Dev Flores

The Department of Health (DOH) has officially announced the plan to launch a new policy, providing new privilege for the PhilHealth direct contributors under working or middle class sector.

PhilHealth direct contributors are those members whose premiums are automatically deducted from their monthly salary.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has announced the plan to direct all DOH hospitals to apply zero-balance billing in pay wards or shared room accommodation. 

“Pwede nang iutos sa lahat ng DOH hospitals through a Department Memorandum Circular na maglagay at mag-allocate ng special area for direct contributors or ‘yung ating mga working class or middle class na gustong magpa-accomodate sa zero balance billing sa ating mga ospital,” he said 

[“It can now be directed to all DOH hospitals through a Department Memorandum Circular to put and allocate a special area for direct contributors or our working class or middle class who want to avail the zero balance billing in our hospitals.”]

Sec. Herbosa added that contributors will be separated from the common area.

“So ise-separate namin kayo para matingnan kung kayo ay mabigyan ng mas magandang accommodation, may aircondition, may separation para hindi kayo nasa common area,” he said

[“So we’ll separate you to check if you’ll be provided better accommodation, with aircondition, with separation so you’re not placed in the common area”]

This plan serves as a response to contributors’ wish to get better accommodation in hospitals.

Eventually, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. assigned Secretary Ted Herbosa to launch the program plan.

“Sabi nila, “Isasama mo rin ba kami sa basic accommodation? Sana naman, makakuha kami ng mas magandang accommodation.” Nadinig po ng ating Pangulo ang inyong [mga] hiling at inatasan ako to think of this program.” he explained

[“They said, “Are you going to include us in the basic accommodation? Hopefully, we’ll get better accommodation. The President heard your wishes and assigned me to think of this program.]

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Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco has ordered to remove DOT-related visual materials bearing her photo.

The order was made following Senator Raffy Tulfo criticizing her for promoting herself. 

The criticism followed public observation that visual materials featured photos of Sec. Frasco instead of highlighting and promoting best pictures of top tourist destinations in the country.

One of the examples is when her photo was used in the Philippine Topics magazine, distributed in Japan for free.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo said that this would be an opportunity for the Philippines to be known in Japan.  The Senator mentioned that the photos of Sec. Frasco was there instead of the destinations.

“Meron tayong, meron ‘tong sa Japan. Japan ba ito na magazine? I think it’s a free magazine. Pagkakataon na sana natin na para sumikat tayo sa Japan. Sa halip ang nakalagay dito ikaw, ikaw ng ikaw,” he said

[“We have, there it is in Japan. Is it a magazine in Japan? I think it’s a free magazine. This would be our opportunity to be known in Japan. Instead, what it placed is you, always you.”]

DOT Sec. Frasco defends herself and clarifies that she didn’t pay for that magazine and no government funds were used for the production.

In fact, the agency released an official statement about that on December 31, 2025. 

DOT clarifies that the magazine is not an official magazine of the agency. They also emphasized that they didn’t pay anything, or give commission or contract to put Frasco on cover or even in a featured story.

The agency also explained that the selection of materials came from the editorial’s discretion.

Furthermore, Sen. Raffy Tulfo suggests that to generate sales, it’s good to feature the best photos of the tourist destination and the reasons to visit the country.

“If you want to sell something, pakita po natin ‘yung mga tanawin o yung mga reasons why tourist will visit the country,” he said

[“If you want to sell something, let’s show the landscapes or the reasons why tourist will visit the country,”]

The Senator also asked Sec. Frasco if she had given her consent to use her photo for the visual materials.

“My consent was never obtained in the use of my image for that magazine,” she answered

Sec. Frasco also took a chance to clarify that she also has a right to be present as possible and she’s not promoting herself.

“I have right to be present as possible in our destinations and for our stakeholders that is the extent of the duty that I have exercised and nothing more,” she said

“I’m not running for national position and therefore, any accusation of self-promotion would fall flat because I’m not running for national position in 2028 and therefore, there would be no reason for me to promote myself,” she added

She mentioned in the press briefing on Wednesday (February 3, 2026) in Kapihan sa Manila Bay that she ordered to take down and not to produce any materials bearing her photo.

“I’ve actually already issued that order to a regional offices as far as we are concerned in the DOT to, number one, take down any material that may bear my image. Number two, to not produce any material that may bear my image,” she said.

The joint force of DILG, BOC, PNP, and BIR discovered the illegal operations of the cigarette factory in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga.

According to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, three manufacturing machines were discovered in the factory. Each machine can produce 150 million pesos worth of cigarettes a day. 

“Ang nahuli po namin dito ngayon ay tatlong makina na actively on the spot po nagma-manufacture ng sigarilyo. Bawat makina po ay kayang gumawa ng 150 million pesos worth of cigarretes a day.” SILG Remulla said at a press briefing

[“What we have seen here today is that there are three machines, actively, on the spot, manufacturing cigarette. Each machine can make 150 million pesos worth of cigarettes a day.”]

Two packing machines were also confiscated. 

Six Chinese nationals were nabbed while 65 Filipino workers (54 men, 11 women) were rescued from the raid.

The Chinese nationals were considered as tourist when they entered the Philippines. 

The 65 rescued locals were offered worth at least 15,000 pesos monthly salary. The offer is 15/30, but they weren’t paid for their last cut off, which is why SILG Remulla said that it can be considered as involuntary servitude.

“Dapat 15/30 ang bayad [sa kanila] pero hindi po sila sinuwelduhan nung huling pagta-trabaho dito kaya we consider that involuntary servitude ‘yung ginagawa nila.” he said

[“The payment for them was supposed to be 15/30 but they weren’t paid for their recent work here that’s why we consider that involuntary servitude.”]

More than that, the barracks provided to the workers is almost inhumane, according to SILG Remulla.

“Almost inhumane conditions ang barracks na binigay sa kanila.”

Remulla also stated that this falls under involuntary servitude, together with human trafficking; they work without pay and live in almost inhumane conditions.

He also reported that these illegal products were offered to sari-sari stores in low price.

“Kalahati lang ang presyo [ng] pagbenta nila eh pero ang mark-up ng sari-sari store, mas mataas. Dumadaan lang ‘yan, naka-wing van, bubuksan, papakita yung produkto, “ito mura ‘to”, kukunin na nila.”

Hence, Remulla warns the sari-sari stores that if they are caught selling undocumented and illegal products, they will also be involved under non-bailable offense, as this is linked to Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

“Kailangang malaman ng lahat na from manufacturing to transportation to distribution to retail lahat po ‘yan ay liable sa Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act,” he said

[“Everyone must be informed that from manufacturing to transportation to distribution to retail, all of them are liable under Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.”]

"Lahat po ‘yan ay non-bailable. Kaya nakiki-usap kami sa lahat ng maliliit na tindahan, kung kayo po ay mahulihan ng illegal na sigarilyo, pati po kayo ay makakasuhan ng non-bailable offense.” he added

[“All of them are non-bailable. That’s why we are appealing to small retail stores, you can be charge of non-bailable offense.]

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) partners with the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA), intended to enhance road safety for motorcycle riders through an education campaign.

DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez believes that this partnership through the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) plays a crucial role in ensuring and maintaining the safety of motorists and commuters.

“Nakahanda na ang DOTr na ilunsad 'yung mga aktibidad sa ilalim ng MOA na ito. Nagpapasalamat kami sa MDPPA at iba pa nating partners na kaisa natin sa pagtitiyak na ligtas ang ating mga kalsada para sa mga motorista at komyuter," 

[“The DOTr is equipped to launch this activity under this MOA. We’d like to thank MDPPA and other partners in making sure that the roads are safe for the motorist and commuter.”] 

The memorandum of agreement was spearheaded by DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transportation and Non-Infrastructure at Road Safety Task Force Chairperson Ramon G. Reyes, together with MDPPA President Mr. Erwin Estrada and the newly-appointed officers.

The La Verdad Christian College (both Apalit and Caloocan branch) has issued a statement, strongly reiterating its commitment to providing full scholarship programs at all levels and courses. 

The official statement was made, serving as a response against the false claims that the institution is offering courses like Tourism Management and Hotel and Restaurant Management, online or short-term degree programs, and collecting any fees.

Also, one graduate claims to have graduated from online degree programs and was victimized by online scams.

Hence, the LVCC breaks the silence and clarifies that they are not offering those courses.

“LVCC further clarifies that Tourism Management and Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) are not offered in any LVCC campus,” they stated

“LVCC is likewise not affiliated, connected, or associated with any institution, group, or individual offering pure online or short-term degree programs, including those claiming to offer Tourism Management or HRM,” they added

Moreover, the LVCC Caloocan and Apalit never ask for any fees, staying firm to its commitment in providing free education to those in need.

“The Institution does not collect tuition fees, enrollment fees, or any form of payment from its students,” according to the issued statement of the institution

With reports from JP

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