PGH Restricts ER Admissions Due to Overcrowding; DOH Steps In With Support

PGH Restricts ER Admissions Due to Overcrowding; DOH Steps In With Support

Due to reaching full capacity, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) restricted the number of patients who could receive care in its emergency room on Thursday.

As reported in “Saksi,” PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario stated that the number of patients in the emergency room at the hospital hit an “extremely overcrowded” level.

The surge in emergency room patients resulted in an inadequate supply of oxygen tubes.

Del Rosario mentioned that they needed to enforce “code triage,” where acute or life-threatening emergencies would take precedence, according to the report.

“We hope that within a week, the issue will be resolved. Once our problem is solved, we will inform the public again that the overcapacity situation has ended,” stated Del Rosario.

(We’re looking forward to resolving this issue within a week. After the problem is addressed, we’ll inform everyone that the excess capacity has been eliminated.)

The Department of Health has already worked with PGH to move the remaining patients to 20 of its approved hospitals.

Quoting the PGH administration, the DOH stated that there is no “uncommon or hazardous cause” behind the surge in patient numbers and suggested that these figures might “decline within a few days.”

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa mentioned that they are currently in discussions with UP-PGH about potentially transferring their present patients to DOH facilities.

“Every hospital, clinic, ambulance, and doctor has been instructed not to admit new patients at UP-PGH; instead, they should take them initially to DOH hospitals,” he further stated.

People were told to contact the DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development using the mobile numbers 0956-1753710 or 0920-2511800 prior to transporting a patient to one of the designated hospitals.

Below are the hospitals approved by the DOH in Metro Manila:

The Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Health Facility

Las Pinas General Hospital along with its Satellite Trauma Center

St. Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital

Philippine National Center for Mental Health

Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

Reyes Jose R. Medical City Hospital

San Lazaro Hospital

Tondo Medical Center

Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

Tropical Medicine Research Institute

Rizal Medical Center

East Avenue Medical Center

National Children’s Hospital

Philippine Orthopedic Center

Quirino Memorial Medical Center

Philippines Lung Center

National Kidney and Transplant Institute

Philippine Heart Center

Philippine Children’s Medical Center

Valenzuela Medical Center


— Mariel Celine Serquiña and Vince Angelo Ferreras from BAP, GMA Integrated News

This article
To address overcrowding, PGH restricts emergency room admissions; DOH offers additional support.
was originally published in
GMA News Online
.

Govt Seeks International Aid to Crush Crime Syndicates

Govt Seeks International Aid to Crush Crime Syndicates

Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed to the global community for assistance in dismantling transnational criminal organizations in the Philippines.

“Hontiveros stated that the Philippine government cannot manage this on its own,” she remarked, expressing her relief over the return of 176 Filipinos who were freed from fraudulent operations in Myanmar.

“Governments and global organizations should collaborate to ensure the safety of our citizens,” she stated.

The senator greeted more than 100 Filipinos who landed in Manila from Myanmar on Wednesday.

Hontiveros, along with Akbayan Partylist candidate Chel Diokno, met with some of the repatriated individuals who had contacted them seeking assistance.

She mentioned that the victims recounted horrific tales of torment, sexual assault, and various types of abuse.

“I hope that the victim-survivors receive appropriate psychosocial support due to the trauma they endured,” Hontiveros stated.

“Our administration should firmly guarantee that no additional Filipino ends up in that nightmare again,” stated Hontiveros.

In 2022, she initiated the Senate investigations into human trafficking within scam operations following her office’s role in rescuing Filipinos who had been trafficked to Myanmar.

Dictators Understand Only the Language of Power, Says Tsikhanouskaya

Dictators Understand Only the Language of Power, Says Tsikhanouskaya

As Belarus grows more volatile within Eastern Europe, the nation becomes increasingly ensnared by Russian control, according to opposition figurehead Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s remarks during an interview with Euronews. She cautioned that this situation might position Belarus as a potential starting point for military hostilities targeting Ukraine and other Western neighboring countries.

In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed during an event in Munich that Russia intends to deploy as many as 150,000 soldiers in Belarus within the year, possibly posing a threat to NATO nations. Given Belarus’s increasingly close ties with Moscow, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya contends that the country’s autonomy is endangered, casting doubt over its prospects and the safety of surrounding states.

For Tsikhanouskaya, sanctions continue to be an essential means of preventing additional Russian aggression. She stated, “The focus is on transforming our nation, and sanctions serve as one of the most potent tools.” According to her, “A steadfast strategy is necessary when dealing with dictators; we firmly believe that sanctions should act as leverage to modify their actions.” Furthermore, she explained, “We advocate using these measures until significant progress towards negotiations occurs, aiming ultimately to secure the liberation of everyone and conduct unbiased elections,” she emphasized.
The Europe Conversation.

Recent indications of increasing integration between Russia and Belarus have sparked concerns. Although Belarusian residents can now take part in voting processes, Tsikhanouskaya views this as an incremental move towards Belarus being absorbed by Russia. She stated, “This is a gradual annexation happening with Lukashenko’s consent, knowing he acts like Putin’s marionette. He is willing to trade away our autonomy, self-governance, and nationhood simply to retain his grip on power.”

She contended that the policy of Russification has been progressively moving forward, as agreements have been reached without regard for Belarus’s national interests. “Regardless of voter turnout, these events cannot be classified as genuine elections. It is indeed alarming that Lukashenko, through his actions, is steering Belarus towards Russia,” Tsikhanouskaya stated.

Although Tsikhanouskaya doesn’t view the situation as involving direct territorial seizure akin to what happened in Ukraine, she thinks it revolves around ensuring a leadership aligned with Moscow. She explains, “Their aim is to establish a compliant administration that gives the semblance of sovereignty while having this government act according to Putin’s wishes. In essence, their objective is to create a regime that could be used anytime for additional incursions—perhaps into the European Union—or merely serve propaganda purposes. They desire nothing less than a marionette government within the nation.”

Launchpad for an invasion

At the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy delivered a strong caution that Russia could potentially utilize Belarus as a staging ground for an assault, akin to the 2022 strike against Ukraine. Tsikhanouskaya echoed these apprehensions. She stated, “As long as Lukashenko remains in control, Belarusian territory may serve once more as a starting point for an offensive either toward Ukraine or towards our western neighbors.”

The possibility of such an invasion still remains uncertain. “This situation demonstrates that the democratic world struggles to clearly state whether they would tolerate oppression or if invasions of sovereign nations can occur unchecked. They lack effective means to address this threat. There is a chance that these forces could reach the borders of the European Union.”

Tsikhanouskaya contended that autocrats only comprehend the discourse of authority, stating: “When you fail to deliver this strength, when you do not demonstrate courage and audacity, dictators will assert, ‘Very well, we shall trample over the subsequent red line.'”

Democratic aspirations remain intact

Tsikhanouskaya stayed optimistic about Belarus’ future, acknowledging that transformation could occur via multiple pathways. She stated, “Transformation in Belarus might transpire through various channels, yet the crucial aspect is that democratic entities, our community, and Europe should be ready for such transformations.”

Even though the present situation may seem challenging, Tsikhanouskaya felt that the desire for democracy in Belarus has not disappeared. She stated, “It’s important to keep in mind that those protesting in the streets are just one segment of the opposition against the government. The appearance of tranquility within the nation does not imply that citizens have surrendered; rather, they are strategizing and will be prepared once an opportunity for transformation arises.”

According to Tsikhanouskaya, there are greater opportunities for changing the government in Belarus compared to Russia.

Top 10 La Liga Signings From Premier League Clubs: How Did They Perform?

Top 10 La Liga Signings From Premier League Clubs: How Did They Perform?

The top teams in La Liga have consistently possessed many of the most renowned figures in global soccer, while the standard of play within the league ranks among the finest worldwide.

Several of their top players have come from different regions, with numerous global superstars following the path from the Premier League to La Liga.

Reports indicate that Trent Alexander-Arnold might be the next player to make the move from Liverpool to Real Madrid. In light of this news, we’ve examined the 10 most expensive players who previously made similar transfers to La Liga and analyzed their performances.

10. Conor Gallagher

In his final season at Chelsea, Gallagher appeared to be an essential player for the team. He was thriving as an academy graduate, experiencing the most successful campaign of his career in terms of both goals scored and assists provided. Additionally, he frequently took up the role of captain by wearing the armband.

However, since he was a local talent, and Chelsea aimed to clear their accounts purely through profits, they offloaded the midfielder to Atletico Madrid for around £35 million.

He appears to be an ideal match for Diego Simeone’s team, although he has shared playing time with other midfielders. During a round-of-16 Champions League match against Real Madrid, Gallagher netted a crucial goal, but Atletico was unfortunately eliminated through penalty kicks.

So far, with three goals and five assists from the midfield position, although he hasn’t stood out dramatically, Gallagher has proven to be a valuable addition.

9. Ferran Torres

Barcelona
He was acquired for around £46 million from Manchester City in 2022, but he hasn’t truly justified this cost so far.

Before this season, the winger had never managed to score more than 10 goals in a single season with the La Liga heavyweights.

Out of his 145 matches with Barcelona, Torres has started nearly precisely half of them (73). This indicates that the various managers he has worked under were conscious that although he can influence games, they do not consider him their top option among available assets.

8. Raphinha

Before joining Barcelona, Raphinha wasn’t yet considered a superstar, and compared to transfers to major La Liga teams, his move carried the least amount of hype. At Sporting CP and Rennes, he hadn’t made much of a splash, but he truly flourished when he joined Leeds.

During his debut season in the Premier League, Raphinha contributed to 15 goals, and in his subsequent season, he played a part in scoring or assisting 14 goals. His performances were instrumental in preventing Fulham from being relegated during the 2021-22 campaign, which also attracted interest from Barcelona.

Initially, his tenure in Spain was somewhat lackluster but not entirely so; it might best be described as rather gradual. In his debut season, he netted 10 goals and provided 12 assists, which was then succeeded by another tally of 10 goals along with 13 assists in the subsequent term.

However, in the 2024/25 season, following reports suggesting that Barcelona might sell him to generate urgently required capital, Raphinha has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. As of this writing, he boasts an impressive tally of 27 goals and 20 assists for the current campaign.

Should Barcelona manage to clinch the La Liga title or triumph in the Champions League this campaign—Raphinha contributed with 11 goals and five assists in the latter—if they succeed, the winger will be pivotal to their achievement, having emerged as a megastar this season.

7. Diego Costa

Costa represented Atletico Madrid multiple times throughout his career. After departing initially, he returned in 2010 before transferring to Chelsea in 2014. Four years following this move, he rejoined the team, with Atleti allegedly shelling out £57 million for him.

During his last campaign before moving to the Premier League, Costa found the back of the net 36 times. Over three years at Stamford Bridge, he accumulated an impressive tally of 59 goals along with 21 assists.

Therefore, Atletico likely expected to welcome back an elite forward, yet Costa found it challenging to readjust to Spanish football, with his recovery from injuries compounding the issue.

After returning, the forward played in 81 games over four seasons but managed only 19 goals during this period. Released in 2021, his stint of being without a team for several months underscores how unsatisfactory his performance had been.

6. Luis Suarez

In just two and a half years at Liverpool, Barcelona recognized enough potential in Suarez to bring him aboard with an initial transfer fee reportedly set at £75 million. It wasn’t surprising when he went on to greater heights following his last season in the Premier League where he scored 31 goals and provided 13 assists.

In his sophomore year at Barcelona, he broke that record by netting an astonishing 40 La Liga goals, coupled with 18 assists. Throughout all tournaments that campaign, Suarez registered 54 goals and provided 24 assists.

During his entire tenure at Camp Nou, the Uruguayan striker netted 195 times and provided 113 assists across 283 matches. He claimed victory in the Champions League once, which was during Barcelona’s win in the 2014/15 season, and secured the La Liga championship four times prior to achieving this feat again with Atletico Madrid in the 2020/21 campaign.

Having already established himself as a top forward at Liverpool, Suarez’s tenure at Barcelona further solidified his reputation as one of the premier strikers of his time.

5. Julian Alvarez

Among the latest footballers to make a switch between the Premier League and La Liga, Alvarez transferred from defending Premier League champs Manchester City to prospective La Liga winners Atletico Madrid during the summer of 2024.

Although he was a consistent presence during his last season with City, the abundance of talented players meant that the game didn’t revolve around him as much as it does now at Atletico.

He has accumulated 23 goals along with five assists this season, which includes eight significant contributions directly leading to goals in the Champions League. Up until now, the transfer appears beneficial for Alvarez.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s
It was unquestionably the most remarkable transfer from the Premier League to La Liga ever. His move shattered records at around £80 million from Manchester United. This transaction surpassed the former world-record fee set when Zinedine Zidane joined Real Madrid, which had lasted for eight years.

Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, Ronaldo stood out as one of the most formidable strikers globally, netting an impressive 450 goals and providing 131 assists in 438 matches.

In 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, he claimed the Ballon d’Or award when playing for Real Madrid, and he also secured 16 team titles with the club, which included winning five UEFA Champions League trophies.

3. Gareth Bale

When Bale moved to Real Madrid for roughly £85 million, he set a new world record. Having quickly evolved from a troubled full-back into a formidable striker at Tottenham, he went on to maintain his impressive form playing as a winger for Real Madrid.

During his inaugural season with the team, Bale netted 22 goals and delivered 19 assists across all contests. This tally featured six goals and four assists throughout their victorious UEFA Champions League run, which culminated in him scoring in the final match. Over time, Bale secured an additional five UEFA Champions League trophies along with three La Liga championships for the club, amassing numerous accolades.

Throughout seven seasons, he managed to score 106 goals and provided 67 assists. Although his performance waned toward the latter part, leading him to be sent back to Tottenham on loan, his tenure with the La Liga heavyweights can certainly be deemed a major success.

2. Eden Hazard

After moving to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of up to £130 million including add-ons, Hazard struggled significantly to recreate the level of play he demonstrated during his time at Chelsea.

Among the most skillful talents in the Premier League’s history, this Belgian player concluded their tenure at Stamford Bridge with an impressive tally of 21 goals and 17 assists during their last season.

In 76 matches throughout his entire Real Madrid career, he was unable to reach that one-season tally. Hazard began with a sluggish start, scoring only once and providing seven assists during this period.

The fact that he didn’t feature in more than 20 La Liga matches during one campaign—largely due to recurring injuries—highlighted how poorly Hazard adapted, leading him to retire at only 32 with just 10 appearances in his last season.


QUIZ:
Could you list all the players Real Madrid has signed from the Premier League?


1. Philippe Coutinho

Barcelona broke the bank with a record-breaking transfer fee of £142 million to sign the talented attacking midfielder Coutinho away from Liverpool, making him the costliest player ever recruited by a La Liga team.

At Anfield, he transformed into an iconic figure, contributing directly to 97 goals across 201 matches. However, his time at Barcelona did not meet the high standards he had established nor justified the significant cost of his transfer.

Following 13 direct goal contributions in his initial 18 La Liga matches, Coutinho’s performance dipped significantly, contributing only seven goals over the next 32 appearances. Later, he went on loan to Bayern Munich, regaining some of his former prowess; however, he failed to recapture his earlier form upon returning to Barcelona.

The player from Brazil was permitted to depart for Aston Villa following just 39 goal involvements in 106 matches with Barcelona.


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Top 9 Party-List Groups Dominate SWS March Poll Results

MANILA, Philippines — According to the most recent survey carried out by Social Weather Stations (SWS), nine party-list groups are at the forefront.

The poll conducted from March 15 to 20 for the Stratbase group revealed that the 4Ps party-list remains the top choice out of the 156 groups competing in this year’s elections.

It garnered the backing of 10.44 percent of the participants, closely trailed by Duterte Youth with 8.42 percent and ACT-CIS with 5.29 percent.

Behind them came FPJ Panday Bayanihan with 4.17 percent, followed by Ako Bicol at 2.51 percent, then Asenso Pinoy at 2.45 percent, Senior Citizens at 2.28 percent, TGP at 2.05 percent, and finally Agimat at 2.0 percent.

According to election guidelines, party-list groups that obtain a minimum of two percent of the overall votes are assured of securing at least one position in Congress.

The remaining seats were distributed according to the calculations provided by the Supreme Court in a previous decision.

Based on recent surveys, at least one percent of participants have backed 16 additional party-list organizations.

This list includes Tingog, Coop-Natco, Bicol Saro, EduAksyon, SSS-GSIS Pensionados, Anakalusugan, Malasakit@Bayanihan, 1-Rider, Kabataan, Agap, Manila Teachers, Magsasaka, PBBM, Trabaho, United Senior Citizens, and Murang Kuryente.

The head of StratBase, Dindo Manhit, stated that the steady performance of the top party-list organizations indicates a trend fueled by significant brand recognition and voter connection to their key issues.

Manhit encouraged voters to look past just recalling names and instead evaluate the platforms and track records of the party-list organizations.

“Although popularity and recognition significantly influence voter preferences, it’s crucial for Filipinos to consider more than just name recall when they cast their ballots,” he stated.