House issues show cause order vs Roque aide, several others

THE FOUR House committees jointly investigating illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), drug trade and human rights violations during the past administration issued a show cause order against several individuals, including former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s executive assistant.

All excuses, Marcos says of Duterte camp’s side in ‘secret’ China deal

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. Marcos Jr. on Monday took a swipe at the camp of his predecessor over its “excuses” in revealing the terms of its supposed “secret deal” with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Philippines fails to qualify for US grant due to poor mark in fighting corruption

THE DUTERTE government has failed to qualify for a grant from an independent American aid agency next year after getting a red mark in the control of corruption requirement.

No bonus for unvaccinated Cebu employees

MALACAÑANG BACKED Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s policy to deny Christmas bonus to local government employees who refuse Covid-19 vaccination, saying such bonus is not mandatory.

Pilot Covid-19 alert level system extends to Mindanao, Visayas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has included selected provinces in Visayas and Mindanao as pilot areas for the implementation of the so-called Covid-19 Alert Levels System.

Are there enough Covid-19 vaccines?

THE DUTERTE administration has finally approved the mass vaccination of the general population or those who do not belong in any of the vaccination priority groups set by the Health department.

ICC begins probe into Duterte’s bloody drug war

THE PRE-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC or Court) said it has granted the Prosecutor’s Fatou Bensouda’s request to commence an investigation in relation to crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019 in the context of the so-called “war on drugs” campaign.

Senators question 'overpriced' Covid gear

SENATORS HAVE launched an investigation into how a Chinese national and ally of President Rodrigo Duterte was awarded a multi-million-dollar contract by the government to supply “overpriced” face masks and other medical equipment in the fight against the coronavirus.

Duterte refuses to release SALNs

PRESIDENT DUTERTE has refused to release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to which have been kept secret since 2018 despite repeated calls for him to make all documents public.

Duterte, press freedom predator?

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA watchdog, Reporters without Borders or RSF, has included President Rodrigo Duterte in its 2021 “Press freedom predators” who crack down massively on press freedom.

Cebu told to follow IATF-MEID protocols

CEBU CITY – The national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) led by Health Secretary Francisco Duque stood firm on the travel protocols imposed in the country.

Guidelines on inbound travellers released

CEBU - Inbound international travellers who were fully vaccinated in the Philippines, regardless of their travel history, and those fully vaccinated from other countries who stayed exclusively in “green” countries or jurisdictions 14 days prior to arrival in the country, will be able to enjoy a shorter quarantine period, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

Congress to decide on BARMM’s fate

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte said it is now up to Congress whether to postpone or not the BARMM’s first regular elections which will be held simultaneously with the national and local polls next year.

Zambo now under GCQ

THE NATIONAL government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has placed Zamboanga City under the General Community Quarantine classification following the dramatic decrease of Covid-19 cases from over 2,800 to about 500 the past two months.

Use of face shields, face masks still mandatory in public places

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte has backtracked from his previous statement saying the wearing of face shield should only be worn in hospitals following a meeting with Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Trolls, propagandists step up attacks vs. Robredo, opposition

PERSONAL INSULTS and political attacks against those who are critical of President Rodrigo Duterte and the opposition are increasing in social media ahead of next year’s national polls.

Former President Benigno Aquino dead at 61

FORMER PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino is dead at age 61.

Cebu told to follow IATF arrival protocols

CEBU - President Rodrigo Duterte said Cebu province must abide by the arrival protocols set by the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the Palace spokesman said.

Climaco wants essential workers, trikes and jeepney drivers vaccinated

WHILE MAYOR Beng Climaco is strongly urging the national government to include local essential workers and uniformed personnel under the A4 priority list in the mass vaccination program to protect them from the deadly Covid-19 disease, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has begun inoculating those in the National Capital Region.

Cebu Gov. Gwen: I am not defiant

CEBU - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she is not against the protocols set by the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on how to handle the arrival of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROF).