By Herbert Vego IT seemed as if, without firing a single bullet, a big bully intimidated a small bully into giving up. The scenario that flashed on our viewfinder was one of President Rodrigo Duterte breaking his silence on the tension in the West Philippine Sea during his televised cabinet meeting on Monday. To
April 21, 2021
By Herbert Vego THE Department of Health (DOH) has issued a stern warning against alleged misinformation in the social media that tend to erode public confidence in said office. DOH Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire might have been correct in cautioning the public against non-prescribed anti-Covid cure and prophylaxis, but whom could we turn to
April 19, 2021
By Herbert Vego THANK God, I have returned to this corner after three full weeks, counting from March 26, 2021. In 12 of those days, I was confined in a hospital. To make those long days short, let me just say I fought and beat the world’s most dreaded coronavirus disease (Covid 19). Was
April 16, 2021
By Herbert Vego IF you don’t know what TAMA stands for, you are not alone. Most Filipinos probably don’t know that it is an acronym for Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act, signed by then-President Fidel Ramos in 1998. Originally proposed by then-Senator Juan Flavier as Senate Bill 1471, it created the Traditional Medicine Authority
March 26, 2021
By Herbert Vego THIS corner has repeatedly questioned the refusal of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) to endorse medicines that could cure Covid-19. They are limited to “promotion” of vaccines, which are by nature merely preventive rather than curative. Contrary opinions posted on Facebook end up deleted during
March 24, 2021
By Herbert Vego WE have received interesting reactions on Facebook to our column on “Church-State discord” (March 17 issue) that began with the “discovery” of the Philippines by Magellan. We are summarizing some of them. Here’s one from our friend Freddie Panes, who now lives in Philadelphia: “Why do we keep saying ‘discovered’? The
March 22, 2021
By Herbert Vego Journalist Merlyn Bayombong-Pomperada and I chanced upon Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao in a meeting with her “team” at the famous NOZOMI Ramen Haus in San Jose, Antique. We asked for her reaction to the alleged intention of Congresswoman Loren Legarda to return for the Senate. No doubt she would win. The
March 19, 2021
By Herbert Vego IT was a significant date for Philippine Christianity yesterday, celebrated as the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. No less than Pope Francis led a Mass celebrating that milestone at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. If truth be told, however, what transpired on March 16, 1521 — recorded in history as
March 17, 2021
By Herbert Vego YOU and I have heard it said, “What you don’t know does not hurt.” But why are we hurt by daily doses of stories on the “unknown” microscopic enemy that has kept the world economy tumbling down for one year already? Some of us believe that our only hope for survival
March 15, 2021
By Herbert Vego DID you laugh, smirk or rage over the latest “safety precaution” announced by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to avoid catching coronavirus disease (Covid-19)? To say it in jest and in gist, “Thou shalt not show public display of affection.” You and your spouse, your parents or your children may not
March 12, 2021
By Herbert Vego IF the Bakuna Iloilo — an organization of pro-vaccination Ilonggos – expects to suppress “misinformation” against Covid-19 vaccines, it’s easier said than done. Why force the people to disbelieve what they believe, or vice-versa? The group came together in the wake of reports that 71 percent of Iloilo City residents who were asked
March 10, 2021
By Herbert Vego NOW that the vaccines are locally available, is the dreaded coronavirus disease (Covid-19) going away? Believe it or not, the Octa Research Group says new cases continue to rise every day. (Incidentally, it is the same commercial pollster that said presidential daughter Sara Duterte would win the presidency if elections were
March 8, 2021