DOH contacting last 4 Etihad EY 0424 passengers for MERS testing

 News
Apr 252014
 
DOH contacting last 4 Etihad EY 0424 passengers for MERS testing

The Department of Health is contacting the last four of the 414 passengers who have not yet reached out to the inter-agency Task Force Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) or have been traced by authorities, a senior health official said Friday. In an interview, Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, spokesman for Task Force MERS-CoV, said the task force is “in the process of initiating contacts with the four passengers following receipt of their contact data.”  He refused to say where they got the contact details of the four passengers. But Lee Suy said the receipt of the contact details is a positive development. “At least now, we have details to start working on. Yesterday, we had nothing at all on the four. Nothing.” Earlier, Lee Suy said President Benigno Aquino III wants all the 414 passengers of Etihad Airlines flight EY 0424 which arrived in Manila on April 15, 2014 to be contacted by April 22. Etihad Airlines flight EY 0424 brought to Manila on April 15 the 45-year-old Filipino male nurse, who initially tested positive for MERS-CoV in a United Arab Emirates hospital, together with 413 other passengers. Two examinations of the male nurse in the Philippines conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Philippines yielded negative results for the virus. Following his exposure to the Filipino paramedic who died from MERS early April, the male nurse had undergone laboratory tests but returned to the Philippines without waiting for the results of the exams. The male nurse was “isolated” via Read More …

De Lima: I don't feel any pressure over Napoles' revelations

 News
Apr 252014
 
De Lima: I don't feel any pressure over Napoles' revelations

Despite a growing clamor for her to divulge Janet Lim-Nqpoles’ revelations about the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s lips will remain sealed. “I won’t bow down to pressure from anyone or any group (challenging) that I make Napoles’ list public at this point,” De Lima told reporters in Manila on Friday. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Escudero, among other lawmakers, have already appealed for the release of Napoles’ supposed list of individuals involved in the multi-billion-peso controversy, that reportedly included Sen. Gringo Honasan as well as eight former and incumbent congressmen. Groups such as the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan have likewise posed the same challenge to De Lima to reveal the manes of persons on the list. Former Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier revealed that he, too, allegedly has a copy of Napoles’ list that was supposedly handed to him by the businesswoman’s husband, Jaime. Lacson claimed more than 100 people have been implicated. Like De Lima, Lacson had ignored calls to make public his copy of the list. Even Sandra Cam, president of the Whistlblowers Association of the Philippines, claims to be in possession of Napoles’ list, which she claimed included 16 senators, two Cabinet officials, and around 80 lawmakers from the House of Representatives. Cam warned De Lima she would reveal the contents of Napoles’ list if the Justice secretary would attempt to “sanitize” the list to exclude administration allies. On Friday, De Lima cast doubts on the authenticity of the supposed lists in Read More …

Obama visit forces SC to reset oath-taking of Bar passers

 News
Apr 252014
 
Obama visit forces SC to reset oath-taking of Bar passers

The Supreme Court has rescheduled the oath-taking ceremony for the 1,174 law graduates who passed the 2013 Bar examinations. In a briefing in Manila, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the event was reset in light of the visit of US President Barack Obama to the Philippines next week. “The oathtaking is moved to May 5, Monday, 2 p.m., PICC (Philippine International Convention Center),” Te said. “This is due to the expected heavy traffic due to the visit of the US President.” Earlier in the day, the SC PIO had announced that the oathtaking was to take place Monday next week on April 28. “Please take note that there might be heavy traffic at or leading to the area of PICC because of the arrival of President Obama on same day,” said the SC PIO an hour before the date of the event was reset. The SC encouraged inductees and guests to be at the venue earlier than 2 p.m. The SC said the oath-taking event is considered a special en banc session since all 15 magistrates are expected to show up. The University of the Philippines copped five of the top ten places in last year’s Bar exams, including the number one spot taken by Nielson Pangan. The latest Bar exams’ passing rate was 22.18 percent, according to 2013 Bar chairman and Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion. That was a significant jump from the 17.76 percent passing rate in 2012, a 12-year low. A Read More …

Govt denies restricting NDF access to Tiamzon couple

 News
Apr 252014
 
Govt denies restricting NDF access to Tiamzon couple

The government denied on Friday that it was unjustly restricting the access of the National Democratic Front to their leaders being detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center inside Camp Crame in Quezon City. In a statement, the government peace panel branded as “false” the assertion of Randall Echanis and Rafael Baylosis of the NDF that they were denied access to Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon without explanation. It explained that the PNP duty officer on the day of the incident, April 13, told the two visitors that as a matter of standard operating procedure, they need at least one week to process visit requests. But it said Enchanis and Baylosis handed their request letter only on the said date and the PNP had to “regretfully” inform the two that their request cannot be granted. It said the two were then advised to reschedule their visit. “While visits are given the highest priority for immediate relatives, counsels, or their doctors, all others who do not fall under these categories have to undergo the usual scrutiny and process, which require an application submitted days in advance,” it said. And with the “distorted” information being disseminated by the NDF, the government panel said it is “constrained” from making its “usual ready endorsement” to the PNP relative to their request made through NDF Monitoring Committee for Human Rights secretariat head Issa Dumanjug Palo, for a rescheduled visit to the Tiamzons. Last March, authorities arrested the Tiamzons for Read More …

Palace dismisses ‘pork’ king tag vs. Abad as speculation

 News
Apr 252014
 
Palace dismisses ‘pork’ king tag vs. Abad as speculation

Malacañang dismissed on Friday as mere speculation allegations that Budget Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad had tutored businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles on how to operate the pork barrel scam. “At this point, we do not know the contents of Napoles’ statement and it is unfair to speculate. Let us wait for the evaluation of the DOJ [Department of Justice],” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told GMA News Online in a text message. The Palace official was reacting to a story published by the Daily Tribune on Friday which quoted a source as saying Napoles had pointed to Abad as the real brains behind the scheme.  The P10-billion scheme allegedly involves funneling some lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Funds into fake nongovernment organizations put up by Napoles, with kickbacks going to lawmakers. Last April 1, the Ombudsman recommended plunder charges against Napoles and Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile for allegedly pocketing millions in their pork barrel funds through the said scam. The Tribune story came after Justice Sec. Leila De Lima said Napoles has committed to “come clean” and “tell all” about the alleged fund scam. The report also said Abad’s inclusion in the list of those involved was the reason De Lima had to talk to President Benigno Aquino III right after her meeting with Napoles. Valte, however, cautioned against the reliability of the source being quoted by the newspaper. “Good to note that the story was based on statements of an unidentified source whose credibility cannot be tested,” Read More …

Obama to boost military ties with PHL

 Entertainment
Apr 242014
 
Obama to boost military ties with PHL

Violent dispersal at US Embassy in Manila condemned President Barack Obama interacts with a robot during a tour at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), in Tokyo, Japan, April 24, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said that the visit of US President Barack Obama will further improve security and defense ties between the United States and the Philippines. Obama is slated to visit the country this coming April 28 to 29. “The AFP believes that the visit of US President Barack Obama will further strengthen the relationship between the American and Filipino nations, especially in terms of mutual security and defense cooperation,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said. Aside from this, both countries have a long tradition of partnership. “The US military and the AFP shares a long history of partnership built on the Mutual Defense Treaty. This visit will also affirm that partnership in order for both the US and the Philippines to create a mutually beneficial environment aimed at addressing broad regional and global challenges, including maritime security, climate change, terrorism, and transnational crimes among others,” Zagala pointed out. Malacañang earlier stated that ways to intensify political and security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States will be discussed during Obama’s visit. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the PHL-US wide-ranging security partnership includes joint military exercises, such as “Balikatan” and Read More …

Pacquiao pays courtesy call on Aquino

 Entertainment
Apr 242014
 
Pacquiao pays courtesy call on Aquino

Filipino boxing hero and congressman Manny Pacquiao, left, shakes the hands of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during his courtesy call at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila Philippines on Monday, April 21, 2014. Pacquiao recently defeated American Timothy Bradley during their WBO welterweight title bout in Las Vegas. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A week after beating Timothy Bradley Jr., boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang. Pacquiao arrived at the Palace at around 2 pm and met with the President.  The two then talked in private. During a press conference on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. also did not divulge any details about what the two may talk about but said the two were “friends.” “Sa aking palagay ito ay pagkikita lamang ng dalawang magkaibigan at pagpapalitan ng paghanga at pasasalamat,” he said. As for Pacquiao’s tax woes, Coloma said there has been a “friendly engagement” between the boxing champ and Internal Revenue chief Kim Jacinto-Henares. “Nililinaw lang natin: There is no ill will or animosity that is present in all of these conversations,” he said. The Sarangani lawmaker returned to the Philippines last Friday after winning the WBO welterweight title from Bradley by unanimous decision last Saturday (Sunday, PHL time).  (MNS)

Only 4 Etihad passengers not accounted for

 News
Apr 242014
 
Only 4 Etihad passengers not accounted for

Passengers walk past a thermal scanner at the medical quarantine area at the arrival section of Manila’s International Airport in Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Only four passengers from the Etihad Airlines flight carrying the Filipino nurse initially diagnosed with the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) have yet to be contacted by the government, according to the Department of Health (DOH). “We’re now locating only four passengers,” Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, manager of the DOH emerging infectious diseases program told a news briefing yesterday. The effort to keep the country free from MERS-CoV has so far cost the government more than P2 million, Suy said. But the amount is small considering the economic costs that would be incurred if a positive MERS-CoV case enters the country, he said. “We have thousands of OFWs coming home every day. We have to be vigilant always,” he said. The DOH and Task Force MERS-COV have been conducting contact tracing of all the 414 passengers on board the Etihad Airlines flight that carried the Filipino nurse initially diagnosed with MERS-CoV. Negative for virus The nurse tested positive for MERS-CoV while still in the United Arab Emirates. But two further tests done by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) here later found him negative for the virus. According to Lee Suy, the government has so far spent P2.07 million to test all the passengers of Etihad Flight 424, which arrived in Manila Read More …

Abandoned in Malta,15 PH seamen return

 News
Apr 242014
 
Abandoned in Malta,15 PH seamen return

By Jerome AningPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:13 am | Friday, April 25th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines—Fifteen Filipino seamen are now back in the Philippines with their loved ones following their repatriation from Malta on April 18, Good Friday, after being stranded for eight months on Maltese waters. The seafarers formed part of the crew of the MV B Lady Bug. The company that owned the vessel went bankrupt and abandoned the crew. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Italy, yesterday said the long-wait came to an end on April 17 when the Filipino sailors finally disembarked from the ship, which was made possible by a Maltese court’s decision to approve the sale of the vessel to new owners. The Filipinos were replaced with a new crew and given financial settlement, including back pay, allowances and repatriation cost. The DFA thanked Consul Enrique Pingol, labor department officials, Maltese government officials and the International Transport Workers’ Federation for assisting the seafarers during the negotiations for their disembarkation and coordinating their repatriation. “The entire crew conveyed heartfelt appreciation for all the support provided them by Filipino and Maltese authorities to see through to a positive end of their ordeal. [They] arrived in the Philippines on April 19, in time for the Easter celebration,” the DFA said. RELATED STORY Marooned in Malta, 21 Filipino seamen seek help Follow Us Other Stories: No travel restriction to Mideast, DFA clarifies OFWs reminded on ways to avoid MERS-CoV infection QC woman Read More …

Fight vs online libel goes to the UNHCR

 General
Apr 242014
 
Fight vs online libel goes to the UNHCR

Commentary By Ellen T. Tordesillas Harry Roque files petition vs Cybercrime lawLast Tuesday, while in Baguio City for their summer session, the Supreme Court denied all the Motions for Reconsideration on Online Libel which it upheld in its Feb. 18, 2014 decision. It will be recalled that in its Feb. 18 decision, the High Court struck down as illegal the authority given to the Department of Justice) to restrict or block access to any online post which it deemed violating the law without any court order. But it upheld the constitutionality of the online libel that increased the penalty twelvefold. From a minimum punishment of six months imprisonment under the Revised Penal Code, the Cybercrime Prevention Law increased it to six years. The maximum punishment was doubled from six to twelve years in prison. In our Motion for Reconsideration last month, we reiterated our position that libel, as a criminal offense, under the Revised Penal Code is unconstitutional. We also contended that with the Cybercrime Law, the Philippine government violated its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The UNHRC cited this covenant when it declared in the case of Davao journalist Alexander Adonis (who was convicted and imprisoned for libel filed by then Congressman Prospero Nograles) that the libel provisions of the Philippines do not conform with the standards set in Article 19 paragraph three of the ICCPR of which the Philippines is a signatory. We are dismayed by the Supreme Court’s dismissal of all Read More …

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