PH receives 700K AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines donated by Australia
MANILA, Philippines — Some 700,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donated by Australia were delivered to the Philippines on Wednesday morning. The vaccine doses arrived via plane which landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 at around 9:45 a.m, according to the National Task Force against COVID-19. ADVERTISEMENTThe delivery of the doses came days after the government started administering COVID-19 boosters to senior citizens and persons with comorbidities who received their vaccine doses at least six months ago. The government first administered booster shots to health workers. Approved booster shots for health workers are single doses of Pfizer, Sinovac, and AstraZeneca vaccines and half the regular dose of a Moderna vaccine.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 24, 2021 02:13 UTC
Money-laundering ring busted
Police believe they have smashed a money-laundering syndicate with the arrest of 14 people, including core members, for laundering HK$380 million through more than 60 local bank accounts. The suspects, nine men and five women aged between 23 and 56, were arrested during a two-day operation codenamed "Flydust." Of the sum, HK$25 million came from 50 local and overseas scams committed between April last year and October, police said. "Of the 50 scams, 13 were phone scams, eight investment, four online romance, four e-mail and 21 others." During the operation, police seized more than HK$370,000 in cash, 50 debit cards, phones, computers and bank documents.
Source:The Standard
November 24, 2021 01:15 UTC
Striving for equality in a diverse world
Not even on those who clinched the Nobel Peace Prize. To some, de Klerk was viewed disdainfully as the last president of the almost universally despised white, apartheid South Africa. I frankly am not sure if that is what is going on in South Africa. Well, is the white minority in South Africa being in turn discriminated against nowadays? Countless unfortunate racial and ethnic confrontations abound around the world, from South Asia to South America.
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2021 22:10 UTC
Filariasis in PH: A neglected but discriminatory disease
There are three types of “thread-like” worms which could cause lymphatic filariasis and are transmitted by mosquitoes. StigmaBody deformities, like lymphoedema and elephantiasis, caused by lymphatic filariasis could often lead to social stigma, according to WHO. Data by the WHO showed that as of 2020, the MDA against lymphatic filariasis is still ongoing in the Philippines. This was equivalent to 0.221 percent of the global population requiring preventive chemotherapy for lymphatic filariasis in 2020. Last year, 1,685,852 infected persons were treated for lymphatic filariasis while 225,611 were not yet covered by the preventive chemotherapy against the disease.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 23, 2021 21:42 UTC
Over 5,000 tix to meet mainland Olympics athletes for sale from Friday
Sales for 5,300 tickets to see the Olympics national team athletes in action will begin on Friday, the Leisure and Cultural Service Department has announced. There will be sports demonstrations including table tennis and diving, as well as a variety show. Top runner Su Bingtian, the holder of the 100m Asian record, and table tennis player Ma Long will be among the star athletes to greet Hong Kong citizens. In a statement on Tuesday, the department said mainland athletes will give badminton, fencing, gymnastics and table tennis demonstrations at Queen Elizabeth Stadium December 4 morning, and at the same time, another group of mainland athletes will give diving and swimming demonstrations at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. The full list of mainland athletes visiting Hong Kong will be announced here where sales of the tickets will also be available from 10am Friday.
Source:The Standard
November 23, 2021 18:50 UTC
Pacquiao admits being 'naive' drug user
SEN. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao said he was "naive" and ignorant of the law when he took shabu in his youth, but argues offenders today know drugs are illegal and should be punished. Pacquiao, a retired world champion boxer, has been a high-profile backer of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs that has killed thousands of people. In this photo taken on November 11, 2021, Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao gestures during an interview with AFP at his residence in Manila. I don't know the law," said Pacquiao, 42. While victory for Pacquiao is not unrealistic in a country famed for its celebrity-obsessed politics, he faces a tough fight.
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2021 17:06 UTC
First 40,000 capsules of anti-COVID drug Molnupiravir arrive in Manila
MANILA, Philippines — In true Bilis Kilos fashion, the city government of Manila received this week the first batch of Molnupiravir, a game-changing anti-Covid drug. And now this wonder drug Molnupiravir, tayo din ang naunang bumili. The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer said the 40,000 capsules of Molnupiravir will go a long way in saving lives not only of Manila residents but also Covid-19 patients from other cities, municipalities and provinces. Moreno’s running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, was the first to relay to the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer about the anti-Covid drug Molnupiravir which he described as “beneficial” and “life-saving.”In his short speech, Ong revealed that there are also two new anti-Covid drugs undergoing clinical trials by Pfizer. It will be given twice a day, for five days, to Covid patients with mild and moderate symptoms in seven hospitals, including the Sta.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 23, 2021 16:51 UTC
Our presidential election institution
Our presidential election institution(Part 2)Nations across the world choose their leaders in different ways. Many attempts of third parties and splinter groups to enter the electoral ring with the major parties have ended in failure during repeated presidential election cycles. Once elected president, Ramos utilized the powers of the presidency to get many other elected leaders to rally behind him. Within this political system, political loyalties and affiliations begin to differentiate as the presidential term nears its end, as in the Philippine case because of the provision of a one-term presidency. The direct election of political leaders is essentially a practice associated with American democracy.
Source:Philippine Star
November 23, 2021 16:48 UTC
Vaccination a must for on-site workers starting Dec. 1
MANILA, Philippines — Starting Dec. 1, the “no work, no pay” rule may be applied to unvaccinated employees who are required to work on-site but refuse to undergo mandatory regular testing for COVID-19, according to a labor official. ADVERTISEMENTBy Dec. 1, the IATF said, all unvaccinated workers must undergo RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing at their own expense regularly or at least once every two weeks, to be able to work on-site. 11525, or the COVID-19 vaccination program law passed last February, vaccination cards were not mandatory for employment. “There must still be special lanes for those who are not yet fully vaccinated,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. As of Nov. 21, there were a total of 5,066,764 senior citizens and 7,971,211 people with comorbidities considered to be fully vaccinated.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 23, 2021 15:47 UTC
Bringing love back to the Filipino table
Bringing love back to the Filipino tablePacific Sunrise, a brand of healthy cooking oil under the AgriPacific Corporation, decided to launch a series of campaigns that focuses on helping people create healthy breakfast creations for the whole family. Of course, when it comes to cooking magic and bringing the family together, mothers always find themselves in the heart of it all. When you cook for your family and friends, you’re sharing love with the people around you. Let’s admit it, all of us can make do with a little extra love and happy moments this year,” she concluded. To shop for this healthy oil, go to any major supermarket near you or visit their ecommece stores on Lazada and Shopee.
Source:Philippine Star
November 23, 2021 10:55 UTC
Charity has no tag price
Ate Gay sent his apologies to Vice Ganda. In March, Ate Gay had been in and out of the hospital due to toxic epidermal necrolysis. It was vlogger and former talent manager Ogie Diaz to whom Vice Ganda said, "'Teh, tulungan natin." The seemingly hurt Vice Ganda said in a segment in an episode of "It's Showtime." Did Ate Gay at one point demand how much he deserved to get for granting the request?
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2021 10:06 UTC
PNP to bets: Ensure health protocols at campaign activities
PNP to bets: Ensure health protocols at campaign activitiesThe PNP said 120,687 of the violators were apprehended for disregarding minimum public health standards while 92,270 violated the curfew from Sept. 16 to Oct. 6. MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Philippine National Police reminded national and local election candidates to observe and enforce minimum public health standards at campaign sorties and other in-person events. “We are working with the COMELEC on the participation of the PNP in the implementation of the said provision for in-person election activities,” Carlos said. “Within 24 hours after the conclusion of any in-person campaign activity, the campaign organizing staff shall submit a notarized Affidavit of Compliance with Health Protocols to the COMELEC with territorial jurisdiction over the place where the in-person campaign activity was conducted," the guidelines read. Carlos reminded candidates and their supporters that failure to do so is punishable under the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
Source:Philippine Star
November 23, 2021 09:49 UTC
AICC stays alive, forces KO game vs San Juan
AICC Manila, whose core is composed of the champion team of VisMin Cup, showed composure to keep its title hopes alive in the FilBasket League's inaugural tournament. Chris Bitoon, Hesed Gabo and Jay Collado combined forces for AICC Manila, which has to repulse a big uprising by San Juan in the endgame before preserving a 74-70 win and setting up a no tomorrow encounter in their best-of-three finals showdown. AICC saw its 70-53 advantage wiped out by San Juan midway the final quarter as Alvin Abundo and Rhenz Abando triggered a late rally by the Knights. But AICC wisely used the time to its advantage to hold on to the win. Abando, the newest member of the Knights, champions of the MPBL two years ago, led the way with 16 points.
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2021 09:09 UTC
Philippines presidential hopeful Pacquiao says he was 'naive' drug user
Known for his rags-to-riches rise from street kid to world champion boxer, Manny Pacquiao has made fighting drugs, corruption, and poverty key themes of his presidential campaign. (AFP)Philippines presidential hopeful Manny Pacquiao says he was "naive" and ignorant of the law when he took crystal meth in his youth, but argues offenders today know drugs are illegal and should be punished. Pacquiao, a retired world champion boxer, has been a high-profile backer of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs that has killed thousands of people. I don't know the law," said Pacquiao, 42, who currently holds a seat in the Senate and previously served two terms in Congress. While victory for Pacquiao is not unrealistic in a country famed for its celebrity-obsessed politics, he faces a tough fight.
Source:The Standard
November 23, 2021 08:17 UTC
Oz reopens for students and business
The rules were relaxed in recent weeks to allow foreign family members of citizens to enter, and this will be scaled up from December 1 to allow in vaccinated students, business visa holders and refugees. "The return of skilled workers and students to Australia is a major milestone in our pathway back," he said. The return of foreign students, who are worth about A$35 billion (HK$198 billion) a year to the economy, will be a major boost for the sector. The relaxation of the border rules is also expected to ease labor shortages, which threaten to stymie an economic rebound. Most new infections are being reported in Victoria state, which logged 1,029 cases yesterday.
Source:The Standard
November 23, 2021 07:15 UTC