By Rose de la Cruz

Teen sex caused 40 young ones to test positive for HIV out of the 1,021 HIV-positive Filipino children and teenagers (10 to 19 years old) based on the latest data of the Department of Health-HIV-AIDS registry.

Rep. Harlin Neil Abayon II of AANGAT Tayo partylist said  the 40 kids all got HIV through sexual contact.

"All were infected through sexual contact (2 male-female sex, 25 male-male sex, 13 had sex with both males and females), the DOH said.

As a registered nurse, I am deeply troubled by these figures because even the post-millennials are getting HIV and getting it through sexual intercourse, Abayon stressed.…

Read more: Teen sex caused 40 children to test positive for HIV

By Rose de la Cruz

Government’s decision to temporarily close Boracay to help in its rehabilitation came at a time when local tourists, more than foreigners, frequent the island beach famed for its white sands. And the timing just before Holy Week, which incidentally ushered in the summer break of schoolchildren, was definitely wrong and would force local tourists to either look at other Philippine destinations that are not as costly or try out the beaches of ASEAN neighbors which are visa-free. And there goes our tourism program.

Definitely, the malaise that the famed white sand beach…

Read more: Local tourists definitely missed Boracay last Holy Week

By Rose de la Cruz

Unlike many schools in the United States where active shooting in school campuses and classrooms have claimed many lives, the Philippines is also saddled with gun control problems as a result of so many loose firearms being used against innocent individuals.

Thus Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr., 1-Ang Edukasyon partylist and assistant minority leader, is asking the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice to give an update about cases filed against those persons arrested with illegal gun possession; those who run amok shooting innocent people, private armies and election-related violence.…

Read more: Phl also has gun control problems

By Rose de la Cruz

The reported sale of Uber of its entire Southeast Asia business to Grab has caused fears of a possible monopoly of the transportation network company (TNC) sector, or ride sharing, in the country.

Rep. Ciriaco Calalang, Kabayan partylist, said given this new development,  the Philippines now suddenly finds itself with a ride-hailing service monopoly—a situation that is not good for the riding public because of the lack of competition and competitive pricing.

It may take some weeks or months for the effects of…

Read more: Free the TNC sector of monopoly, LTFRB told