VIROLOGY INSTITUTE. Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson picks a piece of paper during draw lots on who to answer first during the first Comelec-organized presidential debate at the Sofitel Hotel Tent in Pasay City on Saturday (March 19, 2022). Lacson said he intends to push for the creation of a Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute to prepare the country for another Covid-19-like pandemic. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA - If elected in the May 9 elections, Partido Reporma standard-bearer, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, said he will push for the creation of a Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute as this will be the country's first line of defense against Covid-19 and any other future mutations of the disease. "Ipu-pursue ko ito dahil ito ang magliligtas sa atin. Hindi na tayo mag-import. Lalakasan natin ang research and development sa pamamagitan ng Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (I will pursue
(File photo) MANILA - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to implement a new format for its second presidential debate to make it more exciting, according to Commissioner George Garcia. "That's why in the next presidential debate, there will be some adjustments that will surprise the candidates. If they already know or have an idea of what will happen, there is no more thrill," he told the media after the first "PiliPinas Debates 2022" held at the Sofitel Hotel Tent in Pasay City on Saturday night. "We can definitely promise you that there will be changes on the format. There is a surprise difference that they themselves will appreciate," he added. Garcia said the initial staging of the presidential debate was "very successful." "It's not 100 perfect, but it's a good start, it's successful for us. We think everyone, probably even if those who watched on television, followed it on social media, heard over radio, we c
(Screengrab from Comelec Facebook video) MANILA - Candidates will not be allowed to bring any notes on the podium during the first of a series of presidential and vice presidential debates dubbed as Pilipinas Debates 2022 organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be held in Pasay City this weekend. "We will not allow any notes on stage. Although we will be providing notepads and pens on the podium to enable the candidates to (write) down notes if they want," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview Friday, during the walkthrough at the debate venue at the Sofitel Hotel Tent. Jimenez said among the topics to be discussed are the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the economy. "These are the two biggest things on the minds of everyone right now," he added. For Saturday's presidential debate, there are 10 podiums on stage representing the number of candidates running for the highest elective post in the country. "We hav
(Photo courtesy of Comelec) MANILA - Candidates will not be allowed to bring any notes on the podium during the first of a series of presidential and vice presidential debates dubbed as Pilipinas Debates 2022 organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be held in Pasay City this weekend. "We will not allow any notes on stage. Although we will be providing notepads and pens on the podium to enable the candidates to (write) down notes if they want," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview Friday, during the walkthrough at the debate venue at the Sofitel Hotel Tent. Jimenez said among the topics to be discussed are the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the economy. "These are the two biggest things on the minds of everyone right now," he added. For Saturday's presidential debate, there are 10 podiums on stage representing the number of candidates running for the highest elective post in the country. "We have a pool of 2