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Duterte orders isolation of plane passengers from 4 countries
By Fernan Angeles PASSENGERS onboard flights from the United Kingdom and three other nations, where a mutated strain of the deadly coronavirus have been reported, are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines. In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque hinted at the mandatory procedure as among those which the…
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FDA told to approve Chinese vaccines
By Fernan Angeles PRESIDENT Duterte has directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fast-track the approval of the China-made vaccines Sinovac and Sinopharm, FDA director-general Rolando Domingo said. Responding to Duterte, Domingo said that they are still waiting for the results of the clinical trial of China-made COVID-19 vaccines, so the FDA could start…
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Duterte tells allies to fast-track Bayanihan extension bill
By Fernan Angeles PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wanted to make sure that Congress would be able to fast-track the extension of the validity of two spending laws by certifying the bill as urgent. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that certifying the Bayanihan extension bill will ensure that delayed COVID-19 response projects would still…
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Duterte to announce new quarantine classification
By Fernan Angeles PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is all set to make an announcement Monday night covering new community quarantine classifications in the country. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, in his capacity as vice chair of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, said they have already been advised to meet with the President on Monday night,…
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Duterte to make advance payment for vaccines
By Fernan Angeles TAKING cue from the recommendations made by the National Task Force Against COVID-19, President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to enter into advance supply agreements and provide early payments to COVID-19 vaccine producers. At the regular press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the President made the decision based on the recommendations of National…
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Duterte joining APEC virtual meet
By Fernan Angeles PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte appears to have a tight schedule, attending one international meeting after another. In a press briefing, President Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the President will be joining the first ever online meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders on Friday as the world grapples with the economic…
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Duterte multi-tasking, not sleeping — Roque
By Fernan Angeles MALACAÑANG warded off allegations against President Rodrigo Duterte, whom netizens toyed anew as either missing in action or just asleep. In a public press briefing Saturday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the President is “on top of the situation,” adding that the chief executive has been calling shots even while attending…
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Duterte sets probe on quarry operations in Albay
By Fernan Angeles LONG-TIME aide now Senator Bong Go proved to speak more of how the Malacañang chief executive thinks as President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Albay, just as he said the President would. On Monday afternoon, the President led the aerial inspection of the hardest hit areas, then visited Guinobatan to meet local folks…
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No abolition of PhilHealth, says Duterte
By Fernan Angeles PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte had changed his mind. According to the President, he is not going to abolish the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). In his taped address aired on Tuesday, Duterte said people whom he believed directly or indirectly took part in the massive corruption at the embattled state-insurer are gone and…
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Duterte: We will pay half of P1B debt to Red Cross
By Fernan Angeles MALACAÑANG has stepped into the squabble between the Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation over the latter’s refusal to pay one billion worth of COVID-19 tests that was charged to the state insurer. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, said that the President has already spoken and that at least half…