Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday allayed fears and debunked myths regarding the safety and effectiveness of contraceptives as the agency sought to encourage the public to practice family planning.

‘Until now, myths regarding contraceptives continue to flourish,’ the DOH said in a video presentation. ‘Many have become confused and afraid because of these rumors.’

Among the myths surrounding contraceptives that were pointed out by the DOH was the belief that birth control pills can cause cancer, which the agency stressed was not true.

‘Instead of causing cancer, studies have shown that [birth control] pills can help reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer,’ the DOH said, citing a report from the World Health Organization.

The DOH further noted that some people believe that taking birth control pills can lower a person’s sex drive. However, the agency pointed out that there has been no evidence to prove such claims, emphasizing that birth control pills are safe to use.

The DOH also addressed fears regarding ligation, which involves cutting or blocking a woman’s fallopian tubes, noting that some people believe that undergoing such procedure can weaken a person’s body.

‘That’s wrong. Ligation does not cause weakness or hormonal imbalance, nor does it affect a person’s sex drive or weight. It also does not involve removing a woman’s womb,’ the DOH said.

The DOH also noted that withdrawal during sexual activities do not effectively prevent pregnancies, pointing out that one out of five women who rely on such a method become pregnant within a year.

The agency said it was important to spread correct information regarding contraceptives so that couples would be aware of their options when practicing family planning, helping them attain their desired number of children and allowing women to determine the spacing of their pregnancies.

Some of these options include condoms, birth control pills and injectables, which prevent pregnancies in the short term. Long-term options, meanwhile, include implants and intrauterine devices, while permanent measures include ligation and vasectomy.

Previously, the DOH said more than 9 million women in the country were using family planning methods based on data from the agency. However, it also noted that only 0.1 percent of Filipinos have undergone vasectomy despite the measure being 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. /cb

Just days after Typhoon Opong exited the country, a new low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is now being monitored, the state weather agency said Tuesday.

As of 8 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the LPA is 1,360 east of Southeastern Luzon. It has a medium potential of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.

Pagasa said earlier that the cloud clusters could develop into an LPA that might affect northern Luzon. Once it becomes an LPA, it has a possibility of turning into a tropical cyclone from Sept. 29 to early October.

Meanwhile, Pagasa warned that Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon are expected to experience cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms due to easterlies.

Easterlies refer to winds that blow from the eastward direction, carrying warm and moist air from the Pacific Ocean to the Philippines. /das/abc

The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by TAPE Inc. in the Eat Bulaga copyright infringement lawsuit filed by TV hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) against the production company.

The CA affirmed that the trio owns the copyright of the audiovisual recordings and jingles of Eat Bulaga, which the company used without consent. The appeals court also ordered TAPE to pay damages and attorney’s fees totaling P3 million.

‘For having determined that TAPE committed unfair competition and copyright infringement, we sustain the RTC’s award in favor of TVJ, et al. the following amounts of PHP 2,000,000.00 as temperate damages, PHP 500,000.00 as exemplary damages, and PHP 500,000.00 as attorney’s fees pursuant to Sections 156.1 and 216.1 of the Intellectual Property Code as well as Article 2208(1)6 of the New Civil Code,’ a part of the decision read.

Senate President Tito also spoke about the ruling in a statement released by his office. ‘The decision upholds the earlier ruling recognizing TVJ as the copyright owners of the materials in question.’

The Intellectual Property Office (IPOPhl) favored TVJ in December 2023 and dismissed the trademark registration of TAPE for the names ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘EB.’

The following month, TVJ won their copyright infringement and unfair competition case against TAPE after the Marikina City Regional Trial Court ruled in favor of the trio

It was not an exposé but a script similar to that used by Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) and trolls on social media.

This was what Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said about Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero’s speech at the Senate on Monday where the latter alleged that he was behind the ploy to divert public anger over the flood control mess to senators.

‘I listened to the privilege speech of Sen. Chiz Escudero. With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a DDS script-the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Nothing new and no truth either,’ the former Speaker said in a statement released shortly after Escudero’s speech.

‘Instead of answering the serious questions he himself must face, Senator Escudero chose to deflect. He did not deny the allegations against him. He did not explain his own role in flood-control kickbacks. Instead of explaining, he just pointed fingers,’ Romualdez added.

‘Personal interest’

Romualdez, who stepped down as speaker on Sept. 17, said Escudero’s speech was not meant for the pursuit of accountability, but to ‘profess loyalty and service’ to Vice President Sara Duterte.

‘The truth is clear: Senator Escudero’s speech is not about accountability, but to push for his personal ambition,’ he said.

‘It was a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to Vice President Sara Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028. His true line of service is not for the truth, but for a personal interest and political plans,’ he added.

Escudero accused Romualdez of orchestrating a ‘sarswela’-a local theater and opera show that evolved from the Spanish zarzuela-to distract the public.

Cooperation

Romualdez, meanwhile, assured the public that he will cooperate with investigations.

‘For my part, I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation. My record can withstand scrutiny. I don’t have anything to hide. As for Senator Escudero, kung tunay na pananagutan ang hanap, sa presinto na siya magpaliwanag (if he is seeking real accountability, he should explain in the proper forum),’ he said.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Marcos condemned government officials and contractors who allegedly earned kickbacks at the expense of people suffering from heavy flooding even during mild rain showers. This led to congressional investigations and the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to probe alleged corruption in flood control projects. Romualdez has not been linked to any of the top companies that cornered big-ticket projects. He denied allegations that he received kickbacks, calling them ‘false’ and ‘pure fiction.’

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday called on Congress to prioritize several measures, including amendments to school-based feeding programs and the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act.

DepEd made the call during a meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, which was presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘In the New Philippines, we must ensure that every student has adequate nutrition, quality teachers, safe schools, and equal opportunities-whether they study in public or private institutions. These proposals are concrete steps to make sure that not a single learner is left behind,’ Education Sec. Sonny Angara said in Filipino in a statement.

The priority education bills endorsed to Congress include:

Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act (RA 11037): Expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program to 160 feeding days and universal feeding for Kindergarten to Grade 3; inclusion of marginalized groups such as indigenous learners and adolescent mothers; allowance of milk-based substitutes for the Milk Feeding Program; weekly micronutrient supplementation for female learners; and establishment of Central Kitchens in every School Division Office, among others.

Amendments to the E-GASTPE Act (RA 8545): Institutionalization of anti-fraud mechanisms through centralized verification, audits, whistleblower protection, and data- sharing with other agencies; expansion of voucher coverage to Kindergarten through Senior High School learners and teachers, among others.

Amendments to the Teacher Professionalization Act (RA 7836): Flexibility in creating distinct licensure examinations per teacher education program, diversification of the Board for Professional Teachers, and additional graduate quality assurance measures such as portfolio assessment and literacy and numeracy testing, among others.

Amendments to the Local Government Code – Special Education Fund (SEF): Raising the SEF levy from 1% to 2% of assessed property value and expanding allowable uses to cover operations of special education, IP and madrasah classes, open high schools, flexible learning, school site acquisition, and school building maintenance, among others.

Meanwhile, Angara also noted DepEd’s support of the Classroom Building Acceleration Bill to fast-track the construction of classrooms nationwide by providing flexibility and engaging more partners in the implementation.

According to Angara, strengthening these programs is essential to deliver better learning outcomes and to give every Filipino learner a fair chance at success.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said they need to know the address of former Marine Orly Regala Guteza so that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can serve him a subpoena.

Guteza is the former security aide of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. He was introduced before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last week by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

Marcoleta said former Quezon City Third District Rep. Michael Defensor introduced him to Guteza.

In his affidavit, Guteza tagged former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the flood control controversy, saying he delivered several suitcases containing ‘trash,’ their code for cash, to the houses of both Co and Romualdez.

Remulla said the last time he talked with Guteza was in the Senate, where the secretary was able to get a copy of the former Marine’s affidavit, a part of which stated that he wanted to enter the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

The appointment was scheduled for Guteza to be at the Department of Justice (DOJ) last Friday for an interview, but he failed to appear.

‘But here’s the thing: I talked with him to come here for that purpose. We’re going to ask for his address so we will have the NBI serve a subpoena, just to make everything crystal clear, right?’ Remulla asked.

However, since then, Remulla had no more communication with the ex-Marine.

‘Nothing,’ Remulla said when asked if he heard of Guteza again after the latter was a no-show at their supposed meeting last Friday.

‘We have no contact.So we are just hoping he is okay and that he can shed light on his affidavit,’ the secretary said.

Remulla said the people who presented Guteza in the Senate should stand by his testimony. ‘They shouldn’t let him go. Also, they should be responsible for him because a witness like that-it’s scary if they don’t bring him out again,’ he said. /apl

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon province has reminded business establishments to abide by the 60-day price freeze on basic goods following the September 17 flash floods that devastated at least eight barangays here.

DTI Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Christopher Diaz said the price freeze will remain until November 17, 2025, unless the state of calamity declared by the local government is lifted earlier.

The city government declared a state of calamity on September 19.

To ensure compliance, DTI-Bukidnon issued letters of inquiry to 10 major stores in the city after observing price changes, though no significant hikes are expected.

DTI urged consumers to report retailers selling above the prevailing prices.

Items covered by the price freeze include canned goods, milk (condensed, evaporated, and powdered), coffee, soap, noodles, bottled water, and iodized salt.

However, milk products classified as supplements or nutritional milk are excluded.

Diaz clarified that medicines, liquified petroleum gas, fuel, fish, and meat fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and Department of Energy.

Meanwhile, Josh Rey Caparoso of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO, who heads the rapid damage and needs assessment, said they are still receiving more information about flood-damaged vehicles, along with infrastructures, farms, houses, livestock, appliances, and other valuables.

He noted that figures continue to change due to the extensive destruction, with the final report expected this week.

As of September 29, five fatalities have been confirmed: Jaya Taña, 27; King Winston Adran, 13; Larry Labay, 53; Princess Kyarah Dacoycoy, 17; and Deejay Ark Taña Viña, 4.

Search and retrieval operations are ongoing for three missing individuals: Johnny Borbon, 63; Dina Consolacion, 48; and Andrea Vistal

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The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said it may look into banks after a congressional inquiry flagged large cash transactions linked to a flood control scandal, although the watchdog declined to say whether such an investigation was already underway.

The state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), meanwhile, ‘strongly refuted’ any insinuations of irregularity in its handling of government contractor accounts, stressing that all questioned transactions had complied with mandated procedures.

AMLC Executive Director Matthew David told the Inquirer that under its supervisory and investigative mandates, the council also examines potential administrative and criminal liabilities of covered entities, including banks and their employees, for compliance lapses.

Still, David stopped short of saying whether the AMLC had opened a specific probe, citing confidentiality rules.

Sanctions

But he said the AMLC may check whether banks and other covered entities were meeting their legal duties, including vetting clients under ‘know your customer’ rules, keeping proper records, and filing required transaction and suspicious activity reports on time.

‘Noncompliance with these obligations may result in enforcement actions under the Enforcement Action Guidelines, and administrative sanctions under the Rules of Procedure in Administrative Cases,’ David said, adding that failure to submit required reports may also give rise to liability under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

‘The AMLC remains committed to upholding the integrity of the financial system and ensuring that all covered entities adhere to their legal obligations in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing,’ he continued.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched its probe into potential vulnerabilities of concerned banks in relation to transactions involving flood control projects. The review, it said, was aimed at determining the scope of any lapses and holding lenders accountable where shortcomings are found.

The BSP opened the inquiry following explosive testimony in congressional hearings, where witnesses described large cash withdrawals and deliveries to lawmakers allegedly tied to irregular flood control projects.

Photos of stacks of banknotes submitted as evidence of kickbacks to legislators intensified public anger, sparking mass protests on Sept. 21. The AMLC has issued more than 700 freeze orders covering bank accounts, insurance policies and other assets of individuals linked to the alleged scheme.

At a Senate hearing on Sept. 25, senators questioned contractor Sally Santos, who admitted withdrawing P457 million in cash in just two days from a LandBank branch in Bulacan. Santos, owner of Syms Construction Trading, is among several contractors implicated in the flood control scandal.

Lawmakers also pressed Ma. Lilibeth Lim, the branch manager who authorized the withdrawal. Lim reasoned out that since the account was tied to a government agency, it was not treated as suspicious. Under existing laws, transactions involving P500,000 or more in cash must be reported to the AMLC as a covered transaction.

In a statement on Monday, LandBank said the funds were legitimate government allocations under the annual national budget law, not private or unverified sources. Therefore, it argued that the bank, ‘or any other financial institution, has no legal authority to block or question duly appropriated government disbursements.’

‘LandBank reiterates that its role is to faithfully execute banking transactions in accordance with law and regulatory standards, and not to assume investigatory functions outside its legal mandate,’ it added.

The validity of motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses expiring on September 30 will be extended to October 3, in consideration of those affected by inclement weather, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Tuesday.

‘The validity of all motor vehicle registration expiring on 30 September 2025 and driver’s license due for renewal on 30 September 2025 shall be extended and no penalties shall be collected until 03 October 2025,’ the memorandum signed by LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II read.

The LTO also scrapped penalties for delayed renewals of vehicle registration and driver’s licenses.

Similarly, those with traffic apprehension cases will also be given an extension to settle their matters.

‘The 15-day period for the settlement of traffic apprehension cases, effective 26 September 2025, shall be extended until 03 October 2025,’ the memorandum continued.

According to Mendoza, the aforementioned extensions were also due to cancellation of government work in Metro Manila and other areas affected by the past few cyclones and other weather systems.

‘Aside from Typhoon Opong that hit Bicol Region, Visayas and southern part of Luzon, heavy rains due to southwest monsoons, and tropical cyclones Mirasol and Nando resulted in cancellation of government works,’ the LTO said. /das