News Roundup 09 April 2024
Apr 09, 2024 • 4 min Read
More Pinoys identify with Marcos than Duterte – poll | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos identify themselves either as pro-Marcos administration or pro-Duterte family, with most of them saying they support the current President more than his predecessor, according to a survey on political preference conducted by the OCTA Research Group.
Results of the March 11 to 14 survey released yesterday showed that about 31 percent of the respondents said they support President Marcos and his administration, while 20 percent said they support the Duterte family and their political allies.
Only four percent of the respondents said they support the opposition, while 29 percent said they neither support the Marcos administration, the Duterte family nor the opposition.
Another 15 percent said they do not know or refused to answer the question.
The survey was conducted amid the public disagreements between Marcos and his allies and some members of the Duterte family.
Earlier this year, former president Rodrigo Duterte publicly criticized his successor over the current administration’s push for Charter change.
Duterte even accused Marcos of drug use, although he later denied doing so.
The former president’s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, has called for Marcos’ resignation.
The Department of Justice under the current administration also pursued criminal charges against Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte’s spiritual adviser.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte – who maintains that she remains in good terms with the President – was reported to have had a falling out with Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin and close ally of Marcos.
The Vice President also has publicly opposed Charter change, which is primarily being pushed by Romualdez and his allies in Congress.
Full Story at: More Pinoys identify with Marcos than Duterte – poll | Philstar.com
Senate to tackle revival of ROTC | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — As tension in the West Philippine Sea continues to heighten, the Senate has set discussions on the proposal to revive the Reserve Officers Training Corps, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said as he urged colleagues to give the ROTC bill a chance.
“We will vote on it. Whether it passes or not, we will prioritize it this coming May before the sine die break,” said Zubiri, who took his oath and donning of rank as an Army reserve lieutenant colonel during a ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
He said the AFP has designed the proposed ROTC based on expertise. “In the ROTC program, for example, those experts in computers will be in the anti-cyber hacking division of the reservist force. If you are engineers, they will assist the AFP engineering programs, while nursing students will be grouped with the medical corps.”
“It is not just marching, resting, waiting, demonstrating in wooden Garand rifles. It will be in tune with the times,” Zubiri pointed out. “I think we should be ready for eventualities, especially with the tensions that we’re feeling around the external areas of the Philippines. We must be ready at all times to defend our motherland, our beloved country.”
Zubiri said his being an Army reservist is his commitment to the country, especially in preparing for various challenges that include calamities, climate crises, typhoons and earthquakes.
Full Story at: Senate to tackle revival of ROTC | Philstar.com
QC acquires about P13 million worth of pertussis vaccines, antibiotics | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government announced on Tuesday that it has acquired approximately P13 million worth of pertussis vaccines and antibiotics.
In a statement, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte disclosed that the city bought over 3,500 vials of the 6-in-1 vaccine, 1,012 bottles of azithromycin, and 1,000 bottles of clarithromycin.
These vaccines will be administered to children six weeks old and up who have yet to receive a vaccine for pertussis, she added.
“We have approved the purchase of needed vaccines and antibiotics so we can immediately provide the required medical attention to current cases and protect our QCitizens from further spread. We are planning to purchase more should the need arise, given that the national government has limited supply of the vaccines,” Belmonte said.
Aside from pertussis, she noted that the 6-in-1 vaccines would also shield children against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae, and Hepatitis B.
Full Story at: QC acquires P13 million worth of pertussis vaccines, antibiotics (inquirer.net)
Hontiveros appeals for ‘cult’ members’ aid: They are also victims | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed for a “proper reintegration and rehabilitation plan” for affected members of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) following the cancellation of its land use deal for a protected area in Surigao del Norte.
The DENR on Monday confirmed that it has terminated its Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement with SBSI for committing several violations.
According to the DENR, these offenses include, but are not limited to, SBSI’s establishment of residence in the area and failure to submit the required monthly, quarterly, or annual reports about implementing its Community-based Resource Management Plan.
Hontiveros said in a statement Tuesday that while she favors the cancellation of the land agreement, she likewise saw the need to protect SBSI members residing in the area.
She stressed that these SBSI members are also victims lured into the false promises of alleged cult leader Jey Rence Quilario, otherwise known as “Senior Agila.”
Full Story at: Hontiveros appeals for ‘cult’ members’ aid: They are also victims (inquirer.net)
