Headlines

DOH’s rebooted anti-polio drive: Generally successful Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) - October 16, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has described the first day of the second round of its door-to-door vaccination campaign against polio in Metro Manila and parts of Mindanao last Monday as “generally successful.” Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that as of 4 p.m. that day, they were able to cover 11 percent of the 1.27-million targeted children in Metro Manila. “It was generally successful although right now I don’t have the figure for Mindanao. But there was not much resistance to the vaccination,” he noted. In Davao City, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that they were able to vaccinate 15 percent of target beneficiaries. For Davao del Sur province, the rate was seven percent. He noted that vaccination activities … [Read more...] about DOH’s rebooted anti-polio drive: Generally successful

Nene Pimentel now stable in hospital Cecille Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star) - October 16, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. is now in stable condition after being hospitalized for pneumonia, according to his daughter, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana. She said yesterday that the vital signs of her father had improved after doctors removed some water from his lungs. The elder Pimentel was taken to the hospital after complaining  of difficulty in breathing. He has been confined at the intensive care unit. While her father’s medical condition improved, Gana said he could not yet receive any visitors. Pimentel’s family is calling for prayers for the speedy recovery of the former Senate president. There has been an outpouring of fervent prayers for Pimentel Jr., who was reportedly taken to the intensive … [Read more...] about Nene Pimentel now stable in hospital

PNOC-EC head fired over Russia oil deal Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) - October 16, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) president and CEO Pedro Aquino was asked to resign by President Duterte, a government official has confirmed. Aquino himself said in a text message that he was asked to resign. The move reportedly stemmed from the approval of a memorandum of agreement with a Russian firm for the development of a multilateral cooperation in oil products and trading and joint participation in oil refining without the permission from the PNOC-EC board or from Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. Energy Undersecretary and spokesman Felix William Fuentebella said the DOE would issue a statement soon. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the development highlights the need for a clear policy direction for the entire PNOC family. “We could have prevented this situation if … [Read more...] about PNOC-EC head fired over Russia oil deal

Duterte’s droopy eye not life threatening — Palace Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) - October 16, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is “perfectly healthy” despite his revelation that he has a condition called myasthenia gravis, a chronic auto-immune neuromuscular disorder that affects the muscles in his eyes, according to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo. “It’s not life threatening, it depends on the degree. Saka nag-mumura pa siya e (he’s still cursing),” Panelo said of the President’s eye disorder during an interview with the “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News on Monday night. “Ang tao naman sanay na sa kanya, kayo lang naman hindi nasasanay sa kanya (People are used to him; only the media aren’t).” If Duterte’s cussing can be considered as a sign of his health, Panelo said, “it … [Read more...] about Duterte’s droopy eye not life threatening — Palace

7 PMA cadets face court martial over hazing death Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) - October 16, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The seven cadets of the Philippine Military Academy indicted for the fatal hazing of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio will undergo court-martial proceedings, a senior official of the PMA said yesterday. The General Court Martial proceedings will be convened against the accused for violating Articles of War 97 or Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline, Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PMA commandant of cadets, said. The seven are Cadets 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial, Felix Lumbag Jr., John Vincent Manalo, Julius Carlo Tadena and Ray David John Volante; C2C Christian Zacarias and C1C Axl Rey Sanopao. The cadets, who are under the custody of the PMA for administrative proceedings, have been charged with murder and violations of the anti-hazing law before the Baguio City … [Read more...] about 7 PMA cadets face court martial over hazing death