DOH: Flu-like cases to continue surge

THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said it expects cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) to continue increasing.

In a statement, the DOH said that ILI cases have historically increased towards the end of the year, given the onset of the colder weather brought by the northeast monsoon.

“The recent rise in ILI cases are expected and can be attributed to the rainy season,” it said. “Respiratory infections may further increase, especially this rainy season and upcoming holiday season.”

DOH record show 171,067 ILI cases reported nationwide as of October 28, or 49 percent higher than the 114,536 cases reported during the same period in 2022.

The health department urged the public to use layers of protection against the virus including masking, ensuring adequate ventilation, isolating when sick, and getting vaccinated. – Gerard Naval

p2 dof rips – joan

DOF: 58 probes vs erring employees ongoing

BY ANGELA CELIS

THE Department of Finance (DOF), through its Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), has initiated 58 investigations against suspected erring officials and employees under its jurisdiction.

In a statement, the DOF said the investigations were conducted from July 2022, or since the start of the Marcos administration’s term, to September 30, 2023.

RIPS is the DOF’s anti-corruption arm created to conduct lifestyle checks, investigate allegations of graft and corrupt practices and file criminal and administrative complaints, as necessary, against officials and employees of the DOF, its bureaus and attached agencies.

As of end-September, it said 23 investigations have been conducted so far on certain employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 23 on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), six on the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), one on the Insurance Commission, one on the DOF, three on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and one on the Philippine Deposit Insurance Commission (PDIC).

It has filed five cases with the Civil Service Commission against employees of the BIR, BOC, and BLFG and six cases with the Office of the Ombudsman against employees of the BIR.

It said it has received eight favorable resolutions.

To further strengthen the