INQToday: China water cannons 2 PH vessels in Scarborough Shoal anew

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

China water cannons 2 PH vessels in Scarborough Shoal anew

China Coast Guard (CCG) once again used water cannons against two Philippine vessels conducting a mission in the Scarborough Shoal Tuesday morning.

Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Bagacay and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Bankaw were hit by the CCG’s water cannons, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

Multi-level marketing doctors to face charges – DOH

Apart from the revocation of their licenses, medical experts confirmed to be engaging in multi-level marketing schemes with pharmaceutical companies may also face charges, according to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.

During the Senate panel on health and demography’s hearing on Monday, Herbosa was questioned as to what would happen to physicians proven to be guilty of conniving with pharmaceutical companies in terms of prescribing medicines to patients.

Bell-Kenz Pharma admits giving incentives to doctors

Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. admitted on Tuesday to “giving incentives” to some of its doctor partners but denied allegations of involvement in so-called “multi-level marketing schemes” or MLMs.

The firm’s chairperson and chief executive officer Luis Raymond Go disclosed this himself during a hearing of the Senate panel on health and demography.

House probe sought on power grid’s frequent yellow, red alerts

The House of Representatives is being asked to investigate the frequent yellow and red alerts raised by the country’s electrical grid amid fears that the energy crisis might be exploited by companies seeking to increase power rates.

Lawmakers from the House Makabayan bloc filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1690 on Monday, calling for a probe into the cause of the constant alerts raised by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and whether or not these were legitimate alerts.

DepEd pushing for early end of school year due to intense heat

The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday that it is pushing for an earlier end to the school year 2024 to 2025, citing the intense heat that affects learners.

According to Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, DepEd spokesperson, the department has submitted a letter to the Office of the President regarding their proposal.