationship cannot be good, although we have different views on some things,” Senate President Francis Escudero is ready to hold  dialogue with his predecessor Juan Miguel Zubiri as  senator from Bicol sees no reason for them not to have  good relationship.

Escudero clarified  he is not trying to avoid Zubiri, whom he replaced after 15 other senators signed  resolution calling for  leadership change in  Senate.

 “If we get a chance to talk, as I am not avoiding them, maybe we can talk here in  Senate itself or outside…if we meet or if I miss them or they miss me, it’s easy to just text,” he said.

Recently  installed Senate president admitted  there were some gaps between fellow senators after leadership change, but he noted he understands  other senators would feel that way.

He expressed optimism that time will heal these wounds. For Escudero,  issue is not personal, thus wounds will heal more easily.

“There are no tears yet, but this is just part of the process… I believe  Senate will overcome this as an institution…there will be times of sadness, there will be times of happiness and there will be times of future challenges…there will be times when everything will be easy…perhaps, one of those will also come…our time is good,  relationship and  Senate’s progress is better,” Escudero,said.

Six of the senators  Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian  have expressed their sentiments on ousting of Zubiri. They  were poised to form alliance and preferred to be independent.

Villanueva earlier  is studying  opposition’s side in  Senate and he would break away from majority.

Escudero assured tension would subside and  legislators would unite for  people.

He said it was not the issue of “Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leaks” or Zubiri’s unwillingness to allow online attendance at sessions that caused  latter’s ouster. But Escudero did not specify  reason.

Escudero is hopeful that despite  setback,  proposals on priority agenda of Marcos administration will be passed.

Week  after he assumed Senate presidency, Escudero continued to conduct inspections of Senate premises at  GSIS building in Pasay City.

He also held dialogues with employees and even checked  setup of parking spaces and  temperature at  Senate building.

Escudero also visited Legislative Records and Archive Service (LRAS),  open 24/7 to accommodate  needs of legislators, students and academe on their research involving Senate proceedings.

LRAS chief Marilou Binanitan  has been in Senate for over 30 years and it was  first time  Senate president checked the unit.

“I served in my executive function as governor, that’s what I did… now, as the president of  Senate, I consider myself  administrative head of  Senate, and it is only right to visit and find out what each office is doing and how we can serve them so that they can improve their service to anyone who comes to their office… I’m not even finished, I’m still on fourth floor, I’m still on third floor, I’m not out yet,” Escudero said.

Asked when  Senate will move to its new building in Taguig City, he answered  best time to do so is when  Senate adjourns sine die.

“Our target transfer will probably be in 2025 sine die, if not 2026 sine die…doesn’t reach that, 2027 sine die… at least, we have two months to formally move and make arrangements so that  workflow will go more smoothly when sessions resume,” he concluded.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

FLiRT variants screening tightened

By J.Lo

“In light of this, all stations have been directed to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where COVID FLiRT incidents have been detected,” Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) director Ferdinand Salcedo  noted BOQ has adopted stricter measures in screening tourists and balikbayans coming from countries where  new COVID-19 variants have been detected.

In Memorandum 2024-48,  Salcedo ordered all BOQ stations to conduct  careful screening of incoming travelers following reports  KP.2 and KP.3 variants of COVID-19 are spreading globally. KP.2 and KP.3 are part of  newly discovered subvariants identified as “FLiRT”  novel virus that is spreading globally.

They came from  JN.1 subvariant,  first became known in late 2023 and was responsible for this year’s earlier increase in infection.

Salcedo also reminded those visiting the country to fill out  e-travel application. Following this, all three terminals of  Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as well as those of country’s major airports and seaports were placed on heightened alert to ensure stringent screening is done on passengers who come from countries where  COVID FLiRT incidents have been detected.

“Travelers should complete  health questionnaire available via https://etravel.gov.ph/,” said Salcedo.

Quarantine officials at  NAIA  would implement  necessary screening procedures, noting  they already have  necessary equipment used during height of  COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are dedicated to ensuring  safety of all passengers and  public,” said MIAA general manager Eric Jose Ines.

Ines also instructed all housekeeping service providers to include disinfection of items and locations where passenger contact exposure is high such as check-in counters, immigration counter tops and  plastic trays used for final screening of passenger luggage and items.

Food concessionaires were also reminded to disinfect their respective areas, especially  tables where customers eat.

“These measures will help prevent  spread of  virus,” Ines said.

BOQ also urged  general public to practice minimum public health standards.

“General public should take basic health measures such as frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded situations and getting in contact with people with flu like symptoms,” Memorandum read.

Salcedo also recommended  those not feeling well should just stay home.

“For those who develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19, home isolation is advised,” he added. Earlier reports said COVID-19 infections in some countries such as Singapore have been increasing due to FLiRT.

Health experts urged  public, especially  vulnerable population, to be vigilant and employ protection against  virus.