MANILA — Iloilo First District Rep. Janette Garin has officially filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for reelection on Saturday, October 5.
As she submitted her COC, the House Deputy Majority Leader reaffirmed her commitment to advancing legislation that aims to improve the lives of Filipinos.
“Ipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbibigay ng dekalidad na serbisyong publiko para sa ating mga kapwa Ilonggo at buong sambayanang Pilipino,” Garin said.
“Patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mga batas na magpapalakas sa kapakanan at karapatan ng bawat isa, tungo sa mas maunlad na lipunan,” the legislator-doctor added.
In addition to her legislative efforts, Garin, known as “Doc Nanay,” will continue to champion health-related programs to ensure the well-being of Filipino citizens.
Garin has authored and co-authored several significant bills since taking office, including the creation of the Department of Health Specialty Centers Act, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, and the E-Governance Act.
She was also one of the authors of the recently passed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
As the vice chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations, Garin vowed to oversee the proper allocation of the national budget.
“We will guarantee that public funds are being allocated efficiently and in alignment with their intended purposes,” Garin emphasized.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin said the tension over a microphone scuffle during the plenary deliberations of the Department of Health budget was an unfortunate incident that begs for understanding from the public who will ultimately benefit from the heated discourse.
“Emotional outbursts typically occur when passions run high during clashes of views between opposing legislators, epecially when they are deliberating on the general appropriations bill under time pressure,” said Garin, a committed advocate for an improved health care programs.
Garin issued the statement following a rash of judgement in the internet from a polarized netizens whose views may cause unintentional damage to the integrity of the lawmaking process.
“Liwanagin lang natin na yung viral video tungkol sa proseso ng debate ay hindi bastusan sa pagitan ng mga nagtatalong miyembro ng Kamara kundi mainitang paggiit ng ideya at mungkahi ng bawat panig habang hinahabol na maipasa sa mga huling oras ng pinakahuling gabi ng sesyun ang panukalang batas para sa ating pambansang badyet,” explained Garin, who is also known as Doc Nanay in health communities.
The Iloilo representative admitted that she herself has become emotionally charged as viewed and heard in the video because as a zealous advocate of an improved public health care, she wouldn’t want the DOH budget to be sacrificed.
“Tatlong araw nang pabalik-balik ang taga-DOH para maisaayos ang badyet para sa kanilang mga programang maibigay ang maayos na serbisyo sa Filipino… kaya nang makita kong inagaw ng isang kongresista ang mikropono para sa kanyang paulit-ulit na pagtangkang mabalam ang proseso ay agaran kong sinuportahan ang mosyon ng minority na tapusin ang balitaktakan sa plenaryo,” Garin further explained.
On Wednesday’s final night of House plenary deliberation of the DOH budget, Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee tried to interrupt Senior Deputy Minority Leader Paul Daza and grabbed the microphone while the latter was moving to terminate the deliberations on the DOH budget.
This prompted Garin to move to terminate the plenary deliberations abruptly.
DOH’s proposed budget was initially deliberated last Monday, Sept. 23, but Lee requested to have the discussions postponed due to some of his concerns.
The House leadership explained that there was not enough time for Lee’s requests as it was the last day of the session and the House needed to pass the budget bill before break, and considering that that all the requests of Lee to DOH have been considered.
“Ang problema lang doon, ‘yung iba niyang hinihingi ay hindi kayang agad-agad…May mga proseso ‘yan, may mga papeles, may mga board resolutions na hindi kayang i-present within that day,” the Iloilo 1st District representative said.
Garin explained that after the microphone scuffle incident, she already discussed the issue with Lee who agreed that what haooened was purely work-related and nothing personal… “and all is well that ends well.”
House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin suggested using the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) hubs as dormitories for students.
During the plenary deliberations of the 2025 General Approriations Bill (GAB) on Wednesday, Garin raised that among the problems being faced by the students is the high price of rental fees for dormitories.
“Actually ang isang pinaka challenging na gastusin ng isang estudyante ay ‘yung boarding house, ‘yung dormitory, especially so that this is mostly provided by the private sector and hindi nakokontrol ‘yung presyo, ‘yung bayarin,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
“At the appropriate time, Madam Speaker, it’s not applicable all over the country, but for Region 3, napakaganda talaga na ‘yung mga POGO hub, na mga scam hub na na-discover ay makuha ng gobyerno at gawing extension campuses as well as dormitories ng ating karapat-dapat na estudyante,” the lawmaker added.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro agreed with the suggestion of Garin.
Citing a research titled “Enhancing Access and Success in SUCs,” the Iloilo lawmaker also mentioned that financial constraints is the top problem of the students.
Garin is the sponsor of the Commission on Higher Education for 2025 GAB.
The lady solon likewise pointed out that the proposed 2025 budget for CHED is not an expenditure but an investment in the future for the country.
“It is an investment in the future of our nation, and every peso allocated to higher education yields a return in the form of educated, skilled, and empowered citizens who will contribute to the country’s economic growth and social troubles.”
Meanwhile, the House is targeting to pass the 2025 GAB on the third and final reading by September 25. The plenary debates started last September 16.
FORMER health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin slammed the Department of Health’s delay in procuring flu vaccine, saying that individuals should have received the vaccine now that it is flu season.
Garin made the statement following the report that the flu vaccine procurement has been delayed for the fifth time, which was supposedly done during the first quarter of the year.
The lawmaker and doctor explained that the World Health Organization (WHO) selects different types of flu vaccine annually, noting that the flu vaccine defeats its purpose if it arrives in the country in December.
“The flu vaccine is designed in such a way that at the start of the year. WHO determines what is the prevailing serotype for that year,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
“Sayang lang pera nakalaan para doon kasi mag-iiba na ulit ang prevailing serotype sa susunod na taon. Also, it defeats the afforded protection kasi ang flu season is August until November,” she furthered.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu viruses in seasonal flu vaccines are selected each year based on a variety of data such as epidemiologic data, genetic data, and antigenic data.
The lawmaker pointed out that the best time to have a flu vaccine is every June or before the rainy season. She likewise emphasized the need for annual inoculation of flu vaccines.
Health experts and groups have been urging the DOH to provide free flu vaccines as early as May.
Former Department of Health chiefs and doctors for public health convenor have welcomed the recent decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court dismissing the dengvaxia cases against ex-DOH secretary Janette Garin and other doctors for lack of sufficient evidence.
“We are pleased and very thankful to note the decision of the QC-RTC. This was the state of how the justice system works – haphazard accusations without real fact-checking and believing non-experts,” the Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare convenor Dr. Minguita Padilla said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The prosecution and its supoosed star witnesses, Dr. Clarito Cairo, Dr. Tony Leachon, and Dr. Erwin Erfe, could not cite any concrete evidence that came with the hasty accusations. They misrepresented themselves as experts in the trial and their utestimonies were declared inadmissible,” Padilla stressed.
According to the decision of RTC Branch 229, penned by Presiding Judge Cleto R. Villacorta III, the prosecution’s witnesses were not real experts to offer an opinion on dengvaxia that resulted in the dismissal of the cases, adding that “expert witnesses have a special duty to the court to provide fair, objective, and non-partisan assistance.”
The Court said that an expert opinion, to be admissible as evidence, must come from a credible expert who has special knowledge, skill, or training; it must be derived using sound “scientific” principles and methodology; and must not be based on hearsay and in this case and there is no such evidence on record.
Meanwhile, former health secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral, convenor of DTPW, pointed out that the damage caused by false allegations included the erosion of trust in Philippine public health, which has likely led to preventable deaths and illnesses if the people have not rejected vaccinations.
“All these accusations were based on misinformation and had politicized the noble intent of public health,” the doctor added.
On the other hand, former health secretary Dr. Manuel Dayrit, also a convenor of DTPW, pointed out that Court’s decision sorted out facts from misinformation, expert testimony from layman’s opinion.
“It is lamentable how the dengvaxia controversy eroded public trust in vaccination leading to a drop in vaccination rates in children. There was much misinformation and blame which circulated at the height of the controversy and still remains in the public mind today,” Dayrit said.
He is also hopeful that Filipino parents can regain their trust in the benefits of vaccination to protect their children against preventable illnesses.
By LIEZEL ROY
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 229 has dismissed the criminal cases filed against former health secretary Janette Garin and other doctors as the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence against them.
The court decision noted that the prosecution’s witnesses were not real experts to offer an opinion on dengvaxia.
“The prosecution evidence failed to establish a prima facie case against Demurrant Janette L. Garin and Demurrant Julius Lecciones. The evidence does not amount to proof beyond a reasonable doubt of any or all of the criminal charges against either or both of them,” the decision penned by Presiding Judge Cleto R. Villacorta III read, adding that all criminal charges against the accused are all dismissed.
The decision also read: “The testimonies of Dr. Clarito Cairo, Dr. Tony Leachon, and Dr. Erwin Erfe were inadmissible.”
“I cannot rely upon Dr. Cairo, Dr. Leachon and Dr. Erfe because their respective opinions on what Demurrant Garin should and should not have done is not evidence. They should first be qualified as an expert Witness on what a Secretary of Health ought to have done or ought not to have done in fairly similar circumstances as this Demurrant was facing,” the decision further read.
“Expert witnesses have a special duty to the court to provide fair, objective, and non-partisan assistance. A proposed expert who is unwilling or unable to comply with this duty is not qualified to give expert opinion evidence,” the Court cited.
The Second Level Court did not qualify Dr. Erfe as an expert who can provide an expert opinion on dengue, Dengvaxia, and vaccines.
The Court explained that an expert opinion, to be admissible as evidence, must come from a credible expert who has special knowledge, skill, or training; it must be derived using sound “scientific” principles and methodology; and must not be based on hearsay and in this case, there is no such evidence on record.
Moreover, the Court also said that it cannot be proven that the cause of the death of the eight children was due to dengvaxia as before vaccination, these children had underlying conditions.
“[I]t appears though from the evidence that the children had other diseases, pre-existing or otherwise, that the death certificates and the Pathologist were able to document,” the Court ruled.
The Court further explained that the immunization guidelines on dengvaxia issued by the Department of Health (DOH) were not followed, despite being clear on its instructions to conduct screening of a child before inoculating the vaccine. Also, per the guidelines, health professionals should have conducted the vaccination, however, in this case, most of the victims were inoculated by barangay workers who were not authorized to do so.
Following the grant of the demurrer to evidence to Garin, et al., the prosecution filed a Motion for Reconsideration (MR), however, on August 20, 2024 the Court denied the MR and ruled that the “orders granting their respective demurrers stand.”
Other charges against the medical professionals were also dismissed.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin highlighted that the newly launched program of the government called the ‘Tulong Eskwela Program’ would provide cash assistance to the parents of senior high school students to alleviate the financial burdens of the learners.
Garin emphasized the tagline of the program which is “AKAPin ang mag-aaral, TUPAD ang pangarap,” saying that the government, under the leadership of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., vowed to address the problems being faced by SHS students through providing cash aid to their parents and guardians.
The said program is in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Moreover, it will also provide employment opportunities for the families of the students.
“‘Yung mga magulang or guardians or even ‘yung working students ng senior high school ay nagkakaroon ng biyaya. ‘Yung mga maglilinis ng school premises, gagawa ng garden, ide-decongest ‘yung mga drainage sa paligid ng mga schools ay magkakaroon ng TUPAD program,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
“The beauty here is ‘yung ating gobyerno ay tinutulungan ‘yung mga magulang ng ating senior high schools,” Garin added.
The lawmaker also advised the SHS to do their part and study well for their future.
The initiative was launched simultaneously in 220 areas in all provinces nationwide. Each area has 3,000 parents of SHS students chosen as beneficiaries.
“Hindi ito simpleng ayuda lang, ito ay isang tulay kung saan ang ating mga estudyante ay tatawid sa tulay na ito at doon sa dulo, mararamdaman nila ang importansya pero sa kanilang mas progresibong future…Ayuda siya pero napupunta siya sa pag-aaral at sa samahan ng pamilya,” Garin ended.
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With barely 40 days left before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections, the newly-formed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (ABP) still have to finalize its 12-strong Senate slate.
This was revealed on Wednesday (21 August 2024) in a press conference by House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin, a member of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party rebuffing an earlier claim by presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos.
“Sa pagkakaalam namin, wala pang pinal na pinag-uusapan (As far as I know, there is nothing final yet). There were discussions among political party leaders, names were recommended, put forward, but this is just the first step,” Garin said.
Sen. Imee on Tuesday (20 August 2024) disclosed the line-up of senatorial candidates who will be endorsed by her brother President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 2025 national and local elections.
She said the administration “decided” on Monday night (19 August 2024) the line up which is composed of the following senatorial candidates from various political parties:
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP):
Manny Pacquiao
Benhur Abalos
Francis Tolentino
LAKAS-CMD:
Bong Revilla
Erwin Tulfo
Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC):
Tito Sotto
Ping Lacson
Lito Lapid
Abby Binay
Nacionalista Party (NP):
Pia Cayetano
Imee Marcos
Camille Villar
But Garin said a consultation among members of various political parties is still being conducted to reach a consensus.
“The final decision will rest on what the majority believes and of course, the clearance from our president and leaders of political parties. In other words, baka kuryente iyong lumabas,” Garin pointed out.
ia/mnm
FORMER health secretary and House deputy majority leader Janette Garin said on Monday that the Department of Health must have a group of experts who should speak about their specializations in the medical field to ensure that information given to the public are factual.
Garin described DOH as a ‘very important institution’ that the public looks up to as a credible agency where only real experts must be allowed to be interviewed.
“The health department must have a team of doctors and talking heads who can immediately liaise with with real specialty societies and each specialty society can assign a spokesperson,” Garin, a doctor, said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.
“It has been documented several times that when you demonize a certain vaccine it creates mistrust in all vaccination and public health programs,” the Iloilo First District representative added.
Garin also mentioned that the Doctors for Truth, composed of medical experts, academicians, scientists and former health secretaries have called on the DOH not to allow the Public Attorney’s Office to propagate anti-vaccine advocacies and sentiments.
She also raised awareness regarding the infodemic wherein there are “too much information including, false or misleading information” being disseminated to the public which have result med in mistrust to health programs.
“The impact of fake news and anti-vaccine campaign transcend to even those who are supposed to be protected by vaccines,” the doctor-lawmaker stressed. (END)
FORMER health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin told the public that siling labuyo cannot cure dengue, warning them not to believe posts online which are not based on research.
Garin made the statement following the posts circulating online, saying that siling labuyo can cure dengue, in which it was also debunked by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Itong siling labuyong kuwentong ito, hindi talaga siya totoo pero dahil bumabalik na naman ‘yung mainit, tag-ulan, kung ano-ano na naman ang marketing strategy ng iba,” Garin, a doctor, said, emphasizing that no medicine has been made to cure dengue.
The Iloilo First District Representative also clarified that tawa-tawa and virgin coconut oil are not medicines for dengue, they only have anti-viral properties which can help a dengue patient.
“Ang nangyayari kasi sa Pilipinas, kapag mayroong herbal na nakikitaan ng anti-viral properties, gine-generalize na gamot sa dengue, sa HIV… Ayun ang nangyayari kaya nalilinlang ang taumbayan,” Garin said.
According to Acta Medica Philippina, based on the sampling of their study, therefore, at the current time, according to DOH AO 184 2004, E. hirta or tawa-tawa may qualify to be registered with the Food and Drug Administration as a traditionally-used herbal product for fever. However, this study has not found sufficient length of time of traditional use for the treatment of conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes, and dengue, as well as malaria, gastritis, and diarrhea.
Garin then explained what happens to one’s body when bitten by dengue mosquito.
“Walang gamot ang dengue. Ang dengue kasi kagaya ng ibang mga viruses it’s a self-limiting illness, kusa siyang mawawala in one to two weeks. Critical ‘yung first week. The problem there is habang nandiyan ang dengue at inaatake ang katawan ng tao, ‘yung iba hindi nagsu-survive, nagkakaroon ng bleeding,” she said.
The lawmaker advised the public to drink plenty of water if they have fever, especially if they have been experiencing symptoms of dengue to keep hydrated and told them immediately seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin pointed out on Wednesday that a compromised version for minimal annulment fee should be done if the Senate will not agree on the House version of divorce bill.
This was the response of Garin when asked regarding the survey held in Senate wherein six senators voted in favor of the divorce bill while five senators voted against it.
“Kung in case na hindi siya mapasa dahil medyo patas ang takbo sa Senado, puwedeng gawin diyan ay gawing libre ang annulment. Dapat walang ganoon kalaking gastos. Sa hirap ng buhay gagastusan mo pa ba ‘yung annulment? Dahil dito, nagiging tiis-tiis na lang,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
Garin was among the legislators who voted ‘yes’ on House Bill (HB) 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act.
The House of Representatives has approved the said bill on the third and final reading with 131 affirmative votes, 109 negative votes, and 20 abstentions.
HB 9349 seeks to provide absolute divorce as a legal remedy for irreparably broken marriages under specific grounds and judicial processes, with the goal of sparing children from the emotional strain of parental dispute and allowing divorced individuals to remarry.
Meanwhile, Garin said that she respects the opinion of other legislators regarding divorce bill.
“Depende ‘yan sa bawat legislator. May kanya-kanyang paniniwala, ‘yung iba sinasabi may annulment naman. Marami ang may kanya-kanyang pananaw,” she said.
Only Philippines and Vatican City are the countries which do not have divorce law.
House Deputy Majority Leader and former health secretary Janette Garin said that having flu and pneumonia vaccines for healthcare workers, senior citizens and immunocompromised would help combat the new COVID-19 variant ‘Flirt.’
“Having flu and pneumonia vaccines will help the vulnerables have uncomplicated cases. Will help us manage patients by reducing concurrent infections among Covid patients,” Garin said.
The Iloilo First District Representative explained that mutation of virus is expected and spread of the new variant can be addressed through awareness and proper management of cases.
“It is expected that a virus will keep on mutating but what’s important is the capability of our health workforce to manage cases and for the general public to be aware, hence allowing early consultation, diagnosis and management,” Garin, a doctor, said on Tuesday.
Following the Bureau of Quarantine’s (BOQ) Memorandum No. 2024-48, ordering to conduct thorough screening at Points of Entry visitors from countries where COVID FLiRT incidents have been detected, Garin said the said move was “not that tenable” as there have been vague symptoms and seasonal changes that cause uptick of flu, pneumonia and URTIs.
According to BOQ, KP.1 and KP.2 variations, which are part of a newly discovered subvariants identified as “FLiRT,” a novel virus that is spreading globally and came from the JN1. subvariant, which first became known in late 2023 and was responsible for this year’s earlier infection increase.
The lawmaker also reminded to frequently wash hands, always practice proper hygiene, have adequate rest and nutritious balanced diet as these are essential weapons of Filipinos to crush and flatten the variant.
“Ensuring proper hygiene and being healthy are still two of the best ways to prevent from acquiring the virus,” Garin said.
Based on reports, Flirt variants have been detected in Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and 14 countries in Europe.
House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin on Tuesday lauded the implementation of Food Stamp Program (FSP) of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as it would assure that every poor family will have something on their table.
“The good thing is nasimulan ang programang ito under the PBBM administration kasi sa napakatagal na na hinaing na magkaroon ng food stamp program ngayon lang ito naipatupad,” Garin told reporters during the press conference at the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker also said that it would not only alleviate plight of Filipino families but it would also help farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the aid that would be given will be only purchased to accredited retailers.
The said program aims to reduce the incidence of voluntary hunger experienced by low-income households by providing monetary-based assistance through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to purchase select food commodities from eligible partner merchant store.
Meanwhile, Iloilo First District Representative said that the might not be enough on the present time but it would possibly increase which would provide greater assistance to Filipino families.
“It might not be enough but its a good start, but then it is not the only program. Later on, pwedeng tumaas ‘yang [ipamimigay ng gobyerno],” she said.
“In other words, it is just one component of the whole big buy of public services. Kung titingnan natin, magkakaroon ng oportunidad na pang hanapbuhay, magkakaroon ng mas maraming tulong.”
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will fully implement the said program starting this July, six months after its successful pilot implementation in some parts of the country.
Marcos earlier signed Executive Order No. 44, establishing DSWD’s flagship program—Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program.
“Ang daming programa [na] pinagsasabay-sabay pero isa lang ang layunin, ang mabigyan ng mas magaang na buhay ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino dahil bawat buhay ay mahalaga at bawat bahay ay dapat may pagkain,” Garin said.
FORMER health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin stressed the need for children to have three doses of vaccine against Hepatitis B to prevent a liver cancer outbreak in 2042.
“Dahil kapag nahawa ng Hepatitis B at hindi bakunado, approximately 30 percent can progress to Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a deadly type of Liver Cancer,” Garin said.
“Kasama doon sa bumagsak ay ang Hepatitis B kasi kasama ‘yan sa mga bakuna na binibigay ng gobyerno. Ano ang consequence nito? Ang epekto nito ay doon sa mga batang hindi nabakunahan at nahawa ng Hepatitis B. Pagdating ng 2042 to 2045 ay posibleng magkaroon ng maraming liver cancer or Hepatocellular Carcinoma sa Pilipinas dahil sa mga unvaccinated children against Hepa,” the Iloilo First District Representative furthered.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver and its vaccine is available for all age groups.
The said vaccine is recommended for all infants, children, or adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier expressed alarm over the number of deaths related to hepatitis, having an average of 3,500 daily in 2022.
The Philippines is among the countries that account for two-thirds of the global illness burden from Hepatitis B and C, according to WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report.
“We have to act now. Huwag na nating hayaang magkaroon pa ulit tayo ng outbreak lalung-lalo na sa mga vaccine preventable disease,” Garin stressed.
Former health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin urged the parents to free themselves from the reluctance of vaccination and have their kids inoculated as the cases of pertussis continue to increase.
Garin made the call following the report of the Department of Health (DOH) that there are 1,477 cases of pertussis nationwide from January 1 to April 6 and 63 deaths related to the illness.
The lawmaker pointed out that vaccine hesitancy was the root cause of the rising number of cases of pertussis and measles due to the vaccine scare which was posed during the leadership of ex-health secretary Francisco Duque III.
“Bakit sa buong mundo ang Pilipinas lang nagkaroon ng Pertussis outbreak? At bakit ‘yung Polio bumalik? Bakit noong mga nakaraang taon grabe ang mga namamatay sa measles. This is all because of vaccine hesitancy,” Garin, also a doctor, said.
“Ngayon, measles outbreak ulit sa ibang panig ng Pilipinas at patuloy na may mga namamatay at yung iba naman ay nagkakaroon permanent injury like encephalopathy and blindness,” she added.
“My apologies, I call it actually the Duque-Ubial legacy dahil noong kapanahunan na sila ay nasa Department of Health at hindi nila pinigilan na magkaroon ng spread ng maraming fake news,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
The country is expecting three million pentavalent or 5-in-1 vaccine doses by June and now securing Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT) doses.
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that efforts in the House of Representatives to amend the 37-year-old Constitution to make the Philippines more friendly to foreign investments, Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin has expressed confidence that if passed by both houses of Congress and approved in a plebiscite, this will perk up the country’s economy and improve the quality of lives of Filipinos.
Garin pointed out that on March 29, the US Trade Representative cited foreign ownership limitations in the Philippines as one of the barriers to trade and investments, while the Milken Institute’s Global Opportunity Index (GOI) report for 2024 said the country ranked 91st out of 130 nations when it comes to attractiveness to foreign investors due to financial access.
“Kasi iyan nga, kitang-kita na may problema ang Constitution ng Pilipinas. Ang nagiging hadlang para magtake-off tayo ay ang ating sariling Constitution. Natural iyan, kasi walang perpekto. So inaamin ngayon iyan pero hindi naiintindihan ng tao sa ibaba,” the Ilongga lady solon said on Monday (01 April 2024) in a press conference.
Asked whether economic amendments as contained in Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) recently approved on final reading in the House of Representatives can make the Philippines more “investment-friendly,” Garin responded enthusiastically with, “Definitely!”
She stressed that one of the concerns of foreign investors is not being able to own land in the Philippines because the 1987 Constitution prohibits it.
“So, kung ikaw ay investor na inutang mo ang bilyong-bilyong capital, kunyari sabihin na natin, kuryente, tubig or internet connectivity. Eh kung ang paglalagyan mo ng iyong power plant, may that be renewable energy or not, kung iyung lupa hindi sa iyo, ano ang mangyayari duon sa investment mo?” Garin asked.
(el Amigo/MNM)
AFTER the video of the teacher scolding her students went viral, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to look deeply into the incident as it may not be an isolated case.
“We need to look into this kasi baka mamaya it is not an isolated case. Nagkataon lang na nalaman ng lahat kasi ni-live niya. So hindi siya by accident, it is intentional. There is a deeper message behind that,” Garin said during the press conference in the House of Representatives.
The Iloilo lawmaker said that the DepEd must ascertain the reason behind the acts of the public school teacher to understand the situation, noting that the teacher’s move may be her way to voice out her concerns.
“Ano ba ‘yung pinagmulan ng lahat ng ito? Where is she coming from? And nakakalabas ba sila ng bodes within the Department of Education? Is somebody hearing them out? Is somebody hearing their problems? Or is somebody supporting them?” she asked.
“What should be the feedback mechanism between our teachers and their administration? This is a very important thing that should be looked into because for all we know baka mamaya sa loob loob niya nandun na ‘yung galit pero hindi siya makalapit sa principal, sa regional director or baka nakalapit siya, may problema na pero kinocontain kasi hindi nila maipalabas sa Central Office,” Garin continued.
The teacher did a live video on her social media account while she was berating her students which received backlash from the netizens.
DepEd said that it has yet to issue sanctions to the teacher and assured her that she will undergo due process.
“This can also be an eye opener. May mali ang teacher, yes. There is also the impact of social media, yes. But we also have to look at the bigger picture. Baka ‘yung ating mga public school teachers ay mayroon ding pinagdaraanan and wala dun ‘yung avenue na ‘yung mga needs nila o ‘yung mental problems nila,” the lady lawmaker stressed.
MANILA — A state-of-the-art, 20-story Philippine Cancer Center is soon to rise in Quezon City. It will serve as a hub for cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support.
Aside from offering a world-class cancer facility, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin highlighted that the PCC will at the same time, accommodate doctors undergoing training.
It will also provide temporary accommodation for the relatives of cancer patients undergoing treatments.
Garin explained that the facility will offer specialized training for doctors, particularly those from the provinces.
“With this project, firstly, doctors from the provinces who aspire to become cancer specialists can travel here for training. And of course, after completing their training, they can return to their respective hometowns or provinces to serve,” the former health secretary stated.
“We have many talented doctors, but due to financial constraints, they often cannot undergo proper training. With this initiative, when you undergo training, you will have free housing, ensuring full support from the government,” added Garin, who also serves as the Vice Chairperson on the Committee on Appropriations.
Garin further mentioned that cancer patients from the provinces will no longer need to travel back and forth as temporary free housing will be provided for both patients and their relatives within the PCC premises.
“The beneficiaries will be the patients… This includes a halfway house for cancer patients while undergoing treatment,” Garin emphasized.
On March 8, House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the groundbreaking ceremony for the 20-story PCC in Quezon City, which will serve as a hub for cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support. He noted the administration’s aim to “transform cancer from a death sentence into a manageable condition that, when detected and treated early, can be overcome.”
According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), in 2018, there were 141,021 reported cases of cancer with a total of 86,337 cancer-related deaths in the country. Among the top 10 most common cancers are breast, cervix uteri, colorectum, corpus uteri, leukemia, liver, lung, ovary, prostate, and thyroid cancer.
Garin stressed that cancer can now be effectively treated given the presence of adequate facilities, treatment modalities, and cancer specialists in the country.
“The truth is, cancer has evolved into a chronic illness. This means that nowadays, with the availability of facilities, specialists, and treatment modalities, patients can truly survive cancer,” the lawmaker concluded.
Former health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin has warned the public against the negative side effects of infusing glutathione into one’s body.
When asked about the dangers of glutathione drip, Garin explained that overdosing on glutathione will make a person’s color fairer and whiter, however, it will put the individual at risk of skin cancer.
“You will only have a fair and whiter skin if you get it in excessive doses. Iyan po ang epekto ng overdose ng glutathione. It is beneficial? Sa iyong resistensya—yes. However, kapag ikaw ay hindi natingnan ng maayos ng doktor, at ito pala ay bawal sa’yo at wala ka namang cancer ay para kang kumuha ng bato na pinukpok mo sa ulo mo,” the lawmaker said during a press conference in the House of Representatives.
“Dahil hinaharang niya ‘yung iyong pigment cells, nagiging mas prone ka sa cancer. ‘Yung mapuputi, madami sa kanila may cancer dahil hinaharang ng gluta ang melanin na syang protection o parang bubong na nag aabsorb ng radiation,” she added.
The Iloilo lawmaker said that glutathione is being used by cancer patients as an immune booster while they are undergoing chemotherapy so they do not easily acquire diseases.
“It is actually an immune booster, habang ikaw ay nagche-chemo, babagsak ang resistensya mo… It is a very strong antioxidant para ikaw ay hindi madaling mahawa ng sakit, ikaw ay natutulungang tumaas ang iyong resistensya, subalit mayroon siyang side effect,” Garin said.
“Ang side effect niya ay nagpapaputi siya in excessive doses dahil kung ikaw ay may konting overdose na sa glutathione nasusupress niya or hinaharang niya ‘yung iyong melanin o iyong pigment cells na nagbibigay ng kulay mo,” the lady solon furthered.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) opposed the use of glutathione for skin whitening, stressing that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any injectable products for skin lightening.
To boost the immune system, Garin advised the public to eat healthy food, exercise daily, and get enough sleep.
Opening the country for foreign-owned educational institutions will be a way for the Filipino students to have international standard education, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin stressed on Monday.
During the hearing of the Committee of the Whole on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, Garin said international standard education should not only be limited to those who can study abroad to be globally competitive individuals.
“We cannot live in hypocrisy, Mr. Chairman, because if we remain as hypocrites, saying na ang Pilipinas ay para lamang sa mga Pilipino. Tayo po ay lulubog kasi karamihan sa atin dito ay palaging nag-aabroad para mag-aral, nagpapaaral ng mga anak sa abroad, gustong-gusto natin ang competitive standards sa abroad because we want to be more competitive… That is a prerogative that should be given to every Filipino child,” Garin pointed out.
Garin also pointed out that allowing foreign-owned educational institutions in the country would not be a hindrance to instill nationalism and patriotism to Filipino students.
“We’re talking about here pure Filipino, we’re talking about here patriotism but does it make you less of a Filipino kung hangarin mong magkaroon ng mas magandang edukasyon,” the lady solon said.
“Does it make you less of a Filipino if you aspire to be competitive and teach our future generation and give them that opportunity na sa ngayon nakakamit lang ng mamayaman sa Pilipinas?” she asked.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo lawmaker debunked the statement of Department of Education (DepEd) that RBH No. 7 will be a threat to national security after it failed to respond to the connection between the two.
“The representative from DepEd cannot justify their claim that this RBH 7 will serve as a national security threat,” Garin said.
The lawmaker pointed out that the current administration aims to provide such education to talented and intelligent Filipinos.
“When we open up the Philippines, it is simply because gusto ng current administration na maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino ang kakayahan na napapakinabangan lang ng iilang mayayaman,” the lawmaker said.
Garin also highlighted that opening the country for foreign schools would help boost the economy of the country.