Maniolas

As nations step up measures to stem the worsening Ebola outbreak, Malacañang assured the public on Sunday that the Department of Health will be well-equipped to handle the dreaded disease if it reaches the Philippines.   “Ang lahat ng mga dapat na paghandaan ay pinaghahandaan ng ating Kagawaran ng Kalusugan at pinapatatag ‘yung ating depensa diyan sa Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at sa iba pang mga infectious diseases,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in an interview over state-run dzRB. He said the DOH will implement a multisectoral response plan to fight the virus, should a person in the Philippines become infected. “[Tatlong steps yan]: Una, interim guidelines for disease surveillance, notification and reporting of suspected Ebola Virus Disease cases; pangawala, clinical management including laboratory testing of specimens from suspected EVD cases; at pangatlo, infection control,” Coloma said. DOH’s Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) will be the center of operations in fighting Ebola, he added. “Ang RITM sa Muntinlupa City ay itinakda bilang national referral center for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Ito ay magsisilbing sentro sa pagsusuri o testing at gagamitin nito ang pinakabagong paraan na subok na mula sa US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Coloma said. Moreover, he said that while at least 18 cases of suspected Ebola patients have been treated by the RITM, none of them have tested positive for the deadly communicable disease. “Mayroon nang 18 kaso ng suspected EVD na sinuri ang RITM at lahat ng ito ay negatibo ang resulta, Read More …

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Saturday defended the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between the Philippines and the United States, asking the Supreme Court to dismiss petitions questioning its constitutionality. In a 32-page consolidated comment filed before noon, the OSG emphasized the legality of the executive agreement, saying that President Aquino entered into the pact as part of his sworn duty to protect the state. “The President, through the DND (Department of National Defense), entered into the Edca to perform his primary constitutional duty to promote national security interests. Under Article II, Section 4, of the Constitution, the President, as head of state and chief representative of government, has the ‘prime duty to serve and protect the people,’” said the nine-member OSG panel on the case led by Acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay. Florin Hilbay. Screengrab from http://law.upd.edu.ph The pleading cited how “geopolitical concerns today involve transboundaries”—an apparent reference to how the Edca was signed amid the Philippines’ efforts to enhance its external defense capabilities in the face of unresolved border issues with China and America’s strategic pivot to the Asia Pacific. “Recent events within Philippine territory undoubtedly compromise the security of the Philippines. The Honorable Court should not render the President helpless or impair his ability to set up a national security apparatus in the face of clear, present and verified reports of activities that endanger the integrity of the Philippine State,” the OSG said. Separation of powers It also reminded the court of the Read More …

7:00 am | Sunday, October 12th, 2014 Screengrab from http://hannahsbeachresort.com.ph/ MANILA, Philippines–A nonprofit organization in the United States has chosen Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud town, Ilocos Norte province, as its 2014 most outstanding tourist destination in the Philippines. Gawad Amerika Foundation (GAF), a group of US-based Filipinos that is supported by different American nonprofit groups, said “the success and remarkable achievements of Hannah’s Beach Resort, locally and internationally, have been recognized not only by this organization but most of all by the local community.” The notice of award was sent to Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center, in a letter dated Aug. 4. In a statement, Hannah quoted GAF founder Charles Simbulan as saying the awarding ceremony, Gawad Amerika Awards Night, would be held at Celebrity Center in Hollywood, California, next month where Hannah would be given the tourist destination award. GAF was organized in 1996 and is based in California. Follow Us Other Stories: Filipinos’ prayer for Pope Francis: Good health, guidance Bibliophile meets British Romeo Insights from a San Francisco sabbatical Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=112341 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or Read More …

By Marielle Medina |Inquirer Research 3:53 am | Sunday, October 12th, 2014 FAITH CAN’T WAIT Pope Francis, who is visiting the country in January, radiates such a charm that even a standee of his image is sooo “selfie”-worthy for these law students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila shown taking a snapshot at the Arzobispado de Manila (Archdiocesan Chancery Office) in Intramuros. RICHARD REYES Ninety-five days leading up to the papal visit, the faithful are praying for Pope Francis’ good health and safety, especially during his visit to the country. Three out of every five prayers for Pope Francis submitted by readers to the Inquirer are prayers for the 77-year-old Pontiff’s continuous good health. The “Prayer for the Pope” feature is part of the Inquirer’s 100-day countdown to the papal visit to the country and as a response to Pope Francis’ tweet on his official Twitter account @Pontifex, “Please pray for me,” during the anniversary of his election as the 266th Bishop of Rome. The question: What is your prayer for the Pope? “Long, healthy life for our Pope Francis to serve the world and our God more,” Kathlyn Atienza said. “I pray for the good health, strength and constant guidance of the Holy Spirit for Pope Francis, as he is becoming an effective agent of transformation in the Catholic Church,” said Fr. Paul Arnel Lucero, SMM, from New Manila, Quezon City. “I pray that the Pope will always be healthy and be blessed by the Lord. May the Pope Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III AP FILE PHOTO BALI, Indonesia—As a testament to the close friendship between Indonesia and the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday received the highest award the Indonesian government can give to those who have rendered extraordinary service to its nation. At the sidelines of the two-day Bali Democracy Forum here, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono conferred on Mr. Aquino the “Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna (Star of the Republic of Indonesia).” “This award I receive today represents the rich, historical relations between our countries. On top of that, however, it is also a recognition of the boundless potential of our partnership, and of our continuing task of exploring areas of cooperation and increasing our synergies in every possible manner, all for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” Mr. Aquino said in remarks during the brief conferment ceremony. The President is the first Filipino to be given the award. Two Filipinos—Narciso Ramos and Carlos P. Romulo, two former Philippine foreign secretaries—had received the second highest award. In an interview before he flew back to Manila on Friday, Mr. Aquino said the diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Indonesia will not change even with the change of leadership in this country on Oct. 20 when President-elect Joko Widodo is sworn in. “The change of leadership does not necessarily mean a change of track,” Mr. Aquino said, noting that the Philippines and Indonesia share common interests. Officials who were with Mr. Aquino here said the President had so Read More …