Hi, everyone.
We're under 14 weeks till Christmas, but there are less than two weeks left for voter registration. The guessing game is still underway.
Deliverables
✅ Underway: September 2024 Monthly Sundry Survey
🩸💔 After ruling the roost in the airwaves for four years, they're finally facing the music.
News from the Past Week
National
Main News
📜 Apollo Quiboloy pleads not guilty to trafficking | Rappler
🚓 US cancels visa of Royina Garma, ex-cop linked to Duterte’s ‘death squad’ | Rappler
🌊 BRP Teresa Magbanua leaves Escoda Shoal | PhilStar
🗳️ #TheFilipinoDecides2025
🏃🏼♂️➡️ It's convention season! Who's in the race and what are they running for?
Running for Senate (second time)
Running for local races
Other News
👨🏼⚕️ Doc Willie Ong announces cancer diagnosis | GMA News
🖼️ Fernando Amorsolo's 'Under the Mango Tree' sold for P57 million, sets new record at Leon Gallery's auction | GMA News
👨🏼⚖️ Ex-CJ Panganiban to get top papal honor for service | Inquirer
Regional News
🎨🤖💡 Digit-AI art? Poster-making contest draws flak for recognizing ‘AI-generated’ work | InterAksyon
International News
2024 US Election
Other International News
Lebanon is rocked again by exploding devices as Israel declares a ‘new phase’ of war | AP
Portugal battles ferocious wildfires as toll rises to seven | Inquirer
Business
🐊 Lacoste loses trademark battle over crocodile logo in the Philippines | Abogado.com.ph
Sports
🎮 IShowSpeed PH visit:
🥊 Canelo Alvarez drops Edgar Berlanga en route to unanimous decision nod | GMA News
♟️ Philippines has newly minted Grandmaster in Daniel Quizon | BusinessWorld
🛑 UFC 306: Merab Dvalishvili mauls Sean O'Malley to grab UFC bantamweight title | Yahoo Sports
Showbiz
International
🏆 Here Are All the Winners of the 2024 Emmy Awards | Hypebeast
😰 Inside Out 2 is coming to Disney+ later this month | The Verge
💿 ITZY to return as a complete group with new album this October | GMA
💐 Miley Cyrus Sued Over 'Flowers' For Allegedly Copying Bruno Mars Song | TMZ
💍 Charlie Puth Marries Brooke Sansone at His Family Home in Montecito Wedding: 'It Has Always Been You' | People
🧑🏼⚖️ Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail in sex-trafficking case | BBC
Local
👑 Kris Aquino’s PH return delights fans | Inquirer
🏆 Michelle Dee reveals she hasn’t received Miss Universe ‘Voice For Change’ award | Inquirer
Mass Media
📡 Disney, DirecTV reach deal, restoring programming for 11 million satellite TV viewers | Reuters
❌ Planned merger of Super RTL, Nickelodeon withdrawn, says German cartel office | Reuters
🕯️Obituaries
Op-Ed from the Outside
📋 Electoral polling season | Inquirer
😕 They can’t seem to get it | PhilStar
Timow’s Weekly Editorials
🧑⚕ [General] Vented frustration of a famous doc
In a country where healthcare access is a privilege rather than a right, the news of Dr. Willie Ong's recent cancer diagnosis has cast a stark light on the realities faced by millions of Filipinos. The respected cardiologist and health advocate revealed he is battling a serious sarcoma behind his heart, evoking shock and sadness. His situation underscores the irony that even a prominent figure like him is not immune to the system's inadequacies he has long sought to reform.
For many, Doc Willie is well-known for his practical advice on preventing and managing illnesses, shared across various social media platforms. He has educated millions, especially those who cannot afford expensive consultations or hospital visits. His empathetic and straightforward approach made healthcare accessible to the masses in a country where it often feels inaccessible.
Doc Willie’s battle is deeply personal, but it is also emblematic of the struggles that everyday Filipinos face in seeking medical treatment. In his public statements, he has been open about his experience (including the bashing during his last electoral campaign for Vice President), expressing not just concern for his health but also the state of healthcare in the country. He has pointed out the differences in access to medical services, emphasizing that many Filipinos struggle to find adequate resources and opportunities for proper care.
Doc Willie’s plight shines a spotlight on the failings of the nation’s healthcare system—a system that is supposed to serve all but instead leaves many behind. The country has long struggled with inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a chronic shortage of healthcare professionals. These issues have only worsened in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which stretched an already fragile system to its breaking point.
The promise of universal healthcare, enshrined in the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law of 2019, remains elusive for many Filipinos. The law, which was supposed to ensure that every Filipino has access to quality healthcare services, has yet to fully deliver on its promises. While the law theoretically guarantees that every Filipino is automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program, the reality is far from ideal. Many still struggle to access even basic health services, let alone specialized care like cancer treatment.
One of the most glaring issues is the chronic underfunding of the healthcare system. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the government agency tasked with providing health insurance coverage to all Filipinos, has been mired in controversy. Reports of unauthorized funds amounting to P90 billion have surfaced, leading to a loss of public trust in the institution. How can the country expect to provide adequate healthcare when the agency responsible for ensuring it is embroiled in corruption and mismanagement?
Doc Willie’s experience underscores the need for a more equitable and compassionate healthcare system—one that does not discriminate based on socioeconomic status or geographic location. Every Filipino should have access to quality medical care, regardless of background. This is not just a matter of public policy; it is a matter of human dignity.
The question now is: where do we go from here? How can we rebuild a healthcare system that truly serves the needs of the Filipino people?
First, there must be a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of the healthcare crisis. This means increasing funding for health services, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that healthcare professionals are fairly compensated for their work. The government must also take concrete steps to address the corruption and mismanagement that have plagued institutions like PhilHealth. Without accountability, there can be no progress.
Second, the government must prioritize the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. While the law is a step in the right direction, its full potential has yet to be realized. Every Filipino should have access to affordable and quality healthcare, regardless of income or location. This means investing in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, and ensuring that health services are accessible to all.
Finally, there must be a shift in the way healthcare is viewed. Healthcare should not be seen as a commodity reserved for the wealthy but as a fundamental right for all citizens. The government, healthcare providers, and the public must work together to create a system that prioritizes the well-being of every Filipino, not just those who can afford it.
The journey toward healthcare reform in our country is indeed a challenging one. It requires the collaborative efforts of the government, healthcare professionals, and the public to establish a system that genuinely meets the needs of all Filipinos.
It raises an important question about the timeline for these necessary changes: how long will it take to see meaningful progress?
🐾 [The Filipino Decides 2025] Will some PLs get back on their feet?
Many voters tend to concentrate on the high-profile national races for president, vice president, and senators. However, party lists are actively competing for their share of legislative representation less visibly. Understandably, polling firms do not emphasize this aspect as PLs are fragmented in nature.
How do they win seats? First, a group needs to grab at least 2% of the total valid votes cast for party lists. Hit that, and they automatically get one seat. Then, they get proportionally represented. So, if a party list is super popular, it’s still capped at three seats — a rule to make sure no one dominates.
However, the reality is... messy. Some of the most prominent party lists have either disappeared or seen their influence shrink. On the flip side, other groups are hanging on by a thread. But they’ve got some hurdles ahead. Their current reps are not running and they will need to groom new nominees if they want to stay in the game.
And let’s not forget the red-tagging.
On the other side of the aisle, more populist and pro-administration groups have thrived, with connections to the likes of the brothers of a famous surname giving them major name recognition (and votes). Despite the Duterte era behind us, the effects of "Dutertismo" still linger, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and X, where supporters are still very active. The result? Groups that challenge the status quo, like the left-leaning ones, continue to face serious pushback.
Looking ahead to the 2025 polls, there’s a chance for some of these marginalized groups to make a comeback. But if they can’t hit that all-important mark, they’re at risk of being delisted, which means they won’t be able to run again in future elections. Gulp.
🐦 Before You Go…
After a decade of peace and calm (and maybe some broken phones), Flappy Bird is flapping back! Yep, the pixelated bird that caused worldwide frustration and unexpected addiction is ready for round two. So dust off those thumb muscles, because it's time to dive between those pipes again. Just don't blame your cracked screen on nostalgia this time!
Also, the 34th Ig Nobel Prize:
Ingat.
~Timow