-
Villar identifies growth areas under new normal
Activities and travel related to agriculture and environment, according to Senator Cynthia Villar, will be the new growth areas and will provide the impetus to revive travel and tourism, one of the most adversely affected sectors by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “We all know that the ongoing lockdowns all over the country and the world…
-
Duque stays mum on PhilHealth crisis
By Fernan Angeles HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque has remained mum over a public clamor wanting to see the entire Philippine Health Insurance Corporation executive board to go on leave. Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire confirmed that Duque has yet to take any position on the call for PhilHealth officials to consider going on “vacation” amid ongoing investigations…
-
Mass for slain NDFP leader stopped by cops
By John Clifford Lintao Due to quarantine protocols, police prevented a mass for the death of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Randall Echanis in front of a funeral parlor in La Loma, Quezon City on Wednesday. Instead, the mourners offered a solidarity prayer for the slain NDFP official. “Ngayon po ay nagkaroon…
-
Russian vaccine needs more study, says Duque
By Fernan Angeles CITING the need for more in-depth study and information, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that he is not about to give a clearance for the use of the supposed Russian vaccines to the local COVID-19 patients. “Depende pa ‘yan. We have to learn more about it,” Duque said in reaction to President…
-
AMLC help sought to track down PhilHealth money trail
By Fernan Angeles KNOWN for its capability to track down plundered money, the Senate is seriously looking into the possibility of tapping the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in tracing the owner of the dialysis center which received over P45 million from PhilHealth through its Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM). In a virtual forum with newsmen, Senator…
-
Palace hands off on Echanis case
By Fernan Angeles MALACAÑANG distanced itself on the case involving the death of peasant leader and peace consultant Randall “Randy” Echanis. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Echanis’ death on Monday, allegedly in the hands of “police forces,” is already being investigated separately by the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation. The Commission on…
-
Wearing of face shield now required in work areas
By Fernan Angeles EXPECT workplaces to look like more of space stations as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) hinted on requiring the wearing of face shields for employees in workplaces. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the measure will be confirmed as soon as the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) meeting with Trade Secretary…
-
46 BI employees test positive for COVID-19
By John Clifford Lintao THE Bureau of Immigration has reported that 46 of its personnel have tested positive for COVID-19. Immigration’s bureau chief Jaime Morente said of the 46 staff members were infected by the virus, nine have already recovered while the 37 are still housed in government-accredited quarantine facilities. “The good news is that,…
-
PhilHealth CEO now accuses hospitals of scaling up cases
By Fernan Angeles EMBATTLED Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales has turned the table against private hospitals who he accused of scaling up confirmed COVID-19 cases that enabled them to collect more from the government. Morales said that his office had been receiving reports that some hospitals are misreporting non-coronavirus cases as…
-
Rizal Memorial, PhilSports Complex go on COVID-19 holiday
By John Clifford Lintao TWO of the country’s biggest sports facilities have been placed under lockdown following reports that its personnel yielded positive results for COVID-19. The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and the Philippine Institute of Sports Complex, also known as Ultra, in Pasig City were placed on lockdown to prevent further spread…