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November 14th is World Diabetes Day. It's a reminder that we can fight diabetes together with HOPE.
H - Healthy eating
O - Outdoor activities
P - Positive mindset
E - Exercise daily
Type 2 diabetes is preventable. You don't need big changes. Start with simple steps.
Take a 20-minute walk today. Drink water instead of soda. Choose fruits over sweets. Eat more vegetables. These simple steps work.
Studies show that losing just 10-15 pounds can cut your diabetes risk in half. Move your body every day. Sleep 7-8 hours. These habits protect you.
If you have diabetes, don't lose hope. Millions of people with diabetes live happy, full lives.
They work, play sports, travel, and do everything they love.
Medicine keeps getting better. New tools make managing diabetes easier. Better treatments come out every year.
Fighting diabetes is simple. Walk after meals. Choose whole foods. Drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep. Manage your stress. Stay connected with friends. Find activities you enjoy. Movement should be fun, not a chore.
You're not alone. Doctors help you. Family cares for you. Friends stand by you. Every healthy choice counts. Every step matters. Every walk helps. Every good meal makes a difference.
Small changes lead to big results.
One less soda today. One more vegetable tomorrow.
Ten minutes of walking. Fifteen minutes of dancing.
These add up over time. Start today.
Walk for 10 minutes. Skip that sugary drink. Add vegetables to your lunch. Choose stairs over the elevator. Stand more. Sit less. These tiny wins build your health day by day.
Diabetes is a challenge, but HOPE is stronger. Your healthy choices today protect your future. A gentle reminder that a healthy lifestyle is your best defense.
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration confirmed Wednesday that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan left the Philippines for the United States to accompany his wife for a medical procedure, despite being under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO).
Immigration officials detected Bonoan's departure at the airport Tuesday and immediately notified the Department of Justice (DOJ), which had previously issued the ILBO against the former Cabinet official. However, authorities allowed him to leave the country after confirming that no hold departure order or arrest warrant had been issued against him.
"He is covered by an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) earlier issued by the Department of Justice. Upon encounter, immigration officers immediately coordinated with the DOJ to verify if a hold departure order or warrant of arrest was in effect. The DOJ confirmed that none exists, hence he was cleared to depart," the Bureau of Immigration stated.
The ILBO against Bonoan stems from ongoing investigations into allegedly anomalous flood control projects during his tenure at the DPWH.
An ILBO serves as a monitoring mechanism that alerts authorities when a person of interest attempts to leave the country, but unlike a hold departure order, it does not prevent travel.
The distinction between these immigration measures proved crucial in Bonoan's case. While the ILBO flagged his departure to authorities, the absence of more restrictive legal orders meant immigration officials had no grounds to prevent him from traveling abroad for his wife's medical treatment.
The former DPWH chief's departure highlights the limitations of ILBOs in restricting the movement of individuals under investigation but not yet formally charged with any crime.
The case underscores the procedural requirements that must be met before authorities can legally prevent Filipino citizens from exercising their constitutional right to travel. - via Dante Amento
Kinansela ng Department of Education Region 11 ang pasok ngayong araw sa lahat ng antas sa pampubliko at pribadong paaralan kasunod ng magnitude 7.4 na lindol.
Ito ay upang bigyang-daan ang pagsasagawa ng assessment at inspection sa mga school buildings bilang pagtitiyak sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral.
The Philippines witnessed its largest anti-corruption demonstration in history last weekend as thousands joined the "Trillion Protest March" across major cities nationwide.
What distinguished this protest from countless others was not just its unprecedented scale, but the massive participation of typically apolitical citizens — including self-described introverts and those who usually avoid public gatherings.
From EDSA to Cebu, from Davao to Baguio, the streets were filled with an unusual mix of protesters. Government employees marched against corruption in their own agencies. Even celebrities who typically avoid political statements, such as Vice Ganda, Iza Calzado, Anne Curtis, and Catriona Gray, actively joined the crowds, their presence amplifying the message that corruption had pushed all Filipinos beyond their breaking point.
Most remarkably, thousands of quiet, conflict-averse Filipinos overcame their natural inclinations to join the crowds, carrying signs that read "So bad the introverts are here."
One moment captured the march's essence perfectly: a street vendor shouting, "Ibaba ang presyo ng fishball!" (Lower the price of fishballs!)
While others may see it as a joke, the truth remains — the man’s words speak for many of us. Simple as it may sound, it reflects the bigger struggle we all face: mataas na presyo, mababa ang kita, at patuloy na bigat ng buhay (high prices, low income, and the continuing burden of life). What he shouted is not just about fishballs, it’s about dignity, fairness, and survival.
The quiet ones speak up
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the march was the participation of Filipinos who describe themselves as introverted or conflict-averse. Social media is filled with posts from first-time protesters explaining their decision to overcome their discomfort with crowds because staying silent felt worse than speaking up.
This phenomenon reflects a deeper shift in Philippine society. When citizens who prefer to avoid confrontation feel compelled to protest, it suggests that tolerance for corruption has reached a breaking point. These were not sudden converts to activism - they were ordinary citizens pushed beyond their comfort zones by extraordinary circumstances.
Building momentum for change
The Philippines now faces a critical juncture. The country has experienced cycles of protest and promised reform before, with mixed results. Strong anti-corruption laws exist, but often lack proper implementation. Institutions tasked with fighting graft and corruption frequently operate without sufficient independence or resources.
However, the demographic composition of the “Trillion Protest March” suggests a potential shift in public engagement. The participation of typically apolitical citizens, particularly those who self-identify as introverted or conflict-averse, indicates that corruption has crossed a threshold of public tolerance.
The government must now choose between implementing substantial reforms or facing continued and potentially escalating public demonstrations. The presence of diverse sectors in the protests, including those who traditionally avoid such activities, sends a clear signal about the depth of public frustration.
History shows that successful anti-corruption movements require persistent public pressure beyond initial protests. The march organizers' plans for ongoing monitoring and regular accountability forums represent an attempt to maintain momentum.
The symbolic power of introverts and typically quiet citizens joining the protests cannot be understated. Their participation represents more than individual decisions to overcome personal discomfort, it signals a recognition that the cost of silence has become greater than the discomfort of speaking out.
The Trillion Protest March has set the stage for potential reform. The transformation of this moment into lasting change will depend on the government's response and the public's ability to maintain pressure for accountability.
The participation of millions, including those who would typically avoid such gatherings, has sent an unmistakable message: the tolerance for corruption among ordinary Filipinos has reached its limit.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced his resignation from the speakership today in a dramatic turn in the escalating scandal over ghost flood control projects that has rocked the nation's trust in government infrastructure spending.
In a press conference at the Batasang Pambansa, Romualdez confirmed he would step down from his leadership position, though he emphasized he would remain in Congress as Leyte's 1st District representative to "face all allegations head-on."
"I am resigning as Speaker to protect the integrity and reputation of the House of Representatives," Romualdez stated.
"This institution is bigger than any individual, and it should not be tainted by controversies that can be addressed through proper channels."
The resignation comes after explosive revelations that billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects exist only on paper—so-called "ghost projects" that were funded but never built, which left communities vulnerable to flooding while funds disappeared into private pockets.
Romualdez endorsed Deputy Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III of Isabela as his replacement and described him as "a leader of unquestionable integrity who can guide the House through these challenging times."
Dy, a veteran legislator in his third term, has notably stayed clear of the ghost project controversy and has been vocal about reforming government procurement and monitoring systems.
The House swiftly elected Dy as the new Speaker during a session on Wednesday afternoon, just hours after Romualdez's resignation.
Dy secured an overwhelming mandate through a nominal vote, with 253 lawmakers supporting him, none voting against, and 28 abstaining. Under House rules, those who abstained will now form part of the minority bloc.
In his acceptance speech, Dy promised immediate reforms and full cooperation with all investigating bodies. "The people's trust has been shattered. We must rebuild it brick by brick, with transparency and accountability as our foundation," the new Speaker declared.
It remains unclear whether there will be changes to other House leadership positions, from deputy speakers to committee chairmanships.
Investigations uncovered a massive fraud scheme where contractors, local officials, and engineers worked together to fake entire flood control projects. They recycled photos from real projects in other areas and created fake inspection reports. Some engineers admitted they signed documents for sites they never even visited.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has suspended 12 district engineers while investigations continue. The Professional Regulation Commission is now reviewing the licenses of engineers who approved these fake projects. Several contractors involved have reportedly fled the country to avoid prosecution.
While Romualdez hasn't been formally charged, critics point to his leadership role during the period when these ghost projects proliferated and question the lack of oversight mechanisms that allowed such widespread fraud to occur unchecked.
The resignation is not the end of the story. Analysts note moves like this are often seen as a way to calm public anger and protect the administration. Resignation is no substitute for justice. It does not return the money, punish the guilty, or repair a broken system.
Real justice means independent investigations, full recovery of stolen funds, prison without VIP perks, and lifetime bans from politics for those proven guilty in court. Anything less is just a show. Filipinos deserve accountability that truly delivers change.
The ghost projects represent more than stolen money - they're broken promises to communities that needed protection.
With new House leadership in place, the question remains whether this anomaly will finally break the corruption cycle or become another case of politicians protecting their own.
Filipinos, especially those still vulnerable to floods because of non-existent projects, are watching and waiting for genuine justice, not a political show.
