June 19, 2009 Major News Stories

H1N1 cases jump to 344, says DoH

The country now has 344 Influenza A(H1N1) cases after the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed 33 new cases on Thursday.  The new A(H1N1) patients include 24 men and 11 women, with ages ranging from one to 52 years, said Doctor Lyndon Lee Suy, a medical specialist from the Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases.  Of the 344 cases, 242 have recovered and were discharged from the hospital, Lee Suy said.

RP's H1N1 flu cases reach 344

Thirty-three new cases of influenza A (H1N1) were confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday bringing the country's total number of victims of the virus to 344, as the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts the virus will be active for three more months.

DepEd downplays H1N1 cases in schools

There is no need to declare a health emergency in Metro Manila schools even after a number of students were confirmed to have the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, an education official said.

4 suspected H1N1 cases in UP Diliman

The University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City is monitoring four students suspected of being infected with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Another QC school suspends classes

Another school in Quezon City, Dr. Alejandro Roces High School, has suspended its classes for 10 days following the confirmation that one of its students has the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The Metro Manila schools that have so far reported confirmed A(H1N1) cases are:

* De La Salle University–Taft, Manila;
* College of St. Benilde, Manila;
* Far Eastern University–East Asian College, Manila;
* St. Andrew's School, Parañaque City;
* Ateneo de Manila University and High School, Quezon City;
* Mapua Institute of Technology, Makati City;
* Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, Marikina City;
* Miriam College, Quezon City;
* Lagro Elementary School, Quezon City;
* Lourdes School, Mandaluyong;
* Dominican College, San Juan City;
* Alejandro Roces High School, Quezon City; and
* University of the Philippines–Diliman, Quezon City.

In the provinces, the Hilera Elementary School in Jaen town in Nueva Ecija province, the Doña Candelaria Meneses Duque school in Bulacan town in the province of Bulacan, and the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas campus in Leyte have confirmed cases.

5 students under watch for H1N1

Five students in Cebu are currently under observation for possible influenza A (H1N1) infection, this after they manifested flu-like symptoms for a few days following the opening of classes for college students last Monday.  School officials promptly told the DOH after five of its male students reported, at the same time, that they had a fever and sore throat. All five, aged 16 to 17 years old, live in the same dormitory and are classmates.

While the students did not have any history of travel to any infected country, the health department noted that some of the students have traveled to Manila and may have been in contact with foreigners.

H1N1 screening for ME-bound OFWs set

Medical clinics examining Filipino workers bound for the Middle East have agreed on a set of protocols to prevent workers with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus from leaving the county before they are well.

OFW from Singapore positive for H1N1

A 38-year-old native of Capiz province, who recently returned from Singapore where she worked as a domestic helper, has tested positive for the A(H1N1) virus, an official said.

Relax sick leave rules, prevent flu -- TUCP

As more and more people contract the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called on employers to relax their sick leave rules to encourage staff members to stay at home if they develop flu symptoms.

PhilHealth up with P75T benefits for members infected by A(H1N1)

Hospitalization benefits are set at a maximum of P75,000 for members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and their qualified dependents confined with a confirmed case of the A(H1N1) virus.

DTI checking prices of alcohol, sanitizers

Amid reports of high prices and short supply of alcohol and hand sanitizers in the wake of the A(H1N1) scare, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started monitoring prices of the products.

Govt slammed for failure in fighting AH1N1

If it is not adding insult to injury, it is causing double jeopardy. Non-government organizations working in the health sector are criticizing the Philippine government"s "palliative" approach to combating the fast spread of Influenza A(H1N1) infection, which has so far stricken over 300 Filipinos.  The Health Action Information Network (HAIN) and the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) are one in saying that because the government has failed to address poverty, it has made Filipinos more vulnerable to communicable but supposedly preventable diseases such as influenza. 

5 arrested in Cebu City fiscal's murder

Five suspects in the ambush and killing of Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Osorio last January were arrested by police early Thursday, Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa said.  Verzosa said joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit and the Regional Mobile Group in Region 7 arrested the five suspects in Barangay (village) Maghaway, Talisay City at 4 a.m.

Three of the five suspects were identified as Allan Senogat, the supposed triggerman; and Alex Abacahan Sr. and Alex Abacahan Jr.

Also recovered from the suspects were 11 high-powered firearms, Verzosa said.

The suspects were also believed to be responsible for the double murder of a village official and his son-in-law.

Talisay mayor's son leaves jail Joavan Fernandez out on P200 T bail

The controversial adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Joavan, has been temporarily released from jail after the Regional Trial Court granted his petition for bail.

Case vs Big Three Gwen wants date for clarificatory hearing

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday filed a motion asking for the date and time of the clarificatory hearing against the three giant oil companies.   

DILG steps into Osmeña threat

The Department of Interior and Local Government yesterday reminded Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña that it is his duty to maintain peace and order and deliver basic services to his constituents regardless of whether they have not paid their taxes.

Garcia to meet warring leaders in sixth district

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the head of the One Cebu-Kampi party, will be meeting with political officials of the sixth district to thresh out their political differences.

Reyes slams Recto for grandstanding

Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes said on Thursday that Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph G. Recto should "behave as a Cabinet member" and not use the issue of oil prices to attract public attention.

Panlilio dares 'Mikey': Run for governor

Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio challenged Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo on Thursday to run for governor of the province, saying the people of the province were not that dumb to elect him.

FVR to Glo: Make your 2010 plans clear

Former President Fidel Ramos has urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to once and for all make a "clear and positive declaration" about her plans for 2010.

Winner in poll automation questioned

Two companies that lost in the bidding for the Commission on Elections' automation program for the 2010 elections questioned on Thursday the technical and financial capabilities of the winner, the Smartmatic International and Total Information Management Corp. consoritum.

OFW voters exceed 100,000 mark

The number of Filipinos overseas who have registered to vote in next year's presidential, senatorial, and local elections has surpassed the 100,000 mark, the Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat of the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

SC or DoJ? Senator asks new justice chief

Senator Francis Escudero asked Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera on Thursday to choose whether she wanted to keep her new post or leave it so she could concentrate on her nomination to a seat in the Supreme Court (SC).

RP rues blacklisting over human trafficking

Malacañang is dismayed over the inclusion of the Philippines in the United States' list of countries that have failed to adequately address the problem of human trafficking.

JI militants hiding in Sulu -- US colonel

Foreign terrorists are operating in the southern province of Sulu, a known bailiwick of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, a United States military commander said Thursday.

Gunmen attack radio station building

Two unidentified men fired at a building housing a Catholic Church-run radio station in the northern province of Abra on Wednesday night, its police said.

5 soldiers injured in N. Samar clash

Five soldiers were injured after government forces had a series of encounters with New People's Army rebels in Samar, a military spokesman said Thursday.

5 Filipino hospital workers freed in Yemen

Five Filipino workers who were abducted with 21 other hospital personnel on June 11 in the restive northern province of Saada, Yemen have been released.

NY court rejects Baja immunity plea

A New York judge on Wednesday denied a petition by former Philippine ambassador to the United Nations, Lauro Baja to dismiss charges of trafficking and slavery filed by a Filipino housemaid against him and his family on the grounds of diplomatic immunity.

Japan, RP agree to boost economic ties

The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Thursday to boost trade and investment between their countries to upgrade their economic partnership, as Japan announced a $470 million development loan.

Economist: Glo should focus on economy

Instead of charter change and foreign trips, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should instead focus on fiscal spending and restoring consumer and investor confidence to boost economy and avert a possible recession, former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said.

SC junks review of cigarette prices

Government rules that allowed the Bureau of Internal Revenue to conduct a periodical review of retail prices of cigarettes registered after January 1, 1997 for tax classification was declared "unconstitutional."

Thousands Mousavi supporters in Iran

Tens of thousands of black-clad protesters filled the streets of Tehran again Thursday, joining opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to mourn demonstrators killed in clashes over Iran's disputed election.

US Senate votes formal apology for slavery

The US Senate approved a fiercely worded resolution Thursday formally apologizing for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery" of African-Americans.

US Airlines captain dies mid-flight

A US Continental Airlines flight from Brussels will be making an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport after the plane's captain died mid-flight Thursday morning.

'Pacman win over Cotto good for Floyd'

Roger Mayweather, the uncle-trainer of former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., thinks Miguel Cotto may pose problems to international superstar Manny Pacquiao because of his size.

Erap endorses 'Pacman' for Congress

Manny Pacquiao's political aspiration got a "major boost" after former President Joseph Estrada endorsed his plan to run as representative of Sarangani Province. Estrada extended his political support for Pacquiao during his visit to General Santos City on Thursday.

Angping eyes 2018 Asian Games bid

Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping broached the idea of playing host to the 2018 Asian Games after meeting with organizers of next year's games.

'Virtually in the bag'

THE idea for Dancesport Team Cebu City's attempt to set the largest dance class mark in the Guinness Book of World Records was actually pitched by broadcaster Korina Sanchez.

Halili files malpractice suit vs Belo, Kho

After seeking the help of the Department of Health, actress Katrina Halili also filed Thursday afternoon charges of medical malpractice against surgeons Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho at the Professional Regulation Commission, according to lawyer Pharson Mamalo, head of the PRC legal division.

Katrina Halili wants Belo clinics shut down

Actress Katrina Halili has asked the Department of Health (DoH) to revoke the license to operate of Vicki Belo's beauty clinics for "recklessly" allowing controversial cosmetic surgeon Hayden Kho to perform liposuction on her.

More rains as storm nears RP -- Pagasa

More rains are expected in the country in the next few days as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) expects a tropical storm to enter the country.

Phivolcs: Preparation to quake scenario

Preparation and not panic should be the proper response to a United Nations official"s warning of a possible magnitude-7 quake in Metro Manila, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) stressed Thursday.

Samuel Goldwyn  - "I'm willing to admit that I may not always be right, but I am never wrong."