2022 poll candidates urged to avoid holding sorties
2022 poll candidates urged to avoid holding sortiesLarge crowds gather around presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, son of the country's former dictator, during his visit in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija on December 12, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health on Monday urged candidates for next year’s elections to avoid holding campaign sorties that will result in overcrowding. “We are again appealing to officials and candidates to avoid holding gatherings and events that we know will cause overcrowding and might cause infections in the coming days or weeks,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in Filipino. Candidates, however, are already holding activities ahead of the official campaign period. According to a guideline issued by the Comelec, handshaking, hugging and kissing and other similar activities are strictly prohibited during in-person campaigning as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source:Philippine Star
December 07, 2021 03:53 UTC
House probe sought into scam texts and spam messages
House probe sought into scam texts and spam messagesThis June 15, 2020, photo shows health protocols being implemented at a restaurant and mall in Quezon City during the first day of allowing dine-in services amid the coronavirus pandemic. MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Monday called on the House of Representatives to probe the recent spate of spam text messages and mobile scams around the country. This comes as users on social media continue to report text messages from unknown mobile numbers notifying them of supposed job offers, prize awards, discount and sale links, and surveys, among others. Rep. Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna) in filing House Resolution No. FROM INTERAKSYON: NPC probes reports of spam text messages on sketchy job offers, free cash dealsFor its part, the National Privacy Commission has since told banks, telcos, and e-commerce companies to explain their measures against smishing amid the recent surge.
Source:Philippine Star
December 07, 2021 03:48 UTC
'Times' forum highlights opportunities in Mindanao
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), for one, is looking at establishing more economic zones on the island. Potential zone sites are Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and del Norte, Davao City, Sulu, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Sur and del Norte, Davao del Norte, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur and del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao. Business opportunities in Mindanao will be in the spotlight in The Manila Times virtual forum, "Mindanao: Mind it now," today, December 7. The Times pointed out that while several foreign multinationals and Filipino conglomerates already have operations in Mindanao, there are untapped acres of undeveloped land on the island. Assistant Secretary Mindanao Development Authority Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro will be one of the speakers at the forum.
Source:Manila Times
December 06, 2021 22:09 UTC
Vaccine developer warns of 'more lethal' pandemic
AFP PhotoLondon: The lead developer of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine warned the next pandemic could be "more lethal," urging better preparedness in a speech set to be aired Monday. It could be more contagious, or more lethal, or both," Gilbert said in her draft Richard Dimbleby Lecture, to be broadcast Monday evening. The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, which was the first coronavirus vaccine to be approved for use in the UK, is used in more than 170 countries globally. It is significantly cheaper and easier to deliver than others, and is credited with increasing vaccine access in poorer countries. "Until we know more, we should be cautious, and take steps to slow down the spread of this new variant," Gilbert said.
Source:Manila Times
December 06, 2021 21:39 UTC
Family of school bus crash victim seeks compensation
The family of a victim in a fatal North Point school bus crash three years ago is seeking compensation from the driver and the transport company involved. A family member of one of the four dead, Leung Hung, 83, has filed a writ to the District Court last Friday. The crash killed four and injured 11, including driver Ng, who allegedly had not pulled the handbrake when he got off the bus. He was sent to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan in critical condition. The other two deaths were 70-year-old female Chan Shui-yee who died in Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai and 77-year-old male Yeung Man-kan who died in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan.
Source:The Standard
December 06, 2021 20:03 UTC
North Point construction worker killed by falling concrete
A construction worker succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning, after he was struck in the head by a falling piece of concrete while carrying out demolition work at the State Theatre Building in North Point. The 34-year-old victim was declared dead at Ruttonjee Hospital shortly after being brought in unconscious at around 8am. Police said the debris which hit him measured about half a meter by half a meter. Property developer New World Development last year secured ownership of the State Theatre Building, a commercial and residential property at 277-291 King’s Road, North Point. The cinema building first opened in 1952 and was declared as a Grade I historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2017.
Source:The Standard
December 06, 2021 17:24 UTC
Philippines now at minimal risk classification for COVID-19
Philippines now at minimal risk classification for COVID-19Students of Pedro Cruz Elementary School in San Juan City attend their first day of the limited face-to-face classes on Monday, December 06, 2021MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is now under “minimal risk” classification for COVID-19, the Department of Health reported Monday, following a continued decline in infections. Related Stories Entire Philippines now under Alert Level 2If the ADAR is less than one, the country’s classification can be lowered to minimal risk from low risk. All regions in the country are also under minimal risk classification, except for Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Zamboanga Peninsula. The four regions are under low risk classification. Vergeire added the capacity of the national health systems was at low risk.
Source:Philippine Star
December 06, 2021 16:25 UTC
1Sambayan backs media over Cusi’s libel case
1Sambayan backs media over Cusi’s libel caseMANILA, Philippines — Coalition 1Sambayan yesterday threw its support for news organizations sued for libel by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi regarding coverage of the Malampaya gas field deal. Cusi filed the libel suit as he criticized news outlets for reporting on the acquisition by Dennis Uy’s Udenna of Chevron and Shell’s stake in Malampaya. Business journalists slam suitsThe country’s business journalists slammed the recent libel suits filed by Cusi and Uy over the controversial Malampaya gas field buyout. The EJAP maintained that the libel complaints filed against the journalists are an assault to press freedom and are meant to intimidate the media. A month later, 36 journalists filed a counter lawsuit against Arroyo, accusing him of harassing the country’s media, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Source:Philippine Star
December 06, 2021 14:54 UTC
House OKs bill allowing married women to keep maiden surnames
House OKs bill allowing married women to keep maiden surnamesMANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has passed a measure allowing women to retain their surnames after marriage. In plenary session earlier this week, congressmen decided unanimously to approve on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 10459 that seeks to give women the choice to retain their maiden surnames. HB 10459, principally authored by nine congressmen led by Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez and revision of laws committee chairperson Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, aims to provide equality between men and women by allowing married women to retain their maiden surnames. It upholds the right of married women to retain their maiden surnames even after marriage and provides married women options in the surname that they may use after marriage. Under the bill, a woman will be given the option to use any of the following upon marriage: maiden first name and surname, maiden first name and surname and add her husband’s surname, maiden first name and her husband’s surname, or husband’s full name, but prefixing a word indicating that she is his wife, such as “Mrs.”
Source:Philippine Star
December 05, 2021 06:38 UTC
FDA warns against use of 5 imported beauty creams
MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued separate advisories warning against the purchase and use of five imported beauty creams being sold in the Philippines without market authorization. 2021-3043, 3055, 3057, 3059, and 3060 that were posted on the agency’s website on Friday, the agency advised consumers not to buy and use the following products:ADVERTISEMENT– Parley Goldie Advanced Beauty Cream– Safora Beauty Cream– Morning Face Beauty Cream– AQME Beauty Cream– Golden Pearl Beauty CreamThe FDA also warned establishments not to distribute the said products, which, according to the environmental protection group EcoWaste, are labeled as having been produced in Pakistan. “We also see the need to counter the deep-seated misbelief that white skin is ABC—attractive, beautiful, and cleaner—compared to dark skin. RELATED STORIESFDA warns public against buying mercury-tainted beauty productsGroup alarmed at sale of mercury-laden skin whiteners in CDO/MUFSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 05, 2021 04:30 UTC
Students, doctors still see problems as more schools reopen
Students, doctors still see problems as more schools reopenStudents attend the first day of the pilot in-person classes at the Cabagdalan Elementary School in Balamban, Cebu yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — Progressive student organizations and some doctors flagged potential problems that may arise as more schools welcome students again after one of the longest school shutdowns in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. “With the budget cuts, the schools will have a hard time, whether these are SUCs, HEIs, or even public schools,” Santos said. “If the government will continuously let school administrators and education sector carry the responsibilities, then it will not be sustainable,” Mañibo told Philstar.com. He added that since there are other schooling options aside from face-to-face classes, students will not be discriminated in terms of access to education.
Source:Philippine Star
December 05, 2021 03:51 UTC
Six Filipino seafarers repatriated from China
SIX of the 29 Filipino seafarers who have been stranded since May on board several Chinese vessels docked in ports in southeastern China have finally arrived home. Representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) were at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Thursday to meet the repatriated seafarers who arrived on board a flight from Shanghai via Hong Kong. The DFA said quarantine restrictions stalled the ships in southeastern China. The Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs has been monitoring the seafarers since their cases were reported to the DFA. We will definitely bring home the rest of the Han Rong fishers still in China," said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola.
Source:Manila Times
December 04, 2021 22:34 UTC
Ex-E.B. Magalona Mayor David Lacson dies
Magalona Mayor David Lacson of Negros Occidental passed away on Friday evening, Dec. 3, 2021. His cousin, former board member Patrick Lacson, said the 46-year-old former mayor died at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City. He loved his family, the people of EB Magalona, and Negros,” Patrick said. Former Negros Occidental board member Enrique Miguel Lacson said the former mayor was admitted at the hospital on Wednesday due to pneumonia. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 04, 2021 22:09 UTC
‘Kahit tarp ko pa yan’: Pasig’s Vico Sotto bans posting of election materials on public property
MANILA, Philippines — Placing political aspirants’ campaign materials like posters, tarpaulins, and even ribbons on Pasig City’s public properties is not allowed, Mayor Vico Sotto said on Friday. “I instructed our personnel through the City Admin to remove election-related materials posted in PUBLIC PROPERTY. Kahit tarp ko pa yan (Even if that tarp shows my picture),” Sotto said in his tweet. I instructed our personnel through the City Admin to remove election-related materials posted in PUBLIC PROPERTY. pic.twitter.com/XgXjNKTDPQ — Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) December 3, 2021The memorandum however clarified that people may place their campaign materials on private property.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 04, 2021 09:32 UTC
(Video) Citizens marvel at sports demonstrations by mainland Olympians
Citizens marveled at the sports demonstrations brought by mainland Olympians as they showcased their skills and interacted with audiences in the city on Saturday. Today marked the second day of the three-day visiting tour of the mainland star athletes, attending three public events. Zhu, "challenged" by a Hong Kong trampoline gymnast on doing the most flips, won with 35 flips. Swimmers Yang Junxuan and Tang Muhan, who won gold in 4x200m freestyle relay, teamed up with Hong Kong swimmers and had a mixed 4x50m relay race on the other hand. This afternoon, the Olympians will attend a Mainland Olympians Variety Show at 5pm in the Wan Chai stadium.
Source:The Standard
December 04, 2021 05:32 UTC