News Roundup 04 May 2021
May 04, 2021 • 4 min Read
COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rise to 1,067,892 | PHILSTAR.COM – The Philippines on Tuesday recorded 5,683 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 1,067,892.
- Active cases: 66,060 or 6.2% of the total
- Recoveries: 9,028, pushing total to 984,210
- Deaths: 97, bringing total to 17,622
Doctors in ‘ivermectin pantry’ may face suspension, loss of license — PMA | PHILSTAR.COM – The Philippine Medical Association on Tuesday said doctors prescribing ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment at a distribution program organized by two lawmakers could have their license suspended or revoked. Medical groups have spoken out against the distribution of the antiparasitic drug to Quezon City residents despite repeated warnings by health officials. The event was organized by Rep. Mike Defensor (Anakalusugan party-list) and Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP party-list). Dr. Oscar Tinio, PMA’s spokesperson, said they have identified the four doctors who took part in the distribution. He said PMA is still waiting for its ethics committee to investigate the incident. “If they’re found guilty, then their licenses can be suspended or they can be given warnings or there would really be a revocation of license,” he told “Agenda” of ONE News, partly in Filipino. The PMA, in a statement over the weekend, said doctors should only prescribe ivermectin at the five hospitals granted compassionate use permits by the Food and Drug Administration. Tinio added that apart from facing sanctions from the group, they can also be held liable under Philippine laws. The Department of Justice said it was “on its face” a violation, but stopped short of commenting on whether arrests can be made. “If they think they’re above the law, they’re not,” he said. “So we will pursue whatever actions we think are necessary…if we need to punish our physicians or doctors, we will do that.”
Duterte didn’t promise to fight for West PH Sea? That’s ‘grand estafa’, says Carpio | INQUIRER.NET – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday (May 4) said President Rodrigo Duterte’s denial that he brought up the West Philippine Sea during the presidential campaign in 2016 was tantamount to “grand estafa.” In a stinging rebuke of the President, Carpio said Duterte was “admitting that he was fooling the Filipino people big time” with his false campaign promise. “President Duterte cannot now say that he never discussed or mentioned the West Philippine Sea issue when he was campaigning for President,” the retired magistrate said. “Otherwise, he would be admitting that he was fooling the Filipino people big time. There is a term for that—grand estafa or grand larceny. Making a false promise to get 16 million votes,” he said. In a public address on Monday (May 3) night, Duterte said he never promised the people that he would “pressure” China and retake the West Philippine Sea during the 2016 campaign. “I did not promise that I would pressure China. I never mentioned about China and the Philippines in my campaign because that was a very serious matter,” said Duterte. During the presidential debates in 2016, Duterte said that he would ride a jet ski to the Spratlys to plant the Philippine flag there to assert Philippine sovereignty. “Bababa ako at sasakay ako ng jet ski, dala dala ko ang flag ng Filipino at pupunta ako dun sa airport [ng China] tapos itanim ko. I will say, ‘This is ours and do what you want with me’,” he said at the time. Translated to English, this was what Duterte said: “I will go down and ride a jet ski bringing with me a Filipino flag and I will go there to the airport (of China) and plant it. I will say ‘This is ours and do what you want with me’.”
Hontiveros to Duterte: Recognize ‘real heroes’ in COVID-19 fight, not Duque | Manila Bulletin – Senator Risa Hontiveros also rejected on Tuesday, May 4, President Duterte’s belief that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was the “hero” in the Philippines’ fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). What the country needs is accountability from government officials, and not Duque’s recognition, Hontiveros stressed. “Tama na itong linggo-linggong pa-awarding ceremony ng administrasyon (Enough of this weekly awarding ceremony by the administration),” the opposition senator said in a statement. “Walang pinupuntahan ang pagtatakipan nila live on national television habang nadadagdagan ang mga nagugutom, nagkakasakit at namamatay dahil sa palpak nilang pagtugon sa COVID-19 (There is no sense with our officials covering up for each other on national television while those who go hungry, get sick, and die increase by the day because of their failed COVID-19 response),” she added. “Appointed ang isang health secretary, hindi sya pinili ng taumbayan, pero apektado ang buhay natin sa kaniyang kawalang-kakayahan (While a health secretary is appointed by the President and not elected by the people, our lives are affected by his incompetence),” Hontiveros said of Duque. “Let’s celebrate the real heroes: the healthcare workers and the breadwinners who brave the threat of this pandemic and risk their lives in the service of their families and communities,” the lawmaker pointed out.
