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CA approves ad interim appointment of Recto
The Commission on Appointments approved yesterday the ad interim appointment of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who vowed to plug tax leaks, improve tax administration and prevent wasteful expenditures......»»
‘Abused’ wife blocks CA promotion of AFP general
The ad interim appointment of Brig. Gen. Ranulfo Sevilla was deferred yesterday after his wife accused him of domestic abuse, according to the Commission on Appointments......»»
Recto expected to get Commission on Appointments approval
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto in all likelihood will breeze through his confirmation process on Wednesday, having been a former senator who used to be a member of the Commission on Appointments......»»
46 AFP generals, flag officers get CA approval
he appointments of 46 generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been approved ad interim by the Commission on Appointments......»»
SSI, Araneta Properties bare new appointments
Specialty retailer SSI Group Inc. and real estate firm Araneta Properties Inc. have announced key executive appointments following recent developments in both companies......»»
PilotTV bares 2 new Appointments
PilotTV Holdings, a leading Taiwan digital signage operator and digital out-of-home media also operating in Japan and the Philippines, has appointed Lou Marie Bognot as its new chief executive officer for the Philippines......»»
New PSG, ISAFP chiefs to undergo CA screening
Two newly appointed military officials are set to undergo vetting by the bicameral Commission on Appointments......»»
4 Pinoys appointed to Permanent Court of Arbitration
The International Bureau of the Permanent Court of Arbitration has confirmed the appointments of four Filipino members, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday......»»
Go reminds DOH to prioritize health care for poor
As chair of the Commission on Appointments committee on health, Sen. Bong Go sponsored the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Dr. Ted Herbosa as secretary of the Department of Health on Tuesday......»»
Focus on work, not ‘demolition’
As the Commission on Appointments starts their work on filtering nominees for government positions such as Cabinet secretaries, promotions of MUPs of military and police officials, the general impression is that senators and members of Congress will be out to draw blood, cause embarrassment or simply impress their power and authority over nominees and candidates......»»
PCIJ tracks dynastic, patronage ties in Marcos appointments
CHEERS TO the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for a report that provided the necessary background to the appointment of the new agriculture secretary. By identifying other donors to the Marcos campaign in 2022 who have been given positions in government by th.....»»
PCIJ tracks dynastic, patronage ties in Marcos appointments
CHEERS TO the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for a report that provided the necessary background to the appointment of the new agriculture secretary. By identifying other donors to the Marcos campaign in 2022 who have been given positions in government by th.....»»
China refuses to explain why defense minister sacked
China on Wednesday refused to explain why defense minister Li Shangfu was removed from office, a day after he was fired following weeks out of the public eye. In a major reshuffle of top leadership, Beijing announced on Tuesday that Li and ousted ex-foreign minister Qin Gang had been removed from the cabinet. No explanation was given for their removal from office. When asked about the firings on Wednesday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told journalists she did not have "any other information to provide". Mao instead referred media to state news agency Xinhua, which also provided no information about their removal from office. "If you're concerned about whether China is transparent, what I can say is that we release information on all appointments and removals of personnel in a timely manner," she said. Both Qin and Li are believed by experts to have been personally selected for their roles by President Xi Jinping. The post China refuses to explain why defense minister sacked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prioritizing inclusive healthcare for Filipinos
Providing inclusive healthcare for all Filipinos should always remain a priority. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, my legislative agenda is to ensure that those with less in life are given more benefits and attention from the government, especially regarding healthcare. My constant appeal to health officials is to ensure all Filipinos in need get medical care regardless of their geographic and economic situation. This is precisely the sentiment I wanted to impart when the Commission on Appointments took up the appointment of Department of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa. The health department has my full support, so I am happy to note that Secretary Herbosa committed his support for the continuing implementation of the Malasakit Centers program and other key public health initiatives. As principal sponsor and author of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, it is fulfilling to know that the program is instrumental in providing medical assistance to over seven million indigent Filipinos through the 159 currently operational Malasakit Centers nationwide. Prioritizing the establishment of Super Health Centers in strategic areas in the country will also help make healthcare more inclusive for Filipinos. With the support of my colleagues in both houses of Congress, we are looking at more than 600 Super Health Centers to be built nationwide. These centers will provide primary healthcare and medical consultations, and help promote early detection of illnesses, which will decongest hospitals in the long term. My advocacy for inclusive healthcare has been strengthened with the enactment of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. This newly enacted law, which I principally sponsored as one of the authors, will establish specialized medical centers within existing DoH regional hospitals. It will help bring specialized medical services closer to every region and will, in effect, make the health department’s services more inclusive. Sufficient funds must be allocated for the Regional Specialty Centers for its effective implementation in the coming years. While we are doing everything to make healthcare more accessible to Filipinos, let us not forget our healthcare workers. I am appealing to DoH and our finance managers to make sure that the benefits due to our healthcare workers in accordance with prevailing laws are released efficiently and without further delays. Moreover, my regular engagement with communities in need continues to be part of my advocacy to promote inclusivity so that those with less can still get the best public services they need and deserve. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, I call upon every Filipino to rally behind our athletes competing in the Hangzhou Asian Games from 23 September to 8 October. Our athletes have trained tirelessly, sacrificing time, effort, and personal comforts to represent our nation on this grand stage. They carry not just their personal ambitions but the pride and hopes of an entire country. Let us show them that they are not alone in this journey. As your public servant, I assure fellow Filipinos that I will continue to push for inclusive public service delivery, particularly in healthcare and especially for the poor, to the best of my abilities in pursuit of social justice and development for all. The post Prioritizing inclusive healthcare for Filipinos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Struggles Reported by CVS Customers in Massachusetts for COVID-19 Vaccine
Title: Vaccine Supply Shortage Hinders CVS Customers’ COVID-19 Vaccination Plans in Massachusetts Subtitle: Major pharmacy chains facing delayed deliveries; customers advised to confirm appointments Date:.....»»
PBBM designates Teodoro Herbosa as interim health secretary
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has designated Teodoro Herbosa as the interim health secretary after the Commission on Appointments bypassed his confirmation, Malacañang said on Friday. Malacañang confirmed Herbosa’s position through the Presidential Communications Office’s Facebook page. CA bypassed Herbosa's ad interim appointment last Tuesday due to a “lack of material time.” During an interview, Senator Bong Go explained that the CA panel paused the discussions because numerous lawmakers had not yet had the opportunity to question Herbosa. Additionally, there was a scheduled Senate session at that time and the HoPBBM use of Representatives had a leadership meeting. But Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed that Herbosa's appointment was essentially bypassed, given that Congress adjourned on 29 September. Meanwhile, Marcos appointed Juliet Manalo-San Gaspar as the Associate Justice in Sandiganbayan. Lorna Francisca Catris Cheng, Ma. Consejo Gengos-Ignalaga and Raymond Joseph Javier were appointed as Associate Justices in the Court of Appeals. Additionally, Henry Angeles has been designated as an Associate Justice in the Court of Tax Appeals. The post PBBM designates Teodoro Herbosa as interim health secretary appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go reminds DOH to release healthcare workers’ benefits
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has once again called upon the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the timely release of necessary allowances for the country’s healthcare workers, in accordance with the law considering their sacrifices and dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Go reminded DOH Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa during a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on Tuesday, 26 September, that some healthcare workers have not yet received their allowances. He, likewise, urged DOH to implement a more efficient and streamlined process to expedite the release of allowances for healthcare workers in accordance with the law. “Marami po talagang mga backlog pa po na mga payables ng health emergency allowance. Yung mga HEA nila na hindi pa nababayaran, baka may mga backlog pa po from the previous years. Kaya parati akong nananawagan sa DBM, sa Department of Health na bilisan natin (ang paglabas) nito,” urged Go. “Pasado naman ito sa Kongreso noon. Ipinasa natin ito. Napakaliit lang po niyan na halaga (para) sa sakripisyo na ginawa nila para sa ating bayan sa panahon ng pandemya." The senator, likewise, stressed that the least the government can do is to ensure that healthcare workers receive the allowances they rightfully deserve without delay. Go emphasized the importance of continuously supporting the frontliners even after the state of public health emergency had been lifted. Go is one of the authors and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11712, which grants continuing benefits and allowances to healthcare workers during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Public and private healthcare workers covered by the law are entitled to HEA for every month of service during a state of public health emergency based on the risk categorization. Previously, Go expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for showing his unwavering commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers. The senator specifically praised the President for urging the prompt release of the much-needed COVID-19 emergency allowance during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July. “Natutuwa at nagpapasalamat tayo na napakinggan ng ating Pangulo ang mga hinaing ng ating healthcare workers at tinugunan niya ito sa kanyang SONA. Even with the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency, unahin po natin ‘yung mga medical frontliners natin na nagsakripisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said. Earlier, Go also stated that “with or without the State of Public Health Emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to medical front liners.” Moreover, Go also previously expressed his support for the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6, which aims to increase the salaries of government workers, including medical professionals in the public sector. “Healthcare workers have been facing enormous challenges on multiple fronts. Apart from the physical demands and risks of treating COVID-19 patients, they have also grappled with emotional and mental tolls, and many have had to cope with the loss of colleagues and patients alike,” expressed Go. “As co-sponsor and author of Salary Standardization Law 5 during the 18th Congress, sana po ay magkaroon pa ng bagong Salary Standardization Law 6. I’m one with the government in seeking to provide another increase in salaries for those working in the public sector,” he added. The post Bong Go reminds DOH to release healthcare workers’ benefits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go urges DOH to bolster gov’t health services initiatives
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, urged Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa during a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on Tuesday, 26 September, to bolster its initiatives towards providing better health services, especially in the grassroots and particularly for poor and indigent patients needing government support. Among those mentioned by Go are the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers in accordance with the law, the establishment of more Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide, and the proper implementation of the recently enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act. "Sa inyong palagay, nakakatulong ba ang Malasakit Centers sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan? At hindi ba napapabayaan ang mga pasyente?" Go said during the Commission on Appointments hearing on the ad interim appointment of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa which Go presided on that day. As a response, Herbosa highlighted the significant number of patients served by the centers. "Ang pinakamarami dito sa NCR, almost 607,000 at more than 200,000 sa iba't ibang region. Almost every region is over 100,000 to 200,000 patients served," Herbosa answered. The senator also appealed to the DOH to ensure that poor and indigent patients are given the utmost attention in public hospitals. Go cited a recent department memorandum signed by Herbosa instructing medical center chiefs to ensure that all patients must be accorded with the available services in Malasakit Centers. "Ang mga social workers doon sa loob ng Malasakit Centers — at ako mismo pagpupunta ako doon — sinasabihan ko talaga ang mga social workers, ‘Isa lang ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, as chairman ng Committee on Health, huwag niyo pabayaan ang mga mahihirap na pasyente’," Go said. The Malasakit Centers consist of various agencies offering medical assistance programs including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These centers were institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, principally authored and sponsored by Go. According to DOH, more than seven million indigent patients have already benefitted from the 159 Malasakit Centers established nationwide. Go also discussed the importance of Super Health Centers, which serve as primary care facilities offering a range of services including consultations, laboratory tests, and minor treatments. These health facilities in communities aim to provide early detection of diseases and also decongest hospitals by providing immediate medical care. "Kung nandiyan ang primary care, (magkakaroon ng) early detection… meaning… hindi lumala ang sakit at maagapan ito. It will also help decongest the hospitals," Go explained. Go also said free consultations handled by municipal health offices, LGUs, and PhilHealth through its Konsulta program can be facilitated in Super Health Centers. Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine. Go was instrumental in pushing for adequate funding to ensure that more Super Health Centers are established across the country. Some 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022 through Go’s initiative and with the help of LGUs, DOH, and fellow lawmakers, and 322 more Super Health Centers in 2023. Herbosa supported this initiative, stating that Super Health Centers are partnerships between the national and local governments. Go then questioned Herbosa on whether there would be sufficient funding for the continuous operation of Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers. "Can you assure us that there is and there will be sufficient funding for the continuous operation of Malasakit Centers?" Go asked. "We will assure the Commission na talagang tutulungan natin ang mga mahirap at nangangailangan using all the funds given by the Department of Health," Herbosa responded. Finally, Go also highlighted RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, a new law he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate, which mandates the establishment of specialized medical centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. Echoing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go reminded DOH that sufficient funding must be allocated for the proper implementation of the law. “Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang ibang matakbuhan. The more we should support their health needs, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said. "Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health facility. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito," he concluded. The CA has suspended the confirmation of Herbosa as Health Secretary due to "lack of material time”, since Congress is set to go on break and will reconvene in November. The post Bong Go urges DOH to bolster gov’t health services initiatives appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go renews call for increased health budget
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized in an interview on Tuesday, 26 September, the urgent need to bolster the Department of Health's budget as the country navigates toward pandemic recovery even amid several existing and emerging public health concerns. "Gaya ng sinabi ko noon, full support ako sa DOH kung ano ang makakatulong sa ating healthcare system," said Go. He recalled the budget deliberations in December 2019 when there were attempts to cut the budget of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for the year 2020. "Nag-budget hearing noong December 2019, tinapyasan ang proposed budget sa RITM at DOH, di po ako pumayag noon. Dinagdagan pa natin at ibinalik natin ang pondo," he narrated. This decision turned out to be crucial then, as RITM later played a vital role in COVID-19 testing when the pandemic started in 2020. Go noted that the restoration of RITM's budget underscored the importance of adequately funding healthcare institutions, especially in unpredictable times. Go's recollection came at a critical time when the DOH was facing a P10-billion budget cut for 2024. The proposed budget cut would bring DOH's overall budget down to P199.45 billion from P209.62 billion under the General Appropriations Act of 2023. With this, Go argued that the healthcare system needs more, not less, financial support. He then underscored the urgency for increased investment in the public healthcare system. "The more we should invest sa ating healthcare system, dagdagan ang pondo," Go reiterated. "Para sa akin po, dapat suportahan natin na dagdagan ang pondo ng DOH. 'Wag pong bawasan, dagdagan pa po," he stated further. He emphasized that the funds should be used wisely to benefit patients particularly the less fortunate. "Makinabang dapat ang mga pasyente, makinabang po ang mahihirap nating kababayan na walang ibang matakbuhan kundi tayo pong nasa gobyerno," he said. Go said that those who are wealthy have the option to seek medical care in private hospitals, while the less fortunate are left with no other choice but to rely on public healthcare facilities that rely on government funding. "Ito pong mga helpless, mga hopeless nating kababayan, sila ang unahin natin. 'Yung mayayaman naman po, di pupunta sa public hospitals 'yan," he said. During the Commission on Appointments hearing on the ad interim appointment of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa which Go presided on early that day, the senator also appealed to DOH to ensure that poor and indigent patients are given utmost attention in public hospitals. Go cited a recent department memorandum signed by Herbosa instructing medical center chiefs to ensure that all patients must be accorded with the available services in Malasakit Centers. The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping particularly poor and indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by collaborating with various agencies offering medical assistance programs. This initiative was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, a law principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate. Presently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers spread across the country, and they have collectively provided support to more than seven million Filipinos, as reported by DOH. Moreover, echoing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go highlighted that he has principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the Regional Specialty Centers Act which was recently enacted into law. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. Given this, Go reminded the DOH that sufficient funding must be allocated in the coming years for the proper implementation of the law. Moreover, Go also emphasized the need to continue bringing basic health services closer to the grassroots through the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide which he had advocated for since the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte. “Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang ibang matakbuhan. The more we should support their health needs, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said. “Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health facility. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed. The post Bong Go renews call for increased health budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Commission on Appointments bypasses DOH chief Herbosa
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Herbosa “was bypassed due to lack of material time.”.....»»