Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:55:00 PM
Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today said President Arroyo can grab all the credit for the Cheaper Medicines Law as long as she signs the executive order imposing the maximum retail price on the 22 most essential medicines for Filipinos.
"Gawin na lang nating GMA (Gamot na Mura’t Abot-kaya) ang acronym nitong MRP (Maximum Retail Price) na ito para pirmahan na siya ni Pangulong Arroyo (Let’s just change the MRP to GMA to facilitate its immediate signing by President Arroyo)," said Roxas, who is primary author of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law. He said getting the price of the 22 most essential medicines cut down by 50 percent once they are included in the MRP list is more important than who gets the credit for putting the program into law.
"Malaking isyu ito para kay GMA at sa kanyang mga alipores kaya ayan, gawin na lang nating G.M.A. para bumaba na ang presyo ng mga gamot (GMA and her men are making an issue out of this acronym so let us give what they want so prices of medicines would now go down)," he added.
"Madam President, huwag ka ng magselos sa akin dito sa Cheaper Medicines na ito, masyado ka namang insecure. Ayan at sa iyo na ang credit. Pirmahan mo na ang executive order (Mrs. President, stop being jealous of me because of this Cheaper Medicines law, you are too insecured. The credit is now yours. Sign the EO)," he also said. The DOH has transmitted the draft EO on the MRP to the Office of the President as early as June 16. Almost a month today, the EO has yet to be signed by Mrs. Arroyo.
"Isang bolpen lang naman ang katapat niyan. Kung may oras kang makipag-miting sa mga pharmaceutical companies at bumiyahe sa ibang bansa, magbigay ka naman ng kahit isang minuto lang pirmahan itong EO na ito (You only need one ballpen to do this. If you have the time to meet with pharmaceutical companies and travel abroad, then spend even one minute to sign the EO)," he said.
"Matagal na itong hinihintay ng ating mga kababayan. Unahin mo naman ang kanilang kapakanan (Our countrymen have long been waiting for this. Prioritize their needs, please)," he added. The proposed EO would allow the halving of the prices of essential medicines, like the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc (to P22.50 from P44.50); anti-diabetic Diamicron (to P7.35 from P14.75); antibiotic Zithromax (to P149.37 from P298.75); and antibiotic Augmentin suspension 60 ml (to P179.50 from P359).
Labels: cheaper medicines bill, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president
blogged by Kevin Ray at 9:55:00 PM |   | 
12:40:00 PM
Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today asked President Arroyo to resist pressure when he meets with US President Barack Obama who will surely defend the US pharmaceutical companies’ opposition to the immediate implementation of the Cheaper Medicines law.
"Pangulong Arroyo, okay lang na makipagpulong ka kay President Obama pero huwag kang magpapa-braso na hindi natin pabababain ang presyo ng gamot dito sa ating bansa (It’s okay if you meet with President Obama but don’t be influenced into not bringing down the prices of medicines in our country)," he said.
"Matagal ng naghihintay ang ating mga kababayan na tuparin mo ang iyong pangako. Ipatupad mo na ang batas para sa murang gamot. Ang daming oras na ang nasasayang (Our people have long been waiting for you to make true your promise. Implement the law on cheaper medicines. We are wasting a lot of time with your administration’s dilly-dallying)," he added. 
The Visayan senator noted pharmaceutical lobbying in the United States is one of the strongest and most influential in the world.
"Ang mga pharmaceutical companies, malaking industriya iyan sa Amerika. Yung pharmaceutical lobby isa sa pinakamalaki, pinaka-malakas, pinakamatindi…’yung healthcare reborn, isa sa pinakamalaking isyu sa Amerika. Kasi napakatindi ng lobby ng pharmaceutical industry (The pharmaceutical industry in America is big. The pharmaceutical lobby there is very strong. The healthcare reborn is a big issue because of the lobbying of the pharmaceutical industry)," he said. Roxas reiterated his call for President Arroyo to sign the month-old draft executive order imposing the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on 22 most essential medicines for Filipinos.
He said even the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that 122 governments all over the world impose price regulations on medicines sold in their respective countries.
"Bakit kailangang dito sa atin ay pahirapan ang pagpapatupad nitong MRP? Ginang Arroyo, isipin mo naman ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan (Why are we having a difficult time with the implementation of this MRP? Mrs. President, be more considerate of your people)," he also said. Labels: barack obama, cheaper medicines bill, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, usa, world health organization
blogged by Kevin Ray at 12:40:00 PM | |
Sunday, July 12, 2009 4:10:00 PM
Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today lauded the safe release of Italian humanitarian worker Eugenio Vagni as he joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the joyous occasion.
"Kaisa ako ng buong mundo sa napakasayang oras na ito. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa maayos na pagpapalaya kay Ginoong Vagni. Sa wakas ay muli na niyang makakapiling ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay." he said. Vagni is the last to regain his freedom from the group of three ICRC workers abducted by ASG members last January 15 while at a humanitarian mission in Patikul, Sulu. Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss Andreas Notter were released on April 2 and April 8, respectively.
The Visayan senator urged the Armed Forces to pursue the volunteers’ abductors, citing reports that more civilians are being held hostage by the terror group.
"We should not stop our relentless pursuit of these people. There can be no negotiations with terrorists. Their agenda has nothing to do with reason or pity or humanity. Their reason for being is precisely as their name states, to sow terror," he said. Labels: abu sayaff, andreas notter, armed forces of the philippines, eugenio vagni, icrc, mar roxas, mary jean lacaba, philippines
blogged by Kevin Ray at 4:10:00 PM | |
Friday, July 10, 2009 4:42:00 PM
Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today announced that he invited President Arroyo to attend and explain before the Quality Affordable Medicines Oversight Committee her refusal to implement a vital provision of the law that reduces by half prices of 22 essential medicines.
The President will also be asked to shed light into reports that pharmaceutical companies have brought their lobbying against the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines law on the doorsteps of Malacañang; particularly the provision on Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of medicines.
"Ginang Pangulo, gawin niyo po ang inyong trabaho. Pirmahan niyo na po itong executive order" that would impose the MRP on, and slash by half the prices of, the country’s top 22 prescribed but costly medicines, he said.
"Sa kadahilanan nga na nagkaroon ng miting dun sa Malakanyang at hindi natin alam kung ano ang napag-usapan—baka nagkaroon ng aregluhan, baka nagkaroon ng sabwatan kung ano na ang mangyayari dito sa batas—nagtakda tayo ng oversight committee hearing dito po sa pagpapatupad nitong batas," he also said. The oversight committee had transmitted a notice of invitation to President Arroyo requesting her or her representative to attend to shed light on her alleged meeting with representatives of multinational drug companies held last July 8 in Malacañang.
He said: "Para malaman po natin ang katotohanan: paano nangyari itong miting na nito? Sino ang humingi nitong miting na ito? Kelan hiningi itong miting na ito at kelan pinag-bigyan, bakit nagkaroon agad ng schedule itong miting na ito? Makikita natin sa mga record. Malalaman natin ngayon kung ang gobyerno ba ay tumatayo para sa interest natin o tumatayo para sa interest nitong malalaking kumpanya na ito." The Visayan senator had earlier lambasted what seems to be a conspiracy between the government and giant drug manufacturing firms to circumvent the implementation of the year-old law, which would bring relief to the public through easy access to cheaper but quality medicines.
Citing highly reliable sources, Roxas had exposed the "confidential meeting" and urged the Chief Executive to be wary of presidential advisers whose personal conflicts of interest might compromise her.
"Nanawagan ako sa Pangulo: Huwag po kayong makinig diyan. Nagla-lobby lang po ang mga iyan. Huwag po kayong makinig sa mga adviser ninyo, nagla-lobby lang po iyan. Panigan po ninyo, tayuan po ninyo, tindigan po ninyo, ang interest ng ating mga kababayan," he appealed to President Arroyo.
He vowed: "Hindi ko bibitiwan itong isyu na ito. Nasa batas na ito. Ang tagal na nating ipinaglaban ito. Ngayong nasa batas na ito, wala ng dahilan kung bakit hindi na mangyari ito kung hindi na lang iyong kagustuhan ng pangulo." Labels: cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president
blogged by Kevin Ray at 4:42:00 PM | |
Thursday, July 9, 2009 3:42:00 PM
Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today exposed a devious conspiracy between President Arroyo and multinational drug firms to circumvent the cheaper medicines law, in effect keeping critical drugs out of reach of the poor.
"I am informed by very reliable sources that recently, President Arroyo held a closed door meeting with representatives of multinational drug firms," he said.
"Sa meeting nila, napagkasunduan na ipagpaliban muna ang EO na magpapataw ng Maximum Retail Price (MRP) sa mga gamot. Ang kapalit, gagawa ng paraan ang big pharma companies na ibaba ang presyo ng gamot bago sumapit ang SONA ni GMA sa July 28," Roxas revealed. The Executive Order setting the MRP for 22 essential medicines has been submitted by the Department of Health (DOH) to Mrs. Arroyo as early as June 16. The MRP list seeks to slash by half the prices of these drugs within reach of poor patients who are in need of life maintenance or at the brink of dying.
These drugs include the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc (to P22.50 from P44.50); anti-diabetic Diamicron (to P7.35 from P14.75); antibiotic Zithromax (to P149.37 from P298.75); and antibiotic Augmentin suspension 60 ml (to P179.50 from P359).
"Sa meeting na iyon, nandoon daw ang Secretary of Health. Tinatanong kita, Secretary Duque, bakit hindi ka umalma sa kuntsabahang nasaksihan mo sa pagpupulong na iyon?" he said.
"I believe that this conspiracy was engineered with the facilitation of an influential Presidential Adviser who is also connected with one of the multinational pharmaceutical giants," he added.
"It is the poor patients that the President should call to Malacañang for a meeting so she can see for herself how hard it is to cling to dear life without affordable quality medication," he said. Roxas demanded "for the nth time" that the President sign the EO on the MRP "and stop consultations with the pharmaceutical firms as if they were the victims in this issue."
He also demanded that Tamiflu—now priced as high as P150 per tablet—should also be included in the MRP."Stop playing with the lives of the people and just implement the law, Mrs. President," he said. Labels: cheaper medicines bill, doh, francisco duque, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, tamiflu
blogged by Kevin Ray at 3:42:00 PM | |
10:20:00 AM
Good day everyone! As we all know, Facebook has been growing in the Philippines. I'm sure most of you have been aware of that. Having been a longtime user of Facebook, we have continued to spread the word about Mar Roxas on this social networking site and indeed, it has gained momentum and we want you to be part of it.
With your online participation, you can make an impact.
Oras Na! Roxas Na!Labels: campaign, facebook, mar roxas
blogged by Kevin Ray at 10:20:00 AM | |
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 1:22:00 PM
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas that it will carry out an extensive information dissemination campaign nationwide to educate voters about the new automated system to be used in the 2010 national and local elections.
"The 2010 elections will mark an important day in our country’s history. Mahalagang may sapat na kaalaman ang mga botante ukol sa bagong sistemang gagamitin ng Comelec sa susunod na taon," Roxas said.
"I assume the Comelec will be ready for any eventuality that could happen. It is always good to be ready than to be sorry. Walang puwang ang pagkakamali sa halalan," he stressed. Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino Jr. has informed Roxas that contingency measures have been put up in preparation for any hitches that could bog down the smooth conduct of next year’s elections.
Among others, he guaranteed that public information activities would be launched all over the country to teach voters on how the automated system works and what voters should do. The program would include the presentation of optical mark ballots and a discussion on the proper way of filling up these ballots.
Survey forms, which have been designed to measure competence of voters on the use of the ballots, would be distributed to local offices of the Comelec. Participants would be asked to fill-up these forms at the end of each voter education activity.
The same forms would be distributed to all private voter education initiatives for use at their own information campaign programs. A private survey firm would also be contracted to determine sufficiency of voter competence in the use of these ballots.
Furthermore, on Election Day itself, each polling place would be provided with posters that show the proper way of filling-up the new ballots. Other guarantees made by the Comelec on the Visayan senator included:
- The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) is capable of counting 60 ballots per minute (equivalent to 360 ballots per hour or 3,960 ballots for the 11-hour voting period from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.);
- Classrooms or polling places will be set-up to accommodate 12 to 15 voters simultaneously;
- The PCOS will be installed right inside the polling place where voters will their ballots; and
- Strategic locations would be set up to ensure replacement of counting machines ore related peripherals within 2 hours in case of machine breakdown.
Labels: comelec, jose tolentino jr., mar roxas, philippines, poll automation
blogged by Kevin Ray at 1:22:00 PM | |
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 2:32:00 PM
This just in from Panay News website. The news that we have been waiting for.
Mark your calendars on JULY 11, Saturday, Senator Mar Roxas will announce his presidential bid in his hometown, Roxas City, Capiz.
He and his future wife, Korina Sanchez, with his supporters will travel via Ro-Ro from Manila and then will take breakfast at the house of Gov. Vic Tanco in Dumarao, Capiz.
It's good to know that this news broke out on my birthday, July 7. Good luck to Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez!
Show your support! Be a Friend of Mar NOW!Labels: campaign, kevin ray chua, korina sanchez, mar roxas, philippines, president, victor tanco
blogged by Kevin Ray at 2:32:00 PM | |
9:59:00 AM
Chedeng! Finally, the list on my notebook has been officially transferred to this blog post. It was quite a long time that I decided to vote on these sites as my Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009. Last year, I was able to join this writing project and luckily, this blog was chosen as one of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2008. Without further adieu, here are my Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 IN RANDOM ORDER, (drum rolls please):
 - Kelvinonian Ideas - A blog of Kelvin Servigon, one of my blogger friends online, that is a must see for this kid with a lot of potentials. He's currently taking up Civil Engineering, but he's more into photography. No wonder why this one is now a commercial model and who knows, even a TV actor!
- Let’s Go Sago! - Jonel Uy's blog which captured our minds with Sago in his travel and food adventures. I'm was able to met Jonel during the iBlog5 but I wasn't able to catch a glimpse of Sago, but still, this blog is on my list.
- Patay Gutom - What can I say? In literal translation, it's "Dead Hungry" and I must admit it, once you drop by this blog, the pics of the food makes you surf the site a lot. With the collaboration of different bloggers, this blog will surely stand out in the years to come.
- Adaphobic - I wonder of this irony on Ada's blog because the phobia doesn't reach me. I love the blog and as Ada says in her blog tagline, "Blogging what is essential", indeed, the essential things in her life.
- New Media Philippines - Carlo Ople is the owner and what can you expect? A lot of new ideas and thoughts on the new media landscape of the Philippines that's why this one is also on this list.
- Flair Candy - Woot! I was able to meet the owner of this blog, Hannah, during the iBlog5, though I wasn't able to talk with her personally. But despite that, her blog is on my list! Go go go CPA candy blogger!
- Focal Glass - A blog of my fellow CBS members Evanjohnn Mendoza. His passion for photography is evident in this blog. Very expressive in his shots, Van never fails to amaze us with his photos.
- Video Chops - Now, here's another collaborative blog made by Filipino video bloggers, or shall I say Vloggers. Nowadays, more and more bloggers are moving to the next level from just simply encoding their thoughts through blog posts to sharing it through videos. This site would surely be a one-stop-shop for Vlogs!
- Hay Men! - The blog of the real man, as what the blog says. It's really funny! Just can't get enough of it.
- Cebu Bloggers Society - How could I be able to forget this one. As part of the CBS, I am glad to nominate our site as one of the influential blogs. CBS has come a long way since it started and I believe in the years ahead, a lot is in store for CBS. Mabuhi ang CBS!
Be sure to have your list! Choose your Top 10 and visit Influential Blogger for more details. Cheers to Ms. Janette Toral for this one!
This writing project will not be possible without the support of sponsors such as Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events at Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, and Blog4Reviews.com. Labels: blog, blog contest, cebu bloggers' society, janette toral, kevin ray chua, top 10 emerging influential blogs of 2009
blogged by Kevin Ray at 9:59:00 AM | |
8:23:00 AM
Liberal Party President Senator Mar Roxas today called on all Liberal Party members to unite and move towards victory in the coming 2010 national elections following a decision of the Commission on Elections upholding the November 26, 2007 proceedings of the LP’s National Executive Council (NECO).
"All stumbling blocks to the road to victory have been removed. Oras na para magkaisa (It’s time to unite)," Roxas said after being informed of the Comelec ruling.
"Oras na para tuluyan nating pagtagumpayan ang laban para baguhin ang sistema ng katiwalian na lumakas ng todo sa ilalim ng gobyernong Arroyo (It is now time for the LP to bring the fight to the final push and reform the system of corruption and patronage perpetuated by the Arroyo regime)," he added. In a 12-page decision dated June 18, 2009, the Comelec denied the petition of DENR Secretary Joselito Atienza Jr. seeking to nullify the November 26, 2007 proceedings of the LP’s NECO in Club Filipino that elected Roxas as Party President to succeed former Senate President Franklin Drilon.
The decision was signed by Comelec Chair Jose Melo and Commissioners Armando Velasco, Lucenito Tagle, Ledonardo Leonida, Nicodemo Ferrer and Rene Sarmiento.
The Comelec decision also upheld the inherent right of political parties to impose discipline within its ranks and the determination of who can become members and the composition of its leadership.
The Supreme Court had earlier in July 31, 2007 also declared illegal an attempt by Atienza to form his own party leadership and upheld Drilon’s leadership following the LP’s decision in 2005 to break away from the Arroyo Administration over the “Hello Garci” controversy that alleged massive cheating in the 2004 presidential elections.
LP Secretary-General Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya hailed the Comelec decision as a signal for all LP members throughout the country to proceed with preparations for the coming 2010 elections.
"Destiny has put the LP at the forefront of struggles for reforms in the country. It is now time for us to unite to make sure we pursue this platform of reforming our country," Abaya said. Labels: armando velasco, comelec, franklin drilon, hello garci, jose melo, joseph abaya, ledonardo leonida, lito atienza, lucenito tagle, mar roxas, nicodemo ferrer, pgma, philippines, rene sarmiento
blogged by Kevin Ray at 8:23:00 AM | |
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