News Briefs: Sept. 4, 2019

Napoles demurrer denied

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has denied the demurrers to evidence of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, and former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives party list Rep. Edgar Valdez in their plunder case in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam.

In a resolution, the antigraft court said that if unrebutted, the evidence against Napoles and Valdez would be strong enough to warrant a guilty verdict. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu

Nullify Duterte Youth registration, Comelec asked

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the youth sector on Tuesday filed a petition asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cancel or nullify the registration of the Duterte Youth party list group.

The petitioners, represented by former Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. and lawyer Emil Maranon, said that the proadministration party list did not undergo all the required steps to register with the poll body.

The petitioners were Reeya Beatrice Magtalas, Abigail Aleli Tan, Raainah Punzalan and Aunell Ross Angcos. —Tina G. Santos

DOH: Stop sharing fake info online

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to be more responsible in sharing information, especially on social media, following the confirmed death of a kid in Davao City due to meningococcemia.

The DOH’s regional office in Davao said that contrary to speculations, the bacteria causing meningococcemia could not spread and be transmitted easily to the public.

“There has to be direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of the infected person for someone to be at risk,” the DOH said in a statement. —Jovic Yee