00:51.7
Thanks for joining us.
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For those of you watching us on YouTube and on Facebook,
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glad you could join us today.
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Our top story at this hour, the Philippines and France planning to deepen their defense cooperation.
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The two countries set to begin talks for a Visiting Forces Agreement next month.
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Back in December, top defense officials of the Philippines and France
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signed a letter of intent to boost security cooperation,
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including a commitment to start negotiations for a VFA.
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Such a deal would allow French forces to train with their Filipino counterparts.
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We will have an opportunity in May to maybe start officially the negotiations
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or at least discuss the modalities.
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The next meeting is May 20, May 21.
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So that's the perfect occasion to officially discuss the ways to negotiate the VFA.
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The French ambassador also highlighting the role of the Philippines in maintaining regional peace.
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And the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
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It's a region of critical importance.
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So it's also against this background that it was important for me to come to the Philippines.
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The Philippines is a key partner for France
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in the framework of our relationship with the Philippines.
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We have a very strong convergence in our assessment about the dynamic within the Indo-Pacific.
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You also, through the Indo-Pacific strategy,
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provide options to meet the challenges posed by the growing assertiveness of China.
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The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the U.S. and Australia,
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but it has been expanding defense ties with other allies as maritime tensions with China escalate.
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It recently signed separate defense cooperation deals with Canada and the U.K.
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It is also negotiating.
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A military access pact with Japan.
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Meanwhile, France officially joins the Philippines and the U.S.
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in this year's Balikatan exercises.
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And as Bianca Dava tells us,
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Washington and Manila are also considering holding joint security operations in the West Philippine Sea.
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The Philippines and the United States are considering joint maritime law enforcement operations
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within Manila's waters to promote a law-based order in the South China Sea.
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Top government officials from the two countries met for the 11th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C.
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and reiterated the need to maintain peace and security in the critical waterway.
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Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualde said this would be a first,
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but once it proceeds, the country hopes to encourage other allies such as Australia and Japan to join the initiative.
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Manila and Washington also agreed to strengthen engagement against false foreign interests,
04:24.1
a narrative encompassing all kinds of disinformation.
04:27.7
Obviously, the false narratives, every time something happens in the West Philippine Sea,
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China always says it's us who are putting up the aggressive behavior.
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On Thursday, the naval vessels of the Philippines, the U.S. and France
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set sail marking the start of the multilateral maritime exercise for this year's Balikatan.
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Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command Spokesperson Captain Ariel Coloma said,
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the Philippine Navy's BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz,
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the French Navy's FS Vandemir and the U.S. Navy's USS Harper's Ferry
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left Puerto Princesa City in Palawan Thursday morning.
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For the first time, the navies of the three countries will venture outside the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters of the Philippines,
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but still within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
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The drills include division tactics, officer-of-the-watch maneuvers,
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heavy exercise and photo exercise.
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They have lined up training activities, sir.
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In fact, upon reaching the eastern coast of Palawan,
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they will start their division tactics.
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They will be sailing together on the east coast,
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then going up north up to Mindoro Strait,
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The MME will run until April 29,
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after which participating ships will proceed to the respective maritime commitments.
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U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm believes,
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the Balikatan exercise is the perfect training ground for the Philippines' new defense concept.
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The official said,
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the largest annual bilateral exercise between the two countries
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will significantly contribute to the comprehensive archipelagic,
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defense concept earlier announced by the Department of National Defense.
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This, amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
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As we've undergone force design to operate as a naval expeditionary force in the littorals,
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we're bringing that capabilities over here.
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We have the Marine Littoral Regiment that's working here.
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That is a logical plug-in point for coastal defense.
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Cederholm noted that the Balikatan decision,
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this year, will focus on integrated air missile defense,
06:57.3
and other drills that will serve as a deterrent against external threats.
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As we improve our interoperability,
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as both the U.S. services and the AFP go through modernization efforts,
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it's important for us to be able to gather our forces together,
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figure out and constantly figure out how we integrate new capabilities,
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how we make our readiness better,
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how we communicate about those.
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The Philippine Navy on Tuesday reported the surge of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea
07:28.0
as the Philippines and the U.S. formally opened exercise Balikatan.
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But Balikatan exercise director Major General Marvin Licudini said,
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China's presence during the drills will not be a problem
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as long as the country adheres to international law.
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We considered the presence of the Chinese maritime militia in these areas,
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particularly in the EEZ part of the...
07:56.6
And I believe at the operational level and tactical level,
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the commanders have already taken into consideration
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within their planning how to address the problems on the militia.
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Aside from France,
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the Philippines and the U.S. will also conduct drills with Australia
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in this year's Balikatan.
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Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News.
08:23.4
China's activities in the West Philippine Sea
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among the key security issues discussed during a joint National Peace and Order Council meeting in Malacanang,
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presided over that meeting
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which tackled issues like maritime tensions, communist insurgency,
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cyber security and the drug problem.
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In a statement, Malacanang said China's activities in Manila's waters
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jeopardized the security of the Philippines
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through the obstruction of the country's naval operations
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and harassment of Filipino fisher folk.
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Officials also flagged what they called the use of engagements
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as warfare tactics to influence Filipinos.
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During the same meeting,
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the Interior and Local Government Department reported
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the peace and order situation in the country has improved
09:10.5
under the Marcos administration.
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It says from July 2022 to April 2024,
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the Philippine National Police recorded 71,544 crimes.
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That's significantly lower.
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From the more than 196,000 crimes recorded
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from the pre-pandemic years of 2016 to 2018.
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The agency points to sustained crime prevention programs
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and better coordination between the DILG and the police
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as reasons for the improving peace and order situation in the country.
09:43.6
Philippine law enforcement agencies investigate a deepfake audio
09:47.4
which mimics the voice of President Marcos.
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The government's IT department believes more of these deepfakes
09:52.9
may spread during the election season.
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Lady Vicentio reports.
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The Presidential Communications Office is coordinating with authorities
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for the investigation of a deepfake audio of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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The manipulated audio makes it sound like Marcos is authorizing the military
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to use force against China amid escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea.
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The Information and Communications Technology Department said
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this isn't the first time a deepfake audio is being used against the President.
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This isn't the first time a deepfake audio is being used against the President.
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This isn't the first time a deepfake audio is being used against the President.
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This isn't the first time a deepfake was used featuring a head of state.
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DICT has since reached out to video sharing website, YouTube,
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where the deepfake audio was uploaded.
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Even Putin, even Biden, even Trump, they do the same thing.
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They're the ones who choose these stupid cyber criminals.
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So we really need to be very, very careful.
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And when that happens, we immediately...
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communicate kung anong platform ang ginamit
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and inform those platforms that inaabuso ang kanilang platform
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sa ganitong pamamaraan to misinform the public and to deceive the public.
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Nakikipag-ungnayan na ang PCO sa DICT at saka sa NSC,
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sa National Security Council, para doon sa investigasyon.
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At nag-coordinate na rin sa Facebook, sa Google,
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sa lahat ng mga social media platforms na para matukoy,
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kung sino ba ang gumawa nito.
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Kasi baka hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas, baka may foreign intruders na gumawa nito.
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May hackers na garing pa sa ibang bansa.
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So iniimbestigahan po yan ang ating pamahalan.
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We warned more bad actors may resort to using deepfake
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with emergence of artificial intelligence.
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The ICT chief also advised the public to be vigilant and critical of what they see online.
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They call it a super election year because there are about 80 countries
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around the world that is conducting elections.
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One side will produce some deepfake to misinform the others
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para masway yung public opinion.
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The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is also investigating the source of the deepfake audio
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involving President Marcos.
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According to the PNP ACG, the YouTube account that uploaded the video
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has been deactivated, but another account with the same name reposted the video.
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A Facebook page bearing the same name, the same name of the video,
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was also discovered, with the primary country of its page managers
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set to Philippines and Pakistan.
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It was also found that the said page was posting fake articles.
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The PNP ACG warns bad actors creating deepfake videos
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could face illegal charges and imprisonment.
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The International Telecommunication Union, a specialized agency of the United Nations,
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emphasized the need to address the spread of deepfakes and other cybercrimes,
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not only to protect world leaders,
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but also for all members of the society.
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Deepfakes, misinformation, etc.
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So that is of concern to us.
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We have to keep society safe.
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And whether prominent or not prominent persons,
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they have to be protected online.
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Meanwhile, the DICT hopes for increased budgetary support
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to enhance its capacity in fighting cybercrime.
13:18.5
Lady Vicentio, ABS-CBN News.
13:22.8
Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian seeking a probe
13:26.0
into the reported payment by foreign students in Cagayan for degrees.
13:30.9
That's after security analyst Chester Cabalza claimed foreign students
13:34.5
in the province are paying up to 2 million pesos for the recognition.
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Some of them, Cabalza said, never even bothered to attend class.
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The allegation was made amid a surge in Chinese students in Cagayan,
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which hosts joint military facilities of Washington and Manila.
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This has raised concerns about potential Chinese
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espionage amid the maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing.
13:59.8
Hans-Leo Kakdak officially takes over the helm
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of the Philippine Migrant Workers Department.
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Kakdak has been serving as the officer in charge of the agency
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after Secretary Susan Toots-Ople passed away in August last year.
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Prior to his appointment as DMW Secretary,
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Kakdak also served as head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
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and undersecretary of the Labor Department.
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OFW Partylist Representative Marisa Magsino welcomes the appointment of Kakdak,
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calling him a veteran in public service.
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The Migrant Workers Department ramping up efforts to combat illegal recruitment activities
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in the country are very own Jackie Pascual reports.
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An immigration consultancy firm was closed down by the Department of Migrant Workers
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for alleged illegal recruitment.
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The firm's four branches located in Mandaluyong, Kabanatuan in Nueva Ecija,
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Lipa in Batangas,
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and Apalit in Pampanga were plastered with closure orders.
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The DMW says they sent an applicant to check
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if the agency is recruiting workers without a permit.
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Ang depensa nila, permanent residency track sila.
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Hindi OFW ang mga kliyente nila.
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Pero that's beside the point kasi kung permanent resident,
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edi dapat ang trabaho nila ay visa consultancy lang.
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Ibang kusapin yung aalukin mo ng trabaho, na hindi naman permanent resident ang status.
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Aside from having no permit, the agency allegedly also seeks a fee,
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which is illegal, especially for those heading to work in Canada.
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Paiba yung positions, caregiving, truck drivers, nurse aide, HR manager, factory worker,
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humihingi ng 110,000 professional fee.
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Pagka-interview, may may bayad na kaagad yan na 41,000.
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Yun, kapag halimbawa na kausap na daw ng employer, another 41,000.
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Kapag na-issuehan ng visa, another 41,000, or ng permit pala.
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And then, pagpaalis na, another 40,000.
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DMW now urges the public to always check if the recruitment agencies are legitimate
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because overseas Filipino workers will be given more protection
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if they undergo the legal process to work abroad.
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The department also warns the public to scrutinize and verify social media posts
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or recruitment services.
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For this year alone, meron na tayong OIC na napasara, na patik down through coordination with Facebook
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na 10,108 na illegal recruitment posts.
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Ganon din po sa TikTok, meron na rin tayong 4,863 posts from TikTok na pinapatik down natin
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because of these illegal recruitment activities.
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Number one badge of illegal recruitment, yung hindi mo nakikita yung nagre-recruit sa'yo.
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And number two, close second, naniningil ng pera.
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The case of the shot.
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The shuttered agency will be brought to the Justice Department for prosecution.
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The DMW also vows to monitor social media posts from questionable recruiters.
17:01.9
Jackie Pascual, ABS-CBN News.
17:06.4
Senator J.V. Ejercito has filed a resolution seeking to probe what he calls a pyramiding scheme
17:12.0
between doctors and pharmaceutical firms.
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Ejercito said he has spoken to whistleblowers who claim firms are recruiting doctors
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to prescribe their products.
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In exchange for luxurious rewards.
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The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, or PHAP, sent us this statement.
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The group reiterated its firm commitment to ethical and professional conduct in all of its interactions.
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PHAP says it is appalled by reports some of those in the pharmaceutical industry are not abiding
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by laws and regulations governing their business practices.
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The group adds such reports must be thoroughly investigated.
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Joining us now to give their reaction to this controversy, Dr. Minerva Kalimag.
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She is the president of the Philippine Medical Association.
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Dr. Kalimag, thank you for joining us today and welcome to the program.
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I appreciate you coming to our show today.
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Thank you, Ben, for the opportunity to talk about it.
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Okay, let's talk about it.
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Indeed, Dr. Kalimag.
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You know, big pharmaceutical companies using doctors to further their interests.
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This is nothing new.
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We've heard this.
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This happened in the past.
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But this alleged pyramiding scheme involving doctors and this pharmaceutical firm,
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what do you make of it, Dr. Kalimag?
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Actually, bumulaga ito sa atin.
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Bigla na lang because of the whistleblower.
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So, ang importante kasi sa ating lahat.
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We should be very vigilant as physicians.
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I think kailangan natin.
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Kung baga, i-critically look at yung mga ganong alok.
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Kasi once inaluka ng ganyan,
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nagkakaroon tayo ng tinatawag natin na conflict of interest.
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And pagka ganun ang nangyari,
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importante na alam natin kung kailan natin ipiprescribe ang mga gamot.
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So, dahil may bested ka dun sa...
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sa kumpanya, you might be required to actually prescribe the medication.
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Ang mga drug companies kasi, meron silang nilalagdaan na Mexico City Principal.
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At yung mga device companies, yung Kuala Lumpur Principal.
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Kailangan dun na magkaroon tayo ng transparency in all our transactions
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among physicians, sa mga hospitals.
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Ang ating kailangang pangalagaan.
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Kasi, ang pagdodoktor kasi ay isang bokasyon na bigay buhay at hindi hanap buhay.
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Kung baga na, tayo ay tinatrust.
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Trust is the bedrock.
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And integrity ang ating puhunan para ang ating mga pasyente ay gumaling
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at magtiwala sila sa atin.
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So, yun ang take ng Philippine Medical Association dyan.
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Meron tayo rin...
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Sorry to cut you there, Dr. Kalimagno.
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Pero sa lahat po nang sinabi ninyo, bakit sa tingin ninyo ay meron pa rin mga ganitong kaganapan?
20:32.1
And how will the Philippine Medical Association deal with this?
20:37.0
Kasi, alam nyo, pag ang tao nakita nila na vulnerable,
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alam nila na pwedeng maloko pa ito.
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O kaya, yung talagang nag-iisip tayo na gusto natin kumita kaagad, no?
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Nadidetect yan ng mga oportunista.
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So, tayo, pwede tayong lapitan, no?
21:06.2
Tapos, maano na tayo?
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Masasama na tayo sa kanilang maling gawain, no?
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Siguro dapat tayo, no?
21:19.1
Lakasan natin ang ating mga loob, no?
21:21.4
Para nang sa ganun, sabihan natin sila na mali rin yung ginagawa nila, diba?
21:30.4
Magkakaroon, syempre, tayo ng investigation dahil meron tayong Commission on Ethics sa PMA.
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Lahat kasi ng doktor, whether PMA or hindi PMA members, are under the Code of Ethics.
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Ito po ay code na hindi lamang para sa mga PMA members,
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dahil ito po ay nasanib ang Professional Regulation Commission na naglagdaan itong Code of Ethics na ito.
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Pati ang PRC, no?
22:04.8
Mag-iimbestiga din dyan.
22:06.6
Pag sinabi niyo pong mag-iimbestiga, kailan niyo ito sisimulan?
22:12.3
At meron na ho ba kayong shortlist ng iimbestigahan niyo po?
22:16.3
Ang kailangan kasi, may mag-file din, no?
22:21.2
Ang complaint sa Philippine Medical Association.
22:25.0
Hindi po tayo kasi pwedeng mag-point ng fingers, kasi hindi naman natin alam kung sino-sino sila.
22:31.2
So, kailangan na malaman natin, no?
22:37.8
Sa ngayon, kasi naghahanap pa tayo ng kung sino na matatanong natin, no?
22:43.1
Malalaman natin, kasi biglang ang bumulaga sa atin ito.
22:46.4
Pero tingin niyo ba, Dr. Kalimang, tingin niyo ba ay merong mga doktor,
22:53.7
Nabanggain ang kapwa nila ng mga doktor?
22:58.4
Ang importante kasi, ano eh, have we crossed the line, di ba?
23:06.3
Para saan pa ang code of ethics, di ba?
23:10.7
Kung hindi naman pala siya susundin, di ba?
23:13.9
So, regardless kung ang PMA ang gagawa niyan o ang Professional Regulation Commission,
23:21.2
magtutulungan po tayo, no?
23:26.2
Kasi yung mga ganyan na usapin, talagang kasama natin ang PMA at PRC pagdating sa gawain ng mga doktor.
23:36.4
Ang kumpanya kasi, kung nagkocross sila dun sa Department of Health, di ba?
23:42.9
So, the FDA naman ang nagbibigay sa kanila ng lisensya.
23:51.2
Para mag-push ng mga gamot, di ba?
23:56.5
So, through the FDA, the DOH can also do that.
24:01.6
So, marami lang talagang misguided.
24:05.9
Dr. Kalimang, pwede ho bang gawin?
24:08.6
Because we're trying to see here what's in the power of the PMA to investigate your own, di ba?
24:15.6
Ang sabi niyo po kanina, kailangan merong mag-file ng complaint.
24:21.2
So, wala po kayong magagawa.
24:22.7
Kailangan may nakalagay dun na pangalan, ganun ho ba, doctor's names, bago ho kayo mag-imbestiga at bago kayo magtanong?
24:33.8
Kasi pwede kaming maka, may motopropyo din, ano?
24:38.6
Subalit, kailangan natin malaman kung ano yung extent ng kanilang involvement.
24:42.9
Kasi hindi naman lahat ng yan ay, kumbaga, ang nagsimula, no?
24:49.4
Kasi kailangan malaman din natin.
24:51.1
Kung saan ang simula, yung kagawian na yan o yung practice na ganyan, ano?
24:57.3
Kasi hindi naman namin tinuturo yan sa medisina, no?
25:00.7
Na mag-pyramiding tayo.
25:04.0
Alam naman natin, yung pyramiding, kahit hindi gamot ang gamitin mo, it is not good, di ba?
25:13.5
Ang dami na, na Ponzi scheme, na ganyan.
25:15.9
So, ang importante, malaman natin.
25:21.1
Kung saan talaga yan nagsimula, no?
25:23.1
Meron ho bang pumipigil sa PMA na halimbawa ay dumiretsyo na doon sa pharmaceutical company na tinutuko, yung Belkens,
25:33.9
para tanungin sa kanila, sino ang mga doktor na nabigyan nila through their medical representatives nung kanilang mga produkto?
25:45.0
Pwede ho bang ganun magsimula ang imbestigasyon?
25:48.1
Wala kasing ano tayo eh.
25:51.1
Hold doon sa kumpanya, no?
25:53.2
Kung baga, business ethics nila yun.
25:55.3
Dapat sumusunod din sila sa ethics ng pharmaceutical industry, kagaya nga nung binitawang mga salita ng PHAP, di ba?
26:05.2
So, kung tayo didiretsyo sa kanila, hindi natin sila saklaw, di ba?
26:12.6
Pero, tita, tanungin nyo lang naman yung pangalan ng mga doktor na nabentahan nila.
26:19.3
Meron din kasi tayong data.
26:21.1
Privacy Act, di ba?
26:23.2
Hindi rin natin sila pwedeng basta kasabihin natin na, oh, sino-sino, no?
26:29.4
Sasabihin nila, we are sworn to secrecy based on the Data Privacy Act.
26:35.1
So, paano nyo ho makukuha yung listahan ng mga doktor?
26:42.9
Nandiyan na po si Senator JBR, si Tono.
26:48.1
Abangan natin ang kanyang mga pronouncements.
26:51.1
After the Senate Inquiry.
26:56.8
Kasi, this is above all of us sa tingin natin, no?
27:02.8
And, of course, yun nga, paano natin sisimulan?
27:08.9
Yun ang tanong mo, eh.
27:09.8
Yun talaga ang, ano, di ba?
27:13.2
Parang sa, kaya ako, ang Philippine Medical Association,
27:18.8
naglabas tayo ng isang open letter.
27:21.1
Para nang sa ganun, wala nang iba pang madamay, no?
27:25.8
Kasi nga, importante yung ating tinatawag na integrity, di ba?
27:30.8
Eh, kung magpapaloko nga tayo, sabi nga, magpapabudol tayo, di ba?
27:36.0
Eh, mapapariwara tayo, di ba?
27:40.2
Ano kaya ang nagiging epekto nito po sa inyong asosasyon?
27:44.4
Because on the one hand, right, members or not,
27:49.4
you look after each other din po.
27:51.1
Kasi, di ba, isa po kayong pamilya.
27:54.1
Pero kapag ganitong may nagkamali na miyembro ng pamilya ninyo,
27:58.1
makakaasa ho ba ang publiko na hindi nyo pagtatakpan, ipagtatanggol,
28:04.1
kung mapatunayan nga na itong mga doktor na ito,
28:07.3
in your own words, have crossed the line?
28:13.1
Makakarating po tayo dyan, no?
28:14.6
Ang importante po ay magtutulungan tayo.
28:18.0
Kasi hindi po hindi namin kaya ng kami-kami lang, di ba?
28:21.1
So, ang importante po kasi is meron ding magwi-whistle-blow on the side of the doctors, no?
28:33.8
Sabi mo nga, isang pamilya, sa isang pamilya,
28:38.4
ang nasasaktan dito is actually the whole medical profession, no?
28:44.0
Kaya nga sinasabi natin, huwag din naman nating lalahatin
28:47.3
kasi kapag merong nagkamali,
28:50.3
hindi naman lahat ng buong profesyon ng pagdodoktor eh kasapi na, di ba?
28:57.3
Kaya nga ang pumapinalabas natin na letter ay a call, no?
29:05.5
For all physicians to be strong enough to defend themselves against these unethical practices, no?
29:18.6
Oh, what makes them vulnerable to begin with?
29:23.2
Ah, pwedeng bata pa sila, no?
29:26.9
Although, sasabihin mo, marami din matanda dyan, ano?
29:29.7
Baka matanda nga nag-isip ng style na to eh, no?
29:33.6
So, ah, yung mga kabataan, bagong graduate,
29:39.5
ah, uumpisa pa lang ng practice, no?
29:43.3
So, kung tingin nila we are vulnerable,
29:45.6
sinabi ko rin sa sulat ko yan,
29:48.6
gullible, madali tayong maloko,
29:51.6
or tingin nila, uy, kakagat yan, no?
29:55.1
Kasi, kasi, ah, siguro, ah, very attractive yung ating mga ibibigay sa kanila.
30:02.0
Yun naman eh, human behavior yan eh, di ba?
30:04.6
But it's unacceptable, Dr. Kalima, di ba?
30:07.2
Yes, it's unacceptable.
30:08.4
Even if it's human behavior, go ahead.
30:11.1
Yeah, it's unacceptable and unacceptable naman yung human behavior, di ba?
30:15.5
So, kaya nga sabi natin, kailangan matutunan,
30:18.6
ito tayo na, ah, mag-detect, masama ba ito?
30:23.2
Is there conflict of interest?
30:24.9
Kasi pag nagtanong tayo, masama ba ito? Tama ba ito?
30:28.4
Once you get into the part na nagtatanong ka na sa sarili mo, tama ba ito?
30:34.4
Then there is probably conflict of interest, dahil binabagabag ka ng konsensya mo eh, di ba?
30:39.4
So, yan ang tinuturo naman natin sa, sa medical school, di ba?
30:45.5
Meron tayong ethics sa medical school.
30:48.6
So, ah, kung magpapagala tayo sa kanila, talagang mapapariwara tayo.
30:56.6
On the part of the patients though, ah, Dr. Kalimag, ano ho kaya ang pwedeng sabihin?
31:02.1
Ano naman ang pwedeng gawin ng mga pasyente kung tingin nila ay pinipilit sila na yun lamang ang bilhin ng mga medisina para sa kanilang mga sarili?
31:15.3
So, sa lahat naman ng mga pasyente, kung sa tingin ninyo,
31:18.4
hindi kayo gumagaling doon sa gamot na ibinigay sa inyo, di ba?
31:22.4
Ah, ano din natin yan ah, tanongin natin yung doktor, bakit po ba? Ilang araw na, hindi pa ako gumagaling.
31:30.4
Marami din pong doktor na pwede tayong ibang lapitan, no?
31:35.4
At ah, ah, konsultahin. Kaya nga tayo may tinatawag na second and third opinion, di ba?
31:43.4
Kasi minsan, parang halos binibentahan ka na ng gamot.
31:48.4
Meron din, meron din mga ganyan. So, kailangan talaga ah.
31:53.4
Pero Dr. Kalimag, hindi naman po lahat ng ating mga kababayan ay mayroong resources para pumunta sa iba't ibang doktor para lamang makakuha ng second, third opinion, hindi ba?
32:08.4
So, on the first try, you would hope that the care that is due you should be given right away, hindi po ba?
32:18.4
Tama rin naman, tama din yan, di ba? So, talagang kaya nga ang sabi natin, ah, sama-sama tayo na magtulungan, no?
32:29.4
Dahil kasi ah, hindi rin naman ah, makakausad dyan kung hindi natin sila tatangkilikin, di ba?
32:38.4
So, ah, yun nga ang sinasabi natin, itong ano na to, itong mga pangyayari na to, na i-erode yung trust and confidence ng mga pasyente.
32:48.4
Sa, sa, panggagamot, di ba? Kaya ka pumupunta sa doktor dahil may sakit ka, no?
32:56.4
So, ah, hindi naman po lahat ng doktor ay ganyan, no?
33:02.4
So, ah, go to the doctor, dun sa doktor na sa tingin mo ay maaasahan mo at bibigyan ka ng, ah, ah, tamang gamot at panggagamot.
33:17.4
Finally, ah, Dr. Kalimag, balikan ko lang yung sinabi niyo po kanina na kayo rin po sa PMA ay, ah, ah, maglulunsan po ng investigasyon.
33:28.4
Pero kung wala ngang lalapit, if there's no one who will come forward to name certain doctors, right?
33:38.4
Kung walang whistleblower po sa mismong PMA, paano ho kayo makakapag-imbestigan on your own?
33:47.4
Ang ibig sabihin ba nito ay hindi na kayo makakapag-imbestiga on your own and you'll just rely on the Senate investigation that will be headed by Sen. J.V. Ejercito?
33:58.4
Ah, meron din naman tayong mga resources, no? Para matukoy natin kung sino-sino sila.
34:06.4
And, ah, yun nga, ah, importante kasi na magtulong-tulong tayo kasi hindi naman din kami pwedeng basta lalapitan na ikaw ba'y ganyan, ano?
34:16.4
Kasi, ah, we cannot name names also. Hindi rin kami pwedeng magbigay ng pangalan, di ba? Kasi iba naman ang ikakaso nila sa amin.
34:24.4
So, importante na, ah, magkaintindihan, no, kung ano ba ang, ah, alam nyo, we do not blame people, eh, no?
34:37.4
Ang talagang kinokondem natin dito ay yung practice, no? Kasi, ang importante kasi sa atin sa medisina, eh,
34:44.4
Kasi, ang importante kasi sa atin sa medisina, eh, ang talagang kinokondem natin dito ay yung practice. Kasi, ang importante kasi sa atin sa medisina, eh,
34:45.4
Kaya sa medisina ay yung alam natin ang diagnosis, ano ba ang unang gamot na ating inibigay,
34:53.8
papano ba yan, kaya nga may mga evidence-based clinical practice guidelines pa kami,
34:59.0
pinagtutuunan namin ang pansin yan, tapos hindi lahat ng gamot ay available pati sa mga government hospitals.
35:09.2
So, ginagawa naman natin ang lahat ng ating, may mga ethics sa ano rin tayo.
35:18.2
So, alam nyo, malaking usapin nito eh.
35:24.4
But again, I go back to just what you said just a few seconds ago.
35:29.4
Sabi nyo po, you don't blame people but the practice.
35:32.3
But that practice, Dr. Kalimag, won't be perfected if there aren't any people involved.
35:38.5
How does that make sense?
35:42.7
So, ano, Carmina, pwede tayo mag-usap hanggang bukas.
35:49.3
Kungkul dito, tama yung sinabi mo, ang lahat naman ng gawain ay gawain din ng tao, di ba?
35:57.0
So, sinasabi natin na hindi yan mapaperfect kung wala rin magpapaloko o kung wala rin namang kakampi sa kanila, di ba?
36:06.2
So, yun ang aayos.
36:08.5
Aayosin natin, no?
36:10.1
Kasi, meron lang root cause.
36:14.7
Sa lahat ng bagay, meron tayong tinatawag na root cause.
36:19.5
You can go back to all the statements that I say, paulit-ulit, di ba?
36:24.2
And, ang importante kasi talaga is character ng tao.
36:31.4
Yun ang dapat nating pagtuuna ng pansin.
36:34.7
Kasi nga, kapag ang character natin ay weak, no?
36:38.5
Yun ang sinasabi nating vulnerabilities.
36:41.5
Madali tayong masway.
36:43.8
Yan, dyan tayo magkakaroon ng problema.
36:47.2
Huwag na nating idiin, no?
36:50.9
Siyempre, alam natin, no?
36:53.0
Lahat ng sinabi ko, pwede nating paulit-ulit na sabihin, no?
37:02.2
Importante lang talaga nagsimula ang lahat sa tao.
37:06.4
Sa tao na kailangan.
37:08.5
Sa tao na kailangan ay strong ang kanyang integrity, moral compass, no?
37:15.5
At, dyan naman ang itinuturo nga natin sa lahat ng mga mga gamot na lumalabas sa medical school.
37:21.7
So, panawagan natin doon sa mga drug companies na ganyan ang ugali.
37:30.9
Ayusin din natin ang inyong pamamalakan.
37:35.2
Okay, we're gonna have to leave it at that.
37:37.1
Dr. Minerva Calimero.
37:38.5
Dr. Minerva Calimero, president of the Philippine Medical Association.
37:40.9
Thanks again for joining us this noon.
37:45.3
Right, from there, we're gonna take a quick break.
37:47.1
Up ahead, the Philippine Energy Department admits the power situation in the country can now be considered a calamity.
37:53.3
The details when we return.
37:54.6
You're watching Dateline Philippines here on AMC.
38:08.5
You're watching Dateline Philippines here on AMC.
38:42.4
Thank you very much.
38:48.3
I appreciate you.
38:53.5
Thank you very much.
38:54.8
Enjoy your place, government years.
39:08.5
Back with more news calls for a four-day workweek revived, this time due to the extreme heat.
39:29.1
Victoria Tula tells us more.
39:30.7
Every day, Christine Mateo spends about two hours traveling from Marilao, Bulacan to the travel agency she works for in Quezon City.
39:40.2
This is no easy commute, especially with the extreme heat.
39:44.1
Because of this, Christine supports suggestions of a four-day workweek.
39:48.8
Instead of working eight hours a day, she will be on duty for ten hours a day.
40:00.7
The local government of Bacnotan Town in La Union has already ordered a four-day workweek among its employees since April 15
40:14.5
to protect them and the public amid sweltering temperatures.
40:18.5
According to the Civil Service Commission or CSC,
40:20.9
the four-day workweek is an option available to government employees under the flexible work arrangements.
40:27.0
This can be implemented on days when there is extreme heat
40:30.0
or during times of calamities.
40:32.6
The Civil Service Commission, however, has a strict reminder to government personnel.
40:53.6
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines does not see any problem
40:57.3
with the four-day workweek among government and private sector.
40:60.0
It emphasizes, though, the need to consider their salaries and health.
41:17.9
According to the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines or ECOP,
41:24.0
the four-day workweek might affect the economy as investors may not look at it favorably.
41:30.0
ECOP says it will be better to allow companies to craft their own policies in beating the heat.
41:45.8
The Department of Labor and Employment is ready to help in making these guidelines.
41:50.7
According to Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma,
41:53.2
the flexible work arrangement helps a person's work-life balance,
41:56.9
but other concerns must also be taken into consideration.
41:60.0
You cannot have one-size-fits-all.
42:03.6
You really need to talk well so that you can avoid misunderstandings and file cases.
42:13.5
Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News.
42:20.3
The Energy Department admits the country is already facing a power crisis
42:24.8
with more alerts expected until next month.
42:27.7
Alvin El Chico reports.
42:30.0
As the country sizzles due to the intense heat,
42:34.7
power consumption rose to its highest level this year,
42:37.7
even surpassing the projected peak demand for the summer season.
42:41.4
The Energy Department still sees some yellow and even red alerts
42:45.0
in the power grid until the middle of May.
42:47.9
In the next few weeks until the middle of May,
42:52.5
we are going to have yellow alerts and possibly red alerts in some areas.
42:58.2
If none of our power grid is in the middle of May,
42:60.0
if the plants are going to go offline,
43:02.7
then perhaps it's just yellow alert.
43:04.6
Energy Secretary Rafael Utili admits
43:06.8
the current state of power supply in the country
43:09.8
can be considered a crisis situation,
43:12.8
which he likens to a calamity.
43:15.0
Do you consider our situation to be already in crisis mode?
43:21.6
Well, it remains a challenge, right?
43:25.1
It's a calamity and we are responding to it.
43:30.0
The good news is there are a number of new power facilities
43:36.0
that are scheduled to be online running this year,
43:39.5
including coal-fired power and renewable energy plants.
43:43.5
More than 4,000 megawatts will come online this 2024.
43:48.8
Of the expected capacities, 4,030 megawatts are in Luzon,
43:54.3
80.25 megawatts are in Visayas,
43:57.1
and 52.5 megawatts are in Luzon.
43:60.0
That's why Utili is confident
44:02.5
the series of yellow and red alerts
44:04.5
will not be repeated during the hotter months next year.
44:08.4
Then we will have adequate supply for next year.
44:15.5
And next year, it's La Niña that we are facing,
44:19.8
not really El Niño.
44:21.8
And therefore, the derated hydro...
44:30.0
Hydropower plants are likely to be performing optimally.
44:37.3
But for now, Dutiria says,
44:39.8
no one can stop the intense hot weather,
44:42.5
so the appeal is for consumers to remain energy efficient
44:45.9
in order to manage demand
44:47.6
that can prevent power interruptions from happening.
44:50.8
If I had the power to bring on the rains
44:55.3
by doing a rain dance,
44:56.8
I will be the first to do so.
44:60.0
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission
45:02.4
has called on operators of six power plants
45:05.7
to provide information related to its probe
45:08.8
on the series of yellow and red alerts
45:11.1
in the Luzon and Visayas grids last week.
45:14.0
The ERC has monitored an almost 50% increase
45:17.0
in electricity prices at the spot market last week
45:20.3
due to the tightness in power supply.
45:23.4
Alvin Olchico, ABS-CBN News.
45:27.9
Over at the upper chamber,
45:29.3
Senator Rafi Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy,
45:32.6
has filed a resolution seeking a probe
45:35.5
on the power supply woes in the country.
45:38.0
He says proper interventions must be taken
45:40.7
to ensure enough power supply and prevent more outages.
45:45.3
A slight rollback in oil prices expected next week,
45:48.9
the Philippine Energy Department says
45:50.3
kerosene may see the biggest drop
45:52.5
of as much as 90 centavos per liter,
45:55.2
while gasoline and diesel may fall by 40 centavos.
45:59.3
tributes the price adjustments
46:00.6
to what it calls easing geopolitical tensions
46:03.6
after Iran said it has no retaliation plan against Israel.
46:09.8
Women's groups led by the Gabriela Party List
46:12.4
held a forum this morning
46:13.7
on the ongoing Balikatan exercises.
46:16.2
Their very own Vivian Gullia now joins us with details.
46:18.8
Viv, over to you.
46:19.5
What more can you tell us?
46:22.3
Groups advocating for the rights of women
46:24.4
and the LGBTQIA community
46:27.0
expressed this Friday
46:28.7
their opposition to the bill.
46:29.1
Their opposition to the ongoing Balikatan exercises
46:32.2
between the Philippines and the United States
46:34.9
in the West Philippine Sea.
46:36.8
In a forum in Quezon City this morning,
46:39.5
representatives of Gabriela, Lila Pilipina, and Bahaghari
46:43.4
rang bells with pink and violet ribbons
46:46.2
as they chanted no to war.
46:49.1
Gabriela Party List representative Arlene Bross
46:51.3
has said the Balikatan exercises
46:52.8
are fueling tensions in the contested waters.
46:56.4
The group is planning to file a resolution
46:58.4
before the House of Representatives
46:60.0
to conduct an inquiry into the activities
47:02.7
that are part of this year's Balikatan exercises
47:05.6
which they view as a provocation
47:08.3
to military conflict.
47:10.4
Lila Pilipina's Estelita D. Minwal
47:12.7
is worried about a possible repeat
47:15.0
of their experience as comfort women
47:16.8
during the Second World War
47:18.4
should her intention escalate into war.
47:21.9
Gabriela also expressed concern
47:23.7
over the reported disruption
47:25.1
of the livelihood of local farmers
47:27.2
and fisherfolk and community members.
47:28.4
Gabriela Party List representative Arlene Bross
47:58.4
has said the Balikatan exercises
47:59.4
are fueling tensions in the contested waters
47:59.7
and that the exercises are adjusted
48:02.7
depending on current needs.
48:05.0
Camina, back to you.
48:06.4
Thanks a lot, Vivian Guglia there
48:07.8
joining us on the line
48:08.8
and back here in the newsroom
48:09.8
moving now to the latest in sports.
48:12.2
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid
48:14.5
dominates New York Knicks
48:15.9
in Philadelphia's 125-114 win
48:18.8
in the first round playoff series.
48:21.0
The Sixers center dropped 50 points
48:23.4
allowing the Sixers to cut their series deficit
48:25.9
two games to one.
48:28.3
NBA MVP Joel Embiid
48:28.4
is just the third player in NBA history
48:30.7
to score at least 50 points against
48:32.6
the Knicks in the postseason.
48:34.9
Game 4 will be played Sunday
48:36.4
still in Philadelphia.
48:50.9
That'll do it for today. Thanks for joining us.
48:52.9
I'm Carmina Constantino. If you want to visit
48:54.7
this episode, you can
48:56.6
playback this newscast on our YouTube channel
48:58.8
and on AMC 24-7 on Facebook.
49:01.0
Keep well. Keep it here on the news channel.
