15 December 2023 Updates from The Philippines: Rowena Burden Dies Suddenly Aged 58. Supreme Court & Dr. Iggy. Dengvaxia Case Quashed. DOH USEC Tayag States there were No Excess Deaths in Philippines.

Vocal critic of Cebu Governor Garcia Dr Rowena Burden has died of today from a sudden heart attack aged 58. Dr. Burden was a bright, active and at times controversial figure on the Cebu political stage. Her sudden death comes as a great surprise.

She was a strong and vocal advocate for Covid-19 vaccines for all Filipinos, including children, and her own grandchildren.

Supreme Court Looking into Agbayani Case

The Supreme Court will reexamine the case of surgeon Dr. Iggy Abayani who died in prison after being charged with reckless imprudence by a lawyer patient who developed an infection following knee surgery.

No Excess Deaths in Philippines Over Pandemic Years

DOH USEC Tayag has clarified (timestamp 1:48:34) that there were no excess deaths in the Philippines over the pandemic years during a live COVID conference today. During the same presentation they discussed monitoring for, detection, and management of covid and other flu-like illnesses. There was a very heavy focus on the use and promotion of vaccination. Covid-19, RSV, pneumonia, flu and MMR vaccines were all mentioned and promoted. It was confirmed that the government is tracking vaccination status of citizens, and that the DOH, working with DEPED have aspecial focus on the vaccine education of children so that they will play a role in convincing adults to accept vaccination.

I am relieved to know that I am wrong in my fears and suspicions. Other data analysts will also have to be advised that their data, even though sourced from official channels, and their conclusions are wrong.

Chart of the Day (CotD) Philippines Covid and Excess Deaths

Of course, the above comment is tongue-in-cheek. How ever would public official be able to admit to excess deaths (and injuries) exist within their populations, concurrent with covid-19 vaccine rollouts? Doing so would somehow admit culpability and a role in the causality of those deaths, and the need for action to address the harm. It will take a humble, strong, and God-driven official to make such admissions and to start dealing with the mounting toll.

Dengvaxia Cases Quashed

The Dengvaxia cases filed have been quashed by the Supreme Court; all 35 cases will be consolidated into a single case.

This was protested by parents. Individual cases will not be considered and even a new injury cases (the latest suspected case being from December 2023) would still be lumped back to the single case.

Uneasy Relations Between China and Philippines Continue

It is quite nerve-wracking watching apparently escalating tensions between the Philippines and China. The latest is reported to be China’s use of water cannons against Philippines Supply ships.

Philippines is in a very sensitive spot with regards to its’ neighbor China, and there have been long-term territorial disputes between the nations. However, Philippines has escalated the game by allowing additional US Military bases on her soil, and the cancelling railway contracts with China, though it is claimed that this is unrelated to maritime conflicts.

This article, though a few months old, well describes some of the issues.

Relations do not look set to improve any time soon, as comprehensively reported from The Diplomat.

Even aside from her own currently shaky relationship, Philippines could easily be caught between struggling giants China and US, and she will be a loser regardless of outcomes. Great diplomacy will be needed to get through this period! Let us pray for cool calm heads to prevail on all sides.