ABS CBN, in the service of the YELLOWS

By Pinoy 2022

marcoleta play ball

ABS-CBN, in the ‘service of yellows’

The Daily Tribune

May 26, 2020

Rep. Rodante Marcoleta claims ABS-CBN has not been paying the correct taxes, with zero payment in 2018, while its rival GMA-7 pays billions of pesos each year.

ABS-CBN has been using its TV and radio clout to get its favored candidates elected, claimed Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.

ABS-CBN might as well change its station slogan, “In the service of Filipinos worldwide.”

This as a congressman on Tuesday slammed the network for allegedly exhibiting bias in favor of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Senator Grace Poe when they ran for the presidency in previous elections.

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta took to task the shuttered television and radio station during the joint panel hearing by the House of Representatives over its alleged partisanship instead of practicing fair and objective broadcasting.

“ABS CBN has been biased and partisan in favor of particular candidates and against certain candidates during the 2010, and 2016 presidential candidates, contrary to the terms of its franchise and in violation of the omnibus election code.”

“Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, kung hindi man lahat, kung paano naging pro-Noynoy Aquino ang ABS-CBN nung 2010 at pro-Grace Poe at pro-Leni Robredo naman nung 2016,” Marcoleta, a Deputy Speaker, said.

(It’s known to many, if not to all people, how pro-Noynoy Aquino was ABS-CBN in 2010 and pro-Grace Poe and pro-Lenu Robredo in 2016.)

Marcoleta, who was requested by the House leadership to speak on behalf of those against the ABS-CBN franchise application, cited as example the non-airing by the network of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s political advertisements already paid during the 2016 presidential election.

Likewise, Marcoleta said only a temporary restraining order issued by a court stopped ABS-CBN from airing negative advertisements paid for by a senator on the eve of the end of the campaign period.

The lawmaker said ABS-CBN should not get a new franchise to broadcast so it can be stopped from meddling in politics, adding in Filipino, “it’s time the people choose their leaders and not those chosen by ABS-CBN.”

Addressing ABS-CBN, Marcoleta said, “You are a broadcasting company, not a political kingmaker, either you play ball or you play fair.” He also urged the network to answer the allegations against it, instead of resorting to “emotional appeal.”

ABS-CBN, he said, violated the terms and conditions of its franchise by offering multiple channels in one franchise through its TV Plus boxes, without permission from Congress or the National Telecommunications Commission.

The network was also accused of violating its franchise by engaging in tax avoidance schemes.

According to the data which Marcoleta presented, GMA-7 paid Php 1.09 billion in taxes in 2017 whole for that same year ABS-CBN paid only Php 421 million.

GMA paying billions

While claiming to be the country’s top broadcast network in 2018, ABS-CBN avoided paying taxes that same year by asserting it has a negative income tax in the amount of Php 84 million. That same year, its rival GMA-7 paid Php 1.08 billion in taxes, Marcoleta said.

ABS-CBN also eluded paying the correct taxes in 2019 by paying only Php 152 million or 40 percent of watered-down tax liability by entering into a compromise agreement with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the lawmaker said. GMA7, for its part, paid Php 1 billion in taxes that same year.

Marcoleta also cited allegations that the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Incorporated (ALKFI) — an organization under ABS-CBN which facilitates the network’s social development program is being used as tax shield of the firm. He claimed that the ALKFI failed to file a donors’ tax.

Said Marcoleta in Filipino: “This is saddening my countrymen. When a politician or government official does charity work, ‘epal’ (limelight hog) is what ABS-CBN calls him. But when it’s from Lingkod Kapamilya, ABS-CBN’s name is glorified. But we all know that the funds they use are from donors.”

Marcoleta said the firm should have done charity works while complying with the law and paying the correct taxes.

Further in his speech, he said the grant of a legislative franchise is a privilege and not a right as he appealed to his colleagues not to grant ABS-CBN franchise.

“It is but right for the House of Representatives to deny this time the franchise of ABS-CBN for flagrantly violating the constitution and related laws even its own franchise making it unworthy of the grant of this special privilege by the state.”

A day after ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on 04 May, 2020, the NTC issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the network on the advise of the Solicitor General that the grant of provisional authority to operate to the network while its franchise application is being tackled by Congress is illegal.

The network has filed a case against the NTC before the Supreme Court (SC) while praying for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the CDO.

ABS CBN – TAX EVASION (2018 lugi daw, wala nang binayad, nakakuha pa ng 84 MILYONG PISONG TAX CREDIT) ayon kay Marcoleta, habang ang GMA 7 nakapagbayad ng lagpas 1 BILYONG PISO sa BAWAT TAON ng 2017, 2018 at 2019

By Pinoy 2022

abs gma tax

Sa Pilipinas, drama lang ang dimandahan hinggil sa ilang mga kaso kaugnay ng buwis. Kailangan ihabla ang KASABWAT na kumpanya para maumpisahan ang proseso ng COMPROMISE kung saan nabibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang Kagawaran na makipagusap at makipagareglo sa tiwaling kumpanya. Dahil sa tinatawag na DISCRETIONARY nature o walang istriktong paraan kung papaano makukuha ang halaga ng dapat ibayad, nagkakaroon ng BUTAS o LOOPHOLE para pababain ang babayarang buwis kapalit naman ng FOR THE BOYS.

TAX EVASION at TAX AVOIDANCE ay mga paraan para makalusot sa pagbayad ng malaking buwis. Pansinin ninyo na nuong 2018, nagsabi ang ABS CBN na NALUGI daw sila kaya imbes na magbayad ay nakakuha pa sila ng TAX CREDIT (na maaaring gamiting pambayad sa susunod na mga taon) ayon kay Cong Marcoleta. Kapag malaki naman ang kita nila, hindi sila magbabayad at iintayin na idemanda sila ng BIR at alam nila na magkakaroon ng usapan o mekanismo na tinatawag na COMPROMISE kung saan, ayon kay Marcoleta, 40% of the total ang naging katanggaptanggap sa magkabilang panig, Kapamilya at BIR. Ang sasabihin ng BIR ay pumayag na sila sapagkat gusto nila iwasan ang mahabang proseso namapupunta sa korte. ANG LAGAY, everybody (ABSCBN at BIR) happy. TAUMBAYAN ang nawalan.

Paulitulit na sinasabi ng ABS CBN na binigyan daw sila ng clearance na wala silang utang na buwis sa BIR. Maaring totoo yon kasi nga NAGKAAREGLUHAN na. Sa pinakitang mga pigura ni Marcoleta, lalo pa ay pinaghambing sa binayad ng GMA 7, ang PUBLIKO na ang magtatanong kung bakit nagkaroon na KAHINAHINALANG pagbayad nuong 2017 at 2019 at ang HINDI PAGBAYAD nuong 2018. May nakuha pang TAX CREDIT. Wow. Ang galing.

ABS CBN franchise issue: In 2018, GMA 7 paid 1 BILLION PESOS plus in taxes, Kapamilya claimed a loss and DID NOT PAY, got tax credit instead

By Pinoy 2022

abs tax evasion

Sa unang araw ng pagdinig ng ABS CBN franchise issue, nagsalita ang Pangulo ng Kapamilya network na si Carlo Katigbak. Sa panig naman ng laban sa pagbibigay ng prangkisa sa ABS CBN, sabi ni Congressman Marcoleta na sandamakmak daw ang paglabag ng Kapamiya sa mga nakasaad sa Saligang Batas, sa marami pang mga batas at mismong sa mga alituntunin ng prangkisa.

Ang ilan sa mga natalakay na paglabag ay hinggil sa 100% Filipino ownership and management, labor laws (ENDO), maximum franchise life of 50 years, single franchise ngunit maraming frequency ang ginamit, POLITICAL BIAS in national elections, pinagkaperahan ang mga palabas at black box maski gamit nila ay free to air frequency at tax avoidance o TAX EVASION. Bilang halimbawa, pinakita ni Cong Marcoleta ang mga 2017, 2018 at 2019 corporate tax payments ng GMA 7 at ABS CBN. Sa tatlong taong mga iyon, ang GMA 7 ay nagbayad ng lagpas tag ISANG BILYONG PISO sa kada taon habang nuong 2017 ay 421 MILYONG PISO lang ang binayad ng Kapamilya at sa 2019 naman ay 152 MILYONG PISO lang. Sabi ng ABS CBN na NALUGI daw sila nuong 2018 kaya WALA silang binayarang income tax. Sapagkat nalugi sila, nagkaroon pa sila ng 84 MILYONG PISONG TAX CREDIT na magagamit o nagamit nila pambayad sa sumunod o mga susunod na taon.

Mahirap yata mapaniwala ang taongbayan na nalugi pa ang ABS CBN. Saka higit na mas malaki ang negosyo ng Kapamilya sa Kapuso kaya dapat mas mataas din ang nabayaran ng ABS CBN sa mga buwis ng tatlong naturang mga taon. Mukhang BILYONBILYONG katanungan ang dapat sagutin ng Kapamilya, kaya pala puro PA-AWA ang ginagawa nilang paraan para makuha ang damdamin ng ga Pinoy. Ngayong lumabas na sa publiko ang ganitong balita, mahihirapan na ang mga BAYARANG Kongresista na panindigan ang kanilang pagkasipsip nila sa ABS CBN sapagkat mabibisto sila ng mga botante.

 

COVID 19 Testing – Dr. Minguita Padilla

By Pinoy 2022

19 davao ncr

Here’s What You Need To Know About COVID-19 Tests In The Philippines

By Ryanne Co
May 11, 2020
Dr. Minguita Padilla, medical team leader at Project ARK (Project Antibody Rapid Test Kits), gives us the lowdown on what we should know about the different kinds of tests available in the Philippines.
Manila has been under enhanced community quarantine for nearly two months. In a pre-COVID world, that would have been nearly unthinkable. But now, it’s a necessity — a “new normal” that has been thrust upon people to accept.

The key out of it? Testing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stressed the importance of mass testing in the fight to flatten the curve. One of the organisations at the helm of this movement is Project ARK, a private sector-led initiative that aims to introduce rapid antibody testing to companies and barangays in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. Today, Dr. Minguita Padilla, ophthalmologist and head of the medical team at Project ARK, tells us about what there is to know about COVID-19 testing right now.

What parts of the body does COVID-19 affect?

There is still so much scientists don’t know about COVID-19. What we know about it today can be disputed or reinforced tomorrow. But as of today, we know that COVID-19 doesn’t just affect the lungs. In some cases, it can affect other parts of the body including the eyes, the heart, the liver, the kidneys, and the intestines.

Currently, the WHO has released more symptoms for COVID-19. The full list includes fever, dry cough, and tiredness. They have also added aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discolouration of fingers or toes to the list.

Was the lockdown necessary?

Lockdown was definitely necessary. Without it, the number of infections would have grown exponentially. One person has the ability to infect three other people, and each of those three individuals could infect another three.

On a macro level, what is the best way to handle COVID-19? How does our country compare?

In an ideal situation, there would have been swab tests done for everyone the moment the first few cases of COVID-19 were confirmed. Unfortunately, the country only had 2,000 test kits available until later on in the game. As of 4 May 2020, testing capacity stands at 3,000 tests a day.

It would also be best for test results to come out within 4-8 hours but turn around time within the past few months had been 5-7 days, and sometimes as long as 2 weeks. As of 2 May 2020, there has also been a backlog of 8,000 test results yet to be released.

What are the different types of tests available for COVID-19?

Here, Dr. Padilla makes two distinctions. First, there is the swab test also known as the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. This test identifies the virus through a throat or nasal swab. The swab is then transported in ice to a laboratory where machines can convert the specimen into data that can read as positive or negative. Results come out anywhere between hours to days. 
There’s also the rapid antibody testing, which is a blood test that identifies antibodies produced by the immune system. This is your body’s response as it develops immunity to the virus. This test can read two kinds of antibodies: the immunoglobulin M (IgM), which is your early immune response, and the immunoglobulin G (IgG), which is your delayed immune response.

IgM can be found in patients who are positive for COVID-19 by RT-PCR and are still infected and infectious. IgG is found in those previously tested as positive, but who have since recovered. Those with IgG can donate blood to the Philippine General Hospital for plasma therapy to help those who are currently positive but have not yet recovered.

What should you do after you use a rapid antibody test kit?

That depends on your results. Keep in mind that IgM is found in patients who are SARS-COV-2 positive. IgG is found in those previously tested positive, but who have since recovered. 
  • If you have no symptoms, are negative for IgM, and positive for IgG then you are probably infected and developing immunity. It is best to self-isolate.
  • If you have no symptoms, are positive for IgM, but are also positive for IgG, then it’s best to self-isolate for another 14 days, take another rapid antibody test after that time, and check the results again.
  • If you have no symptoms, are positive for IgM, and are negative for IgG, then you are considered infected. It is best to self-isolate for 14 days and take an RT-PCR swab test.
  • If you have no symptoms, are negative for IgM, and are negative for IgG then you’re not likely to be infected but may consider taking a retest after 7 days.
  • If you have symptoms, then it is always best to self-isolate.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of these tests?

Speaking first on the swab test or the RT-PCR: the advantage is that this test can detect the virus up to 2 days before symptoms start to appear. The disadvantages, however, include the lengthy processing time in the country, as well as the possibility for human error in either of the processes involved (swabbing, transporting, extracting, reading). The RT-PCR can also pick up on the remnants of the virus that are no longer viable — as in the case of a confirmed patient who has recovered — leading to false positives.

The advantage to the rapid antibody test is that it’s quick, relatively inexpensive (should cost around Php400 – Php700), and easy to use. However, the disadvantage lies in the fact that accuracy depends on the sensitivity of the kit itself so the brand and manufacturer are quite important. It may also result in false negatives if one tests too early and the immune system has not had time to generate antibodies.

Who should be tested?

Unfortunately, due to lack of test kits, there is a hierarchy to follow in terms of who should be tested. Those that must be prioritised are:

  • All asymptomatic or symptomatic persons who have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient
  • All asymptomatic or symptomatic persons who have been in close contact with a probable confirmed COVID-19 patient. According to the WHO, probable confirmed patients are suspect patients who have been tested for COVID-19 but with inconclusive results. Another definition for a probable confirmed patient are those who have tested positive for COVID-19, but the test was not conducted in an officially accredited laboratory for confirmatory testing. A suspect case for whom testing could not be performed (for any reason) is also a probable confirmed patient.
  • All symptomatic persons
  • Frontliners
  • Those with high-risk including diabetics, hypertensives, the immunosuppressed, the obese, and the elderly

Is Manila ready for general community quarantine?

According to Dr. Padilla, yes. But we must proceed with caution to avoid a second wave. On the bright side, Dr. Padilla has also noted that a few hospitals are less overwhelmed than they were a few weeks ago. The DOH, in partnership with a few private companies, has also promised to amp up testing to 30,000 a day by 30 May 2020.

Right now, it is best for everyone to stay calm but vigilant by wearing masks, constantly washing hands, and observing proper social distancing. It’s also best not to take the state of general community quarantine as an excuse to let our guard down, as carelessness and absent-mindedness can lead to another surge of infections, and in the worst case scenario, another lockdown.

ABS CBN – 80 MILLIONG Pinoy ang nanonood arawaraw – DILAWANG Cong Sol Aragones, former Kapamilya

By Pinoy 2022

abs aragones

Hindi kaya NAHIHIBANG na ang mga DILAWAN? Dati si VP Leni Robredo 4 x 40 equals 1,600 daw. Dapat 160 lang kaya nadagdagan ng isang zero (na multiply by ten). Eto namang si Maria Ressa ng Rappler 11 MILLION daw ang mga kawani ng ABS CBN eh dapat 11,000 lang na hanggang ngayon at pinagtatalunan pa. Nadagdagan ni Ressa ng tatlong zero (na multiply by 1,000). So etong si Aragones, nadagdagan naman ng isang zero (na multiply by 10) ang pigura (mas malapit kasi sa 8 million, baka nga 20 million pa, ang nanonood sa ABS CBN arawaraw kaysa sa 80 MILLION).

Ano kaya ang rason na wala na dito sa lupang ibabaw ang mga nakukuha nilang mga numero? Di kaya pang halalan na iyang mga DAGDAG BAWAS na iyan. Sobra na ba ang galit at poot nila sa kasalukuyang administrasyon na naging mga malimali na sila? O gusto talaga nila mapaniwala ang mga mamamayan sa kanilang pinalolobong mga bilang?

Si Ressa ay humingi ng paumanhin sa kaniyang pagkakamali na nangyari sa isang banyagang programa. Umamin kaya si Aragones na hindi tama ang kanyang nasabing bilang ng mga manonood at tagasubaybay arawaraw sa ABS CBN?

COVID 19 – Duque has FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE – asymptomatic carriers are not contagious, second wave, no need to wear masks in public, etc. EVERY TIME he OPENS his MOUTH, an ERRONEOUS statement comes out.

By Pinoy 2022

19 binay

Senator Nancy Binay on Thursday, May 21, hit Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over his claim that there’s no evidence that asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 are not contagious.

https://balitangbalita.com/2020/05/25/replace-health-secretary-duque-now-na-fire-him-request-for-courtesy-resignation-resign-on-his-own-volition/

balitangbalita.com/2020/05/21/covid-19-walang-gamot-sa-bobo-doh-sec-second-wave-inupakan-ng-mga-senador-at-cabinet-secretary/

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‘Nakakabahala’: Senators hit Duque over false claims on COVID-19 contagion

‘Sobrang nakakabahala…kung ang secretary of health na mismo ang nagpapakalat ng maling information tungkol sa COVID-19,’ Senator Nancy Binay says

Bonz Magsambol (Rappler)
May 21, 2020

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Nancy Binay on Thursday, May 21, hit Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over his claim that there’s no evidence that asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 are contagious.

“Sobrang nakakabahala, Mr President, kung ang secretary of health na mismo ang nagpapakalat ng maling information tungkol sa COVID-19,” Binay said during the virtual Senate hearing on coronavirus response.

(This is alarming, Mr President, if the secretary of health himself is spreading false information on COVID-19.)

Citing a situation report from the World Health Organization, Binay said the WHO didn’t say that asymptomatic cases are not contagious.

“There are few reports of laboratory-confirmed cases who are truly asymptomatic, and, to date, there has been no documented asymptomatic transmission. This does not exclude the possibility that it may occur,” Binay said.

Binay was reacting to the statement made by Duque during the Senate hearing on Wednedsay, May 20, when she asked him about how the government would trace “silent spreaders” of the disease.

Asymptomatic patients are those who show no symptoms of COVID-19, such as difficulty in breathing, dry cough, or cold, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

Meanwhile, Senator Migz Zubiri said he was “very alarmed” over Duque’s statement that the country is now in second wave of COVID-19 infections, going into 3rd.

“We are the only country in the world that has admitted that we are [in] the 2nd wave,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri added that the first 3 coronavirus cases in the Philippines were “not even a ripple.”

“How could that have been a wave?” Zubiri said.

According to Zubiri, Duque’s statements were “sowing panic amongst our people that we are [in] the second wave.”

“They should be very careful with their statements,” Zubiri said.

Several government offiicials also contradicted Duque’s statement.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said he did not know what the health chief was talking about.

As of Thursday, the Philippines recorded 13,434 cases of coronavirus infections, with 846 deaths and 3,000 recoveries.

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COVID 19 – Walang gamot sa BOBO – DoH Sec SECOND WAVE INUPAKAN ng mga Senador at Cabinet Secretary

 

Executive Secretary Medialdea, DILG Secretary Ano, Presidential Spokesperson Roque, Senator Gordon, Senator Lacson, Senator Pangilinan, Senator Drilon and former Health Secretary Cabral all expressed DISMAY at Department of Health Secretary Duque’s statement. Pansinin ninyo na madalas ay sumasalungat sila Pangilinan at Drilon sa pamahalaan ngunit ngayon maraming kasama sa administrasyon ang nakiupak din sa Health Secretary. Malimali kasi. Walang gamot ang KABOBOHAN. 

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Palace contradicts DOH: Philippines still in first wave of COVID-19 infections

By: Darryl John Esguerra
INQUIRER.net
May 21, 2020

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines is still in the first wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Malacañang said Thursday, refuting Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s declaration that the country is now facing the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Tayo po ngayon ay nasa first wave,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a televised Palace briefing.

“Alam niyo po ang medisina, para ring mga abogado ‘yan, iisa lang ang batas namin (pero) iba iba ang interpretasyon. Ganyan din po siguro sa medisina, iisa ang siyensya ,iisa ang datos, iba ang basa,” Roque said.

During a Senate hearing on the government’s COVID-19 response Wednesday, Duque disclosed that the Philippines is actually on the second wave of COVID-19 infection now, citing data from epidemiology experts.

Duque’s statement, however, was met with opposition from some senators, lawmakers, and even government officials, especially after President Rodrigo Duterte himself has repeatedly mentioned trying to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 cases, which his economic managers said would be too costly to address.

It added that the second wave of more than 10,000 cases peaked at the end of March. It can be recalled that the DOH reported 583 new COVID-19 infections on March 31, the highest recorded new cases in a day.

Citing data from health professionals, Roque said the first wave started with the three COVID-19 positive Chinese nationals late January and went on until May when the Philippines started to report a decrease in coronavirus infections.

“Kaya nga po ang sinasabi natin bagamat hindi pa po fully flattened ang curve, nagsisimula na po ang pag-flatten ng curve,” he said.

The Palace official likewise claimed that the first three cases are too small to be considered an outbreak wave.

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Replace Health Secretary Duque – NOW NA – Fire Him, Request for Courtesy Resignation, Resign on his own volition

 
The problem of the Duterte Administration is that it has a SHALLOW BENCH. Duque, more of a politician than a doctor of medicine, was chosen on the recommendation of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In other words, political expediency rather than expertise won out. The first Duterte Health Secretary, Ubial, was appointed on the basis of merely coming from Mindanao, thus did not have the personality, stature and vision to lead the national health bureaucracy. At a time of COVID 19 pandemic, Filipino lives are at stake more than ever. Frontliners have suffered heavily. The country needs a Health Secretary that can and would guide us in this time of living dangerously.
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Duterte scouting for new DOH chief?
Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)
May 25, 2020

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte is reportedly scouting for somebody to replace Francisco Duque III as health secretary amid calls for his resignation by members of the Senate and other sectors of society due to his handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I understand the President is now looking around for somebody to replace Duque,” a source told The STAR.

Another source, however, said the timing of the supposed firing of Duque, if not his resignation, comes at a time that the country is in the midst of the “battle against COVID-19.”

Several sectors have claimed that Duque has lost the credibility to lead the country’s fight against COVID-19 after the Department of Health was accused of overpricing the procurement of medical equipment to battle the disease.

“We hope the President will not take long to give Duque the way out. He has to go,” a Duterte Cabinet member, who asked not to be named, said.

The Senate quizzed Duque on overpriced purchases, but he pointed to the Department of Budget and Management as responsible for “the discrepancies in the purchases.”

Replace Health Secretary Duque – NOW NA – Fire Him, Request for Courtesy Resignation, Resign on his own volition

By Pinoy 2022
doh surfing
The problem of the Duterte Administration is that it has a SHALLOW BENCH. Duque, more of a politician than a doctor of medicine, was chosen on the recommendation of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In other words, political expediency rather than expertise won out. The first Duterte Health Secretary, Ubial, was appointed on the basis of merely coming from Mindanao, thus did not have the personality, stature and vision to lead the national health bureaucracy. At a time of COVID 19 pandemic, Filipino lives are at stake more than ever. Frontliners have suffered heavily. The country needs a Health Secretary that can and would guide us in this time of living dangerously.
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Duterte scouting for new DOH chief?
Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)
May 25, 2020

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte is reportedly scouting for somebody to replace Francisco Duque III as health secretary amid calls for his resignation by members of the Senate and other sectors of society due to his handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I understand the President is now looking around for somebody to replace Duque,” a source told The STAR.

Another source, however, said the timing of the supposed firing of Duque, if not his resignation, comes at a time that the country is in the midst of the “battle against COVID-19.”

Several sectors have claimed that Duque has lost the credibility to lead the country’s fight against COVID-19 after the Department of Health was accused of overpricing the procurement of medical equipment to battle the disease.

“We hope the President will not take long to give Duque the way out. He has to go,” a Duterte Cabinet member, who asked not to be named, said.

The Senate quizzed Duque on overpriced purchases, but he pointed to the Department of Budget and Management as responsible for “the discrepancies in the purchases.”

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COVID 19 – Walang gamot sa BOBO – DoH Sec SECOND WAVE INUPAKAN ng mga Senador at Cabinet Secretary

Executive Secretary Medialdea, DILG Secretary Ano, Presidential Spokesperson Roque, Senator Gordon, Senator Lacson, Senator Pangilinan, Senator Drilon and former Health Secretary Cabral all expressed DISMAY at Department of Health Secretary Duque’s statement. Pansinin ninyo na madalas ay sumasalungat sila Pangilinan at Drilon sa pamahalaan ngunit ngayon maraming kasama sa administrasyon ang nakiupak din sa Health Secretary. Malimali kasi. Walang gamot ang KABOBOHAN. 

RELATED READING: balitangbalita.com/2020/05/20/covid-19-stupid-second-wave-of-doh-sec-causes-confusion/

doh surfing

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Palace contradicts DOH: Philippines still in first wave of COVID-19 infections

By: Darryl John Esguerra
INQUIRER.net
May 21, 2020

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines is still in the first wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Malacañang said Thursday, refuting Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s declaration that the country is now facing the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Tayo po ngayon ay nasa first wave,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a televised Palace briefing.

“Alam niyo po ang medisina, para ring mga abogado ‘yan, iisa lang ang batas namin (pero) iba iba ang interpretasyon. Ganyan din po siguro sa medisina, iisa ang siyensya ,iisa ang datos, iba ang basa,” Roque said.

During a Senate hearing on the government’s COVID-19 response Wednesday, Duque disclosed that the Philippines is actually on the second wave of COVID-19 infection now, citing data from epidemiology experts.

Duque’s statement, however, was met with opposition from some senators, lawmakers, and even government officials, especially after President Rodrigo Duterte himself has repeatedly mentioned trying to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 cases, which his economic managers said would be too costly to address.

It added that the second wave of more than 10,000 cases peaked at the end of March. It can be recalled that the DOH reported 583 new COVID-19 infections on March 31, the highest recorded new cases in a day.

Citing data from health professionals, Roque said the first wave started with the three COVID-19 positive Chinese nationals late January and went on until May when the Philippines started to report a decrease in coronavirus infections.

“Kaya nga po ang sinasabi natin bagamat hindi pa po fully flattened ang curve, nagsisimula na po ang pag-flatten ng curve,” he said.

The Palace official likewise claimed that the first three cases are too small to be considered an outbreak wave.

ABS CBN Franchise Renewal Issue – Sonza versus Pacman (CONFLICT of INTEREST)

By Pinoy 2022

pacmab sonza

Malaki ang pakinabang ni Pacman sa ABS CBN dahil sa mga boxing matches niya na dinala ng Kapamilya network. MILYONMILYONG PISO ang kitaan dito at may parte si Senator Manny sa binayad ng mga nanood. CONFLICT of INTEREST situation si Pacquiao sa franchise renewal kaya dapat hindi siya sumali sa mga usapan at botohan sa Senado kung sakaling makapasa ang panukalang batas sa Kamara at iakyat naman sa Mataas na Kapulungan.

Tagahanga man tayo ni Pacman, sa usaping ito, tama ayon sa batas si Jay Sonza.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara chides ABS CBN for creating more enemies, closure not a freedom of speech issue

By Pinoy 2022

abs sara 4

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte slams ABS-CBN: “Kaya marami naiinis sa inyo dahil nanadya kayo!”

By pinoytrend
May 18, 2020

 

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte slammed ABS-CBN’s report about her interview with a radio station.

In her Instagram post, Mayor Duterte said that ABS-CBN only put her short statement instead of putting all her explanations on why her father, President Rodrigo Duterte was allowed to travel back to Davao City.

According to her, ABS-CBN’s latest news report about her is one of the reasons why many people don’t like Kapamilya Network.

“Alam niyo Abs-Cbn kaya marami naiinis sa inyo dahil nanadya kayo. Apart from this sassy answer, I gave a mouthful of numbers as legal basis, aba kahit isa wala man lang kayo sinulat. Ansabe ko IATF Omnibus Guide dated 15 May 2020 Sec. 7 (2) 2 at Notam DIA exemption to restricted travel 2) Government flights,” the Mayor said.

IATF Omnibus Guide Sec. 7 (2) 2 includes government officials as people permitted to travel under any form of community quarantine, including President Duterte.

She also said that instead of making new supporters, ABS-CBN only created new enemies.

Inday Sara then reminded that ABS-CBN franchise issue doesn’t have any connection with freedom of speech.

“Andami niyo na nga kalaban gusto niyo pa dagdagan. Kung sabagay pasok naman na sila Espasol, Sapin-Sapin at Chicharon sa bulsa eh noh, 6 months to 25 years. So tuloy lang tayo sa bias.,” she said.

“Magsulat kayo maayos oi. And for the record, walang connection ang freedom of speech at iba pang kieme ninyo sa isang franchise. Amen,” she added.

ABS CBN – Cayetano SPECIAL TREATMENT and FAVORITISM, maski RECESS o BREAK raratsadahin ang 25 year franchise renewal. Paano na kaya ang mga COVID related bills? Economic stimulus? Financial assistance? Taxes? Loans? Budget realignment? Emergency measures?

By Pinoy 2022

abs cayetano arguing

Inabandona ng kasama sa Kamara? Speaker Cayetano, umatras sa provisional franchise o five month extension na panukala para sa ABS-CBN at ito ang palusot niya. Panibagong pakulo naman ay 25 year franchise renewal. Nililito niya tayo. Mailusot niya kaya sa Kamara ang hinahangad na prangkisa? Sa Senado kasi, matagal nang bistado ang mga CONFLICT of INTEREST na mga senador. Sa Mababang Kapulungan, marami pa ang NAGKUKUNWARI. May sinasabi pero iba naman ang gustong mangyari. Abangan.

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House to skip break to hear ABS-CBN issue

By: Melvin Gascon (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
May 21, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the House of Representatives would have to skip their midterm break when they deliberate on ABS-CBN’s application for a franchise renewal, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Tuesday.

“The deliberations … will continue … until they are finished so no one can say we’re stopping the process, or dragging our feet,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said the issue had become “so divisive” and “so polluted,” that it distracted Congress from more pressing concerns like the COVID-19 crisis.

The House committee is likely to hold two to three hearings a week, Cayetano said, adding that the House should be ready to decide when it comes back after its recess starting on June 4 and after President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on July 27.

In the Senate, Se­nate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said Cayetano’s decision to withdraw the bill showed his indifference to the plight of the network’s 11,000 workers.

Union leaders of the company meanwhile said they were staying strong for their coworkers and families despite the looming prospect of layoffs.

—With reports from Marlon Ramos and Miguel R. Camus