News Roundup 07 January 2022
Jan 07, 2022 • 5 min Read
21,819 new COVID-19 cases, highest since September 2021 | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health on Friday logged 21,819 new COVID-19 infections — the highest single-day tally since September 18 last year — pushing the total to 2,910,664 cases. The Philippines is seeing a sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases in the past week driven by the more infectious Omicron variant as well as increased mobility and laxness in observing safety protocols over the holidays. Of the total, 7.7% or 77,369 are classified active infections. The DOH also recorded 129 new fatalities and 973 additional recoveries. Of the new infections logged on Friday, 63% or 13,634 were traced to Metro Manila. Calabarzon region saw 4,129 new cases (19%) while Central Luzon logged 2,084 (10%) additional infections. The DOH bulletin also showed that the positivity rate is at 40%, meaning two out of every five people tested were positive for COVID-19. Utilization rates of Intensive Care Units, isolation and ward beds nationwide also continue to rise. The DOH bulletin showed that 32% of ICU beds, 35% isolation beds and 31% of ward beds across the country are currently being used. In Metro Manila, where majority of the new cases are traced, 48% of ICU beds, 47% of isolation beds and 59% of ward beds are in use.
Think tank sees Robredo as more ‘market-friendly’ president than Marcos Jr. | PHILSTAR.COM – Vice President Leni Robredo will likely be a more “market-friendly” president than Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., a Japan-based think tank said in its monthly report. In an article entitled “Philippines: No holiday cheer,” Nomura Global Research said that Robredo is “likely seen” more qualified to oversee the post-pandemic recovery of the country, citing the presidential candidate’s strategic roadmap that focuses on vital sectors, such as health and education. “Marcos Jr., in our view, will likely be regarded as less market-friendly than Robredo, particularly when it comes to experience at the national level and in articulating a strategy for the country to recover from the pandemic,” the report, which was written by ASEAN economist Euben Paracuelles and analysts Rangga Cipta, Craig Chan, and Wee Choon Teo, read. The group also believed that Marcos’ possible victory might cast doubt on the 2022 elections. “A Marcos victory will likely be viewed negatively owing to perceptions against him, in part because his candidacy is facing some petitions for disqualification on grounds of making false statements and a previous conviction of failing to file income tax returns,” the report said. Marcos is facing multiple disqualification cases in connection with a 1995 Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s conviction for his failure to file income tax returns for four years in the 1980s. Nomura also gave the presidential and vice-presidential tandems scores based on five categories: Continuity/good governance, Infrastructure progress, Fiscal discipline, National experience, and Business friendliness. Robredo and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan got a score of five in national experience and business friendliness categories. In terms of continuity/good governance, infrastructure progress, and fiscal discipline, the duo tallied four out of five points.
Bongbong Marcos DQ case filed by PFP ‘chairman’ nears decision — Comelec | INQUIRER.NET – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has submitted for resolution the disqualification case of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., filed by Abubakar Mangelen who claims to be the “duly elected chairman” of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Meanwhile, two other petitions that also seek Marcos’ disqualification from the presidential race were consolidated. All three cases are being handled by the Comelec’s First Division. Presiding Commissioner Rowena Guanzon ruled that the first disqualification case filed by Mangelen is now “submitted for resolution” because neither he nor any of his counsels attended the hearing. Marcos was also absent from the proceedings after informing the Comelec that he is now in isolation and has a fever and a congested throat. Mangelen, who claims to be the duly elected chairman of the PFP, said the PFP’s issuance of a certificate of nomination of acceptance to Marcos Jr. was “unauthorized, defective, invalid and void,” as well as the party’s endorsement of him as a standard bearer. Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy as the standard-bearer and the known chairman of the PFP. On the other hand, the two disqualification cases filed by martial law survivors led by Bonifacio Ilagan and Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party have been consolidated, Guanzon confirmed to reporters. This means that both petitions will have a joint decision. Both petitioners argued that Marcos’ conviction for non-payment of taxes and non-filing of income tax returns carries a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
Faberco assures access to COVID-19 drug Molnupiravir | Manila Bulletin – Pharmaceutical firm Faberco Life Sciences Inc. (Faberco) assured that the country will have enough supply of oral antiviral drug Molnupiravir amid the rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections. “Faberco Life Sciences is committed to address the urgent need for Molnupiravir and ensure to allocate enough supply to respond [to] the surging need in the coming days,” it said in a statement. The firm said that “several local government units, hospitals, and other health facilities have been served with Molnupiravir.” On Dec. 22, the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use of Molnupiravir under the brand name Molnarz for “treatment of mild to moderate” COVID-19 in individuals 18 years old and above. Faberco was appointed to distribute Molnupiravir in the country by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., a partner manufacturer of Merck & Co, the developer of this COVID-19 pill.
