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Bato wins over COVID-19
By Fernan Angeles TAKING cue from his nickname which means stone, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa proved to be as tough as rock as he tested negative for the virus weeks after being diagnosed as infected. And for that, Bato hinted at stepping foreward to volunteer and become a donor of convalescent plasma. “Negative na…
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Duque heeds calls, agrees to take first shot of vaccine from China
By Fernan Angeles APPALLED by nasty remarks on the government’s preference for Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, Health Secretary Francisco Duque agreed to take the first shot of it before the government starts administering vaccination to some 24 million Filipinos on the “priority list.” In an online press briefing, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said that aside from…
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SBMA sets more measures to curb BPO Covid-19 surge
By MAR T. SUPNAD SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has required a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm here to implement additional safety measures like staggered shutdowns and work-from-home arrangements to prevent further transmission of Covid-19 at its offices here. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the measures were…
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Go wants Duque to take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines
By Fernan Angeles FOR how it looks, Senator Bong Go neither trust nor like Health Secretary Francisco Duque, whom he urged to take the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines that would be made available soon. At the Laging Handa press briefing, Go challenged Duque to volunteer for the first injection to determine whether or…
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Metro mayors have discretion to decide on keeping minors at home
By Fernan Angeles CITING the local government code, a Palace official said that Metro Manila mayors have the discretion to decide on whether or not to allow minors to go outside their homes. In a press conference, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the decision of the Metro Manila mayors to disallow minors from leaving…
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Shorter curfew to give way to Simbang Gabi
By John Clifford Lintao METRO Manila mayor are in favor a shortened curfew hours to give way for Simbang Gabi. In fact, they’re inserting such desire in a recommendation that would see the entire national region’s general community quarantine extended until the end of the year. Citing the continuing log of COVID-19 cases, Metro Manila…
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500,000 COVID-19 cases by year-end
By John Clifford Lintao EXPECT COVID-19 cases to reach half a million by the end of the year says experts who claimed that the highly-infectious virus from China does not seem to show any sign of slowing down. In its latest report, the OCTA Research Team said the number of new daily cases in country…
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No way to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos in a year
By Fernan Angeles GIVEN the tall task of securing supplies for international pharmaceutical companies behind the COVID-19 vaccines, there is no way to be able to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos in a span of one year, says Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire. Echoing the statement of National Task Force vs. COVID-19 chief Carlito Galvez, Jr. who…
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Metro Manila mayors want GCQ until year-end
By Fernan Angeles METRO Manila mayors are inclined on keeping the general community quarantine classification, at least until the end of the year. According to Metro Manila Council chairperson and incumbent Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, all the local chief executives in the region unanimously agreed on the idea of having their respective localities under…
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Clinical trials in PH for potential vaccine suppliers
By Fernan Angeles THE government is keen on the idea of sealing procurement deals for COVID-19 vaccines, but would rather prefer that potential vaccines be tested first in the Philippines to ensure its potency among Filipinos. In a radio interview, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez said that they are looking into building a portfolio of…