TUKLASIN NATIN

More than eleven years after the commission of the crime, two Chinese nationals were finally convicted by the court for possession of 7.9 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Hon. Henri Jean-Paul Inting, Presiding Judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 95, found the accused, Tai On Cheung and Lung Wai Tang, guilty beyond reasonable doubt, sentencing them both to reclusion perpetua and pay a fine of P500,000 each.

Tai On Cheung and Lung Wai Tang were apprehended on July 18, 2000, after authorities recovered 7.9 kilograms of shabu by virtue of search warrant served against them at Unit 310, SGB Condominium along Panay Avenue in Quezon City.

“The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is delighted with the outcome of the case. Although the case against Tai On Cheung and Lung Wai Tang was filed back in 2000, when the governing law against illegal drugs was still Republic Act 6425, PDEA still considers it a victory for the Agency,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr.

Upon the operationalization of PDEA as the as the lead anti-drug agency with the enactment of Republic Act 9165 in 2002, PDEA paid special attention to the Tai On Cheung and Lung Wai Tang case, recognizing the significance of the volume of illegal drugs and the personalities involved.  Through the Agency’s Legal and Prosecution Service (PDEA LPS), constant liaising and close coordination with the National Prosecutors Office was established to strengthen the evidence against the accused.

Gutierrez said this recent accomplishment is the product of harmonious working relationship between law enforcers and prosecutors.

“The unwavering dedication and commitment of prosecutors and law enforcers as witnesses played a crucial role in presenting air-tight evidence against the accused.  This subsequently convinced the rule in favor of the government,” Gutierrez said. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

How compliant is the Philippines as a ratifying party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)?

Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), an international association of more than 350 non-governmental organizations from more than 100 countries working collectively to support the WHO FCTC wrote a letter to all members of the Philippine Congress, Senate, Justices of Supreme Court, and President Benigno Aquino III.  The WHO FCTC is the first international public health treaty that the Philippines ratified in 2005 along with 173 other countries to protect present and future generations from the global tobacco epidemic.

FCA warmly congratulated the Philippine government “for taking concrete steps toward protecting its citizens from the global epidemic that is caused by tobacco use.” It specifically lauded the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for ceaselessly implementing its smoke-free initiative despite the legal challenges it has encountered.

“We are deeply concerned by the legal challenges facing MMDA, and the reported links of these challenges to tobacco industry giant Philip Morris,” stated the letter of the 9-member board of FCA. “It is indeed most alarming how a number of pending cases utilize your own statute, Republic Act 9211 or Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, in restraining the execution of the WHO FCTC, which the Philippines ratified in 2005.”

Last August, Antony Clemente, a security guard who used to work for Philip Morris, admitted on nationwide television that a tobacco company promised him money in exchange for filing a case against the MMDA to challenge its smoke-free campaign. Clemente’s self-expose happened the same day that Judge Carlos Valenzuela of Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against the MMDA, which Chairman Francis Tolentino contested via a motion for reconsideration that was still denied.

Unabashedly, FCA is also quick to point out the problem with the power given to the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-T) to implement the provisions of RA 9211: “The establishment of an Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco under RA 9211 is certainly admirable. However, the present position that the tobacco industry holds in this committee poses an irreconcilable conflict of interest in the effective implementation of tobacco control policies. As such it violates Article 5.3 of the FCTC, concerning interference from the tobacco industry in public health policy.”

“Taking into consideration the historical behavior of the tobacco industry and its potential to circumvent present initiatives, we strongly recommend further protection of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of your government in order to effectively implement Article 5.3 of FCTC,” FCA Executive Director Laurent Huber stated in the letter.

In a recent Country Profiling report done by WHO, the Philippines got a score of 0 out of 5 in terms of implementation of FCTC-required tobacco control measures. The Philippines is under legal obligation to comply with the FCTC in good faith, with some of its provisions setting deadlines that have already been missed, such as the 2008 deadline to put effective health warnings on cigarette packs and the 2010 deadline for a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotions, and sponsorship.

FCA reminded government officials of the 240 Filipino lives lost daily due to tobacco. “Such tragic loss is preventable with the help of your steadfast commitment to the implementation of effective tobacco control measures,” said Shoba John, FCA Board Chairperson.

Since the enactment of RA 9211 in 2003, at least 9 cases have been filed against government agencies implementing FCTC-required tobacco control measures. Two petitions have been granted in favor of cigarette companies. The rest are pending resolution. Chely Esguerra/ Atty. Grace Villanueva, Framework Convention Alliance’s

Two notorious shabu pushers, who are in the top-three most wanted list of drug personalities in the province of Pangasinan fell into the hands of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) following separate entrapment operations in Urdaneta, Pangasinan on October 4, 2011.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. identified the suspects as Jonery Lambino, alias Bonsai; and Andy Quiocho, alias Bruno Pangon, Pangasinan’s Number 2 and Number 3 drug personality, respectively.

Lambino was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by elements of PDEA Pangasinan Special Enforcement Team (SET), with the assistance of OPLAN 101 Kill Droga in Barangay Paurido West, Urdaneta City. He yielded 24 pieces of plastic sachets containing shabu weighing 8.72 grams.

On the other hand, Quiocho was apprehended an hour and a half later in another buy-bust operation conducted by the same operating team along Cansejo Street, Barangay Poblacion, Urdaneta City. Recovered from Quiocho were six shabu sachets weighing 0.29 gram.

Both suspects are presently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Urdaneta City. Appropriate cases have been filed against the two suspects. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

A national nursing organization gathers to talk about the current state of maternal health and the lack of reproductive & sexual health & unifies to support the national campaign to pass a comprehensive reproductive health law in the country.

The Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders & Advocates International Inc. (AYNLA), a national nursing organization who is very supportive to the most-debated legislative measure, the RH Bill, shall gather its leaders from NCR and the regions to know more about the current state of maternal health and the importance of reproductive & sexual health to all people this coming October 8-9, 2011 at Great Eastern Hotel, Quezon City.

AYNLA will release their National Manifesto of Support to Reproductive Health which will be signed by their national, regional and some local officers and shall be accepted by some RH champion legislators & heads of Civil Society Organizations in October 9^th. Different medical & advocacy experts such as former DOH Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral, former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel are invited to speak & discuss about maternal & child health, reproductive & sexual health, comprehensive sexuality education, and the role of nurses in achieving the Millennium Development Goals focusing on reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.

“We have to train more nurses who are now currently unemployed to provide better RH services, education & patient counseling. I believe that with the bountiful number of nurses, we can mobilize more health educators & service providers to address many RH issues. That is why we are pushing for the RH Bill, because it will enhance the number of health providers & facilities in poor communities which do not have these services” said Alvin Dakis, President & CEO of AYNLA and is a sexual health nurse himself.

AYNLA is the only nursing organization who is very supportive of the bill and actively joins the passage of it. AYNLA believes that nurses can venture into reproductive & sexual health practice and venture to organizing RH centers or clinics. Nurses when trained can become excellent providers of family planning, reproductive & sexual health services. Nurses are also excellent health educators who can teach appropriately across age groups, in schools, companies & communities.

Dakis urges legislators to think of their poor constituents who cannot access to life-saving services, those who cannot access correct & full information & education on their reproductive & sexual health, and those young people who were refused to be informed about their sexuality, leaving them wandering for correct answers. “All of these can be provided by our nurses, train them & approve the bill” he said. Alvin Dakis, AYNLA

The key message of the United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was clear:

“Governments should educate people and encourage healthier options.”

These were the words of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as he spoke at the gathering of the world’s leaders in New York last week. Calling it a landmark meeting, Ban began his speech saying ”Three out of every five people on earth die from the diseases that we gather here to address.”

Pointing out that NCDs are a threat to development, Ban encouraged “people to cycle to work instead of driving, they get exercise and the planet is spared more greenhouse gas emissions,“ and added  that feeding children with nutritious diet at school increases their  attendance  and  teaches them healthy “eating habits can last a lifetime.”

On an equally important note, Ban reminded the world leaders that working on the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will help governments address the threat of NCDs. The FCTC is the world’s first public health treaty that .aims to address the devastating health, social, economic, and environmental consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.

The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) affirmed Ban’s remark that tobacco control is crucial to NCDs.  SEATCA Director Bungon Ritthiphakdee stated that measures on tobacco price and tax are still the most effective means to reduce tobacco consumption. Thailand, which increased tobacco taxes nine times since 1994 and with 85 percent current excise rate has reduced “smoking prevalence among youths and the poor… by more than 50 percent,” Bungon stressed.

The World Health Organization has long established that NCDs are a threat to development and one key strategy to address this is increasing tobacco tax to discourage tobacco consumption and at the same time use the additional revenue to fund health programs designed to build healthier environments and empower individuals to make healthy choices.

Speaking for the cancer survivors, Emer Rojas, Global Cancer Ambassador and President of New Vois Association, proposes “immediate enactment of pending sin tax bills and revival of the graphic health warning bill in Congress to show government support to the recent UN High Level Summit. These bills will surely save thousands of people from premature death. To note major NCDs namely cancer, diabetes, heart and lung diseases accounts for 63 percent of all deaths worldwide and 80 percent of these deaths happen in developing countries which includes the Philippines. A third of these lifestyle diseases can be prevented through simple measures such as physical activity, healthy foods, reduction of alcohol intake and, most importantly, quitting smoking”.

 As the United Nations Secretary General kindly pleaded government leaders, “We should encourage individuals to make the smart choices that will protect their health,” and concluded, “I count on your leadership and commitment and I thank you very much.” Carolina Rodriguez Bello, Media and Communication Officer, Health Justice Philippines.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a buy-bust operation in Misamis Occidental which resulted in the arrest of a notorious listed drug personality.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. identified the arrested suspect as Jayson Lagahid alyas “Bakyot”, included in the PDEA Watchlist. Lagahid, male, 36 year old, a resident of Purok 2, Barangay Talic, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, single and jobless.

Lagahid was caught red-handed after selling two suspected heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu who served as a poseur buyer to a PDEA agent. Also recovered from his possession were four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, 24 pieces rolled aluminum foil and one improvised tooter together with P200 buy-bust money.

The suspect is detained in Oroquieta City Police Station detention cell. Charges for selling and possession of prohibited drugs (Sections 5 and 11), and possession of drug paraphernalia (Section 12), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have already been filed against Lagahid. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

Quezon City, Philippines- Despite the early morning drizzle close to 3000 runners from various sectors braved the weather and participated in the final leg of the Baguio City to Metro Manila PMA2PMA Smoke Free Philippines and Healthy lifestyle run which started September 18 at the Philippine Military Academy and ended yesterday at the Philippine Medical Association headquarters in Quezon City.

At the closing ceremony of the week long health advocacy run the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), through its President Dr.  Oscar D. Tinio, supported by its professional partners the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives (PLGPM), Integrated Philippine Associations of Optometrists (IPAO) awarded Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis N. Tolentino a plaque of recognition declaring him their 2011 Smoke Free Champion for Metro Manila.

“We at the health sector would like to thank you for your unwavering dedication in the fight to keep Metro Manila Smoke Free despite the odds. The Metro Manila wide smoking ban that you have imposed is proof that you have the political will needed to implement what is right for our people.  Because of this you have championed the rights of non-smokers to breathe tobacco free air in public places of the metropolis.” Tinio said referring to Tolentino.

For his part Tolentino said “the fight towards the smoking ban (in public places) is not over yet even if the temporary restraining order (TRO) has lapsed. As I speak to you now, tobacco advocates are moving towards a more permanent legal action against the smoking ban in Metro Manila”.  “I thanked the Smoke Free Philippines coalition for your support. Let us be more vigilant in our fight to keep Metro Manila Smoke Free” Tolentino added.

Running priest Fr. Robert Reyes was joined by newly appointed Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim and Optical Media Board (OMB) Chairman Ronnie Ricketts in the final leg of this one week event.

“I am supporting your advocacy for a smoke free, clean air and healthy lifestyle. Our beloved President tasked me to work for a cleaner and corruption free Bureau of Customs (BOC) in my new job as its Intelligence chief” Lim explained.  

“We are joining your advocacy for a clean and healthy living. Pornography is contradictory towards clean and healthy mind. Most of these “smut” are peddled in our streets through pirated videos. Let us protect the tender minds of our youth against pornography” Ricketts appealed.

The event ended with the signing of, all runners and participants, on a commitment board declaring their resolve for a Smoke Free and Healthy Philippines. Dr. Mike Aragon, Chair Media Affairs, Philippine Medical Association (PMA)

Instead of spending his time inside a classroom teaching schoolchildren to become good citizens, an elementary school teacher is now inside a detention facility of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

This was after he was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of PDEA Regional Office 9 (PDEA RO9) on September 20, 2011 near a lotto outlet in Baliwasan Moret, Zamboanga City.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez Jr., identified the suspect as Raul Ledesma Miang, alias “Anggo”.  Gutierrez revealed that Miang is included in the PDEA Regional watchlist.

Miang, a 50-year old private school teacher, yielded one plastic sachet of shabu during the buy-bust operation. Also recovered from the suspect were a cellular phone, a wallet containing identification cards, and the P900 buy-bust money used in the transaction.  Inventory of evidence were done in the presence of the suspect’s legal counsel and members of the media.

“It is very disturbing that a teacher, who should serve as role model for our youth, has been corrupted by illegal drugs.  Teachers should be part of the solution to the drug problem not the abetting problem,” the PDEA Chief noted, citing the significant role educators play in the implementation of the national anti-drug campaign.

Charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed in court against Miang. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

According to the results of the 2008 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), 25.3 percent of adults 20 years old and above are hypertensive based on a single visit blood pressure (BP).

Prevalence of hypertension increased significantly from 22.5 percent in 2003 to 25.3 percent in 2008, the survey further revealed.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for developing heart diseases like congestive heart failure due to a malfunctioning compartment of the heart leading to its enlargement and atherosclerosis or the narrowing of arterial walls due to cholesterol deposit. Heart diseases can lead to death, if not properly managed.

So why are we becoming hypertensive? There are a number of risk factors that can lead to the development of hypertension.

Lifestyle risk factors include being overweight or obese, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol drinking and high intake of salty foods.

People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop hypertension because for each additional pound of fat, opening of blood vessels become narrower, making the heart work harder to deliver blood all over the body.

According to the 2008 NNS, 26.6 percent of adults are overweight or obese based on body mass index (BMI).

The rate of overweight or obesity is increasing at 0.67 percentage points per year. This increasing trend is a contributing factor to the increasing percentage of adults with hypertension.

Physical activity helps in improving heart function and healthy arteries. However, Filipinos generally have low physical activity, based on the results of 2008 NNS. 

The 92.7 percent of Filipinos have low leisure-related physical activity, 94.5 percent have low travel-related physical activity, 75.4 percent have low non-work related physical activity, and lastly, 76.3 percent have low work-related physical activity.

Smokers are also at high risk because smoking can immediately increase blood pressure and can also damage the artery walls.

About 31.0% of adults aged 20 years old and above are smokers, based on the 2008 NNS. There was a decrease in the percentage of smokers from 35.2 percent in 2003 to 31.0 percentage in 2008.

Alcohol drinking in excessive amounts can increase blood pressure. Based on the results of the 2008 NNS, 26.9% of Filipinos are alcohol drinkers. This percentage already decreased compared to 53.0 percent in 2003.

High intake of sodium in the diet can cause the blood to retain more water as a result it increases blood pressure, especially among salt sensitive individuals. The normal range of sodium in the diet of Filipinos is 2800 to 6000 milligrams. This is equivalent to 7 to 15 grams of salt but other foods may also contain sodium. 

The increasing trend of overweight and obesity, low physical activity and the high percentage of smokers, alcohol drinkers and high salt intake can all contribute to the increasing prevalence of hypertensive Filipinos.

Other factors that contribute to the development of hypertension include age, gender and family history.

People over age 35 are more at-risk. The prevalence of hypertension is peaking at age 40-49, according to the 2008 NNS.

More males are at-risk than females. This is evident in the results of the 2008 NNS, indicating more males are hypertensive at 29.1 percent compared to women at only 22.2 percent.

 Being hypertensive also runs in the family. If there is a history of hypertension in the family, a person becomes more at-risk.

In fighting hypertension, we need to remember message number eight and ten of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) developed by a team of experts led by the FNRI-DOST.

Message number eight of the NGF states: “Use iodized salt but avoid excessive use of salt”.

Filipinos are encouraged to always use iodized salt, as it helps in reducing the rate of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). But excessive use of salt can also contribute to the development of hypertension for at-risk individuals.

Message number ten of the NGF states: “For a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise regularly, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcoholic beverages”.

Exercise regularly at least thirty minutes a day, three to five times a week.

Limit your alcohol drinking to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

One alcohol drink is equivalent to one and a half ounce of distilled beverage such as gin or twelve ounce or a bottle of beer or four ounces of wine or half glass wine of or an ounce of 100 proof whiskey.

We need to practice message number ten to avoid lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and the heart diseases that goes with it.

So, are you at-risk? What will you do about it?

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num:  8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Celina Ann Z. Javier, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service

An herb is a plant valued for flavor, scent, medicinal or other qualities other than its food value.

Herbs can be classified according to their use.

A culinary herb can be any other part of the plant itself like its seeds, berries, barks, roots and fruits, which provide flavor to food even in very minimal amounts.

A medicinal herb is used to treat or prevent diseases or disorders and promote good health.

Other uses of herbs are for religious purposes and pest control.

According to Dr. Gemiliano D. Aligui, a research epidemiologist, herbs in relation to sports can stimulate peak levels of physical performance, control pain in injuries, manage weight and rehabilitate the body from the consequences of injuries.

Aligui cited various examples of helpful herbs in each categorical purpose in sports.

1. Ergogenic Aids:

• Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe) and Indian snakeroot (Rauwolfia serpentina) contain ‘yohimbe’, an alkaloid capable of stimulating the body and acts as an aphrodisiac.
• Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) increases free testosterone levels to improve performance.
• Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a nutritionally dense herb which contains 60 percent carbohydrates and minerals like selenium, magnesium and calcium.

2. Pain Control:

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been shown to be a COX-2 inhibitor, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance.
• Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) lowers prostaglandin levels to help ease pain.
• Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) contains capsaicin which reduces inflammation and pain.

3. Weight management:

• Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) contains corosolic acid which improves glucose utilization and contributes to weight loss.
• Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which helps metabolize fat with regular exercise.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) helps in fat digestion and limits fat deposition.

Although these alternatives are surely beneficial, it is recommended to ask a licensed medical practitioner knowledgeable in herbal medicine before taking or mixing these herbs with prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Herbs may have adverse effects when mixed with other drugs.

The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) developed by a team of experts led by the FNRI-DOST are primary recommendations to achieve good health and proper nutrition of Filipinos.

The tenth guideline, “For a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise regularly, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcohol beverages”, focuses on behavior modifications for a healthy lifestyle.

This guideline aims to encourage people to engage in physical activities either by brisk walking, jogging or playing sports, and to turn away from unhealthy vices such as smoking and excessive alcoholic beverage consumption.

In this fast-changing and demanding environment, people tend to search for choices.

As natural and cost effective as herbs are, there’s a lot more reason to go out and play!

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num:  8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Jund Rian A. Doringo, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service