Dengue Crisis in Iloilo: 4 Dead, Nearly 400 Infected—Is Your Town Next?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has reported a concerning rise in dengue cases, with 385 incidents and four fatalities recorded in January 2025—a 58% increase compared to the same period last year. The victims included a 67-year-old woman, a 6-year-old boy, a 71-year-old man, and an 11-month-old infant. Two deaths occurred in Pototan, while Carles and Oton each reported one. 

Cabatuan registered the highest number of cases at 22, followed by Leon, Oton, and San Joaquin with 21 cases each. The number of barangays with clustering cases—defined as having two or more cases within four consecutive weeks—has also increased from 13 to 18. 

In response, IPHO personnel are conducting village inspections to ensure the proper implementation of the 4S strategy against dengue:

Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites: Eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

Seek early consultation for symptoms: Promptly visit health centers if dengue symptoms appear.

Self-protection measures: Use protective clothing and mosquito repellent.

Support fogging operations in hotspot areas: Participate in community fogging initiatives when necessary.

The IPHO is also ensuring that rural health units have adequate resources, including dengue test kits, medicines, and materials for information campaigns. Residents are urged to actively participate in community cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. 

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. Early detection and access to proper medical care significantly lower fatality rates. 

The World Health Organization emphasizes that prevention and control of dengue depend on effective vector control measures. There is no specific treatment for dengue; thus, early detection and proper medical care are crucial. 

In the Philippines, the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program was established in 1993, focusing on case and vector surveillance, case diagnosis and management, integrated vector management, outbreak response, health promotion, and research. 

As global temperatures rise, experts warn that diseases like dengue could become more widespread. Virologist Nerea Irigoyen from the University of Cambridge cautions that without immediate preventive measures, dengue and similar diseases may become endemic in regions previously unaffected. 

Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing dengue by maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites, and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.

Billions in Budget Scandal? Duterte Allies Drop Bombshell Graft Case Against Speaker Romualdez!

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In a significant political development, allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte have filed graft and falsification complaints against House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other key lawmakers. The complaints, lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman, allege unauthorized insertions amounting to approximately ₱241 billion in the 2025 national budget.

The Allegations

The complainants, led by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, along with Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, PDP-Laban senatorial candidate Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, and Citizens Crime Watch president Diego Magpantay, accuse Romualdez, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, former House Appropriations Committee Chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo of falsifying legislative documents. They claim that these lawmakers inserted substantial amounts into the 2025 national budget without proper authorization, leading to 12 counts each of falsification and graft charges. 

Details of the Complaint

According to Atty. Topacio, the alleged insertions occurred 12 times, as evidenced by discrepancies in the bicameral conference committee report. He emphasized that the approved report contained zero allocations in certain sections, which were later altered to include significant sums. Topacio stated, "You can’t put zero and make it ₱90 billion or ₱80 billion, even ₱10,000 or ₱1. It’s just zero. So we counted 12 times of such insertion." 

Response from the Accused

House Majority Leader Dalipe responded to the allegations by asserting that the passage of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) was a constitutional duty of Congress and not an act of wrongdoing. He dismissed the complaints as politically motivated, especially given the proximity to the upcoming elections. Dalipe stated, "The approval of the 2025 GAB is not an act of wrongdoing but a constitutional duty of Congress." 

Context and Implications

This legal action underscores the escalating tensions within the Philippine political landscape, particularly between allies of former President Duterte and the current House leadership under Speaker Romualdez. The rift has been evident in recent months, with disputes over budget allocations and allegations of corruption.

Notably, in November 2024, Vice President Sara Duterte publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and Speaker Romualdez assassinated if she were killed, highlighting the deepening divisions within the country's leadership. 

Furthermore, Vice President Duterte has faced multiple impeachment complaints, with the most recent filed on February 5, 2025, accusing her of corruption, plotting to assassinate the President, involvement in extrajudicial killings, and incitement to insurrection. This complaint garnered the support of 215 members of the House of Representatives, including Speaker Romualdez. 

Looking Ahead

The filing of these graft and falsification complaints adds another layer to the complex political dynamics in the Philippines. As the 2025 elections approach, the outcomes of these legal battles and the internal conflicts within the government will significantly influence the country's political trajectory.

Marcos Fills Comelec with Loyalists? Meet the 2 New Power Players Shaping PH Elections!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a significant development for the Philippines' electoral system, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed two seasoned insiders to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), completing its seven-member en banc ahead of the May 12 national and local elections. The new commissioners, Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Noli Rafol Pipo, bring decades of experience within the Comelec, promising continuity and expertise in the commission's operations.

Profiles of the New Commissioners

Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal has dedicated 27 years to the Comelec, culminating in her role as the head of the Legal Department since 2016. Her extensive legal background and deep understanding of election laws position her as a valuable asset to the commission. Upon her appointment, Tangaro-Casingal took her oath before Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia and will serve in the First Division alongside Commissioners Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio and Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. 

Noli Rafol Pipo's tenure with the Comelec spans 32 years, beginning as an election officer in Bangued, Abra, in 1993. He advanced to become the provincial election officer for Ilocos Sur in 1996 and later served as the regional director for Region 1. Pipo's extensive field experience provides him with a comprehensive perspective on the electoral process. He is set to take his oath on Wednesday and will join the Second Division with Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis. 

Implications of the Appointments

The appointments of Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo fill the vacancies left by the recent retirements of Commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo, respectively. Their inclusion means that five of the seven Comelec commissioners are now appointees of President Marcos Jr., following his earlier appointments of Chairman Garcia, Commissioner Celis, and Commissioner Maceda in 2022. By February 2027, the entire Comelec en banc is expected to consist of Marcos appointees. 

Chairman Garcia expressed gratitude to the President for the timely appointments, emphasizing the importance of a complete commission in making decisive rulings, especially with the upcoming elections. He noted that having insiders as commissioners boosts the morale of Comelec personnel and ensures that the appointees are well-versed in the intricacies of the electoral process. 

Looking Ahead

With the en banc now complete, the Comelec is poised to intensify its preparations for the May 12 elections. The commission has already made significant progress, having printed approximately 13 million ballots as of early February, surpassing its initial daily target. The inclusion of experienced insiders like Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo is anticipated to enhance the commission's efficiency and effectiveness in overseeing the electoral process. 

The appointments underscore the administration's commitment to strengthening the country's democratic institutions by entrusting leadership roles to individuals with proven track records and deep institutional knowledge. As the nation approaches the midterm elections, the reinforced Comelec en banc is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.