News Roundup 22 February 2024
Feb 22, 2024 • 5 min Read
No threat to Quiboloy’s life, says PNP | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has not intercepted any information indicating threats to the life of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) sect leader and alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy has claimed a plot to have him killed that’s why he went into hiding despite a subpoena having been issued to him to appear before a Senate investigation into his and his KJC’s alleged crimes against women and children.
“But if Pastor Quiboloy has a basis for what he’s saying, we are ready to provide appropriate security upon his request. But this extends to everyone, whether government officials or ordinary citizens,” the PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, said in a press briefing.
In an audio statement released Wednesday, Quiboloy accused the United States government of orchestrating a plan to assassinate him. He said the supposed scheme would involve hit men storming his compound to kidnap and eventually murder him.
He implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the kill plot, claiming Marcos was conspiring with the US to execute it.
Full Story at: No threat to Quiboloy’s life, says PNP (inquirer.net)
Suarez wants probe on 4Ps fund slash: It’s a law, not just a program | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker David Suarez has called for a congressional probe into the budget cut on the conditional cash transfer program in 2023, noting that this item is more than just a regular program of the government.
Suarez, in a press briefing on Thursday, noted that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a law, which means funding is required under the annual budget.
The cuts in the 4Ps amounting to P13 billion were attributed to Senator Imee Marcos by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon. Marcos, however, justified the move, saying that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the agency tasked to implement the 4Ps, admitted to utilizing only 45 percent of the 4Ps budget.
“Let us not forget, 4Ps is a law. It’s not just a regular program, it’s not just a project that comes and goes. It’s a law. It has specific beneficiaries. It has specific objectives, and therefore, the funding has to be secured to support the intent of the program,” Suarez stressed.
“Now of course, with this revelation that we found out a few days ago, I think it is incumbent upon the House to find out what effect it had on the program, and number two, about how many million Filipino households were affected by the realignment of funds from this program,” he added.
Suarez, however, is not the first lawmaker to call for a probe on the issue. On Wednesday, 4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos said that an investigation is necessary since a lot of possible 4Ps beneficiaries missed out on the aid because of Marcos’ budget cuts.
Full Story at: Suarez wants probe on 4Ps fund slash: It’s a law, not just a program (inquirer.net)
For most Filipinos, climate change threatens human health, mental well-being | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Eight in 10 Filipinos believe that climate change poses dangers to their physical and mental health, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released Thursday.
The December poll showed that 88% of the 1,200 people surveyed by the SWS perceived the impacts of climate change as dangerous to their physical health, while only 12% disagreed.
Similarly, 81% considered climate change a threat to their mental well-being. Only 19% said it is not a danger to their mental health.
Beyond its well-documented environmental impacts, climate change carries far-reaching implications for human health, with the World Health Organization calling it the single biggest threat facing humanity.
The climate crisis drives extreme weather events such as cyclones and intense heat waves, claiming lives, and fueling the spread of infectious and food-, water- and vector-borne diseases.
These disasters, coupled with uncertainty surrounding the future of the planet, also exacerbate mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
“Our fellow Filipinos have now spoken—climate change is a public health issue,” Dr. Renzo Guinto, chair of the Philippine Medical Association’s committee on environmental health and ecology, toldPhilstar.com.
Full Story at: For most Filipinos, climate change threatens human health, mental well-being | Philstar.com
Philippines rejects China’s claim of ‘repelling’ BFAR vessel in WPS | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday disputed China Coast Guard’s (CCG) claim that it had “repelled” a government vessel patrolling Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese state-run Global Times reported that the CCG had driven away a ship of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) when it “illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to China’s Huangyan Dao.” Beijing refers to Bajo de Masinloc as Huangyan Dao.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the PCG for West Philippine Sea matters, called the claim “inaccurate.”
“BFAR vessel, BRP DATU SANDAY, continues to patrol the waters of Bajo De Masinloc. Currently, the BFAR vessel is actively ensuring the security of Filipino fishermen in that area,” Tarriela said in a post on X.
Tarriela added that journalists were embedded in the BFAR vessel and can “confirm the accuracy of our statement” upon the completion of their mission.
Full Story at: Philippines rejects China’s claim of ‘repelling’ BFAR vessel in WPS | Philstar.com
