FDA recalls infant formula
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the voluntary recall of Similac Tummicare One Infant Formula 820 grams—with batch No. 03518QU, manufacturing date March 2019, and expiration date March 2022—because of differences between the label and the preparation scoop size of the product. But the FDA was quick to add that the recall order, as well as the difference in label and content, do not pose possible adverse health effects to consumers. Consumers who may have purchased the specified product may call Abbott Laboratories hotline at tel. no. (02) 9951555 (Manila) or 1800-10-995-1555 (province), or email familyties.ph@abbott.com for information on how to obtain either a replacement product or a full refund.—TINA G. SANTOS
Palace explains President’s weeklong absence
President Duterte has been busy attending to private meetings and piles of documents in the last few days, which was why he has been absent lately from the public eye, Malacañang said. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, assured the public that the President was just preoccupied with catching up on his paperwork. “He has many private meetings, many courtesy calls. And he told me last night, he has a pile of paperwork (that) takes time reading before he signs them.” Panelo added: “(The President) is too workaholic.” His private engagements included attending the birthday party of TV host and Robin Padilla’s wife Mariel Rodriguez and attending two wakes in Davao City, the Palace said. An advisory from the Palace sent to reporters on Thursday revealed that Mr. Duterte has no scheduled public engagements so far for this week.—JULIE M. AURELIO
Praying for justice on Maguindanao massacre
Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said he had been praying for a guilty verdict for all 197 accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, in which he lost his wife and two sisters. “I pray that justice be rightfully served so that complete healing and forgiveness can finally set in,” the Mindanao lawmaker said in a statement on Thursday. Mangudadatu was reacting to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s comment that he expected judgment to be rendered before the 10th anniversary of the massacre, the single deadliest attack on journalists.—DJ YAP