Abbey M.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. simply smiled when singer-actress Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan made a joke at an event attended by the President and First Lady Liza Marcos.

The veteran actress's quip was related to the President's running mate during the May 2022 elections.

According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, Malacañang respects the opinion of Ate Shawie.

During the event, Cuneta told the President that she only has one vice president, her date for the night. She then joked about making the wrong choice before quickly moving on.

"Sir, I only have one vice president, my date tonight. Wrong your choice, no?! Sorry, okay, okay, let's move on,” Cuneta said. 

["Sir, I only have one vice president, my date tonight. Wrong your choice, right?! Sorry, okay, okay, let's move on."]

Undersecretary Castro addressed the comment, stating that if that is the opinion of Ms. Sharon Cuneta, and likely many fellow Filipinos feel the same way, then that is her opinion. She noted that the President simply smiled in response.

"Kung iyon po ang opinyon ni Ate Shawie, ni Ms. Sharon Cuneta at malamang karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay iyan din po ang nararamdaman. So, opinyon po iyon ni Ms. Sharon Cuneta at nakita po natin na napangiti lamang ang ating Pangulo,” Usec. Castro noted.

["If that is the opinion of Ate Shawie, of Ms. Sharon Cuneta, and likely many of our fellow Filipinos feel the same way, that is Ms. Sharon Cuneta's opinion and we saw that our President simply smiled."]

The Philippines is facing a growing health crisis as chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to affect an increasing number of Filipinos, with cases now alarmingly affecting younger people and even children.

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Medical Economics paints a worrying picture: approximately 12.94 million Filipinos are living with various stages of CKD, with one Filipino developing chronic renal failure every hour. To put this in perspective, the prevalence of CKD in the Philippines is 35.94%, more than three times higher than the global average.

Recent data from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute shows just how fast the problem is growing. The number of Filipinos undergoing dialysis jumped to 64,845 in 2024, a 22% increase in just one year. Kidney disease now ranks among the top ten causes of death in the country.

What's causing this? Health experts point to two major culprits: high blood pressure and diabetes. According to the Philippine Renal Disease Registry, these two conditions account for the majority of kidney disease cases in the country. 

But lifestyle factors also play a huge role. Recent cases have shown teenagers and children as young as nine years old diagnosed with advanced CKD. Many of them grew up eating mostly junk food and soft drinks while rarely drinking water.

The financial toll on Filipino families is crushing. A recent cost study found that managing CKD can cost over PHP 100,000 per year per patient, and that's not even including complications. For those who need dialysis, which most patients do, the sessions last four hours and must be done several times a week. Many families struggle to keep up with these expenses, and kidney transplants remain out of reach for most due to cost and the lack of available donors.

The tricky part about kidney disease is that in its early stages, you might not feel anything wrong at all. By the time symptoms appear like constant tiredness, swollen feet and ankles, changes in urination, or persistent nausea, the disease may have already progressed significantly.

The good news? CKD is largely preventable. Simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference: eat more fruits and vegetables, cut back on processed and salty foods, drink plenty of water instead of soft drinks, exercise regularly, and get regular checkups to monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar. 

For those with diabetes or hypertension, keeping these conditions under control is crucial to protecting your kidneys.

With cases rising so rapidly, especially among the young, health experts are urging Filipinos to take kidney health seriously before it's too late.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the administration's commitment to supporting the agriculture sector to ensure the country's food supply.

According to the President, the government has allocated a substantial budget this year to assist the sector, particularly farmers.

"This means more infrastructure and modern machinery for our hardworking farmers, who are relied upon not only by Zamboanga Peninsula but by the entire Philippines for what we call our food supply," Marcos said.

("Ibig sabihin ay mas maraming imprastraktura at modernong makinarya para sa ating mga masisipag na magsasaka na inaasahan hindi lamang ng Zamboanga Peninsula kung hindi ng buong Pilipinas para sa ating tinatawag na food supply.")

The government has allocated 300 billion pesos for various programs and projects in the agriculture sector.

With this budget, President Marcos said farmers can expect more infrastructure and modern machinery, a significant boost especially for those in the farming community.

The President made this announcement during the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated Mahayag Dam in Zamboanga del Sur earlier today.

Under the Department of Agriculture's budget, 33 billion pesos has been allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, while 731 million pesos has been earmarked for small-scale irrigation projects.

According to President Marcos, the administration will focus on areas with large farming populations and provinces known for producing abundant agricultural products.

"Our priority is provinces that harvest rice, corn, high-value crops, and areas where many farmers are registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. Most of all, we're focusing on regions where many farmers are most in need," the President said.

("Prayoridad natin ang mga probinsyang umaani ng bigas, mais, mga high value crops, at ang mga lugar kung saan marami sa mga magsasaka ay rehistrado sa ilalim ng Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. Higit sa lahat, tinututukan natin ang mga rehiyon kung saan marami sa mga magsasaka ang higit na nangangailangan.")

Marcos also renewed his commitment to helping farmers improve their livelihoods.

"You can count on this administration to continue providing our farmers with faster access to various technologies, training, and support to uplift and make your lives more comfortable," he assured.

("Makaaasa po kayong patuloy ang Administrasyong ito sa pagbibigay sa ating mga magsasaka ng mas mabilis na access sa ganiyang sari-saring teknolohiya, sa sari-saring pagsasanay, suporta pa para umangat at maging mas maginhawa pa ang inyong mga buhay.")

Meanwhile, President Marcos met with governors of provinces severely affected by Typhoon Basyang at Malacañang.

The President ordered the early release of funds even before disasters strike, the simplification of processes to expedite aid distribution, and the swift distribution of seeds so farmers can immediately resume planting.

Marcos' directives also include preparing financial assistance and intensifying river clearing operations to reduce the risk of future flooding.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding its "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na" initiative across Metro Manila, aiming to establish at least five outlets selling rice at ₱20 per kilogram in every local government unit in the region.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the expansion plan in a statement, emphasizing the government's commitment to making affordable rice more accessible to vulnerable sectors.

"The DA envisions establishing at least five ₱20 'Benteng Bigas' outlets in every LGU in Metro Manila," Tiu Laurel said.

"Our goal is simple: bring affordable rice closer to our constituents and ensure vulnerable sectors are directly served. This expansion underscores our firm commitment to food security and to easing the financial burden on Filipino families," the Agriculture Secretary added.

The expanded Metro Manila rollout will prioritize senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, minimum wage earners, members of tricycle operators and drivers associations, farmers, fisherfolk, and other qualified groups.

The DA convened a Technical Working Group meeting together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Metro Manila local government units to fast-track and harmonize implementation. During the meeting, the MMDA pledged logistical and monitoring support.

"This is a shared responsibility," said MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes. "Affordable rice must reach as many Metro Manila families as possible."

With 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, the expansion could result in dozens of new affordable rice outlets serving households struggling with the rising cost of living.

The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) has clarified that it does not conduct online adoptions and warned the public against fake adoption schemes.

The agency is also raising concerns over the increasing prevalence of baby selling through online platforms.

According to Assistant Secretary for Programs and Services Rowena Macalintal, the NACC has monitored five entrapment operations in 2024 and eight in 2025. Alarmingly, just in the first quarter of 2026, seven cases have already been recorded.

"Since 2024, we've monitored five entrapment operations. In 2025, there were eight, and now, surprisingly, the first quarter isn't even over and we already have seven cases. These are just the operations coordinated with the PNP Women and Children Protection Center. There are other operations by the NBI and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, and we're coordinating with them to consolidate data," Macalintal said.

As digital platforms continue to expand, they are increasingly being exploited for illegal transactions such as the online selling of children.

The seven first-quarter cases recorded by the Philippine National Police do not yet include ongoing operations by other law enforcement agencies or undetected groups operating through social media.

Macalintal revealed that some cases involve the biological parents themselves selling their own children.

"Unfortunately, some of them are the mothers and fathers of the children themselves. There was one mother who attempted to sell her child via a Facebook group for 12,000 to 15,000 pesos because she wanted capital for a food cart business," she said.

The NACC emphasized that it does not facilitate online adoptions.

"For those who want to adopt, there is no online adoption, so you should not resort to Facebook or the internet to look for a child to adopt," Macalintal stressed.

Meanwhile, the NACC warned that anyone who registers a child who is not their biological offspring as their own legitimate child may face criminal charges and imprisonment of eight to 10 years.

However, for cases covered under 2019 and earlier, individuals who took in children are given an opportunity to rectify the situation under the Simulated Birth Rectification Act, or Republic Act 11222.

The Simulated Birth Rectification Act is a law that provides an opportunity to correct fraudulent birth registrations where a child was registered as one's own despite not being the biological parent.

"Just file your petitions with local government units through your local social welfare and development offices. The simulated birth certificate will be canceled, the true birth certificate will be issued to show the real identity of the child you adopted, and it goes directly to the adoption process. There's no penalty, and even complicit nurses and midwives who conspired in the birth certificate can avail of amnesty under our law," Macalintal explained.

The grace period to legalize such cases is only until March 2029.

On the adoption process, the NACC assured the public that it is free of charge and only requires documents such as police clearance, medical evaluation and tests, and psychological evaluation.

Afterward, the child undergoes assessment by social workers for matching.

The agency reminded parents not to treat their children as commodities or abandon them.

If they cannot provide care, they should approach the NACC. The agency assured that this will not result in abandonment charges as long as it is done through proper channels to ensure the child is placed in a safe and caring environment.